Discover the 1994 Mars Attacks Archives Set
When Topps released the original set of Mars Attacks back in 1962, no one could have foreseen how popular or iconic it would soon become. They were irreverent, brash, colorful, and grotesque, painting a pulp sci-fi invasion of Earth by a brutal and terrifying Martian army. The series vanished for two decades after making waves and stirring up controversy in the early ‘60s with its sardonically graphic art, but Topps returned with a reprint set in 1984, and a decade after that, the Mars Attacks Archives set was released.
The 1994 set was a twofold package — another reprint of the original 55 cards from 1962, plus 44 new numbered cards, a #0 title card from original artist Norm Saunders’ daughter Zina Saunders, and a handful of bonuses. The new material included completed sketches that were cut from the original series, card versions of the Mars Attacks comic book covers that were also released in 1994, and 11 unpublished cards intended for a previously canceled release.
It’s been 30 years since Mars Attacks Archives breathed new life into the dormant series, and looking back, the 1994 set deserves a lot of credit for reintroducing fans to the wild beauty of the cards.
Just two years later in 1996, the cards became a major Warner Bros. motion picture, directed by Tim Burton and starring an ensemble cast led by Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close. The film, which added an exclamation mark to the title in a bit of appropriate pulp flair, helped bring Mars Attacks to an even larger audience.
Collectors today can still find a lot of unique treasures in the 1994 set. While half the cards are reprints of the original ‘60s run, the previously unpublished cards are great additions to the lore and world of Mars Attacks, and the new art of the “Visions” subset is particularly striking. The latter group of 22 cards features all-new art on the fronts and original sketches left out of the original set on the backs, many of which were drawn by legendary comic artist Wally Wood.
In addition to the 100 core cards, the Mars Attacks Archives set included a number of great chase cards, including four Topps Matrix cards and a rare autographed card from artist Zina Saunders, of which only 2,000 were released.
The Mars Attacks Archives cards still make great finds for collectors today, especially if you have a soft spot for gaudy pulp genre art. Mars Attacks remains popular today, and the 1994 revival is a big reason why.
