SDCC ’12: Mars Attacks Has Big Plans To Celebrate 50 Years

By Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell on Jul 13, 2012 with Comments 0

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Mars Attacks, which started off as a line of trading cards by Topps in 1962 that told the story of an alien invasion. The cards gained popularity despite adults’ objections to their controversial and provocative imagery. Tim Burton even made a film about them in 1996. IDW recently published a special comic last week that sold out over 55,000 copies. It safe to say that Mars Attacks is a pretty popular franchise, and they have big plans to celebrate.

Topps is unveiling a new line of trading cards at Comic Con with images from the original decks. Other merchandise such as the aforementioned comic book, action figures, plush dolls, and costumes are announced. Saturday a special panel titled Mars Attacks: 50 Years Of Mayhem will take place to celebrate the milestone. Topps Adam Levin, IDW’s Greg Goldstein, John Layman and Jason Edmiston will be on hand to discuss the history of the franchise. The new Mars Attacks Heritage trading card release will also be a topic of conversation.

Below are some images provided to us as well as the press release detailing all of the goodies fans can expect:

Topps Announces MARS ATTACKS Heritage Card Set
July release Anchors 50th Year Anniversary Celebration

Since its initial release in 1962, MARS ATTACKS has made an indelible impression on pop culture, inspiring legions of fans around the world. Now, Topps is proud to announce MARS ATTACKS’ triumphant return to its trading card roots. Coinciding this summer with the landmark half-century milestone the company is pulling out all the stops for collectors to re-connect with the cult classic while ushering in a whole new generation of fans.

The commemorative trading card set, currently in development for release in July, is a cornerstone of the 50th anniversary campaign. In addition to reprinting the 55 iconic cards which comprised the original series, Topps is adding 25 never-before-seen subjects.

Ten cards, painted by Jason Edmiston, are based on storyboarded sketches from original series pencillers Wally Wood and Bob Powell that did not originally appear in the 1962 card set. Edmiston’s finished works pay homage to the pulp sci-fi style of Norm Saunders, the master painter who first gave MARS ATTACKS its signature look. Fifteen all-new cards are provided by Eisner award-winning comic book artist John McCrea, the acclaimed illustrator of IDW’s forthcoming MARS ATTACKS comic book series. McCrea is known to comics fans as the co-creator of Hitman (in collaboration with writer Garth Ennis), among numerous other high-profile assignments. His new, powerful imagery for the card set will provide fans with added insights to the comics as well as to the all-new MARS ATTACKS universe.

A variety of extra inserts are also designed to add collectibility and fun: limited edition multi-colored parallels and 3D lenticulars will be randomly included in packs. And, for the very first time, Topps will be including MARS ATTACKS sketch cards in boxes. Many talented artists are on board to provide their one-of-a-kind hand-rendered sketch art.

The original MARS ATTACKS series enjoys the distinction of being the most sought after and valuable non-sport trading card set of all time. Its legacy status has earned the new series Topps’ full “Heritage style” treatment. In order to preserve the product’s retro sensibility, all cards will be printed on thick, old fashioned card stock. Similarly, the design treatments for the display box and wrapper mimic the now-classic 1962 packaging.

The trading cards will be complemented by a product licensing program geared primarily to core hobby fans. A host of premium quality tie-ins are in the works: action figures and plush toys (Mezco), comics and graphic novels (IDW), a commemorative book (Abrams), model kits (Moebius), costumes (Incogneato), T-shirts (Impact), statues and busts (Quarantine), holiday ornaments (Gentle Giant), limited-edition prints (Russell Walks), bobble head dolls and vinyl figures (Funko). Regular updates about the cards and the licensed merchandise are posted on the official facebook page (www.facebook.com/marsattacks), catering to a growing community of over 50,000 followers.

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Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell

Senior Writer & Assistant Managing Editor at ComicBookTherapy

I'm a comic book and movie nerd who loves to share news I find interesting and hope you do as well. I'm a big Doctor Who fan and sci-fi in general. My favorite comic characters you ask? Well Thor, Wolverine, and Daredevil.