Look Out, Barbie: Here Comes Moses

Faith-based action figures will soon compete with the latest Bratz and Transformers dolls on the shelves of a Wal-Mart near you. Tales of Glory figurines, including Samson, Jesus and Daniel (complete with the Lions’ Den), are being promoted as "God-honoring toys" in a market full of figures that "glorify evil, destruction, lying, cheating."

Analysts think the new dolls will mostly be “parent purchases": they admit it's hard to market 2,000-year old characters to kids. But Christian fantasy fiction has emerged as a reaction to Harry Potter, and the toy-makers hope high sales among church groups will translate into their own David-over-Goliath victory—though for now the toys will be relegated to the mega-retailer. (More Harry Potter stories.)