Full Harold Ramis Interview Now Up!

Hey Gang, hopefully everyone’s enjoying the recently released ToyFare #144, we had a lot of fun putting that bad boy together. And personally, I had a lot of fun interviewing comedy legend Harold Ramis of Ghostbusters, Animal House, Year One and just about every other really funny movie from the 80s. We were only able to squeeze a small portion of the interview into the magazine, but head over here for the whole thing. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed working on it.

–TJ

ToyFare # 144: On sale 6/10!

It was 25 years ago this year…that just about everything that was cool in the ’80s happened!

ToyFare’s celebrating with a special issue dedicated to how friggin’ awesome 1984 was, and our cover features the poster-boys of ‘84 awesomeness, the Ghostbusters!

Here’s what you’ll find between the covers:

• ToyFare’s own lucky duck TJ Dietsch got to interview Harold “Egon” Ramis about the Ghostbusters toys and video game, and his new flick “Year One”! Plus, an interview with the makers of the aforementioned Ghostbusters video game, which we’re totally jazzed to play!

• 1984 mini-features on Super Powers, Voltron, Ninja Turtles, Terminator, Secret Wars and the year’s best films!

Plus, non-1984 stuff:

• If you follow me on Twitter, you already know we’re world-debuting DC Universe Classics Question in this issue! And hey, there’s a new wave of DC Direct JLA Classified in here that I’m pretty sure is brand-new as well!

• Get to know the inductees into this year’s prestigious ToyFare Hall of Fame at Wizard World Philadelphia!

• Twisted ToyFare Theatre: The Troopers are back, and this time they’re running afoul of the universe’s deadliest killers…the Ewoks!

• Plus, more Incoming, San Diego exclusives, Big Shots and all the other goodness you’re accustomed to!

ToyFare’s on Twitter!

Or, well, I’m on Twitter at any rate.

Just in time for #followfriday, add me as a friend on your Twitter account! In celebration of this exciting new technology I’m discovering after Oprah and 98% of the free world, I’m announcing which DC Universe Classics figure we’re going to be debuting in ToyFare #144 on my Twitter account (twitter.com/aclincorp) right now! Check it out, and welcome me to 2008!

The Greatest Letter Ever

We get a lot of great letters here at ToyFare and Wizard. Some of them are interesting or heartwarming, and some of them are just…interesting.

But one letter has been hanging on ToyFare’s door as long as I’ve been here, and it’s one of the only things from the old office I made sure to take with me and hang up when we made the move to New York City recently.

Behold:

When this letter first arrived it was pure white, and as far as we can tell it turned hot pink over time out of pure awesomeness.

In case you can’t read, it says:

Dear ToyFare,
I’m familiar with Mattel’s “Masters of the Universe.” It originally ran from 1982to 1987, and now the Four Horsemen have revamped it for a new generation. The line won’t be released until mid-June 2002, not July or August, but mid-June. “Masters of the Universe” is a concept everyone can relate to. It’s definitely the best!

Your pal,
Philip

P.S. Is He-Man really a magician?

Well, we never took the time to answer this letter, so let me just say: Philip…He-Man is whatever the hell you decide he is. Rock on, buddy!

New York Fangoria Con

Hey horror fans, we wanted to let you know that this weekend will find all the coolest ghouls descending upon the Jacob Javits Center in NYC for the New York Fangoria Weekend of Horrors (June 5-7). I could go on about how cool it is, but this press release lays it all out for you, so enjoy and maybe I’ll see you there:

“FANGORIA’s Weekend of Horrors” Brings the Best of Horror June 5-7, 2009 Back to New York City!

“Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors” returns to New York City June 5 thru 7 with a thrilling line-up of top terror talent from both film and television. This fright-filled event takes place at the gargantuan Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, with show hours Friday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Saturday/Sunday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Scream Celebrity guests scheduled to appear include: acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro, director of PAN’S LABYRINTH, THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE, BLADE II and the HELLBOY movies; master of Italian horror Dario Argento, the maestro behind SUSPIRIA, DEEP RED, TENEBRAE, OPERA, MOTHER OF TEARS and new GIALLO; Tobe Hooper, director of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, POLTERGEIST, ’SALEM’S LOT, TOOLBOX MURDERS and MASTERS OF HORROR; “Godfather of Gore” Herschell Gordon Lewis, the director of BLOOD FEAST, TWO THOUSAND MANIACS!, WIZARD OF GORE and many others; Tom Savini, makeup FX legend from DAWN OF THE DEAD, FRIDAY THE 13TH, MANIAC and many more, as well as actor from FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and GRINDHOUSE; Larry Fessenden, cult director of HABIT, WENDIGO and THE LAST WINTER, previewing new productions I SELL THE DEAD and THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL; Dennis Paoli, screenwriter of RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, BODY SNATCHERS, MASTERS OF HORROR, DAGON, CASTLE FREAK, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM and many more; and Michael Dougherty, writer/director of TRICK ‘R TREAT and screenwriter of SUPERMAN RETURNS and X2.

