Len Brown, Creator of Mars Attacks and KOOP Radio Host, Dies at 84
Len Brown, the creative mind behind the iconic Mars Attacks trading cards and a beloved host at Austin's KOOP radio station, has passed away at the age of 84. Brown, an Austinite, was known for his significant contributions to both the horror fan community and country music enthusiasts. He joined Topps Chewing Gum's Product Development Department after high school and revolutionized the trading card industry by conceiving Topps' original line of cards, inspired by E.C. Comics' Weird Science. This led to the creation of the controversial Mars Attacks series in 1962, which depicted a brutal Martian invasion of Earth. Despite being pulled from shelves due to public outcry, the cards became highly sought-after artifacts. In his later years, after retiring to Austin in 2000, Brown became a mainstay at KOOP, hosting the 'Country Roots' show and sharing his extensive knowledge of country & western music. His dedication to community radio was recognized in 2022 when he was inducted as a KOOP Honorary Member. 
