Author Archives: Matt

2014 Wizard World Philly Comic Con Report

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We spent Thursday and  Friday at  Wizard World Philly Comic Con and it was a fun time as far as cons go. There was plenty to buy and some  fun events  and panels, but there were no featured guests from Star Wars this year. Considering how hot Star Wars is now, outside of the vendors, Star Wars was non-existent this year.   Matt Smith (Dr.Who), David Boreanaz (Bones, Buffy), Nathan Fillion (Serenity, Firefly, Castle), Sebastian Stan (Captian America), Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Reedus and many others had autograph sessions and photo ops.  There was no photography allowed by Press once the actors were signing (we could have taken some but we wanted to follow the rules), but we were able to hang around after the con shut down and get shots of the empty booths. 

There was a very cool  X-Men: Days of Future Past booth, where you could film your own video and pull it up online later, and an awesome Guardians of the Galaxy photo booth ,where you were literally put in the lineup (click here to see Mark’s photo from Instagram). The vendors had tons of  Star Wars items from Hasbro to Sideshow and most of them were priced reasonably.  We were able to meet Lou Ferrigno as he was walking the floor. He wasn’t doing any posed photos or autographs on Thursday when we saw him, but he was kind enough to say Hi and shake some hands as he walked to his destination.

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The Classic Batmobile, Jurassic Park Jeep, a custom DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future and a very cool The Walking Dead decorated car all were on display, as well as, a Dale Earnhardt race car that he drove in 1997 and 1998.  Tom Cook (Classic TV Animator) and Jim Cheung (Marvel Artist) both had full booths both days we were there.  Quirk Books was there, and they were kind of tucked away but if you found them, they were handing out large posters for both William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back  and the yet to be released William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return.

We had planned to go back Saturday as well, but two days was enough to do all we wanted to do.  It was a fun time as always, but to go back a third day, there would have had to been more Star Wars guests, panels or artists there that we wanted to cover. Check out over 70  images from our two days there and we look forward to going back next year, where we assume it will be Star Wars overload!

  

Harrison Ford broke left leg, not ankle according to his publicist

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BBC.com is reporting that Harrison Ford broke his  left leg, not his ankle.  They confirmed this via his publicist.  According to the  BBC.com report:

Harrison Ford’s left leg was broken in the injury he suffered while shooting the new Star Wars film, the US actor’s publicist has confirmed. It was previously believed the 71-year-old had broken an ankle in an incident involving a door at Pinewood Studios on 12 June. “His surgery was successful and he will begin rehab shortly,” continued Ina Treciokas in a statement. “He’s doing well and looks forward to returning to work.”

Full story at BBC.com

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US Deports Man For Murder Linked to Star Wars Toys

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According to www.telegraph.co.uk,  a Mexican citizen is suspected in the killing of a man who tried to pay off a debt with Star Wars action figures is being deported, from the site:

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say 34-year-old Pablo Christian Larumbe Rojas was turned over on Tuesday to authorities in Mexico at a San Diego-area border crossing. Rojas was arrested earlier this year in the San Francisco Bay Area in connection with the slaying of Carlos Palomares Maldonado. Federal officials say Maldonado owed criminal associates of Rojas about $3,000 (£1,765) and offered to settle the debt by trading his collection of Star Wars figures that he claimed were worth more than the debt. Authorities say Maldonado disappeared after going to Rojas’ home in Mexico with the figures in September. Federal officials say his body was later found in the possession of several people who implicated Rojas.

The site shows a picture of a vintage C-3po, R2-D2 and Luke (X-Wing Pilot), but it appears to be just a stock image and not the actual figures.  Head over to www.telegraph.co.uk  for the full story.

BBTS News!

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Bigbadtoystore.com reports in:

BigBadToyStore will be at Botcon! Stop by and say hello if you’ll be at the show.

NEW ARRIVAL

1/4 SCALE PREMIUM FORMAT SNOWTROOPER – This Snowtrooper is shown standing atop a power generation, with blaster at the ready. His outfit contains cloth and fabric details as well as armor, and his utility belt has grappling hooks and more. This fantastic piece is listed at $379.99.

Giant “Role Play” Millennium Falcon Coming This Fall!

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Coming in Fall of 2014 (to Wal-Marts from what we hear) is the Millennium Falcon. Over 2 feet long it looks to be the next in the line of “Big Ships” like we saw with the X-Wing at New York Toy Fair.  These are geared at kids and will most likely have a low price price like the X-Wing. Check out some quick images below, we will have the higher resolution ones later today.

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Dragon Con ‘Guests of Honor’

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As Dragon Con 2014 approaches, press releases, like the one released today, help build up hype for one of the largest ” sci-fi conventions” in the country. Dragon Con released a statement that got the fandom excited just hours ago, “DRAGON CON SELECTS OFFICIAL 2014 LITERARY AND ARTIST GUESTS OF HONOR.” The literary guest of honor and the artist guest of honor are both highly sought after positions that show truly exemplary work in their perspective fields.

