Last year in my #NYCC2017 Highlight- Todd McFarlane exclusive interview, the “Toddfather” creator of Spawn & creative force behind McFarlane Toys, one of America’s top action figure manufacturers gave me personal insight that was life-changing, I get into more of that later.
This year at New York Toy Fair 2019, McFarlane Toys is as innovative as ever and again leading the licensed action figure and collectibles market with unparalleled quality at accessible price points! As samples become available for unboxing and review I’ll have greater details and expanded coverage!
Breaking news is Mc Farlane Toys has entered a three-year licencing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to produce DC Multiverese Collectibles! Starting in 2020, McFarlane Toys will being rolling out 6″-12″inch collectibles and vehicles based on DC Comics huge stable of characters!
Here’s the breakdown on the licencees and toys I saw that are coming soon!
Game of Thrones:
McFarlane Toys partners with HBO hit television series Game of Thrones to bring you highly detailed figures of iconic characters, each coming with screen accurate accessories, and featured in classic outfits from the latest season! The initial line features Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, The Night King, and Arya Stark! Arya Stark is the third child and second daughter of Lord Eddard Stark and his wife, Lady Catelyn Stark. After narrowly escaping the persecution of House Stark by House Lannister, Arya is trained as a Faceless Man at the House of Black and White in Bravos, and uses her new skills to deliver justice to those who have wronged her family.
These toys from McFarlane Toys will reach shelves just in time for the launch of the final season on HBO!
McFarlane Toys proudly announced the lead-off figure to the much anticipated return of McFarlane Monsters! Along with his brothers Drogon and Rhaegal, Viserion (Deluxe Box set retails at $24.99) was raised since birth by Daenerys Targaryen, however, after being fatally wounded, and then resurrected, Viserion has now fallen under the command of his new Master, the night King. Under The Night King, Viserion would blast away The Wall at Eastwatch-By-The-Sea, with his now Blue flame, allowing the Army of the Dead to enter the Seven Kingdoms. McFarlane Monsters aims to give fans of creatures, monsters, and fiends exactly what they’ve been wishing for! The Night King (available April 30th), Jon Snow (available, May 10th), Arya Stark (available April 30th), Denarys Targaryan (available May 10th), The Mother of Dragons, these figures really show off the level of detail of the facial sculpting the folks at McFarlane Toys are adept at capturing. And for Only $19.99 retail each!
Stranger Things:
Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin return in season 2 of the Netflix hit series, Stranger Things with a bang. One gloomy Halloween night in Hawkins, Indiana, Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin decide to dress up as their favorite characters from the iconic movie but little do they know that Halloween will never be the same again. The Ghostbuster Deluxe Box features the 4 fan-favorite characters in the iconic Ghostbuster jumpsuits that were made so popular in the 1984 hit movie, Ghostbusters. A tricky double license to get as noted by my host Evan, but so worth it!
McFarlane Toys promised more Stranger Things toys in 2019. This coincides with season 3 of the show, which launches later this year. They had the current wave of figures available in-store on display. Season 3 of Stranger Things is still under wraps Season 2 figures are currently available!
My Hero Acadamia, One Punch Man & Naturo Anime Licences:
McFarlane Toys has the well-earned reputation of having highly-detailed, sculpted and articulated figures at accessible price points. As I spoke with Todd, he made the point –
“Look, we run around show floors at these conventions gazing at these cool, beautiful, expensive figures behind glass and typically, that’s the most we will ever interact with them. Our (Mc Farlane Toys) products are both high quality AND accessible for everyone to collect.”
My son being a HUGE fan of My Hero Acadamia, It was great to see highly articulated well crafted authentic figures coming and feel confident he can actually play with them and collect them and not break the bank in the process! These figures will be available for $19.99 this Spring!
Cuphead:
Cuphead is a run and gun indie video game developed and published by StudioMDHR. The game was inspired by the rubber hose style of animation used in cartoons of the 1930s, such as the work of studios Fleischer and Walt Disney Animation, seeking to emulate their subversive and surrealist qualities. My host Evan who worked on several of the lines he took me through, insisted on the quality retro packaging that really stood out! Cuphead is currently available from $19.99-$24.99 retail
Fortnite:
Fortnite is one of McFarlane’s hottest properties. McFarlane Toys is expanding on the Fortnite line with many more figures and new accessories.
The Fortnite line of action figures from McFarlane Toys by thier very nature demaned more articulation and they delivered! The 22+ Fortnite articulation will be expanded out to McFarlane’s other action figure lines. This bodes well for fans eagerly awaiting what McFarlane has in store for it’s newly acquired DC licenses! Fortnite figures are now available! From $19.99 – $24.99 for vechiles (Coming soon are life-size 1:1 Fortnite Cosplay Accessories for the Fall!)
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is HUGE again. And makes sense that the WBCP folks are including Harry Potter as part of their agreement with McFarlane Toys. The most anticipated of McFarlane’s Toy Fair offerings is its new Harry Potter line of action figures. My host Shamini was able to give me peeks at the prototypes, but as they are still pending licencor approval, they enforced a strict policy of no photos allowed. Trust and believe when I tell you, these figures are MAGNIFICENT ! Each figure is multi-jointed, with 22+ points of articulation similar to those found in McFarlane’s Fortnite line.
Voldemort and the Dementor in particular were incredibly detailed each came with rich, billowing fabric capes. Tears of joy!
My guide then after showing me mock ups and posters, popped out Ron, Hermionie & Harry prototypes with their respective patronuses! Voldemort comes packed with Nagini. And the patronuses look amazing!
“Todd Talk”
I’d like to thank Carmen, Evan & Shamini for making my tour of McFarlane Toys Booth one of the highlight of my New York Toy Fair 2019. But getting back to the conversation I had with Todd. I’ll embed my interview last year here
The thing with Todd is you never know where the conversation is going to go. Which is fine because he’s brilliant and typically his insights are pure gold. We started talking “Steven Universe” and he ended giving me a life lesson. His words motivated me to make important changes in my life, I’ve lost 50 pounds since I last saw him.
When I saw him at the Mc Farlane Toy booth he recognized me, hugged me, immediately commented how great I looked and congratulated me on my efforts, I told him how he helped me and I watched him inking his latest issue of “Spawn” and jokingly asked me when he should releases it. We chatted at length about life & how our health choices impacts our kids and he signed the Stranger Things / Ghostbusters four pack his Marketing Manager Shamini graciously provided.
He’s a super successful business man & legendary artist, but he took the time to check in and tell me he’s proud of me. That meant alot. I’m forever grateful. I consider Todd a friend and mentor. He’s a terrific motivational speaker and I wish him well! Todd McFarlane goes a long way in defining what a “Good Man” looks like today in my book.
And Todd surrounds himself with talented individuals that share his passion and high standards. They aren’t only arguably best in the business at what products and services they provide their customers, Todd and his staff, artists and marketing professionals are legit good people. So yeah, I’m in the tank for Todd and his folks. Stay tuned for more coverage as products become available.
For complete information on this pop-culture powerhouse, visit http://www.mcfarlane.com; http://www.facebook.com/mcfarlanetoys; http://www.twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane and http://www.instagram.com/mcfarlane_toys_official.
Images courtesy of McFarlane Toys/the author.