New-Gen Universe, Inc. is launching its first consumer products initiative at San Diego Comic-Con, introducing an exclusive collector’s trading card set made with Cryptozoic Entertainment to celebrate its Marvel-distributed comic book series.

Only 300 convention-exclusive boxes exist worldwide for the July 23-26 event, making it one of the rarest “next-gen” collectibles released to date. Designed exclusively for the convention, the set also builds momentum for the upcoming 3D CGI animated series “New-Gen Nanobot Heroes.”

In the comic, twin brothers Sean and Chris discover that their bodies have been enhanced by nanotechnology, prompting them to fight the villain Deadalus within a futuristic world where nature and technology coexist.

“New-Gen” was created by JD Matonti, Julia Coppola and Chris Matonti and has grown from its comic book origins distributed by Marvel to become a transmedia franchise spanning publishing, animation and consumer products. Comic-Con cards give fans a tangible link between the original comics and the animated series yet to come.

The initiative is led by Debra Joester, president of Joester Loria Group, who heads New-Gen’s expanding consumer products program.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Debra Joester and Cryptozoic Entertainment on this first-ever next-generation consumer products initiative. We envision many more imaginative opportunities like these as we work with Joester Loria Group, Toonz Media Group and world-class talent to bring our New-Gen Nanobot Heroes story to kids of all ages,” said JD Matonti, creator of “New-Gen.”

Each box contains a set of 13 trading cards: 11 base cards drawn from artwork from the comic series, a single rainbow foil card, and an autograph card signed by Matonti, voice actress Molly Fahey, or voice actor Tony Oliver. Each autograph card features an on-card signature and a limited run of 100, and select base and foil cards were produced as one-of-a-kind pieces.

Convention buyers will also receive a free “New-Gen” graphic novel, with a foreword written by Mark Hamill, telling the franchise’s origin story.

“We are thrilled to partner with JD Matonti, Toonz Media Group and the extraordinary talent behind New-Gen Nanobot Heroes,” said Debra Joester. “Fans crave the next evolution of superheroes, and JD has created gripping storytelling, compelling characters, and a rich, imaginative new world that delivers just that.”

Attendees will also be able to preview new art for “New-Gen Nanobot Heroes” ahead of its animated debut on the franchise’s website, which will show the heroes landing on a spaceship in the series’ utopian setting. A separate drawing offers fans the chance to win a graphic novel signed by Hamill.

The card’s release also builds momentum for “New-Gen Nanobot Heroes,” the upcoming 13-episode, 22-minute 3D CGI series from writer-director Matonti, whose representation includes Zero Gravity Management’s Evan Anglin and Eric Williams. New-Gen Universe and Toonz Media Group are producing the show, with Chris Matonti, Julia Coppola, Brad Heisman and JD Matonti serving as executive producers.

Writers on the project include Brent Friedman, known for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and Eugene Son, who worked on “Avengers Assemble,” along with four other writers. Toonz Media Group will distribute the series internationally and Ketchup Entertainment will handle its domestic release.

Announcers appearing include Finn Wolfhard, Nick Wolfhard, Anya Chalotra, Luke Wilson, Henry Rollins, Taylor Gray, Molly Fahey, Lena Headey and Tony Oliver, and John Loeffler composed the score.

New-Gen Universe is a transmedia company built around the New-Gen intellectual property and other properties; Its advisory board includes the creators of New-Gen themselves along with former Marvel CFO Ken West and Bonnie Arnold, producer of “How to Train Your Dragon.” Co-producer Toonz Media Group has spent more than 25 years in the animation business, producing approximately 5,000 minutes of CGI and 2D programming annually, with previous credits on “Wolverine and the X-Men” for Marvel, “Speed ​​Racer: The Next Generation” for Lionsgate and “Mostly Ghostly” for Universal.