The Mandalorian has been a huge success since it's Fall debut in 2019. The show has opened the eyes to fans and non-fans of the expanded universe of Star Wars. After the show's debut, collectors and fans were swept off their feet from the cuteness that is The Child (Baby Yoda). This adorable creature was an instant hit and with its surprise appearance companies rushed to get collectibles to the market. The first wave of these collectibles has already passed as Funko, Build a Bear, Hasbro, and Mattel products are hitting shelves already. However, we are about to prepare for the second wave of The Mandalorian collectibles as a new wave of Funko Pops has been announced. Five new Pop vinyls have been revealed, one will be an exclusive, and one in the series first Pop Moment. First up is the season finale Moff Gideo who is holding onto the elusive and ancient Darksaber. This will be the second Moff figure Funko has revealed and this new mold will be quite a sight after for the weapon in his hand. Next up is the new Pop Moment that features both Mandalorian and The Child in its hovering crib. This is an iconic moment from the series and a perfect moment to capture as a collectible.
The last three are of course the main event that everyone is obsessed over, Baby Yoda (The Child). The first two are based on pretty iconic adorable moments from the television show with the Child having some meals featuring with eating a frog and the cup of soup in his hand. The last The Mandalorian Funko Pop figure will be a Walmart exclusive that shows The Child using the Force. All three of these are new variations of the already available figure but like most Mandalorian collectibles and Baby Yoda products, they will be hard to find in the wild. Good thing for Funko and Star Wars collectors, pre-orders are already live and you can find all of the commons located here. The Walmart exclusive is also up for pre-order too and can be found here.
The Mandalorian and The Child Moment, photo from Funko/Hot Topic.
Doctor Brown and Marty McFly are back and are ready to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Back to the Future. Originally revealed at the 2020 New York Toy Fair, Funko has recently confirmed all the upcoming figures for its newest wave. This is a pleasant surprise for Back to the Future fans to get to see some of their favorite characters return after all this time. With a lot of the licenses being put on hold due to the pandemic, it is nice to see what lines are making the cut this year. Funko has shown off 7 new pops, 1 new Pop Town, and a Pop Tee bundle. Of course, Marty McFly and Doctor Emmett Brown are the main focus off this wave, we will also be getting a Biff Pop! This will be a Pop debut for the infamous Back to the Future bully that fans have been wanting for quite some time. The only exclusive of the wave will the Marty McFly Funko Pop Tee that shows off his hoverboard skills. It is a basic tee but the Pop included will be a nice little pick up for any dedicated fan. Of this wave we will be getting, the 50s, camcorder, and sunglasses Marty. There will also be a Back to the Future Part II Marty will a shiny futuristic hat. For the Doc Brown Funko Pop figures, there will be a 50s Doc with the science experience hat and a future Doc from Back to the Future II. For the Pop Town, we will be getting the iconic Hill Valley Courthouse that is from the ending of the first film.
Each one of these figures is very dynamic and popping with color. This will be the biggest wave of Back to the Future Funko Pops collectors will have seen since the beginning. It is nice to see some love for the film's second entry and they defiantly picked two good designs for them. Each of the Back to the Future Funko Pop Vinyl Figures is set as a common release and you can find them here. The pops will be between $9-12 depending on the location while the Doctor Brown Pop Town figure will be priced at $29.99 The Pop tee will be a Walmart exclusive so be on the lookout for in store and online drop for it.
We were wondering where the Diamond Comic Distributors March 2020 marketshare statistics might have got to. Well, it has been a peculiar month. Rather than the usual Friday/Monday release, we are getting the marketshare and top tens today followed by the full stats tomorrow. So here we go, Spider-Woman and all.
As it stands comic book sales are down for the month, based on last March, this February and the year as a whole. Sales are down in March -14.90% based on the number of comics sold and -8.21% for the amount of money they brought in. For the year as a whole so far, comics dollars are down -4.39% from 2019 and sales numbers are down -4.55%. And all this was before the shutdowns really hit. March was only a little down on February for comics sales, -0.65% on revenue and -1.35% sales numbers. So where did Spider-Woman come in?
