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Farscape action figures and trading cards coming

Courtesy of The Jim Henson Company
October 17, 1999

The Jim Henson Company has signed licensing agreements with Rittenhouse Archives and Toy Vault to create trading cards and action figures for the collectors’ market, featuring characters from Farscape, the top-rated program on Sci-Fi Channel’s Friday night original programming block.

Rittenhouse Archives will produce several series of printed trading cards. Each series of cards will be a limited and numbered edition to enhance its collectibility and value. The cards will feature photography and computer graphics from the TV series and autographed cards signed by the actors themselves will be distributed throughout the various series.

Toy Vault will produce articulated and non-articulated plastic figures and figural key chains for both specialty and mass-market channels. The figures will have the likenesses of the hit show’s characters such as Commander John Crichton, Officer Aeryn Sun and General Ka D’Argo.

With both licensees set to launch in 2000, distribution for all product lines will include on-line channels such as the Sci-Fi Channel Web site (scifi.com), etoys.com and amazon.com, as well as comic book and science-fiction specialty stores and hobby shops.

"I am extremely pleased that Rittenhouse Archives will be producing the very first Farscape trading cards," said Steven M. Charendoff, President of Rittenhouse Archives. "In its short time on the air, Farscape has very quickly established itself as one of the elite sci-fi programs on TV. More importantly, it has all the qualities necessary for a successful line of trading cards and other merchandise—it has great scripts, fabulous and colorful characters and cutting-edge special effects."

"Like every other red-blooded American, I grew up with the Jim Henson characters," said Jon Huston, Creative Director of Toy Vault. "And I’m a big science fiction fan, as well, so being awarded the honor of producing figures from Farscape is a dream come true, blending two of my great passions into one project."

Based in Elkins Park, PA, Rittenhouse Archives, Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of science fiction trading cards and related hobby collectibles. In addition to Farscape, Rittenhouse currently holds licesnses for Star Trek and the classic Twilight Zone television show. Fans and collectors may visit Rittenhouse Archives on the internet at www.scifihobby.com, where they can register to receive a free Farscape promotional card.

Founded in 1997, Toy Vault is a manufacturer of high-quality action figures and other licensed toys. Toy Vault is best known for its Middle-Earth toys line, based on JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings; they also hold licenses to such classic literary properties as HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu and Michael Moorcock’s Elric. Toy Vault has offices in California and Kentucky, and can be found on the Web at www.toyvault.com.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Rittenhouse Archives and Toy Vault on Farscape," said Richard Oren, Product Manager of Toys and Collectibles in the Licensing division of The Jim Henson Company. "Both licensees are leading manufacturers in their respective categories and we feel they will bring fun, quality products to the marketplace."

Farscape began airing in the US in May 1999 and Canada in September 1999. Farscape will begin its long-awaited run in the UK starting in late November. BBC2 will carry the show as part of a new science fiction programming block.