Toy Industry Week in Review: 10/8/2026

Paramount Closes Warner Bros. Discovery Deal, Launching Combined Skydance Entertainment Giant

Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on October 6, 2026, creating a combined media company branded Skydance. The deal consolidates major film, TV, streaming, and consumer-products libraries—including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, CBS, HBO, CNN, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, and Discovery—under one corporate umbrella, with Class B shares beginning to trade on the NYSE under the ticker SKYD as Warner Bros. Discovery shares ceased trading on Nasdaq. For the toy and licensing community, the close places franchises such as Harry Potter, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman, and a deep slate of other character IP under a single negotiating and go-to-market home.

David Ellison remains Chairman and CEO, with former Mattel Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz joining as Co-CEO. At Brand Licensing Europe in London the following day, Warner Bros. Global Consumer Products President Robert Oberschelp described the combination as “day two” for Skydance and said he was “delighted” by the complementary IP powerhouses now operating together—an early signal that consumer-products and licensing partnerships will be central to how the merged studio monetizes its expanded roster.

Source: PR Newswire / Skydance

Hasbro Officially Opens Wizards of the Coast Studios Hub in Downtown Montréal

Hasbro celebrated the official opening of Wizards of the Coast Studios Inc. in downtown Montréal on October 8, 2026, establishing a 35,518-square-foot game-development hub focused on new Dungeons & Dragons content and the broader Wizards digital-games portfolio. The studio consolidates teams across game development and related functions and is planned to grow to roughly 200 employees by 2028, with specialized spaces including a dedicated gaming lounge. The expansion builds on Wizards’ presence in the region since its 2019 acquisition of Invoke Studios and is expected to create hundreds of jobs in Montréal’s gaming sector, with support from Montréal International and Investissement Québec International.

“Montréal is where my own career in games began, so opening the doors of this studio means a great deal to me personally, and it means even more for what it represents for the future,” said Dan Ayoub, Senior Vice President, Head of Dungeons & Dragons and Head of Wizards of the Coast Canada at Hasbro. “This studio will grow to be the largest concentration of video game talent at Hasbro, built on one of the world’s deepest game development ecosystems.” The opening also comes as Hasbro sets up its new global headquarters in Boston, with the Seattle-area Wizards facility serving as the company’s West Coast hub.

Source: GlobeNewswire / Hasbro (via Financial Post)

LEGO Group and Sanrio Ink Multi-Year Deal to Bring Hello Kitty and Friends to Brick Form

The LEGO Group and Sanrio announced a multi-year partnership on October 6, 2026, to introduce Hello Kitty and Friends into the LEGO brick universe for the first time. The collaboration will launch a range of LEGO Sanrio products beginning in 2027, extending Sanrio’s character portfolio—including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, My Melody, Pompompurin, and Gudetama—into construction play. Hello Kitty, introduced in 1974, appears on roughly 50,000 merchandise SKUs sold annually across more than 130 countries and regions, giving LEGO a lifestyle IP with deep penetration beyond traditional toy aisles.

“Hello Kitty is an iconic character, an instantly recognizable, global lifestyle phenomenon that has inspired happiness across generations, and her universal appeal pairs perfectly with the imaginative power and limitless possibilities of LEGO play,” said Lena Dixen, Senior Vice President, Global Product Groups at The LEGO Group. Sanrio Senior Managing Director Wataru Nakatsuka called the deal an “exciting milestone” aligned with Sanrio’s “One World, Connecting Smiles” vision. First products from the partnership are expected in 2027.

Source: The LEGO Group

Mattel Launches Serena Williams Barbie Signature Doll for International Day of the Girl

Mattel released a Barbie Signature Serena Williams fashion doll on October 8, 2026, timed to International Day of the Girl, formally welcoming the tennis champion into its Team Barbie athlete and role-model lineup. The $45 collectible recreates Williams’s green-and-white look from her 2005 Australian Open victory—her seventh Grand Slam singles title—complete with cutout top, white skirt, sweatband, socks, sneakers, racket, ball, and display stand. The release marks Williams’s second Barbie collaboration of 2026, following a one-of-a-kind Role Model doll unveiled earlier for International Women’s Day.

