It's been nearly a year since the last Simpsons season DVD release. but Fox has finally announced a release date for Season 11. TVShowsOnDVD.com reports that it will be released on October 7th, as a four-disc set. No word yet on packaging designs or extras, but that info should be released fairly soon. Hopefully future releases will be back on a regular schedule.

UPDATE: Box art is now available, courtesy of Simpsons Channel!

Things have been slow for Simpsons collectors (the McFarlane line is dead, no DVD releases since 2007)-- and the ol' SCS to boot-- but now the very popular KidRobot company apparently hopes to change that. Courtesy of TNI, there is this exciting news:

This August, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising and The Simpsons creator, Matt Groening, team up with Kidrobot, the world's premier creator and retailer of limited edition art toys and apparel, to release the first-ever Simpsons vinyl toy mini-figure series. For The Simpsons series, Matt Groening infused the line-up of Springfield citizens with a Kidrobot flavor, seamlessly merging The Simpsons' and Kidrobot's worlds.

The Simpsons x Kidrobot mini series starring: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Hippie Homer, Mr. Burns, Smithers, Krusty, Sideshow Bob, Scratchy, Itchy, Apu, Fat Tony, Bumblebee Man, Duffman, Chief Wiggum, Barney, Comic Book Guy, Funzo, Lucius Sweet, and three mystery figures.

With 24 figures in total, The Simpsons will be the biggest Kidrobot-produced mini-figure series to date. Each vinyl stands 3 inches tall, includes a character sticker, and comes blind boxed to preserve its identity. Figures will be sold separately (or can be purchased by the case) for $7.95 at all four Kidrobot stores, kidrobot.com and at select retailers worldwide.

Kidrobot founder Paul Budnitz says, "I have been continually inspired by Matt Groening's art. The toys we've created for The Simpsons are really a mash-up of our Kidrobot-style and Groening's original artwork."

"Kidrobot has created a fantastic toy line that casts The Simpsons characters in a fun, but highly stylized look," said Michael Peikoff, SVP Licensing and Merchandising for Fox Licensing & Merchandising. "This new line is a great new addition for any fan of the show."

Thanks to SCS member jellostick for the heads up.

UPDATE: Some previews images are available on the KidRobot forums.

The SCS gang will once again be at San Diego Comic Con. More details coming soon.