Terrific TV Toys: '66 Egghead figure by Figures Toy Co.

It's a most egg-citing week here at Terrific TV Toys. We have egg-cellent subject matter: the rather egg-centric Egghead, as portrayed by the egg-ceptional Vincent Price on the 1960s "Batman" TV series!!! Join BRB as she egg-xamines this egg-white-and-egg-yellow-clad action figure from Figures Toy Co,, the final figure in their Series 2 for the beloved Bat-show. Egghead was such an interesting villainous role for this late master of the horror genre! Such a strange egg! Does the face of this figure look like Mr. Price? We'll leave that to your egg-le eye to decide ...



After this, we'll take a break from the '66 "Batman" figures for a couple episodes, then return in full force! We've still got quite a few to feature!

Dennis Haskins talks "Dukes of Hazzard" at New Jersey appearance

Special thanks to fellow author Brian Lombard, once again, for this great report from the field ..
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This past weekend saw the return of the Chiller Convention to Parsippany, New Jersey. The stars always come out in full force for this event, and this weekend was no exception.

As with most Chillers, I always look for actors who might have spent some time in Hazzard County. This go-round there was only one to be found, Dennis Haskins. Haskins will always be known primarily for his role as Mr. Belding in the long-running NBC series "Saved by the Bell," a role that he admits would not have been possible were it not for "The Dukes of Hazzard," a show he became involved with during its initial production in Conyers, Georgia. Eagle-eyed fans will remember Haskins from the premiere episode “One Armed Bandits,” in which he played Moss, a customer at the Boar’s Nest who got a little too friendly with barmaid Daisy.

A native of nearby Chattanooga, Haskins (shown above left, with Brian Lombard) was heavily involved in music promotion and management prior to becoming an actor.

“I was working for Greg Allman at the time and somebody suggested that I go audition for the part,” Haskins said of his first entry into the "Dukes" universe. “After doing the pilot, I decided to move to Hollywood and become an actor full-time.”

After moving west, Haskins would make two additional appearances on the series, which itself had just relocated from Georgia. He played a barbershop customer whose car is stolen in “The Late J.D. Hogg,” then later played one of the visiting heavies in “Cale Yarborough Comes to Hazzard” (shown below, with fellow actor Al White).

“That was fun, chasing Cale around. Being from the South, I was a big fan of his.”

Those parts would lead to others, which would eventually lead to his being cast as Mr. Belding, in "Saved by the Bell"’s first incarnation, "Good Morning, Miss Bliss."  Though it would be retooled into "Saved by the Bell," Haskins remained the only adult actor in the cast to survive the transition. And once the cast of teens graduated fictitious Bayside High, Haskins would remain as principal for several seasons of "Saved by the Bell: The New Class."

“All possible because of Dukes,” Haskins admits.

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Brian Lombard is an avid fan of classic TV, and the author of the "Bradypalooza" guide to "The Brady Bunch."

Photos courtesy of Brian Lombard; please do not copy without permission.

John Schneider travels to New Mexico and Tennessee to meet fans in the coming months

Thanks to Phyllis for passing along the latest appearances for John ("Bo Duke") Schneider of "The Dukes of Hazzard" ...

Personal Appearances

• John will be meeting fans at the Galactic Sushi at 4311 N. Main St., Ste C, in Roswell, NM, on May 21 at 3 p.m.
• John will meet fans at the FanBoy Expo Comic Con in Knoxville, TN, on June 24-26. He'll be joined by "Dukes" castmates Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach (thanks, Jason!). For more information go to http://fanboyexpo.com/knoxville/.

TV

• "The Have and the Have Nots" will air the second half of Season 4 beginning June 21 on OWN at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central. Schneider plays Judge Cryer on the series.

(Frankly, BRBTV will be tuned in to "The Haves and the Have Nots" as usual, because the Hanna character is simply one of the best characters on television right now, hands-down!)

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Penguin figure by Figures Toy Co.

That Penguin sure was a dastardly one, on the 1966 "Batman" TV series, as played by the amazing Burgess Meredith. With his "wat-wat-wat" and his thin cigarette holder, he really defined how we thought of this mainstay Batman villain. This week's episode of the Terrific TV Toys series continues the Bat-Blitz of 2016 with the seventh figure released by Figures Toy Co. commemorating the '60s series ...



And as a special bonus, you'll see not one but two Penguin figures in this episode -- check out the Hasbro figure from several years ago, as a portly contrast!

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Dick Grayson figure by Figures Toy Co.

