Lego Hero Factory – exclusive premiere and contest!

Behold, our super-secret second cover to ToyFare #151!

You’re looking at Lego’s brand-new property, Hero Factory, which made its worldwide debut in the issue. We also speak to Lego’s brand team about what’s going to set the line apart from previous Lego offerings like Bionicle (short version: super heroes and villains theme, massive online community and customization abilities, including the ability to affect the toy line and story line!).

As part of the reveal, we’re also hosting a contest on the Wizard World home page where you can win a set of Hero Factory figures. Plus, check out Wizard World’s Twitter feed for an exclusive online look at the Hero Factory figures!

And remember…you saw it first in ToyFare!

The Fans Have Spoken (Star Wars poll spoiler)

The fans have spoken! The winner of the latest Hasbro/ToyFare Fan’s Choice Poll was exclusively reported in ToyFare #151, on sale today. It’s been picked up and reported around the Net right now, but if you’d like the answer, plus an EXCLUSIVE ranked list of the rest of the poll, read on…
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Still here?

Okay, the winner is…Bastila Shan!

The double-bladed lightsaber wielder from the video game Knights of the Old Republic was the poll winner, as well as the Fan’s Choice figure (unlike the last poll we ran, where the clear winner – Quinlan Vos – was already in production, making the runner-up – Darth Revan – the official Fan’s Choice figure).

Now, exclusive to FarePlay, here’s the entire breakdown of the Top 30, along with the percentage of the vote that they got.

1) Bastila Shan 10.6%
2) Jocasta Nu 10%
3) Darth Caedus  8%
4) Darth Plageuis  7.9%
5) Jaxxon  4%
6) Admiral Pellaeon  3.7%
7) Dash Rendar  3.7%
8 ) Guri  3.6%
9) Dorme  3.5%
10) Bariss Offee 3.5%
11) Weequay Skiff Master  3.5%
12) Tzizvvt  2.9%
13) Kittster and Wald 2.8%
14) Toryn Farr  2.6%
15) Cane Adiss  2.4%
16) Rebel Fleet Trooper  2.4%
17) Bom Rimdin  2.4%
18) Cliegg Lars  2.3%
19) Joruus C’Baoth  2.3%
20) Grand Moff Torkin  2.1%
21) Ben-Quadinaros  2.1%
22) Darth Sidious  1.9%
23) Queen Apailana  1.8%
24) Tey How  1.8%
25) Sim Aloo  1.7%
26) Sgt. Doallyn  1.5%
27) Taym Dren-Garen  1.3%
28) Dr. Evazan  1%
29) Corde  0.8%
30) Queen Jamilla  0.7%

Big, huge thanks to Hasbro for including ToyFare in their poll and for listening to the fans! We’re looking forward to seeing how this poll impacts the line moving forward!

ToyFare #151: On sale 1/13/10

Aaaaare you ready tooooooo look at pictures of action figuuuuuuuuuuuuuuures?

A fight has broken out on one of the covers of ToyFare #151 thanks to Jakks Pacific’s new UFC figures (there’s an alternate cover featuring Lego’s top secret new line Hero Factory that’s SO top secret I’m not going to show it to you yet), but inside it’s all about the love.

Here’s what you’ll find in the issue, out in comic shops tomorrow:

• An interview with Jakks about the new UFC figures, featuring the world premiere of a new wave!

• Want to know more about those top secret Lego Hero Factory figures I mentioned? This is where you can find out, no matter which cover you get!

• We talk to Bif Bang Pow!’s Jason Lenzi about the new Venture Bros. toy line, and debut a very personal piece of art from the new season of Venture Bros.!

• We make our case for 12 toy lines in desperate need of a reboot in “Return of the Plastic Dead.”

• Over in Twisted ToyFare, M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. attempt to put aside their differences and make a big-screen M.A.S.K. movie. It does not go well.

• Star Wars fans! Find out who won Hasbro and ToyFare’s latest Fan’s Choice poll, and feast your eyes on new Star Wars products from Gentle Giant!

• Plus, a brand new Customizing 101, new images in Incoming from Bowen Designs, Sideshow, Mattel and more, your monthly dose of Big Shots and Market Watch and more!

What’s On Justin’s Desk? 1/11/10

What’s on Justin’s desk? Today, my computer, and on that is the exclusive NPR stream of Spoon’s new album, Transference! Spoon is probably my favorite band right now, so I’m super-psyched!

Life Nearly Complete, Venture Bros. Toys Coming

(Above: Dr. Orpheus hopes there better be Alchemist and Jefferson Twilight figures in the new Venture Bros. toy line, and so do we, damn it!)

We here at ToyFare have been something of evangelists for Venture Bros. toys in recent years. Before I ever even saw the show, former editor Zach Oat was putting together toy wish list features and even complete episode guides to the show, just because it was so damn great and its sensibilities and the things it references matched up so perfectly with what ToyFare covered. Later, when I finally got off my ass and watched it, I became an evangelist as well. I kicked off my giant interview feature with series creator Jackson Publick early last year by declaring that “No show on TV deserves toys more than the Venture Bros.”

Well, finally someone listened to us! And that someone is Bif Bang Pow! toys, makers of Big Lebowki figures and much more. BBP! is working with Publick on the figures right now for a release this year, and we’re pleased as punch. We’re also pleased as punch to have the exclusive first interview with BBP! CEO Jason Lenzi about the Venture toys. Look for it in ToyFare #151, on sale Wednesday in comic shops, along with an exclusive piece of art related to the next season of Venture Bros. Let’s just say that we’re VERY proud to be revealing this particular piece of art…

Check back tomorrow for an expanded look at what’s in ToyFare #151. And, of course, go team Venture! I mean, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say it…

What’s On Justin’s Desk? 1/8/10

What’s on Justin’s Desk? Today, it’s never too late to post Christmas cards when they’ve come from Lucasfilm, right? RIGHT? This year’s theme was “Ginger Clones.” Someone please go back in time and tell 10-year-old Justin that he’d be on Lucasfilm’s holiday card list one day. Cool, thanks.

Samurai Skeleton Robot Tanks

I can’t improve on what this actually is for a title, so I’ll just describe it. It’s a samurai skeleton robot tank. Specifically, it’s the Decepticon Bludgeon, one of a bunch of cool new Transformers that Hasbro just released images of. Click the link to check out a robot-scaled John Turturro, a neat-looking helicopter and sonar boat, and much more. I’m off to write my fan-fic about Bludgeon visiting fuedal Japan…

What’s On Justin’s Desk? 1/6/10

What’s on Justin’s Desk? Today, DC Direct’s Black Lantern Martian Manhunter checks out last week’s Blackest Night #6 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. I’m not going to spoil it here, but I think I’ve got a new favorite super-team.

The Most Powerful Art in the Universe

If I were in LA…I wouldn’t be as cold as I am when I walk to the bus station! But seriously, I would also be sure as hell attending the Under the Influence: Masters of the Universe art show at Gallery 1988! You know I loves me some Masters, so seeing 100 artists offer their take on it sounds cool as hell. Plus, as a special bonus, Mattel will be unveiling some new Masters of the Universe Classics toy news at the opening reception this Friday – one of their San Diego Comic-Con exclusives. Oh, East Coast…you’re bringing me down!

What’s On Justin’s Desk? 1/5/10

What’s on Justin’s Desk? Today, two great tastes that taste great together: Punisher as Frankenstein, and new peppermint mocha creamer. Bringin’ a little taste of the holidays into the drab beginning of the new year!