Heroes Trading Cards @ Topps

[ENGLISH] Fans of NBC’s hit series « Heroes » now have one more way to enjoy their favorite show as NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music & Consumer Products Group debuts the first set of collectible trading cards from renowned trading card company Topps. Ninety cards are featured in the first set, which focuses on characters and scenes from the first season of the show. The initial card set includes original cast autographs from Jack Coleman (« H.R.G. »), Noah Gray-Cabey (« Micah Sanders »), Greg Grunberg (« Matt Parkman »), James Kyson Lee (« Ando Masahashi »), Masi Oka (« Hiro Nakamura »), Hayden Panettiere (« Claire Bennet »), Adrian Pasdar (« Nathan Petrelli »), Sendhil Ramamurthy (« Mohinder Suresh »), Zachary Quinto (« Sylar ») and Milo Ventimiglia (« Peter Petrelli »).

Additional features include special foil cards; flip motion cards that depict « before » and « after, » as characters morph; memorabilia cards that contain a swatch of actual « Heroes » costume material; one-of-a-kind original sketch cards from « Heroes » illustrators, including Tim Sale; and, select episodic imagery from the show. « Topps has done a first-rate job showcasing ‘Heroes’ with these unique collectible cards, » said NBC Universal Senior Vice President Kim Niemi. « With the autographs and bits of costume, these cards give the fans an actual piece of the show and we look forward to introducing more in the months to come. »

« The fervent ‘Heroes’ fan base and the show’s compelling on-air visuals are powerful trading-card ingredients, » said Ira Friedman, Topps Vice President, Publishing. « Add the engaging storylines and multi-seasonal episodes to the mix and ‘Heroes’ has the potential to become a major mainstay in the collectible card category. »

The second set of « Heroes » trading cards will hit stores in July and will include original autographs from cast members David Anders (« Adam Monroe »), Dana Davis (« Monica Dawson »), Ali Larter (« Niki Sanders »), James Kyson Lee (« Ando Masahashi ») and Cristine Rose (« Angela Petrelli ») as well as Ashley Crow (« Sandra Bennet »), Nicholas D’Agosto (« West Rosen »), Jimmy Jean-Louis (« The Haitian »), Adair Tishler (« Molly Walker ») and Stephen Tobolowsky (« Bob Bishop »). In addition to dazzling new selections of sketch artwork, the second set of « Heroes » collectible cards will feature costume pieces from characters including « Claire Bennet » (portrayed by Hayden Panettiere), « Elle Bishop » (portrayed by Kristen Bell), « Monica Dawson » (portrayed by Dana Davis), « Peter Petrelli » (portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia) and « West Rosen » (portrayed by Nicholas D’Agosto).

The cards come in packs of seven cards and are also available in special « hobby box » sets, which include 24 packs of cards. Each hobby box contains either one original autograph, a memorabilia card or a sketch card. The cards are now available at comic book and specialty retailers as well as mass merchandisers nationwide.

About Heroes

NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated drama series « Heroes » chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. The show has been honored with a People’s Choice Award, an AFI Award, a Multicultural Prism Award and the TV Land Future Classic Award, as well as the TV Critics Association Awards’ Outstanding Program of the Year and nominations at the NAACP Image Awards, WGA Awards and Satellite Awards. Created by Tim Kring, « Heroes » is produced by Universal Media Studios in association with Tailwind Productions. The show returns for a third season on NBC in September 2008.

About The Topps Company, Inc.

Founded in 1938, Topps is a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps entertainment products include Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company’s confectionery brands include « Bazooka » bubble gum, « Ring Pop, » « Push Pop, » « Baby Bottle Pop » and « Juicy Drop Pop » lollipops. For additional information, visit http://www.topps.com/. »

About NBC Universal Television DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group:

NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBC Universal Television DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for The NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special market projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.