toys

‘Heath Ledger’ Joker Dolls Flying Out Of Stores

9:48AM Clem Bastow | In typically ghoulish fanboy style, recently released Joker action figures from The Dark Knight (aka “Heath Ledger” dolls) have apparently been selling out more or less instantly as soon as they hit the shelves. You know, because it looks so much like him and everything. A Toys R Us worker told the New York Post: “There are none left in the warehouse. You will be waiting a while if you want one.” The dolls, which sell for $9.99 (£5), are already popping up on eBay. You know, it’s not necessarily because Heath’s sadly no longer with us, dudes – it could also just be because The Joker’s one of the best Batman characters. And, as anyone who keeps even a cursory eye on the comic-con/sci-fi/etc circuit would know, the cool figures always go first. Just wait a few months; there’ll be kids screaming in the Toys ‘R’ Us aisles because all that’s left are Harvey Dent dolls. After all, when Transformers came out and the merch hit the shelves, do you think I could find any Starscream action figures? Nooo, and we all know he isn’t dead, and will be back in the sequel and will rule the galaxy someday, so FFS. More »

Calls For “Ninja Stab Toy” Ban; Pointing Finger And Saying “Bang!” Next To Go

9:10AM Clem Bastow | In news that suggests none of these people have ever played with an action figure, the Homicide Survivors Association has called for a Mattel action figure series – Naruto – to be banned from sale, and the Tele has coined our new favourite potential band name in the process: “ninja stab toy”. In one hand it holds a knife and its arms are programmed only to punch and stab. An accessory range of weapons – including throwing stars with leg holsters – is also available. Homicide Survivors Association founder Peter Rolfe said the toys taught children a very dangerous lesson. “I think there’s a link between playing with these toys and violent behaviour later.” Have these dudes heard of Batman/TMNT/He-Man/She-Ra…? Why single out this particular toy? We used to throw our Barbie dolls off the roof and then pour red ink all over their ‘corpses’, and we turned out fine! In any case, a casual glance of the toy-con forums reveals that there is a much clearer reason to ban Naruto action figures from sale. Quoth “Gunbuster718″, in the Toy News International forum, Bad Articulation. Mattel, it’s the 2000s, use ball joint crotches!! They messed up my favorite character in the lineup, Zabuza. He looks like Robert Smith dressed up as Brock from Pokemon dressed up as Zabuza. Checkmate, Mattel, checkmate. More »