2015 Star Wars Illustrated: Empire Strikes Back

[slidethefive]

I agree that it's hard to tell how the quality of the sketches will be with so little examples. Additionally, Topps will usually put some of their best examples on their sell sheet. After reviewing the sell sheet, I just don't see anything that really stands out. Which makes me skeptical of the sketch quality overall.

Also, it wouldn't take much for them to list the sketch artists and signers for the sketchographs. I understand that they sometimes don't list these until the week before or so. But to be completely absent 2 days before release? Geez.

On the brighter side, we may be surprised will better than average insertion rates that deliver the quality one would expect in a Star Wars release.

Good luck to all!

[richscards]

can't wait to crack my cases!!!!!

[daviswr7]

keeping expectations low, so hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised. Sketches have looked awesome so far. Agree with most, who say this set is flying way under the radar. I guess were all living in a "Post-Masterwork world"....good luck to all breakers

[gerry609]

I am very nervous about this release.

[cabaleiroart]

I know a lot of artists haven't received direct approval for their cards yet which is why you've only seen a handful. I did 50 Panasonic cards, 15 standard and 30 sketchagraph cards. I put a lot of effort unit these and from the ones I've seen shared online, this set looks like it will have some pretty great sketch cards.
I'll be posting my cards tonight on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/cabaleiro.art
And hopefully I get approval to start showing some of the Revenge of the Sith cards I've completed for that set.

[cabaleiroart]

everybody loves Empire so much I think that even though us artists had a really short deadline on these cards, I expect pretty awesome art to reflect that love.

[jdhaugh11]

My case shows as shipped, so I should get it by Friday! Until then my son and I will have to buy a few packs from our LCS.
As for expectations, I think if you are opening several boxes, compare 4 boxes of this to about 1 box of Masterwork and I think you will be happy with what you got.
The huge hits won't be in this, but I think we will all get a good value and much more quantity obviously.

[jdhaugh11]

Also as soon as someone breaks a pack or box of this, please post pack odd ASAP!
Please and thank you!

[richo]

Is anybody getting this today? Desperate to know the odds.

[Sharard]

A couple of my cases show Thursday delivery. So I also will go by my lcs and buy a few boxes to tide me over. Good luck to any that get it tomorrow

[gerry609]

May the force be with everyone.

[buckycap]

The box cover is pretty cool. BO just uploaded it to the listing.

[jdhaugh11]

Originally Posted by buckycap

The box cover is pretty cool. BO just uploaded it to the listing.

That is one upgrade already from ANH! That and getting 2 hits rather than 1.

See people everything is going to be alright, lol!

[buckycap]

Originally Posted by jdhaugh11

That is one upgrade already from ANH! That and getting 2 hits rather than 1.

See people everything is going to be alright, lol!

Until people starting complaining that the 2 hits are an artist auto and a film cel

[Solman1]

Hi all

These are my returns for the illustrated set. Available from midnight tonight! (UK time)

[aaron01]

Just got the tracking number and it will be here Friday!

[jdhaugh11]

Originally Posted by Solman1

Hi all

These are my returns for the illustrated set. Available from midnight tonight! (UK time)

Man, I would have been extremely excited to hit any or all of these in my case. Hopefully sketchs in the product are just as good.

[jdhaugh11]

Originally Posted by buckycap

Until people starting complaining that the 2 hits are an artist auto and a film cel

True, but still better than just getting a film cel like many got from the first series.

From the early odds I calculated, you will probably get 4.2 Film Cel cards per case and 7 Artist Autographs, so you will most likely get 1 or the other in a box or you will get 1 or 2 boxes in a case that will have 1 of each.

Not all the boxes will be great, that is a given. If I get 2 Sketchgraphs and a Printing Plate in my case, along with some nice sketch cards, I will be more than happy.

[jdhaugh11]

Actually I bet almost every box will have 1 sketch card in it and then your other hit will be either a Film Cel, Artist Auto or Printing Plate.

Based on the early odds, you should get either a Panorama sketch, regular sketch or Sketchgraph per box.

In an average case you should get:

8.01 Panorama sketches
2.81 regular sketches
1.12 Sketchgraphs

That comes out to 11.94, so basically 12 sketch cards in a 12 box case.

[jdhaugh11]

I hope and wonder if they will serial number the Gold Parallels #/10 or the Artist Autographs.

I doubt they will on either, especially the Artist Autos, but it would add value to them.

Also I wonder if any of the Film Cel cards will be Short Printed to add value also?

Sorry for all the posts, but I am bored and excited and trying to strike conversation!

[buckycap]

If it ends up being 1 sketch and either a cel, auto or plate per box that will be great.
I doubt golds will be numbered, be nice though. No way autos will be numbered.
Bound to be a couple SP films. Both Jedi Legacy and AHN Illustrated had a few SP though the Legacy SP's were a lot rarer.

[richo]

I don't think there will be 12 sketches per case. If there is, combined with a plate and golds, it would be a smash hit.

[jubei777]

5 cases just delivered to my LCS. Should be a lot of wrappers in the trash tonight.

[aaron01]

2015 Topps Star Wars Illustrated: The Empire Strikes Back

Checklist out

[jdhaugh11]

Originally Posted by jubei777

5 cases just delivered to my LCS. Should be a lot of wrappers in the trash tonight.

Post the pack odds as soon as you can please!