Skip to main content

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE Featurette

Hasbro Comic-Con 2013 Exclusives


Limited-edition toys run the gamut from 'My Little Pony' to Marvel heroes to a mash-up of '80s favorites 'G.I. Joe' and 'Transformers.'

Hasbro will have special exclusive toys available at Comic-Con in July

Sets include toys from 'Jem' and 'My Little Pony' lines plus a 'G.I. Joe'/'Transformers' mash-up.

Limited number of exclusives are slated to be sold after the con online.

Lines are inevitably part of every San Diego Comic-Con attendee's convention experience, and not many lines are as impressive as the one at the Hasbro booth.

Crowds flock to see what's coming out from such pop-culture toy lines as G.I. Joe, Transformers, Marvel Comics, My Little Pony and Star Wars, but also to get their hands on the exclusive merchandise only available at Comic-Con.

The crop on sale July 18-21 is, like every year, custom-tailored for its core contingent, according to Derryl DePriest, Hasbro's vice president for boys global brand marketing.

"We've seen how Comic-Con has grown over the years," he says, "and Hasbro has been an essential part of that growth with just the presence we have there and a devoted fan base that every year has made the exclusives we produce the center of their experience.

"We know we have to produce something that's big enough to meet their passion."


Hasbro's 2013 exclusives run the gamut from partner brands like Marvel Universe and Star Wars — Comic-Con is the place to get a special "Black Series" Boba Fett action figure ($49.99), complete with Han Solo in carbonite — to properties the company owns, including G.I. Joe, Transformers, My Little Pony and Jem and the Holograms.

Here are four highlights that fans will be able to get at Comic-Con this summer, and afterward in limited supply at HasbroToyShop.com:


With the popular Friendship Is Magic animated series on Hub Network, comic book and toy line, My Little Pony has become a phenomenon of a franchise, growing a loyal following of female fans and male Bronies.


A fan favorite who first appeared in the first season of Friendship is Magic, DJ Pon-3 ($49.99) makes her debut with a Comic-Con exclusive — and a shiny one at that. In addition to a musical note as her "cutie mark," her sunglasses and unicorn horn are embellished with Swarovski crystal elements that tie into the year's theme of the Crystal Empire.

Even DJ Pon-3's special packaging lights up, says Hasbro's Donna Tobin, senior vice president, global brand marketing for My Little Pony. "Everything about her offering really enhances her character."

In the cartoon, "she had a little throwback to the '80s — she put a needle on an actual vinyl record," Tobin adds. "A younger girl might not have picked that up but our older fans picked it up immediately and loved it. And we love that about her, too."

Hasbro hosts a panel at Comic-Con featuring voice talent from the show, previews a fall line of toys at its booth and offers a poll where fans can elect their favorite pony from the "mane six" — Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack — and record testimonials at a video booth before the vote goes live at Hubworld.com/vote4ponies on July 22.

The friendship and tolerance themes of My Little Pony fall right in line with the camaraderie and spirit of the Comic-Con faithful, Tobin says. "We appeal to fans of all ages, and what better opportunity to bring this particular character that fans are already embracing to them in a very special way."


The "truly outrageous" rocker returns to Comic-Con with the "Glitter N' Gold" Jem doll.


Jem and the Holograms

Jem, the pink-haired '80s cartoon rocker, made a "truly outrageous" return to pop culture last summer at Comic-Con with a high-end collectible figure from Hasbro and Integrity Toys.

She sold out quickly, so Jem's coming back glammed out with a special "Glitter N' Gold" figure ($140) that's a nod to a version from her original era. This time, though, she comes with more detail, a better and more realistic sculpt, and accessories including an extra dress and a record trophy.

The only thing not carried over from the '80s? A cassette tape, which probably to anybody younger than teen years would cause head scratching.

There was so much feedback and excitement for Jem on the convention last year that Hasbro felt "Glitter N' Gold" was right up their alley, says Samantha Lomow, senior vice president, global brand marketing.

"We really listened to the fans about what they would be looking for. This was inspired by some of those on the floor conversations."

Old Jem cartoons are still shown on Hub Network, but Hasbro does have future plans for Jem and her alter ego Jerrica Benton. "Stay tuned for now," Lomow teases.

Even though she is pushing 30 years old, Jem continues to resonate today, mainly because of the duality in character between the over-the-top Jem and conservative Jerrica.

"She is the embodiment of that personality today in pop culture," Lomow says. "Jem was ahead of her time in a lot of ways. It really did celebrate girl empowerment and girl power in a very fashionable way. There is this desire of parents today to share Jem with their kids because it is still relevant."


The Thunderbolts squad of Judith Chambers. Ghost, Crossbones, Luke Cage and Moonstone star in the Marvel Legends set.


Marvel Legends

Between its superhero movies, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show and its comic-book empire, Marvel may have the biggest Comic-Con ever in 2013.

Action figures come hand in hand with comics, though. Whereas Hasbro hits kid demos with Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor and Wolverine movie toys this year, the company is using its Marvel Legends Comic-Con set to embrace the adult fans and put the spotlight on some characters who haven't seen that much love — in this case, the Thunderbolts.

Hasbro aims to "create a minor event out of it at Comic-Con to remind our most ardent collectors that we can do some of the coolest stuff that's very relevant to them," says Adam Biehl, vice president, global brand strategy and marketing.

