Topps - US - Cartoon Network Clone Wars (2004)

Star Wars fans have had very little to focus on during 2003 and early 2004. Yet, as Yoda would say, 'size matters not.' Some very small things have proven to be great fun for Star Wars fans, in particular the mini-Clone Wars cartoons shown on the Cartoon Network as well as on the official Star Wars website. Each of these 3 minute cartoons have proven to be great fun, with stunning imagery, and interesting story lines (but very little dialog).

Now, Topps has joined the fun, and given collectors something to enjoy in 2004, with a card set based on the Clone Wars series. The set was released at the end of April and focuses primarily on the first 10 episodes of the Clone Wars series. Fans of this great set are bound to begin clamoring for a set of the second 10 episodes as well.

The card set does not focus solely on the Cartoon Network series, but will also draw images from the Dark Horse comic books and other sources.

The set is made up of 90 regular cards: nine Character Cards, 63 Episode Cards (episode images on front, behind-the-scenes art/images on back), one Episode III Clone Trooper Preview Card (showing the new design for them in Episode III), 16 Dark Horse Cover Gallery Cards and one Title/Checklist Card. If past card sets are any measure, the behind-the-scenes content alone will make this set worth collecting. If that isn't enough for you however, consider that the chase cards for the set will actually include die-cut stickers. The stickers backs will, in Star Wars tradition, form a puzzle.

Other chase cards with the set will include battle motion cards and artist sketch cards.

Battle Motion cards are a new Topps chase card format, and demonstrate the continuing creativity of the Topps team. These cards are phenomenal. These cards are similar to other 'flip' image 3D style cards you may have seen in the past. The card image features a character in one battle position when held one way. Move the card slightly, and the character is shown in a different battle position. For instance, card B1 shows Anakin against a city backdrop with saber raised to strike, and then Anakin against the same backdrop, but with his saber in a follow through sweep position. Great images, drawn in the Cartoon Network style. What makes these cards different is that they are nearly transparent. The card is best viewed when held up to the light, adding a great 'glow' to the skyline of the background scenery, and a greater intensity to the action of the card. This is a creative style of chase card that would look great in any card set, but is especially well suited to an animation set.

Unfortunately, for some collectors, the stunning nature of these cards may be overshadowed by the pursuit of the other chase cards for this set, the sketch cards. Since the date Topps announced they would be including original artist sketch cards, fans have been intensely focused on this set, and those cards. Now that the cards are here, the reason for that intensity of focus is fairly clear. There is something special about pulling a plain cardboard card from a pack, and feeling the non-glossy texture of that card and the pencil sketch it contains. Up close, you see the pencil lines, the shading, and the places where the artist smudged a bit or made a mistake while drawing. These are often simple, sometimes complex sketches, each completely unique and interesting. The focus on these great sketches may overshadow a terrific set, which is a shame, but that takes nothing away from the genuine collectibility and enjoyability of the sketch cards.

Some collectors may focus less on the set, than on the case toppers however, which are really part of an earlier set. Originally planned for inclusion as chase cards with the Attack of the Clones Widevision set, two autograph cards, Jack Thompson (Cliegg Lars) and Anthony Phelan (Lama Su), will now become case toppers, one on each hobby case ordered. While the sketch cards have the majority of the focus for this set, many collectors will be collecting the two case toppers (both were available with a single case, a bonus for collectors) in an effort to finish their AOTC autograph set.

Three promo cards were released to promote the set.

Both the box and the wrappers featured the image of Yoda. Hobby wrappers had a small 'hobby edition' logo to distinguish them from retail packs. Retail boxes do not contain sketch cards, but there is no difference between the retail and hobby sets beyond this.

I encourage everyone who is a collector of these cards to visit the link to Keith's checklist site for the sketch cards. If you own a sketch card, be sure to contribute to his impressive and informative listing. Special thanks also to Keith for help with this page.