Multimedia collectibles brand Funko was busy last weekend at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) as it held panels, unveiled video game details, and more.
'Deadpool & Wolverine' activations were prevalent at Funko's SDCC booth. | Source: Funko
Some attendees received this exclusive "Buddy" collectible. | Source: Funko
To center its upcoming video game debut, Funko Fusion, the brand held a “Funko Fusion: A Festival of Fandom” panel, in which previously unreleased details, such as images and casting choices, were revealed. The centerpiece of the panel was the premiere of the game’s first story trailer.
New game imagery and details for ‘Funko Fusion’ were revealed by Funko at SDCC. | Source: Funko
There was also a Pop! Yourself on-site experience inspired by Marvel Studios’ instant blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine, at which attendees created their own cosplay character modeled after either of the titular heroes. Guests received exclusive con packaging and a surprise “buddy” collectible, plus the option between a Deadpool VIP lanyard and a TVA-inspired device.
SDCC also served as a platform for the company to reveal a new wave of Funko Fusion collectibles, as well as to present a customer of Funko Fundays Digital Pop! (Funko’s digital collectibles and NFT endeavor) with an on-stage experience.
Originally published July 26, 2024 | Updated: July 29, 2024
Nacelle, the media company behind Netflix’sThe Movies That Made Us, Disney’sBehind the Attraction, Biker Mice from Mars, and RoboForce, announced that it is bringing back the hit series The Toys That Made Us at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC).
The company produced three seasons of the series on Netflix from 2017-2019, featuring toys like Barbie, LEGO, My Little Pony, and more. Brian Volk-Weiss, CEO and Founder of Nacelle, officially revealed the toys set to be covered in the new episodes during The Toys That Made Us panel at SDCC on July 27 in room 6A at the San Diego Convention Center.
By far the most consistent comments we’ve received over the last five years have been some sort of inquiry about the future of 'The Toys That Made Us.' We’re honored to be able to bring this series back to the fans that have waited so long to see it return, and we appreciate the support over the last 5 years that helped make this a reality.”
— Brian Volk-Weiss, Founder and CEO, Nacelle
At the panel on July 27, Nacelle announced the eight subjects of the two new seasons:
Superhero Toys
NERF
Pokémon
American Greetings (Strawberry Shortcake, My Pet Monster, Madballs, and Care Bears)
Hot Wheels
Ghostbusters
Polly Pocket
Fast Food Toys
While the first three seasons of the show are available on Netflix, Nacelle has not named a distributor for the new seasons.
This year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) features a full collection of companies bringing their best sneak previews and new reveals. The LEGO Group is no exception. The company took to the convention to showcase its upcoming LEGO Super Mario Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set.
The Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set features video game favorites. | Source: LEGO
The new set is inspired by the classic Super Mario World video game and features a 2D Mario and Yoshi ready for display. The 1,215-piece set includes multiple layers to create eye-catching art, a handle that can be cranked to make Yoshi run, and a dial that makes Yoshi’s tongue pop in and out.
In this model, we wanted to capture the original sprite animation from Super Mario World. This meant re-creating the pixel art in LEGO bricks and then adding a mechanism to make Yoshi run with Caped Mario riding on his back.
Carl Merriam, a Senior Designer on LEGO Super Mario
The new set is the fifth in LEGO’s Super Mario range for adults, a continuation of the company’s efforts to appeal to the kidult market. Other sets in the collection include The Mighty Bowser, Piranha Plant, and more. The full range is a part of LEGO’s Adults Welcome series, a collection of products that includes sets inspired by pop culture franchises, architecture, nature, and more.
The LEGO Super Mario Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set is available for preorder now for $129.99 on LEGO’s online store, and will officially launch this Oct. 1.
Toy and consumer products manufacturer Jakks Pacific has revealed a new line of branded lifestyle products. The collection will include Quiksilver, Roxy, Element, and Juicy Couture products such as skateboards, helmets, knee pads, and roller skates.
“This new line in our seasonal division marks a significant step in Jakks’ strategy to develop products for Millennials and Gen Z expanding into new categories and leveraging additional retail channels,” Dennis Claussen, SVP Design & Marketing at JAKKS, says. “We look forward to exploring new opportunities with Authentic as we continue to expand our lifestyle brand portfolio in innovative ways.”