"We surprise the fan base with something they didn't expect, and that's always the goal with any exclusives we do."

The Hasbro team was excited by the idea of doing a Thunderbolts set ($89.99) of 6-inch figures inspired by the comic-book art of Kev Walker and based on the Marvel team of superpowered antiheroes — Avengers member Luke Cage and the reformed super-criminals Crossbones, Ghost, Moonstone and Judith Chambers — that work for the government.

Cage receives a more modern Legends figure than he's seen in the past, but senior design director Dwight Stall was most excited about giving first editions to other characters whom "the Marvel fans have never had a figure of and might possibly have never thought, oh yeah, Hasbro will get around to doing those," he says, adding that other Legends figures releasing later this year and in 2014 will be on display at the Marvel booth.

One of the more interesting Thunderbolts to design was Ghost, a character who is very, very different in his anatomy from what you'd see on other, more traditional superheroes.

"He's not big, he's not muscular, he doesn't have that overwhelming presence to him," says Stall, adding that they re-used a Bucky sculpt from a few years back that they never thought they'd utilize again. "We turned him into my favorite figure in the set."

And if bigger is better, then Crossbones' massive cannon wins the day.

"Realism has its place but there's that level of super-realism in the superhero world where you could have a guy who could literally rip a mini-gun off the side of a helicopter and use it as a hand weapon," Stall says. "That's one of the benefits of having super strength."


The 'G.I. Joe'/'Transformers' mash-up set includes a G.I. Joe V.A.M.P. vehicle in the colors and deco of the Autobot cult favorite, Hound.


G.I. Joe/Transformers

Iconic cartoon/toy/comic franchises over the last 30 years, G.I. Joe and Transformers are two franchises that have recently hit Hollywood but are always favorites at Comic-Con among those who grew up with them and younger folks getting to know the real American heroes and transforming alien robots.

Putting them together, though? That's like the ultimate peanut butter and jelly sandwich for children of the '80s.


This year's G.I. Joe/Transformers exclusive ($99.99) is the third and final installment in a special series of annual mash-ups, and while the two previous exclusives focused on Decepticons — a Skystriker jet with a Starscream paint job, and a Shockwave deco on a G.I. Joe Retaliation movie H.I.S.S. Tank — the 2013 edition focuses on the good guys.


"What better way to go out with a bang than with the Autobots coming to save the day?" says design manager John Warden.


Paying homage to a G.I. Joe/Transformers comic-book miniseries in the '80s, the set includes a Skystriker in the colors of the Autobot Jetfire and a G.I. Joe V.A.M.P. vehicle retooled to reflect Hound, a cult favorite whose original automobile form was that of an Army Jeep.


"We look to these two brands in particular to make a big statement," DePriest says.


The comic medium has been the experimental forum to prove a very high concept: that these universes of characters can go together. But we've just never put them together in toy form."

To pair with the vehicles, the set stars the Cobra femme fatale Baroness with the Decepticon character Ravage, G.I. Joe ninja Snake Eyes with an Autobot logo on his outfit, the Autobot Blaster in his boom-box form and his tapes, and a robotic samurai warrior with a skeleton head in the colors of the Decepticon Bludgeon.

"John's wanted to do a samurai for years," DePriest quips.

"He appeals not only to the original '80s fans but also late '80s and '90s," Warden says. "That's another big piece of Comic-Con: It's appealing to all generations."

Please Leave A Comment-
Source-USAToday

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New Clip & Release Date For Chaos Walking Starring Tom Holland & Daisy Ridley

In the not too distant future, Todd Hewitt ( Tom Holland ) discovers Viola ( Daisy Ridley ), a mysterious girl who crash lands on his planet, where all the women have disappeared and the men are afflicted by “the Noise” – a force that puts all their thoughts on display. In this dangerous landscape, Viola’s life is threatened – and as Todd vows to protect her, he will have to discover his own inner power and unlock the planet’s dark secrets. .   In theater & IMAX March 5th.   Discuss this with fellow SJF fans on Facebook . On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms Please Leave A Comment-

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Trailer

In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang ( Paul Rudd ) and Hope Van Dyne ( Evangeline Lilly ) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne ( Michelle Pfeiffer ), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang. Director Peyton Reed returns to direct the film; Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce.     Discuss this with fellow SJF fans on Facebook . On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms Please Leave A Comment-

Sex Tape Review: Overly Sexual, Rude, Vulgar, and Absolutely Hilarious

The raunchy Sex Tape will divide audiences and critics, but who cares? Sex Tape suggests a growing practice among loving partners: that of making a raunchy testament of their escapades for posterity. But what happens when that evidence gets seen by friends, neighbors, and even the mailman? This is the plot that pits Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz) in an effort to secure every iPad gift Jay has given, his record company playlists being the envy of the recipients, but which has also inadvertently spread the video to every device. The reason for the act - termed in the movie as pulling "the full Lincoln " for its three-hour length - stems from the couple's non-existent social life, brought on by the constant demands of their children. The couple has a lot to lose: a burgeoning business relationship between Annie and Hank (Rob Lowe) could end if the iPad she's given to Hank exposes the video, and so the couple sets out to reclaim and wipe the incrim