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Harry Turtledove was selected for the literary position, while Patrick Jones filled the artist slot. They will be recognized during the Awards Banquet held at the end of Dragon Con. The press release spoke highly of their collective works.

The Convention Co-chair, Rachel Reeves had the following to say:

“Both Guests of Honor are widely renowned in their respective fields and recognized as endlessly creative individuals. They will be recognized at the Guests of Honor Awards Banquet on Aug. 30.Year after year, we continue to support artists and writers whose works best exemplifies pop culture, fantasy or sci-fi themed work. Patrick Jones breathes brilliant fantasy into the human anatomy through imagination and a paint brush.With the increasing popularity of alternative history, Harry Turtledove was chosen as our Literary Guest of Honor for his popular tales that take readers to alternate worlds and immerses them in fantasy action.”

Jones, residing in Australia, is widely known for his oil paintings and has “been compared to fantasy greats Boris Vallejo and the late Frank Frazetta. His understanding of anatomy, design and lighting, best exemplified by his award-winning oil painting, Conan The Conquered, are truly excellent.” The attached image of “Conan The Conquered” is breathtaking and iconic. It is clear that someone with such talent is deserving of being awarded a guest of honor. In addition to his outstanding compositions, he also is leading the next generations of artists. He teaches many instructional workshops, passing along his knowledge to those who will succeed him. Jones has made an incalculable contribution to the science fiction community.

Turtledove, a resident of California, is a exceedingly proficient author and has even been called the “Master of Alternate History.” Those familiar with his outstanding novel, ‘Guns of the South,’ are able to appreciate his use of time travel and commentaries on social issues. He seamlessly combines both the plagues of the time and science fiction in a manner that few others could achieve. For over forty year, Turtledove has pushed the Science Fiction genre ahead. His accomplishments include making “innovations in Science Fiction literature, equally at home writing about alien invasions or historically based epics. His many well-received series even include a disaster series based on the lava dome at Yellowstone erupting again.” His diversity, intellect, and artistic style is astounding and rightfully deserves this position as well.

It is great to see such truly talented people being honored by the Dragon Con and Science Fiction communities. Look for more information about the event, later this year. Alex Rybak, of Yoda’s News, will be attending Dragon Con as a panelist for the Star Wars track as well. This and other events will be covered here at Yoda’s News and Alex will be providing you with exclusive interviews and content. Stay tuned August 29th through September 1st for further coverage.

Diamond Select Toys Announces Exclusive SDCC Yoda!

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It’s almost time for Comic-Con International in San Diego, and Diamond Select Toys will be hanging out at Booth 2607! They will have the Star Wars Spirit Yoda SDCC Exclusive Quarter Scale Vinyl Bank (A Diamond Select Toys Release)

DST’s 7-inch Yoda bank returns in spirit form, as a translucent blue vinyl figure exclusively available at SDCC! In scale to previously released Ultimate Quarter Scale action figures and banks, this new limited edition of the original Yoda bank includes a separate cane accessory, and has a coin slot on the back as well as an access door in the base. Limited to 1000 pieces. Packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Oluf Hartvigson and priced at $23.00, check it out below!

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Loose Image and Post SDCC News for The Hot Wheels Star Wars Cars

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Via hotwheelscollectors.com:

The force is strong with this one! We’ve got more details about the new Star Wars™ vehicle from Hot Wheels® debuting at San Diego Comic-Con!

Prepare to take a ride on the dark side with the FIRST EVER Hot Wheels® Star Wars™ vehicle, modeled after one of the most iconic villains in film history – Darth Vader™! What better way to display your 1:64-scale die-cast car (with real rubber tires) than inside Vader’s lightsaber, complete with red glowing lights, lightsaber sounds and heavy breathing from the Sith Lord himself. You won’t want to miss out on this epic Comic-Con item – it’s unlike any across the galaxy!

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MattyCollector.com Voucher Sale 6/23 

Before SDCC, pre-order at MattyCollector.com and pick up ONLY at San Diego Comic-Con:

  • 6/23 at 8 a.m. PT Early Access (Club Eternia subscribers only)
  • 6/24 at 9 a.m. PT All Access (open to everyone if not sold out in Early Access)

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  • During SDCC, purchase at the Mattel booth at San Diego Comic-Con 7/23-7/27

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  • After SDCC, order at HotWheelsCollector.com

Vader’s Day Sale at Gentle Giant

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Via Gentle Giant LTD:

The Vader’s Day Sale includes a selection of discounted items along with other in stock merchandise. Purchase any in stock item from June 11th through June 18th and receive a $20 coupon for each product purchased; good for any future purchase. 

*You can now add as many in-stock items to a single order. Pre-Orders will be removed if placed on the same order.

  • $20 coupons will be issued after the sale period ends
  • $20 coupons may not be combined on a single order or combined with any other coupons
  • Customer will receive 1 coupon for every in stock item purchased during the sale period

This offer is NOT valid for orders on the following items:  ANY Pre-Orders or ANY  2013 PGM Gift Choices

Click HERE to see the discounted items below for BIG savings!!!