The first of three chances to get this year’s Hallmark convention exclusives arrives next month with San Diego Comic-Con. PopMinded will be returning to the show with some big franchises represented: Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, and more. You can find Hallmark items again this year at the PopMinded booth (#1505). But the limited quantities are going to be split between SDCC and two other conventions: the annual Star Trek show in Las Vegas in August (for Trek collectibles only) and then New York Comic Con in October. So make sure you have a plan of action if you’re a Hallmark ornament collector, or fan of the company’s itty bittys and enamel pins.
Our favorite? The two memorable Enterprise crew aliens from Star Trek: The Animated Series—Lieutenant Arex and Lieutenant M’Ress–get their own holiday ornaments, and they look great.
And it’s hard to ignore a squishy Gorn. Can you even call this guy a villain when he’s that cute? Hallmark says this is the first villain in the Trek itty bitty line, but we’re not so sure. And Boba Fett on that classic Kenner-style cardback will bring back a lot of memories for many.
So here’s what we’ve seen previewed from Hallmark:
Ornaments
Lando Calrissian and Lobot is a a Keepsake Ornament two-pack of characters featured in The Empire Strikes Back. Limited to 2,975 sets.
Lieutenant Arex and Lieutenant M’Ress is a Keepsake Ornament two-pack of characters featured in Star Trek: The Animated Series. Limited to 2,800 sets.
Iron Giant is an all-metal Keepsake Ornament of the character as he appeared in Ready Player One. Limited to 2,075.
Marvel Avengers three-pack of PXL8 ornaments inspired by Captain America, Iron Man, and Thanos. Limited to 1,500 sets. Available at the PopMinded booth.
Dr. Strange PXL8 stylized ornament. Limited to 1,500. Available at the Marvel booth.
Desk Calendar
A BB-8 droid in golden styling doubles as a perpetual calendar, with an additional set of date cubes in aurebesh, the language used throughout the Star Wars for set decoration. Limited to 1,200.
itty bitty Plushes
Boba Fett from the Star Wars trilogy on a classic cardback. Limited to 2,500.
Gorn from the original Star Trek series. Limited to 2,500.
Pins
PXL8 style collectible enamel pins featuring 8-bit renditions of favorite characters will debut at PopMinded events in 2018. The pins, available while supplies last, will include three different two-packs of PXL8 pins featuring fan-favorite couples: Ant-Man and the Wasp from Marvel Comics, Aquaman and Mera from DC Comics, and Leia in Boushh disguise and Han Solo in Carbonite from Return of the Jedi. PopMinded will offer a Convention Exclusive PXL8 style collectible enamel pin of Thanos from Marvel Comics, exclusive to SDCC.
San Diego Comic-Con runs July 18-22, 2018.
C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com
