I know next to nothing about trading cards, so when I met Rian Fike, not only a trading card collector & writer for Upper Deck, but a really nice guy, I figured this was time to ask the proverbial dumb question or two…

Rian, what do you collect?

I have been collecting trading cards and toys since the mid-sixties, when I was five years old. When I came into the cash flow of adulthood, I expanded into original art from the cards I love best. I have a sizable stash of action figures, and my understanding wife allowed me to use them to decorate the guest bathroom!

What was the first item in your collection?

I remember buying a pack of Batman cards in 1966 with a dime, and I still have them.

I knew you collected some sort of cards…

I am a big sports fan, so I have a nice selection of the upper level cards from the four major sports. Nowadays that includes small swatches of game-worn clothing, and cards that are numbered “one of one” - the ultimate limited edition.

I have always adored the pop culture myths of comic book superheroes. My dreams came true in a way I would never have imagined four years ago, when Upper Deck trading card company introduced a trading card game involving Marvel, DC, and Hellboy comic characters. I became a large loud persona in the community, and got a job writing a weekly column. I also won $2,000 playing with my collection!

But supposing I’m not so much ignorant (which I am) and limited in my understanding of such things (to Pokemon cards which my daughter coveted then lost or otherwise mis-managed)… But suppose I was from another planet and I was on a mission to learn about humans and these trading cards, what would you tell me?

Our game is called Vs. System (pronounced “Versus System”). The original trading card game that started the industry is called Magic the Gathering, and that one is 14 years old. The cards are sold in packs, like baseball cards. They are randomly assorted and some cards are produced in smaller quantities. Those are called ‘rares’.

I was of the uninformed opinion that folks just collect and save cards — and OK, ‘trade’ as the name implies… How do you ‘play’ with these cards?

The game is played with 60 cards in a deck, but only 4 copies of any single card are allowed. Part of the skill comes from building a killer deck from all the available cards. Trading card games are like chess, with 200 new pieces every four months. There is also a way to play called ‘drafting’. In a draft tournament, 8 players sit around a table. One pack is opened, and you have a minute to choose one card. Then you pass the pack to the right, and take the pack from the player on your left, and pick one card from that pack. There are 14 cards in the pack, so after 13 passes you open another pack and repeat while passing to the left. A third pack completes the process, then every builds a deck from the cards they picked. The tournament is played with cards that you did not own before it started. It takes major knowledge of the available cards to draft well.

Can kids play?

For sure. We have had 13 year olds win big events.

And how do you — or anyone else — win two grand?! Not that you have to give us all your secrets *wink*, but what’s the deal?

When Vs. System started four years ago, Upper Deck tried to compete with Magic the Gathering. Magic already had a Professional Tour with millions of dollars in prize money. The prize structure is like a golf tournament; I won $2,000 for finishing in 35th place! Our Pro Circuit awarded over four million dollars in the first three years, but declining sales have forced that to be changed. Now we play for original art, uncut sheets of cards, and high-end electronics.

I’ve always just thought they were just small but pretty pictures… Worthy of collecting, yeah; but I had no idea of the serious competitive game play.

Oh no, it is a BIG business.

Is this how the sports cards work too?

No, I just collect the coolest cards of my favorite players. Mostly hockey. Sports collectibles are considered investments, and cards are always near the top in value.

You’re married, right? With kids? Does anyone else in your home collect — and if so, what?

I am married to the most wonderful woman ever, and I have three brilliant grown children from my first marriage. We have very fond memories of collecting superhero trading cards with the kids as they grew up, and at least once a year we remember them together.

I’m guessing from what I’ve read that your & your wife are in a codependent relationship as far as collecting goes… Am I right?

Indeed. She shares my love for small pieces of cardboard, we both have a thing for action figures, and I wallow in her obsession with costume dramas and Northern Exposure. She lets me spend money on little bits of paper, and I buy her the most fabulous memorabilia we can find.

What’s your most prized item?

That would be the original drawings from Vaughn Bode’s Tao Toons. He was the artist who defined the female figure for me when I was in my formative years. He is considered the father of graffiti. He is a true legend and there are very few original pieces in circulation.

But, of course, when Nina wears Shelly’s coat from the Northern Exposure television show, everything else goes out the window.

What’s the furthest you’ve ever gone for an object of your collection affection?

That coat was very very very expensive. It came up on ebay, after the show shut down, and I grudgingly climbed the bidding ladder until it was mine.

Good boy, Rian.

I’d also be interested in know what you think of the Collectors’ Quest community… Any thoughts?

I adore the idea of Collectors’ Quest, and I will definitely get involved. I started an account and I will upload a gallery on Tuesday. We built a strong community surrounding the game, and most of us collect comic books or memorabilia along with our cardboard addiction. It’s great to hang out on the interwebs with birds of a feather, and your community looks like a wonderful watering hole.

Thanks, we think so. *grin*

What came first, Rian, your blog or the gig with Upper Deck?

I was actually resistant to starting a blog because I abhor the word ‘blog’. I had been writing for three years before I started it.

Yeah, but it was by ‘blogging’ that you ‘met’ Vaugh Bode’s relatives, his son and niece, right? And me. So it can’t be all bad. *huge grin*

Seriously, it was great to have you here and thanks so much for educating this trading card alien.

Thanks for having me, this was big fun!

Rian’s blog is Full. Body. Transplant. and you can find the archives of his Upper Deck columns here; and watch for his current articles at www.vssystem.com.