NBCU Unveils Heroes Trading Cards

UNIVERSAL CITY, May 22:
NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music & Consumer Products Group has debuted
the first set of collectible trading cards based on the hit series Heroes, featuring characters and scenes from the show’s
debut season.

Trading-card company Topps
has created 90 cards for the first set, which are available at comic book and
specialty retailers as well as mass merchandisers nationwide, while a second
set is set to launch in July. The initial cards feature original cast
autographs, foil flip-motion cards, memorabilia cards with actual swatches of Heroes
costume material and one-of-a-kind
original sketches from the show’s illustrators. The second set will include
autographs from additional cast members, new sketch work and costume pieces.

The cards come in packs of
seven, 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.

"Topps has done a
first-rate job showcasing Heroes
with these unique collectible cards," said NBC Universal’s senior VP, 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," added Ira Friedman,
Topps’ VP of publishing. "Add the engaging story lines and multi-seasonal
episodes to the mix and Heroes has
the potential to become a major mainstay in the collectible-card
category."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski