When the Topps chewing gum company decided to broaden their baseball card fanbase in 1962, they decided to go intergalactic. Sadly, their "Mars Attacks" series was short-lived, after some parents complained that the cards were too violent. Naturally the 55 cards in the initial run became collectors items -- supposedly a mint-condition set is worth $25,000 -- and now Abrams/ComicArts has published a cool book of reproductions of all the cards and some additional sketches, plus the complete series of sequel cards that came out in 1994. (Images from Tim Burton's 1996 film adaptation aren't included.) Of course earthlings got the last laugh in the ongoing worry about an alien invasion: we invaded Mars. Take a look below, but don't show your mom and dad.
All images copyright The Topps Co, Inc., Abrams ComicArts, 2012. Via Wired.