The Pop Insider - No. 17 - Summer 2023

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ISSUE NO. 17

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

16 | 100 YEARS

OF DISNEY MAGIC

The Walt Disney Co. celebrates its centennial with merch for all.

30 | SHE’S SO MUCH

MORE THAN PLASTIC

Barbie: The Movie brings the toy aisle icon to new levels of pop-culture fame.

41 | ROLLING THE DICE

ON TABLETOP GAMES

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How Licensed Games Get Made

DEPARTMENTS

12 | FROM THE EDITORS

20 | SDCC EXCLUSIVES

14 | NERDY NEWS

48 | GAMES

Gear up for the best summer ever.

What’s New in Pop Culture Merch

38 | MERCH MAKERS: BIOWORLD

Commemorate 40 years of Return of the Jedi with Heroes & Villains.

The company gives collectors a unique way to display their favorite fandoms.

The Latest in Original and Officially Licensed Board Games

78 | MUST-HAVE MERCH

What’s New for Your Collection This Summer

POP JUNIOR / 59

60 | NEXT-GEN NEWS 94 | FLAUNT YOUR FANDOM Let your fandom flag fly with these summer style picks.

The Latest Headlines in Kids’ Merch and Entertainment

62 | FIGHTING CRIME Barnes & Noble makes waves as a prominent collectible retailer.

A Deep Dive into Figure Swapping and Its Effects on the Collector Community

On the cover: Pokémon Tropical Pikachu & Friends Pool Party Tropical Shirt, Pokémon Sunset Beach Balls, Snorlax Pokémon Summer Days Pool Float, Magikarp Pokémon Summer Days Pool Float; all items available at pokemoncenter.com Source: The Pokémon Co. International

Merch to Grab from the Show Floor

56 | MERCH MAKERS: DISPLATE

96 | RETAIL RUNDOWN 73 | SWAPOCOLYPSE NOW

SHOW ME THE GOODS

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE POP INSIDER!

IN THE FAST LANE

Batwheels re-imagines DC characters you grew up with for the next generation.

64 | SHOW ME THE GOODS: KIDS’ MERCH The Hottest Toys, Books, and More for Little Fans-in-Training

Barbie: The Movie merch transports fans to Barbie Land.

See what’s coming this summer on pg. 30.

On the Courtesy cover: WB100 “Looney Tunes Heroes” Photo: of Warner Bros.

Pictures • © 2022 KUNUFLEX Short Sleeve ShirtInc. | Source: RSVLTS Warner Bros.

Entertainment All rights reserved.

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FROM THE EDITORS

BEST SUMMER EVER From SDCC exclusives to the hottest summer merch, we’ve got you covered this season.

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ummer is in full swing: The sun is shining, the weather is warmer, and we’re packing up our bags and heading to beautiful southern California for Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC).

If you’re also heading to the show floor, you’ll want to flip to page 20 to check out our showcase of con exclusives that you can pick up. We also talked to Displate — a first-time exhibitor looking for new friends — about the company’s unique collectibles and plans for SDCC (page 56).

In addition to our con coverage, we’ve got everything you need for a perfect summer packed into this issue. Check out our Show Me the Goods sections covering must-have summer merch (page 78) and the latest and greatest in licensed tabletop games (page 41).

We’re also SUPER excited for Barbie: The Movie and all of the fabulous merch and collectibles that are coming along with it. Turn to page 30 to see why the queen of the toy aisle is so much more than just plastic.

Plus, this year, we’re seeing a lot of birthdays for some of our favorite brands!

Check out merch highlighting Disney’s big centennial celebration on page 16, and see how Heroes & Villains will honor Return of the Jedi’s big 4-0 with new apparel on page 38.

As always, we didn’t forget about your kiddos! Flip to page 62 to see how Batwheels is re-imagining your favorite DC characters for the next generation of fans. We’ve also got a special round-up of summer merch designed just for little ones starting on page 64.

We hope to see you at SDCC — but if

not, you know where to find us! Follow us on social media @thepopinsider and sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, Fan Mail, at thepopinsider.com/subscribe for all the latest in nerdy news. ✪

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CEO Laurie Schacht • laurie@popinsider.com VICE PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Jackie Breyer • jackie@popinsider.com EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Ali Mierzejewski • ali@popinsider.com Marissa Silva • marissa@popinsider.com SENIOR EDITORS Madeleine Buckley • madeleine@popinsider.com Jacqueline Cucco • jc@popinsider.com James Zahn • james@popinsider.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Nadia Velit • nadia@popinsider.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Madison Patterson • madison@popinsider.com Kit Schroder • kit@popinsider.com SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Nicole Savas • nicole@popinsider.com ART DIRECTOR Joe Ibraham • joe@popinsider.com JUNIOR DESIGNER

ABOUT THE EDITORS: Ali Mierzejewski and Marissa Silva are editors-in-chief of The Pop Insider and The Toy Insider. They report on trends affecting the toy and pop culture industries, including the latest in TV, movies, video games, collectibles, and more. They have been featured on ABC World News Now, Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, MSNBC, Fox Business, and dozens more. Follow them on Twitter @ohsotrendy and @thattoygirl.

Elena Sorce • elena@popinsider.com NEWS WRITERS Bug Hartsock • bug@popinsider.com Ashley Pelletier • ashley@popinsider.com INTERNS Taylor Battle • taylor@popinsider.com Maggie Dougherty • maggie@popinsider.com Valerie Kluge • valerie@popinsider.com BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Bill Reese • bill@popinsider.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING James Devin • jd@popinsider.com SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE Stephanie Infantino • stephanie@popinsider.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE POP INSIDER!

THE POP INSIDER, Summer 2023 — “THE POP INSIDER” (ISSN-2641-5496) is published quarterly by Adventure Media & Events, LLC, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 501, New York, New York, 10001. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and additional mailing offices. © 2023 Adventure Media & Events, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. Subscription rates: $48 per year. THE POP INSIDER is a trademark and service mark of Adventure Media & Events, LLC registered in the United States Patent & Trademark Office Postmaster: Send address changes to THE POP INSIDER, c/o Adventure Media & Events, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 501, New York, New York, 10001 or e-mail bill@popinsider.com.

SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT Rivers Jackson • rivers@popinsider.com

Follow us @thepopinsider! #fuelyourfandom

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NERDY NEWS

Blackmilk’s Newest Collection Has Looks for Your Next Pokémon Battle Blackmilk is back with another Pokémon collab full of bold, stylish apparel and accessories featuring fan-favorite creatures. The Pikachu Corset Top, Magikarp BBQ Shirt, and Eevee Evolution BFT will make sure you have a Pokémon ‘fit for every occasion. The new collection also has some warmer weather pieces and a few accessories like the Gyarados Gold Bomber Jacket (pictured), featuring Magikarp’s final evolution.

Fans who want to get in the spooky season mood early can grab the Gastly Evolution Long Sleeve Oversized BFT. And, you can fit all your favorite stuff in the Poké Ball Gym Bag, which features a repeating Poké Ball pattern and the BlackMilk logo. Trainers can browse the BlackSource: Blackmilk milk website for the full collection. ✪ Source: Upper Deck

Displate, LEC Team Up for League of Legends Metal Poster Line Are you a maestro of Tower Dives and Twitch chats? Thanks to Displate’s latest poster drop, in partnership with the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), fans can plaster their walls with the game’s most iconic characters, including Jinx, Vi, Ekko, Miss Fortune, Ahri, and Teemo. There are 39 licensed metal posters available now at Displate’s online store, all offering splash art posters featuring 22 of League’s champions. More champion designs and collections will drop in the near future. ✪

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Latest Marvel Masterpieces Collection Showcases Iconic Superheroes in New Style Upper Deck has named Dan dos Santos, an American speculative fiction artist whose illustrations have graced the No. 1 spot on The New York Times Best Seller list numerous times, as the featured artist for the 2023 Marvel Masterpieces series.

The new cards in the series will feature some of the most recognized comic book characters in history, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Captain America. The series includes trading card inserts, such as Battle Spectra, Preliminary Art, Mirage, and Gallery cards. Along with these limited print inserts, collectors will also have the opportunity to score very limited one-of-one cards, including some hand-sketched/painted and signed by dos Santos himself. ✪

Source: Displate

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Think your favorite Disney movie is too niche? The Walt Disney Co.’s centennial celebration proves there’s magical merch for all.

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f you still catch yourself humming the DuckTales theme song, spent childhood afternoons watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks at Grandma’s house, or had a crush on Max from A Goofy Movie (no judgment), you’re not alone. Anyone who grew up on Disney has their favorite characters, and we’re finally getting the merch to boot.

This year, the Walt Disney Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the Disney 100 Years of Wonder campaign — also known as Disney100 — a year full of magical merch that honors the legacy of Disney and every character imaginable.

There were two guiding principles that helped lay the foundation for Disney100, shares Joyce Oliva, communications manager of Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. “The first principle, Story, focuses on a core tenant of our company: storytelling. We are celebrating 100 years of timeless stories, as well as the consumers who pass those very stories from generation to

generation. The second principle, Transformation and Curiosity, honors Disney’s dedication to keep moving forward, ever evolving to discover the ideas that will enhance our brand and touch the hearts of consumers for years to come.”

Platinum Is Forever

Disney didn’t waste any time kicking off the celebrations last December with the Disney100 Platinum Celebration Collection.

These products debuted on shopDisney, the first retailer to launch a Disney100 collection for purchase.

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The Platinum Celebration Collection covers a range of products from apparel and accessories to home goods, all with a timeless platinum color scheme.

Some of the shopDisney merch includes a Mickey Mouse Ear Hat, a Loungefly mini backpack, ornaments, and jewelry with dripping platinum effects. If you’re noticing a lot of shiny objects across the Disney100 products and theme park decor, there’s a reason for that.

“Platinum was carefully selected as Disney100’s signature color for its mirror-like qualities — inviting reflection on Disney’s historic past and present, while also looking ahead to a future of new possibilities,” Oliva says.

Many companies are incorporating the platinum color scheme into their own Disney100 merch, like Hallmark’s collection of home goods and gifting items, Mad Beauty’s cosmetics and bath products, Kidrobot’s Mickey Mouse Collectible Vinyl Figure, Crocs’ Mickey Mouse and Friends Disney100 footwear, Corksicle’s drinkware, and LeSportsac’s handbags.

It All Started with a Rabbit

The Platinum Celebration Collection was the first of many shopDisney launches that followed, each highlighting a significant part of Disney’s rich heritage.

Before Walt dreamed up one of the most famous mice in history, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Walt created Oswald in 1927 to star in his first series of cartoon shorts, but he lost creative control to a distributor, which is why we haven’t seen much of Oswald until Disney CEO Bob Iger made a deal with NBCUniversal to bring Oswald back home in 2006. The rabbit has had quite the journey, but he finally gets his time in the spotlight with shop-

Disney’s Disney100 Oswald Collection, which features a variety of products with tall, black bunny ears in place of the typical round Mickey ears.

“It’s been magical to see 1 these historic characters celebrated,” says Lindsay Brookshier, content director of mickeyvisit.com, a website that helps fans plan their visits to Disney destinations with itineraries and travel guides. “Oswald 2 the Rabbit does not often have this amount of merchandise dedicated to him, so this is a special moment for Disney fans to appreciate.”

The House of Mouse

After Walt lost the rights to Oswald, he came up with a new character that would become the face of Disney. The Disney100 The Eras Collection features nostalgic Walt Disney Studios apparel and home decor that channels the golden age of animation and the birth of Mickey Mouse. These shopDisney products are full of retro charm, such as a sticky note holder that looks like a typewriter and various items that reference 2719 Hyperion, the Hollywood studio where Walt put pencil to paper to animate the most well-known mouse in the world.

“The most important part of the Disney100 celebration and merchandise lines is the celebration of the man that started it all, Walt Dis5 ney,” says Gavin Doyle, founder of mickeyvisit.com and author of Disneyland Secrets: A Grand Tour of Disneyland’s Hidden Details. “Seeing Disney honor its founder has been my favorite part of events since the kickoff of the celebration. ... All of this fandom and passion started with one man’s imagination.”

Funko is also honoring the man behind the mouse with a series of Funko Pop! Icons collectibles featuring Walt Disney in various poses, all inspired by

Disney100 Platinum Celebration Minnie Mouse Loungefly Mini Backpack and Mickey Mouse Ear Hat | Source: shopDisney

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1. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Soccer Shirt (shopDisney) 2. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Plush Pillow (shopDisney) 3. Disney 100th Anniversary Oswald Diamond Dangle Charm (Pandora) 4. Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Studios Sticky Note Holder (shopDisney) 5. Walt Disney Cartoonist Mug (shopDisney)

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real photographs that appear on the back of the packaging. The collection includes Walt drawing Mickey Mouse, Walt holding a copy of Mickey Mouse Magazine, Walt holding toy versions of Dumbo characters, and more. In true Funko fashion, there are dozens of additional Disney100 Funko Pops! and Funko Soda Figures, including black-and-white iterations of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Mickey Mouse, and other Disney characters.

Through the Decades

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Anyone who has been frequenting the Disney Parks long enough to remember Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or World of Motion will appreciate the Disney100 The Decades Collection, which celebrates classic Disney movies and characters from each decade, starting with Steamboat Willie in the 1920s. Fans and collectors will find shopDisney merch that pays homage to Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, Ludwig Von Drake, Peter Pegasus, Mr. Toad, and other Disney deep-cuts, although the characters will become more familiar as the decades progress.

“The Eras and Decades Collections in particular have been a nice way to celebrate the more niche Disney collector’s favorite films we do not see represented as often,” Brookshier says. “It was great as a fan that is invested in Walt Disney’s legacy to see merchandise released focusing on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color or for fans of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to finally get an Ear Headband. The Disney100 products have been far more encompassing of all areas of the Walt Disney Co. than we have seen before.”

The Gang’s All Here

The sheer amount of Disney 100th-anniversary products is mind-blowing, but it ensures that there is something for every type of Disney fan, whether they’re into the history or more interested in the newer content, including Marvel and Star Wars. shopDisney’s Disney100 Unified Character Collection, for example, is a colorful line featuring stylized renditions of characters from across the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars univers9 es all lined up together.

