Toy Fair begins in earnest today, with 100’s of toy companies staffing booths at the Javitts Center in New York City, hoping to attract buyers and media interest in their new lines and products in every area of the toy industry.

For the media, this day starts off VERY EARLY (7am ET), with the annual LEGO Collector Breakfast. Let me just say, there are not many companies I would get up this early for, but LEGO is one of them. Lego is set this year to announce yet another huge license. Let’s not waste any more time. Here’s what LEGO has in store.

LEGO Games: Three new games were announced in the LEGO GAMES range.

• 3865 – City Alarm – Available in March – $19.99
• 3874 – HEROICA Ilrion – Available in August – $19.99
• The Hobbit – Coming in 2012

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LEGO Lord of the Rings: LEGO has signed another blockbuster license, and they are hitting the ground running with it. As the build up to the Hobbit begins, six sets based on the original Lord of the Rings movie trilogy will be released this year by LEGO. These sets are unique, as the Hobbit minifigures are half the size of traditional LEGO minifigures, making them some of the smallest LEGO minifigures ever.

All SIX OF THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE 2012

• 9469 – Gandalf Arrives – 84 pieces – 2 minifigures (Gandalf the Grey, Frodo Baggins) – $12.99
• 9470 – Shelob Attacks – 227 pieces – 3 minifigures (Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum) – $19.99
• 9471 – Uruk-hai Army – 257 pieces – 6 minifigures (Eomer, Rohan soldier and 4 Uruk-hai) – $29.99
• 9472 – Attack on Weathertop – 430 pieces – 5 minifigures (Aragorn, Frodo, Merry and 2 Ringwraiths) – $59.99
• 9473 – The Mines of Moria – 776 pieces – 6 minifigures (Pippin, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas and 2 Moria Orcs, plus a giant cave troll and 2 skeletons) – $79.99
• 9474 – The Battle of Helm’s Deep – 1368 pieces – 8 minifigures (Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, King Theoden, Berserker Uruk-hai and 3 Uruk-hai) – $129.99

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More sets based on the trilogy are expected in addition to…………

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LEGO Star Wars: Eleven years ago, the era of licensed LEGOs began with this, their first license. And now, eleven years later, they are still releasing quality sets, with lots of fan friendly details, including the first ever LEGO Sarlacc pit. Here’s the new stuff for this year.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 9677 – X-Wing Starfighter & Yavin 4 – 77 pieces – $9.99
• 9678 – Twin-Pod Cloud Car & Bespin – 78 pieces – $9.99
• 9679 – AT-ST & Endor – 65 pieces – $9.99
• 9496 – Desert Skiff – 213 pieces – 4 minifigures (Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett and Kithaba) – $24.99
• 9498 – Saesee Tiin‘s Jedi Starfighter – 244 pieces – 3 minifigures (Saesee Tiin, R3-D5 and Evan Piell) – $29.99
• 9497 – Republic Striker-class Starfighter – 376 pieces – 3 minifigures (Satele Shan, Republic Trooper and T7-O1) – $44.99
• 9499 – Gungan Sub – 465 pieces – 4 minifigures (Queen Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Jar Jar Binks) – $69.99
• 9500 – Sith Fury-class Interceptor – 748 pieces – 3 minifigures (Darth Malgus and 2 Sith Troopers) – $89.99
• 9515 – The Malevolence – 1101 pieces – 6 minifigures (Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, General Grievous, Count Dooku, Battle Droid Commander and Battle Droid) – $119.99
• 9516 – Jabba’s Palace – 717 pieces – 9 minifigures (Jabba, Salacious Crumb, Bib Fortuna, Gamorrean Guard, Oola, Han Solo, Princess Leia in Boushh outfit, Chewbacca and B’omarr Monk) – $119.99

AND,  AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER

• 9509 – Star Wars Advent Calendar – 234 pieces – $39.99

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LEGO Marvel Superheroes: Following on the success of the recently released DC Superheroes line, LEGO visits the other side of the comic book coin with a line of Marvel Superhero sets. There are five sets announced, plus 3 Ultrabuild Marvel Heroes. 4 of the 5 sets will be based on the Avengers movie. The fifth will be based on the X-Men comic characters. Like that Superman set in the DC Superheroes line, this set will serve as the jumping off point for the larger Marvel Universe portion of the license. Here are the details for wave 1 of the line.