Spider-Woman Most Ordered Comic in Diamond's March 2020 Marketshare.
Marvel Comics was March's top publisher with Spider-Woman helping it to a 40.98% dollar share down from 41.85% in February, and a 46.76% unit share down from 47.3%. DC was second with a 27.34% dollar share down from 29% and a 27.58% unit share down from 30.16%. Image Comics was, as usual, third for the month, with numbers slightly up, a unit share of 6.17% up from 5.41% and a 6.40% dollar share up from 6.02%. It is followed by IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Dark Horse Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment – we will try and run a marketshare-per-capita count for tomorrow to give that further context.
Spider-Woman Most Ordered Comic in Diamond's March 2020 Marketshare. Image from Diamond.
ComicChron and creator John Jackson Miller tells Bleeding Cool his take on the situation. He tells us "at first glance, the overall numbers look much better than you'd expect — because they're computed on what Diamond's sales to retailers were. That part of March was mostly baked in — it's off because there were no reorders, basically, and because Marvel deep-discounted. That's a big chunk of the difference between comics dollars and units: the returnability subtractions are another."
Karla Pacheco and Pete Perez's Spider-Woman #1 from Marvel Comics was the best-selling title – even with the massive variant cover launch, that is still a surprise. I'm told it even surprised Marvel Comics. It beat out Flash #750 even for dollar ranking. While Boom will be very happy with Once & Future: The King Is Undead, and Something Is Killing the Children Volume 1 in first and second place for collections and OGNs.
Marvel Comics had seven titles among March's top ten best-selling comics. In addition to Spider-Woman #1, Thor #4 ranked #3, X-Men #8 ranked #4, Wolverine #2 ranked #5, Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos' Strange Academy #1 ranked #6, X-Men #9 ranked #8, and The Immortal Hulk #33 ranked #9. DC had three titles in the top ten: the oversized anniversary issue The Flash #750 ranked #2, Batman #90 ranked #7, and Batman #91 ranked #10. Among the premier publishers, Jonathan Hickman and Mike Huddleston's Decorum #1 was Image Comics' best-selling book for March at #20, Boom Studios' Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 ranked #51, IDW Publishing's Transformers vs. The Terminator #1 ranked #85, Dynamite Entertainment's Red Sonja: Age of Chaos #3 ranked #92, and Michael Allred's X-Ray Robot #1 was Dark Horse Comics top book for the month at #131.
Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora's Once & Future Volume 1: The King Is Undead, a modern fantasy inspired by the Arthurian legend published by Boom Studios, was the best-selling graphic novel of March. Also from Boom Studios, Something Is Killing the Children Volume 1 ranked #2. Marvel Comics had five titles in the top ten: Al Ewing and Joe Bennett's The Immortal Hulk Volume 6 ranked #3, followed by The History of the Marvel Universe Treasury Edition at #5, New Mutants Volume 1 at #6, Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic's King Thor at #7, and Star Wars Volume 13: Rogues and Rebels at #9. DC had two titles in the top ten: Amy Wolfram and Agnes Garbowska's DC Super Hero Girls: Powerless ranked #4 and Marieke Nijkamp and Manuel Preitano's The Oracle Code ranked #8. Also in the top ten, Oni Press' Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons II: Painscape ranked #10.
Funko's POP! Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta Vinyl Figure, a PREVIEWS Exclusive, was the best-selling toy of March. Also from Funko, the PREVIEWS Exclusive POP! Marvel: Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse: Casual Miles Morales Vinyl Figure ranked #3. Diamond Select Toys had two products in the top ten: the Marvel Select: Spider-Man Figure, based on Sony's best-selling Spider-Man PlayStation 4 video game, ranked #4, and the Disney Select Classic Figures ranked #6. Also in the top ten, DC Collectibles' Batman vs. Harley Quinn Battle Statue (Second Edition) ranked #10.