Tucker Bohman, who runs the popular @toystorydad account on Instagram with content that includes family visits to the Disney parks and sponsored content featuring Disney merch, says he enjoys seeing so many character mash10

6. Funko Pop! Icons Disney100 Walt with Drawing (Funko) 7. Disney100 Steamboat Willie Stamp Wall Art (Open Road Brands) 8. Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie Ear Headband (shopDisney) 9. Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie Loungefly Mini Backpack (Loungefly) 10. Steamboat Willie Disney100 Box Set (Citizen)

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12 11. Disney100 “Sketches to Screen” Shirt (RSVLTS) 12. Disney100 Dome Beauty Set (Mad Beauty) 13. Mickey Mouse Deluxe Disney100 Figure (shopDisney) 14. Ludwig Von Drake Pivot Pin (shopDisney) 15. Disney 100 Years of Wonder: Lady & The Tramp Statue (Beast Kingdom) 16. Clarabelle Cow and Horace HorsecollarPin Set (shopDisney)

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ups and cross-franchise designs in the Disney100 products — something that wasn’t always so easy to find.

“This means characters from Pixar and Disney can be on the same shirt, which is seriously the coolest thing ever,“ he says. “I remember sitting in a meeting with Disney a few years ago being blown away with how strict they are with artwork that can be used on products, like even certain Princesses weren’t allowed to be in the same design together.”

As impressive as the shopDisney collections are, there are tons of other companies putting their own spin on Disney100, including Tommy Hilfiger, Cakeworthy, Zara, Adidas, Coach, Citizen, Pandora, RockLove Jewelry, Zales, Swarovski, The Bradford Exchange, The LEGO Group, Target, and more.

There are noticeable motifs that repeat across the licensed Disney100 merch, such as postage stamps, selfies, and music notes. Stamps make their mark on 3D statues from Beast Kingdom, FUL luggage, and Tervis tumblers, while both stamps and snapshot styles appear on

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wall art from Open Road Brands, Ceaco puzzles, and Buckle-Down accessories. shopDisney’s Special Moments Collection features characters singing and playing instruments in swirls of music notes — imagery also seen in merch from Her Universe, Crocs, and Amazon.

Apparel company RSVLTS dropped multiple Disney100 collections (with more still to come) that feature its signature short-sleeve, button-down shirts with different Disney imagery and characters, including a black-and-white tribute to Steamboat Willie.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this once-in-a-generation milestone that is Disney100, so from day one, it’s been important to us that we include both the beloved classic characters, as well as find some deep-cuts that we personally love and want to showcase,” says RSVLTS Director of Communications Mike Shriner.

The Disney100 “Sketches to Screen” shirt marks the first time RSVLTS was able to feature both Disney and Pixar characters together on one shirt. It features various characters from Disney movies like

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Cinderella, Peter Pan, Lilo & Stitch, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh, alongside Pixar favorites from Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and more. The characters appear as darker sketches above a layer of lighter sketches to honor the animation that has always been at the heart of Disney.

One hundred years may sound like a long time, but it’s astonishing how quickly the Walt Disney Co. grew from a humble cartoon studio into the powerhouse that it is today, with theme parks, hotels, cruise lines, movies, and merch making the world go ‘round. We can all take a little inspiration in something Walt himself once said: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” ✪ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jackie Cucco is a senior editor at Adventure Media & Events. She covers toy trends, reviews, and news for The Pop Insider, The Toy Insider, and The Toy Book. After her Tamagotchis finally go to sleep for the night, you can catch her watching horror movies or reading Stephen King novels.

Visit her on Instagram @saucyjac.

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You know the drill: This merch is cool, rare, and available on the show floor.

Get it while you can!

4D PUZZLES — THOR’S HAMMER SPIN MASTER Channel Thor’s strength and embark on a superhero building adventure as you construct Mjolnir. Builders and collectors can both enjoy this 4D puzzle because they’ll definitely want to display it after it’s complete.

MSRP: $29.99 Available: Booth No. 4518

STAR WARS THE MANDALORIAN CARSON TEVA 1:6-SCALE MINI-BUST DIAMOND SELECT TOYS/GENTLE GIANT The Outer Rim pilot who calls himself a friend to Din Djarin is now the newest mini-bust from Gentle Giant. Measuring 6 inches tall, this collectible’s run is limited to 1,000 pieces.

MSRP: $130 Available: Booth No. 2607

HARRY POTTER LUNA LOVEGOOD CHEERS FOR GRYFFINDOR KEEPSAKE ORNAMENT EXCLUSIVE HALLMARK The ornament features quirky, kind-hearted, and whimsical Luna Lovegood wearing an oversized lion’s head hat while cheering for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. With only 2,500 pieces available, fans can add a touch of Luna’s eccentric spirit to their tree.

MSRP: $25 | Available: Booth No. 1505

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THE DRAGON PRINCE HATCHING ZYM PIN WHAT’S YOUR PASSION JEWELRY

WIZARD OF OZ RUBY SLIPPERS AND TOTO CHROME ART STATUES FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT

Kick off your Dragon Prince collection with this double-posted enamel pin, which features the Storm Dragon hatching and glitter highlights.

The pin will make its debut at SDCC.

There’s no place like home — and you can make yours a little more Oz-like with these 8-inch, resin statues. Limited to 250 pieces each, the collectible replicas re-create Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers with a reflective, ruby-red finish (pictured) and her dog Toto with a shiny brown finish.

MSRP: $12.99 Available: Booth No. 1129

MARVEL LOKI PREMIUM DICE SET

MSRP: $50 each | Available: Booth No. 2743

THE OP GAMES | USAOPOLY Channel the power of Loki during game night with this marbled, engraved, green-and-gold, six-sided dice set. It features the retro God of Mischief symbol and comes with a matching bag for storage.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Booth No. 335

DISNEY DOORABLES BLACKLIGHT TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION PEEK

FUNKO POP! MASKS — MICHAEL MYERS DISGUISE

Behind every door is a one of 13 super exclusive Halloween Town characters. Each neon figure is approximately 1.5 inches tall and features signature Doorables-stylized detailing and special finishes that glow under blacklight.

Become the horrifying harbinger of Halloween in this Michael Myers half mask. It features the slasher’s signature look with a half-tone printed window for visibility. An adjustable elastic strap and foam at the forehead and chin make it easy and comfortable to wear. Fans can also use the attached hangtag inside the mask to display it.

MSRP: $39.99 Available: Booth No. 5613

MSRP: $25 Available: Booth No. 1233

JUST PLAY

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THE FLASH 24-KARAT GOLD SLIDE OPEN RING SALESONE This Toynk-exclusive prop replica is inspired by the one Barry Allen wears in the movie The Flash. Available in sizes 9-12, this wearable ring has screen-accurate details, including lightning bolts and slide-open action. It comes in a decorative, clamshell display box.

MSRP: $100 | Available: Booths No. 815, 3849

LOUNGEFLY JURASSIC PARK SDCC 2023 NEON 30TH ANNIVERSARY ZIP AROUND WALLET LOUNGEFLY On the front of this wallet, a Velociraptor prowls through the grass under a canopy of blue and pink palm trees. Turn down the lights to see the raptor under an ominous glow.

On the back, pink palm fronds frame the 30th-anniversary Jurassic Park logo.

MSRP: $40 Available: Booth No. 5145

STAR WARS REBELS POSTERS TRENDS INTERNATIONAL The force is strong with these SDCC-exclusive prints, which feature Sabine Wren at Concord Dawn (pictured) and Grand Admiral Thrawn hunting for Fulcrum. Each print comes hand-numbered with a limited run of 200.

MSRP: $30 each | Available: Booth No. 2913-G

TMNT CHEEBEES SDCC 2023 TURTLES 4-PACK THE LOYAL SUBJECTS Say "Cowabunga" to CheeBee, a new figure format from The Loyal Subjects. This set is limited to 1,000 pieces and includes 3-inch figures of all four Turtles, re-imagined in a chibi-style design. The figures come with four collector cards, all packaged in a window box with a garage door flap.

MSRP: $30 | Available: Booth No. 2544

DRAGON BALL Z BROLY FUNKO POP! HALLMARK ORNAMENT HALLMARK The Dragon Ball Z Broly Funko Pop! Hallmark Ornament exclusive depicts the Saiyan villain Broly from Dragon Ball Z in Funko Pop! style, with only 1,500 ornaments available.

MSRP: $15 Available: Booth No. 1505

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ALF 7-INCH-SCALE ACTION FIGURE — COSMIC CON ALF NECA

BATMAN 1989 BATARANG GUN METAL FINISH BOTTLE OPENER FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT

Alf is off to the con — Melmac Cosmic Con, that is. This exclusive figure depicts the Alien Life Form with all of his con accessories, including a video camera, a convention badge and bag, sunglasses, a vacation shirt, and a cell phone.

Crack open a cold beverage in style.

Based on the Batarang in Batman (1989), this bottle opener features two strong magnets to display it on your fridge. The exclusive is limited to 1,000 pieces.

MSRP: $40 | Available: Booth No. 3545

MSRP: $22 | Available: Booth No. 2743

G.I. JOE SUPER CYBORG — S.N.A.K.E. ARMOR (FULL COLOR) SUPER7 In a format inspired by the vintage Japanese Henshin Cyborg toys, this 11-inch, articulated figure features full-color paint detailing, accessories, and four removable plates that reveal the inner workings of one of Cobra’s most menacing weapons.

MSRP: $125 | Available: Booth No. 2543

LADY LOKI MARVEL GALLERY PRINT UPPER DECK This 18-by-24-inch Giclée print by artist Serena Maylon features Lady Loki in a profile view under the silver light of the full moon in a Norse landscape. There are 100 copies available of this variant edition, and each comes with a certificate of authentication.

MSRP: $99.99 | Available: Booth No. 307

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GENERAL MILLS BOO BERRY 6-INCH-SCALE GLOW-IN-THEDARK ACTION FIGURE JADA TOYS Add a nostalgic poltergeist to your collection.

This Entertainment Earth-exclusive Boo Berry figure features a glow-in-the-dark body and comes with a miniature box of cereal and a display stand. Everything comes packed inside a retro, cereal-inspired window box.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Booth No. 2343

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM FIGURES PLAYMATES TOYS These figures feature 12 points of articulation, enhanced decoration, and accessories. Inspired by the upcoming animated film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the turtle figures range from 4.25-4.6 inches tall.

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: Booth No. 4113

WEDNESDAY 3D FOAM BAG CLIP 3-PIECE SET MONOGRAM INTERNATIONAL This set features Wednesday Addams in three different iconic outfits and poses from the show: dancing at the Rave’N Dance, playing the cello, and standing in her school uniform. This collector’s set comes in a PVC box for display.

MSRP: $25 | Available: Booth No. 3645

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 3-INCH VINYL FIGURES — DISPLACER BEAST AND DARK MIMIC 2-PACK KIDROBOT Bring home two of the most fearsome beasts in D&D lore as vinyl figures. The Mimic’s chest features silver trim with a purple fist coming out, while the Displacer is a translucent purple. The set is limited to 600 pieces total.

MSRP: $30 | Available: Booth No. 2846

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B

arbie Land is a place thousands of us have been to before, but it’s typically found in a unique location that’s harder to visit the older you get: your imagination.

Barbie has dominated the doll aisle since the brand’s debut in 1959, covering toy store shelves in neon pink boxes filled with perfectly coiffed hairstyles, endless fashion options, and — most importantly — a whole lot of inspiration. Designed for kids ages 3 and up, Barbie’s fans tend

to grow out of the iconic doll as they mature, and while she may ultimately land in donation boxes or an attic somewhere, the message she delivers never goes out of style.

Mattel and Warner Bros. (with a lot of help from visionary Greta Gerwig and her Pinterest skills) have unboxed Barbie in a new way and brought the iconic doll and all of her accessories to the big screen in the doll’s first-ever, live-action film. And there’s great news for everyone who ever

brought Barbie to life through their imaginative play experiences: Barbie Land is exactly as pink, sunny, and full of fun as you thought it would be.

Barbie: The Movie, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, practically transports fans inside those familiar pink boxes. The film is packed with Barbie-inspired details and Easter eggs that lifelong fans will recognize, and each dreamy detail will reconnect grownups to their Barbie memories

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Uni Neue Regular 7pt font, 9pt leading

Impala Lightspeed Inline Skate Barbie Bright Yellow Left: Margot Robbie, who starred in and produced Barbie: The Movie, shines bright in her pink corvette. Right: Ken (Ryan Gosling) and Barbie embark on an adventure into the real world. | Photos: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

from childhood.

“The thing that made me howl in that second trailer was when she stepped out of the shoe and her foot is still in that shape. I mean, that’s iconic,” says toy historian Chris Byrne, also known as The Toy Guy. FROM 3+ TO PG-13 Since the doll first hit the scene 64 years ago, her core audience has always been preschool- and grade school-age kids. But as with any brand that’s been around for more than six decades, Barbie has amassed a fanbase that includes several generations.

Content creator Marina the 90s Barbie, who prefers to be referred to as her online moniker, has been sharing Barbie-focused content with her more than 48,000 Instagram followers for nearly four years. And as an adult woman who grew up with Barbie in the ‘90s, her followers also fall outside of the age range of Barbie’s key demographic.

“I think people just like the pink and happy vibes,” Marina says. “You know, we need that kind of energy in the world: the pink, the happy, the positive. Barbie’s a very positive brand; one of her catch phrases is PACE, [which stands for] positive attitude changes everything.

I really believe in that, and I think people really like the positivity. They have the urge and need to escape sometimes, and I think that’s what my profile is for my followers.”

Barbie: The Movie has a rating of PG-13, and the

IMPALA SKATE Impala Skate created the roller skates Barbie and Ken wear (and never go anywhere without) in Barbie: The Movie, and fans can snag their very own pair to re-create that movie magic.

MSRP: $189.95 Available: Zappos, Zumiez, impalarollerskates.com

Barbie: The Movie Pink Corvette Convertible MATTEL There’s only one way out of Barbie Land, and it’s in Barbie’s pink corvette. Sporting a pink paint job with gleaming accents and a curvy, retro silhouette, the collectible car is packed with film-inspired details.

MSRP: $75 Available: mass retailers

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Barbie: The Movie Ken Doll Denim Matching Set MATTEL He may be “just Ken,” but he is bringing that Ken-ergy! Mattel’s Ken doll shows off the character’s first-look denim matching set, complete with Calvin Klein-parody Ken logo undies.

MSRP: $50 Available: mass retailers

trailers immediately gripped older fans with double entendre jokes about “beaching off” and innuendos about grownup sleepovers.

There are scenes dealing with sexism, existentialism, and even a moment of sexual harassment. And while these topics seem a bit risqué for the Barbie brand, the film stays true to what Barbie is all about.

“This is much more of a cultural, meta approach to Barbie. It’s for the adults who grew up playing with Barbie, who love Barbie, and yet now have an adult sense of humor and sensibility and can laugh at this.

