Thoughts on Topps Star Wars Galactic Files 2

mikeinator · 08-19-2013, 11:12 PM

So I haven't had a chance to read all the card backs yet, but looking at the set as I put it into my binder, I have noticed some things. Some good, some bad. See my thoughts and let me know what you think about my ideas and your ideas too!

Positive:
I like the Han Solo in carbonite card how the vitals are all "stable" haha

Negative:
Ok, I get it's an all encompassing set, but I really don't need the same 10-20 main character cards for each movie again in series 2. I already have the EP1 C-3PO and Ep 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 from series 1. Now I have 12 with series 2 included.

They could have done better organizing. In the Series 2 Ep2 cards, 420 is a Jedi from the arena, 421 is Achk Med-beq from the nightclub, and 427 are more Jedi, 428 is a Geonosian, and 429-431 are more Jedi. Why not just put them all together since they all appear in that order and place?

Also same goes for the mix of Hoth base rebels and Imperial officers

I feel bad for those who bought the printing plates from Series 1 to get the extra 25 cards and then get screwed when they just reprinted them for Series 2 as part of the base set. Though I didn't have them so really it's a positive for me

mikeinator · 08-19-2013, 11:14 PM

Also forgot to note how the Obi-Wan Madalorian armor and PAdme snow bunny appear as Expanded Universe instead of the Clone Wars.

And how card #700 actually is #1??? WTF?!?

TheDude1138 · 08-20-2013, 01:21 AM

I was up in the air about getting a case of this. I really liked the first Galactic Files. But after seeing many of the sketches and most of the same autographs...it just looks like a rush job to push out another Star Wars product. Also, I don't think the Clone Wars animated series should have been a part of it.

mikeinator · 08-20-2013, 11:41 PM

No one else has thoughts on this release? lol

richo · 08-21-2013, 03:10 AM

My thoughts and personal opinion are as follows;

I like the big base card sets, and good news they included the plates. The fact just about everybody gets a plate in a case makes for an interesting pull, as some can be superb, and I do like plates from the chase cards, it's a nice touch. Also, thank goodness they stuck with numbering parallels. I don't collect any set where parallels are not to some extent numbered, especially the high end golds, so I thought it was a real disappointment they didnt label Jedi Legacy golds, and to be honest I won't be buying the 'A New Hope Illustrated' release if that also has no golds numbered. It was also a good idea to number golds to 10 too, but it does mean there is a lack of continuity with Series 1, where the golds were 1/1. On the standard autos, it's good to have big names in again, and nice to see a good few people pulling some of these autos.

Ok, on to some of the problems, of which there are some big ones in my view. Firstly, it feels light of 3-4 big name artists, or perhaps I should say just high end work, regardless of the artists. I understand some artists such as Gary Kezele and possibly others had blank cards go to old addresses, this means they never got on the set. If this is true there should be tighter processes for this. A couple more top artists doing top work could have made all the difference. On the dual autos, I think they look great from what I have seen so nice to see Topps come up with different ideas, but it's clear that some of the cards are ultra short print. At the current price point there should be at least slightly higher volumes. Also, R2D2 & C-3PO is an obvious dual auto that should have been in, surely?!

The final thing that really concerns me is collation. At a price point north of $1k, you should be absolutely guaranteed 1-2 top cards per case, if not more. I have seen several case breaks with no really top sketches and no big auto, this makes the release a pretty big gamble.

I still don't think we have hit the heights of 30th Anniversary in terms of a recent Star Wars release, but would be interested to get other views. I would personally sum up by describing the release as a mixed bag.

08-19-2013, 11:12 PM	#1
mikeinator Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pewaukee, WI Posts: 230 Mikeinator1st	Thoughts on Topps Star Wars Galactic Files 2 So I haven't had a chance to read all the card backs yet, but looking at the set as I put it into my binder, I have noticed some things. Some good, some bad. See my thoughts and let me know what you think about my ideas and your ideas too! Positive: I like the Han Solo in carbonite card how the vitals are all "stable" haha Negative: Ok, I get it's an all encompassing set, but I really don't need the same 10-20 main character cards for each movie again in series 2. I already have the EP1 C-3PO and Ep 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 from series 1. Now I have 12 with series 2 included. They could have done better organizing. In the Series 2 Ep2 cards, 420 is a Jedi from the arena, 421 is Achk Med-beq from the nightclub, and 427 are more Jedi, 428 is a Geonosian, and 429-431 are more Jedi. Why not just put them all together since they all appear in that order and place? Also same goes for the mix of Hoth base rebels and Imperial officers I feel bad for those who bought the printing plates from Series 1 to get the extra 25 cards and then get screwed when they just reprinted them for Series 2 as part of the base set. Though I didn't have them so really it's a positive for me

08-19-2013, 11:14 PM	#2
mikeinator Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pewaukee, WI Posts: 230 Mikeinator1st	Also forgot to note how the Obi-Wan Madalorian armor and PAdme snow bunny appear as Expanded Universe instead of the Clone Wars. And how card #700 actually is #1??? WTF?!?

08-20-2013, 01:21 AM	#3
TheDude1138 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 209	I was up in the air about getting a case of this. I really liked the first Galactic Files. But after seeing many of the sketches and most of the same autographs...it just looks like a rush job to push out another Star Wars product. Also, I don't think the Clone Wars animated series should have been a part of it.

08-20-2013, 11:41 PM	#4
mikeinator Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pewaukee, WI Posts: 230 Mikeinator1st	No one else has thoughts on this release? lol

08-21-2013, 03:10 AM	#5
richo Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,236	My thoughts and personal opinion are as follows; I like the big base card sets, and good news they included the plates. The fact just about everybody gets a plate in a case makes for an interesting pull, as some can be superb, and I do like plates from the chase cards, it's a nice touch. Also, thank goodness they stuck with numbering parallels. I don't collect any set where parallels are not to some extent numbered, especially the high end golds, so I thought it was a real disappointment they didnt label Jedi Legacy golds, and to be honest I won't be buying the 'A New Hope Illustrated' release if that also has no golds numbered. It was also a good idea to number golds to 10 too, but it does mean there is a lack of continuity with Series 1, where the golds were 1/1. On the standard autos, it's good to have big names in again, and nice to see a good few people pulling some of these autos. Ok, on to some of the problems, of which there are some big ones in my view. Firstly, it feels light of 3-4 big name artists, or perhaps I should say just high end work, regardless of the artists. I understand some artists such as Gary Kezele and possibly others had blank cards go to old addresses, this means they never got on the set. If this is true there should be tighter processes for this. A couple more top artists doing top work could have made all the difference. On the dual autos, I think they look great from what I have seen so nice to see Topps come up with different ideas, but it's clear that some of the cards are ultra short print. At the current price point there should be at least slightly higher volumes. Also, R2D2 & C-3PO is an obvious dual auto that should have been in, surely?! The final thing that really concerns me is collation. At a price point north of $1k, you should be absolutely guaranteed 1-2 top cards per case, if not more. I have seen several case breaks with no really top sketches and no big auto, this makes the release a pretty big gamble. I still don't think we have hit the heights of 30th Anniversary in terms of a recent Star Wars release, but would be interested to get other views. I would personally sum up by describing the release as a mixed bag.