Mass Market Roundup

Things were definitely a buzz at this year's Mass Market show in New York. Everything from Strawberry Shortcake to comics to comebacks and collectibles were represented. Some of the highlights of Mass Market, and 2006, include:

Publications International, New York, will continue with children's literature, and something new. The company's ActiveMinds Interactive DVD Books ($16.99) turn the TV into a “learning system” by combining the printed word with the entertainment aspect of a DVD.

Designed for kids ages 3 to 8, the product features an 18-page printed book with interactive DVD and 10-button remote control. Each of the eight different spreads corresponds to eight screens that operate in five different modes, such as Q&A, read aloud, movie and sing along modes.

Continuing to evolve and gain in popularity is the XTS train system from Basic Fun, Southhampton, Pa. The company now offers Cross Town Local ($24.99), which features light and sound, Drawbridge Express ($29.00), an updated and improved version of the existing drawbridge, and Double Decker Express ($49.99). Also new in the product mix from Basic Fun are the Carabiners, three different Jeep-licensed products for the outdoorsy type—telescope, compass and flashlight. Also, Atari makes an appearance at Basic Fun as tiny, easily transportable plug-and-play units. There is also a collection of licensed, compact wash clothes that spring into full size when wet.

HIT Entertainment, Allen, Texas, has a full complement of the new Bob the Builder series Bob's Big Plan. In the series, Bob builds a town from scratch through chronologically scripted episodes. Supporting the show is Bob's Electronic Building Workshop from Learning Curve and five new play sets from Lego.

Girls can create runway fashions with cool dance music on the Barbie Rock N' Runway from Tara Toy, Hauppauge, N.Y., an electronic coloring book ($24.99). When runway fashions are drawn and complete, players can press the “Super Star” button to get a comment from Barbie before the fashion show begins. Also new are the Rollin' 100 Car Case with Launcher ($19.99), which can hold up to 100 1:64 scale Hot Wheels cars, and the Disney Project and Draw ($19.99), where kids can draw characters by tracing a projected image onto pre-printed backgrounds. The set includes six discs with multiple characters.

DC Direct, New York, brings the Looney Tunes back in the Golden Collection. The new line currently includes three series of figures, all modeled after popular cartoon episodes like The Scarlet Pumpernickel (series 1), Scrambled Aches (series 2) and Water, Water, Every Hare (series 3).

A new endeavor for DC Direct is the Who's Who Mystery Box series of Collectible Mini Scenes. Series 1 features Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Shazam!, Batman and The Joker. All scenes are inspired by various covers, classic material and most memorable moments from the wealth of DC Comics history. Each scene comes in a “blind” mystery box, and the snap together scenes also include an information card about the scene, as well as a piece of the Batmobile. Collect each scene to complete the Batmobile.

More Superman? An Arrival to Smallville (June) and Departure from Kryton (April), are some mini Superman figures. The new line of Superman Cover to Cover statues, featuring a total of four figures, is based on the most recognized Superman comic covers. Other Superman statues and collectible product, with price points ranging from $49.99-$350 are scheduled by DC Direct throughout 2006. The film is scheduled for release June 2006, with additional figures from DC Direct on the horizon.

Maisto, Fontana, Calif., has new enamelized vehicles, designed by local graffiti artists. The first line will feature approximately 6 to 12 well-known grafitti artists. The Playerz line extends to tour buses with more urban appeal in the G Ridez beetles—six new models for 2006.

In the not-quite-electronic arena, WowWee, Montreal, is staying in the robot game with its new Robosapien V2 (SRP $250) for kids ages 8 and up. Ten inches taller than the original Robosapien, the V2 has a full range of motion and can pick up, drop and throw objects; it can also sit, twist from side to side, bend, lie down, and stand up.

Robosapien V2 has 100 preprogrammed functions and four programming modes, and can be operated by remote control or left to interact with the environment. The Robosapien V2 can also talk and even respond with a “real” voice.

4Kids Entertainment, New York, and Toei Animation are entering a multi-year licensing agreement with Mattel, making the company the master toy licensee for the animated series One Piece. Mattel will have the exclusive rights for a full range of product.

The initial launch of One Piece toys is expected to be available in the United States and Canada by December 2005. Additional deals have been struck with Bandai, Cypress, Calif., for trading cards and video games and with Jem Sportswear for apparel.

Endless Games, Jersey City, N.J., is releasing a new family board game inspired by the best-selling book, Your Best Life Now written by Joel Osteen. The company is producing the game by license with Time Warner Faith. The game, set to retail at an SRP of $15.00, is intended to help players develop healthier self-images.

Play Along, Deerfield Beach, Fla., is planning on building on its re-introduction of the Cabbage Patch Kids brand in 2006 with the release of Magic Touch ColorSilk Hair Kids. These dolls will have special hair that changes color with a warm or cool touch. Also in 2006, the company's Care Bears line will feature a collection of scented bears. The Doodle Bear brand is expanding as well.

Dynatech, Toronto, is extending the Atomic Blox, light-up magnet blocks, line with the Fusion Series, which includes parts like armor pieces, pivots, axels, wheels and ball joints to add more movement to constructions. The InfiniBuild line features smaller sets at a smaller price point.

