New York, U.S.A. — On October 24, the Topps Company and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) announced the release of Topps Huddle, the first Topps football app officially licensed by the NFLPA.

In April, Topps launched Topps Bunt and Topps Pennant, two iOS applications for baseball fans that have since attracted more than 100,000 users. Building upon this success, Topps and the NFLPA are partnering to create a fun, casual social gaming experience for everyday NFL fans.

Topps Huddle blends the ease-of-use of a casual social game with the real-time, real-world action of fantasy football. In Topps Huddle, users declare their football allegiances, collect and trade real NFL players, and earn points based on their on-the-field performance. The app highlights the stars of the National Football League – the players – and allows fans to stay more connected with the sport through rewards and achievements.

Features include:

• Real-Time Roster Optimization: Did your QB just get injured? Move NFL players in and out of your starting lineup in real-time—during games—to maximize your points.
• Expanded News Feed: What’s your QB saying on Twitter? Get the latest NFL news with more editorial coverage, Twitter feeds, and “shout outs” from fellow fans.
• Multi-Zone Leaderboard: Have fantasy league fatigue? Compete against your Facebook friends and all other app users to crown football’s greatest fan.

“For more than 60 years, Topps has been committed to connecting fans with their favorite athletes. With the release of Topps Huddle, we are building on this legacy and extending this iconic brand even deeper into the casual, social, and mobile space,” said Michael Bramlage, Vice President at The Topps Company “It is very exciting to be partnering with the NFLPA to connect new, digital-first fans with their favorite football players.”

“Topps is a key partner, and we’re excited to work with them in bringing NFL players closer to fans on the iPhone and iPod touch,” said Kathie Vu, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development for NFL Players, the marketing and licensing subsidiary of the NFLPA. “Showcasing the great players of the NFL in a beautifully-designed, compelling new app is good for fans, players, and the sport. And the partnership is an important proof point in our on-going efforts to give app and game developers broader access to the intellectual property rights of NFL players.”

“We’re confident fans will enjoy this creative mobile and social experience,” said Nicole Pozzi, Senior Manager of Multimedia Licensing for NFL Players. “Topps continues to find new and exciting ways of showcasing our players while providing innovative engagement opportunities for fans wherever and whenever they want.”

Topps Huddle is now available for free in the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch, and can be found here.

For more information, please visit: http://www.toppshuddle.com.

Image Courtesy of  Joint Base Lewis McChord

The article Topps Huddle Now Available on iOS appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The Topps Company has released a first look at a special subset of all-new trading cards by acclaimed comic book artist John McCrea, to be included in this summer’s Mars Attacks Heritage card set.

McCrea, the Eisner Award-winning illustrator and co-creator of DC Comics’ Hitman (with Garth Ennis), is the artist on IDW’s Mars Attacks comic book series. Pulling double duty, McCrea has also created 15 brand new images for Topps, exclusive to Mars Attacks Heritage – four of which were unveiled April 20.

The 15 images, officially titled ‘The New Universe Subset,’ offer a glimpse into the new Mars Attacks, which build from IDW’s upcoming comic book.  In addition, the subset will include insight into the new series, through a narrative that unfolds on the back of each card.

“We wanted John to treat these cards like miniature comic book covers,” said Adam Levine, Topps’ Licensing Manager. “To weave the cards and comics together even further, we crafted a story that introduces fans to our reimagining of Mars Attacks, beginning years before the Martians invade and continuing into the future, perhaps even beyond what you’ll see in IDW’s series in 2012.  If fans look closely, they may even spot a few hints at what lies ahead.”

Along with providing art for ‘The New Universe Subset,’ John McCrea recently paid a visit to Topps in New York, and found time to contribute a limited number of original, hand-drawn sketch cards to be randomly inserted into packs of Mars Attacks Heritage.

“I’m very excited to be able to play in this world of aliens and robots and giant insects,” said McCrea. “Mars Attacks is right up my alley; it’s everything I love to draw.  I’m thrilled to be a part of the creation of this new world and to be able to my own stamp on it.”

Mars Attacks Heritage releases this July, while IDW’s new comic book debuts in June. Both are currently available for order.

For more on Mars Attacks, including an ever growing gallery of sketch cards, follow on facebook: www.facebook.com/MarsAttacks

For all the latest updates, follow on twitter @realmarsattacks

The article Eisner Award-Winner Illustrate Exclusive Mars Attacks Cards appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.