ARCHIVE: TOY FAIR 2008 PREVIEW - Figures.com Hits the Road

Article originally published 02/15/2008 at figures.com

During these long winter months there hasn’t been much in the way of news to excite the geek masses. With theaters still awaiting the year’s most anticipated releases and the Writers Guild strike threatening to alter our favorite programming, what is there to tide fans over? Enter the 105th Annual American International Toy Fair. Hosted on the grand stage of New York City, Toy Fair kicks the year into full swing with the largest showcase of toy manufacturers and their upcoming products for 2008.

The coming months should yield some of the most wildly anticipated action figure lines. Hasbro appears as an early frontrunner with their launch of Indiana Jones, Iron Man and Incredible Hulk movie-themed toys. The "Taters of the Lost Ark" aside, Hasbro’s line of 4” scale Indy figures has fans wanting more from the whip-slinger’s universe. Another of Hasbro’s most coveted figures is their rendition of the Cloverfield monster. Already available for presale online ($99.99), this 14-inch behemoth lists an amazing number of both articulation points and accessories... but no pictures. Could Toy Fair be our first chance at coming face to face with this bad boy? Mattel will also be in attendance and touting their movie-themed licenses. We’ll have reports on Mattel’s upcoming Batman figures from their Dark Knight line, along with everything else they’ve managed to bring to life from the DC Universe.

Not content to let the blue chip manufacturers steal the limelight, we’ll be covering companies that should appeal to every figure collector. NECA’s appearance at Toy Fair will undoubtedly be highlighted by their recent debut of Princess Bride, Gears of War, Conan, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. Mezco will delve once again into the world of Hellboy in preparation for Big Red’s cinematic sequel. Kotobukia has some MARVELous things planned for their ARTFX line while Diamond Select will hope to "boldly go" new places with their Stargate and Star Trek lines. Add to the mix DC Unlimited’s continuation of their wildly popular World of Warcraft series to and fans should be overwhelmed with the amount of photos and stories coming out of the Big Apple.

During this year’s Toy Fair you can turn to Figures.com for instant updates on every new license announcement, prototype display and action figure debut. We will have our staff of photographers and reporters on-site in New York, bringing you into every booth and showroom tour. Beginning February 16 and continuing until Toy Fair’s conclusion on the 20th, keep that F5 button warm as you refresh Figures.com for breaking news updates and additions to our photo gallery -- all without ever having to leave home!