Topps, a leader in the trading card industry, has unveiled an exciting development in its partnership with Disney. This collaboration has now expanded to include global rights for producing trading cards featuring beloved characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and even Star Wars.
The introduction of this partnership marks a significant growth for Topps, allowing them to venture into developing and distributing physical trading cards on a global scale for Marvel, in addition to their successful ongoing collaboration with Star Wars that dates back to 1977.
The highly anticipated first release under this new agreement is the Topps Finest X-Men ’97 set, scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2025. This debut aligns with the resurrection of interest in the X-Men franchise and signals a momentous step for Topps in the realm of global Marvel trading card distribution.
This expanded partnership not only encompasses the production of physical trading cards but also extends to digital trading cards across the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars franchises. While Topps has previously explored digital collectibles through specialized apps, this new agreement significantly enhances their physical product offerings, particularly in the United States.
Paul Gitter, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Commercialization at Disney Consumer Products, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting Topps’ history of driving innovation in the trading card market. He highlighted the shared commitment to bringing storytelling from a multitude of beloved brands to card collectors around the world.
David Leiner, President of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, emphasized the dedication to elevating the fan experience through this strengthened partnership. Acknowledging Topps’ persistent focus on innovation and fan engagement, he discussed the exciting potential for future developments to cater to collectors’ interests.
With a history of producing trading cards for Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, Topps now embarks on a global expansion into markets like the United States. By combining Disney’s captivating narratives with Topps’ expertise in collectible trading cards, this collaboration aspires to offer fans an array of innovative products that resonate on a global scale.
Collectors can anticipate a diverse range of new trading cards celebrating the enchantment of Disney, the ingenuity of Pixar, the thrill of Marvel superheroes, and the sprawling adventures of Star Wars. This expanded partnership ushers in a new era for trading card enthusiasts, providing unprecedented access to cherished characters and narratives from the world of entertainment.