Mattel is pairing the launch with a Barbie Dream Gap Project donation to Mrs. Rina’s House of Blessings, a Florida nonprofit close to Williams that supports kids and families in Martin County. The doll is available online at most major retailers, through Mattel’s own online shop (item JJX58), and in-store at Target.

Source: Mattel

Mattel Debuts First DC Premium Collectible with Batman: Hush Rooftop Bat-Signal Diorama at NYCC

At New York Comic Con 2026, Mattel unveiled the DC Premium Batman: Hush Rooftop Bat-Signal Diorama Set—the opening collectible under its new global licensing relationship with Skydance’s Warner Bros. Discovery DC portfolio. The $100 set pairs a highly articulated Batman figure (34 points of articulation, interchangeable hands, oversized wired cape modeled after Jim Lee’s artwork) with a Gotham rooftop display that includes a water-based fog effect, a working Bat-Signal that can project the bat emblem onto nearby surfaces, a removable gargoyle, and packaging that doubles as a backdrop. The figure was designed by Kyle Wlodyga in collaboration with Mattel’s teams and artists.

Collectors can preorder the set now through Mattel Creations, and NYCC attendees can see it at DC Booth No. 4365 through October 11. Mattel plans to reveal its full Spring 2027 DC action-figure lineup during a livestream on January 1, positioning the Hush diorama as the first public product proof point of Mattel’s return to premium DC collectibles.

Source: Mattel Creations

Hasbro Named Master Toy Partner as Sony Kicks Off Messi and the Giants Licensing Program

Sony Pictures is rolling out the consumer-products program for Messi and the Giants, a sports-fantasy animated series inspired by Lionel Messi that is set to premiere globally on Disney+ and on Disney Channel in the U.S. next summer. Hasbro will serve as master toy partner, developing action figures, playsets, role-play items, collectibles, and related toys. Additional licensees include Adidas (footwear, apparel, and sports accessories, with Adidas kids’ shoes appearing in-story for the first time), Penguin Random House (worldwide publishing across chapter books, graphic novels, and activity books), Rubie’s (Halloween costumes and party goods), Centric Brands (apparel, accessories, and home), and Panini (stickers and collectibles).

The first wave of licensed products is planned to begin hitting shelves in summer 2027 alongside the series premiere, with additional launches expected that fall. The program gives Hasbro a high-profile sports-entertainment toy line timed to a major Disney streaming and linear launch window.

Hasbro Showcases Franchise-First Licensing Slate Across Collectibles, Experiences, and Entertainment at BLE 2026

At Brand Licensing Europe 2026 (Excel London, October 6–8), Hasbro spotlighted a franchise-first licensing strategy spanning Transformers, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Power Rangers, Monopoly, Clue/Cluedo, Play-Doh, and more. Announced collaborations include Magic: The Gathering | Star Trek dice from Sirius Dice; Transformers programs with Hot Wheels and Blokees; Magic lifestyle collections with BAIT and East Continental Gems; continued My Little Pony x Sanrio co-branded Hello Kitty product for China and the U.S.; Upper Deck collectible programs across Transformers, Power Rangers, G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., and Jem and the Holograms; Potions Group shimmer beverages inspired by Transformers and My Little Pony; and Poppowls popcorn kits built around Hasbro Games.

“The strongest brands create multiple ways for fans to engage, whether that’s through content, consumer products, experiences or licensing,” said Kim Boyd, President, Global Licensing & Entertainment at Hasbro. Looking ahead in entertainment, Hasbro flagged My Little Pony: Forever Friendship, an all-new YouTube series arriving in early 2027, and Netflix’s live-action Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft, alongside Peppa Pig’s expanding café and music footprint and SEVEN’s Transformers and Play-Doh destinations in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Hasbro Newsroom

Global Licensing Industry Hits $389.8 Billion as Brand Licensing Europe Opens in London

Licensing International released fresh Global Licensing Industry Study figures as Brand Licensing Europe opened at Excel London (October 6–8, 2026), reporting that worldwide sales of licensed merchandise and services rose 5.45% to $389.8 billion in 2025. European licensed merchandise and services grew 3.8% to $82.4 billion, with Western Europe at $70.1 billion and Eastern Europe at $12.3 billion. Among major European markets highlighted, the U.K. led growth at 7.2% to $19.2 billion, followed by Germany ($14.6 billion), France ($8.1 billion), and Italy ($5 billion). Character & Entertainment remained the largest global property type at $161.8 billion, while apparel led product categories at $52.9 billion, followed by toys at $46.4 billion.

