Topps & IDW Annouce Joint Venture in Mars Attacks

That sound you hear behind you is your life "rat tat tatting" away. Or maybe it's in front of you. Or maybe it's on stage. Yep, definitely onstage. Topps and IDW have announced a joint venture to create Mars Attacks: The Broadway Musical in celebration of the property's 50th anniversary this year. While Topps and IDW have each had success with their properties in film, a Broadway production is a first for both companies.

Greg Goldstein, President of IDW Publishing, said, “We’ve been hard at work preparing our new comic series since last fall, and a live stage production was the logical next step in expanding our partnership. This will be a ferocious, seat-of-your-pants musical that will engage audiences—a jaw-dropping extravaganza unlike anything theatre-goers have seen before.”

Mars Attacks: 21st Century Slaughter will be written and produced by John Layman and set in the same continuity as the comic book. The story will chronicle the modern-day invasion of Earth by the famous aliens from Mars, who utilize giant insects, killer robots and a variety of stunning death rays to conquer the planet. The show is scheduled for rehearsals later this year with a debut in 2013. Topps and IDW are in negotiations with a high-profile director/songwriter team and are currently seeking a seven-foot tall male lead with extensive rock vocal experience.

“Ever since I saw The Sound of Music as a youngster living in New York I have dreamed of a career on Broadway, and I’m very excited to be branching out into theatre,” said Layman. “My approach to MARS ATTACKS on stage is sort of a science fiction version of West Side Story: a human and a Martian involved in a star-crossed romance, set against the backdrop of a violent interstellar war—with all of humanity caught in between! It’s going to be a rollicking good time, with songs that will make you want to get up and dance!”

I'm going to assume Natalie Portman isn't signing on for this incarnation, which is a shame. Love me some Natalie Portman.

Full press release below.

Topps & IDW Announce Joint Venture
Thursday, Mar 29th, 2012

MARS ATTACKS: The Broadway Musical
(San Diego, March 29) – Coinciding with the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, trading card giant Topps and comic book publisher IDW announced today an exciting joint venture: the co-production of a thrilling, big-budget Broadway musical based on the MARS ATTACKS saga, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. While Topps and IDW have each had success with their properties in film, a Broadway production is a first for both companies.

“Topps and IDW recently made a long-term commitment to MARS ATTACKS in the form of an ongoing comic book series, and this unique project is an extension of that,” said Ira Friedman, Topps VP of Publishing and Licensing.

Greg Goldstein, President of IDW Publishing, continued, “We’ve been hard at work preparing our new comic series since last fall, and a live stage production was the logical next step in expanding our partnership. This will be a ferocious, seat-of-your-pants musical that will engage audiences—a jaw-dropping extravaganza unlike anything theatre-goers have seen before.”

The musical, to be titled Mars Attacks: 21st Century Slaughter, will be written and produced by comics veteran John Layman, and set in the same continuity as the comic book that he is authoring. His story, adapted for the stage, chronicles the modern-day invasion of Earth by grotesque aliens from Mars, who utilize giant insects, killer robots and a variety of stunning death rays to conquer the planet.

“Ever since I saw The Sound of Music as a youngster living in New York I have dreamed of a career on Broadway, and I’m very excited to be branching out into theatre,” said Layman. “My approach to MARS ATTACKS on stage is sort of a science fiction version of West Side Story: a human and a Martian involved in a star-crossed romance, set against the backdrop of a violent interstellar war—with all of humanity caught in between! It’s going to be a rollicking good time, with songs that will make you want to get up and dance!”

Mars Attacks: 21st Century Slaughter is scheduled for rehearsals later this year with a Broadway debut planned for 2013. Topps and IDW are in negotiations with a high-profile director/songwriter team and are currently seeking a seven-foot tall male lead with extensive rock vocal experience.

IDW’s comic book series “Mars Attacks” launches this June. Topps will release a commemorative card set this July. For more information on Mars Attacks, follow their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MarsAttacks

Contact: Adam Levine, email: alevine@topps.com, phone: (212) 376-0607

About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coasts Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, while Michael Bay‘sPlatinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

About Topps

Founded in 1938, The Topps Company is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products and distinctive confectionery. Topps’ leading sports and entertainment products include Major League Baseball, National Football League, UFC, WWE, Star Wars, Garbage Pail Kids and Mars Attacks. The Topps Company’s top confectionery brands include “Ring Pop,” “Push Pop,” “Baby Bottle Pop,” “Bazooka” bubble gum, “Sharkies” and “Juicy Drop Pop” products. For more information, visit www.topps.com.