The popular cartoon series Futurama is returning to television with new episodes in 2008 on Comedy Central. Other more adult themed cartoon shows, including The Simpsons, Ren and Stimpy, and Family Guy have all had their own action figure lines, so it's no surprise that Futurama's new presence also has its own corresponding action figure line.

Toynami has actually had the Futurama license for several years, and even produced a series of i-Men based on the show. However, with the show only existing in re-runs on Adult Swim, Toynami couldn't afford to create and market new action figures if they didn't have new episodes, and thus new fans, to support the line. But the first two action figures have begun to hit shelves at specialty retailers like Hot Topic and Suncoast, and exclusive versions have been made available through San Diego Comic Con and Toyfare magazine.

Ironically, Toynami is not the first company to produce action figures based on the science fiction/comedy cartoon. The now defunct toy company Moore Action Collectibles produced figures of Phillip J. Fry, Bender, and Leela, along with a miniature Planet Express Ship. Because the figures were so well done when they were released earlier in the decade, Toynami is actually using several parts from the Moore figures, including accessories and whole bodies in some cases. Toynami is tackling the characters with entirely new packaging and new figures in the hopes of giving fans more than just the three central characters in the series.