From time to time, we’ll be showcasing some of the more kick ass collectibles in the world of comic and toy culture. If you’re already into the collectible scene, you’ve probably already heard of Jin Saotome’s custom-crafted figures, but recently a batch of new online custom craftsmen have made toy shopping online a buyer’s paradise. Most notable among them is Lone Wolf Arts.

So big corporates can be nice guys, too. It’s always heart warming to hear about the big guys doing something kind for the little folks. When this story came across my inbox, I thought it’d be nice to post. Props to Tamagotchi…

From Tamagotchi PR:

The new Tamagotchi Music Star is the world’s first interactive virtual pet toy that lets kids produce their own musical Pop Star. Kids raise and care for their Music Star character as they follow their career from pre-school where they are introduced to their instruments, to music school where they find their band members, to their professional debut performing in front of judges, and even as they retire in style as a pop star band. To experience the pop star lifestyle online, kids can visit and explore the all-new interactive Music City section of TamaTown.com.

Thanks to Destro over at Hisstank.com

In preparation for the opening of the G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra movie later this summer, Hasbro is making the patriotic move of releasing its new wave of movie-themed G.I. Joe merchandise this 4th of July weekend. Officially it’s supposed to be the 6th of July, but reports have the toys trickling onto shelves in the next couple of days. It’s an all-out Joe blitz with figures and toys in the 12″ and 3 3/4″ varieties, vehicles, Halloween costumes, etc. So if you’re an adult or kid G.I. Joe fan, prepare to assault the aisles for your initial haul this weekend!

Unlike some of my PCS partners (*cough* Shola *cough*) I don’t think that superhero action figures & statues are necessarily pathetically nerdy. Like anything by Kotobukiya is usually pretty sweet and I’m digging their Marvel x Bishoujo line.

Anyway, here’s their Black Widow II San Diego Comic-Con variant. (Yelena still can’t hold a candle to Natasha…)

Tokyo, Japan May 8th, 2009 ? Kotobukiya

Kotobukiya announces San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive: Black Widow Marvel x Bishoujo

The West meets East in Kotobukiya?s latest line of Marvel x Bishoujo (pretty girl) series. Continuing the series of Marvel Comics super heroines presented in the Japanese Bishoujo style is SDCC EXCLUSIVE: BLACK WIDOW, the beautiful Russian super-spy and member of the Mighty Avengers in her staggering new look. This brand new edition of Black Widow has been specially designed for San Diego Comic-Con with a fresh take on her outfit and hair style. The new born Black Widow comes with a totally new blonde bob cut, jacket, and belt sculpt. The item will be exclusively sold at the convention limited to 500 pieces.

Kotobukiya x Marvel x Shunya Yamashita Collaboration

Kotobukiya has many years of experience creating anime girl figures and this time by using their full potential and skill have successfully collaborated with one of the most celebrated Western comic Publisher Marvel and Japan?s incomparable illustrator Shunya Yamashita. Fans should be familiar with Yamashita-sensei?s style as Japan?s leading Bishoujo artist, from his art books, video game work, as well as multiple figural collaborations with Kotobukiya. Taking in the essence of what each hemisphere does best at, Kotobukiya has been able to produce a one of a kind Marvel Bishoujo statue.

Product Specification

Deadly and dangerous, Black Widow wears a skin-tight costume that leaves little to the imagination. The shiny black outfit accentuates every curve and the long lines of her legs, which end with stiletto heeled boots. Hugging Natasha Romanoff?s waist is a stylish new belt, and on her arms are golden wristbands. As the sexy spy whips around to look behind her with a pistol at the ready, her intricately carved short bob hair cut floats in the air behind her. Black Widow stands provocatively atop a specially-designed base.

Black Widow stands 7 3/5 inches tall (1/8 scale), and features a solid construction of pvc and abs plastics. Sculpted by Yu Ishii, the super-spy comes packaged in an attention-grabbing window box.

Product Summary for SDCC EXCLUSIVE: BLACK WIDOW

● A sculpture that targets fans and collectors of Marvel and Shunya Yamashita fans

● New blonde bob hair, jacket, and belt sculpt

● 1/8 scale size (Stands over 7 3/5 tall).
● Sculpt based off of Shunya Yamashita?s original illustration
● Stands on a specially designed base
● Limited to 500 pieces at San Diego Comic-Con

Kotobukiya will be announcing more exclusive item in the coming weeks and recommends everyone to visit their website for the most recent information.

For more information on the products please go to www.KotoUs.com.

This is going up early because I’m leaving for San Diego tomorrow afternoon, so at this point it should not be considered complete. Diamond will have its full list up at 5PM EST tomorrow; I’ll update my list first chance I get.

Buffy TVS #5. Pencils by Georges Jeanty.
JSA Classified #28. A Jakeem Thunder one-shot issue.
Bomb Queen: Queen of Hearts TP. Story and art by Jimmie Robinson.
Black Panther #29. Written by Reggie Hudlin.
Herc Brown #0. New series about a brother who’s the son of Zeus.
The Ride: Die Valkyrie #2 (of 3). Art by Brian Stelfreeze.
Heroes for Hire #12

So like I said, I’m leaving tomorrow. You have no idea how excited I am. Even though I won’t be at Comic-Con for all four days (five if you count Preview Night) and I’m pretty certain at this point I won’t see everything, I plan on making the most of my time there. I’ve got at least one major interview tentatively planned at this point, maybe two (one for UVC and the other for here), but like I said, it’s all still tentative. I’m gonna make sure I post pictures here – I know this blog is woefully lacking in pics most of the time, but Jon has told me how to post images, so hopefully I’ll be able to get them up without making too much of a mess…

Out of that list of panels I posted earlier that I said I’d attend, there may be one or two panels that I may not go to after all, due to time constraints. I might skip the Silver Age Marvel panel, and I may not arrive on time for the Rosario Dawson panel (Thursday morning’s gonna be hectic for me). It’s gonna be a very tricky balance between attending panels, interviews, hanging with friends and shopping. I almost wish Comic-Con were an entire week!

I don’t know how I’m gonna provide news updates at this point. I don’t have a laptop, and I’d rather not have to constantly run to the nearest Kinko’s at the end of every day to rent a computer. Maybe I can bum a laptop off of someone. I don’t know. But I’ll figure out something.

Anyway, I certainly hope to see you there; I know this will be a fantastic time and certainly the highlight of my year.

A little bit of news: Borders in Australia is also re-shelving Tintin in the Congo.

Whether it’s Christmas or not, I want one of these.

And congratulations to Reggie Hudlin and his wife on the birth of their second child and first son.

7.23.06 6:28 PM EST: New release list updated.

From DC’s new licensing arm, DC Unlimited.