The "Striped Tomato" has been on my to-do list for a long time now, but for years the only option was a resin transkit that needed a fair amount of work and a lot of scratchbuilding to get right. I was cautiously optimistic when Revell announced their plans for a proper kit of it (a caution that proved correct when manufacturing delays pushed it back a year past its original planned release), but now that it's finally here I can happily say that it was well worth the wait. To see what their all-new tooling really looked like, I opted to skip nearly all modifications and do this as a box stock review.
They're Young, They're Tough, They're Super Cops!
Wednesday, October 21. 2015Press Release: Revell Inks New 3-Year Licensing Agreement with NASCAR Team Properties for Scale Models
Tuesday, October 13. 2015
Leading scale plastic model kit manufacturer Revell Inc. today announced a three-year licensing agreement with NASCAR Team Propertiesâ„¢ for production of 1:24 scale snap and glue-style plastic model kits for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ star drivers' cars.
In December, Revell will release models of Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Ford Fusion and Joey Logano's No. 22 Ford Fusion of Team Penske. Kits for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet SS and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Chevrolet SS of Hendrick Motorsports will follow in early 2016.
Those four kits will feature Revell's new SnapTite® Max™ model design for modelers ages 8 and up, each with 25-30 pre-decorated snap-together pieces that simplify the model building experience in order to engage a new generation in the hobby.
Paint-and-glue model kits of four more cars fielded by NASCAR® teams will be added to the collection in 2016 and 2017, providing model enthusiasts and NASCAR fans even more accuracy through full engine parts, a higher level of interior and chassis detail and waterslide decals to fully capture the essence of your favorite race car.
All kits in the series represent the first plastic models to accurately replicate the technical height, width and design standards of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 body style introduced in 2013.
The agreement with NASCAR Team Properties revives Revell's relationship with the industry, which dates back to the 1980s. Revell has produced more than 100 NASCAR-based models to date and is currently the only manufacturer of NASCAR plastic model kits.
"NASCAR has a massive television and mobile audience each race weekend, cross-generational appeal with Nielsen Scarborough reporting one in three NASCAR fans have children under the age of 18, and eye catching car designs and graphics. All of these factors make the sport a natural fit for modeling," said Lou Aguilera, Vice President and General Manager, Revell. "This licensing agreement gives us the opportunity to offer new NASCAR Officially Licensed options for young and old fans alike."
Revell's NASCAR Officially Licensed SnapTite Max model kits will retail for $24.95 and be available through hobby shops and leading retail stores.
In December, Revell will release models of Brad Keselowski's No. 2 Ford Fusion and Joey Logano's No. 22 Ford Fusion of Team Penske. Kits for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet SS and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Chevrolet SS of Hendrick Motorsports will follow in early 2016.
Those four kits will feature Revell's new SnapTite® Max™ model design for modelers ages 8 and up, each with 25-30 pre-decorated snap-together pieces that simplify the model building experience in order to engage a new generation in the hobby.
Paint-and-glue model kits of four more cars fielded by NASCAR® teams will be added to the collection in 2016 and 2017, providing model enthusiasts and NASCAR fans even more accuracy through full engine parts, a higher level of interior and chassis detail and waterslide decals to fully capture the essence of your favorite race car.
All kits in the series represent the first plastic models to accurately replicate the technical height, width and design standards of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 body style introduced in 2013.
The agreement with NASCAR Team Properties revives Revell's relationship with the industry, which dates back to the 1980s. Revell has produced more than 100 NASCAR-based models to date and is currently the only manufacturer of NASCAR plastic model kits.
"NASCAR has a massive television and mobile audience each race weekend, cross-generational appeal with Nielsen Scarborough reporting one in three NASCAR fans have children under the age of 18, and eye catching car designs and graphics. All of these factors make the sport a natural fit for modeling," said Lou Aguilera, Vice President and General Manager, Revell. "This licensing agreement gives us the opportunity to offer new NASCAR Officially Licensed options for young and old fans alike."
Revell's NASCAR Officially Licensed SnapTite Max model kits will retail for $24.95 and be available through hobby shops and leading retail stores.
Press Release: Tinkineer Announces Product Launch of Marbleocity STEM Kits
Friday, October 2. 2015
Tinkineer (www.tinkineer.com) announces Marbleocity - a unique STEM product that encourages children and teens to pursue careers in engineering using dynamic model kits that are made of wood in America.
Each Marbleocity "marble machine" kit ships with a companion graphic novel featuring an engaging cast of characters called "the Tinkineers." The comic is used to introduce a new physics concept or engineering mechanism that is also the focal point of the model. The result is a beautiful showpiece-quality, kinetic sculpture and a unique learning experience.
Tinkineer is thrilled to launch Marbleocity today and make it available via a Kickstarter campaign. http://bit.ly/marbleocity.
"The Marbleocity kits introduce and reinforce STEM concepts," says Founder Adam Hocherman who conceptualized the Marbleocity line. "For example, the Dragon Coaster kit teaches conservation of energy, something not typically introduced until high school physics. But kids are having too much fun building a working wooden roller coaster to be intimidated by that fact."