Three special horror reunions/panels include:

☛ LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT Reunion: with original baddies David Hess, Fred Lincoln, Jeramie Rain and Marc Sheffler

☛ TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Movies Reunion: with actresses Marilyn Burns & Caroline Williams.

☛ FRIDAY THE 13TH Tribute: with Betsy Palmer, the deadly Mrs. Voorhees, and her “sons”—Jason actors Kane Hodder and C.J. Graham

☛ DEAD AIR Panel world premiere screening of the new zombie flick; introduced by cast members Josh Feinman and Elle Travis.
-Continued-
Fangoria, 2-2-2

More of the fright field’s favorite faces will also appear at the Fango Convention: Doug Bradley, HELLRAISER’s Pinhead and star of new Clive Barker film BOOK OF BLOOD; James Marsters, beloved Spike of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and ANGEL, as well as the series SMALLVILLE and TORCHWOOD; Ashley Laurence, actress from HELLRAISER films; Tony Darrow, much loved actor/comic from STREET TRASH, THE SOPRANOS, GOODFELLAS and LYNCH MOB, a new gangster horror flick; Robin Sherwood, actress from TOURIST TRAP and BLOW OUT; Lesleh Donaldson, Canadian actress from HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, CURTAINS, DEADLY EYES, FUNERAL HOME and FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES; and Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Argento actress from MOTHER OF TEARS, OPERA and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

A jam-packed indie horror movie festival and advance previews will be featured throughout the weekend of such films as FINAL DESTINATION: DEATH TRIP, ORPHAN, Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN 2 and HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, THE CHILDREN, PANDORUM, WRONG TURN 3 and many others!

Contests are back! Fangoria Weekend will host a Spooks Model Competition, a Creepy Costume Contest and a Terrifying Savage Tattoo Contest, that will offer cash and prizes to the winners.

A dealer’s room will be filled with vendors selling horror film merchandise. Plus, tons of cool collectible giveaways will be available while supplies last and a prize-filled costume contest will take place.

On Saturday evening at 7:30 PM, James Marsters will perform live in concert as a part of Fangoria weekend. A separate ticket price is required.

“FANGORIA’s Weekend of Horrors” is sponsored by Tattoo Savage, Coffin Case, Baby Tattoo, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Premiere Props, Schector Guitar Research, Suicide Girls and co-produced by FANGORIA Magazine (www.fangoria.com), the world’s most popular publication for readers who enjoy horror in film, television and other media, and Creation Entertainment, the leading entertainment marketing and merchandising company.

General admission tickets are available in advance through www.creationent.com, Friday is $20 and Saturday and Sunday is $22. At the door tickets are, Friday, $20 and Saturday and Sunday, $25. Tickets for children 7-12 are $15 at the door only, and children six and under are free with parent or guardian. Tickets for the Saturday night concert are $25.

For further information, call Creation Entertainment, 818/409-0960 or visit our website at www.creationent.com.

–TJ

ToyFare # 143: On sale 5/13!

Okay, first off I just realized that there hasn’t been a blog post since the LAST time we were hyping an issue, and that’s lame. I apologize. In addition to our regular duties we’ve been wrapping up a new Twisted ToyFare volume (on sale in July!) and a few other cool projects, and that’s been keeping us mega-busy. I’m hoping that we’ll resume a more normal blog schedule very soon.

But back to the subject at hand, which is, of course, hyping an issue.

ToyFare #143 hits stores tomorrow, and we once again have two covers for you to agonize over choosing between. On the one hand there’s the terrifying new Megatron figure from the upcoming film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. On the other hand we have our President (Barack Obama, in case you didn’t know), talking to a hologram coming out of a robot. Decisions!

And here’s what you’ll find lurking beneath the covers:

• An interview with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen screenwriters (and Trek and Fringe writers) Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci! How much did fanboy feedback affect their script? Why are they stepping away from the franchise after this film? Who’s got more Transformer toys?

• An interview with Hasbro’s Transformers brand team about the new movie toys.

• Twisted ToyFare Theatre: What menace will the Megos face this month? Behold, the coming of…Bizarrobama!

• We interview comedy mega-legend Mel Brooks and put ideas in his head about toys!

