BBTS Sponsor News: Terminator, Optimus Prime, Devil May Cry, X-Men, Joker, Voltron, Dragon Ball, Transformers, Naruto & More!

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE FIGURES Terminator: Dark Fate follows the events of T2: Judgment Day as a new enemy appears. T-800 and Sarah Connor are now fully articulated 7-inch scale figures featuring movie-accurate detail and authorized likenesses!

UNRULY INDUSTRIES MARVEL ONE SCOOPS The Marvel One Scoops are designed by artist Erik Scoggan and feature your favorite Marvel characters re-visualized as tasty ice cream treats. $84.99

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/bbts-sponsor-news-terminator-optimus-prime-devil-may-cry-x-men-joker-voltron-dragon-ball-transformers-naruto-more/
Daniel Pickett

Coming Soon from Funko: Pop! PEZ – Star Wars

COMING SOON: POP! PEZ – STAR WARS

Indulge your sweet tooth and love of adventures that take place in a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars-themed Pop! PEZ showcasing Boba Fett.

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/coming-soon-from-funko-pop-pez-star-wars/
Daniel Pickett

PREVIEWS Exclusive Marvel Nova Prime Funko POP! Figure Soars into Comic Shops

(BALTIMORE, MD) — (June 6, 2019) — In 1976, Nova debuted in Marv Wolfman and John Buscema’s The Man Called Nova #1. Now, the elite superhero is making his maiden voyage to comic shops as a PREVIEWS Exclusive Funko POP! Vinyl figure along with a PREVIEWS Exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy #7 variant cover.

When the last surviving member of the planet Xandar’s elite Nova Corps is dying, he selects New York high school student Richard Rider to replace him. Rider, calling himself Nova, takes up the superhero mantle, along with the uniform, and receives the powers of a Nova Centurion. Now, he just has to figure out how to use them!

This PREVIEWS Exclusive POP! of Nova features the hero in his classic costume and boasts a metallic paint job and sculpted transparent energy powers, all with signature Funko flair. He stands about 3 3/4″ tall and comes in a collector-friendly window box for display.

The Funko POP! Marvel Nova Prime PX Vinyl Figure is limited to just 30,000 pieces. As an added bonus for retailer orders, every six POP! Marvel Nova Prime figures ordered through July 1st, 2019, comic shops will receive a PREVIEWS Exclusive Guardians of the Galaxy #7 variant, featuring a cover by Funko’s Mike Martin that reimagines Nova’s first appearance in The Man Called Nova #1.

The PREVIEWS Exclusive Marvel Nova Prime Funko POP! (OCT188711, SRP $11.99) is now available for pre-order at comic shops. To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com.

 

 

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD) — Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, DCD is the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/previews-exclusive-marvel-nova-prime-funko-pop-figure-soars-into-comic-shops/
Daniel Pickett

Coming Soon From Funko: Pop! Animation – Disenchantment

COMING SOON: POP! ANIMATION – DISENCHANTMENT

Bring a fantastical touch to your collection with the characters from Dreamland including Pop! King Zog, Elfo, Luci and Bean.

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/coming-soon-from-funko-pop-animation-disenchantment/
Daniel Pickett

Here’s Every Announcement from the Xbox E3 Briefing

Funko Continues its World Domination with a New “Gears POP!” Trailer at E3 2019

This is still one of the weirdest company team-ups but Microsoft shared a look at the new series of animation shorts for Gears POP! to go along with the mobile game that will be released.

Brought to you by Xbox and Funko Animation Studios, “Kitten Around with RAAM” is the first in a series of animated shorts starring the characters from Gears POP!

This is still a little weird looking combination but Funko is a brand that very much sells these days and mobile games are still making a goofy amount of money.

Stay tuned to Bleeding Cool for all of our coverage of E3 2019.

The post Funko Continues its World Domination with a New “Gears POP!” Trailer at E3 2019 appeared first on Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.

via https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/09/funko-continues-its-world-domination-with-a-new-gears-pop-trailer-at-e3-2019/
Kaitlyn Booth

“Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order”- EA Play at E3 Details are Here

Coming Soon from FUNKO: Pop! Movie Moment – Batman 80th

COMING SOON: POP! MOVIE MOMENT: BATMAN 80TH

 

Celebrate 80 years of the Dark Knight with a Pop! Movie Moment featuring Batman and James Gordon from the 2005 DC Super Hero film Batman Begins. He’s the hero you need and deserve, and the light-up Bat-Signal is a classic sign that trouble’s afoot but help is on the way.