Circana data shared with the trade showed licensed toys continuing to outpace the broader European toy market: across the EU5, total toy sales rose 8% year-to-date through August 2026, while licensed toy sales jumped 20%, lifting licensed products to 35% of total toy sales from 31% in 2025. Properties called out included FIFA, Toy Story, Spider-Man, Super Mario, One Piece, KPop Demon Hunters, and Pokémon. Art IP also posted a fourth consecutive year of global growth (+5.7%), with museums and cultural institutions expanding their BLE footprint.

Source: Licensing International

Toy Association Names 2027 Hall of Fame Class Led by Jay Foreman and Robert Pasin

The Toy Association announced five inductees for the 2027 Toy Industry Hall of Fame on October 5, 2026: Jay Foreman, Founder and CEO of Basic Fun!; Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer at Radio Flyer; and posthumous honorees Ralph H. Baer (electronic gaming pioneer and inventor of Simon), Charles Crandall (Crandall Toys and Waverly Toy Works), and Norman Sas (Electric Football and Tudor Games). The class will join a roster of 101 prior inductees and will be formally honored at The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year Awards on February 19, 2027, with the Hall of Fame exhibit continuing at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

“Jay Foreman and Robert Pasin have spent decades bringing great ideas, beloved brands, and memorable play experiences to children and families,” said Greg Ahearn, President and CEO of The Toy Association, citing Foreman’s entrepreneurial brand-building and Pasin’s expansion of Radio Flyer’s Little Red Wagon legacy. Foreman and Pasin were nominated and voted on by Toy Association members; Baer, Crandall, and Sas were advanced through the Hall’s posthumous-selection process.

Source: PR Newswire / The Toy Association

People of Play Names Pleasant Rowland, Elan Lee, and Matthew Inman 2026 TAGIE Honorees

People of Play will honor Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its 19th annual Toy & Game Innovation Excellence (TAGIE) Awards on November 6, 2026, at Joe’s Live Concert Venue in Rosemont, Illinois. Exploding Kittens co-founders Elan Lee and Matthew Inman will receive the Industry Game Changers award. This year’s ceremony is themed “The Force of Play” in recognition of Star Wars’ 50th anniversary, with Ashley Eckstein—the original voice of Ahsoka Tano—hosting and guests receiving a commemorative anniversary coin.

“For nearly 50 years, Star Wars has inspired fans to believe that even the unlikeliest hero can change the galaxy. This year’s honorees embody that spirit,” said Robb LaFlamme, Director of Hardlines at Disney Parks Retail and Development and Chairman of the TAGIE Awards Committee. Public voting in 10 competitive categories remains open through October 21.

Source: People of Play

M&M’S and Marvel Bring Global Mash-Up Campaign to U.S. Retail Ahead of Avengers: Doomsday

Mars and The Walt Disney Company are expanding their global M&M’S x Marvel collaboration into U.S. retail, launching limited-edition collectible candy packaging, promotions, and a crossover comic ahead of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday (theatrical December 18, 2026). Seven character mash-up packs dress M&M’S Spokescandies as Marvel characters—including Yellow as Wolverine, Red as Deadpool, Blue as Daredevil, Purple as Elektra, Green as She-Hulk, Brown as Yelena, and Orange as Red Guardian—with a Walmart-exclusive Yellow-as-Doctor-Doom pack. Packs will appear in Sharing Size, Share Size, and Single Size across Milk Chocolate, Minis, Peanut, and Peanut Butter varieties beginning in October.

“M&M’S and Marvel fans share an unmatched passion for connecting through fun, characters and storytelling, and we are thrilled to bring this global collaboration to the U.S. with exciting new, and delicious, experiences,” said Maria Urista, Vice President of Chocolate Marketing, Mars Snacking. Fan activations include nationwide sweepstakes (with Disney Cruise Line among the prizes) and a custom crossover collector’s comic limited to 10,000 physical copies—illustrating how entertainment licensing is driving collectible retail beyond the traditional toy aisle.

