Yesterday was new comic book day! What’d you all get? What’d you like? Sound off in the comments below. While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
ICv2 – Fanatics Acquires Topps Trading Card Business – This isn’t surprising.
Yen Press – 2022’s Most Anticipated Manga – What are you looking forward to?
Reviews
Talking Comic s- Power Rangers Universe #1
Collected Editions – Strange Adventures
Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. has announced the May the 4th launch of Card Culture, a retailer program focused on non-sport, collectible trading cards from leading trading card companies.
The cornerstone of this new program is access to exclusive, licensed content for member stores. Thanks to a partnership with The Topps Company, Inc, Card Culture’s first release will be in conjunction with Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2. Member stores will have access to an exclusive, 11-card, limited edition Mandalorian promo set developed by Topps exclusively for Card Culture program members. Card #1 of this exclusive launch set will be available May the 4th and collectors will be able to complete their set at a later date when subsequent cards are released.
Future releases for member stores will include exclusive content from Garbage Pail Kids and WWE. These releases are anticipated in the second half of 2021. Additional details regarding the program, including how to sign up, is being provided to current Diamond retailers.
Dynamite Entertainment and Topps are ready to protect the world from those crazy green aliens once again as writer Kyle Starks and artist Chris Schweizer bring you the face melting experience of a lifetime with Mars Attacks! this October!
In Mars Attacks! #1, Spencer hasn’t finished a dang thing in his life. So when he goes to visit his dad to see if maybe he can borrow some money, the last thing on his mind is global survival. Now Spencer and his father are on the run, trying to avoid being spaceray’d by a bunch of destruction happy Martians, heck-bent on zapping them dead!
The debut issue of Mars Attacks! #1 delivers a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers a chance to collect the whole set! The cover artwork features the talents of Tom Mandrake, Ruairí Colema, Eoin Marron, Robert Hack, and a special subscription cover drawn by Chris Schweizer. A Blank Authentix Edition will be available as a variant for Mars Attacks! #1 featuring the same great story, but with a blank cover for fans to get their favorite artist to sketch on. Additionally a very special remarked edition by artist extraordinaire Ken Haeser!
Under license from BBC Worldwide North America, The Topps Company has announced new Doctor Who Timeless trading cards are in stores now! With over 150 cards, the set features autographs from 78 iconic characters, with 47 first-timers.
Among the new signers are Jenna Coleman, who played fan-favorite companion Clara Oswald in seasons seven through nine; John Hurt, who portrayed the War Doctor in the 50th Anniversary Special, “The Day of the Doctor”; Michelle Gomez and John Simm, who portrayed different incarnations of villain Missy/the Master; Arthur Darvill, who played companion Rory; and Ingrid Oliver, who portrayed Osgood.
This is the most comprehensive trading card set dedicated to the historic television show released in the U.S. The set contains autographs from seven Doctors – David Tennant, John Hurt, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, and Paul McGann – and fan favorite modern companions – Jenna Coleman, Billie Piper, Freeman Agyeman, Alex Kingston, Noel Clarke, Arthur Darvill, and John Barrowman – along with many classic companions.
Each box contains two hits – an autograph, a costume card, or a medallion card. There are 100 base storyline cards that span the entire 50+ year series, 50 insert cards to collect, eight costume pieces from the show, 36 medallion cards and ultra-rare chase items including signed costumes, signed medallion cards, plus dual and triple autographs.
Don’t miss out on the release of Topps Doctor Who Timeless trading cards. You can currently find them at local hobby shops, Topps.com, and Toys R Us.
The latest TOPPS NOW Preacher cards are available, featuring images and moments from the second episode.
The latest Preacher TOPPS NOW cards are available for just 24 hours with five new cards featuring images and moments from the second episode. This puts the TOPPS NOW Preacher set up to 10 total cards – with the initial five coming after the Preacher series premiere.
One pack of five cards is available for $19.99, with three packs on sale for $49.99. Free shipping is available in the U.S. with the SmartPost option.
The print run of the packs will be revealed after the 24-hour sale window has closed.
Preacher is coming to collectible cards courtesy of Topps. The AMC television show debuted yesterday, and the first cards for the television show will be available May 23 – the day after the first episode airs – under the TOPPS NOW line. A set of five physical trading cards will be available for just 24 hours, giving fans of the show the opportunity to own timely collectibles each week there is a new episode.
This is a first of its kind for a television show offering immediate collectibles. Fans won’t have to wait for months for a trading card, they’ll be able to order them the next day. TOPPS NOW launched in early April with the start of the Major League Baseball season where cards were offered for sale commemorating memorable moments soon after they occur.
The five-card set of key moments from each episode will be available to order from Topps.com for $19.99, which includes free shipping in the United States.
IDW Publishing is bringing dinosaurs back from extinction. Topps’ classic card series Dinosaurs Attack! will return to the comics world! Reprinting and then finally finishing the comic series started at Eclipse Comics in 1988, fans can expect the same ferocious and terrifying mayhem to ensue!
Featuring the acclaimed creative team of Gary Gerani, Earl Norem, Herb Trimpe, and George Freeman, Dinosaurs Attack! is a thrilling tale of chaos, where fierce prehistoric beasts are transported into the future! Havoc ensues as mankind proves woefully ill-equipped to deal with the cretaceous chaos! Though it isn’t all unmitigated terror. In the grand tradition of Mars Attacks!, Dinosaurs Attack! packs a lauded sense of humor to pair with all the gnashing teeth and stomping claws, creating a unique and deeply fun experience IDW is very excited to bring to comics fans!