• We interview DVD legends Shout Factory! about their upcoming Transformers G1 releases!

• The rise and fall (and subsequent re-rise) of Mego toys, as told by the man who started it all, Marty Abrams!

• Ever wonder what would have become of MV Studios’ He-Man comic or Devil’s Due’s G.I. Joe if they hadn’t stop publishing? Wonder no more, because we’ve got a feature all about it!

• Plus, your first look at Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Classics Webstor figure and tons more toys in Incoming, Big Shots, the results of TWO of our recent fan’s choice polls and tons more.

Yes, my friends…it’s a good-ass issue.

ToyFare # 142: On sale 4/8!

Hey, guys. ToyFare #142 is out this week, and with it we are proud to unleash on the world the most exciting new character of 2009:

Golden Age Spider-Man!!!

Who is he? How does he come into Mego Spidey’s life? What kind of archaic slang does he use? You can only find out in this month’s Twisted ToyFare Theatre!

Also in this issue:

• Confused by the continuities of all those Terminator movies and shows? Our timeline will set you straight, while our interview with Terminator Salvation director McG will set you salivating! And not just because his name sounds like a fast food restaurant!

• If you’re one of the bazillions of World of Warcraft players worldwide, check out our special feature on all the cool-ass merch you can score to show off your love! Special bonus: We interview my college roommate! (No, it’s cool…he’s an expert on the subject.)

• We interview the biggest box office star of all time…Frank Welker! Yes, the voice of Megatron (and Scooby Doo, and Nibbler, and Dr. Claw, and…)

• Get a beginner’s guide to the ever-popular (but occasionally impenetrable) designer/vinyl toys movement. It art-tastic!

• ROM Spaceknight. Nuff said! …What? Not Nuff said? Well, we cast a retro eye back at this ground-breaking toy, and speak to ROM co-creator Bing McCoy. Bing!

• Plus Big Shots, buttloads of Star Wars toys, and our back page ad featuring the product that lets you worship Kali AND save on your heating bill…plus much, much more!

Pick. It. Up.

G.I. Joe Resolute Premiering Soon

Looks like Cartoon Network has finally announced when the much-anticipated Warren Ellis re-imagining of the G.I. Joe universe will be hitting screens. Get read, because April 25th will see G.I. Joe Resolute lighting up your TV screen with plenty of violence and we couldn’t be happier. The schedule says it will be an hour long at midnight on the 24th, which is interesting because, when we talked to the producers, they said the episodes would be 5 minutes long. Looks like they’re stringing them all together like a movie.

Go go vote in our Power Rangers poll!

Whether you’re a fan from back in the days of Bulk and Skull (whatever happened to those guys…?) or you’re a die-hard Power Ranger fan of every iteration, you’ll definitely want to check out and vote in our Power Rangers Fan Poll! You’ll be helping Bandai determine which character gets interpreted as a super-articulated chase figure in an upcoming wave.

Climb into your Zord and hit the link!

ToyFare # 141: On sale 3/11!

For the first time in recent memory, we’ve got TWO covers for you to choose from this month! Do not be confused when you enter your local comic shop and find both a Wolverine movie toy by Hasbro cover and a Star Trek movie toys by Playmates cover – they’re both ToyFare #141, and they’re both full of the exact same awesome.

What kind of awesome, you ask? Read on!

• Full coverage of all the awesome toys revealed at NY Toy Fair and NY Comic Con, as well as some first looks at cool collectibles you DIDN’T see at those shows!

• The inside story of how Mattel made all our dreams come true by launching a movie-accurate Ghostbusters toy line!

• Twisted ToyFare Theatre explores what would happen if the Green Goblin were handed the reins of head of security for Megoville. It’s a story that could only be called…”PURPLE REIGN!”

• In honor of Wolverine’s upcoming movie adventure (wherein he wears some very sensible outfits), we count down the 10 wackiest costumes and variants the ol’ Canucklehead has sported in toy form.

• We interview Playmates about picking up the baton on Star Trek, a decade after their last Trek line came to a close.

• Do you like the Venture Bros.? Of course you do! It’s the friggin’ best. We go in-depth with VB creator Jackson Publick on everything from the show’s origin to its future to what Venture toys should be like. Also, reprinted for the first time ever: Jackson’s first ever sketch of the Venture Bros., plus a bunch more awesome design sketches!

• Go go, retro Rangers! Bandai wants your help choosing their upcoming Power Rangers super-poseable chase figures! Check out your choices in the issue, then head back to Wizard Universe later this week to vote!

• Other stuff, of equal or greater coolness!

Do check it out, won’t you?