GALLINA™

Mars Attacks Invasion: exclusive sneak peek at new card series:
If you're not familiar with the story of the original Mars Attack trading cards from 1962, they were of a set of bubblegum cards with lurid paintings that told the story of a horrific invasion of Earth by hideous-looking Martians with giant exposed brains and rictus leers. When parents discovered the gruesome, violent, and sexually suggestive images on the cards, Topps was forced to pull them off the shelves, making them instant collectors' items (here's my post about an excellent Mars Attacks book that came out last year, and here's my Mars Attacks wall art with Jane posing next to it for scale).
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its most infamous product, Topps is busting out the stops with an all-new Mars Attack trading cards series (coming out this October), and I'm happy to report that the art is excellent! Last month I posted this cool painting by the 88-year-old pulp magazine legend Earl Norem, and a representative from Topps contacted me and asked if I'd like to run an exclusive sneak preview of the card art on Boing Boing. "Of course!" I said. Moments later, he sent me the following images, which include Norem's stunning concept sketches. Enjoy!

Riding the momentum of the 50th Anniversary of their best-selling franchise, Topps is proud to announce the first all-new MARS ATTACKS story-based trading cards in more than half a century! While paying homage to the infamous card set that first shocked parents and delighted children in 1962, Mars Attacks: Invasion will be a bold revival, and will take the property into exciting new territory.
"Last year's Heritage re-issue was a smash hit with fans,” says Topps' Adam Levine, who has overseen the recent resurgence of MARS ATTACKS, “and this brand-new series is what we’ve been building to. It will be a fresh re-imagining of the original series and will stay faithful to MARS ATTACKS' pulpy, classic sci-fi roots. This means all-new, traditionally hand-painted cards illustrated by a group of artists carefully selected to carry forward creator Norm Saunders' legacy."
The set will boast an impressive roster of talent, from living legend Earl Norem and master illustrator Joe Jusko, to renowned painters Ed Repka, Glen Orbik, Gregory Staples and more to be announced.  Artists contributing to the 63-card story-based portion of the set will each illustrate multiple cards, with the set being divided into themed subsets that combine to tell the story of an alien apocalypse unlike any other.
"Topps hasn't done a set like this in more than twenty years,” says series editor David Waldeck. “It's a return to the days when trading cards hooked audiences with incredible imagery and imaginative storytelling. We've loaded the set with everything fans know and love about MARS ATTACKS: giant insects, flying saucers, ray guns, robots, damsels and death rays!"
Topps will also provide fans with the opportunity to find original 1962 MARS ATTACKS trading cards randomly inserted into packs! These vintage trading cards from the most valuable non-sport trading card set in history have been certified by Topps in 2013 and will be available as rare chase cards in Mars Attacks: Invasion!
Additional chase subsets and valuable collector-driven inserts will be detailed in the coming months. Filled with high levels of sci-fi action and excessive amounts of bone-chilling gore, this all-new series will surely thrill long-time fans and legions of new ones in equal measure.
Mars Attacks: Invasion is scheduled for release in October 2013.vFor more information on MARS ATTACKS, follow on Facebook. Read the continuing adventures of the new Mars Attacks comic book series, published monthly by IDW.

Lovely Mom Draws Awesome Pictures on Napkins for Her Son's Lunch:

If you didn't know, Mother's day is a few weeks away (May 12th this year) so it's a pretty good idea to tell your Mom you love her. Though you should do that everyday! Especially if you're the sons of amazing Nina Levy. She turns regular ol' lunch napkins into wonderful pieces of art. Just look at them.
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Vintage Safety: Fifty years of workplace safety posters courtesy of Geheugenvannederland.nl (Memory of the Netherlands)

1925-1926, illus. Willem Papenhuyzen via Memory of the Netherlands




1925-1949, poster by Evert Möllenkamp via Memory of the Netherlands




1925-1949, poster by W. J. v.d. Werf via Memory of the Netherlands




1926-1927, poster by Albert Hahn via Memory of the Netherlands




1927-1928, poster by Albert Hahn via Memory of the Netherlands




1939, poster by E. Lukàcs via Memory of the Netherlands




1939, poster by Gé Hurkmans via Memory of the Netherlands




1940, poster by Drik de Leeuw via Memory of the Netherlands




1942, poster by Hans Bolleman via Memory of the Netherlands



1942, poster by Hans Bolleman via Memory of the Netherlands




c. 1950–1959, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1950-1970, poster by V. Riel via Memory of the Netherlands



1950, poster by N. Olthuis via Memory of the Netherlands




1952-1953, poster by Dick Harders via Memory of the Netherlands




1959-1964, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1959-1964, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1959-1964, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1959, poster by T.T. Kwee via Memory of the Netherlands




1960-1970, poster by Frits Frietman via Memory of the Netherlands




1960, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1967, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1968, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1972, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1972, designer unknown, via Memory of the Netherlands




1973, poster by Frans Mettes via Memory of the Netherlands




1973, poster by Frans Mettes via Memory of the Netherlands




1975, poster by Frans Mettes via Memory of the Netherlands




1977, poster by Ron van Weerdt via Memory of the Netherlands
This one would look good in a CRM textbook

Previously: Don't fall off the building and Danger Is Everywhere