Paizo Publishing's Pathfinder: Gamemastery Guide, a sourcebook for the second edition of the Pathfinder role-playing game, was March's best-selling game product and one of Paizo's eight products among the month's top ten. Dynamite Entertainment's Elvira, Mistress of the Dark's Spectral Switchboard, a Ouija board-style game starring the horror icon, ranked #6 for the month.
TOP COMIC BOOK PUBLISHERS
PUBLISHER
DOLLAR
SHARE
UNIT
SHARE
MARVEL COMICS
40.98%
46.76%
DC COMICS
27.34%
27.58%
IMAGE COMICS
6.40%
6.17%
IDW PUBLISHING
4.51%
3.87%
BOOM! STUDIOS
3.25%
3.21%
DARK HORSE COMICS
2.97%
1.94%
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
2.38%
2.05%
VIZ MEDIA
1.61%
0.59%
ONI PRESS
0.80%
0.60%
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT
0.67%
0.75%
OTHER NON-TOP 10
9.11%
6.47%
COMPARATIVE SALES STATISTICS
DOLLARS
UNITS
MARCH 2020 VS. FEBRUARY 2020
COMICS
-1.54%
-0.21%
GRAPHIC NOVELS
1.76%
-15.12%
TOTAL COMICS/GN
-0.65%
-1.35%
TOYS
-15.00%
26.16%
MARCH 2020 VS. MARCH 2019
COMICS
-15.59%
-6.56%
GRAPHIC NOVELS
-13.05%
-26.54%
TOTAL COMICS/GN
-14.90%
-8.21%
TOYS
-6.43%
19.43%
YEAR-TO-DATE 2020 VS. YEAR-TO-DATE 2019
COMICS
-5.51%
-4.48%
GRAPHIC NOVELS
-1.51%
-5.43%
TOTAL COMICS/GN
-4.39%
-4.55%
TOYS
-0.02%
-6.56%
FIRST QUARTER 2020 VS. FOURTH QUARTER 2019
COMICS
-15.59%
-6.56%
GRAPHIC NOVELS
-13.05%
-26.54%
TOTAL COMICS/GN
-14.90%
-8.21%
TOYS
-6.43%
19.43%
NEW TITLES SHIPPED
PUBLISHER
COMICS SHIPPED
GRAPHIC NOVELS SHIPPED
MAGAZINES SHIPPED
TOTAL
SHIPPED
MARVEL COMICS
99
38
0
137
DC COMICS
83
24
0
107
IDW PUBLISHING
36
16
0
52
IMAGE COMICS
39
11
0
50
DARK HORSE COMICS
19
25
0
44
BOOM! STUDIOS
22
9
0
31
DYNAMITE
21
1
0
22
ONI PRESS INC.
