In 1962, Topps released a set of trading cards called “Mars Attacks” that quickly became controversial. The cards featured shockingly violent and graphic images, thrilling kids but upsetting their parents. Faced with strong criticism from parent groups, stores, and even the police, Topps removed the cards from sale within the same year. Most copies were either discarded by angry parents or secretly kept by curious children.
These cards quickly became popular with a dedicated following and have been reprinted several times since their original release, even inspiring a movie in 1996. This has increased their value, with some individual cards now selling for over $3,000. Now, a reasonably-conditioned complete set is up for auction at Heritage, offering a rare opportunity to own a complete “Mars Attacks” collection without a huge investment.
What Made These Cards So Controversial?
The original “Mars Attacks” trading cards, created by Topps, were heavily influenced by 1950s science fiction movies – designer Len Brown specifically mentioned the 1955 film This Island Earth as inspiring the Martians’ large heads. Topps released these cards under a different company name, surprising the public.
Worried about how people would react to the graphic images on the cards, Topps president Joel Shorin published them without using the Topps name. Instead, they were sold under a fake company called “Bubbles Inc.” Before the cards went on sale, Shorin asked artist Bob Powell to revise more than a dozen of the 55 designs, hoping to make the violence less extreme. The released “Mars Attacks” cards are actually a softened version of the original artwork.
Shorin was right to be worried. Soon after the “Mars Attacks” trading cards were released in certain areas, there was significant public criticism. Parents and groups focused on children’s well-being protested the cards’ graphic violence and suggestive themes, arguing they could harm kids. There are reports that a Connecticut district attorney even contacted Topps, asking them to halt production.
To avoid potential lawsuits, Topps halted production and distribution of the “Mars Attacks” cards across the country. Their scarcity is also due to limited initial release areas. In fact, PSA, a trading card grading service, has only recorded two sealed packs, and it’s unclear if any complete, unopened boxes still exist.
History of “Mars Attacks” Trading Cards, Explained
These cards were first reprinted in 1964 by A & BC Gum, a British company connected to Topps. While they also caused some debate in the UK, these 1964 cards aren’t as popular with collectors as the original American version. In fact, collectors sometimes find them annoying because they look so much like the 1962 set, making it harder to tell genuine 1962 “Mars Attacks” cards apart.
Interest in collecting these cards really took off after Tim Burton’s 1996 movie, Mars Attacks!. The film brought a new wave of fans to the series, and even today, more people want to buy the cards than there are available.
Serious “Mars Attacks” collectors often spend years building perfect, original sets of the cards. You’re more likely to find individual high-quality cards being traded between them, which makes finding a complete set in less-than-perfect condition quite rare. If you’re new to collecting these cards, this is an excellent opportunity to get your hands on a full set.
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2026-06-17 01:15