21st Century Toys Inc

Jakks Pacific Inc. agreed to buy rival 21st Century Toys Inc., a maker of military action figures and accessories, under undisclosed terms. The Malibu-based company plans to combine 21st Century with its action toys division, which features Road Champs toy vehicles and World Wrestling Federation action figures. Alameda-based 21st Century, whose products include the Ultimate Soldier XD, America's Finest and the Villains, had sales of about $28 million last year. Jakks had $252.

Jakks Pacific Inc. agreed to buy rival 21st Century Toys Inc., a maker of military action figures and accessories, under undisclosed terms. The Malibu-based company plans to combine 21st Century with its action toys division, which features Road Champs toy vehicles and World Wrestling Federation action figures. Alameda-based 21st Century, whose products include the Ultimate Soldier XD, America's Finest and the Villains, had sales of about $28 million last year. Jakks had $252.

Toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. ended an agreement to buy 21st Century Toys Inc., a maker of military action figures and accessories, after the two companies failed to agree on a price and other issues. Jakks, which is based in Malibu, didn't release details and would not comment on whether it will pay a termination fee. Jakks shares rose $1.10 to $20.95 on Nasdaq. Alameda, Calif.-based 21st Century Toys is privately held.

Sears has stopped selling "The Villain," a gun-toting, 12-inch action figure in a black trench coat, because of complaints that the character resembles the teenage gunmen at Columbine High School in Colorado. The $29.99 doll, recommended for children ages 5 and up, comes with a ski mask, black coat, body armor, shotgun and rifle. It appears in Sears' holiday catalog as part of a series called "Heroes and Villains." Other dolls in the set represent soldiers from World War II and the Vietnam War.