Coming Soon!

 

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/coming-soon-from-funko-pop-movie-moment-batman-80th/
Daniel Pickett

Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group Returns to Licensing Expo with a Focus on Esports, Brand Collaborations and Global Licensed Programs

New World-Class Licensees Include Fanatics, Starter, Upper Deck, DRKN, and Fashion UK

Esports Panel Set to Take Place on Tuesday, June 4 from 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Global Licensing Theater Group (Booth A105)

Returning Programs Include Hasbro, LEGO® Group, Funko, UNIQLO, Astro, New Era, McFarlane, and More

 

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Returning with a dedication to providing global consumers with an unmatched fan experience centered on consumer products, Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group (ABCPG) arrives at Licensing Expo 2019 with an all-star roster of new and returning licensed programs and world-class licensees. The iconic franchises from Activision and Blizzard Entertainment continue to grow beyond gameplay, and Licensing Expo will showcase a range of consumer products that deliver engaging, relevant, and innovative experiences unparalleled in the video game space.

“Activision Blizzard has a portfolio of some of the world’s most beloved franchises, and our aim is to work with world-class licensees that enrich our fans’ experience around the world,” said Steve Young, President of Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group. “The fan experience is at the center of everything we do, and we’re thrilled to create new opportunities for players to immerse themselves and show their passion for Activision’s and Blizzard’s games through relationships ranging from LEGO to UNIQLO.”

Since its inception, ABCPG remains steadfast in its efforts to drive global growth and engagement for Activision Blizzard’s flagship brands, including Activision’s Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, and Blizzard’s Overwatch^® and World of Warcraft^®. Additionally, with Activision Blizzard at the vanguard of competitive entertainment, ABCPG continues to raise the bar for esports via the merchandise program for the Overwatch League as we usher in a new generation of fans and athletes.

Activision Highlights

This year, the definitive, first-person action series Call of Duty continues to build on a successful 2018 with new collaborations and offerings. International streetwear brand DRKN, in collaboration with Activision, will launch a high-end Call of Duty capsule collection, which will be available Fall 2019. Additionally, Fashion UK, newly appointed Pan-European apparel and fashion accessory collaborator, will develop and offer a range of products across a wide selection of retailers, available this Fall. Following the May 30 game announcement, ABCPG worked with Bioworld, KontrolFreek, New Era and international companies Pyramid and Fashion UK on a range of products to drive further excitement around the reveal of the highly anticipated Fall launch. Furthermore, Astro, Scuf Gaming, Surreal, and Rubber Road will return with Call of Duty licensed programs this year.

2019 marks the 40^th anniversary of Activision and its rich history helping to support and define the standard for innovation within the video game industry. Looking into Activision’s past, present, and future, we want to celebrate gamers – across generations – by leaning into the strong consumer demand for retro properties with the reemergence of iconic characters from the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro franchises. ABCPG is dedicated to fully embracing the possibilities with consumer products for Crash Team Racing as well as for the critically acclaimed Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Blizzard Highlights

Toy and apparel offerings for Overwatch continue to expand throughout 2019. LEGO® Group kicked off the year with the release of the first ever LEGO Overwatch product line, which will feature new product launches later this year at various price points. Additionally, Overwatch franchise master toy licensee Hasbro continues to create a wide range of play experiences, including the recently released Overwatch Ultimates Action Figures and NERF Blasters product lines, as well as the upcoming tabletop board game Overwatch Monopoly, with more to come this Fall. Further, apparel juggernaut UNIQLO launched – with a global program in May rolling out regionally through the end of June – an exclusive line of clothing across Blizzard franchises, including Overwatch and World of Warcraft^®, as part of its Spring/Summer 2019 collection.