At the same time, it looks like they haven't really gone away from the core sweetness of Barbie as well,” Byrne explains.

Indeed, they haven’t.

“At the brand’s core, Barbie stands for empowerment and unlocking limitless potential,” says Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel.

“The movie is incredibly supportive of our mission of diversity, inclusivity, and female empowerment.”

WE ARE BARBIE While Barbie was once criticized for her too-small waistline and utter lack of diversity, everything shifted in 2016 with the launch of Barbie Fashionistas dolls, which brought more diversity to the brand than ever before. The initial line featured an assortment of Barbie dolls with four body types, seven skin tones, 22 eye colors, and 24 hairstyles of varying colors, lengths, and textures. The line went on to include Barbie and Ken dolls with vitiligo, dolls in wheelchairs, and dolls with hearing 32 | Issue No. 17 | THE POP INSIDER

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POP Movies: Barbie — Barbie (Dance Party) FUNKO This Barbie Dance Party collectible is ready to bust a move in the same gold disco jumpsuit seen in the movie.

MSRP: $12 Available: mass retailers, funko.com

Barbie: The Album Left: Ryan Gosling as Ken shows off his platinum blonde look.

Right: Margot Robbie as Barbie dances the night away.

Photos: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures • © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

aids. To date, there are more than 200 different Barbie Fashionista dolls in total.

The best part? The dolls were all named Barbie and Ken. And that message of inclusion is front and center in Barbie: The Movie, which depicts dozens of Barbies and Kens of all different skin tones, body types, and styles. Movie-goers will enjoy Issa Rae as President Barbie, Hari Nef as Doctor Barbie, Alexandra Shipp as Writer Barbie, Emma Mackey as Physicist Barbie, Dua Lipa as Mermaid Barbie, and more; not to mention Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, and Kingsley Ben-Adir as Kens.

“The Barbie Land that will be brought to life in the movie is beautiful — the intentional casting is inclusive of various identities, and the music celebrates a diverse array of musical genres and artists — all coming together to celebrate Barbie and the multiplicity of her world,” McKnight explains.

THE DOLLS These Barbie and Ken dolls are coming full circle as they go from shelf, to screen, and back to shelf again with a full collection of Barbie: The Movie dolls from Mattel. Fans can collect Margot Robbie’s Barbie in several different looks, along with multiple Ken dolls, Issa Rae’s

ATLANTIC RECORDS This musical companion is just as star-studded as the film itself (it even includes an original track from Ryan Gosling as Ken). Fans can choose from an embossed, limited-edition version or one of several retailer exclusives with special vinyl finishes, like candy floss (Target) or pink splatter (Walmart).

MSRP: $27.98 | Available: local record stores, mass retailers

President Barbie, real-world Gloria, and more. The dolls range in price from $2550, and feature signature fashions from the movie. Each one comes packaged in a special, upscale-inspired box, complete with metallic gold details. After all, when the boxes won’t ever be torn open, the packaging actually matters.

“These dolls are for the person who has the Barbie doll on the shelf as a touchstone with their youth and their childhood, and it’s not going to be played with. They’re not going to undress it, draw on the face, and cut the hair — which does happen to a lot of Barbies,” Byrne jokes.

IT’S BARBIE’S WORLD, WE’RE JUST LIVING IN IT When it comes to a movie based on a doll, the dolls based on the movie are obviously going to be super important, but that’s not all that’s coming off-screen for Barbie lovers.

“Leveraging excitement for the movie, we will tap into delightful lifestyle consumer product offerings, digital gaming, and more — meaning there is truly something for everyone,” McKnight says.

The merch program for Barbie: The Movie is set to be nothing short of legendary, with more than 100 new products for adults who cannot get enough of the self-aware film and all of the playfulness within it. “I want to see everything,” Marina says. “Like everything you can imagine: clothing, cups, mugs, hats, iPhone cases — I want to see everything that could come out of this!”

And it looks like Mattel is making Marina’s dreams come true. Barbie: The Movie collabs with Stoney Clover Lane, Alex & Ani, MeUndies, and Crocs provide fans with lots of opportunities to collect pieces of merch inspired by the film, while other partnerships bring actual set pieces to your hands — and feet. Impala Skate’s Barbie x Impala line features THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 33

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Issa Rae stars as President Barbie in Barbie: The Movie.

Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures • © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

rollerskates that look just like Barbie and Ken’s from the film, along with protective pads inspired by their outfits. Plus, fans will enjoy Funko Pop! collectibles, apparel from Mattel Creations, a full line of sneakers from Superga, and phone cases from Nudient.

All of these Barbie: The Movie products have a common thread: They are far more upscale than licensed Barbie merch for kids. Rather than lunchboxes and light-up sneakers that feature illustrations of Barbie, fans will get a hot pink, $80 electric toothbrush from Moon and 14K gold pens from Montegrappa. Every item based on Barbie: The Movie is thoughtfully crafted, from the packaging to the subtle nods to the iconic doll. The collabs just keep coming, from limited-edition Xbox controllers to makeup collections,

and there will be no shortage of merch to choose from even as we head into the holiday season later this year.

REAL WORLD, HERE WE COME! As Barbie embarks on her journey into the real world, fans are ready to get sucked into the hot pink magic and wonder of Barbie: The Movie.

“The Barbie movie is going to be the film of the summer and a huge cultural event with a lasting impact on pop culture that further solidifies Barbie’s legacy for the next generation,” McKnight says.

A blockbuster film with an entirely new audience, a huge lineup of fresh merch, and an inspiring message about reaching your fullest potential — love her or hate her, Barbie won’t be going back in the box anytime soon. ✪

Barbie: The Movie Doll President in Pink and Gold Dress MATTEL In addition to her movie-inspired bouncy curls and elaborate statement necklace, this Barbie also features the iconic presidential sash with gold tassels.

MSRP: $50 Available: mass retailers

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Barbie: The Movie x Nudient Barbie Board Phone Case NUDIENT This phone case provides military-grade protection with Barbie-grade style. Made with 30% recycled materials, this case has icons inspired by the movie, including a pink Statue of Liberty and blue palm trees.

MSRP: $40 | Available: nudient.com

Barbie x MOON Pink Electric Toothbrush & Bubble Mint Whitening Toothpaste MOON MSRP: $12.99 (toothpaste); $79.99 (toothbrush) | Available: moonoralbeauty.com

Barbie: The Movie x Superga 2802 Barbie Rainbow Sneakers SUPERGA These cotton canvas sneakers have an extra bold, bright pink 7-centimeter-tall platform wedge, along with the iconic B monogram on the outer side.

MSRP: $95 | Available: superga-usa.com

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Barbie: The Movie Logo Mini Backpack LOUNGEFLY An all-over print of the Barbie logo — in pink — adds a signature touch to this mini backpack, which also features twin flamingos, pastel shells, palm trees, gold details and charms, and more.

MSRP: $80 | Available: loungefly.com

Barbie: The Movie x Funboy Iconic B Inflatable Pool Float

Little People Collector Barbie: The Movie

FUNBOY

FISHER-PRICE

MSRP: $59 Available: funboy.com

Four key characters appear in Little People figure size, styled in memorable outfits from the film.

MSRP: $24 Available: mass retailers

Barbie Icon Signature Set MONTEGRAPPA MSRP: $3,400.8 8 Available: monte grappa.com

Barbie: The Movie Hi Barbie! Hi Ken! T-Shirt MATTEL CREATIONS This lightweight, stretchy T-shirt features “Hi Barbie!” in a text-message-style layout on the front, with a cute “Hi Ken!” on the back. It’s available in sizes small-4XL. MSRP: $35 | Available: creations.mattel.com

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SPONSORED

MERCH MAKERS

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SPONSORED

D

uring the summer of 1983, families flocked to theaters for an epic adventure in a galaxy far, far away. But, as Luke Skywalker once mentioned upon visiting Jedi Master Yoda in the Dagobah system, there was something “familiar” about the scenery this time around. From the flowing sand dunes of Tatooine to the lush foliage and towering redwood trees on the forest moon of Endor, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi embraced Earthly organics that served as a backdrop for a showdown between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire.

As the final, joyous “Yub nub” closed out the Ewok celebration and brought the original Star Wars trilogy to an end, the seeds of lifelong fandom sprouted roots that have only become stronger with age.

The cross-generational reach of Star Wars fandom is immense, and that presents an opportunity to embrace and showcase a love for the franchise in new ways.

That’s where Heroes & Villains, a division of Bioworld Merchandising, excels in creating elevated, licensed apparel and accessories for the true fans that expect something beyond the norm.

“We are focused on a timeless approach to design so that each piece is as relevant now as it will be in the future or would have been in the past,” explains Jason Mayes, Bioworld’s senior director, marketing, intellectual property.

“We strive to tell the stories through our product development and participate in the expansion of the universes we are immersed in, allowing fans to live within the storyline daily.”

Retro Rebels Timed with Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), Heroes & Villains taps into the Endor vibes in a way that throws tentacles to other locations throughout the galaxy like the all-powerful Sarlacc.

“The newest collection debuting at SDCC this year is a fun one,” Mayes says.

“With this year being the 40-year celebration of Return of the Jedi, we found it fitting to focus our efforts on telling that story in a fun, unique way. We wanted to offer the fans a chance to explore the many different locations that are so iconic in the film. With SDCC basically being a summer camp for grown adults, we thought it would be fun to build a line of products centered around a retro camp look and feel.”

Heroes & Villains’ new drop features textures and colors that recall iconic locales like the dusty sands of Tatooine and the mossy greens of the Ewok Village.

Each piece, including the Endor Forest Moon Crew Neck, Return of the Jedi Weekender Bag and Mini Backpack, and Tatooine Crew Neck include Star Wars"With SDCC basically being themed patches and badges inspired by a summer camp for grown the ones that kids earn adults, we thought it would at camp. From Jedi be fun to build a line of Training Completion products centered around a to the Galactic Outlaw retro camp look and feel.”

Bounty Badge, fans - Jason Mayes, Heroes & Villains can literally wear their “What if?” achievements on their sleeves.

And, for travel-minded adventurers, Jabba’s Palace, the Dune Sea, and the swamps of Dagobah each have a patch.

In addition to its Return of the Jedi-inspired summer camp collection, Heroes & Villains will release what it’s calling “an elevated line” of Star Wars hoodies that will be available at SDCC and online, while supplies last.

Fans can rock styles from Endor and Tatooine.

Source: Heroes & Villains

A Look Inside the Hyperdrive What does it mean to create “elevated” products that fully embrace fandom?

According to Mayes, Star Wars, specifically, offers unique opportunities to dive deep into decades worth of lore to create products that become experiences — especially when tied to a specific event or theme. “[The process] begins with research.

Star Wars fans are very well-versed and have an incredible understanding of the story,” he explains. “We have to be accuTHEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 39

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SPONSORED

MERCH MAKERS rate and educated above all. This is the easy part because our team is [made up] of true fans that know the ins and out and are always excited to learn more. After the research, we then begin curating the art and iconography that relates to the subject matter.”

Mayes says that the design team at Heroes & Villains takes exceptional care in determining the materials and art application techniques for each of its products. Because the needs can be different when designing pieces such as sweatshirts or hoodies versus a backpack, purse, or other form factor, everything requires detailed planning.

“Identifying the fabrics, the colors, the hardware finish … these are all things that need to be hashed out in the beginning,” he says. “Once we have the groundwork set, the actual designing of the items goes pretty smoothly. We always ask ourselves if the character or subject we are focused on would approve of our design. If the answer is ‘no,’ then we can’t do it.”

lightyears ahead of a simple logo on a T-shirt. Working in close collaboration with partners like Lucasfilm, Heroes & Villains continues to create new ways for fans to express themselves.

“Authenticity, immersion, and insight fuel our culture of innovation,” Mayes says. “It is what drives us to continue re-imagining and reshaping the brand merchandising landscape.”

In Star Wars terms, you could say that Bioworld is the Kyber Crystal of the Heroes & Villains lightsaber, glowing with power to create a pioneering force within pop culture.

“Our priority is creating richer connections between the fans and the things

they love,” Mayes explains. “It goes beyond merch — beyond commerce. We help cultivate self-expression. Innovation and consumer engagement fuel everything we do. No one translates brands onto product like Bioworld.” ✪ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James Zahn, best-known as The Rock Father, is a senior editor of The Pop Insider and The Toy Insider and is the editor-in-chief of The Toy Book.

Frequently called upon for expert commentary on the toy industry, he has been featured in The New York Times and Forbes, and has appeared on Yahoo! Finance, CNBC, BBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, and more. Connect with him on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @therockfather.

Star Wars Camp Crop Hoodie ($65) Source: Heroes & Villains

The Fashion of Fandom: Evolved Over the past decade, fandom-based fashion has grown to allow those passionate about a property like Star Wars to make a significant statement that’s

Return of the Jedi Mini Backpack ($95) and Weekender Bag ($150) Source: Heroes & Villains

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by Madeleine Buckley, senior editor

O

fficially licensed board games are in no way a new concept. Back in the 1930s, families could enjoy Walt Disney’s Own Game — Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, a Parker Bros. game featuring art from Disney’s first full-length animated feature. When the first Star Wars movie hit the big screen in 1977, kids could re-create the main action of the movie and avoid death by trash compactor in Kenner’s Star Wars Escape from the Death Star game.

But over the past decade, licensed games have developed into a much more serious business, with companies including Funko Games (Prospero Hall), Ravensburger, The Op Games | Usaopoly, and Asmodee releasing dozens of licensed games per year. These tabletop adventures appeal to gamers of all ages, sometimes retelling familiar stories and other times giving fans the chance to create their own adventures in a beloved fictional world.

And creating these games is a complex process. We talked to game designers and manufacturers to take an in-depth look at the work it takes to bring your favorite fandoms to the tabletop and what makes a licensed game a winner.

Source: Funko Games

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Source: Funko Games

STRATEGY SESSION: MAKING STAR WARS RIVALS — EXPANDABLE GAME SYSTEM

Back in April, Funko Games revealed its plan to release Star Wars Rivals, a collectible and expandable tabletop gaming experience set in the Star Wars universe. In addition to cards, this game utilizes miniature sculpts of Star Wars characters, which Funko Games’ General Manager of Emerging Brands Deirdre Cross cites as her favorite feature of the game. “We’re a division of Funko, so you know it will be cool,” she says. “But these are delightful in their poses, paint deco, and overall stylization. They really bring out the attitude of your favorite characters.”

