Mars Attacks is a series of science fiction trading cards produced by Topps in 1962, depicting the gruesome invasion of Earth by Martians. The story unfolds over the course of the 55 card series, showing futuristic battle scenes with Martians, and their cruel, often bizarre methods of attack and torture. The series culminates with a human insurrection and the destruction of Mars. The short lived series retained it's devoted following and quickly became a collectors item and remains hugely popular and influential today. Tim Burton's 1996 movie adaptation of the story brought Mars Attacks back to the forefront of pop culture and the upcoming 50th anniversary in 2012 will do the same, introducing the story to a new generation of fans. The book Mars Attacks will be the only book ever created on the topic (the series was reprinted only once, 18 years ago in 1994 and is a collectors item). The book will include rare and never before seen material (sketches, concept art, test market materials), as well as an introduction by the series' creator, Len Brown, and an afterword by Zina Saunders, daughter of the original artist.
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About the Author
The Topps Company, Inc., founded in 1938, is an international company best known as a leading producer of trading cards and stickers. They are also known for Bazooka bubblegum, which was introduced in 1947. Len Brown, former creative director at Topps where he worked for over 40 years, is a writer and editor best known as the co creator of Mars Attacks & cocreator of the comic book series T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. Zina Saunders is an author, illustrator and animator. Her work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By J. Scott
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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Length:
1:00
Mins
In the 1960's I was a puny primary-school kid, and like all my friends I spent my pocket money buying Mars Attacks cards, eating the gum, then trading unwanted duplicates (of which there were many). I still *vividly* remember my delight on the day that I handed over an astonishing *16* cards just to get one in return. But it was worth it, because that's how I got the hitherto elusive card 27 - and completed my collection!
All of this was done below my Dad's radar - he'd already made me burn my entire collection of Horror comics because he thought they'd be bad for my impressionable young mind (to be fair, he paid me quite a lot of cash to do this!). But the Mars Attacks cards were MUCH more gory, and some of them were verging on the erotic. Dad would NOT have approved, but I wanted to keep my cards, so he didn't find out about them. And I didn't turn out to be TOO much of a psycho (I have a doctor's note to prove it).
Bring back any memories? If so, then like me you're probably of the age when you develop a strange obsession with this nostalgic stuff, and this is the book for you.
For me, this really is the ultimate Mars Attack book. You get the entire collection of cards (front and reverse) in handy book format, printed on quality paper, and you also get a massive host of extras: Concept art, background information etc. You also get the second series which was produced a few years before the Tim Burton movie, illustrations from the spin-off comic books, and even four bonus cards!
There's nothing here not to like. Whether you're an antique like me, or a young whippersnapper who discovered a later incarnation of the cards, if you're a Mars Attacks fan, this is for you.
PS Please forgive my one-handed video (non)skills! But I wanted to give you a sort of 'virtual browse.'
All of this was done below my Dad's radar - he'd already made me burn my entire collection of Horror comics because he thought they'd be bad for my impressionable young mind (to be fair, he paid me quite a lot of cash to do this!). But the Mars Attacks cards were MUCH more gory, and some of them were verging on the erotic. Dad would NOT have approved, but I wanted to keep my cards, so he didn't find out about them. And I didn't turn out to be TOO much of a psycho (I have a doctor's note to prove it).
Bring back any memories? If so, then like me you're probably of the age when you develop a strange obsession with this nostalgic stuff, and this is the book for you.
For me, this really is the ultimate Mars Attack book. You get the entire collection of cards (front and reverse) in handy book format, printed on quality paper, and you also get a massive host of extras: Concept art, background information etc. You also get the second series which was produced a few years before the Tim Burton movie, illustrations from the spin-off comic books, and even four bonus cards!
There's nothing here not to like. Whether you're an antique like me, or a young whippersnapper who discovered a later incarnation of the cards, if you're a Mars Attacks fan, this is for you.
PS Please forgive my one-handed video (non)skills! But I wanted to give you a sort of 'virtual browse.'
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Arch Stanton
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
You like Mars Attacks trading cards? Buy this book!
You like classic 50/60's Sci-fi illustrations? Buy this book!
You like Burton's Mars Attacks? Buy this book!
In short... just buy this book, it's ack! ack! 'mazing!!
You like classic 50/60's Sci-fi illustrations? Buy this book!
You like Burton's Mars Attacks? Buy this book!
In short... just buy this book, it's ack! ack! 'mazing!!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars
28 reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gift from Abrams ComicArts to us '60s monster kids!
