We told you about these back in February, but now McFarlane has released an official announcement about their upcoming 7″ Walking Dead Figures.

As avid The Walking Dead enthusiasts, announcing The Walking Dead licensing deal at this year’s Toy Fair in New York, was pretty exciting for us. For many media folks, retailers and other attendees, this was the highlight of Toy Fair. Combine the announcement with an incredible display of The Walking Dead comic book prototypes, and you’re as a close to toy heaven as it gets for McFarlane Toys collectors.

So here the skinny on the deal–McFarlane Toys has secured two separate deals concerning the licensing rights of The Walking Dead. The first is with AMC to create action figures based on the original series that premiered on the network in October of last year. AMC’s The Walking Dead attracted 3.5 million adults in the 18-49 demographic making it the most watched drama series in basic cable history for the portion of the marketplace. The series was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Drama.

The second deal is with famed comic writer Robert Kirkman to produce action figures based on his hit comic book series The Walking Dead. Robert Kirkman is a New York Times bestselling author known for being the cultural zeitgeist of the comic book industry. Kirkman won the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series for The Walking Dead. The series tells the story of the months and years that come after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home.

The comic goes on to explore the challenges of life in a world overrun by zombies who take a toll on the survivors, and sometimes the interpersonal conflicts present a greater danger to their continuing survival than the zombies that roam the country. Over time, the characters are changed by the constant exposure to death and some grow willing to do anything to survive. The comic book series was adapted into an AMC television series last October. The first season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 8, with the second season set to debut in Fall 2011.

Todd McFarlane and Kirkman have a history of comic book collaborations (Haunt, Spawn) and both are fans of the other’s work, but this is the first action figure collaboration and both are totally stoked.

“Kirkman has created a world that is macabre and suspenseful with deeply drawn characters: both human and zombies,” said Todd McFarlane, McFarlane Toys’ creative force and CEO. “Working with the creative talents of Kirkman and AMC, we have planned figures lines that authentically represent both the television and comic series — including mind-blowing details, likenesses and play action. We want to push the envelope so that the true essence of ‘The Walking Dead’ series is captured.”

“I simply cannot contain my excitement over working with McFarlane Toys,” said Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead comic-book series. “For nearly two decades McFarlane Toys have proven themselves to be leading the pack when it comes to making cool looking, innovative toys, and I’m thrilled that they’re going to continue to do so with The Walking Dead.

This is the first time action figures have been produced and both lines are available to retailers this Fall as follows:

The Walking Dead Comic Book Series 1 releases September 2011, and contains four fan-favorite characters, including Officer Rick Grimes, Michonne, Zombie Lurker and Zombie Roamer.

November 2011 will bring the release of The Walking Dead AMC Television Series line-up of Deputy Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Zombie Walker and Zombie Biter.

Now, if that isn’t exciting enough for you, we have more tricks up our sleeves. Can you say tons of articulation and play action?! Each human figure includes multiple interchangeable accessories and several points of articulation for limitless possibility and customization. Each zombie figure features unique, gory, play action such as exploding heads and removable limbs. Figures are expected to sell for around $14.99 at retailers nationwide.

Here’s a link with full details

McFarlane Toys has consistently created highly detailed and sought after collectible sports figures for years. And starting with the new 2010 sports product, McFarlane Toys is adding an exciting new program with the sports collector in mind. The new Collector Level™ program is intended to give collectors more of what they want; limited edition, highly collectible figures included with each sports action figure assortment.

While any veteran SportsPicks collector will say we have always included “chase” or “variant” versions of existing figures before, the Collector Level™ program is intended to raise the bar.

“We’ve created this new program based on feedback we received from our fans over the years. The primary focus of this program is to create a line of collectibles that will excite you, the hard-core collector,” said Todd McFarlane, McFarlane Toys CEO and self-professed “sports geek”. “On top of this new program, we are also currently in development on new packaging for all upcoming SportsPicks lines: an all clamshell design. Starting with Cooperstown 7, all our 2010 lines will have new clamshell packaging. You ask for it, we will deliver it. We will continue to strive to bring you the best sports action figures possible. Thanks for all your support over the years.”

Here are the things you need to know about the McFarlane Collector Level™.

What’s the Collector Level™ program about?

We are expanding our current Classic Chase and Super Chase figure releases into a consistent marketing program by developing the Collector Level™. McFarlane Toys will produce special Level figures for the Collector Level™ program. There are six Levels in the program; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Premier, All-Star and MVP. Each Level matches to a limited production range. Nearly, every standard figure in a series will have an alternative figure; either a Collector Level™ or Classic Chase figure.

