Diamond Comic Distributors has been named the exclusive distributor for Playmate Toys products to the specialty market.  For existing Diamond customers, this should mean “better information sooner about Playmates releases,” according to a Diamond spokesperson, along with helping Diamond “continue our good track record of shipping Playmates to comic shops on a timely basis.” 

In addition to Shrek, iCarly, and Michael Jackson, Playmates has products tied to Hero: 108, the urban-vinyl influenced gaming property.  Hero: 108 toons, co-produced by Cartoon Network and Moonscoop started airing in the prime 7 a.m. slot on Cartoon

Network this week.  A Hero: 108 MMORG from Taiwanese game company Gamania will launch this summer.  The story is loosely based on 14th century Chinese novel The Water Margin Stories.