The Lincoln Logs, Chestertown, N.Y., will offer something for the collector next year with the 151-piece, numbered Collector's Edition and 115-piece Commemorative Edition box sets.

Uncle Milton, Westlake Village, Calif., will also be offering something for the collector: a 50-year anniversary edition of the iconic Ant Farm in a cool retro box. The red box boasts the farm's original tag lines—“building bridges, digging subways, moving mountains.”

On the nature front, the I Dig line from Action Products, Orlando, Fla., expands next year with new excavation kits including sharks, jems and jewels.

Palm Oasis and Dragon's Lair are two of the new Windowsill Greenhouses available from Dunecraft, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Also in the greenhouse line are a Desert Hothouse, Banana Farm, Dinosaur Park and Princess Garden. Larger terrarium kits like the Carnivorous (venus fly trap) Creations set, Biblical Garden, Graveyard Gothic Garden and Sensory Dome are also on tap. Gobbledy Goop lets kids make their own slime or turn chips of rock into mush with Jelly Stones.

Another science offering, from Summit Products, Trussville, Ala., will have kids moving one step closer to nature—literally. The new Xtreme Bug Listener lets kids listen to the chirps, clicks and clacks of real bugs inside an enclosed habitat. The Tiki Takeout Bird Feeder comes with a beeper that lets kids know when the birds are feeding. Birds can be watched from the outside and do not see their audience from inside. Additional product will be available as an extension of the Backyard Safari line by fall 2006.

Additionally, Lego, Enfield, Conn., has struck a partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on DC Comics' classic Batman brand. The agreement with Nickelodeon grants master construction toy rights to the entire catalog of Nickelodeon properties, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon Movies. The first two Nick properties coming to life in brick form are SpongeBob SquarePants and the newest network hit, Avatar: The Last Airbender, both rated in the network's top 10 for boys ages 6-11, according to A.C. Nielsen. Both lines will be available in August 2006.

Jada Toys, City of Industry, Calif., manufacturer of the Dub City line, keep the urban appeal moving with customized, urban automotives: Donk, Box & Bubbles. As exclusive licensee for die-cast versions in 1:64, 1:24 and 1:18 scale, as well as radio control for all scales, the Donk line will add more high-end into the mix. The actual cars can cost upwards of $60,000 after customization. Donk, Box & Bubbles can be spotted by their bright, candy-colored paint jobs and 22 to 28 inch rims.

RC2 Corporation, Oak Brook, Ill., in an exclusive licensing arrangement with legendary auto designer and fabricator Chip Foose, will launch JL Full Throttle. The premium line of customized die-cast vehicles will feature the original custom designs of Chip Foose, who was himself on hand for the announcement by RC2 President Peter Henseler during a press conference—and some “autographing” later on. The JL Full Throttle Chip Foose replicas will be highly detailed and enhanced with top-of-the-line paints and graphics. The line will launch in the spring, with vehicles from Foose's extensive portfolio, including vehicles from the hit TLC show Overhaulin'.

Meanwhile, Playmates, Cosa Mesa, Calif., is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year with continued extensions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), Water Babies and Princesses lines, as well as some new surprises with the Disney Fairies line.

This spring, the Paleo Patrol line of TMNT will include dinosaur figures and accessories—a first for the TMNT toy line. The Fast Forward line, launched in the fall, will follow the release of the new TV series by the same name. More product will be on the horizon for TMNT in 2007 with the launch of the CGI film, one of the first from Weinstein Co.

Playmates also delves into the comic arena, and card gaming for that matter, with the Marvel Battle Dice game. The game comes with collectible figures (six come in a starter pack). A carry case is also available to hold the figures. Up to 190 Marvel heroes are included—69 heroes will be launched in the first series, spring 2006.

As master licensee for Strawberry Shortcake, the famous '80s doll with the strawberry red hair will get a new look. Now Strawberry can add a little banana (or blonde) to her hair with clip-ons. Play sets will also be available.

Tek Nek, Grapevine, Texas, has several licensed ride-on vehicles for kids, including Spider-Man & Friends. But, according to marketing manager Christopher Folmar, the company wants to bring more technology to its product over the next few years, beginning fall 2006. The Cool P3 is a mini MP3 player that can hold up to two hours of music.

Toy Biz, New York, will launch a line of Curious George product in line with the film, out February. The line will include plush, figures and a few other surprises, starting at a $2.99 price point. More product will be tied to a new Curious George PBS series, fall 2006.

For outside, or indoor, playing, Pacific Play Tents, Los Angeles, has new tunnels and houses in line for spring 2006. All play houses are waterproof, larger in size, completely zippered and have SPF 30 protection. The products are also unlicensed, something executive vice president Brian Jablon says helps them make the play houses bigger and cheaper. The larger size lets kids fit two or three friends or mom and dad in the houses, as well.

The 9-month old start-up, Zizzle, Bannockburn, Ill., is racing to market at breakneck speed, telling all who'll listen they're seriously back in the game. iZ is already making waves this year, but look for a “reinvention” of the handheld category featuring ratcheted-up content. It's also spreading into RC with a multi-articulated “gut wrencher” vehicle, as well as a broad spectrum of Pirates of the Caribbean licensed items. But the coolest of all are still under wraps.