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MAY

THE FOLLOWING SETS ARE DESIGNED TO TIE IN TO THE AVENGERS MOVIE

• 4529 – LEGO Iron Man (Ultrabuild) – 44 pieces – $14.99
• 4530 – LEGO Hulk (Ultrabuild) – 39 pieces – $14.99
• 4597 – LEGO Captain America (Ultrabuild) – 44 pieces – $14.99
• 6865 – Captain America’s Avenging Cycle – 72 pieces – 1 minifigure (Captain America) – $12.99
• 6867 – Loki’s Cosmic Cube Escape – 181 pieces – 3 minifigures (Iron Man, Loki and Hawkeye) – $19.99
• 6868 – Hulk’s Helicarrier Breakout – 389 pieces – 4 minifigures (Hulk (I can’t believe they’re calling this a MINIfigure. It’s HUGE!), Thor, Hawkeye and Loki) – $49.99
• 6869 – Quinjet Aerial Battle – 735 pieces – 3 minifigures (Iron Man, Thor and Black Widow) – $69.99

THE FOLLOWING SET IS PART OF THE EXTENDED MARVEL UNIVERSE LINE, SPECIFICALLY THE X-MEN SEGMENT

• 6866 – Wolverine’s Chopper Showdown – 201 pieces – 3 minifigures (Wolverine, Deadpool and Magneto) – $19.99

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LEGO Monster Fighters: This is a brand new playtheme for 2012, with the obvious inspiration being Universal’s Classic Monsters. However, it should be stressed that this is NOT A LICENSED LINE! This line is designed to appeal to older builders. There are seven sets announced for the line.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 9461 – The Swamp Creature – 70 pieces – 2 minifigures – $6.99
• 9462 – The Mummy – 90 pieces – 2 minifigures – $11.99
• 9463 – The Werewolf – 243 pieces – 2 minifigures – $19.99
• 9464 – The Vampire Hearse – 314 pieces – 3 minifigures – $34.99
• 9466 – The Mad Professor and His Monster – 427 pieces – 4 minifigures – $49.99
• 9467 – The Ghost Train – 741 pieces – 5 minifigures – $79.99
• 9468 – Vampire Castle – 949 pieces – 6 minifigures – $99.99

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Ninjago: LEGO’s massively successful ninja line continues, as the second series of the Cartoon Network show airs. The line has changed to support the new 2012 snake theme. The first wave of 2012 sets are out of the gate and doing very well. At Toy Fair, wave two was shown and the big news in wave two is THE GREEN NINJA HAS ARRIVED. As the storyline for series two races towards it’s breathtaking conclusion, the second wave of the toy line will be released in March, June, August and September to support that conclusion. Here’s a look at what’s coming. SPOILER ALERT! IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THE GREEN NINJA, SKIP THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE. IF YOU CHOOSE TO READ ON, THE IDENTITY OF THE GREEN NINJA WILL BE SPOILED FOR YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH

• 9561 – Kai ZX – 16 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9567 – Fang-Suei – 19 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE

• 9554 – Zane ZX – 37 pieces (Booster pack) – $4.99
• 9555 – Mezmo – 32 pieces (Booster pack) – $4.99
• 9569 – Spitta – 20 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9570 – NRG Jay – 20 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9571 – Fangdam – 20 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9572 – NRG Cole – 20 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9591 – Tool Pack – 73 pieces – 2 minifigures – $19.99

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 9447 – Lasha’s Bite Cycle – 250 pieces – 2 minifigures (Lasha, Cole) – $24.99
• 9448 –  Samurai Mech – 452 pieces – 3 minifigures – $39.99
• 9449 – Ultra Sonic Raider – 622 pieces – 6 minifigures – $79.99
• 9450 – Epic Dragon Battle – 915 pieces – 7 minifigures – $119.99

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER

• 9573 – Slithraa – 20 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9574 – Lloyd ZX – 23 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99
• 9590 – NRG Zane – 23 pieces (Spinner) – $9.99

