A Couple (Hundred) Christmas Cards

It's amazing how many cards there are with Christmas themes. They're not just limited to non-sport releases either. There's plenty of promos and inserts that have a sports theme. A Mick Foley wrestling card crossed my desk last week as well, which I'll eventually scan in. Over the past couple of weekends I've been adding many to an album I created on my Facebook page (shameless plug/plea for fans). I've still got a ton to go, but the album has been created so that anyone can add images to, so feel free to post some of your favourites. One of my goals with the Facebook page is to create similar albums with themes that others can easily add to.

Here's some of the highlights of what I've posted thus far:

And the Oscar Goes to...Lebron James?

Okay, maybe not but Shaq's new teammate is the subject of a documentary More Than a Game, which is set to be released in theatres by Lions Gate on October 2. The film focuses on James as he's getting ready to become the king of the post-MJ basketball world and his roots.

Last week I received an email that contained five "trading cards" of the five primary subjects of the film. As of right now, I think they're just images. However, I wouldn't be surprised if actual promos start showing up before the film's release date.

In case you're curious about the movie, here's the scoop from the studio's promotional materials:

Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and loyalty in the face of great adversity.  Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship.  Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together.  More Than A Game combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos, and personal family photographs to bring this heart-wrenching and wholly American story to life.

 

  

  

  

  

And the trailer:

San Diego Comic Con Card Swag List

I'm going to do my best to keep a tally of the cards handed out at this year's Halloween costume mecca better known as Comic Con. The list will get to the point and that's about all, meant purely for reference purposes. If you know of anything that's missing (cards only, please), please email me so it can be added.

Artbox:

Harry Potter
Artbox is once again selling goodie bags that contain an assortment of previously released products and some new exclusives:

Prop/Costume Cards
SDCC09-CP1 Just Like That & Boxing Telescope Boxes
SDCC09-CP2 Slughorn's Office Cushions and Armchair
SDCC09-CP3 Slughorn's Christmas Party Guest Costume and Lantern Prop
SDCC09-CP4 Death Eater & Dumbledore Dual Costume

Prop Cards
Three different prop cards featuring pieces from Quidditch stand material. The cards are numbered /550 and showcase Gryffindor, Slythrin and one for all schools.

Harry Potter Stinks button. This will likely be one of the more popular exclusives from the show as it's limited to 33 copies and will only be given out through a raffle - five per day with three left over for the Artbox and licensor vaults.

Oversized Autograph
SDCC09. Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood

Breygent:

Dexter
Breygent will be offering special Dexter sets at SDCC. According to the Canadian company you get a 72-card base set, two costume cards and seven foil cards.


Ghost Whisperer
The first Ghost Whisperer cards will arrive at Comic Con with Breygent selling a box with a 72-card base set, two costume cards, two autographs and nine foil cards. The two autographs I've seen on eBay have the SDCC logo.

Rittenhouse Archives:
Althout RA won't be set up at the show themselves, they are making promos available at several card dealers' booths.
 

Lost 
P1 (Wednesday)
P2 (Thursday)
P3 (Friday)
P4 (Saturday)
P5 (Sunday)

 

  

  

Spider-Man Archives

SD09 available only at the Marvel booth. 

Stargate Heroes

SD09

 

Star Trek: The Original Series 2009

P4

 

  

Summit Entertainment:

New Moon
Two different promo packs for the upcoming Twilight sequel. The first is a set of five that focuses on Team Jacob. The second set of promos has four cards: Bella, Edward, Jacob and a header.

Unknown Manufacturers:

Spartacus
Promo pack of eight cards promoting the new series or mini-series that debuts in the winter.

In Case You Were Wondering What Happened to the Rest of Inkworks' Stock

Since non-sport manufacturer Inkworks closed up shop a few months ago, much has been speculated about their remaining inventory. There was a noticeable upturn in the number of eBay listings, particularly from a couple of sellers. Then there was Razor's grab bag release Ink Archives that had one random Inkworks autograph per pack.

Factory Entertainment has now launched InkworksArchives.com, which should answer a lot of questions about the leftovers, particularly autographs, Pieceworks costume cards and sketch cards. There's also a lot of promo cards and uncut press sheets, which were an Inkworks staple.

I've only done a quick browse through what's available but it should give an indication as to what there was lots leftover on. For example, there's lots of Golden Compass cards, but very little for either of the Alien vs. Predator set. Of course, this could change if more items are listed on the site, but it's a good first look.

The Karate Kid Invades Philadelphia

I have to say that after looking at the initial checklist for the upcoming Donruss Americana III, there was very little that caught my attention. The autograph checklist has a lot of familiar names who have already signed for the series.

There is one exception that I'm very stoked for: Ralph Macchio, better known as The Karate Kid. The promo card pictured below will be one of several exclusive cards handed out at the Philly Non-Sport Card Show this weekend in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Macchio's autograph card debut will come with several parallel's in Donruss Americana III, which is scheduled for release at the start of June. Other Americana "rookies" include James Caan (Sonny from The Godfather), Michael Madsen and JOEY LAWRENCE! Understand my lack of excitement, now?

For more product info, here's Donruss' page.

Monsters vs. Aliens Card Giveaway at IMAX Theatres

An exclusive eight-card promo set for the new animated film Monsters vs. Aliens will be available at IMAX theatres this weekend.

The set will cover each of the lead characters. To receive a set you should go to the movie's official website and print a "Top Secret ID Card," then present it at the theatre box office. Then the cashier will either stare at you blankly or hand over the cards. Hopefully it'll be the latter.

If the cards weren't incentive enough, the movie is going to be shown in 3-D as well. Often 3-D is lame, but in IMAX it's different. You get full color, not just the blue and the red. Plus, it's IMAX, so it's huge.