New-Gen brings limited trading cards to San Diego Comic-Con
New-Gen Universe is rolling out its first consumer products push with a Cryptozoic trading card set capped at 300 convention boxes.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
New-Gen Universe is making its merch move at San Diego Comic-Con with a tiny run of trading cards: only 300 convention-exclusive boxes are being produced worldwide, Variety reported.
The company’s first consumer products initiative is a collector’s set created with Cryptozoic Entertainment and tied to the Marvel-distributed “New-Gen” comic series. The launch is set for the July 23 to 26 convention in San Diego.
According to Variety, the card release is also designed to keep attention on “New-Gen Nanobot Heroes,” the upcoming 3D CGI animated series based on the franchise.
The “New-Gen” story follows twin brothers Sean and Chris, who discover their bodies have been upgraded by nanotechnology. In the comic, that throws them into conflict with the villain Deadalus in a future world where nature and technology coexist.
“New-Gen” was created by J.D. Matonti, Julia Coppola and Chris Matonti. Variety described the property as having grown from its Marvel-distributed comic roots into a broader franchise covering publishing, animation and consumer products.
Debra Joester, president of Joester Loria Group, is leading the expansion of the brand’s consumer products program, Variety reported.
Each Comic-Con box contains 13 cards. Variety said the lineup includes 11 base cards using artwork from the comics, one rainbow foil card and one autograph card signed by either J.D. Matonti, voice actor Molly Fahey or voice actor Tony Oliver.
Every autograph card is signed on-card and limited to 100 copies, according to Variety. Some base and foil cards were produced as one-of-one editions.
Convention buyers will also get a free “New-Gen” graphic novel. Variety reported that the book includes a foreword by Mark Hamill and covers the origin of the franchise.
J.D. Matonti said in a statement reported by Variety that the team was “thrilled” to work with Joester and Cryptozoic on the first “New-Gen” consumer products effort, and said the group sees more opportunities ahead with Joester Loria Group, Toonz Media Group and other talent connected to the property.
Joester said in a statement reported by Variety that fans want “the next evolution of superheroes” and praised Matonti’s world and characters.
Comic-Con attendees will also be able to see new artwork from “New-Gen Nanobot Heroes” on the franchise’s website, Variety reported. The art shows the heroes arriving by spaceship in the show’s utopian setting. A separate giveaway will offer a graphic novel signed by Hamill.
The animated series is already stacked
“New-Gen Nanobot Heroes” is planned as a 13-episode series, with each episode running 22 minutes, according to Variety. Matonti is the writer-director, and his representation includes Evan Anglin and Eric Williams at Zero Gravity Management.
New-Gen Universe and Toonz Media Group are producing the series. Chris Matonti, Julia Coppola, Brad Heisman and J.D. Matonti are executive producers.
The writing team includes Brent Friedman, whose credits include “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and Eugene Son, who worked on “Avengers Assemble,” along with four additional writers, Variety reported.
Toonz Media Group will distribute the series internationally, while Ketchup Entertainment will handle the domestic release. The voice cast includes Finn Wolfhard, Nick Wolfhard, Anya Chalotra, Luke Wilson, Henry Rollins, Taylor Gray, Molly Fahey, Lena Headey, Tony Oliver and others. John Loeffler composed the score.
Variety reported that New-Gen Universe’s advisory board includes the franchise’s creators, former Marvel CFO Ken West and “How to Train Your Dragon” producer Bonnie Arnold. Toonz Media Group has been in animation for more than 25 years and produces an estimated 5,000 minutes of CGI and 2D programming each year.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.