Source: PR Newswire / Mars

Bandai Namco Plans Tamagotchi Times Square Spectacular for 30th Anniversary

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America announced on October 8, 2026, that Tamagotchi will mark 30 years with its largest celebration to date: a free all-day Tamagotchi Times Square Spectacular on Sunday, November 22, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Duffy Square, followed by a synchronized 30-minute takeover of Times Square screens at 7 p.m. The pop-up will feature product displays, photo ops, fan meetups, Mametchi and Mimitchi appearances, giveaways, and an exclusive trading card while supplies last. By evening in New York it will already be November 23 in Japan—exactly 30 years since Tamagotchi’s 1996 Japanese launch. Bandai says more than 100 million Tamagotchi devices have shipped worldwide.

“Technology and the way we connect have changed enormously in 30 years, but the simple emotional connection at the heart of Tamagotchi has not,” said Taro Tsuji, Chief Tamagotchi Officer. Companion activations include an FAO Schwarz experience at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, MINISO pop-ups at American Dream Mall (East Rutherford, NJ) and Barton Creek Square (Austin) from November 7–29, partner gift-with-purchase promotions across New York–area Bandai shops on November 22, and a month-long Tamagotchi takeover inside Roblox’s Main Street RP throughout November.

Source: PR Newswire / Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America

Funko Drops Massive Avengers: Doomsday Pop! Collection Spanning Heroes, Mutants, and Villains

Funko has released a broad Avengers: Doomsday Pop! assortment ahead of the Marvel film, spanning classic Pop! figures, Bitty Pop! multipacks and mystery singles, accessories, playsets, and premium formats. Doctor Doom anchors the line with multiple SKUs, including a Funko-exclusive Lord Doom, a Pop! & Buddy set pairing Doom with Franklin Richards, and a die-cast Pop! in an acrylic case with a 1-in-6 silver metallic chase variant available only on Funko’s site. The cast also includes Bucky Barnes, Shang-Chi, Namor, Mister Fantastic, Thor with Stormbreaker, Steve Rogers with Mjolnir, Yelena Belova, and X-Men characters such as Magneto, Cyclops, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Beast, plus a jumbo 10-inch Sentinel.

Bitty Pop! playsets extend the story into mini environments such as Lord Doom in Doomstadt Tower, The Thing on the Fantastic Four Jump Jet, and Red Guardian at Avengers Tower. Suggested retail pricing across the collection ranges from about $2.99 to $89.94, with availability now at funko.com and participating retailers—giving specialty and mass partners a large Marvel collectibles program timed to the December theatrical window.

Source: Funko

Plus-Plus and Crayola Partner on Creative Play Collection for Spring/Summer 2027

Danish construction brand Plus-Plus announced a licensing collaboration with Crayola that blends Crayola’s color expertise with Plus-Plus’s interlocking building system. The initial collection includes three SKUs: Crayon Tubes (100 Plus-Plus pieces plus a Crayola crayon with a cap that turns the tube into a giant crayon); a Creativity Case (500 pieces, base plates, and crayons for combined building, drawing, and coloring); and Colourful Critters Blind Bags (seven buildable characters, including a rare glow-in-the-dark Critter). The line is positioned as open-ended creative play rather than a simple logo slap, targeting kids who move between construction and arts-and-crafts activities.

“Crayola and Plus-Plus are both brands that encourage children to express themselves through creativity and colour, so this collaboration felt like a very natural fit,” said Martin Pihl, CEO of Plus-Plus. Rob Spindley, Licensing Director – International at Crayola, said the brands share a belief that creative play should be “engaging, accessible and open-ended.” Global launch is planned for spring/summer 2027.

Tonies Brings Compact Toniebox Lite to Market as Accessible Screen-Free Audio Entry Point

Tonies has launched Toniebox Lite, a smaller, simpler screen-free audio player designed as a more accessible entry into the Tonies ecosystem. The compact hard-shell unit (about 100 × 100 × 104 mm) works with the full Tonies library, uses ear-squeeze volume and tilt/tap skip controls, includes a sleep timer, and can be personalized with optional silicone covers. Tonieplay interactive games remain exclusive to Toniebox 2. In North America, Tonies previously announced Toniebox Lite at $79.99 USD / $99.99 CAD with pre-orders opening July 27, 2026; UK trade coverage this week confirmed the Rubie Starter Set arriving at retail from October 5 via tonies.co.uk.

Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies, framed the Lite as part of a multi-device audio ecosystem strategy: bringing listening experiences to more families and more places while complementing the flagship Toniebox 2. Existing Tonie collections remain compatible, lowering the barrier for households adding a second device or first-time buyers seeking a lower price point ahead of the holiday season.

Source: PR Newswire / tonies

Moose Toys Creates Consumer Products Division, Names Robbie Prinzo SVP

Moose Toys has established a dedicated Consumer Products division and appointed licensing veteran Robbie Prinzo as Senior Vice President, Consumer Products. Based in El Segundo, California, and reporting to Chief Brand Officer Joe Lawandus, Prinzo will consolidate all global out-licensed consumer products under one team—signaling Moose’s push to extend proprietary brands beyond core toys into apparel, lifestyle, experiences, and other categories. Prinzo most recently headed global licensing at Cloudco Entertainment, where he oversaw merchandise, location-based entertainment, and promotions tied to more than $750 million in global retail sales, including Care Bears expansion across more than 20 territories; earlier roles include senior licensing posts at Hasbro and Nickelodeon Consumer Products.

“Establishing a dedicated Consumer Products division is an important next step as we continue to build Moose into a global brand powerhouse and find new ways for consumers to engage with our brands,” said Lawandus. Prinzo added that Moose’s portfolio “has so much room to grow beyond toys,” positioning the hire as a structural bet on outbound licensing as a growth engine alongside the company’s inbound licensing work.

Source: Licensing International (industry release)

Jazwares Takes Squishmallows into Streetwear with VANDYTHEPINK ComplexCon Capsule

Jazwares launched a Squishmallows x VANDYTHEPINK collaboration at ComplexCon Los Angeles on October 3, 2026—the first time a streetwear artist has redesigned iconic Cam the Cat into a full capsule spanning limited-edition plush, apparel, hats, and tote bags. The booth activation emphasized customization: complimentary custom ID cards with purchase, heat-press graphics for tees, and tote customization for buyers of the plush set. Squishmallows has surpassed 590 million lifetime plush units sold worldwide, giving Jazwares a collectible base it is increasingly extending into fashion and cultural events aimed at older collectors and kidult buyers.

“With VANDYTHEPINK, we’ve created an authentic tribute to streetwear culture, combining collectibles, interactive experiences, and customizable moments that invite fans to engage with Squishmallows in an entirely new way,” said Gerhard Runken, Chief Brand Officer at Jazwares. Founder Junghoon “Vandy” Son said the goal was to make the crossover feel “playful and unexpected,” underscoring Jazwares’ strategy of treating Squishmallows as a lifestyle IP rather than a single-category plush line.

Glo Companies Partners with Sesame Workshop on Light-Up Library Early-Learning Books

The Glo Companies has launched its largest licensing collaboration to date with Sesame Workshop, bringing Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and other Sesame Street characters to its Light-Up Library platform. The collection includes three interactive picture books for ages 18 months and up—Abby’s Garden Sounds, Elmo in Outer Space, and Elmo and Abby’s Butterfly Friend—each using an included Magic Magnifier tool to reveal glowing surprises hidden in the pages. Individual titles retail for $21.99, with a complete set at $59.99, and are available now at mass and specialty retailers.

“We are honored to bring this new experience into partnership with Sesame Workshop,” said Hagan Walker, CEO of The Glo Companies. “Sesame Street has shaped generations of early learning through storytelling, character, and care. To see our technology used alongside such an iconic and trusted educational brand is an incredible validation of what we are building, and where interactive literacy can go next.”

Toybox Extends Warner Bros. Discovery Partnership with Harry Potter 3D-Printable Collection

Consumer 3D-printing platform Toybox is expanding its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to add Harry Potter to its library of officially licensed printable designs. Beginning October 23, 2026, users will be able to print wand replicas inspired by Harry, Ron, and Hermione, with character figures and companions—including Hedwig, Crookshanks, and Scabbers—scheduled later this fall and additional designs planned as the collection grows. Toybox says its platform already offers more than 20,000 printable toys and holds licensing deals spanning Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, NASA, and Sanrio.