Funko also has launched the latest wave of Overwatch Pops! designed for the growing segment of collector-fans. In addition, Insight Editions is now offering global Overwatch fans and foodies the opportunity to preorder Overwatch: The Official Cookbook filled with more than 100 recipes inspired by the heroes of Blizzard’s hit game. Finally, multinational book publisher Scholastic announced preorders for the third installment of the World of Warcraft Traveler book series, aimed at young readers, which is due out later this year.

ABCPG is also thrilled to announce the relaunch of the official Blizzard Gear Store in China with new ecommerce licensee Baozun. Kicking off on May 15 on Tmall (Alibaba Group), this relationship now allows offerings on the Blizzard Gear Store to reach millions of fans throughout the region.

Esports Highlights

The Overwatch League has also entered into an e-commerce license agreement with Fanatics, the worldwide leader in licensed sports merchandise. This new e-commerce platform helps fans around the world connect with their favorite league, teams, and players via Shop.OverwatchLeague.com. Through the multiyear deal with Fanatics, ABCPG is excited to bring the avid esports fan base ongoing licensed product offerings. On May 20, Baozun launched the Overwatch League’s official China ecommerce shop on Tmall (Alibaba Group). Newly launched relationships for the Overwatch League include New Era, Starter, G-III, Outerstuff, and the first-ever trading card program for esports with Upper Deck. Additionally, Funko will be launching an Overwatch League-themed Pop! Vinyl SKU in Q4 of this year. ABCPG is also currently exploring opportunities for the next iteration of Call of Duty esports.

ABCPG will be hosting an esports-focused panel at Licensing Expo on Tuesday, June 4 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Booth #A105), which will spotlight the Overwatch League’s inaugural season while showcasing how our expanding licensed merchandise portfolio is supporting and elevating esports fan culture.

Check out the ABCPG booth during Licensing Expo 2019, located in Booth #U202.

About Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group

Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group is a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), an S&P 500 company and a leading standalone interactive entertainment company. Building on the existing consumer products businesses, the Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group encompasses Activision, Blizzard and King’s franchises. The division is passionate about working with best-in-class licensees around the world to create high quality and deeply relevant merchandise that gives fans new ways to play, display, wear, and live the brands they love. Activision Blizzard is home to iconic and beloved entertainment franchises, including Activision’s Call of Duty^®, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Skylanders^®; Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft^®, and Overwatch^®; and King Digital Entertainment’s Candy Crush.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Blizzard’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the company’s Consumer Products division, including with respect to Licensing Expo 2019, including the date and features of the esports-focused panel at Licensing Expo, and the merchandise licensing programs for Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Call of Duty esports, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, the Overwatch League, and the Blizzard Gear Store in China, including their availability, features and licensees, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Blizzard’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and the company does not assume any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

© 2019 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision, Call of Duty, Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.

© 2019 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Overwatch League is a trademark and Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Blizzard, and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries.

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/activision-blizzard-consumer-products-group-returns-to-licensing-expo-with-a-focus-on-esports-brand-collaborations-and-global-licensed-programs/
Daniel Pickett

Now Retailer Dennis Barger Banned From Diamond Events

We talked about Denver comic book retailer Dennis Barger‘s experience at the recent Diamond Summit in Las Vegas, where he called out Mark Waid specifically, also ran Waid’s response. Well, it seems that the other shoe has now dropped. Barger posted to Facebook the following account of events.

Ok so “apparently” it’s official Diamond Comic Distributors is officially banning me from attending any and all diamond events through 2020. I’d give you more details but they are refusing to give it to me in writing. The “stated” reason for this is officially only because I shared pictures shown to retailers by Funko Joe at the retailers summit maliciously. (Despite the fact that I gave up no rights to obey all oral orders given to me by presenters)

So let’s dig in. On Monday May 20th during the summit, right after meeting Todd McFarlane and then right after Mark Waid threw a comic at me and shoes me away from the humanoids booth. Roger Fletcher svp of diamond comics walks by me and calls me an “asshole” (again) in front of fellow retailers (George Chase and others) in public. He’s walking away and can’t be bothered to back that up. So when I see him about 30 minutes later I asked him wtf he was pissed off about now. Now I love roger, I think he’s cool, but man does he get butt hurt easy. I once mocked a super long boring DC presentation after dinner of a marketing survey by saying “riveting” over and over again as we were finally free to leave . He took umberage over this mocking and called me out for being “an ungrateful prick”.