The new product lines for the four brands will be available at select retailers, including Academy Sports, next month. The company will expand the collection next year, with plans to include floaties, beach accessories, volleyballs, toys, and toy-related products. The expansion will feature key brand attributes from Roxy, Forever 21, Juicy Couture, Prince, and Sports Illustrated.
“This partnership represents a unique opportunity to blend Jakks’ innovative design and manufacturing capabilities with Authentic’s robust market presence and brand recognition, expanding our product range and enhancing the value we provide to our customers,” David Brooks, EVP, Action & Outdoor Sports, Lifestyle, Authentic, owner of Element, Roxy, Quiksilver, Juicy Couture and more, says.
Moose Toys made its first appearance at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) last week, utilizing both its booth space and an outdoor activation to promote its XOX Kweenie and MrBeast Lab brands.
New products from the MrBeast Lab launch were on display. | Source: Moose Toys
Outside of the convention center, Moose staged a crashed tanker truck that oozed out blue slime and served as the launch for the new line of toys co-designed by Moose and YouTube star MrBeast. The collaboration with Jimmy Donaldson, professionally known as MrBeast, seeks to tap into the content creator’s substantial fan base, as MrBeast is the most-subscribed-to YouTuber in the world. The tanker contained MrBeast Lab products such as mini-collectibles Swarms and Mutators action figures.
Its XOX Kweenie line is comprised of 26 collectible figures. | Source: Moose Toys
Inside SDCC, the Moose booth displayed its new line of collectible figures, XOX Kweenie, and offered an exclusive first edition of team Fearless’ Kween of High School figure. The full line includes 26 figures to collect.
The MrBeast Lab line is now available at retail, while XOX Kweenie collectibles release Aug. 1. To learn more about Moose Toys’ new products and partnerships, visit the company website.
This past weekend, visitors to Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) got a first look at Iyanu, the forthcoming animated superhero series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology.
During the panel Crafting Iyanu: An Inside Look at Lion Forge Entertainment‘s Animated Series, moderator Karama Horne was joined by members of the creative team, including series creator/director/executive producer Roye Okupe, Vincent Edwards (supervising director), Brandon Easton (story editor/writer), and Kerri Grant (writer).
In addition to sharing a sneak preview of the series ahead of next year’s debut on Cartoon Network and Max, the team also offered a look at early prototypes from the Iyanu toy line, currently in development by Kidazzle, the new company founded by industry vets Steve Rosenthal, Don Robbins, and Jeff Jones.
Lion Forge and Kidazzle shared a few exclusive photos from the panel with The Toy Book, each featuring one-of-a-kind concepts inspired by the series.
Series Creator Roye Okupe shows off the Iyanu prototypes from Kidazzle. | Source: Cameron Rice
According to the official synopsis, “Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.”
Iyanu statue and plush prototypes | Source: Cameron Rice
Kidazzle’s collaboration with Lion Forge will result in a wide range of toys based on Iyanu, including action figures, playsets, dolls, role-play items, and more.
This collaboration [with Kidazzle] represents a significant step in bringing the vibrant world of Yorubaland directly to kids through innovative and diverse toy collections. With Kidazzle's esteemed team of industry veterans at the helm, we are confident that ‘Iyanu’ will captivate audiences both on-screen and off, inspiring imaginations and fostering creativity.”
— David Steward II, Founder and CEO of Lion Forge Entertainment
Kidazzle and Lion Forge plan to showcase the toy concepts on August 3 at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF). Click here for details on the special activation.
Iyanu is based on the Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder.
In addition to its U.S. debut on Cartoon Network and Max, Iyanu will stream on Showmax across 44 African countries beginning in 2025.
Spielwarenmesse eG is already looking toward its namesake trade show next year, with plans for a re-designed Toy Business Forum. The forum has a 20-year history of presentations and offerings for industry attendees. Now, it’s updating its experience to include a fresh look, new interactive talks, and additional networking opportunities.
