Inkworks has acquired the rights to create trading cards based on Frank Miller's movie adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit as well as sets based on the classic The Spirit comic strip itself.  Current plans call for Inkworks to release a comic-art based set four to five months before the release of The Spirit movie on January 16th, 2009.  The Spirit Comic Art Trading Card release will feature Eisner's groundbreaking art from The Spirit comics (the most visually exciting work done in the 1940s this side of Citizen Kane) and will also include nine photo cards promoting the The Spirit Movie Trading Cards.  As is standard procedure for Inkworks, The Spirit Movie Trading Cards will be released 3-4 week before the movie opens.

In terms of its effect on both the direct and bookstore markets Miller's Spirit movie should be one of major releases on the next 18 months.  The film already appears to be inspiring the creation of a number of tie-in items including the two sets of Inkworks trading cards and a 'Making-Of' book from Titan Publishing (see 'Titan Gets 'Spirit'').