According to Cross, the Funko Games team worked closely with Lucasfilm while developing this game, which also features new art. “When creating a tabletop game based on an IP, it’s essential to understand and appreciate the essence of the IP, integrating it into the gameplay, narrative, and components,” she says. Star Wars Rivals is available now at Walmart, with a wider release coming later this year. ✪

BEHIND THE BOARD GAME Board games, trading card games, role-playing games, and other tabletop titles featuring your favorite characters or fictional worlds don’t just appear on store shelves like magic. It takes dozens of people, legal contracts, and often years of work to get an official game ready for your next game night.

But why add the extra step of getting permission to use existing intellectually property (IP) instead of creating an original game? According to Lysa Penrose, head of new games marketing at Ravensburger North America, an established brand can be a gateway for getting a wider audience.

“Licenses are a wonderful opportunity to grow our beloved hobby and community,” she says. “Fans who might not otherwise discover the magic of tabletop games are open to try out products that feature their favorite stories and characters.”

The process for creating an officially licensed game certainly varies by company and by game type. But generally, the process involves research, development, working with the company that owns the IP, and a lot of trial and error.

For example, the design team behind Ravensburger’s popular Villainous board game franchise — in which players take on the role of infamous villains from Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars stories — always starts by asking the question “Who is our compelling headliner or cover character?” According to Mike Source: Ravensburger

Mulvihill, Ravensburger North America’s game development manager for Disney Villainous, the team keeps a running list of potential characters who may fit the bill. For a larger Villainous game, the team also chooses other characters to appear in the set.

Then, the licensor, or brand owner, approves the team’s initial plans for that game before development can start.

Mulvihill notes that the process becomes a bit more complicated for Marvel and Star Wars. These villains’ paths often intertwine and tie into a larger story arc, while Disney villains typically come from self-contained stories.

With feedback from the licensor, the developers start creating the game. This stage includes selecting the locations featured in the game, creating game mechanics and cards, and creating original art. One fun fact Mulvihill shares about the Villainous games is that the team will only select locations that the villain actually visits on screen.

“For instance, with Lady Tremaine, we never show the kitchen or fountain because she is never seen in those locations,” he says, “even though they mean so much to Cinderella the movie and are classic locations.”

Once the game mechanics are in place, the developers move into a testing

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The concept sketches for the Syndrome and Lots-o’ Villainous movers (left), compared to the final Syndrome mover (right). Mike Mulvihill, who works on Ravensburger’s Villainous games, describes the movers’ aesthetic as “perfume bottle.” “The pieces must create a look that mimics the look of the villain, but also abstracts it a bit,” he says. “The goal is to be recognizable, but not a bust or caricature.” | Source: Ravensburger

phase, during which the team rewrites and revises the game until it goes to print. Meanwhile, the games’ visual components go through their own creative process, led by Art Director Jake Breish and Graphic Designer Chris Buckley. All of the cards, for example, feature original art that the licensor must approve.

“Every card is a painting, so they have a longer and more direct licensor approval process to ensure our designs live up to the standard of the IP holder,” Mulvihill says. “We’re not just talking about card art paintings here either — all elements of the game, from the back of the card to tokens, go through this approval process.”

The same applies to the sculpted game movers, which are a hallmark of the Villainous line. According to Mulvihill, the art team will start by sketching 20 or so ideas for each character’s mover, ultimately narrowing it down to two or three options to show the licensor.

NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES When bringing a game idea to fruition, there can be challenges in translating the source material. Veteran game designer Scott Rogers explains that one of the hardest decisions to make is how to convey information. In a video game or movie, the audience passively receives information from visuals. For a tabletop game, it’s less straightforward.

“Do you get a little book on the side where the adventure is? Do you get information card by card? Is there some sort of mechanism that tells the story?” he says. “In my opinion, the most challenging part is just that you have this embarrassment of riches. Which ones are the best ones?”

Another challenge, according to Rogers, is that licensors give game designers varied access to the source material. He has had some provide next to nothing, while others give open access to scripts, concept art, future storylines, and creatives. Ultimately, the quality of this partnership can be what makes a licensed board game great.

“The game becomes so much more rich when you share the fiction or you share the likeness rights or you share anything that it takes to create that thing,” he explains. “You have to invite [the game designer] into your house and share with them. And that way you’re going to get a superior product.”

THESE DAYS, IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN STICKER-SLAPPING Alien may be one of the most wellknown sci-fi movies of all time, but — believe it or not — the 1979 film has only been made into a board game twice. The first game came out the same year as the movie, while the second came out in 2021. Called Fate of the Nostromo and

designed by Rogers, this later adaptation was a far cry from the original.

According to Rogers, the first Alien-branded game was a simple rolland-move setup. “The theme is just slapped on, there are maybe four images from stills of the movie and there are like four movers of the alien running around that are red, blue, yellow, and green,” he recalls. But there are no red aliens in Rogers’ game. Instead, players take on the role of a crew member, cooperatively using strategy and specific, character-inspired abilities to escape the ship.

The expectations for tabletop games inspired by movies, shows, and board games have vastly expanded as fans have matured. “I didn’t approach it just as a game designer trying to make a commer-

WHAT’S THAT MEAN? LIKENESS RIGHTS: The ability to use the face of an actor or other real person. This is why games often feature original art, instead of stills from a movie or show.

“If you want an actor who is known for their portrayal of a character, you’ve got to pay,” says game designer Rob Wieland. “If you’ve ever seen a game come out where you’re like, ‘Why doesn’t that look like so-and-so?,’ that’s why.”

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cial product,” Rogers says. “I approached it as a fan thinking, ‘What do I want to see in this game?’”

Overall, those in the tabletop business seem to agree that modern fans want more out of their pop culture-inspired games.

emerging brands at Funko Games, says party games and technology integration are two trends she’s excited about in the tabletop space. Both play out in the company’s new Scream Party Game, another unexpected adaptation, which includes an app featuring the voice of Rodger L. Jackson, aka Ghostface.

Overall, storytelling through tabletop games is becoming more mainstream, Ravensburger’s Penrose says.

“It’s almost jarring to meet someone outside our bubble,” she says. “I’m excited for more immersive board games, so more potential gamers get to experience the power of storytelling. One of us!” ✪

“You have to invite [the game designer] into your house and share with them. And that way you’re going to get a superior product.”

— Scott Rogers, game designer “Players are really looking for an immersive experience that feels like they’ve been transported to the worlds they know and love,” says Steve Werner, game design manager for Ravensburger North America. “Adding a name and image to any game won’t — and shouldn’t — cut it.”

But what exactly does that look like?

Generally, it means being as detailed as possible and finding a story to tell with the game. It means adding game mechanisms and elements that make sense for that specific brand alone.

As companies get more creative with their licensed tabletop game offerings, this can also mean developing games based on niche, out-of-the-box IP. Maestro Media, for example, has developed tabletop games based on two independent video games: The Binding of Isaac and Sally Face. Both titles launched on Kickstarter, shattering their respective funding goals.

“A lot of people go for the biggest IP, and a lot of times that’s not really the way to go,” says Maesro Media CEO Javon Frazier. “It’s about the creator who has the most passion for their fans and an audience that’s really passionate for the creator.”

Funko Games (Prospero Hall) has also launched games inspired by more surprising IPs, including a Rear Window game. Deirdre Cross, general manager of

STRATEGY SESSION: MAKING DISNEY LORCANA

One of the biggest titles to talk about this year is Disney Lorcana, a new trading card game (TCG) from Ravensburger that features a variety of Disney characters and original artwork. According to Steve Werner, game design manager at Ravensburger North America and co-designer of Lorcana, the team created the game by starting with an existing character or item and building from there. He cites the Scar — Mastermind card as an example.

“Everyone who’s seen Disney’s The Lion King knows Scar is great at setting up a plan, but doesn’t get his own paws dirty,” Werner says. “From there, we developed that card so that his skill was one that removed strength from an opponent just for having Scar on the board. This ability feels very natural for how Scar would act, and works well with our mechanics. We call this type of design the ‘top down,’ and it was applied across Disney Lorcana.”

Werner says this game was designed with both new and experienced TCG players in mind. “We wanted to ensure that Disney Lorcana was easily accessible, but also super fun for even the most strategic gaming minds.”

While Disney Lorcana features a slate of characters that will be familiar to Disney fans, the Ravensburger team created additional layers of storytelling and introduced new visuals. The creative team has more than 100 years of combined experience designing trading card games and an expansive knowledge of Disney lore.

Disney Lorcana will have limited availability at GenCon before officially debuting in local game stores and Disney Parks on Aug. 18, with a wide release to follow on Sept. 1. The first wave, called “The First Chapter,” will include more than 200 game cards, along with themed accessories. ✪

Source: Ravensburger

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Gather your fellow fans around the table with the latest original and officially licensed board games.

MASTER DATER CYANIDE & HAPPINESS In a fun twist on dating, players vie for each other’s attention and affection by creating wacky dates appealing to very specific dating interests. Combine a head and a body into a perfect match and argue your way into the heart of the sexy single. Defeat your rivals for a chance to win at love. The game includes 300 weird interest cards, 230 head and body cards, and guaranteed awkwardness if you play with your parents.

MSRP: $30 | Available: Amazon

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ROLEPLAYING FREE LEAGUE PUBLISHING Return to Middle-earth with a new adaptation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Based on the second edition of The One Ring role-playing game, the illustrated, full-color, hardback volume contains everything you need to go on adventures. The game includes six original heroic cultures from the land of Eriador, six new classes, a host of terrifying adversaries, comprehensive rules, and the subtle magic of Middle-earth.

MSRP: $57.99 Available: thelordoftheringsroleplaying.com

R.I.P. AT THE RODEO HUNT A KILLER In this immersive murder mystery experience, Patches the Rodeo Clown is dead and everyone is a suspect.

You’ll need to investigate items found in Patches’ trailer, analyze the witness statements, and piece together a timeline to determine who had the means, motive, and opportunity to kill the clown.

MSRP: $31.99 | Available: mass retailers

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YELLOWSTONE WILDER The Dutton Ranch is under siege and everyone’s loyalty is in question. In this game of hidden motives, players must identify those working against the ranch and expose them as the Disloyals. In each round, a crisis unfolds and all players must choose a Solution Card from their hand that they believe will best resolve it — but only the Loyals know what the crisis is.

CATAN — SOCCER FEVER CATAN STUDIO Soccer fever has gripped the island of Catan. You and your fellow Catanians are swept up in supporting your hometown teams. Will your team win the most matches and finish the season with the championship cup? Every time you build a settlement or a city, soccer matches are held. Players throw die-cut soccer balls into the pitch to score.

This game requires the Catan base game (sold separately).

MSRP: $19.99 Available: shop.asmodee.com

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Target, Walmart (September)

MURDER WE WROTE KESS CO. Get ready for mystery, intrigue, and a bit of morbid fun. Murder We Wrote is a true-crimepodcast-themed adult party game. The host reveals the name of the victim for that round, and other players assume the role of someone close to the victim while playing cards and giving an interview on who they think committed the murder. At the end of the round, the host will decide what really happened, but beware: Each player has a hidden twist card that could change everything.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Barnes & Noble, Paper Source (fall)

QUEEN BY MIDNIGHT DARRINGTON PRESS Queen By Midnight is a battle-royale, deck-building card game of guile, deception, and brawn that puts you in the role of a Princess vying for the Midnight Court. The Dice Clock Tower spins to face each player on their turn, keeps track of the round, presents new cards to buy, and even acts as a dice roller. Nearly 200 cards are themed to your specific princess with an additional 75 Bazaar cards available to customize your deck.

MSRP: $69.99 | Available: Critical Role shops, Darrington Press Guild stores, local game stores (August)

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THE AUDIO GAME WILDER Take your game night to the next level with this hilarious card game that uses the internet’s most viral audio bites, sound effects, and more. Players have to pair each sound clip with a card to elicit laughs using The Audio Game app.

MSRP: $29.99 | Available: Target

DUMB WAYS TO DIE SPIN MASTER Stemming from the viral song created to promote railway safety in Australia, Dumb Ways to Die has turned into a full-blown franchise. Spin Master welcomes game enthusiasts into Dumbville, where all players have to do is keep their beans alive. The survival of these bumbling beans depends on a deck of cards and a little bit of luck.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart (August)

THE ARKHAM ASYLUM FILES: PANIC IN GOTHAM CITY INFINITE RABBIT HOLES The Clown Prince of Crime is on the loose, and it’s up to you and your friends to work together to solve the diabolical challenges unleashed by Batman’s greatest foe, The Joker. Dive into the world of Gotham City as you investigate Arkham Asylum’s most infamous patients with the newly reinstated psychiatrist Dr. Harleen Quinzel — aka Harley Quinn ­— in this augmented reality-infused game adventure.

MSRP: $149 | Available: infiniterabbitholes.com

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REALLY LOUD LIBRARIANS EXPLODING KITTENS Really Loud Librarians is a merciless board game in which players’ useless knowledge wins useful points.

Each team must shout out words within a specific category, such as “breakfast cereals” or “action movies,” but the word must begin with a particular letter. The faster your team shouts the answers, the faster you move along the track.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Target, explodingkittens.com

LEGENDARY ENCOUNTERS: THE MATRIX DECK BUILDING GAME UPPER DECK This game dives into the world of The Matrix original trilogy. Play as Neo or other iconic heroes and fight against their most notorious adversaries like Agent Smith, the Merovingian, the Twins, the Sentinels, and more. Remember: As long as The Matrix exists, humankind will never be free.

MSRP: $79.99 | Available: upperdeckstore.com

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SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS FLYING DUTCHMAN’S TREASURE HUNT GAME HOT TOPIC X marks the spot! Players roll the dice and move around the Spongebob-themed board searching for clues to get to the buried treasure in the center of the board. But beware, lads, some crew mates are looking to betray you by playing cards against you.

STAR WARS VILLAINOUS: SCUM AND VILLAINY RAVENSBURGER

MSRP: $59.90 | Available: Hot Topic

The latest installment of the Star Wars Villainous game series is here with three new villains. Boba Fett is the star of the show in this game expansion, in which players must complete missions and try to take over the galaxy. Each Villain has a unique objective and abilities.

MSRP: $29.99 Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble (August)

AVATAR LEGENDS: REPUBLIC CITY MAGPIE GAMES This expansion for Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game dives deeper into the background and lore of the famous Republic City found in the Korra Era. It includes details on the 10 different districts, NPCs, and plot hooks.

Players will also find new rules and mechanics on piloting mechs, engaging in vehicle races and chases, and showing their prowess in pro-bending arenas.

