Future Futera

The 100-strong Dwarf trading card set come red-hot off the presses.

5 July, 2002

It's been a long time coming, but they're finally here. Futera have given a release date of July 10th for their enormous trading card collection - covering all eight series, The End to end. With a huge backlog of pre-orders, more recent buyers are likely to see their cards by the end of the month - it's proving to be a popular release!

Initially being sent out by mail order, the cards should filter into stores during July - and that is worldwide. From Tokyo to Texas, Sheffield to Sydney, Red Dwarf fans can scramble for this remarkable set.

The primary set is made up of 64 individual cards, telling the full story of the show, as well as focussing on classic episodes and behind the scenes elements. Better yet, for the first time stills of the original ending to Only the Good will be made available, with the unseen segments of Doug Naylor's script on the back of the cards.

Beyond this 'main set', fans can collect the 32 chome cards - covering space ships, action scenes, the main cast, alternate personalities and monsters. Plus the six card Dwarf artwork and Chlo¨ Annett photoshoot sets (the latter with holographic effects) and six quirky 'Smeg' cards featuring the likes of Talkie Toaster, the skutters and Mr Flibble.

So far that's a total of 114, but there's more. All the main cast have provided rare autographed cards, and Grant Naylor have contributed all manner of memorabilia. There are 11 different memorabilia cards to hunt for, including the Dibbley Wig, Rimmer's Uniform worn in Holoship, pieces of Psiren skin, Lister leer and cigarette labels - oh, and even one precious part of Mr. Flibble!

Add to that gold (if you're lucky enough find one of these you will become the proud owner of a real 24ct gold Dwarf card), album and centrepiece cards and you have 135 different cards. Will you aim for just the main set, or try for the rare chrome, autograph and memorabilia cards? The choice is yours.

All Red Dwarf memorabilia cards had to be carefully hand made. The foam and even the wire mesh of Kryten's mask were cut into 300 pieces to make these cards. If you find one, you are one of only 300 people in the world to have one!

"As a matter of security, the preparation and insertion of the pieces of memorabilia into the cards is not something we can allow others to do," said Gwyneth Glascodine of Futera. "This has meant many late nights and nervous tension as there was only just enough material to make the required quantity of cards. There is little room for error; just 2 or 3 damaged bits of memorabilia and it would have meant us having to re-write the checklist and undertake a new print run."

"The funny thing was that, apart from the cards, my fingers kept getting stuck to everything I touched - the phone, the kettle, my keyboard, so powerful were the adhesives for sticking the bits of metal and rubber!"

A full list of the cards - complete with illustrations - will appear on reddwarf.co.uk shortly.

In the UK, game and hobby shops should be stocking display boxes, with each X-card pack selling at �2.99. But serious devotees can buy a display box from Futera direct at �58. On average, customers would be likely to find either an Autograph or a Memorabalia card in every box. Dedicated stores around the world will stock at prices appropriate to the location. No word yet on the conversion rate to dollarpounds.

Mr Flibble Talks To... Gwyneth Glascodine - for the full story behind the trading cards.

A link to the Futera website can be found in our Links section, or email them at info@futera.co.uk

To talk trading cards - and even organise swaps - don't forget to log in to our Webboard and Chatroom.