Next up on the Terrific TV Toys series, it's the alter ego of Robin, that youthful ward, Dick Grayson, as played by Burt Ward on the 1960s "Batman" TV series. Clad in his cute little Robin-red sweater, he's a nice addition to the set by Figures Toy Co.

Terrific TV Toys: '66 Bruce Wayne figure by Figures Toy Co.

Clad is a nice, sedated, dark-blue business suit, it's Bruce Wayne in this week's episode of Terrific TV Toys. As played by Adam West in the 1966 "Batman" live-action TV series, Bruce Wayne was the more reserved (and a bit playboy, we guess, in this incarnation) version of our Caped Crusader. The Bat-Blitz of 2016 continues with part 5 ...



Next week: Dick Grayson!

It's the best of Bat-reunions at this year's Motor City Comic Con

BRBTV passes along this press release from the folks at the Motor City Comic Con, listing out everybody who's anybody on the guest list. We always love covering this fab show ....

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NOVI, MI – “C’mon Batman – There’s not a moment to lose…”. The excitement has been building and Motor City Comic Con 2016 is announcing a new cast of comic and media guests for its 27th annual, three-day comic con and has opened ticket sales online. Michigan’s number one pop culture event will toast the 50th anniversary of "Batman" with stars from the original cast in their last year of appearances before they hang up their capes. The weekend event will feature stars from popular television series and films like "Doctor Who," "Game of Thrones," "The Walking Dead," "Gotham," "The X-Files," "Monty Python," "The Hobbit," and many more. “Holy smokes, Batman.” This year’s Motor City Comic Con will take place Friday, May 13 (12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Saturday, May 14 (10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, May 15 (10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Suburban Collection Showplace, located at 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi. Complete information about the event, tickets, panels and VIP passes is available at http://www.motorcitycomiccon.com/.

The weekend event features more than 300 creators, writers, illustrators and actors who will greet the fans, sign autographs, take pictures, and provide panels and Q and A discussions, while many super fans are dressed in their pop culture best. A popular event is Saturday’s cosplay contest where a mix of celebrity judges determine the best costume winners, presenting prizes and gift packages. Motor City Comic Con’s annual Saturday night bash celebrates comic con weekend with entertainment and refreshments for the public. Sunday is Kid’s Day featuring kid-friendly activities.

Hot off the Gotham Globe press, some of this year’s Motor City Comic Con guest announcements:

