The End of “Happy Meal” Toys!

Jack in the Box is removing toys from their kids meal….what?  Could this be the end of the “Happy Meal” toys?  Since I was a boy the “Happy Meal” or any other kids meals at fast food chains have been a staple.  To me the “Happy Meal” was – the kid was happy because he or she got a toy with their meal and the parents were happy because, my parents at least, had a carrot that they could dangle in front of me to eat my meal.  If this trend carries on to other fast food chains it could be the death of the kids meal toy.

Of course, I kind of agree with the other side that the fast food chains could make the meal healthier and still have the toy included.  This could be a life lesson for the child about making choices.  Eat the meal that isn’t good for you and you don’t get the toy or eat the meal that is good for you and you do get the toy.  Hmmm….Maybe this should be done to give adults a carrot to eat healthier meals.  Maybe not a toy, but an incentive of for each healthy meal you eat you get in “chain” credit and after so many healthy meals, you get one for free.  Just a thought.

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/20382.html

Library Wars Becomes Movie

AnimeNews Network’s site says that a June flyer for Kadokawa Shoten’s Kadokawa Bunko imprint has announced that a film based on Hiro Arikawa’s Library War (Toshokan Senso) light novels is in the beginning stages.  As with any movie in the beginning stages it could fall apart or make it to the theaters.  Hopefully this will make it to the theaters and then be made available to the North American market to purchase in Blu-Ray and DVD formats.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-06-22/library-wars-light-novels-gets-anime-film

CBLDF at ALA

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) will be attending the American Library Association’s Conference this week.  If you are their and reading this or a getting ready to go stop by their booth #1749.  Friday night CBLDF is co-sponsoring with First Second Books a Live Art Event from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Some of the artist present will be: Dave Roman – Astronaut Elementary; Raina Telgemeier – Babysitters Club; Jim Ottaviani – Feynman; Ben Hatke – Zita the Spacegirl; and Eric Wight – Frankie Pickle.  Then on Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m., Jennifer L. Holm will be signing one-of-a-kind Babymouse prints for a $25.00 membership.  There will also be other signed incentives when you make donations at CBDLF’s booth.  Stop by and visit and thank them for being a watchdog for First Amendment rights.

http://cbldf.org/homepage/cbldf-heads-to-the-ala-annual-conference-with-exclusive-babymouse-print/

Ultimate Spider-Man’s Death

Marvel is talking about the Ultimate Spider-Man Peter Parker dying in issue #160.  Librarians that want to have some talking points with their patrons that enjoy comic books can mention this topic for conversation.  This title just like the regular Spider-Man titles has had a clone saga storyline.  So don’t be surprised if after a year we hear that the new “unknown” Spider-Man will either be a clone or the original Peter Parker and it was a clone that died.  This is the comic book world so something will bring the character back.  Make the jump to read the full article.

http://marvel.com/news/story/16138/the_ultimate_super_hero_death

100 Bullets a Possibility

For your patrons that enjoy crime stories might be getting a show for them.  ICv2 is reporting that Vertigo’s, 100 Bullets, by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso is being produced by Warner Bros. TV as a television series for Showtime.  We will see if this actually comes to pass or not.  But it’s interesting water cooler talk.

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/20364.html

Just Deserts!

If your patrons live in the Tokyo, Japan area or you have patrons that will be visiting Tokyo in the very near future and they are into anime and manga you might pass along this information.  To celebrate the Fullmetal Allchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos movie Namco Ninja Town, starting June 25 and running through July 24, will feature 23 deserts based on the film.  Ninja Town is an indoor theme park in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro ward.  Above are three of the deserts: 1st – “Alphonse Ice Cream”; 2nd – “Flame Burger Set”; and 3rd – “Fluffy Fluffy Xiao Mei.  Below you can jump over to AnimeNews Network’s site for see images of the deserts.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-06-21/new-fullmetal-alchemist-film-celebrated-with-23-dishes

This Residence is Evil!

This is for all of your patrons that enjoy Trading Card Games.  Bandai is set to release Resident Evil Deck Building Game: Outbreak Expansion, during the fourth quarter.  With this expansion set new characters will be introduced and the player him or herself can become infected and continue playing as an infected character.

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/20350.html

Attention ALA Attendees!

If anyone is going to the American Library Association Conference this week (June 24-27) be sure to look for booth #1760.  This booth will be the Great Graphic Novel Library Giveaway were winners will receive Dark Horse comics entire Buffy the Vampire Slayer library and other graphic novels to total over 700 hand picked graphic novels, fixtures and furniture.  Sign-up for the drawing will begin June 24 and go through June 26.  The winning library will be drawn Monday June 27, at 9:30 a.m.  This contest will be open to any public, school, and academic libraries that attend the conference.  Dark Horse will also have a presence at Diamond Distributors booth #1740.  Everyone enjoy the conference and good luck.  The winner most be present to win.

http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/457/win-complete-buffy-vampire-slayer-library-ala