6
5
0
11
VIZ MEDIA LLC
0
10
0
10
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC
6
2
0
8
OTHER NON-TOP 10
140
156
16
312
TOTAL
471
297
16
784
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
RANK
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
ITEM CODE
VENDOR
1
SPIDER-WOMAN #1
$4.99
JAN200803-M
MARVEL COMICS
2
THE FLASH #750
$7.99
DEC190400-M
DC COMICS
3
THOR #4
$3.99
JAN200930-M
MARVEL COMICS
4
X-MEN #8
$3.99
JAN200843-M
MARVEL COMICS
5
WOLVERINE #2
$3.99
JAN200832-M
MARVEL COMICS
6
STRANGE ACADEMY #1
$4.99
JAN200795-M
MARVEL COMICS
7
BATMAN #90
$3.99
JAN200509-M
DC COMICS
8
X-MEN #9
$3.99
JAN200845-M
MARVEL COMICS
9
THE IMMORTAL HULK #33
$5.99
JAN200899-M
MARVEL COMICS
10
BATMAN #91
$3.99
JAN200511
DC COMICS
TOP 10 COMIC BOOKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
RANK
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
ITEM CODE
VENDOR
1
SPIDER-WOMAN #1
$4.99
JAN200803-M
MARVEL COMICS
2
THE FLASH #750
$7.99
DEC190400-M
DC COMICS
3
ROBIN 80TH-ANNIVERSARY 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR #1
$9.99
JAN200496-M
DC COMICS
4
THE IMMORTAL HULK #33
$5.99
JAN200899-M
MARVEL COMICS
5
STRANGE ACADEMY #1
$4.99
JAN200795-M
MARVEL COMICS
6
STRANGE ADVENTURES #1 [*]
$4.99
JAN200506-M
DC COMICS
7
X-MEN #8
$3.99
JAN200843-M
MARVEL COMICS
8
WOLVERINE #2
$3.99
JAN200832-M
MARVEL COMICS
9
HELLIONS #1
$4.99
JAN200820-M
MARVEL COMICS
10
X-MEN #9
$3.99
JAN200845-M
MARVEL COMICS
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY UNITS SHIPPED
RANK
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
ITEM CODE
VENDOR
1
ONCE & FUTURE VOL. 1: THE KING IS UNDEAD TP
$16.99
DEC191235
BOOM! STUDIOS
2
SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN VOL. 1 TP
$14.99
DEC191236
BOOM! STUDIOS
3
THE IMMORTAL HULK VOL. 6 TP
$15.99
DEC190988
MARVEL COMICS
4
DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: POWERLESS TP
$9.99
NOV190498
DC COMICS
5
HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE
TREASURY EDITION TP
$29.99
NOV190960-M
MARVEL COMICS
6
NEW MUTANTS BY HICKMAN VOL. 1 TP
$15.99
FEB201054
MARVEL COMICS
7
KING THOR TP
$15.99
DEC190986
MARVEL COMICS
8
THE ORACLE CODE TP
$16.99
NOV190499
DC COMICS
9
STAR WARS VOL. 13: ROGUES AND REBELS TP
$17.99
DEC190989
MARVEL COMICS
10
RICK AND MORTY VS. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS II: PAINSCAPE TP
$19.99
NOV191821
ONI PRESS
TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
RANK
DESCRIPTION
PRICE
ITEM CODE
VENDOR
1
X-MEN: CHILDREN OF ATOM HC BOX SET
$500.00
SEP190974
MARVEL COMICS
2
UNCANNY X-FORCE BY REMENDER OMNIBUS HC
$100.00
SEP190971
MARVEL COMICS
3
WONDER WOMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS VOLUME 4 HC
$150.00
MAR190609
DC COMICS
4
HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE
TREASURY EDITION TP
$29.99
NOV190960-M
MARVEL COMICS
5
BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT DELUXE EDITION HC
$49.99
NOV190529
DC COMICS
6
ONCE & FUTURE VOL. 1: THE KING IS UNDEAD TP
$16.99
DEC191235
BOOM! STUDIOS
7
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DAZZLER VOL. 1 HC
$75.00
SEP190975-M
MARVEL COMICS
8
POWER PACK CLASSIC OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC
$125.00
SEP190972-M
MARVEL COMICS
9
THE WICKED & THE DIVINE VOLUME 4 HC (MR)