LAST GAMEBOARD LAST GAMEBOARD This portable social gaming console enables users to host synchronous play and use physical game pieces. The 17-by-17-inch tabletop gameboard maintains the feel of traditional board games, while elevating the experience with digital benefits like immersive soundtracks, real-time animations, unlimited 3D touch, and instant access to a growing library of games.

MSRP: $799 | Available: GameStop, lastgameboard.com

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: magpiegames.com (fall)

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DUNE: POWER AND PAWNS: THE EMPEROR’S COURT MODIPHIUS ENTERTAINMENT This 144-page supplement for the Dune: Adventures in the Imperium role-playing game lays bare the secrets of the Imperium, as well as a host of new factions and campaign options to take your game to the next level. No longer mere agents of your House, you are now its rulers, and with this new wealth and power comes a myriad of new duties, enemies, and even opportunities.

MSRP: $47 Available: FLGS, modiphius.us

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE FUNKO GAMES When a summer afternoon drive becomes a nightmare, players only have two options: survive or die trying. In this fight to stay alive, one player assumes the role of the deranged Sawyer family, dragging victims back to the hideous farmhouse. The other players are captured travelers trying to survive.

MSRP: $29.99 Available: Amazon (August)

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SPONSORED

MERCH MAKERS

I

f you’re walking the show floor at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), you may see a new player on the block. Displate, a company that makes metal posters with a unique mounting system, will make its first-ever appearance at the con — with lots of new products in tow. The Pop Insider chatted with Displate’s Director of Business Development Bart Silberman about what Displate has to offer, from its product assortment and SDCC debut to its nonprofit work and plans for the future.

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SPONSORED

With more than 220 active licenses, Displate’s offerings cover every faction of pop culture, allowing fans to deck out their homes with artwork based on video games, TV shows, movies, music, and more. | Source: Displate

The Pop Insider: First off, your company is rather unique. Can you tell us: What exactly is a Displate? Are they all officially licensed?

Bart Silberman: Displate is a one-of-a-kind metal poster with a unique, tool-free, magnet mounting system. With Displates, you can slap posters on your walls in seconds — and then swap out your art like you were trading baseball cards.

Not every Displate is licensed. Within our Artist Marketplace, you’ll also find well over a million original designs sold by independent artists. Just about anything you can imagine is included there — from abstract designs to dark fantasy art to anime-inspired pieces. One of our mottos is “bring your passions home,” and with more than 1.5 million designs on the website, we certainly have something for everyone!

Another important note is our commitment to “turn metal into wood.” Over the years, we have been working with the nonprofit Trees for the Future, and thanks to Displate collectors, together we have planted more than 19 million trees around the world.

PI: What type of licensed Displates are available for your fans?

BS: With more than 220 active licenses, we cover almost every aspect of pop culture: video games, TV shows, movies, music, you name it. Some of our most popular licensed collections feature official artTHEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 57

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SPONSORED

MERCH MAKERS distribution is here in the U.S., this year’s SDCC is really our “coming-out party” in America. There are thousands of pop-culture enthusiasts that still haven’t heard of Displate, so getting our metal posters in front of the fans at SDCC was my No. 1 goal when joining the company. I am fortunate in that I have a relationship with SDCC that goes back a long way, and we were able to get space on the floor. Now, we plan to make the most of it!

We will be showcasing posters from some of our biggest licensing partners at the show and will also display some SDCC exclusives (Don’t worry, they’ll also be available online for a limited time!).

Having been an SDCC attendee for decades myself, I know that carrying around a metal poster can be a pain, so you will be able to scan a QR code and have your posters shipped directly to you.

We also plan to announce some huge new licenses at SDCC. As I’m sure you know, those things can come down to the last minute, so I can’t talk about them just yet.

PI: Looking forward toward the rest of the year — and maybe even early 2024 — what can fans expect from Displate?

Displate's metal posters make the perfect home decor. | Source: Displate

works from Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter, DC Comics, and Elden Ring. Whether you are looking for space photography from NASA or cute Hello Kitty artworks, collectible baseball posters licensed by MLB or futuristic art straight from Cyberpunk 2077 — we’ve got you covered!

What’s more: Collectors can customize their Displates by selecting the size, choosing matte or gloss finish, and adding a frame. We make growing your metal poster collection easier through the Displate Club, which you can join at any time for early access to our limited series drops, free shipping, and a bunch of other fun stuff.

BS: Luckily, Displate has most of my personal collections covered — and if we don’t have them up yet, they are coming soon! At my age, I am very much a child of the original Star Wars (Yes, I was there on May 25, 1977 – thanks, Mom!), so Star Wars is always No. 1 for me. But, as anyone who has seen my office can confirm, I collect a ton of stuff — and now, I can’t wait to finally put my hands on three of my other big collecting passions that are joining the Displate catalog really soon.

Quick tease: Willy Wonka, John Wick, and, of course, Major League Baseball, as I am a crazy baseball fan and have worked with MLB for more than 25 years!

PI: At The Pop Insider, our tagline is “fuel your fandom,” so we want to know: Which of your own personal fandom obsessions would be the dream for you to work with?

PI: This is Displate’s first year exhibiting at SDCC. What are your big plans for the show?

BS: While about 40% of Displate’s total

BS: Our main goal is growing our global Displate collector family. Right now, our client base is mostly driven by the young male gaming demographic, and while that fanbase has been incredible for us, we also aim to reach more female collectors, as well as families. We have already initiated a major launch of American sports (MLB, NHL, NCAA schools, and many more are on their way), and now we’re focused on bringing more music to Displate, with more than 100 of the world’s most popular bands and artists joining our catalog by early 2024. Who wouldn’t want to hang their favorite album art on their wall, and then swap it out for another to match the mood?

Later this year, we also aim to bring Displates to major retailers here in the U.S., so that more collectors can finally experience our metal posters firsthand.

Stay tuned for more news on that in the coming months! ✪

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NEXT-GEN NEWS

*

New ‘Barbie Color Creations’ App Takes Kids on an Artventure

The Force Is Strong with the Latest Mandalorian Toys from Hasbro Kids can help Luke Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano train Grogu with the Star Wars Mission Fleet Grogu’s Training Adventure playset ($22.99), which is based on the characters’ appearances in The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+. Designed for kids ages 4 and up, the set (pictured) comes with four action figures: Luke, Ahsoka, Grogu, and R2-D2. It also includes three lightsabers, a training droid, a spinning stand, a frog (so Grogu can have a little snack), and a backpack that kids can attach to Luke’s back for Grogu to ride around in.

Kids can also join the Bounty Hunter’s Guild with Din Djarin using the NERF Star Wars The Mandalorian Blaster ($19.99).

This blaster, designed for kids ages 8 and up, comes with 12 darts and is designed to fully embody the epic nature of the Mandalorian, featuring pictures of him in action on the sides.

Kids will be ready for a blast-off with any droids or stormtroopers that come their way. Look for both of these items in stores this summer. ✪

Mattel teamed up with StoryToys to develop Barbie Color Creations, an experience that gives kids the opportunity to express themselves with digital coloring books, a customizable art studio, and more.

The game follows narrator Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts and her friend Malibu as they paint, sketch, and design their way through the world. Players can tackle design challenges with different themes, customize their own studios, and even personalize their own characters.

The app highlights a variety of characters with different body sizes, skin tones, abilities, and backgrounds. Barbie Color Creations is compatible with Apple and Android devices and available to download for free now on the App Store and Google Play. It is appropriate for kids ages 4 and up, and made with kids ages 6-8 in mind. ✪

Furby Makes the Comeback of the Year for the Toy’s 25th Anniversary The phenomenon from Hasbro that took over the world in 1998 has returned just in time for its 25th anniversary. Recommended for kids ages 6 and up, Furby is an interactive toy that features five voice-activated modes and more than 600 responses, including lights, sounds, and 10 unique songs.

The new Furby responds to hugs, pats, belly tickles, shaking, and feeding of its pretend pizza charm. The next era of the cute, cool, and weird Furby is available now on Amazon and major retailers for $69.99. As Furby would say, “Dah-no-lah” (Party time!). ✪ ON THE COVER: Little Sleepies Grogu & Friends Matching Family Pajamas made from LunaLuxe Bamboo, available at littlesleepies.com | Source: Little Sleepies

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D

o you ever feel like today’s kids don’t get to enjoy the same quality of TV you had growing up? I mean, no one can argue the inexplicable satisfaction of watching Jerry evade Tom time after time, or the heartwarming feeling of seeing Superman save all of mankind.

Fortunately, parents can now share their love for the DC heroes and villains with whom they grew up with their preschoolers in the new kids’ series Batwheels.

Plus, behind every great superhero — or villain — there’s a really cool car.

Batman stories have taken on several forms over the years, from comic book crusades to live-action adventures, but in this series, Warner Bros. Animation brings an iconic element of the Dark Knight’s universe to the forefront: the Batmobile.

And these new stories are for a younger audience than Batman’s typical fanbase.

Batwheels is an animated show that tells the story of a relatable group of sentient crime-smashing vehicles that save Gotham City. The preschool series chronicles the adventures of the do-gooding team led by Bam the Batmobile. In

the show, the Bat Family’s vehicles are brought to life by the Batcomputer, and since those vehicles were newly created, they are essentially kids — with little to no life experience. Characters like Bibi (Batgirl’s cycle), Redbird (Robin’s sports car), Batwing (Batman’s jet plane), and Buff (Bat Truck) must navigate growing pains while completing heroic adventures as a new kind of super-squad.

As one can imagine, Batwheels has taken kids’ entertainment by the wheel.

Already renewed for a second season, it became Cartoon Network’s No. 1 original preschool series with boys ages 2-5 following its premiere in 2022 and is the No. 1 original preschool show on Max. The success of Batwheels has cumulated in several licensing deals that bring Batwheels-inspired merch to little ones.

Ranging from apparel to’books, kids can fully immerse themselves in the world of These Batwheels T-shirts from The DC Shop were designed in partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to depict the best parts of the show for fans.

Source : The DC Shop

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A collection of titles from Penguin Random House explores the series’ themes through kid-friendly language, light text, and short page counts.

Source: Penguin Random House

Bam and his crew and flaunt their fandom from anywhere. Samantha Bushy, senior vice president and head of global e-commerce for Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences, recounts designing the Batwheels T-shirts for The DC Shop with the show’s pint-size fans in mind. “We knew from the start that Bam and his fellow crime-fighting vehicles should be front and center on any collection,” Bushy explains. “The vibrant colors and fun designs created by the team at Warner Bros. Animation translate perfectly to apparel, and we really wanted to play around with that.”

The DC Shop is packed with colorful T-shirts adorned with bright graphics of fan-favorite characters. Each shirt is enhanced with kid-approved shades of vibrant blues and greens, some even feature fun phrases like “Time for Action” and “Ready to Roll.”

And while the heroes take the spotlight, you can’t have good guys without a couple of baddies for them to take down.

Bushy believes representing both the villains and heroes of Batwheels in the first apparel collection is a good way to appeal to kids who have favorite characters in both groups. “In addition to Bam, we know fans love the DC Super-Villains, so it was a no-brainer that this first collection should feature the Legion of Zoom, the team of vehicles belonging to Batman’s Rogues Gallery,” Bushy says.

Kids who want the Batwheels adventures to continue off-screen can explore Penguin Random House’s collection of kids’ books that dive into all of the action-packed themes explored in the series with kid-friendly language, light text, and short page counts. The books were created alongside Warner Bros.

Animation and DC to include the most engaging materials possible for little ones, explains Dennis Shealy, editorial director at Penguin Random House.

“We launched with an original picture

book called Lucky Wheels as a way to introduce Bam and the other Batwheels characters,” Shealy says.

“It was authored by one of the show’s writers, Andrew Guastaferro, and he really brought his feel for the characters and the tone of the show to the book.”

And when it comes to crafting captivating stories, it’s important to go beyond the flair of the fandom. Capturing early learning and preschool themes is vital to creating well-rounded books for kids.

Lucky Wheels just does that by telling the story of Bam as he struggles to let go of his old tires that are smooth and worn out. “Anyone who is a parent or caregiver is familiar with coaxing a worn-out but beloved pair of shoes, T-shirt, or toy from a child,” Shealy explains. “So, it makes for a fun reading experience with a parent and child.”

Penguin Random House fuses exciting storytelling with fun, show-inspired graphics and early-learning themes to create compelling books for the series’ fans. The entire collection will grow to cater to all types of reading levels.

“We’ll have Batwheels board books and novelty books with short page counts and light text for the youngest fans, as well as leveled readers, activity books, and storybooks that have more text and complicated words for the older end of

the show’s audience,” Shealy explains.

As Batwheels revs its engine on its way to becoming one of the most influential kids’ series, many merch plans are still in the works. The appeal of Batwheels lies not only in its adventurous storytelling and bright graphics, but also largely in the nostalgia shared between parents and kids in seeing the same iconic characters re-imagined for a new generation. Preschoolers are finding new inspiration in the heroic ways of a group of crime-fighting vehicles created after the superheroes we all know and love. ✪

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Annabelle Canela is a contributor to The Pop Insider. When she’s not writing about her favorite toys and fandoms, she loves creating poetry, taking her puppy to the park, and chefing up new creations in her Brooklyn kitchen. You can usually catch her reading Spider-Man comic books on the subway or eating dim sum in Chinatown.

This New York City native has traveled all over the Caribbean, including to her family’s home country of Dominican Republic. Naturally, she does it all por mi gente.

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Check out the hottest toys, books, and merch for the little geeksto-be in your life.

DISNEY: THE LITTLE MERMAID POP-UP BOOK INSIGHT EDITIONS Kids can journey under the sea with this interactive pop-up book that features a new surprise on each page. The book features five giant “pops” as kids venture from King Tritan’s kingdom all the way to Prince Eric’s castle.

MSRP: $34.99 Available: Amazon, insighteditions.com

STAR TREK CRYPTIC: A PUZZLES AND PATHWAYS ADVENTURE FUNKO GAMES Climb the ranks of Starfleet and explore strange new worlds in this puzzle-filled, escape room-style game. Using your PADD as your guide, you’ll decipher subspace transmissions, discover alien civilizations, and prevent planetary disaster. Prepare to boldly go where no one has gone before!

MSRP: $34.99 | Available: Amazon

SUPER MARIO BROS. 16-INCH BACKPACK 5-PIECE SET BIOWORLD Here we go! This set includes a 16-inch backpack with zip compartments and side mesh pockets, a lunch kit, a utility case, a star power-up rubber keychain, and a carabiner to keep kids prepared for whatever the day brings, whether it’s math class or boss battles.

