You’ve heard of baseball cards and Pokémon cards — but next week, the Laugh Factory comedy club will officially unveil the first line of collectible trading cards featuring stand-up comedians.
The club on Tuesday announced a licensing agreement with the Epoch Co. trading card and collectibles firm to develop the cards that will feature “comedians of the past, present and future.”
“From the very beginning, Laugh Factory has always been about giving comedians a stage and a voice,” Jamie Masada, founder of Laugh Factory, said in a statement. “To now see comedy honored in this way — with its own collectible trading cards — is something truly special. It’s a celebration of the artists who have dedicated their lives to bringing joy to and laughter people around the world.”
The initial box set of cards set for release April 30 will feature more than 20 comedians, with select cards personally autographed by the comics being recognized. The Laugh Factory Hollywood will hold a special release event on Monday featuring some of the comedians featured in the initial release.
According to the club’s website, performers expected to take the stage for the event include Howie Mandel, Elon Gold, Dustin Ybarra, Lara Beitz and Yuriyan Retriever.
According to Epoch’s website, other comedians who will be featured on the cards include Dane Cook, Orny Adams, Tom Dreesen, Katherine Blanford and Maz Jobrani.
“Stand-up comedy has shaped culture for generations, yet comedians have never had their own place in the collectibles world,” Laugh Factory President David Fuhrer said in a statement. “These cards honor the voices, the risk-takers, and the artists who make people laugh for a living. We’re proud to help cement the legacy of comedy in a completely new way.”
Tickets for the release event, set for 7:45 p.m. Monday at Laugh Factory Hollywood, are available at www.laughfactory.com. The $40 ticket price includes the box set of trading cards.