Plans include a new morning program. PressDay on Tuesday will start things off with a series of exhibitors presenting new products, with availability after to talk to media representatives.
The Toy Business Forum will host a number of presentations. | Source: Spielwarenmesse
The afternoon program includes a fresh style of presentation with interactive elements. Experts across the industry will talk about trends such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, and the kidult market as they look into the future and offer insight. Wednesday of the fair will also include the presentation of the ToyAward.
A lunch break will provide networking opportunities, with a full collection of food stalls in and around the forum. The Toy Business Forum will host the Model Car Hall of Fame. The hall will have an awards ceremony and a full collection of model cars available on Thursday of the show.
The iconic adult animated series The Simpsons is at this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) thanks to JAKKS Pacific.
JAKKS Pacific has an impressive portfolio of figures and other collectibles featuring popular franchises such as Super Mario, Disney, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more. The company is debuting a new addition to its growing offerings, with a full lineup of The Simpsons figures and plush.
Two and a Half Inch Figures Wave 1 ($4.99) | Source: JAKKS Pacific
Included in the new collection is a wave of 2.5-inch figures. The first wave has Homer, Bart, Lisa, Ned Flanders, and Chief Wiggum. Each figure features multiple points of articulation. The first wave of the 5-inch deluxe figures includes Homer, Bart, Otto, and Groundskeeper Willie, all with multiple points of articulation and an accessory.
Other individual figures include three 5-inch premium figures. Furious Homer includes a multi-piece fence, a paint can, and a kiddie pool as accessories. Vampire Mr. Burns can rise from his coffin at the click of an interactive switch. The figure’s face and hands also change color in UV light. Finally, in the world of figures, Radioactive Man comes with a poseable stand and backdrop and features a light-up glowing chest symbol.
Basic Plush Wave 1 | Source: JAKKS Pacific
Shelf Talkers | Source: JAKKS Pacific
For collectors with full figure shelves, JAKKS Pacific has a wave of plush featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The company is also offering two new Shelf Talkers of Homer and Bart, each with soft plush bodies, roto-cast heads, and pull strings that activate 20 phrases.
Registration for People of Play’s (POP) Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference is now open. POP invites companies in the toy and game industry to attend the conference at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, from Nov. 7-9.
The event, deemed the world’s largest and longest running toy and game inventor pitch and innovator conference, will feature more than 100 product acquisition executives. Attendees can pitch, learn, and network at the conference, which is sponsored by Mattel and more. Additional sponsors will be announced at a later date.
Conference participants can pick from four tracks: New Inventor/Innovation Track; Professional Inventor Track; Product Acquisition Executive; and Design Student.
Tickets also include entrance to The Toy & Game Innovation Awards (The TAGIEs) on Nov. 8. The gala celebrates the achievements of toy and game industry members. Other POP Week events include the Young Inventor Challenge and PlayCHIC on Nov. 9 and the Chicago Toy & Game Fair from Nov. 9-Nov. 10.
Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, will serve as the Welcome Keynote Speaker. Additional Keynote Speakers include Dougal Grimes, Leah Zalinski, Rachele Harmuth, and Amy Friedland.
With Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) in full swing, several companies have debuted new collectibles, toys, and toy-adjacent products. Hasbro has unveiled several such products that tap IPs like Star Wars, Marvel, and G.I. Joe.
There were two Marvel products revealed at SDCC. | Source: Hasbro
The Star Wars: The Black Series Strap & Battle Droid was among the debuts. | Source: Hasbro
A multipack of Transformers action figures is on display. | Source: Hasbro
Among the products guests have previewed are new G.I. Joe Classified Series action figures, including Edward “Starduster” Skylar,” and the new G.I. Joe Assault Copter Dragonfly (XH-1) HasLab. It also debuted the action figure-laden Transformers Legacy United Dinobot Dinoking Multipack.
The G.I. Joe Action Marine Sniper is among Hasbro’s action figure-heavy SDCC showcase. | Source: Hasbro
Other products getting the spotlight includea Star Wars: The Black Series Stap & Battle Droid, as well as a Marvel Legends Series Marvel’s Sentinels and Marvel Legends Series Kang The Conqueror collectible.