Another instance in Baltimore after requesting a new box be looked into several years in a row to no avail, I filmed myself dropping a box of beat up comics in front of him at Baltimore to the roar of retailers support. He followed that up by simply saying “f-ck you dennis” to me loudly while I was talking to fellow retailers.

The next time was in Chicago where after asking once again that diamond report positive credit for retailers repeatedly I asked again on video and this time he walked up to me after the q&a to compliment me on raising my kids good (who I brought with me to this summit) (odd) before calling me an “ass” for calling diamond out again during q&a in front of my son.

(Important side note) this would be the last time Diamond would have a retailer q&a at a summit, which he confirmed this year was entirely because of me. Diamond no longer will tolerate retailer complaints at summits because they can’t handle Dennis, repeatedly giving them the chance to answer retailer complaints, by dismissing it, saying we will get back to you, never contacting you or doing anything and pretending it’s a new complaint the next year and doing the same.

So let’s skip finally to this years vegas summit. The tone deaf summit held at the $300 a night planet Hollywood hotel for comic retailers who almost every presenter knowledged, just went through one of the worst years ever. Not attached to any comic event, this stand alone summit stretched from Friday to Monday, 3-4 hotel nights in a town notorious for sucking you dry, all to help retailers make more money (so they can afford to go to more summits apparently).

So after Roger insults me for the 4th time in front of other people I confronted him. A heated argument ensued. Many things come out especially Rogers deep seated hatred for me at summits, he explains he likes me basically but hates me at summits. Not in any particular order he accuses me of, only going to humiliate Diamond, only making videos to get online attention, telling me all the people at the summit despise me, publishers, presenters, fellow retailers and diamond staff, everyone apparently. He repeatedly asks me “why do you even come to these?”. He also is pissed I skipped the fabulous morning presentations of diamonds fabulous products during breakfast. Well considering I stayed at a cheaper hotel away from the summit (circus circus) to save money and had a 1/2 hour uber ride in that morning I don’t need to hear diamonds sales pitch, or any sales pitch to separate retailers from their money. This went on for maybe 15-30 minutes, up and down in hostility levels, I brought up the Waid debacle and he brought up that his staff sent him 4 emails of my social media posts from the day before including the Funko post, the “this industry is fuqqed” post and two others he didn’t elaborate on. Yes diamond trolls my page to send to daddy for punishment. No mention of my enthusiastic posts about Marvel, idw, mad cave, source point, image and spawn 300, DC even, just 4 negatives. I bring up the litany of past diamond transgressions. The olive branch thieves I caught that diamond never dealt with (yeah thats a whole story I haven’t even talked about)(until now), the box damages, the credit issue, the missing products, numerous things!!! Nope just the negative of showing them up. That’s fine I know what I’m doing, you get the carrot several times til I have to give you the stick. Damn whoever can’t handle that, I gave you plenty of chances.

But two weeks later they have meetings between the brave Chris Powell and roger fletcher and those courageous heroes have my friend call me to tell me I’m barred for a year and a half from diamond events. It’s too kind to call these feckless elitists cowards. They are tyrants who wield unlimited power over an industry and rule with an iron fist over anyone who dares defy them. It might be different if we were in the steak and Champaign point of this industry but we are currently in the full speed ahead into Icey oceans point.

So what am I going to do about this? I’ll just be a good boy and cowtie to the powers that be, hah!!! Not a chance.
First this gets handed over to my pit bull lawyer, second financial punishment. I changed all of my business from diamond t-mailers to Gemini mailer over the repeated damages years ago. So effective immediately I will cancel all dst toys and statues, no further orders of those products. Not hard, most of it gets sold at wholesale cost on amazon prime anyways or clearances out for nothing twice a year. #thanksdiamond, no bottle openers, pizza cutters, apparel. That’s all done. I’m going piss so much into the tent the stench will make the tent empty out. Retailers need to be diamond independent ive been saying that for years.