• Adam West: Known as the original Batman from the classic television series, his film, television, character, voice, and stage actor career spans over six decades, making nearly 50 movies. West is the author of "Back to the Batcave" and "Climbing the Walls."
• Burt Ward: Known as the original Robin from the classic television series and "Batman: The Movie" (1966), Ward wrote the tell-all autobiography "Boy Wonder: My Life in Tights," and continues to appear in numerous reunions with co-star Adam West.
• Lena Headey: The English actress is best known for her role as Cersei Lannister on HBO’s "Game of Thrones." Other appearances include: "The Purge," "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "Dredd," "300," and more.
• Billie Piper: The UK singer, dancer and television star is best known for her role as Rose Tyler in "Doctor Who." Piper can also be seen on "Penny Dreadful." Other television film roles include "The Ruby in the Smoke," and "The Shadow in the North," and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl."
• Holland Roden: Known as Lydia Martin on MTV’s "Teen Wolf" and as Emily Locke on "Lost." Other appearances include "Weeds," "Bring It On: Fight to the Finish," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Cold Case," "Community," and "Criminal Minds."
• Tara Reid: Best known for her roles in "American Pie," "The Big Lebowski," "Josie and the Pussycats," "National Lampoon’s Van Wilder," "My Boss’s Daughter," and SyFy’s "Sharknado."
• Elden Henson: Actor best known for playing Matt Murdock’s partner and best friend, Foggy Nelson, in Marvel’s "Daredevil" Netflix series, Fulton Reed in the Mighty Ducks trilogy, and Pollux in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" Part 1 and 2.
• The Four Horsemen: A rare reunion after 15 years of the greatest wrestling faction of all time. Professional wrestlers Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and manager JJ Dillion were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.
• Michael Nesmith: An American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, Nesmith is best known as a member of the pop rock band The Monkees and co-star of the TV series "The Monkees" (1966-1968). This year marks the 50th anniversary of the show.
• Michael Cudlitz: Known as Abraham Ford on AMC’s "The Walking Dead." He played John Cooper in series "Southland," and has appeared in more than 20 films and television series such as "Prison Break," "Lost," "The Dark Tourist," "Surrogates," "Tenure," "Six Feet Under," and more.
• Robin Lord Taylor: Dubbed as “favorite breakout star of television,” Taylor is best known as Oswald Cobblepot or the Penguin on "Gotham." Known for his role as Sam on "The Walking Dead," and as Abernathy Darwin Dunlap in "Accepted."
• Dean O’Gorman: A New Zealand actor, artist and photographer, he is best known as Fili in The Hobbit trilogy, and as Kirk Douglas in "Trumbo." Other appearances include: "Shortland Street," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," "Young Hercules," "Xena: Warrior Princess," and "McLeod’s Daughters."
• Josh McDermitt: Comedian and star of AMC’s "The Walking Dead," he made his television debut on NBC’s "Last Comic Standing" in 2006. He was cast in the TV movie "Rehab for Rejects" and as Brandon on "Retired at 35." McDermitt can also be seen in "Middle Man" and "Odious."
• Sonequa Martin-Green: An actress and producer, she is known for her role as Sasha in "The Walking Dead," and as Tamara in "Once Upon a Time."
• Mitch Pileggi: An Italian-American actor best known for his role as Walter Skinner on "The X-Files." He later reprised the role in the show’s feature film "The X-Files" (1998) and "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" (2008).
• Michael Trevino: Known as Tyler Lockwood in the CW series "The Vampire Diaries," Lockwood also appeared in the spin-off series "The Originals."
• Alan Davis: UK artist known for drawing the revamped Captain Britain story in The Mighty World of Marvel, he has also created D.R. and Quinch for 2000AD. Other recognizable works include The Uncanny X-Men, Excalibur, JLA: The Nail, and JLA: Another Nail.
• Kevin O’Neill: British comic artist is best known for his work on 2000AD, Marshal Law, and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Other works include Omega Men, Tales of the Green Lantern Corps, Metalzoic, and Avatar’s Cinema Purgatorio.
• Neal Adams: Known for transforming Batman’s realistic incarnation seen in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Other legendary comic book work includes X-Men, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, and Deadman. Adams is preparing to release his graphic novel Blood, and a Harley Quinn book.
• Bob Layton: A comic visionary, creator, writer, artist, designer, and entrepreneur, known for reinventing Iron Man in the '70s, turning it into an all-time best-selling comic series. Layton launched the first miniseries in comics history, Hercules: Prince of Power.
• Darwyn Cooke: Eisner award-winning comic book writer, artist, cartoonist, and animator known for his work for Catwoman, The New Frontier, The Spirit, and Parker: The Hunter.
• Terry Jones: Best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe, Jones co-directed "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Other directing credits include "The Life of Brian," "The Meaning of Life," "Personal Services," "Erik the Viking," "Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride," "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," and "Absolutely Everything."
• Ian Ziering: Known for his array of acting including "Beverly Hills 90210," "No Way Back," "What I Like About You," "Melrose Place," and "Happily Divorced," Ziering became the most in-demand actor for various animated films and television shows, "Spider-Man," "Mighty Ducks," "Batman Beyond," and "Biker Mice from Mars."

Additional media and comic guest announcements are coming soon. For more information regarding Motor City Comic Con guests and events, visit www.motorcitycomiccon.com. 

Kids' Comic Con features new guests and programming, set for April 23 in New York

A press release passed along by our friend Paul Castiglia, writer of the "Archie's Weird Mysteries" comic book series that accompanied the great animated show of the late '90s / early 2000s, as well as a wealth of other work in the comics industry ...

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NEW YORK – Kids Comic Con (KCC), the annual children’s outreach event celebrating its 10^th anniversary, returns on Saturday, April 23 at the Bronx Community College from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers are happy to announce the latest guests who have agreed to appear, as well as some exciting new programming and activities.

Joining the roster of noted comics creators and children’s entertainers:

• Louis Henry Mitchell (Sesame Street artist and creative director)
• Alitha Martinez (artist, New Crusaders, Batgirl, My Boyfriend is a Monster)
• Tim Fielder (creator/animator of Matty’s Rocket)Dave Roman (writer/artist, Astronaut Academy, Teen Boat!, Goosebumps, SpongeBob Comics)
• Jim Salicrup (artist/publisher, Papercutz)
• ECBACC (East Coast Black Age of Comics)
• Danny Fingeroth (writer/editor, Spider-Man, Superman)
• Jorge Aquirre (comics and animation writer, Dora and Friends, Martha Speaks, Chronicles of Claudette)
• Joe Endres (writer/artist/co-creator, Space Scamps, Colossians)

Roman and Aquirre (below) will bring interactive excitement to KCC10 with creative presentations that make children part of the fun. Roman will team with audience members to create completely improvised comics full of unique characters, hilarious stories and unexpected twists and turns. Aquirre will do a reading from one of his graphic novels with an assist from the crowd, as kids are invited to provide their own voices and sound effects.

