Upper Deck will release the Marvel Super Hero Squad TCG, with rules and card design based on the Gazillion Marvel Super Hero Squad Online player vs. player card game, on April 24th.  The TCG will include exclusive loot cards and reward codes that will unlock features in the online game.  Loot cards will unlock exclusive items such as playable characters.  Reward codes can be redeemed for digital rewards such as silver or prize wheel tickets.

The 300-card base set will be sold in three SKUs.  Intro Packs will be themed around one of four different characters: Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, and Hulk.  Each will include one theme deck and one booster packs, a super-rare foil card and a collectible coin.

Two-Player Intro Packs which pit the Avengers against the X-Men will include two exclusive play mats and a collectible coin.

And Booster Packs will each contain six commons, three uncommons and one rare foil.

Gazillion made the deal for the Super Hero Squad Online game in 2009 (see "Marvel Tries for an MMO Again").  It also makes Marvel Heroes, another free-to-play online game.

The Marvel Super Hero Squad property originated as a chibi-style Marvel Hasbro toy line in 2006.  It hit the big time on Cartoon Network beginning in2009 (see "CN Adds 'Marvel Super Hero Squad'").  It's currently stripped on The Hub (see "Super Hero Squad Stripped").

Upper Deck announced a Marvel Superstars TCG for release in February 2010 (see "Upper Deck's Ben Seck on the Marvel TCG"), but it was never released.  Marvel Super Hero Squad TCG is completely different from Marvel Superstars TCG, from game engine to the look of the cards.