$64.99
OCT190161
IMAGE COMICS
10
SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN VOL. 1 TP
$14.99
DEC191236
BOOM! STUDIOS
TOP 10 TOYS BY DOLLARS INVOICED
RANK
DESCRIPTION
ITEM CODE
VENDOR
1
POP! DRAGON BALL Z: SUPER SAIYAN 2 VEGETA FIGURE
JAN199073
FUNKO
2
PERSONA 5: FUTABA SAKURA FIGMA
MAR198472
GOOD SMILE COMPANY
3
POP! MARVEL: SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE: CASUAL MILES MORALES VINYL FIGURE
JAN199071
FUNKO
4
MARVEL SELECT: SPIDER-MAN (PS4 VIDEO GAME) FIGURE
AUG192734
DIAMOND SELECT TOYS
5
IRON GIANT DIECAST 1/12-SCALE ACTION FIGURE
JAN188313
1000 TOYS INC.
6
DISNEY SELECT CLASSIC FIGURES
AUG192721
DIAMOND SELECT TOYS
7
IRON GIANT (BATTLE MODE) DIECAST 1/12-SCALE FIGURE
It has been quite some time that we have seen some nice Funko Pop drops on the Funko Shop. If you are unaware, usually every week collectors get new and exclusive Pop vinyls that come to the Funk-Shop. These drops usually land randomly on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. With a lot of convention cancellations, the shop has mainly been dedicated to convention exclusives from Emerald City Comic Con and WonderCon. Most recently, the shop has been dropping what they call Hidden Gems, which are modern retailer exclusives that Funko has "found" and uploaded on their site Today that all changes as we finally get some long awaited Cartoon Network Funko Pop debuts.
Today at 2pm eastern, two legendary Cartoon Network cartoons will get pop-ified and make their way into your collection. First up is the one and only Dexter, the boy genius, from Dexter's Laboratory. This vinyl shows off the scientist in his iconic lab coat, purple gloves, and a wrench in hand. This will be a great blast from the past for most fans and Pop collector and he will be priced at $15. Next up is the ladies man himself, Johnny Bravo from the hit Cartoon Network cartoon Johnny Bravo. This Funko Pop shows off a stylish Johnny with posing with his bulging muscles. He is sporting his classic look with sunglasses, a black shirt, and a raised eyebrow. This figure will be perfect for any muscle dedicated fan, Pop collector, or dedicated cartoon fanatic. Johnny will also come in at $15, and both figures are set to release at 2pm eastern, today (April 27th). You will find the link for them here and be on your A-game as these could go fast. I hope more Cartoon Network figures come out in the future. With so many cartoons out there they have plenty of options to pick from and this was a time before we got a lot of collectibles. These Funko Pop figures could be the answer for many cartoons out there like Cow & Chicken, Kids Next Door, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. Only time will tell what Funko has up their sleeve and us here at Bleeding Cool will be watching very closely.
Dexter's Laboratory and Johnny Bravo Funko-Shop Exclusive, photo from Funko.
These are strange times, but The Daily LITG is becoming a valuable way to quantify just what comic book geek culture – and whose got the best bubble wrap for DC Comics. Welcome all, to the daily Lying In The Gutters a long-running run around the day before and the day ahead. You can sign up to receive it as an e-mail here.
DC Comics, Wrapped In Plastic in The Daily LITG 27th April 2020. Photo from source.
DC Comics, Stranger Things and Star Trek – the 10 Most-Read Stories yesterday
Bleeding Cool continues to report from the comics industry shutdown, DC Comics arrive wrapped in plastic and Bill Sienkiewicz gets memed. Keep up with your Daily LITG.
There would also have been signings, appearances, symposia, all manner of comic book-related events. But a few have gone online, and here are some still happening today, on the Daily LITG.
There may not be much of a party atmosphere right now. Or if there is, the police will come and shut you down. But comic folk are still getting older and still celebrating that special date.
Shawn DePasquale, creator of SPACE, MN and PIXIES
Cartoonist Keith Andrew Smith
Luis L. Velasco, art director at Club Batman
Interested in DC Comics packaging, the fate of Forbidden Planet, or anything else? Subscribe to our LitG Daily Mailing List. And we'll see you here tomorrow.
Following up on the epic 200th episode of Being the Elite that aired last week, the Young Bucks have released a 45-minute YouTube video highlighting the best spots of the past 200 episodes. Matt Jackson defeated Nick Jackson in Being the Elite #200 in a falls-count-anywhere backyard brawl and followed up with a montage looking back at the show's past at the end. This new video is much longer, however, and encompasses the show's entire run.
