Beyblade Metal Fusion is officially the new big thing, back after a few years off to retool and revamp their toy line, their show and the franchise as a whole. Now it’s poised to take the world by storm in a flurry of spinning tops and whirring spikes. The Dark Bull Red, Storm Pegasus Blue, Dark Gasher Red and tons of other tops are currently available and in-stock, but you can also pre-order upcoming items like Flame Libra Green, Rock Orso or the Super Vortex Battle Set/Battle-pack, arriving in the coming months. Check ‘em out!

Naturally, the game can be played without any of the back-story: some of the tops are heavier and more defense-oriented while others are whirling dervishes armed with plastic points to knock out the competition with speed. It’s a game of both skill and luck for anyone with some spare time and spare tops. But unlike some such playground pastimes, Beyblade Metal Fusion has a plot, characters and a television show sure to be as big a success as the toy collection once its popularity picks up.

Here’s the info from Toon Zone.com:

Cartoon Network has licensed the US broadcast rights to Beyblade: Metal Fusion, the latest iteration in the Beyblade animated franchise, series-producer Nelvana announced today. The deal also gives the network the Australian and New Zealand broadcast rights to the series.

The announcement is part of a clutch of other licensing deals that will put the series on the air in France (via Gulli), Germany (Nickelodeon), the UK (Nicktoons), Benelux (Disney XD), Spain, and (Telecinco and Factoria de Ficcion). It already airs on YTV in Canada.

Nelvana also says it has appointed Hasbro as master toy licensee of for most non-Asian markets, and has signed Hudson Entertainment to develop a video game based on the title for the Nintendo DS and Wii. The game is tentatively set for release during the 2010 holiday season.

The success of September’s Montreal Comic Con means that the organizers aren’t going to waste any time prepping for the next one! And so, on December 6th, expect a one-day Comic Con featuring guests like Kane Hodder, Lloyd Kaufman and Monica Rial, plus a number of other guests soon to be announced! You can check out the official website for more info!

And coming up even sooner is the Montreal Toy Con–it’s a little out of the way for downtown-dwellers, taking place in St. Laurent’s Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, but if you’re looking for the best new and vintage comic, toys and collectibles, this is worth the trip! There’ll be a ton of dealers, plus cosplayers, LEGO and building enthusiasts and more! It goes down October 18th, costs only $4 (Kids 5 and under free) and is sure to be a blast! Click the pic to visit the site and find out more!

Hot off the presses from the New York Toy Fair…I found this interesting Newswire article about a new product.

MEGA Brands Launches a New Spin on Classic Battling Tops

Finally Putting the Power to Command in your Hands, Battle Strikers make North American Debut at New York Toy Fair

MONTREAL, Feb. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - MEGA Brands Inc (TSX: MB) is charged with excitement to introduce the first innovation to battling tops in over 50 years. Battle Strikers will be launched at the highly anticipated 2009 ToyFair in New York this month.

Unlike your parents’ and grandparents’ battling tops, Battle Strikers require no ripcords or pull strings. Featuring magnetic technology, Battle Strikers puts you in control, a first for any battling top. Battle Strikers are launched into battle with the Turbo Launcher, powering the “Strikers” up to 7500 RPMs. With the power of magnets, each ‘Striker’, has the ability to jump, dodge, and move into battle with the Controller. The sixteen unique, collectable and customizable Strikers are magnetically enhanced, and calibrated to different degrees of endurance with offensive or defensive precision.

“Battle Strikers draws on classic boy play patterns–collecting, creating, competing–and a proven play patterns–battling tops–to create a dynamic new brand for today’s kids,” says Chris Byrne (A.K.A. The Toy Guy (R)). “The toys encourage each individual player to hone their talent, ingenuity and skill to create unique competitive challenges that will foster social interaction and just plain fun.”

First unveiled at Hong Kong and UK Toy Fairs in January with great excitement, Battle Strikers are causing an industry-wide buzz. While battling tops have existed for over 2000 years, this classic toy has seen little to no innovation in recent decades – until now.

“With Battle Strikers, we have taken a classic play pattern and completely revitalized it,” states Vic Bertrand, Chief Innovation Officer of MEGA Brands. “We have integrated one of our core technologies to transform a ‘launch and watch’ toy into a ‘launch, control and battle’ experience”

See Battle Strikers in action at Youtube:

About MEGA Brands

MEGA Brands is a trusted family of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles, arts & crafts and stationery. They offer engaging creative experiences for children and families through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products that deliver on our Trusted Brands promise. Visit www.megabrands.com for more information. The MEGA logo, A Family of Trusted Brands, Mega Bloks, Rose Art, MagNext and Board Dudes are trademarks of MEGA Brands Inc. or its affiliates.