It has been A WEEK. From new crowdfund campaigns to preorders and REALLLLY big Transformers figures, let's rundown everything you need to know headed into a new week of toys and the final week of August 2026.

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Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari  https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/  

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies  

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AIC NEWS: Week of August 24, 2026

In toy world of big IP and mass market appeal, who's looking out for the niches with die-hard and under-serviced fans? Why look no further than Wandering Planet Toys. Gavin Hignight founded the company in 2021 and has since produced successful toys for Laurel and Hardy, Nancy Drew, and The Prisoner (to name a few). This week we're chatting about what toys mean to him and what can be expected in their new Planetoid Raiders Kickstarter that's coming in hot!  

Bookmark the Planetoid Raiders Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderingplanettoys/planetoid-raiders-retro-style-action-figures?ref=4o8k0k   [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderingplanettoys/planetoid-raiders-retro-style-action-figures?ref=4o8k0k]

Follow Wandering Planet Toys on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderingplanettoys  [https://www.instagram.com/wanderingplanettoys]

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Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik].  

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari  https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/  

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies  

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A chat with Gavin Hignight — Founder of Wandering Planet Toys!

Another edition of Reel Talk is here — this time we're swinging back into the MCU and looking at the latest addition to the ever-expanding MCU, Spider-Man Brand New Day! My Peter is tingling... how about yours?

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Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Reel Talk: Spider-Man Brand New Day (2026) | A Movie Review and Analysis

This week we're joined by returning guest and CEO of The Loyal Subjects, Jonathan Cathey — right on the heels of #SDCC to get an update on what TLS is up to, what's coming, and what's driving change throughout the entire company.   

Follow The Loyal Subjects on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theloyalsubjects

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Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

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Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

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The Art of Making Cool with Stuff The Loyal Subjects' Jonathan Cathey

HOLY SMOKES! SDCC is in the books and there's a lot to bring you up to speed about — while we can't possibly cover all of it here, these are some critical highlights, preorder info, and more you need to know about headed into this week. Strap in. 

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Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

AIC NEWS SPECIAL: 2026 SDCC RECAP

Regardless of coast and regardless of convention, if Bandai is there, you know it's going to be a good time. Between booth experiences, off-site events, exclusives, reveals, and panels, the folks at Bandai know how to have a good time. This year's #SDCC is no exception — find out what's in store across the Bandai, Tamashii Nations, Godzilla, Gundam, and Tamogotchi booths in this conversation with our friends Dave and Justin from Bandai Namco Toys and Collectibles America!

Get the full rundown of events here:  https://www.bandai.com/News/post/events/bandai-namco-toys-and-collectibles-america-inc-heads-to-san-diego-comic-con-2026

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Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

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Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

The Bandai Experience at SDCC 2026 with Dave and Justin from Bandai Namco Toys and Collectibles America

Every year we have the pleasure of attending Sweet Suite in New York City, hosted by the Toy Insider. This year we got a chance to sit down with friend of the pod and returning guest, James Zahn AKA  @Therockfather  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCusL-9Uivzs7X7RnfMQrQAA] to talk trends, industry updates, and the nearly 20 year history of the show.   

Stay up-to-date with the Toy Industry here: https://thetoyinsider.com/

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Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

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Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

The Real Life Pulse of Play: A Toy Industry Update with the Toy Insider’s James Zahn

Another edition of Reel Talk is here — this time we're tackling the latest entry into James Gunn's growing DC Universe, 2026's #supergirl! How does the Milly Alcock-led Kryptonian adventure stack up? Watch and see what Erik thinks!

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Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Reel Talk: Supergirl (2026) | A Movie Review and Analysis

We're half way through 2026 — we made it! That also means it's time to revisit the year with our friend Preternia and tell you what we think were the best toys of the year up to this point! Did any of your favorites make the list?   

Visit https://preternia.com to keep up with everything from Jon.

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

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Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

The Best Toys of 2026 (So Far) Feat. Preternia

..and now for something completely different! We love movies just about as much as we love toys, and while they don't always influence each other (see Toys on Film for that), we do love talking about them! So we are proud to introduce "Adventures in Collecting: Reel Talk" where Erik and/or Dave will tackle a straight up movie review. SO... since this channel is typically about toys, what better way to launch this new episode type than with the latest Pixar movie, Toy Story 5! What did Erik think about this movie? Watch and find out!

Follow us @aic_podcast on Instagram [https://instagram.com/aic_podcast], Facebook [https://facebook.com/aicpodcast], X [https://twitter.com/aic_podcast], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNtqD5fka34ndNJ4kD0zlw]

Start creating a podcast today with Zencastr! Learn more. [https://zencastr.com/?via=erik]

Intro and other voices by Joe Azzari

https://www.instagram.com/voicesbyjoe/

Theme Music is "Game Boy Horror" by the Zombie Dandies

Proudly part of the Non-Productive Network [https://non-productive.com/]

Reel Talk: Toy Story 5 (2026) | A Movie Review and Analysis

Erik Weinbrecht (@air_podcast) · Zencastr

Erik Weinbrecht (@air_podcast)

From Funko and WWE to Star Wars, Bandai, Marvel, LEGO, and more, grab the cart and hit the aisles with Dave and Erik as they talk toy news, collecting, culture, and more!

Adventures in Collecting Toy Collecting Podcast