Where Does Being the Elite Go From Here?
With 200 episodes in the bag, where does Being the Elite go from here? In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, talking about Being the Elite #200, Dave Meltzer addressed just that.
The show ended with a series of clips from the show's previous four years, traveling around the world, including clips of their last time in Reseda, their ROH farewell, the moment they realized the web site for the first All In crashed and when they found out the show had sold 10,415 tickets in 29 minutes, the announcement of the new promotion on New Year's Eve of 2019 while outside the Tokyo Dome Hotel, the Chris Jericho debut at the press conference, the plaque commemorating their show that the Sears Center has put in front of the building, clips of Brandon Cutler, Rick Knox and Private Party being told they were getting contracts, the announcement of the TNT deal, their first Funko Pops, their first action figures, the 2019 New Year's Eve party from Jacksonville and they asked what was next. Matt said, "For the first time, I don't know," in reference to living in current times, and it ended with Nick shutting down the computer. A lot of people thought this meant that it was the final episode. Matt Jackson said about that last point, "It's funny. We never know when the end is for the show. We've said it was going to end maybe 50 times at this point and it's always found a way back. So now, we always just plan finales and say we'll play it by ear and see where it takes us. A lot of people think the show is more important now than ever though. And I've already got ideas where we could take it if we do decide to keep going. My hunch is, we keep it going. But we're definitely approaching the end. I can feel that."
The official logo for BTE Being the Elite.
While the future may be uncertain, you can still look back at the past and everything Being the Elite has accomplished in the video above.
These are strange times, but The Daily LITG is becoming a valuable way to quantify just what comic book geek culture – and Funko – is being absorbed in this time of trial. Welcome all, to the daily Lying In The Gutters a long-running run around the day before and the day ahead. You can sign up to receive it as an e-mail here.
Furloughed Funko and DC Packaging in The Daily LITG 26th April 2020. Photo Credit: Tyler Roberts
Furloughed Funko, DC Comics packaging and Forbidden Planet fundraising – the 10 Most-Read Stories yesterday
Bleeding Cool continues to report from the comics industry shutdown, as Funko furloughs its own Pops, DC Comics arrive wrapped in plastic and Forbidden Planet continue to appeal for help – Klaus Janson just donated a thousand dollars. Keep up with your Daily LITG.
The censoring of Wonder Woman and other most read story, one year ago
Remember when Wonder Woman was a symbol of power, both in terms of censorship and recreation? DC censoring their own work and the misappropriation of others, and people cared enough about Heroes In Crisis to threaten Tom King's life.
There would also have been signings, appearances, symposia, all manner of comic book-related events. But a few have gone online, and here are some still happening today, on the Daily LITG.
There may not be much of a party atmosphere right now. Or if there is, the police will come and shut you down. But comic folk are still getting older and still celebrating that special date.
Kerry Gammill, comics artist best known for Power Man and Iron Fist and Superman
Brad W Foster, Shadowhawk artist
Stefan Blitz, EIC of Forces Of Geek
Jeff Zornow, Godzilla comic book artist
Craig Rousseau, co-creator of Perhapanauts and artist on Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane.
Interested in the bribes and furloughs of Marvel, the fate of Forbidden Planet, or anything else? Subscribe to our LitG Daily Mailing List. And we'll see you here tomorrow.
These are strange times, but The Daily LITG is becoming a valuable way to quantify just what comic book geek culture is being absorbed in this time of trial. With Marvel making Civil War a negatively priced commodity like oil and New York's Forbidden Planet fighting for its life, it's a very strange time. Welcome all, to the daily Lying In The Gutters a long-running run around the day before and the day ahead. You can sign up to receive it as an e-mail here.
Forbidden Planet of New York Launches GoFundMe To Survive. Image from FP.
