October 2008 Notable Toys — Action Figures

Bunkies is a collectible action plush toy. Unique patterns and expressions make each Bunkie a unique character. Handmade from cotton with all embroidered features, Bunkies are a safe, creative toy that can spark any kid's imagination. Launch date: October 2008.

ModelWorks makes artfully crafted personalized action figures in just 10 days. ModelWorks Mini-Me separates itself from other companies by making hobby-grade models. The difference lies in the details. “We don’t just sculpt a face, we capture an expression," Graeme Warring, president of ModelWorks and creator of the Mini-Me, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 20, 2007.

Based on the hottest selling video game of the season, "Guitar Hero," this collection features 6" scale articulated figures that each come with a character-specific guitar. The line-up includes Lars Ümlaut, Johnny Napalm, God of Rock and Axel Steel. Launch date: October 30, 2008.

Collectors can relive all the fun and laughter from The Big Lebowski with these cool action figures, which are not sold in mass-market stores. It "makes a great gift for adults that love pop culture. The retail price point makes it an affordable gift item," a representative for Entertainment Earth told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Snoopy is Charlie Brown's virtuoso beagle from the Peanuts comics. This figure is bendable and poseable.

From the popular manga and anime series, this collectible box set includes Speed Racer, Racer X, and Trixie, along with Speed Racer's Mach 5 in the form of a keychain.

This collectible box set include the Griffin family from the TV series Family Guy. Characters include Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Brian and Stewie. All characters are bendable and poseable.

Based on the popular cartoon character of the 1920 silent films, this Felix the Cat is bendable and poseable and stands at 5" tall.

These 6" action figures are hyper-poseable and come with a comic or poster. The Maxx Series (Series 1) features the following characters: ShadowHawk, Scud the Assassin, Katchoo of "Strangers in Paradise," Kabuki and The Maxx (8"). Each is priced at $13.95 except for the Maxx, at $14.95. Launch date: December 2008.

Representing the Witness Security and Protection Program, this 12" figure is outfitted for action and even has a real leather gun holster plus a Black Wolffe ballistics vest. Launch date: October 24, 2008.

Was King Arthur real? What were the coolest weapons that knights carried? How were castles built? And what was the best way to capture one? Kids will learn the answers to these questions along with countless other facts in this fascinating introduction to the world of medieval knights and castles. It includes 16 custom chess pieces, a 24-page fact-book and two games: Chess and Capture the Castle. Launch date: September 2008.

This highly detailed figurine is hand-painted and historically accurate. Almost all Papo Figurines can stand on their own or ride any of the horses. "The concept of creative imaginative play continues to be something that retailers and parents are very pleased with," Larry Hotaling, president of Hotaling Imports, Papo’s U.S. distributor, told TDmonthly. "It’s something that’s [otherwise] lacking with today’s children ... Papo’s been very well received." Launch date: April 2008.
—  “They're popular because they're cool. [Kids] can play with them alone, or here in the store.  They'll sit down on the playmat and they'll set up their guys, and they'll have wars,” said Linda Angel, owner of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., of the popularity of her Papo figurines. “The girls are buying the princess fantasy and fairy tale figures. And when they're not playing with them they make great room art and [the kids] can display them.”
—  Eight percent of 64 retailers named Papo as their best-selling line of collectibles in August 2008.

Two-inch-tall Birdie Girl is an eligible bachelorette with fresh breath and no signs of aging. She is designed by Tummie.

Monsterpocalypse is a fast-moving, action-packed strategy game played with high quality collectible miniatures portraying the most fearsome giant monsters ever imagined. Each battle takes place in a city, which opposing players construct by placing models of buildings on a city map. Players will then build their force from their respective collection of models. Each force will consist of a giant monster model, and several supporting units (tanks, flying vehicles or creatures — depending upon which of the themed factions you decide to play). Purchasing Booster Boxes will expand your collection, giving you more tactical options and abilities to better suit your strategy. Launch date: October 10, 2008.

This action figure portrays the Joker character in Warner Bros.' 2008 movie "The Dark Knight." Launch date: 2008.

Kids can build an army of Clone Troopers with this set, which includes four figurines plus a blaster turret and speeder bike.
— Dean Smith, Owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that he sells "at least" 20 of these LEGO sets each month.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Detailed; the speeder vehicle included is fun and seats two clones; good for travel because of their smaller scale. Cons: One reviewer complained there weren't enough figures included in the set.
— "Every time there's a new Star Wars LEGO, it blows right out the door," Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in September 2008. He and one other retailer, out of 63 polled, mentioned LEGO when discussing best-selling products.
— “Star Wars Lego has been insane at our store,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008.

The 30 multi-part miniatures included in this kit are made of hard plastic and stand 28mm tall. They come with 15, full-color shield stickers and are unpainted and unassembled.

This set features 30 multi-part hard plastic Imperial Roman Legionaries that are 28mm tall. The unassembled unpainted figurines come with full-color waterslide shield transfers as well as extra helmets, shields, pila and more.

By toy designer Maria Sarmiento, these vinyl, 2.5" figurines have articulated heads and are single-boxed. The first series features 10 characters (Super K, Kumaniac, Graphitti, Nippon, Metal Kiss, Geek, Polar Madness, Samurai, Love and YII). The limited edition line contains only 500 units per character. Launch date: December 2, 2004.

Also known as urban vinyl, Gonks have a high bounce-ball head and poseable arms. Standing 3" tall, each has its own name and personality. The collection of art toys includes Flipps, Slick, Binko, Be-Bop, Bernie and Bonko. Gonks combine "super-unique urban vinyl and distinct artwork," Kate O'Donnell, sales and marketing assistant for Schylling Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 1, 2008.

Jumbo-sized and child friendly wildlife wonders of the world. Designed to be lightweight and soft to the touch. This series consists of a hippopotamus, tiger, elephant, lion, zebra, rhinoceros, gorilla and a giraffe. Meticulously painted by hand, phthalate free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in 5 languages. Size: 10.75”L x 5” H. Ages: 3+. View our entire collection at safariltd.com.

This series consists of a variety of oceans creatures from around the world which are meticulously painted by hand, phthalate free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in 5 languages. Size: 5.75" L x 2.25" H. View our entire collection at safariltd.com

Safari has an extensive collection of Incredible Creatures from alligator snapping turtles to hermit crabs to flying tree frogs and many more. Intricately detailed and hand painted, they will ignite the imagination and stimulate the curiosity of any child. Phthalate free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in 5 languages. Size: 5”L x 2” H. Ages: 3+. View our entire collection at safariltd.com.

Safari has an extensive collection of Incredible Creatures from alligator snapping turtles to hermit crabs to flying tree frogs and many more. Intricately detailed and hand painted, they will ignite the imagination and stimulate the curiosity of any child. Phthalate free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in 5 languages. Size: 9.25”L x 1.5” H. Ages: 3+.View our entire collection at safariltd.com.