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Hero Factory: The follow-up to LEGO’s majorly popular Bionicle line continues with new sets due in the Fall. Hero Factory continues to keep the main Bionicle component of being able to interchange any part of any model to suit the “mission” at hand.  10 new sets are scheduled for release in 2012.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 6221 –NEX – 39 pieces – $8.99
• 6228 – THORNRAXX – 44 pieces – $8.99
• 6229 – XT4 – 39 pieces – $8.99
• 6282 – STRINGER – 42 pieces – $8.99
• 6222 – CORE HUNTER – 51 pieces – $12.99
• 6223 – BULK – 61 pieces – $12.99
• 6227 – BREEZ – 55 pieces – $12.99
• 6283 – VOLTIX – 61 pieces – $12.99
• 6230 – STORMER XL – 89 pieces – $24.99
• 6231 – SPEEDA DEMON – 192 pieces – $34.99

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LEGO Creator: LEGO’s line of classic 3-in-1 box sets continues with 3 new sets available in the Fall.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 7345 – Transport Chopper – 383 pieces – $34.99
• 7346 – Seaside House – 415 pieces – $49.99
• 7347 – Highway Pickup – 805 pieces – $79.99

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LEGO City: LEGO’s main classic building line continues with a new “gold mine” theme. 5 sets in this new range will be released in August.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 4200 –Mining 4×4 – 102 pieces – 1 minifigure – $11.99
• 4201 – Loader and Tipper – 139 pieces – 2 minifigures -$17.99
• 4202 – Mining Truck – 269 pieces – 2 minifigures – $34.99
• 4203 – Excavator Transport – 305 pieces – $39.99
• 4204 – The Mine – 748 pieces – 5 minifigures – $99.99

THE FOLLOWING PRODUCT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER

• 4428 – LEGO City Advent Calendar – 248 pieces – $39.99

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LEGO Friends: The biggest LEGO story of 2012 continues. LEGO’s new line targeted at girls will see 5 sets added this Fall.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 3937 – Olivia’s Speedboat – 65 pieces – $9.99
• 3938 – Andrea’s Bunny House – 62 pieces -$9.99
• 3939 – Mia’s Bedroom – 85 pieces -$9.99
• 3184 – Adventure Camper – 309 pieces – $29.99
• 3189 – Heartlake Stables – 401 pieces – $49.99

THE FOLLOWING PRODUCT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER

• 3316 – LEGO Friends Advent Calendar – 193 pieces – $34.99

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Duplo: LEGO’s preschool line continues to prove popular. On the horizon are three new “Read and Build” sets in June, two new base sets and three new Cars sets in August. Up first though, in March, four sets signal the beginning of a new line of licensed Disney Princess sets.

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH

Disney Princess

• 6151 – Sleeping Beauty’s Room – 16 pieces – $12.99
• 6152 – Snow White’s Cottage – 28 pieces – $14.99
• 6153 – Cinderella’s Carriage – 20 pieces – $24.99
• 6154 – Cinderella’s Castle – 77 pieces – $39.99

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THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE

Read and Build – Each set comes with a book

• 6758 – Grow Caterpillar Grow! – 17 pieces – $12.99
• 6759 – Busy Farm – 15 pieces – $12.99
• 6760 – Let’s Go! Vroom! – 12 pieces – $12.99

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

• 4624 – LEGO DUPLO Brick Box – 31 pieces – $14.99
• 6171 – My First Gas Station – 45 pieces – $29.99

Cars

• 6132 – Red – 13 pieces – $14.99
• 6133 – Race Day – 26 pieces – $24.99
• 6134 – Siddeley Saves the Day – 34 pieces – $34.99

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LEGO Architecture: LEGO’s adult collector line continues. 5 new models are expected this year, 3 of which have been announced. NOTE: THE LEGO ARCHITECTURE MODELS WERE NOT PRESENT IN THE TOY FAIR SHOWROOM. THE PICTURES YOU SEE ARE TAKEN FROM THE LEGO PRESS CATALOG AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FINAL.

THE FOLLOWING SET WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH

• 21012 – Sidney Opera House – 270 pieces – $39.99

THE FOLLOWING SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE

• 21013 – Big Ben – 346 pieces – $29.99
• 21016 – Namdaemun Gate – 325 pieces – $34.99

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Minifigures: Finally, two more series of LEGO minifigures have been announced. Series 7 will be available in May and Series 8 will be available in September. Minifigures are blind packaged and retail for $2.99. THERE ARE NO IMAGES OF EITHER SERIES AVAILABLE.

And, that does for LEGO. Thanks to Ashley Edwards and Amanda Santoro at LEGO.

Note: The showroom photos in this report were taken by Peter Trifiatis.