Marbleocity is:
"As a mother and educator I was really impressed," said Lindsay Lehmann. "My son exhibited a level of focus and engagement with the Marbleocity project that I felt was beyond his years."
Tinkineer's Marbleocity Dragon Coaster STEM Kit (PRNewsFoto/Tinkineer)
Each Marbleocity "marble machine" kit ships with a companion graphic novel featuring an engaging cast of characters called "the Tinkineers." The comic is used to introduce a new physics concept or engineering mechanism that is also the focal point of the model. The result is a beautiful showpiece-quality, kinetic sculpture and a unique learning experience.
Tinkineer is thrilled to launch Marbleocity today and make it available via a Kickstarter campaign. http://bit.ly/marbleocity.
"The Marbleocity kits introduce and reinforce STEM concepts," says Founder Adam Hocherman who conceptualized the Marbleocity line. "For example, the Dragon Coaster kit teaches conservation of energy, something not typically introduced until high school physics. But kids are having too much fun building a working wooden roller coaster to be intimidated by that fact."
Marbleocity is:
- STEM: The Tinkineers in the comic introduce engineering and physics concepts in an accessible way and then the marble machine kit building experience reinforces those lessons.
- STEAM - Art & Science Together: An engaging graphic novella connects with young makers through an artistic medium. The completed Marbleocity project is a beautiful piece of kinetic sculpture suitable for display.
- Maker: There's something magical about building something with your hands – whether you're an adult or an inquisitive child.
- Made in the USA: Marbleocity is designed and manufactured in the USA.
"As a mother and educator I was really impressed," said Lindsay Lehmann. "My son exhibited a level of focus and engagement with the Marbleocity project that I felt was beyond his years."
Press Release: Female Action Figure Pioneer IAmElemental Announces Events, Limited-Edition Figures at 2015 New York Comic Con
Thursday, October 1. 2015
IAmElemental, the toy company that pioneered strong, healthy female action figures, will bring its "Elements of Power" to life at New York Comic Con on October 8-11, 2015 through events and limited-edition figures. To view the company's Series 1/Courage figures, visit http://www.iamelemental.com/iamelemental-female-action-figures/.
IAmElemental's events at New York Comic Con include:
Limited-edition figures from Series 1/Courage include:
IAmElemental, which was launched to worldwide acclaim via Kickstarter, envisions kids as the creators of a play experience in which they are the active agents in a story of their own design. The company's female action figures boast a forward-thinking design and engineering unique among products designed for children; they are "fierce, strong females worthy of an active, save-the-world storyline that fosters creativity among girls – and boys!" according to Kerwin.
"The IAmElemental New York Comic Con experience includes several groups that mean so much to us: we're partnering with UN Women to support gender equality through their HeForShe campaign, supporting the fight against breast cancer with our Pink Bravery figure, motivating the next generation of storytellers with our kids' comic workshop, and thanking our amazing collector community with our Gold Honesty figure. We look forward to seeing everyone at Booth 1760," said Kerwin.
IAmElemental's events at New York Comic Con include:
- Saturday, October 10, 1:45-2:45 p.m.: BAM! POW! Create Your Own Superhero: The IAmElemental team will help kids of all ages create superhero characters and lay out a storyboard to start creating their very own comic. (Location: Family HQ – 1C01)
- Sunday, October 11, ongoing: HeForShe Day at IAmElemental Booth: IAmElemental will offer events and giveaways in support of UN Women's HeForShe campaign (http://www.heforshe.org), a solidarity movement for gender equality. (Location: Booth #1760)
- Sunday, October 11, 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion: Representatives from UN Women and leaders from the film and toy industries including IAmElemental's Chief Elemental Officer, Julie Kerwin will discuss "A (Wo)man's World: Closing the Gender Gap in Pop Culture." (Location: Room 1B03)
Limited-edition figures from Series 1/Courage include:
- Gold Honesty: IAmElemental's winged Honesty female action figure will be available in a metallic gold colorway exclusively for New York Comic Con attendees. Attendees can pre-order Gold Honesty at IAmElemental.com for pick up at the IAmElemental booth.
- Pink Bravery: In support of breast cancer research, IAmElemental has created a metallic pink colorway of the Bravery female action figure, as well as a set of greeting cards with Bravery-inspired images, designed by female comic book, graphic novel and animation artists. All proceeds from the sale of Pink Bravery and her cards will fund breast cancer research at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, NC. Figures and cards will be available at the IAmElemental booth and on IAmElemental.com.
IAmElemental, which was launched to worldwide acclaim via Kickstarter, envisions kids as the creators of a play experience in which they are the active agents in a story of their own design. The company's female action figures boast a forward-thinking design and engineering unique among products designed for children; they are "fierce, strong females worthy of an active, save-the-world storyline that fosters creativity among girls – and boys!" according to Kerwin.
"The IAmElemental New York Comic Con experience includes several groups that mean so much to us: we're partnering with UN Women to support gender equality through their HeForShe campaign, supporting the fight against breast cancer with our Pink Bravery figure, motivating the next generation of storytellers with our kids' comic workshop, and thanking our amazing collector community with our Gold Honesty figure. We look forward to seeing everyone at Booth 1760," said Kerwin.