TFW2005 reported a couple days ago on a few pictures that popped up on a Japanese toy board. The pictures appear to be of two packaging samples with the figures inside. One package is a two-pack featuring Classics Jetfire and Classics Grimlock. The other package is another two-pack featuring Classics Optimus Prime and Classics Ultra Magnus. Both feature Classics packaging with a pop-up display of each character in robot mode. I have attached the pictures because I’m sure my description is severely lacking, but they speak for themselves.

This will be a great chance for people who missed out on figures, particularly the Target exclusive Ultra Magnus, that was available only with Classics Skywarp.

 

HobbyLink Japan has posted an image in their listing for forthcoming Masterpiece Skywarp of all three original seekers as Masterpiece figures, including a previously unheard of Masterpiece Thundercracker in the top right corner.

If this comes to fruition, count me in. I definitely want all three original seekers. Bring on the coneheads next!

Several sites are reporting rumors that there is a high potential for at least two Hulk waves of Marvel Legends figures. It sounds similar to the forthcoming Spider-man 3 and Fantastic Four waves that are actually not part of the main Marvel Legends line, but will be complementary to it. Pictures have surfaced of the purported first wave along with a lineup of the second wave.

Wave 1:

• King Hulk (from Planet Hulk)
• Son of Hulk
• Doc Samson
• Red King
• Valkyrie
• Ed McGuiness Hulk

     

Wave 2:

• Wendigo
• Absorbing Man
• Bi-Beast
• Classic She-Hulk
• Grey Hulk
• Hulk: The End

Looking at the pictures, the figures look pretty decent with Marvel Legends style articulation. As far as the lineup goes, I would have much preferred to see more of the Hulk’s warbound from Planet Hulk/World War Hulk than multiple versions of the Hulk himself. Also in the rumor mill is a Build A Figure of Fin Fang Foom for one of these waves. Keep in mind though, neither of these waves have ever been confirmed or announced. I know I’ve heard this rumor before though and I’m pretty sure I’ve, at the very least, seen that Doc Samson picture before.

TFW2005 is reporting that AFX will be offering a Coronation Starscream Bust from Diamond Select Toys in the first quarter of 2008. I have mirrored the image below.

I’m not normally wild about Transformers busts, but this one tempts me a little bit. The DST busts have been stepping it up lately.

While this is not new by any means, I wanted to post some pictures from the second wave of DC Universe. We first mentioned the lineup for this wave in our second roundup of SDCC toy news. Here is the updated lineup with mirrored images below:

• Black Manta
• Superman Blue
• Superman Red (evenly distributed with Blue)
• Harley Quinn
• Modern Aquaman
• Modern Firestorm
• Variant: Classic Aquaman
• Variant: Classic Firestorm
• BAF: Gorilla Grodd

   
   
 

Source: Toyfare

On August 10th, Lego celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Parties were due to take place around the world Friday for Danish toy firm Lego as its 5,000 global employees prepared to celebrate the company’s 75th birthday. Master carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen started the company on August 10, 1932 in his studio in the town of Billund in Jutland. The headquarters of the global toy giant are still located in Billund. Christiansen created the word “Lego” in 1934 from the Danish words “leg godt” (play well).

Source: EarthTimes.org [via MAKE]

Taking a page from the SDCC exclusive release of the Goro figure a few weeks ago, the guys over at Jazwares Inc. have decided to continue the line of bigtime bosses from the Mortal Kombat series by releasing a Kintaro figure as well, under the Shaolin Monks line of toys.

Thus far, not much info has been released in tandem with the announcement of the figure, and thusly it’s undetermined whether or not the figure will be an exclusive like it’s Goro predecessor, or if it will be a regular release with the other toys of the line. A release date has not been dropped either, so pretty much the only thing we have to go on is the image of the figure. However, it does look very pretty this far along, and MK fans can only hope that more characters from the Shoalin Monks will be released in the near future.

Among some unexpected news from Wizard World Chicago, it appears DST has put on display the previously unannounced wave 8 of the DC Minimate line. The line appears to include Cyborg, Raven, The Question, Salakk, Batwoman, Sinestro, Red Son Superman and Red Son Wonder Woman.

News came from MinimateHQ, while the image came from Fwooshnet.com.