Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Tag: Mars Attacks

Earl Norem — Mars Attacks, A True Classic

Original Art and The Artists

Painting for Topps Mars Attacks re-launch, 1994, used later as cover for Mars Attacks: Classics Obliterated (IDW) #1, June 2013

In 1994, to celebrate and promote the return of Topps Mars Attacks with its first series of comic books, and a brand-new series of Trading cards, we commissioned the legendary Earl Norem to create a “Classic” movie style painting of Mars Attacks as if it were a 50s SF poster painted by Reynold Brown or Joe Smith.

We immediately used the image on the back of a Topps convention staff t-shirt at SDCC, and other marketing materials as well. It was designated to appear on one of our comic books, but kept slipping through the cracks, until ultimately it remained unused through the series run. (It may have appeared on a bonus card or promo card though.)

As the owner of the original painting, I hadn’t forgotten about it, and when IDW acquired the Mars Attacks rights, it finally made its way as a cover for the “Classics Obliterated” one shot. It was only 18 years. Better late than never indeed.

Zina Saunders — Vote!

Original Art and The Artists

Mars Attacks #1 Cover Variant, 2012

Vote indeed! (Just not for this guy.)

The terrifically talented Zina Saunders — daughter of legendary Mars Attacks painter Norm Saunders — created this card for our 1994 Topps Mars Attacks “sequel” series. So many good cards were created for that set, including many by Zina, that we ran out of room, and this one went unused…

Until 2012, when we acquired the Mars Attacks comic book license at IDW. Legendary comics marketing guru Dirk Wood had this crazy idea: What if we created 55 variant covers, each featuring one of the original 55 cards? Ha-ha. That’s funny.

Then we went ahead and did it.

And we upped the ante: We added an additional variant cover that you could only get if you bought the complete box set of variant covers.

Honestly, I think we all agreed we were nuts  — until some good orders came in. Collectors actually wanted all the covers. It was a novel way to have a complete “set” of the original Mars Attacks.

Maybe those are unrelated thoughts. We might still be nuts.

But I’m not voting the Martian ticket, regardless. Not this year, anyway.

Joe Jusko — Stan Strikes!

Original Art and The Artists

Trading Card and Litho, October 2013

One year ago today, Stan Lee headed off into the greater cosmos. I like to think he’s bugging the Watchers, endlessly and enthusiastically reviewing his many adventures on Planet Earth with them. Like this:

“Hey fellas, remember that time I saved everyone form the Martian invasion? Remember? Fellas?”

Fortunately for us, in case we forget, Joe Jusko captures the moment perfectly with this premium trading card and litho for Stan’s own Los Angeles comic book convention in 2013. 

Stan Lee and Topps Mars Attacks. It’s perfect reflection of my misspent youth, and well beyond. I knew the moment I saw the painting I had to have it. Hell, Joe probably knew I would need to have it when he took the assignment. (We’ve known each other a long time.)

We miss ya Stan. I hope Jack and Steve are taking you on a wild ride through the multiverse — just like the good old days.