Marvel bribes, Forbidden Planet fundraising and Furloughed Funko – the 10 Most-Read Stories yesterday
Bleeding Cool continues to report from the comics industry shutdown, as the Diamond distribution monopoly of the direct market was shattered by DC Comics, as comic book stores like Forbidden Planet struggle, and Marvel begins its furloughs. Keep up with your Daily LITG.
There would also have been signings, appearances, symposia, all manner of comic book-related events. But a few have gone online, and here are some still happening today, on the Daily LITG.
There may not be much of a party atmosphere right now. Or if there is, the police will come and shut you down. But comic folk are still getting older and still celebrating that special date.
Peter Sanderson Jr.
Mimi Cruz of Night Flight Comics
Cartoonist Todd Wright.
Payton Gauldin letterer of Judo Girl and Ant.
Fabrizio Fiorentino, artist on Titans, Mystic, Final Crisis.
Thomas Tenney, artist on Terminator, Force Works, Night Watch.
Interested in the bribes and furloughs of Marvel, the fate of Forbidden Planet, or anything else? Subscribe to our LitG Daily Mailing List. And we'll see you here tomorrow.
This year has not at all turned out how we all thought it would turn out. As days continue, things seem to get worse and better at the same time. The pandemic has shaped not only the world but the community of pop culture as companies shuffle conventions, concerts, and movies. Larger companies continue to plan for the future and some are taking the ultimate sacrifice. Funko has just announced that they will be adapting to the changes the world is facing with limiting their production supply. We all hope this pandemic can subside but if it doesn't, places need to prepare for ways to save the places we love for when things do continue to normal.
In an effort to adjust to the closed retailers around the county, Funko will be reducing its products sent to the market. This will make it quite difficult for collectors to find Funko Pops, Mystery Minis, PEZ, Funko Soda, and many more collectibles to get a hold of. Of course, we have plenty of more important things of concern at the moment but this means the rest of 2020 will be a rough time after this all ends. Retailers will be notified that certain products will be put on hold or moved to future release dates. Rumors are already spreading that the newest wave of My Hero Academia has been already stopped as well as some other franchises.
2020 will be a rough time for all of us, everything has already been shifted to the fall so the summer will be slim. Collectors can stay safe now and not continue the hunt as the virus hopefully goes away. These times are tough for everything so stay safe out there and shift your retailer hunt to a cyber hunt. Pre-Orders will lock down any collectible you want and will save you the stress of hitting the store so take advantage of it. Check out the official statement below:
Anime collectible is getting more popular as the year goes on with shows like My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, and Hunter X Hunter. Funko has caught wind of this and they are making the necessary adjustments. However, there are places out there that were already on that train before the big boom like Good Smile Company. They have given anime fan collectibles that are perfect for their needs and this time they are looking at Demon Slayer fans. This time e are getting some adorable pocket sized figures featuring some of your favorite characters. This set of figures will include six Demon Slayer characters, Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, Unmasked Inosuke Hashibira, and lastly Giyu Tomioka. Each comes with some miniature accessories and interchangeable pieces to switch them to a sitting position.
Each Demon Slayer figure might be pocket sized but are packed with cute anime style detail. Anime fans will be pleased to collect these amazing figures or just carry them around in their pocket. The sex of six is roughly $25 and pre-orders are already live and can be found here. The Demon Slayer Pocket Maquette is scheduled to release in August 2020.
"Pocket Maquette: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba 01. Adorable pocket-sized figures of the cast of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba"! From the popular series "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" comes a set of Pocket Maquette collectible figures! The line-up includes "Tanjiro Kamado", "Nezuko Kamado", "Zenitsu Agatsuma", "Inosuke Hashibira", "Inosuke Hashibira (Unmasked)" and "Giyu Tomioka"! Interchangeable parts are included to display them sitting. Five of the figures also include the character's Nichirin Blade. Be sure to add them to your collection!"
