Diamond's Top 25 Toys for April 2012

Media Release -- Renowned artist Shunya Yamashita redesigned Marvel Comics' mutant hero X-23 for the Marvel x Bishoujo: X-23 Statue from Kotobukiya, the best-selling Toy product to specialty retailers in April. Kotobukiya had a strong month overall in April with three products in the top ten, including the Marvel: Magneto Fine Art Statue at #2 and the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi "Final Battle" ArtFX Statue at #4.

DC Direct had two proudcts in the top ten, led by the Batman Bust, based on artwork by Gary Frank, at #5. Also in the top ten were the StarCraft Premium Series 2 Action Figures, based on the best-selling real-time strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment, at #6.

Other manufacturers in the top ten include Beautiful Plastic (the Simpsons Series 2 Mini-Figures ranked #7), Diamond Select Toys (the Femme Fatales: Raven Hex PVC Statue ranked #8), Kenner (the Star Wars Vintage Action Figures ranked #10), and Square Enix (the Metal Gear Solid Play Arts ~Kai~: Cyborg Ninja Figure ranked #3).

Data for Diamond's sales charts – which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts – are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 accounts, comprised of comic book specialty shops and other merchant stores and buyers. The shops are primarily located in North America, with a percentage of sales also to international stores and buyers located throughout the world. The account base includes not only brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, but also Internet stores, chain stores, and other specialty stores.

Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during any given month, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.