Mitchell and Fielder will take the mystery out of creativity to reveal what goes on “behind the curtain.” Mitchell’s colorful and exciting presentation, DREAM BIG: My Life and Work at Sesame Street takes attendees “backstage” to learn just how the magic happens. Fielder invites his audience to experience his 30-year journey in the arts as he demonstrates how to draw and animate on the computer. Both presentations are as entertaining as they are inspiring, and not to be missed!

Also added to the fun-filled line-up is The Bronx Community College (BCC) CAMEO Club. This student club is dedicated to the visual arts and interactive media including anime, gaming and cosplay.

These latest special presentations join already-scheduled programming, including:

• The University Heights High School’s Archery Club will offer presentations in how archery works, including the role applied mathematics and physics takes in shooting bows and arrows. The students will “cosplay” as popular bow-wielding heroes including Hawkeye, Green Arrow, Legalos from Lord of the Rings and Katniss from The Hunger Games.
• The BCC Step Program’s staff will work with middle school and high school students to explore the world of Star Wars’ Jedi Knights. The students will perform a presentation about creating light sabers and being a Jedi.
• Middle school and high school students will join the BCC Drone Academy to operate a camera-equipped drone to film and photograph the day’s activities at KCC. They will also man a table highlighting drones and drone technology in comic books.

Autograph signings by a variety of comics industry and children’s entertainment professionals will also once again be a big part of the KCC fun. In addition to our added guests mentioned above, also scheduled to appear:

• Alex Simmons (comics writer-playwright-educator, Archie, Scooby Doo, Tarzan)
• Franco Aureliani (writer-artist, DC’s Superman Family Adventures and Tiny Titans; Aw, Yeah – Comics!)
• Marc Hammond (writer, Aw, Yeah – Comics!)
• Caseen Gaines (pop culture author, We Don’t Need Roads: the Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy, A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic)
• Toney Jackson (poet, author, illustrator, performer)
• Chris Giarusso (author-illustrator, G-Man, Mini-Marvels)
• Jamal Igle (artist, Molly Danger, Supergirl, Nightwing)
• Diana Leto (artist on Cave Girl, My Little Pony, artist/co-creator of Halloween Legion)
• Shawn Atkinson (artist-creator, Bombshells, Powersmith Studios)
• Paul Castiglia (comic writer and editor, Archie, DC, Dark Horse)
• Mark Mariano (Happyloo, Flabbergast creator-artist)
• Nadia Burgess (painter, illustrator, cartoonist, cake artist, Tough Spirits Creations)
• Emilio Velez Jr. (artist/creator of The Dodgeball Teens)
• Jeremy Kahn (comics writer/colorist, Blue Water Productions, Viper Comics)
• Mike Lopez (educator, kids’ comics advocate)

… and many more!

Also joining the fun at KCC 10 will be several cosplaying heroes from the East Coast Avengers group, on-hand to help everyone connect with their inner hero.

The Lair, the Bronx’s premiere comics and gaming store will also be back again this year with role-playing card game tournaments featuring Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon and Magic, the Gathering.  The fun-for-all-ages competition is open to various player levels. The Lair will also have plenty of supplies on hand for KCC attendees to stock up on all their gaming needs.

KCC is still accepting applications for guests and vendors for its April 23^rd show. There is a small registration fee for those wishing to exhibit at KCC. Secure your table space by going to our web site’s Registration Page:
http://kidscomiccon.com/artist-vendor-registration/

Exhibitors interested in leading workshops, panels or lectures can submit their ideas to KCC founder, Alex Simmons for his review at Alex@KidsComicCon.com.

Up-to-the-moment updates on additional programming and guests for KCC10 can be found on our main site (www.KidsComicCon.con) as well as our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/KidsComicCon.

The 2016 KIDS COMIC CON is set for April 23 at Bronx Community College, 181^st Street and University Avenue, Bronx, NY from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For additional information and up-to-the-minute programming updates, please visit www.facebook.com/KidsComiCon .

All images courtesy of Kids' Comic Con.