Move over The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises—there are some faith-based superheroes hot on the heels of these high-profile Hollywood blockbusters released this summer.

 A standing-room only crowd attended Big Idea's latest release The League of Incredible Vegetables, which, besides LarryBoy, introduces four new VeggieTales superheroes played by Bob the Tomato (ThingamaBob, Petunia Rhubarb (Vogue), Junior Asparagus (Richochet) and Mr. Lunt (S-Cape)—all with humorous superhero abilities.

Set for release Oct. 13 and Oct. 16 in Christian and general market stores respectively, The League of Incredible Vegetables is the fourth title in the “LarryBoy” series and the first since LarryBoy and the Bad Apple in 2006.

Based on Ps. 6:3, which says, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You,” the forthcoming release helps teach a lifelong lesson in handling fear as the superheroes battle the villain Dr. Flurry, who is freezing all of Bumblyburg's citizens in fear.

The video includes a catchy, new League theme song by GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning group Newsboys. The screening was introduced with a surprise appearance by lead vocalist Michael Tait and drummer Duncan Phillips.

Jessalyn Valk attended the screening with her mother, Lorraine Valk, co-owner of Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Mich.

Valk, 21, told Christian Retailing that she noticed “some of the nods to The Avengers,” which she saw three times this summer. “That was cool,” she said. “This was really good timing with all the superhero movies out now.”

Her mother agreed: “It was long overdue for a new LarryBoy release. VeggieTales are still strong sellers. I absolutely think this will do well for us and other Christian retailers.”

In her 18th consecutive CBA convention, Dr. Mary Manz Simon delivered the latest news in children’s trends coupled with the wildly popular supplier product giveaway event Monday afternoon.

Emerging technology dominated the talk, but while e-books are surging in the general market, Simon says the app invasion is a big thing in CBA’s new kid products. The Beginner Bible from Zonderkidz is coming soon with a free app and free initial story pack.  Also, “Five Love Languages” author Gary Chapman made his first appearance at a children’s trend seminar, by introducing his Northfield Publishing book A Perfect Fit for Peyton, where five pets discover their personal love languages, with a free app and digital pop-ups. 

Reaching new types of families with children was a hot button with grandfamilies, involved grandparents who live miles away from their grandchildren; mombassadors, moms who are engaged in product information from various technologies before they even enter the store; and next generation dads, who are spending more time than ever with kids, being catered to with new marketing strategies and product releases.  

Supplier Bill Reese recommended that retailers implement 360 branding. He suggested that retailers pick a product and get behind it, even leaving it on display for more than two weeks to reach less frequent shoppers.  

While children’s icons such as Disney and Girls Scouts announcing drastic changes in their core product and marketing this year, Simon says the core Christian message in 2012 is still that “we are passionate about connecting children to Jesus Christ.”

True Potential Publishing, based in Traveler’s Rest, S.C., has acquired the business assets and operations of Milestones International Publishers from Milestones Evangelistic Ministries of Shippensburg, Pa. Jim Rill, Milestones’ publisher, will continue as publisher.

Conventioneers received an in-your-face pep talk Sunday from the founder of an anti-sex-trafficking ministry, who encouraged them to be bold in doing ministry.

Christine Caine, who founded A21 (A21Campaign.org) in 2008 to bring justice to victims of slavery and degradation of mostly women and children, was the keynote speaker during the “Stores as Ministry Connectors” General Session.

Caine, who talked fast and darted back and forth on stage, focused on the theme of ICRS: Isaiah 61:1, which says “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

A panel discussion Sunday pondered the “myriad of challenges” facing international publishers, retailers, suppliers and distributors.

During CBA and Christian Trade Association International's (CTAI) inaugural International General Session: International Business Vision, Chris Johnsen, founder of Christian Art Distributors based in South Africa, moderated a panel that discussed findings from an international business survey conducted by CBA and CTAI.

Panelists included Paul Bootes, managing director of Koorong, Australia’s largest Christian retailer; Modupe Ehirim, president of the Christian Booksellers Association Nigeria; Thomas Tang, general secretary of Christian Communications in China; and Melvin Rivera Velázquez, interim head of the new global bible publishing unit of the United Bible Societies.

The man who brought a Canadian Christian bookstore chain back from the brink encouraged conventioneers yesterday to be good stewards with what God has entrusted them.

Mark Hutchinson, president and CEO of British Columbia, Canada-based Blessings, was the featured speaker during Christian Trade Association International’s (CTAI) Global Worship Gathering.

Also an accredited preaching pastor, Hutchinson developed a multimillion-dollar carpet cleaning franchise before entering the Christian products industry in 2006. Buying a bankrupt company with a $2.1 million debt, he took Blessings from a chain of 27 corporate and franchised stores to three physical outlets and an online store whose sales volume is a third of the larger former group.

The Second Annual Champions of the Faith Awards and Benefit Concert was presented by the Premier Foundation in partnership with CBA on Saturday—prior to the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando, Fla., at the Orange County Convention Center.

Held in the Chapin Theater, the awards in seven categories honored businesses, organizations, entertainers and other individuals who are champions of the Christian faith by living their lives dedicated to the principles Jesus taught.