Alias Season One - Inkworks (USA)

2002 proved highly successful for US card manufacturer Inkworks, with the company receiving a number of industry awards, most notably Best Manufacturer in Non-Sport Update magazine's Gummies. Its final release of the year, a collection of 81 cards based spy series Alias, illustrates just why Inkworks is worthy of that title. All the cards in the basic set are printed on mirror foil board, yet the images remain sharp and the overall design is easy on the eye. The basic set gives collectors a detailed look at the stories and characters of the programme's first season, together with interesting behind-the-scenes information.

Insert cards for the series are nine Secret Lives foil puzzle cards which fit together to form an Alias montage (1:11 packs, numbered SL1-SL9), six Double-Agent Files cards which each feature a message hidden by heat-sensitive ink (1:17 packs), one CIA 47 card (1:90 packs, details of this card are not given on the collection's packaging), seven autographed cards (Jennifer Garner, J.J. Abrams, Victor Garber, Bradley Cooper, Merrin Dungey, Lindsay Crouse and Ric Young) and three Jennifer Garner Pieceworks cards featuring material from the actress' costumes. In addition, there are three box loader cards which do not appear to feature the foil effect seen in the main set (numbered BL1-BL3, one per box) and a case loader card. In our box, we found two complete basic sets, two Secret Lives cards, two Double-Agent Files cards, one autographed card (Ric Young) and one box topper.

Alias Season One trading cards are available in the UK through specialist dealers, in packs of eight. 24 packs are included in each display box. Inkworks has produced a special storage binder in which to house the collection. Those following the television series will not be disappointed with this set. Collectors can expect to see trading cards for season two towards the end of this year.

>> This article was added to Card Zine in spring 2003.