MSRP: $30 Available: Amazon

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Two Sizes of Fun Playable Plush!

COME EXPERIENCE WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT

NY TOY FAIR BOOTH 5653

MIRACULOUS VOLKSWAGEN E-BEETLE WITH FASHION DOLL PLAYMATES TOYS Kids can get their own version of the VW e-Beetle that made its debut in the new Miraculous movie this summer. The stylized, modern vehicle features seating for two heroes and up to five kwamis (sold separately), Ladybug wing doors that swivel and open, a flip-open sunroof, and a working trunk. It also comes with a fashion doll.

MSRP: $34.99 | Available: Amazon, Target (August)

SONIC PRIME PARADOX PRISM PMI KIDS’ WORLD Unlock a Shatterverse of new collectible figures from the world of Sonic Prime. Each Paradox Prism Capsule contains one of 16 collectible figures with its corresponding Prism shard, based on the one from Netflix original series. There are four rare figures for kids to find and collect.

MINECRAFT LEGENDS DEVOURER ACTION FIGURE MATTEL Kids can attach the mushroom spore to the 10.75-inch Devourer figure, load in the slime, and squeeze the spore to make it vomit on the included 3.25-inch-scale Ranger figure.

MSRP: $4.98 Available: Walmart exclusive (fall)

MSRP: $39.99 Available: Amazon

ZING AVATAR DEFENDER BOW ZING With this bow, kids can launch the three included suction-cup arrows more than 40 feet.

The mini arrows are soft and safe to use inside or outside and can stick to nearly any flat surface. Simply hook the arrows into the bungees, grab the end of the arrow, and fire away.

MSRP: $24.99 Available: Amazon, walmart.com, zing.store

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE — POSEABLE MARIO AND LUIGI PLUSH JAKKS PACIFIC These plush inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie feature premium details and realistic, acrylic eyes. The Mario plush is 14 inches tall, while the Luigi plush stands 15 inches tall. Each is sold separately.

MSRP: $29.99 Available: Target exclusive

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AMERICAN GIRL HOGWARTS EXPRESS TRAIN MATTEL

SQUISHMALLOWS MAYA THE ICE CREAM COOLER BAG JAZWARES This insulated cooler bag keeps you looking cool while your snacks stay cold. Featuring a summery ice cream design, the bag is easy to spot clean and folds flat if you ever feel like storing it away.

You and your AG BFF can head to Platform 9¾ to board the Hogwarts Express. The train car features functional lights and plays sound effects and music. The interior features blue woven seats that fold down to a bed, a gold storage rack, blue fabric curtains, and a red dining table.

It also comes with two reversible day-and-night window scenes, Honeydukes pretend treats, an LED lantern, a mini Quibbler, and more.

MSRP: $550 Available: americangirl.com

MY LITTLE PONY CELESTIALS ASSORTMENT BASIC FUN!

MSRP: $49.99 Available: Amazon

These new, out-of-this-world pony figures feature colorful celestial crowns on their heads that are brimming with magic. Featured in the retro My Little Pony style, each pony is uniquely designed with celestial accents and shimmering details. There are four Celestial Ponies to collect: Aurora, Nova, Polaris, and Milky Way.

MARVEL DOODLEJAMZ

MSRP: $14.99 Available: Amazon (fall)

SKY CASTLE TOYS Featuring Spider-Man (pictured), Iron Man, and Hulk, these drawing pads are filled with brightly colored gel and beads sealed inside for tactile and creative play. Each of these travel-friendly toys features a color palette that matches the featured superhero.

MSRP: $11.99 each | Available: Amazon

STRANGER THINGS: HEROES AND MONSTERS (CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE) RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS; RANDOM HOUSE BFYR Are you ready to journey to the dark side of Hawkins, Indiana? Join Eleven, Dustin, Max, Lucas, and their friends as they explore Pennhurst Asylum, the creepy old Creel house, and the Upside Down.

MSRP: $12.99 Available: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

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FIGUREKEY: PLUSH FIGURES GREAT EASTERN ENTERTAINMENT (GEE)

MY FIRST DISNEY PRINCESS STORIES: CINDERELLA PI KIDS

These plush figures come in 4.5- and 8-inch sizes and feature multiple points of articulation and PVC heads.

The patent-pending design will allow kids to pose the plush figures to re-create their favorite scenes from anime, manga, and pop-culture brands, including Jujutsu Kaisen (pictured). After the initial launch, the line will grow to feature more than 200 characters in total.

MSRP: $19.95-29.99 | Available: Hot Topic, Target

Will Cinderella go to the royal ball? My First Princess Stories, written in rhyme, are the perfect length for little ones to read before they turn into a pumpkin (or fall asleep).

The soft, padded cover makes it easy for small hands to hold.

DISNEY AROUND THE WORLD RAVENSBURGER

MSRP: $5.99 Available: mass retailers

SESAME FRIENDS THREE-LAYER QUILT COPPER PEARL Copper Pearl’s three-layer quilts are made of ultra-soft, breathable fabric with just a hint of stretch.

Babies will feel cozy all snuggled up in this blanket featuring everyone’s favorite furry friends from Sesame Street.

MSRP: $65 Available: Amazon, copperpearl.com

POKÉMON TRAINER GUESS CHAMPIONS EDITION ULTRA PRO ENTERTAINMENT Just think of a Pokémon, answer the questions, and Trainer Guess will figure out which pocket monster is on your mind.

The Champions Edition celebrates champions from Kanto to Galar and features 136 different Pokémon, each associated with a Gym Leader, an Elite Four member, or a Champion.

Players can explore the magical world of Disney as they pilot a hot air balloon.

Roll a die to see where to guide the balloon through six charming Lands and race to collect Stamps for your Passport, while watching out for the wind and clouds. The first player to collect four Stamps from four different Lands wins the game.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Amazon, specialty stores (August)

MSRP: $25 | Available: Amazon

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CLUB MOCCHIMOCCHI- PIRANHA PLANT SUPER MARIO PLUSH TOMY This mega-size, 15-inch Piranha Plant is perfect for little Mario fans. This extra-squishy plush works for snuggles and bedtime or doubles as fun pop culture-inspired decor.

MSRP: $34.99 Available: Amazon

SUSHI GO! SPIN SUM FOR DIM SUM GAMEWRIGHT This game challenges players to collect the best combination of dishes from the Spin Table. Each dish scores in a unique way. Collect menu items from the basket in front of you or use your Chopstick tokens to rotate the Spin Table and choose a different dish. The player with the highest score after everyone has 12 total dishes wins the game.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Target exclusive

LEGO DISNEY THE LITTLE MERMAID STORYBOOK THE LEGO GROUP Based on the live-action movie The Little Mermaid, this playset features three areas: Ursula’s lair with a folding shell throne, Prince Eric’s library with a hidden book and map, and Ariel’s cave with a revolving statue and key.

MSRP: $19.99 Available: Amazon, Target, lego.com

“DEAR MR. POTTER” (YOUTH & PRESCHOOL) RSVLTS Kids can fulfill their magical destiny in this soft and stretchy RSVLTS button-down that features the blizzard of acceptance letters Harry Potter received from Hogwarts. Owl delivery not included.

MSRP: $39 (preschool); $45 (youth) | Available: rsvlts.com

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by Madeleine Buckley, senior editor

“YOU’RE DOING A STORY ABOUT TROLLS WHO GAME WALMART AND BUY STUFF, STEAL IT, AND RETURN THE BOX WITH OTHER STUFF?” That question, posed by The Loyal Subjects Founder and CEO Jonathan Cathey, may be phrased for comedic effect, but it succinctly and accurately describes a practice known within the collector community as “figure swapping.”

And yes, Jonathan, we are.

Figure swapping, in more specific terms, is when someone removes an action figure or an action figure component from its packaging, then puts a cheaper, less desirable one in its place. Some of these swaps take place directly in the toy aisle. Other times, a swapper will purchase a figure, complete the swap, and then return the fake to get their money back.

There is no official data available about this practice because it is basically impossible to track. However, at least anecdotally, most collectors have encountered a figure swap before or are at least aware of them taking place.

At a surface level, this version of shoplifting may seem a bit perplexing, especially because toys are a non-necessity and because adults are the ones doing this. One New York City-based collector, who prefers to be identified by his Instagram handle, @swapthefig, has been collecting since he was a kid and sees swaps frequently. “I’d like to say little 10-year-old Johnny is fucking the system, but he’s really not,” he says. “It’s his dad.”

For collectors like @swapthefig or toy photographer Eric Hill (@heatfour on Instagram), the impact of figure swapping is primarily one of annoyance

Figure swapping is when someone removes an action figure or an action figure component from its packaging, then puts a cheaper, less desirable one in its place.

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Both of these boxes (left) have figures of Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart, but neither of them are actually the correct WWE Ultimate Edition figure (right). This makes it even harder to spot a swap at first glance. | Source: Action Figure Swap Outs (Facebook)/Mattel

and frustration. Some collectors or “toy hunters” specifically prefer to shop in stores instead of online, and the chance of finding the right box but the wrong figure can be disappointing.

“Is there anything worse than thinking you finally found the figure you were searching for, only to pull it off the shelf and see it’s not the correct figure in the box?” Hill asks. “I personally had this happen to me at a Toys ‘R’ Us when I was searching for a Mandalorian figure. Trust me, I was not happy at the Clone Trooper staring back at me.”

Also, as @swapthefig explains, these unbought, unwanted collectibles take up room on the shelf that the store won’t fill with the figures that collectors actually hope to purchase.

“It’s not the major toy companies being like, ‘Oh, because of figure swapping, we’re not producing this or that.’ So it’s hard to see an effect on the industry,” he says. “But it definitely affects the collectors. Because the problem is that if you have stock that sits on the shelf for X period of time, the retailer’s not going to buy new stock. They’re not going to restock on stuff like that.”

Joey Rodriguez, who has been collecting Marvel Legends figures for more

than 14 years, says he has seen as many as 16 swaps in one store before. And while he notes the same annoyance as other collectors, he says the real impact of swapping is on those who aren’t avid collectors. Parents or grandparents who are buying a toy for a kid, for example, could unwittingly bring home the wrong character, fake accessories, or a figure of lesser value.

“At least the collector comes across a swap and passes over,” Rodriguez says.

“But a normal, random person who’s not a collector coming across it? That really could screw them up. They could waste their money. And toys aren’t cheap.”

BUT THEY’RE JUST TOYS Toys certainly aren’t cheap and, when reflecting on why some people participate in figure swapping, the high cost of collecting is what @swapthefig pointed to as a major cause.

He specifically noted the cost of Hasbro’s Marvel Legends figures increasing twice in the past year, first from $19.99 to $22.99, then to $24.99.

“You got six, seven figures in a wave, so you’re spending nearly $200 on a new set of figures. I get it,” he says. “I don’t condone it, but I get it.”

And while these articulated pieces of plastic aren’t imperative to survival in the way that food or clothing is, The Loyal Subjects’ Cathey says that collecting and fan culture can become all-consuming for a small percentage of the community.

“For some, that is just the center of their universe. Comic books, games, toys, Marvel,” he says. “They don’t see outside that microcosm and it becomes sort of like an obsession. So I think it’s more compulsion, obsession. And it’s probably 0.001% that do it, by the way.”

Because of this compulsion and the idea of collectors wanting to form complete waves and sets, Rodriguez says that it’s most common to see swaps in multi-packs or figures with a Build-A-Figure component. He says those who only want one of the figures or that specific component will swap to avoid paying for the figure or figures they don’t want.

“So they get what they want and they didn’t pay for it on top of it,” he says. “And they think that’s sticking it to the company. Like, ‘That’s what you get for putting something in a three-pack knowing everyone only wants the one,’ or whatever. And it’s that kind of mentality that some people have — thinking they’re just getting one over on the big man.”

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Another way that some collectors use swapping to save money? Buying a higher- and a lower-end version of the same character, swapping them, and then returning the higher-end version.

This means they can get a deluxe figure for the price of a standard figure, and the swap becomes even harder for shoppers to notice. “Again, that would really confuse people,” Rodriguez explains.

“It’s the same thing, but it’s not. The articulation’s all different. The sculpts are different. The likenesses are different. Still a really big problem.”

For others, figure swapping is a way of making some easy cash. As @swapthefig explains, someone can go buy 10 figures on eBay or from a clearance bin for $10 each, then flip them for $25 each by figure swapping them.

All of this has driven some collectors, including @swapthefig, to shop primarily online. However, even that isn’t always a foolproof option.

Figure swapping is also an issue for Amazon shoppers. Rodriguez, who previously worked at Amazon, says that people can easily swap the figure they bought online, put other things in the box, and return it under the false

pretense that the item was broken. Then Amazon will sell the item as “used” at a discount, and the next buyer will receive whatever the original buyer put in the box. For this reason, Rodriguez encourages collectors to avoid buying used figures on Amazon, no matter how tempting the discount may be.

ECO-FRIENDLY = SWAP FRIENDLY Hasbro’s pivot to plastic-free, windowless packaging made this practice even easier to pull off. While Rodriguez isn’t sure that plastic-free packing increased the number of figure swaps, he says those boxes make it much harder to detect a swap. “Me, when I was working at Amazon, if I had a windowless package Marvel Legend, I’m not going to open the box and see what’s in there,” he says.

The windowless packaging has certainly been deeply intertwined with figure swapping since its inception. Upon Hasbro’s decision to remove all plastic, fans and experts alike raised concerns about the effect on figure swapping. Perhaps nothing encapsulates this better than a video by YouTuber Sentry, which is titled “How EASY is it to Swap Out Marvel Legends with the NEW Windowless Packag-

Swapping the Red Dark Phoenix figure (right) required removing and replacing the plastic bubble from the cardboard without causing obvious damage. | Source: Hasbro/Action Figure Swap Outs (Facebook)

ing?” The video has amassed more than 7,500 views at the time of publication and, while the description starts with “I do not condone Action Figure Swapping,” the video’s content demonstrates just how easy it is to perform a swap.

PLAYING THE BLAME GAME So who is responsible for fixing the figure swap problem? That’s where things start to get a bit more confusing. Collectors seem to agree that it isn’t on the manufacturers who create the action figures because the collectibles are literally out of their hands by the time they reach store shelves.

“Hasbro made their money when they sold to Target, to Amazon, to whoever,” Rodriguez says. “So Hasbro doesn’t care once it leaves them. I don’t mean that in a negative way. I think they made the product and it’s not their fault that someone is stealing their product. It’s 100% on the consumer who is stealing the product.”