Those craving scaly bedlam can look forward to five issues crushing stands this July!
It’s no secret that earthlings love Mars Attacks. Topps’ crazed galactic conquerors have journeyed from the red planet to terrorize comics, trading cards, and Hollywood; but one medium has been left conspicuously uninvaded: classic literature!
Moby Dick, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and Robinson Crusoe are easily some of civilization’s most accomplished and cherished works of literature. But what would it be like if frothing invaders had been holding Melville, Stevenson, and Defoe at gunpoint, forcing them to reimagine their renowned works through the bloodshot eyes of a crazed, skull-faced Martian?
They’d probably be a lot cooler, right?
Right!
Finally, this summer, these timeless lessons on the nature of humanity will receive their long overdue invasion courtesy of writers Phil Hester, Beau Smith, and Neil Kleid and artists John McCrea, Kelley Jones, and Carlos Valenzuela in the 48-page one-shot Mars Attacks: Classics Obliterated! Experience Melville’s supreme terror as he realizes a fearsome white whale is no match for a face-to-face encounter with a Martian! Delve into true horror as the Martian High Command sets their sights on weaponizing Dr. Jekyll’s volatile serum! And find yourself exploring the deepest reaches of one Martian’s existential war when he finds himself marooned on Earth!
Be sure to look out for the variant cover by living legend Earl Norem!
They may seem like a mindless horde bent on destruction, but when viewed through the prism of great, enduring literature, it’s clear that we have a lot to learn from our alien overlords.
You’re welcome, Earth.
MARS ATTACKS: CLASSICS OBLITERATED (FC, 48 pages, $7.99). In stores 6/5/13.
![[Mars Attacks The Holidays NYCC Exclusive Cover]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/MarsAttacks_Holidays_Cover_RE.jpg?resize=150%2C227)
Commemorating Topps‘ return to New York Comic-Con, IDW Publishing and Topps unveiled a New York Comic-Con cover variant of Mars Attacks the Holidays, a one-shot special spun from the pages of the hit new series. This exclusive edition will be the centerpiece of several exciting promotions planned at the Topps booth,#1761. Other events will include creator signings, promo card giveaways and free live sketch card events with official Topps artists (to be announced).
The New York Comic-Con Exclusive Edition of IDW’s 48-page holiday special will feature a “Mini-Martians” Groundhog’s Day cover by fan-favorite artist Chris Giarrusso. Best known as the creator of Image Comics’ G-Man and the Marvel Comics series Mini-Marvels, Giarrusso will also be stopping by the Topps booth throughout the weekend to sign and sketch for fans.
This NYCC edition of Mars Attacks the Holidays will be limited to just 1,000 copies and available only from Topps at booth #1761.
Eisner Award-Winner to Illustrate Exclusive Subset & Hand-Drawn Sketch Cards
April 20 – The Topps Company today has released a first look at a special subset of all-new trading cards by acclaimed comic book artist John McCrea, to be included in this summer’s Mars Attacks Heritage card set.
McCrea, the Eisner Award-winning illustrator and co-creator of DC Comics’ Hitman (with Garth Ennis), is the artist on IDW’s Mars Attacks comic book series. Pulling double duty, McCrea has also created 15 brand new images for Topps, exclusive to Mars Attacks Heritage– four of which are unveiled today.
The 15 images, officially titled ‘The New Universe Subset,’ offer a glimpse into the new Mars Attacks, which build from IDW’s upcoming comic book. In addition, the subset will include insight into the new series, through a narrative that unfolds on the back of each card.
“We wanted John to treat these cards like miniature comic book covers,” said Adam Levine, Topps’ Licensing Manager. “To weave the cards and comics together even further, we crafted a story that introduces fans to our reimagining of Mars Attacks, beginning years before the Martians invade and continuing into the future, perhaps even beyond what you’ll see in IDW’s series in 2012. If fans look closely, they may even spot a few hints at what lies ahead.”
Along with providing art for ‘The New Universe Subset,’ John McCrea recently paid a visit to Topps in New York, and found time to contribute a limited number of original, hand-drawn sketch cards to be randomly inserted into packs of Mars Attacks Heritage.
“I’m very excited to be able to play in this world of aliens and robots and giant insects,” said McCrea. “Mars Attacks is right up my alley; it’s everything I love to draw. I’m thrilled to be a part of the creation of this new world and to be able to my own stamp on it.”
Mars Attacks Heritage releases this July, while IDW’s new comic book debuts in June. Both are currently available for order.
For more on Mars Attacks, including an ever growing gallery of sketch cards, follow on facebook: www.facebook.com/MarsAttacks
For all the latest updates, follow on twitter @realmarsattacks
Attached:
• 4 of the 15 all-new images.
• Sketch card by John McCrea.
• Photo of John McCrea, at Topps in NYC, as he hand draws sketch cards for Mars Attacks Heritage
![[Card #1]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/Card1.jpg?resize=250%2C347)
![[Card #2]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/Card2.jpg?resize=250%2C347)
![[Card #3]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/Card3.jpg?resize=250%2C347)
![[Card #4]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/Card4.jpg?resize=250%2C347)
![[Mars Attacks Sketch]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/card_sketch.jpg?w=860)
![[Mc Crea Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/photo_mccrea.jpg?w=860)
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coasts Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.
IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, while Michael Bay‘sPlatinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
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