Diamond seriously needs to take a long hard look at themselves, are they being a “good Shepard” of the industry they control? No
Diamond says I need to change the way I complain, I think they need to change the way they fix, like actually starting to fix it, not run the same old tired “buy more” speak up less attitude that these summits have been for the 14 years I’ve been going to them.

So Dirk Wood, sorry you won’t hear DIRKKKK when you go up on stage, Filip Sablik and Ross Richie No BOOM! From the back of the hall, Mad Cave Studios, Source Point Press, AfterShock Comics, Devin Funches Jeremy Atkins and Lion Forge and all my other boys that I enthusiastically support at these summits. Diamond can’t handle the tough questions I ask and they’d rather have the sound of antsy retailers waiting for their variants drowning out your presentations than a Shhhh from Dennis that comes with a tough question at 9am the next morning.

I doubt they’ve ever barred any retailer before, and I’m sure they’d never consider barring Mark Waid for throwing a comic at me. But this is what they think will help them maintain control.

Lots more to come I swear and promise ;)

Don’t worry, they have merely struck me down and made me more powerful than ever!!!

Just to repeat, Mark Waid denies he threw a comic at Dennis. Amongst the responsesnto Dennis was former Diamond executive and familiar name to Bleeding Cool readers, Bill Schanes who told Dennis,

I would suggest you try a different approach. I retired from Diamond just about 6-years ago, and while I can no longer speak on behalf of Diamond, I find most of your tactics less than constructive (just my opinion). Public shaming seldom gets results

To Dennis’ response.

Bill you know Ive brought up ever point countless times politely before getting to these more extreme methods. The box issue went on for 4 years before I had to bring the beat up box to Baltimore, year after year “we’ll look into that and get back to you”, year after year “last year you said you’d look into this and get back to me and you never did” year after year “oh sorry we’ll look into it this year”. Crickets…. this industry needs solutions not excuses. One of these years it won’t be around the next year.

The credit reporting issue started 8 years ago, still only one person EVER addressed it back with me unofficially and that was we won’t ever do it because it might hurt deadbeat retailers in arrears.

As someone who spent over 45-years in a professional purchasing position, I always found it best to work behind the scenes. At times, it takes longer than I might have liked it, but I earned a reputation for bringing up topics which retailers had brought up to Diamond, and of, topics which I felt weren’t fair to retailers, even though I was also an advocate for the publishers/suppliers to the industry. Just my style – others may vary.

While fellow retailer Larry Docherty of Larry’s Comics countered,

I’m going to give tough love, because I absolutely adore Dennis L Barger Jr. You could tone it down a bit at the summits. Sharing the Funko stuff is a dick move. I know tons of people at Diamond absolutely adore you & probably feel awful. Apologize. Tell them you’ll be better. They’ll let you back in. Attack on your own time.

With Dennis doubling down.

First I get it but you push me I push back, you ignore me I will make you not ignore me. I’ve brought up the abusive relationship with Funko several times. Oh hey your money is good 51 weeks a year but not at this convention or that even if you jump through our hoops. For them to walk into a summit thinking they have clean hands is obscene to me, and harmful to fans like you who work shows with me (now on two occasions) these last few summits Funko doesn’t address those and as they loose venues like Hastings, loot crate and most mass retailers cutting back they come to us with more and more stuff to make up for slowing sales elsewhere. So yeah I could have done this better, sure I could have been more polite. But then again their staff at cons could have had better responses for me over 5-6 years of walking up to their booth than, “oh you’re a retailer/exhibitor you’re not allowed to buy from us”. And that has been brought up to Funko at summits before in person politely.

The drama continues…

 

 

The post Now Retailer Dennis Barger Banned From Diamond Events appeared first on Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.

via https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/06/retailer-dennis-barger-banned-diamond-events/
Rich Johnston

COMING SOON FROM FUNKO: POP! PEZ – DISNEY KINGDOM HEARTS

COMING SOON: POP! PEZ – DISNEY KINGDOM HEARTS

Celebrate friendship and embark on an epic journey through a magical world inspired by some of Disney and Pixar’s finest characters. Bring home Pop! PEZ Sora, Org 13 Mickey and Heartless.

Coming Soon!

via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/coming-soon-from-funko-pop-pez-disney-kingdom-hearts/
Daniel Pickett