That isn’t to say that companies like Hasbro aren’t aware of the problem. While the company declined to comment for this piece (as did Target and Walmart), the Marvel Legends team has acknowledged figure swapping during some of its fan-focused livestreams.

According to a spokesperson for McFarlane Toys, the company hasn’t received enough feedback about figure swapping to consider it an issue. However, a spokesperson for the brand says that “Figure swapping is harmful not only to manufacturers and retail partners, but also ultimately ruins the joy of collecting for other consumers. When someone purchases a McFarlane figure, there is an expectation of quality. When a lower quality or subpar figure is swapped for one of ours, it wrongly associates us with that product or disappoints the next consumer who unknowingly purchases it.”

The Loyal Subjects’ Cathey, whose company produces BST AXN and Action Vinyl figures, says he saw figure swaps quite frequently in returned pallets of Action Vinyls, which often came in mystery box packaging. He doesn’t blame the specific retail workers who miss the swaps, either. “Does Jimmy who works THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 75

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Whoever swapped these Aqualad and Aquaman figures (center) had a sense of humor, replacing DC's Aquaman with Marvel's water-dwelling Namor. | Source: McFarlane Toys/Action Figure Swap Outs (Facebook)

WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO?

"Does Jimmy who works for 15, 14 bucks an hour at Walmart care? No ...

He's not the toy police."

— Jonathan Cathey, The Loyal Subjects

for 15, 14 bucks an hour at Walmart care?

No. He’s thinking about, ‘When can I get off and go smoke some weed?’ He’s not the toy police,” Cathey says. “It’s really not a manufacturer problem and it’s really a customer problem. Just be grown up.

Just behave.”

However, it’s clear that some fans simply won’t behave. So what, if anything, can curb figure swapping in stores? Some fans, like @swapthefig and Rodriguez, have taken matters into their own hands, documenting the swaps on social media pages. The @swapthefig Instagram profile has amassed more than 10,000 followers, and the collector behind the page is sitting on years’ worth of photo submissions from collectors. Rodriguez has been an administrator for the Facebook page Action Figure Swap Outs for about five years. The page has more than 2,600 followers and a steady flow of community submissions.

Generally, these social media spaces are meant to highlight the issue and inform collectors that it is happening.

However, that isn’t stopping the swaps.

For some collectors, the solution is shopping exclusively from online retailers like Big Bad Toy Store or Entertainment Earth.

Others suggest tamper-proof packaging, but figure swappers are savvy. (There have been documented swaps of figures that are packaged in a plastic bubble on a cardboard back.)

Other possible solutions include lock-

ing collectibles behind glass, creating a system that can track shoppers who make an unusual number of returns, and somehow making it easier for retail employees to see what is supposed to be inside the packaging of returns. According to @swapthefig, Target has taken a step in this direction. He saw a new pop-up system in action that shows the employees what every scanned return is supposed to look like. He also approved of a new system from NECA, which offers a tag on the store pegs instead of a figure. Shoppers bring that to the register, pay, and then redeem the figure from NECA. Despite these promising steps, the lack of centralized responsibility for figure swapping — along with the fact that it doesn’t seem to have a significant cost for manufacturers or retailers — makes it seem unlikely that the practice will ever stop entirely. Figure swappers have been around for decades, and they will likely keep making the toy hunt harder for fellow collectors and toy lovers.

As Cathey puts it, again quite succinctly, “They get the milk from the cow and then they return the cow. And then they ask the seller of the cow to pay them for the milk.” ✪

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Spruce up your collection and make waves this summer with the latest officially licensed merch.

SAILOR MOON MINI BACKPACK

LIKE MY FATHER BEFORE ME

BIGWAN APPAREL CO.

RSVLTS

This chibi-style mini backpack is the cutest faux leather bag in the galaxy. It features an image of Sailor Moon herself, complete with her iconic pigtails hanging off to the sides. The main compartment is spacious enough for necessities like your phone and wallet, while the outer zippered pocket gives you a little extra room for your Transformation Brooch.

Be the best-dressed Star Wars fan on the planet with this epic, soft and stretchy RSVLTS button-down, which showcases the final clash between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader under the watchful eyes of the Emperor.

MSRP: $44.99 | Available: FUN.com

MSRP: $70 Available: rsvlts.com

MARVEL ANIMATED STYLE SHE-HULK STATUE DIAMOND SELECT TOYS/ GENTLE GIANT Lawyers have never been so adorable. This 5-inch-tall She-Hulk statue is based on the Marvel cover artwork by Skottie Young.

Featuring a wide smile, She-Hulk rests atop a black base and comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box.

MSRP: $50 Available: diamondselecttoys.com

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SECRETLAB GAME OF THRONES COLLECTION TITAN EVO EDITION CHAIRS SECRETLAB Pledge allegiance to house Stark, Targaryen, or Lannister with the officially licensed Secretlab Game of Thrones gaming chairs. Each chair is designed with house crests and mottos so that you can reign over your setup with science-backed, ergonomic features and powerful customization to suit your every need during battle.

MSRP: $474-644 | Available: secretlab.co

TOWER OF BARAD DUR MINI ENVIRONMENT

PEANUTS SNOOPY MLB BOBBLEHEAD COLLECTION

WĒTĀ WORKSHOP

FOCO

Fans can add the Tower of Barad Dur Mini Environment to the Tower of Orthanc (sold separately) to complete their Two Tower set.

Digitally sculpted by 3D artist Bawal Saggi, the tower is made from high-quality polystone with meticulous detail and includes the menacing Eye of Sauron.

Get ready to hit the Sunday comics with FOCO’s Peanuts Shop. Grab a Snoopy bobblehead now and come back later this year for additional Peanuts characters. These lovable cartoon characters come in bobbleheads, bobbles, figures, figurines, and statues for any sports fan, whether they prefer MLB, NFL, NBA, or college sports.

MSRP: $99.99 Available: Big Bad Toy Store, Entertainment Earth, wetanz.com

MSRP: $65 | Available: foco.com

STAR WARS COLLECTION BLANKETS SANDCLOUD These sand-resistant blankets are made from Turkish organic cotton in a single jacquard weave and feature twisted tassels. They come in Force (pictured), Commander, Dark vs. Light, Lightsaber, and Lightsaber Sunrise designs.

MSRP: $54-104 Available: sandcloud.com

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NEOPETS AOP HOODIE & JOGGERS CAKEWORTHY Stay cozy while you snuggle up to spin the Wheel of Excitement. The Neopets x Cakeworthy hoodie and joggers feature fan-favorite Neopets, including Ixi, Kougra, Chia, Acara, and more. Each piece is sold separately.

MSRP: $44.95-54.95 Available: cakeworthystore.com, neopetsshop.com

TOCA BOCA APPAREL COLLECTION SPIN MASTER Now fans can show off their admiration for Toca Boca IRL. The Toca Boca fan merchandise collection includes apparel, accessories, and collectibles.

MSRP: $9.99-49.99 | Available: tocabocashop.com

POKÉMON SUMMER DAYS POOL FLOATS THE POKÉMON CO. Float across the pool or splash along the shore with your favorite characters. Choose from Magikarp (pictured), Mantyke, Psyduck, Snorlax, Pikachu, and Wailord.

MSRP: $29.99-59.99 Available: pokemoncenter.com

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY GROOT STUDS GIRLS CREW Your favorite Flora colossus is now available as a quirky and charming set of stud earrings. In this delightfully mismatched pair, one earring showcases a potted Groot, complete with brown stone eyes and an emerald green stone pot, while the other depicts a standing Groot with the same adorable brown eyes.

MSRP: $48 | Available: shopgirlscrew.com

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GEN CON THE GAMER TAROT CARD T-SHIRT ROLLACRIT Yes, we see lots of dice in your future — but will they be in your favor?

That is for the fates to decide. The Gen Con The Gamer Tarot Card T-Shirt embodies the cycle of dice-throwing luck.

We can’t guarantee a positive reading, but the card is right side up.

MSRP: $30 | Available: rollacrit.com

LEGO SUPER MARIO DONKEY KONG’S TREE HOUSE EXPANSION SET THE LEGO GROUP The buildable, colorful jungle and tree house set is packed with authentic details to delight Donkey Kong fans, including a TV, a radio, and a secret compartment. Kids can use the LEGO Mario, Luigi, or Peach figures from other LEGO Super Mario sets (not included) to ride on Donkey Kong’s back, nap in the hammock, knock off a banana from the palm tree for Donkey Kong, play the conga drums, visit Cranky Kong, and more to earn digital coin rewards.

MSRP: $59.99 | Available: lego.com (Aug. 1)

DEMON SLAYER ACTION FIGURE COLLECTIBLES (ANIME) MCFARLANE TOYS These 5- and 7-inch-scale action figures and 12-inch-scale statues depict fan-favorite characters from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Available now, the first wave includes Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado (pictured), Zenitsu Agatsuma, Muzan Kibutsuji, and Giyu Tomioka. Additional characters will be available later this summer.

MSRP: $9.99-39.99 Available: major retailers

MY LITTLE PONY MINI WAFFLE MAKER UNCANNY BRANDS Add a touch of friendship and fun to your morning routine with this mini waffle maker. The hinged lid features a colorful retro design. It’s compact, easy to use, and easy to clean. Fans can even go beyond the waffle to make single-serve eggs, brownies, cakes, quesadillas, or sandwiches.

MSRP: $27.99 | Available: Amazon, BoxLunch, Hot Topic, Macy’s

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CATAN — THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK ULYSSES PRESS

DIAMOND ART CLUB X MARVEL STUDIOS COLLABORATION DIAMOND ART CLUB Creative fans will appreciate this specially curated selection of iconic heroes and villains in nine designs, including Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Loki, Deadpool, and more. Showing each character in action, each Diamond Art Club project draws inspiration from famous Marvel moments from the comics and films. Assembled with vibrantly colored rhinestones and a technique similar to both cross-stitching and paint-bynumbers, these glimmering works of art are perfect display pieces once complete.

All Catanians need a good meal to fuel up before they can build cities and roads and negotiate trades. From appetizers to feasts, this cookbook includes easy-tomake recipes inspired by the game, like Over-Knight Oats, Chicken Under a Brick, Robber’s Discard Delight, and more.

MSRP: $29.95 | Available: ulysses.oygdev.com (September)

WINX CLUB COMIC FAIRIES T-SHIRT HOT TOPIC We are the Winx, come join the club!

Step into the Alfea College for Fairies in style with this Winx Club T-shirt, featuring tonal prints of Bloom, Aisha, Tecna, Musa, Stella, and Flora in fragmented panels inspired by a comic book design.

MSRP: $23.90 | Available: hottopic.com

MSRP: $54.99-74.99 Available: Amazon, JoAnn, diamondartclub.com

HASBRO MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES STAR-LORD PREMIUM ELECTRONIC ROLE PLAY HELMET HASBRO Blast into intergalactic action with the 1:1-scale reproduction of Star-Lord’s helmet as it appears throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Featuring movie-accurate sculpting and detailing across the helmet, fans can trigger the film-inspired light and sound effects while battling the galaxy’s greatest foes.

MSRP: $131.99 Available: major retailers

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DISNEY DOORABLES DISNEY100 CELEBRATION OF WONDER SET JUST PLAY Behind the Disney studio door, kids can find 20 characters — 15 exclusive and five mystery figures — all featuring a platinum-hued finish. The collection includes both classic characters and modern-day favorites. Each figure stands approximately 1.5 inches tall and features stylized detailing with sparkly glitter eyes. The set also features a shimmery, metallic mouse-ear display that fans can use to show off the collection.

STITCH SUMMER ’23 ASSORTMENT POPSOCKETS These weird but cute Lilo & Stitch PopSockets will have you feeling like it’s summer in Hawaii.

Fans can choose from Lilo & Stitch Enamel Suns Out or Lilo & Stitch Tidepool Surfboard Stitch, which also comes in a MagSafe version.

MSRP: $25-45 Available: Amazon, popsockets.com

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS PATCHES

MSRP: $49.99 | Available: Amazon (fall)

NARUTO 1:24-SCALE HOLLYWOOD RIDES 2009 NISSAN GT-R DIE-CAST VEHICLE WITH NARUTO FIGURE JADA TOYS Hollywood Rides dips into the anime scene with the 2009 Nissan GT-R. This 100% die-cast vehicle is perfect for display, complete with doors, a hood, and a trunk that all open.

MSRP: $24.99 Available: Entertainment Earth

ATA-BOY Get ready to level up your style with these embroidered, iron-on patches. With intricate designs featuring iconic images from the game, these patches will add a touch of personality to your jackets, backpacks, hats, and more. Easy to apply and built to last, these patches are the perfect way to show off your love for Dungeons & Dragons.

MSRP: $5.99 Available: Amazon

STRANGER THINGS PLAYING CARDS THEORY11 Full of iconic characters and Easter eggs from the series, these playing cards will take you on a journey through the Upside Down. The outer packaging features holographic, embossed, red and silver foil. The cards are made in the U.S. and printed on FSC-certified paper derived from sustainable forests, using vegetable-based inks and starch-based laminates.

MSRP: $12.95 Available: store.theory11.com

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SUPERNATURAL’S FIRST BLADE PARAGON FX GROUP Made by Cain and used to kill his brother, The First Blade is one of the strongest weapons in Supernatural. Prior to the removal of The Mark, the First Blade was capable of killing any being — knights of hell and angels alike. This prop replica is limited to 300 pieces.

MSRP: $299.99 | Available: Big Bad Toy Store, Monsters in Motion, Secret Compass, Sideshow

MEGA POKÉMON MOTION CHARIZARD MATTEL Feel the heat with this 1,664-piece, buildable Charizard.

Turn the crank to watch Charizard move back and forth as its wings flap and the lava flows. Charizard’s wings, legs, arms, tail, and head are all poseable, and the base includes interchangeable name plates for varied display options.

MSRP: $139.99 | Available: Big Bad Toy Store, Target

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D&D PRINTED TEE, POLOS, AND HOODIES — DUNGEON MASTER’S GUIDE FREENY’S HIDDEN DISSECTIBLES: ONE PIECE LADIES SERIES MIGHTY JAXX INTERNATIONAL Artist Jason Freeny introduces his signature half-and-half dissected art style to the mighty women of One Piece, showing their resilience down to the bone. From Nico Robin’s fearsome fighting skills to Kozuki Hiyori’s incredible mental fortitude, these figures capture the essence of One Piece’s formidable female characters.