“Harry Potter has captivated generations through its themes of friendship, courage, and imagination, making it a natural fit for our platform,” said Ben Baltes, CEO of Toybox. The move highlights an emerging distribution model for licensed toys and collectibles: digital designs that refresh continuously without traditional inventory, tooling, or retail shelf constraints—particularly relevant for kidult and at-home creative play.

UK Toy Fair 2027 Visitor Registration Opens for January Olympia Show

Visitor registration is now open for Toy Fair 2027, the UK’s largest toy, game, and hobby trade exhibition, which returns to Olympia, London, from January 19–21, 2027. The 73rd edition will occupy the Grand and National Halls plus part of the Upper West Hall, bringing together more than 200 exhibitors ranging from majors such as The LEGO Group, Jazwares, Vivid Goliath, Rainbow Designs, Wilton Bradley, Just Play, and Zatu Distribution to start-ups in the sold-out Gold Zone for emerging talent. Show hours run 09:00–18:00 on January 19–20 and 09:00–16:30 on January 21, with Press Day on opening day and Influencer Day on the final day.

Attendees from the previous three shows will receive Smart Links to streamline re-registration, and a refreshed Toy Fair app launching in November will host floor plans and a networking portal for pre-booked meetings. Organizers also highlight Olympia’s completed redevelopments—new dining, entertainment, and hotel facilities—as part of the visitor experience for the January trade gathering.

Source: British Toy & Hobby Association / Toy Fair

Spielwarenmesse TrendCommittee Flags “Beyond Limits” Therapy Play and “License to Play” for 2027

The Spielwarenmesse TrendCommittee has named two defining ToyTrends for 2027: Beyond Limits, which highlights the therapeutic potential of toys for people with disabilities, ADHD, dementia, Parkinson’s, rehabilitation, and loneliness mitigation; and License to Play, which examines licensed toys as revenue drivers—citing Circana data that licensed product accounted for 37% of global toy sales last year. The committee notes that licensing inspiration now extends beyond film, TV, and games into viral memes, GIFs, and short-form social content, with Asian anime and K-pop brands also gaining global shelf presence.

Visitors to Spielwarenmesse can experience the trends in a dedicated Special area at Entrance Mitte, supported by product examples and Toy Business Forum talks intended to help retailers shape assortment planning for the year ahead.

Source: Spielwarenmesse TrendCommittee

TEAL Group Appoints Karen Hubbard as First Externally Recruited Group Chair

TEAL Group Holdings, parent of UK retailer The Entertainer, has appointed Karen Hubbard as Group Chair effective January 1, 2027—the group’s first externally recruited chair. Hubbard, currently a Non-Executive Director of St Austell Brewery and Headlam Group Plc, will lead the group board, provide independent oversight of the executive team, and serve as the primary link between the board and TEAL’s owner, The Ludus Trust. The appointment follows TEAL’s move into employee ownership and what CEO Andrew Murphy OBE described as “significant change and excellent progress against our strategic priorities.”

Murphy said Hubbard brings “an excellent combination of Board and retail experience” and a “straightforward and pragmatic approach.” Hubbard said she looks forward to supporting and constructively challenging the executive team while maintaining close alignment with the Ownership Trust as TEAL enters its next development phase.

Ancientz Minis Hit Walmart.com as Designer Howard “Quiggly” Chang’s First Major Retail Drop

Artist and toy designer Howard “Quiggly” Chang is taking Ancientz—his original sci-fi reinterpretation of biblical figures as robotic beings—from the convention circuit to Walmart.com with Ancientz Minis Chapter 1 V.2. Preorders opened October 8, timed to the first day of New York Comic Con, and run through October while supplies last. All seven Chapter 1 V.2 characters are included: David, Gideon, Joshua, and Noah ship November 1, followed by Deborah, Rahab, and Goliath on November 30. Larger Chapter 1 Alpha Edition Legend Series light-up figures (about 10–15 inches, $400–$750) remain available via Walmart.com and Chang’s Glorius Art storefront.

Chang, a former Varner Studios Lead Designer who worked on hundreds of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, originally launched Ancientz via Kickstarter and hand-painted early figures himself. The Walmart.com preorder window marks the line’s first broad consumer retail release and a notable indie-to-mass pathway for designer collectibles.