19 Sep 2012
By Trollbeard
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Can you smell the Bazooka Joe bubble gum?? I swear, Abrams somehow permeated this book with Eau-de-Bazooka Joe! Fantastic!
This is one amazing book! In every way! The dust wrapper is lovingly made with a semi-transparent paper that mimics the original Mars Attacks pack wrapper. The text, mostly by Len Brown who is well-known to us card, comic and monster-mag fans, presents the most in-depth portrait of Woody Gelman (of Topps and Nostalgia Press) that I've ever read. Zina Saunders, the daughter of the painter Norm Saunders who painted most of the finished cards over Bob Powell's pencils, also contributes an excellent and touching account of the "Mars Attacks" days with her dad. And the cards... these are the finest reproductions I've ever seen. Even better than the originals. I'm a big fan of Topps' 1994 reissue set, but this book's repros are the best. The original (and 1994 reissue) cards were about 2.5" x 3.5". The repros in this book are about 3" x 4.25". Needless to say, gorgeous repros of all 55 original cards, full page, with the back of the card on the facing page, are included. The card images are crystal clear. The reason? The book's repros are shot from the ORIGINAL TRANSPARENCIES! This is the ultimate Mars Attacks book!
Also included are the 11 cards from the extended 1994 set, as well as various other random magazine premiums and Screemin' cards.
The book is a treasure. I sold my set of Mars Attacks cards in 1965 for $1, and have regretted it ever since, but this book makes up for it. Thank you, Abrams!!
This is one amazing book! In every way! The dust wrapper is lovingly made with a semi-transparent paper that mimics the original Mars Attacks pack wrapper. The text, mostly by Len Brown who is well-known to us card, comic and monster-mag fans, presents the most in-depth portrait of Woody Gelman (of Topps and Nostalgia Press) that I've ever read. Zina Saunders, the daughter of the painter Norm Saunders who painted most of the finished cards over Bob Powell's pencils, also contributes an excellent and touching account of the "Mars Attacks" days with her dad. And the cards... these are the finest reproductions I've ever seen. Even better than the originals. I'm a big fan of Topps' 1994 reissue set, but this book's repros are the best. The original (and 1994 reissue) cards were about 2.5" x 3.5". The repros in this book are about 3" x 4.25". Needless to say, gorgeous repros of all 55 original cards, full page, with the back of the card on the facing page, are included. The card images are crystal clear. The reason? The book's repros are shot from the ORIGINAL TRANSPARENCIES! This is the ultimate Mars Attacks book!
Also included are the 11 cards from the extended 1994 set, as well as various other random magazine premiums and Screemin' cards.
The book is a treasure. I sold my set of Mars Attacks cards in 1965 for $1, and have regretted it ever since, but this book makes up for it. Thank you, Abrams!!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Long awaited event
21 Sep 2012
By JonJLL@aol.com
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In 1962 I was 8 years old and my downstairs neighbor (a wise and wizened 10 yr old) showed me this cool thing he had gotten-Mars Attacks cards! I was riveted and bought em up at every opportunity. They horrified me and I loved it-I laid awake at night convinced that passing traffic was the beginning of the invasion. Burning flesh, giant bugs, ice rays too much! "Burning Flesh" was the most popular card on Ocean Parkway.
At any rate when the internet was born my first search brought me to Zina Saunders Mars Attacks page. How cool was that-but still I wondered how come no coffee table book?
Well this aint a coffee table sized tome but it sure is grand-nostalgia pangs aside its a loving production that does justice to my inner 8 yr old still terrified of impending invasions from outer space-still mightily in love with Mars Attacks! Many thanks to all concerned.
(Now its time for a respectful movie-that includes giant bugs!)
At any rate when the internet was born my first search brought me to Zina Saunders Mars Attacks page. How cool was that-but still I wondered how come no coffee table book?
Well this aint a coffee table sized tome but it sure is grand-nostalgia pangs aside its a loving production that does justice to my inner 8 yr old still terrified of impending invasions from outer space-still mightily in love with Mars Attacks! Many thanks to all concerned.
(Now its time for a respectful movie-that includes giant bugs!)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pint sized powerhouse!
14 Sep 2012
By TheEyesHaveIt
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Everything about this book oozes production value and attention to detail, from the semi-translucent paper stock chosen for the dust jacket, to the quality of reproductions inside. Has to be seen to be believed, much like the Mars Attacks series itself! A fitting tribute to the original cards and the artwork of Norman Saunders. Obviously a labor of love by someone at Abrams Books.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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