ULTRA PRO ENTERTAINMENT Make every day an adventure with these Dungeons & Dragons printed logo T-shirts, polos, and hoodies. Made from 100% combed and ringspun cotton, each machine-washable shirt features a graphic print of cover art from the Dungeon Master’s Guide inside the Dungeons & Dragons logo, making it the perfect wardrobe piece for wielding a mighty axe, channeling arcane magic, or just relaxing at home while planning out your next campaign.

MSRP: $25-60 | Available: mtgproshop.com

MSRP: $15 | Available: Amazon, Hot Topic, Zavvi

FRIENDS ARTISANAL COFFEES CENTRAL PERK COFFEE CO. Check out what’s brewing for Friends fans and coffee lovers everywhere. The “Oh.My.GAWD!” cold brew blend is named after Janice’s signature phrase and offers a mixture of notes of chocolate, butterscotch, citrus, and molasses. As Central Perk Coffee Co.’s first decaf blend, “Moo Point” offers those looking for a light boost a drink that’s 99.7% caffeine free. The “Gunther!” espresso blend, named after our favorite barista, features a smoky, caramel taste.

MSRP: $16.99 | Available: centralperk.com

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: THE ULTIMATE POP-UP BOOK INSIGHT EDITIONS Traverse the land of Faerûn in a 3D experience.

Featuring pop-up artistry and original illustrations, this book gives fans an opportunity to experience the world of Dungeons & Dragons in a unique way — from lands such as Waterdeep and Icewind Dale to creatures like mind flayers and dragons.

MSRP: $85 | Available: Amazon, Insight Editions

PLAYMOBIL MAGNUM, P.I. FERRARI 308 GTS QUATTROVALVOLE 71343 PLAYMOBIL Private detective Thomas Magnum darts across Hawaii in his red Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, solving criminal cases in the 1980s crime series Magnum, P.I. Now, you can have your own model of the car, along with Thomas Magnum, T.C., Rick, and Higgins figures. In addition to hinged headlights in the front and an opening hood in the rear, the Ferrari has a removable roof.

MSRP: $79.99 | Available: playmobil.us (Aug. 25)

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ARTFX J VASH THE STAMPEDE (TRIGUN STAMPEDE VER.) KOTOBUKIYA Feared as “The Humanoid Typhoon,” the legendary gunman with a bounty of $6 million joins Kotobukiya’s ARTFX J lineup. The Vash the Stampede figure from Trigun Stampede features his cybernetic arm that strikes the perfect balance between robotics and elegance, his gun, and removable sunglasses.

MSRP: $199.99 Available: sideshow.com (preorder)

DC VILLIANS – THE JOKER 1 OZ SILVER COIN NEW ZEALAND MINT Crafted from pure silver, The Joker coin features a colored portrait of the agent of chaos on a background complete with illustrations of the villain’s appearances in DC comics. Each coin comes in a clear acrylic capsule within a DC-themed collector’s box, has a unique serial number printed on the back, and includes a certificate of authenticity.

SPECIAL EDITION SUMMER DISNEY BAG CHARMS BAUBLEBAR This collection of summer-themed Disney Bag Charms adds a touch of Disney style wherever you go. Fans can choose from Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy, each with beach-inspired colors and details, such as a surf board, a Hawaiian shirt, bathing suits, and more.

MSRP: $78 | Available: baublebar.com

MSRP: $109 Available: nzmint.com

JURASSIC PARK NANO HOLLYWOOD RIDES DIORAMA WITH TWO 1.65-INCH-SCALE VEHICLES JADA TOYS Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park with this Nano Hollywood Rides Nano Scene, featuring two 1.65-inch, nano-scale vehicles from the film: a Jeep Wrangler and a Ford Explorer. The detailed diorama captures the iconic scene at the Jurassic Park gate.

MSRP: $24.99 Available: jadanextlevel.com

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IRREGULAR CHOICE X JUSTICE LEAGUE IRREGULAR CHOICE Irregular Choice’s new unisex collection of boots, heels, trainers, and bags adds super style to your look. The collection features light-up bat emblems, billowing capes, retro-inspired platforms, and more.

MSRP: $45-362 | Available: irregularchoice.com

INSPECTOR GADGET FIGURE

BITTY POP: DC — BATMAN

ABYSTYLE STUDIO

Holy small collectibles, Batman! This four-pack of Bitty Pop! collectibles includes 0.9-inch-tall versions of Batman, Robin, Scarecrow, and a mystery figure. Fans could discover Hyper Rare Robot Batman, Hyper Rare Batman Beyond, Rare Catwoman, or Rare The Penguin hidden inside. Bitty Pops! come in hard acrylic cases with detachable bottom lids, which double as bases for the figures.

This 6.7-inch Inspector Gadget SFC Figure is 1:10 scale and features the lovable lawman in his trench coat and hat, complete with a magnifying glass.

MSRP: $34.99 Available: FYE, Hot Topic, Spencer’s

FUNKO

MSRP: $15 | Available: Amazon, Big Bad Toy Store, Entertainment Earth

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FLAUNT YOUR FANDOM

THE FASTEST HUNK OF JUNK IN THE GALAXY

ADD SOME PEP TO YOUR STEP

STAR WARS MILLENNIUM FALCON WATCH FROM CITIZEN

CLASSIC LISA FRANK UNICORN SLIDES FROM CROCS

Just like the starship it’s inspired by, this timepiece is full of surprises beneath its hull, including digital time, day, date, and temperature readings.

These Crocs are anything but boring. Splattered with rainbows and unicorns that scream Lisa Frank, they are available in taffy pink or arctic blue styles.

MSRP: $475 Available: citizenwatch.com

MSRP: $59.99 | Available: Crocs, DSW, Foot Locker

It’s time to shed some layers and let your fandom flag fly with these summer wardrobe picks. or compiled by Jackie Cucco, senior edit

BIKINI BOTTOM BEST

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS PATRICK SWIM TRUNKS FROM HOT TOPIC Be the star of any beach day in these swim trunks, which feature the same design Patrick wears in SpongeBob SquarePants.

They have a mesh lining, hip pockets, a back pocket, and an elastic drawstring waistband.

MSRP: $32.90 Available: Hot Topic

PRETTY IN PAISLEY

HELLO KITTY LARGE TRAVEL DUFFEL BAG FROM VERA BRADLEY Hello Kitty peeks out between Vera Bradley’s iconic paisley swirls on this cotton duffel bag, perfect for weekend getaways.

It has both interior and exterior pockets and a detachable shoulder strap.

MSRP: $140 Available: Vera Bradley

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THIS SHIRT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM

LIVE LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

FAST & FURIOUS FLAME MINI CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK FROM DUMBGOOD Channel the street style of Fast & Furious’ finest with this mini backpack featuring metal F&F lettering and a metallic flame applique.

INDIANA JONES “ADVENTURE AWAITS” SHIRT FROM RSVLTS

MSRP: $38 Available: dumbgood.com

You don’t have to think twice about choosing wisely when you button up this roper shirt that features one of the most iconic moments in movie history: Indiana Jones escaping a rolling boulder.

MSRP: $72 | Available: rsvlts.com

LIFE, UH, FINDS A WAY

UNIVERSAL JURASSIC PARK MINI FOXY CAMI DRESS FROM TORRID Dinosaurs are versatile creatures. With this dress, you can take them to the beach or dress them up for a night out on Isla Nublar.

MSRP: $65.90 | Available: Torrid

TICKET TO PARADISE

THE WHITE LOTUS RESORT & SPA PLUSH ROBE FROM HBO SHOP You know you’ve made it when you can spend the night at a White Lotus Resort & Spa. This luxe hotel robe will make you feel like you’ve extended your stay indefinitely.

MSRP: $84.95 Available: shop.hbo.com

ALONG CAME A SPIDER

MARVEL SPIDER-MAN MILES MORALES COLOR BLOCKED BOMBER JACKET FROM BOXLUNCH Build your superhero wardrobe with this BoxLunch exclusive that features snap buttons, pockets, embroidered spider web details, and a circular Miles Morales patch on the sleeve.

MSRP: $79.90 | Available: BoxLunch

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RETAIL RUNDOWN

T

here are few things more magical than a bookstore.

That rush of adrenaline as the doors open, catapulting you into aisles filled with unread tales you can take home for a cozy afternoon of reading. And although it’s true that books are the star of the show at these classic establishments, there’s something uniquely special about seeing your favorite characters outside of the pages and in the palm of your hand.

Although everyone has their favorite house of books, Barnes & Noble is a goto for millions, and much of that success is due to its growing collectibles section.

Rather than pigeon-holing itself with only books, Barnes & Noble expanded its stock into adult collectibles, marrying the literary world with artists’ imagination of what characters might look like in real life.

But the bookstore certainly didn’t begin by selling collectibles. According to Jackie DeLeo, chief marketing officer at Barnes & Noble, the company was launched in the 1870s as a small book-

store. Barnes & Noble was later acquired

by Leonard Regio, who merged his own bookstores with Barnes & Noble and created the first superstore bookstore (Anyone else getting You've Got Mail vibes?). In the 1970s, Barnes & Noble became the first bookstore to advertise on TV, paving the way for the company to later capitalize on pop culture merch.

The bookstore has continued to grow its influence with customers nationwide, and now boasts 600 stores in all 50 states across the U.S.

NOT A NOVEL IDEA Despite its focus on books, Barnes & Noble has always been a purveyor of on-trend products. Take e-readers, for example. The company launched its e-reader, the Nook, in 2009, keeping up with the cultural zeitgeist and following products such as Amazon’s Kindle and Apple’s iPad. “It [wasn’t] a change of focus, but continuing the focus [Barnes & Noble] always had,” DeLeo explains. “[Readers] can interact with books any

way they want to. It’s really maintaining that same commitment to being a bookstore in all of the different ways people like to read their books.”

This commitment is further reflected in the company’s decision to increase its collectibles and pop-culture sections. “We have been a bookstore that included pop culture and memorabilia, trends, and collectibles, and I think that really is what is going on in the zeitgeist,” DeLeo says. Barnes & Noble has noticeably expanded its collectibles offerings in the past few years, with stores dedicating aisles, and in some cases, entire sections, to collectibles inspired by popular franchises such as Harry Potter and various anime.

But what connects these different fandoms? They all found their beginnings as books. “Manga, anime, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones … a lot of times [these fandoms] come from books,” DeLeo explains. “We just want to include all the

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The Barnes & Noble store in Algonquin, Illinois | Source: Barnes & Noble

Uni Neue Regular 7pt font, 9pt leading

ways that people want to interact with their fandom.” Unlike other bookstores, Barnes & Noble has found a way to reach fans across every medium, connecting people through multimedia, not just printed words. “We always want to be a place where you can find something unique and different,” DeLeo says.

Although collectibles might seem

like a stark departure for book purists, DeLeo argues that these products further expand the worlds that fans have come to love. She says that when she enters someone’s house, she immediately looks at their library of books to read their spines. Knowing what books someone has chosen helps explain who they are and gives insight into their identity.

“And now, there’s so much fun merch that expands those universes, especially when it’s in-world,” DeLeo says. “[Collectibles] really show what people are excited about and in a way that they want to project to the people who visit their home.”

Especially with the rise of Zoom calls and work-from-home setups, people are finessing their backgrounds to express

by Hannah Sacks, contributor

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their interests. “I think it’s [a continuation of] the curation of bookshelves and showing your aesthetic with the merch that you have,” she says.

allowing fandoms to find their books and character merchandise in one place.”

Each season, Bandai works with Barnes & Noble corporate to figure out the best figures and collectibles to showcase on BOOKED ON A FEELING the store’s shelves.

It’s not just Barnes & Noble that’s exBarnes & Noble’s commitment to cited about the company’s foray into this collectibles has proved lucrative for the industry — collectible brands like Bandai company. “Our specialty hobby and Namco Toys & Collectibles America collectible part of [Barnes & Noble] (Bandai) have sought out the bookstore has seen double-digit growth since the as a key retailer for its products. “For pandemic,” DeLeo comments. “It is the Bandai, many of our action figures and most vibrant part of our store.” In those collectibles are based on the hottest months of lockdown, more and more manga, one of the top book genres in people were not only rediscovering their the market, allowing Barnes & Noble and love for reading, but also finding new Bandai to keep fans coming back to pick ways to bring their favorite stories to life. up the latest from their favorite properAnd although collectibles traditionally ties,” says Michael Ciminera, senior vice align with the adult market, this rise in president of the commercial team at popularity knows no age boundaries.

Bandai. “Fans love bringing their stories “We have kids sitting there cross-legged to life! Barnes & Noble makes that easier with their manga piles, getting their colby creating shopping experiences and lectibles, bringing Squishmallows home, and getting all the ways that they can show what they are excited about,” DeLeo says.

Of course, collectible trends come and go pretty quickly. With the rise of BookTok — a TikTok community passionate about books, book-related collectibles, and Barnes & Noble itself — the retailer has to work fast to remain on trend.

“We really try to buy quickly, smartly, and sometimes tightly because trends change very often,” DeLeo says. “We can be much more nimble with the way that we merchandise the store and give ownership to the store managers themselves to display anything This section at a Barnes & Noble in Brooklyn, they want to.”

New York, displays the Harry Potter books Barnes & Noble mixed with LEGO sets, Homesick Candles, has staying power Loungefly bags, and other Wizarding World merch. | Source: The Pop Insider with book lovers

Barnes and Noble sells merch based on several different anime properties, including this exclusive Jujutsu Kaizen Funko Pop! | Source: The Pop Insider

who have grown up visiting the store, but also with a younger audience. The bookstore recently worked with Warner Bros. and its licensing partners to offer additional merchandise that speaks to a new generation of Harry Potter fans. “We have this age of Harry Potter kids who now are having kids of their own,” DeLeo says. “They want different merchandise than what was available to them 20 years ago.” Barnes & Noble promises to fill that space with in-world merch that bridges this generational gap. The company will also keep up with its exclusive collectibles that consumers can’t find anywhere else.

According to DeLeo, Barnes & Noble is the largest retailer outside of Japan where fans can find collectible anime and manga memorabilia.

At its core, Barnes & Noble is in it for its fans. The company is constantly looking for new ways to connect consumers to their many fandoms, whether through words, merch, or collectibles.

It’s clear that that same bookstore magic now permeates throughout the collectibles aisles, asking readers to explore their favorite stories in a new way. ✪

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hannah Sacks is a contributor to The Pop Insider. She has also written feature pieces, trend articles, news, and product roundups for The Toy Book and The Toy Insider. When she’s not writing, she can be found with a good book and a huge plate of dumplings.

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