Baby Yoda took over the world last fall after debuting in The Mandalorian. The toys were an instant sellout, the character became one of the most-shared memes on social media, and is just the most adorable thing ever. Lucasfilm understands our insatiable need for content featuring "The Child." With that in mind, and during the times we are all going through, they have posted a neat little video tutorial on their Star Wars Kids YouTube page on how to draw Baby Yoda. The video goes step by step to show you how to draw and color the character to hang all over your home. Check it out below.
Baby Yoda Art Is The Best Art
"The Child from The Mandalorian has stolen hearts all over the galaxy, and Sara teaches you how to draw your very own! Cuddle up with some bone broth and a soft robe and learn to draw the adorable baby." Baby Yoda has indeed stolen hearts, that is for sure. Boy did Lucasfilm need something like "The Child" as well. After the divisive nature of the sequel trilogy of films, The Mandalorian was universally loved by all Star Wars fans. No matter how you felt about the new movies, it cannot be denied that they caused a fragment in the fandom that many, myself included, didn't think could be repaired. That all changed when Dyn Djarin opened up that cradle, and Baby Yoda was lying there. For the next eight weeks and since every appearance of the character helped unite the fandom.
The Child as featured in episode one of The Mandalorian. Credit: Disney
Toys Are Starting To Hit As Well
The figures and plush from various companies are starting to hit stores and online retailers as well. Baby Yoda interactive figures and plush in al shapes and sizes have been popping up in stores over the weekend, and are sure to fly off shelves as fast as they are put on them, even in this environment. Earlier this year, the Funko POP vinyl figure hit stores like Hot Topic and sold out in minutes. Hasbro has the first figure coming to retail any day now. If you like Baby Yoda, now is the time to grab one if you can.
The Funko Soda train continues as we happen to get our hands on The Masters of the Universe figures. I have had a lot of fun not only opening these cans but finding them. With flippers and dedicated collectors out there, it is sometimes hard only paying retail for some of these collectibles. I told myself I would not pay eBay prices on these and so far I have lucked out. There have been three site I have been finding this limited edition Funko Soda drops; HotTopic, BoxLunch, and Barnes & Noble. Their drops have been random so it is just luck to get your hands on some of these figures but this time we got both Masters of the Universe characters, Skeletor and He-Man. So let's not wait around any longer and figure out if they have the power! First up is the villain of the Masters of the Universe story, Skeletor. He is limited to only 10,000 pieces and of course, features a chance at a 1:6 chase variant. His variant features a darker colored version of him. The can itself features Skeletors colors or purple and blue. We did not get a chase but this figure still is limited to only 1/8,400 pieces. Skeletor is nicely detailed and gives off the Saturday Morning Cartoons vibe. His skull and body are nicely detailed and quite simple. The sculpting work is nicely done and could please any Masters of the Universe fan.
Credit: Tyler Roberts
He-Man, on the other hand, is a special case and we were saving him for the end. We managed to luck out this time as we hit gold this time and got the Slime Pit Slimer He-Man Chase! Unlike most of the Funko Soda Chase figures the Masters of the Universe He-Man get a completely new paint job. That's right, everyone's favorite Slime Pit is back and He-Man fell into Hordak's trap. This icon look is quite known by fans of the Masters of the Universe Mattel line. The Funko Soda figure is limited to only 10,000 pieces but since we have the chase version it is only one of 1,600 made. The Funko Soda can features the original He-Man brown and yellow colors on the text and a classic decal design. We do not have the original figure to compare it too but man do I live this figure. The green is so bright and the added red on his chest and eyes are demonic. He has a pretty basic design but his sword and hair and nicely sculpted. Compared to other chase figures out there this one will really stand out. Fans of Masters of the Universe and He-Man defiantly need to add this figure to their collection. I will now have to test the waters yet again to get my hands on the normal one for a complete set. Funko Soda brings limited edition collecting back into the collectibles world and I love it. Their simple and cartoony designs bring back childhood memories. These figures are flying off online shelves so make sure you get your hands on them before they all disappear.
