Topps, a division of Fanatics Collectibles, has inked a groundbreaking deal with Disney Consumer Products to expand their partnership, granting Topps the global rights to create trading cards featuring cherished characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. This marks the first time that Topps will delve into developing and distributing Marvel trading cards on a global scale.
The collaboration doesn’t just end there; it also solidifies Topps’ enduring global alliance with Star Wars, a partnership that traces back to 1977, enthralling collectors for decades with a galaxy far, far away.
First Release: Topps Finest X-Men ’97
Topps will make its grand foray into Marvel collectible trading cards in the early months of 2025 with the launch of Topps Finest X-Men ’97. This debut coincides with the resurgence of interest in the X-Men franchise and stands as a monumental milestone for Topps in expanding its reach globally with Marvel cards.
Global Collaboration on Physical and Digital Cards
The extended partnership entails the production of both physical and digital trading cards for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars franchises worldwide. While Topps has previously delved into digital collectibles through the Disney Collect! and Marvel Collect! apps, this new agreement significantly amplifies their physical product offerings, especially within the United States.
Paul Gitter, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Commercialization at Disney Consumer Products, lauds the partnership, stating, “Topps has been a long-standing collaborator with Disney Consumer Products, driving physical and digital innovation in the trading card space. We’re thrilled to officially expand our relationship with Topps to bring storytelling from across our brands to card collecting enthusiasts around the world.”
Enhancing the Fan Experience
David Leiner, President of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, expresses excitement about the strengthened alliance, emphasizing Topps’ dedication to enhancing the fan experience. “At Topps, we have a relentless focus on enhancing the fan experience, and this new expansion and extension will help us continue to work with Disney Consumer Products to bring the best innovation in the hobby to collectors,” he remarks.
Leiner also highlights the mutual commitment to innovation and fan engagement between the companies, mentioning, “Following up on our long-term collaboration, we’re excited to build on the success we’ve had with Star Wars cards since 1977, including our recent release of Star Wars Chrome by Topps last month.”
Previous Collaborations and Global Expansion
While Topps has a track record of producing Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars trading cards in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region through Topps.com and at local fan conventions, the new agreement extends these offerings globally, making a substantial move into the U.S. market and other regions.
By uniting Disney’s rich storytelling prowess with Topps’ expertise in collectible trading cards, the partnership aims to deliver innovative products that resonate with fans around the globe.
What’s Next for Collectors
Enthusiasts can anticipate a diverse array of new trading cards that pay homage to the enchantment of Disney, the ingenuity of Pixar, the thrill of Marvel superheroes, and the grandeur of Star Wars adventures. The collaboration is set to introduce fresh designs, unique collectibles, and immersive experiences to elevate the trading card hobby.
This extended partnership between Topps and Disney Consumer Products heralds a new chapter for trading card enthusiasts, granting unprecedented access to some of the most beloved characters and tales in entertainment history.
