Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Recreate Classic Battles with Battle Packs Available Exclusively at Toys ‘R Us

The Star Wars saga is filled with many epic battles between the light and dark sides, each critical in determining the fate of the galaxy. These Battle Packs, available exclusively at Toys ‘R Us, capture two of those moments. On the frozen planet of Hoth, Luke Skywalker encounters the fierce wampa and must rely on his still-untested Force powers to escape an icy doom. And on barren Geonosis, armor-clad clone troopers and the massive droid army clash for the first time, a battle that heralded the galaxy-wide Clone Wars. The scene is set and forces in place to recreate some of the most epic scenes from the films, so don’t be left behind when the battle begins!

Hoth Patrol
The Rebels establish their new base on Hoth, a world of snow and ice where daytime temperatures are bone chilling and nighttime temperatures are deadly. Rebel patrols riding indigenous tauntauns venture into the freezing landscape to guard the base’s perimeter. On one of these routine patrols, Luke is captured by a wampa ice creature, one of the planet’s most vicious predators. The carnivorous wampa hunts its prey with stealth in spite of its size. Perfectly hidden by its white fur in the snowy Hoth landscape, the ice creature sneaks up on Luke and renders the unsuspecting Rebel unconscious with one swipe its massive hand. The wampa drags Luke back to its ice cave and suspends him from the ceiling, planning to make the Jedi its next meal. Only Luke’s skill with the Force saves him from an untimely end: he uses the Force to retrieve his lightsaber, which enables him to free himself from the ice and escape from the wampa.


STAP Attack
Obi-Wan arrives on Geonosis just as the Separatists pledge their support to Count Dooku. The Jedi is there as part of his investigation into the clone army’s creation, and accidentally uncovers the Separatist’s existence. He also discovers the huge droid manufacturing facilities on the planet and their dark purpose: to build a massive army for the Separatists to use in their quest to overthrow the Republic. Kenobi manages to relay this information before he is captured. The Jedi Council launches a rescue, which triggers a series of events that culminate in the first battle of the Clone Wars. Battle droids swarm into combat on Geonosis, a vast army under the control of the Separatists. Armed with blaster rifles, the battle droids face the clone troopers in combat: two forces both programmed to act with unwavering loyalty toward their creators. Single Trooper Aerial Platform (STAP) vehicles are used for reconnaissance and patrol by battle droids. These lightweight crafts are armed with blaster cannons, so they can also be deployed as support vehicles for larger crafts, as they are during the Battle of Geonosis.


Gather your forces for a droid attack, or channel the Force against a savage opponent. This opportunity will pass you by if you don’t get aboard your STAP or trusty tauntaun and head to Toys ‘R Us. May the FORCE be with you and stay tuned for more exciting news from Hasbro!

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Stargate Atlantis 3 - Chevrons Locked!

The celebrated third series of action figures based on the Sci-Fi Channel hit series Stargate Atlantis are ready to embark on their most important mission to date – exploring your collection! Featuring characters from the third and fourth seasons, this assortment offers new faces, new uniforms, new threats and a bonus figure-sized Ancient Control Chair!

The core release will include Dr. Samantha Carter and Dr. Jennifer Keller as they appeared in the show’s fourth season, a hulking and imposing Wraith Drone, the limited Garrison Uniform Sheppard in his on-base black uniform and the Previews Exclusive warrior, Ronon Dex. Also included in each case will be a special edition case-topper figure featuring a new version of a Stargate legend – General Jack O’Neill in his blue garrison uniform! This limited figure will be included within each sealed case and will only be available from your local retailer.

As with past Stargate releases, this assortment was sculpted by Jean St. Jean Studios, stands 7 inches tall and features series-accurate costumes. The Ancient Control Chair will be distributed with Dr. Carter, Dr. Keller, Wraith Drone and Ronon, however each figure in the line will also include several accessories to further accent your Stargate displays.

For more information and to check the latest Stargate product releases, remember to visit
www.diamondselecttoys.com – home of the best of all worlds!

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Sentry Is Targeted By The Skrulls in Mighty Avengers!

The Skrull hunt continues! After the shocking reveal of a new Howling Commandos team in the last issue, Eisner-award winning writer, and the brain behind Secret Invasion, Brian Michael Bendis focuses on the Golden Guardian of Good in Mighty Avengers #14! This Secret Invasion tie-in, with eye popping art from rising star Khoi Pham (Incredible Hercules), answers the questions surrounding the erratic Sentry and arrives wrapped in a stunning cover by artist Marko Djurdjevic!

A continuing enigma to the Marvel Universe, Sentry’s fragile mental state makes him a ticking time bomb, leaving everyone around him in constant danger. In the Sentry’s darkest hour, one could only expect an appearance from his arch-nemesis, The Void…but how does this tie into the Skrull invasion?

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Mighty Avengers and all other Secret Invasion tie-ins as they continue to sell out at Diamond and as fans continue to ask “Who do you trust?”

What are the Skrulls’ plans for Bob Reynolds? How does his wife Lindy factor in? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Mighty Avengers #14!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #14 (MAR082207)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by KHOI PHAM
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—5/1/08, On-Sale—5/21/08

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Whedon & Cassaday's Groundbreaking ASTONISHING X-MEN Epic Concludes!

Too big for a normal issue, the conclusion to Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s groundbreaking X-Men epic arrives in Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1! This double-sized issue brings Spider-Man, The Avengers and Fantastic Four into the battle with Breakworld—but will they aid the X-Men in their time of need? And even if they do help, how can the X-Men’s newest enemies be defeated in time to save the Earth? Cyclops and his team must put it all on the line—and one of the X-Men won’t be walking away from this fight. With a gorgeous wraparound cover by John Cassaday, featuring the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes, and loaded with extras, Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1 is the X-Men comic that no X-Fan can afford to miss!

Wrapping up all the plot threads introduced in the series that changed the comic industry, one of the best selling creative teams of the decade bids farewell the to X-Men in Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1! But just who will make it back from this final battle…and will they ever be the same again? Plus, don’t miss the Giant Size Astonishing X-Men Poster, in stores now!

GIANT-SIZE ASTONISHING X-MEN #1 (DEC072218)
GIANT-SIZE ASTONISHING X-MEN #1 INKED VARIANT COVER (MAR088068)
Written by JOSS WHEDON
Pencils & Wraparound Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
Rated T+ …$4.99
FOC—5/8/08, On-Sale—5/28/08

GIANT-SIZE ASTONISHING X-MEN POSTER
24x36 Color Poster…$7.99
On-Sale—NOW!


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Spider-Man’s Venomous New Foe Debuts On EntertainmentWeekly.Com!

The world’s most popular super hero has faced terrifying new threats in the top-selling (and thrice monthly!) Amazing Spider-Man, but now Spidey is about to encounter some familiar faces—and the debut of a character tied to one of his most iconic foes!

Head over to
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20196484,00.html to learn just how acclaimed writer Dan Slott and legendary artist John Romita Jr plan to show Spider-Man “New Ways To Die” this summer!
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THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS on DC UNIVERSE #0 (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT)

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2008/04/30/2008-04-30_the_flash_outruns_the_reaper_23_years_af-1.html

The Flash outruns the reaper 23 years after saving universe and dying

BY ETHAN SACKS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, April 30th 2008, 4:00 AM

Barry Allen was not a flash in the pan. Introduced in 1956 as The Flash in the DC comic Showcase, he lasted until 1985, when he was vaporized after preserving the cosmos.

Barry Allen was not a flash in the pan. Introduced in 1956 as The Flash in the DC comic Showcase, he lasted until 1985, when he was vaporized after preserving the cosmos.But in DC Universe 0, comic book folks have put Barry's pieces back together.

But in DC Universe 0, comic book folks have put Barry's pieces back together.

For a superhero who can run faster than the speed of light, it sure took him long enough to return.

DC Comics is reviving Barry Allen - aka The Flash - the popular superhero killed off by the publisher 23 years ago, the Daily News has learned.

Unlike other comic book deaths - even Superman went up, up and away for just a year - The Flash was so good at dying that his demise became part of comic book lore.

Many fans had come to like the character better dead than alive after he was disintegrated saving the universe.

"That's the point of comics - they don't have to die, because they're fictional creations," said Grant Morrison, one of the writers behind the comeback.

"We can do anything with them, and we can make them come back and make them defy death," Morrison said. "And that's why people read comics, to get away from the way life works, which is quite cruel and unheroic and ends in death.

"Not so fast, said comic historian Alan Kistler. "Barry's had this heroic sacrifice, which is the coolest thing you can do for a superhero," insisted Kistler - unaware that DC Comics will announce the Flash's resurrection today in the last panel of its "DC Universe #0."

"If you brought Barry back, the question is can you do anything to top it?

"Well, The Flash did save the entire comic book industry.

When the red-and-gold costumed speedster debuted in "Showcase #4" in 1956, super heroes were virtually extinct; Westerns and war comics were all the rage.

All that changed with the surprise sales success of The Flash, rejuvenating the likes of Superman and paving the way for future superheroes, including Spider-Man.

"Without Barry Allen, we'd still be reading comic books about cowboys," Geoff Johns, co-writer of the new Flash comics, told the Daily News.

Morrison and Johns had been waiting for the right moment to bring back their childhood hero. In Johns' words, "When the greatest evil comes back to the DC Universe, the greatest hero needed to return."

Comic hyperbole aside, Morrison believes that it won't take long for The Flash to get back up to speed, alongside his Justice League teammates, Batman and Wonder Woman.

"He's the God of the modern world," Morrison said. "People are doing more everyday, moving faster and I think the Flash can be their hero. I do think he's a superhero for now."

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