Synopses & Reviews
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Mars Attacks, this comprehensive book is the first-ever compilation of the infamous science-fiction trading card series produced by Topps in 1962. Edgy, subversive, and darkly comedic, this over-the-top series depicting a Martian invasion of Earth has a loyal following and continues to win new generations of fans. For the first time, this book brings together high-quality reproductions of the entire original series, as well as the hard-to-find sequel from 1994, rare and never-before-seen sketches, concept art, and test market materials. Also included are an introduction by series co-creator Len Brown and an afterword by Zina Saunders, daughter of the original artist, providing an insiderandrsquo;s behind-the-scenes view of the bizarre and compelling world of Mars Attacks.
Includes four Mars Attacks trading cards.
Includes preliminary sketches and artwork, including a facsimile of the original trading card mechanical on the inside back cover, with reproduction of the 1962 handwriting from the original Topps production department.
Praise for Mars Attacks:
andldquo;The best thing about this 50th-anniversary book is that it frees Mars Attacks from rose-tinted memory.andrdquo; andmdash;NPR.org
andldquo;The work produced by writer Len Brown and artist Norm Saunders, collected now in the anthology Mars Attacks: 50th Anniversary Collection . . . continues to pass muster as a lurid snapshot of sci-fi paranoia at its most pulp-fictiony.andrdquo; andmdash;Wired.com
andldquo;Itandrsquo;s like a mini-museum of alien grotesquerie between two solid covers, depicting all the iterations of the series, with further treatments by modern illustrators, and sketchbook reproductions, and names, dates, and times. Oh, and? And there are four bonus trading cards included with each copy of this graphic and texty artifact.andrdquo; andmdash;AustinChronicle.com
andldquo;Itandrsquo;s a true gem of American pop culture history that should be a centerpiece on any true geekandrsquo;s coffee table.andrdquo; andmdash;The Houston Press Art Attack blog
Synopsis
Wacky Packages: New New New is a follow-up title to the hilarious and colorful
Wacky Packages, first published by Abrams in 2008. This new collection presents all the Wacky Packs fromand#160;Series 8and#150;14 covering the years 1974 and 1975. Featuring humorous and often grotesque parodies of common household brands like and#147;Windaxeand#8221;and#160;cleaner and and#147;Smoochersand#8221; jam,
Wacky Packages: New New New offers a tongue-in-cheek critique of consumer culture and marketing subversion.
and#160;Created by a host of comics artists including Kim Deitch, Bill Griffith, Jay Lynch, and Norm Saunders, alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman, Wacky Packages; New New Newand#160;is a colorful, edgy, and intensely creative collection of illustrations. Packaged with four never-before-seen stickers and a wax jacket, Wacky Packages: New New New will please fans and collectors alike.
Synopsis
Featuring humorous and often grotesque parodies of common household brands like Windaxe cleaner and Smoochers jam, this creative collection of illustrations offers a tongue-in-cheek critique of consumer culture.
Synopsis
Edgy, subversive, and darkly comedic, Toppsand#8217;s infamous Mars Attacks trading cards have inspired and fascinated fans ever since they were first published in 1962. Created by Len Brown and Woody Gelman and illustrated by such pulp luminaries as Norm Saunders, Wally Wood, and Bob Powell, this first-ever 16-month Mars Attacks calendar features high-quality reproductions from the original transparencies. Includes 4 bonus collectible cards.
Synopsis
Bazooka Joe and his Gang have been synonymous with bubble gum ever since their debut in 1953, providing an irresistible combination of cheap laughs wrapped around pink, sugary sweetness. This book celebrates the iconic mini-comics that are recognized the world over. The story of Bazooka Bubble Gum is also detailed with extensive essays, including a profile of Wesley Morse, the original illustrator of Bazooka Joe. Included are reproductions of more than 100 classic comics spanning six decadesand#151;including the complete first series, reprinted in its entirety for the first timeand#151;as well as jokes, fortunes, and tiny ads for mail-order merchandise. Like Bazooka Bubble Gum itself, the book is pure nostalgia and guaranteed to appeal to kids and adults alike.
Includes 4 bonus trading cards and a genuine wax wrapper that evokes the original bubble gum packagingand#151;like holding an actual piece of Bazooka in your hands!
Praise for Bazooka Joe and His Gang:
and#147;A sweet bubble of nostalgia.and#8221;and#160; and#151;The Wall Street Journal
and#147;Itand#8217;s a sweet treat for your inner kid.and#8221; and#151;Parade magazine
"A snappy new book, Bazooka Joe and His Gang looks at the history and heritage of one the worldand#8217;s most recognized candy icons and commemorates the 60th anniversary of its origins." and#150; American Profile.com
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Synopsis
and#160; Ever since
Star Trek first aired on television in 1966, the series has had a strong influence on pop culture. In 1976, due to the showand#8217;s rising popularity in syndication, Topps released a series of collectible trading cards featuring full-color images from the classic television series created by Gene Roddenberry, as well as synopses and information on the cast and crew of the
Starship Enterprise. This first-ever compilation includes the fronts and backs of all 88 cards and 22 rare and hard-to-find stickers (which were originally sold one per pack), as well as text and commentary by
Star Trek insiders Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmannand#151;guaranteed to please the die-hard Trekkie as well as a whole new generation of fans.
Praise for Star Trek: The Original Topps Trading Card Series
and#147;If you're like me, most of those cards are long gone by now, so Iand#8217;ve loved the hardcover books devoted to the company's various product lines.and#8221; and#151;USA Todayand#8217;s Pop Candy blog
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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 baseball cards and other trading cards and stickers. They are also known for Bazooka bubblegum, which was introduced in 1947.
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Jay Lynch has written for MAD, Cracked, Sick, Playboy, and Time magazines. He has been freelancing for Topps for over forty years, and helped create some of their most popular humor products, including Wacky Packages and Garbage Pail Kids.
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