“War” is in the cards!

Back in 2006 when comicbook illustrator Dave Ryan initially conceived his epic industry-wide gathering of Independent comicbook characters in a six-issue “War” he really had no idea that it would ever generate such a powerful buzz it would create. “I’m friends with quite a few indie guys and it snowballed.” Well, like so many great and buzz-worthy ideas before it, The concept has morphed out of the pages of his comic and jumped into a set of trading cards.

That’s right; the six issue limited comicbook series — The War of the Independents featuring over 200 creators and their Indy characters — from Red Anvil Comics is now an impressive 50 card set, produced and distributed by redzonegirls.com ($21.95). In addition to the 50 cards of the main set there are three chase cards and one unique sketch card in every package!

In the history of comics such a monumental crossover of this magnitude, involving the sheer number of independent characters has never been attempted, much less actually accomplished…until now. Following on the heels of the critically-acclaimed War of the Independents comicbook series, comes a trading card set that features 50 of the most popular characters from the series with full color art. Given the uniqueness of the concept, and the fact that many of these indie characters have never before appeared in trading card sets have added to the mystique of the set itself. Needless to say, the set’s producers hope that this will ensure the collectability of the set.

According to the product information, the 50-card set is to be packaged and sold complete and in its entirety. Each full set will be shipped in a decorative plastic container, and will include three special edition chase cards as well as one signed creator card in every set. Further, there will also be a unique Special Chase Sketch Card by an artist from the series; each package will include the following:

• Full Set of Trading Cards (50 cards total)
• One of the above cards will be a creator autographed card guaranteed included in every set
• Special Gold Foil Original One-of-a-Kind Chase Card
• Decorative Gold Foil plastic container
• Certificate of authenticity

For his part, writer/Illustrator Ryan hopes that both the card set and the comicbook series itself are well received, and is already riding high on a wave of good will amongst indie creators and the fans themselves. The War of the Independents Trading Card Sets retail for $21.95 each, and are currently available from redzonegirls.com or by mail at: Nanu, PO Box 5631, Trenton, NJ 08638

“Trading on” Captain Action

One of the staples of comicbook characters is the trading cards based upon their comicbook exploits, and for Action figure legion and comicbook icon, Caption Action, the time has come for him to have his own line of trading cards. Recently re-introduced in comicbook form from Moonstone Books, Captain Action now has his very own set of trading cards from Captain Action Enterprises.

Originally introduced in 1966, by idea-man, Stan Weston, and equipped with a wardrobe of costumes allowing him to transform into various established superheroes, including Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America, Aquaman, the Phantom, The Lone Ranger, Tonto, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Sgt. Fury, Steve Canyon, and the Green Hornet. The Captain was the Ideal Toy Company's response to Hasbro's GI Joe (also created by Weston), and was originally conceived as an action figure and was later introduced to comicbook fans via a license from DC Comics.

Over the intervening 44 years Captain Action figures have risen to become one of the most revered and sought-after collectibles in the action figure market. For many collectors, Captain Action and his related action figures (Action Boy and Dr. Evil), and accessories, have become “Holy Grail” investments items for collectors; continuing to rise in value to this very day.

This year, Captain Action Enterprises launched the very first collectible Captain Action Trading Card Set. In the 40-year history of this great character there has never been a card set dedicated specifically to the Captain and all of its related characters. This impressive 50 card set is targeted to appeal to not only older collectors but new fans as well. It is composed of six subsets; “Captain Action”, “Action Boy”, “Lady Action”, “Concept Art”, “Cover Gallery”, and “Vintage Art.” Each subset presents colorful new and restored art in handsomely designed cards. The full 50-card set is attractively packaged and sold its entirety, and is shipped in decorative plastic containers. Each set also includes an additional unique Chase Sketch Card by an artist from the series. These Special Gold Foil Original One-of-a-Kind Chase Cards are sure to become hot collectibles. Each package will include the following:

·         Full Set of Trading Cards (50 cards total)

·         One of the above cards will be a Creator Autographed Card guaranteed in every set

·         Special Gold Foil Original One-of-a-Kind Chase Card

·         Decorative Gold Foil plastic container

·         Certificate of authenticity

Captain Action Trading Card Sets ($21.95 each) are currently available from redzonegirls.com or by mail at: Nanu, PO Box 5631, Trenton, NJ 08638.