What’s special about the Collector Level™ figure?

The Collector Level™ figures are limited in production. Each Collector Level™ figure will vary from the standard figure by having alternate uniforms, base variations, trophies, awards, accessories, possibly authentic player signatures, original or replica sports memorabilia or even pieces of actual uniforms or equipment. Each Level figure will be sequentially numbered on the base, includes the players’ last name and the series name for authenticity. Each Level will have a production range minimum and maximum quantity matched to the specific Collector Level™.

How can Collectors identify the Collector Level™ figures?

Each package will have a Collector Level™ label on the front calling out the Collector Level™ figure available for that specific figure and a Collector Level™ chart on the back of the packaging. The chart will list the Levels and the Level “Look for Figure” produced in the series, along with the production range. The production range is set for each Level, but the actual quantity produced of a Level figure and what Level’s will be used will vary from series to series.

Highlights of the McFarlane Collector Level™ Program:

* Collector Level™ figures are limited in production, sequentially numbered and may have features that distinguish them from standard figures. These figures will be more limited in production than Classic Chase figures.
* Every SportsPicks assortment case is guaranteed to receive a special Collector Level™ or Classic Chase figure.
* Special features incorporated in the Collector Level™ figures may include alternate uniforms, base variations, trophies, awards, accessories, possibly authentic player signatures, original or replica sports memorabilia or even pieces of actual uniforms or equipment.
* Collector Level™ figures will be randomly packed into unmarked assortment cases.
* A Collector Level™ Chart, the “treasure map,” highlighting the Collector Level™ figures and production range, will be prominent on the back packaging.
* Front labels of the packaging will highlight the Collector Level™ figures available in the series.

Recently, I picked up Sawyer and Mr. Eko on clearance. Jin and Sun were also available, but they suffered from the bizarre design choices I mentioned earlier. Jin was in a running pose, with his hands tied behind his back. All the sequences available in the show, all the cool stuff Jin does…and he gets a pose where he’s tied up? Pretty damn lame. As for Sun, she was standing up in a bikini. Same problem. Great character that does lots of stuff, and she gets the Shannon treatment. You’d think Shannon sitting on shelves to this day, years after the line was cancelled, would’ve given them a clue that it was a poor idea (she was sitting on shelves back then too).

Sawyer is enormous. His raft is huge. From the bottom of the raft to the top of his head, it’s about 10 inches tall. These things take up a lot of space. There’s no articulation (ok, 1 area that can move, but it’s the hand that holds the raft so it makes no sense), since these are pretty much mass-market toy statues. The paintjob suffers a few flaws here and there, but for the most part it’s very good, and I thought they did a terrific job on his face. The piece of the raft that he leans on, at least on my particular toy, leans off to the side. Sawyer’s hand ideally would’ve been sculpted slightly differently to help support it better, but it’s alright. The pegs on Sawyer’s feet were tight. Even with my HULK STRENGTH, I had difficulty cramming those little pegs into his feet fully. That might just be another mass market mistake but whateva, it was worth noting.

The prop they included with this toy was a superb choice. Throughout the series, Sawyer always carries a letter with him, it’s very important to his character. And hey, here you go! It’s simple, since it’s just a piece of paper with writing, but it was exactly what the toy needed.

Mr. Eko is about 8 inches in total, since his base isn’t nearly as large as Sawyer’s. His sculpt in general is quite good, though his face isn’t as good as Sawyer. I’m pretty sure they wanted to make this character because he looked good (which he does), not because of anything else, because he’s not as well thought out as Sawyer and a good few of the Wave 1 figures. He comes with his stick, which even features tiny little writings like it does in the series. The base is just the jungle, nothing more. No doubt you’ll be as excited as I was to find out that Mr. Eko has a whopping two points of articulation, and not really useful ones at that.

His life-size prop is a frame or two of the Dharma Initiative orientation films. It’s a neat little prop, but they could’ve picked something better for his character.

Rating wise, I’d give these 2 figures a 4/5 overall. Sawyer a 4.5, Mr. Eko a 3.5. Wave 2 in general? 3/5. Jin and Sun were such wasted opportunities, and I’ve got a feeling that those two, as well as Shannon, are the primary reasons the line was shut down. Oh well!

Buying Options : These were clearanced out at most places ages ago, but you can sometimes find old stock at like … K-Mart or at comic conventions. Ebay is a good bet for Lost action figures too