2015 Star Wars Illustrated: Empire Strikes Back

jdhaugh11 · 03-12-2015, 04:48 PM

With less than a month away from release of this product, I haven't heard much about it due to all the talk about Masterwork along with preview info of Chrome Series 2.

I picked up a case of Illustrated ESB for $800, which looks to be the best price out there (that I could find anyway).

I really like the Panoramic sketch cards and Sketchgraphs in this product, but haven't heard about any checklist of which actors signed the Sketchgraphs or even which Artists are in this product.

It looks like they increased the number of hits from 1 to 2 for this product, which is a major plus. Also the Film Cel relics don't look to take up a majority of the hits either.

Based on the prelim numbers I have found about this product it looks like they will/have made about 8,540 boxes

Of the 24 hits in a case here are the averages you should get:
Printing Plates: 0.8
Panorama Sketches: 8
Regular Sketches: 2.8
Artist Autographs: 7
Sketchgraphs: 1.1
Film Cel: 4.2

Also the Gold Parallels of the base should fall about 1.4 per case

Overall the product looks solid, I really love the look of the base cards. It obviously won't be anywhere close to the hit Masterwork or Chrome were, but should be better than Illustrated: New Hope IMO

I would love to hear your thoughts about this product or if you know of any new information regarding this product.

mutigers77 · 03-12-2015, 05:04 PM

Really really excited about this product.

PoPCulture · 03-12-2015, 08:00 PM

It's actually no longer less than a month away, but I see your point about lack of interest. Release has been pushed to 4/29. I posted this a few days ago in the other thread but not many are thinking about this one due to the sustained interest in Masterwork

jdhaugh11 · 03-12-2015, 09:54 PM

Well there you go, I did not know the release date was pushed back. I am sure Topps is finding it difficult to get the sketch cards back in time to pack due to the quick turnaround from Masterwork.

aggie4ever · 03-12-2015, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoPCulture

It's actually no longer less than a month away, but I see your point about lack of interest. Release has been pushed to 4/29. I posted this a few days ago in the other thread but not many are thinking about this one due to the sustained interest in Masterwork

I think some people are thinking about the set. But it's hard to get too excited by the set if we don't see many sketch previews or any information about the set from Topps. Once information starts getting released, then people will get excited about it.

PoPCulture · 03-12-2015, 10:44 PM

I am looking forward to it but I think that it is odd that Topps is putting an update for Chrome2 on its Facebook page just about everyday but they are showing nothing for a product that releases 6 weeks from now.

jdhaugh11 · 03-13-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoPCulture

I am looking forward to it but I think that it is odd that Topps is putting an update for Chrome2 on its Facebook page just about everyday but they are showing nothing for a product that releases 6 weeks from now.

That is a very good point. Topps Chrome can wait since that is 5 months away. Maybe Topps will cut production so much for Illustrated that it turns out to be amazing! I know wishful thinking, but a boy can dream!

richo · 03-13-2015, 11:23 AM

I like ESB so am ordering some, but there are a few red flags about this release. I think it does seem clear that Topps are putting more effort, at least in marketing, in to Masterwork and Chrome 2. I think the difference between the illustrated release and those other two, is that you don't have ridiculously valuable and rare chase cards to go after like triple autos or Ford. The most valuable card will be a very good sketch or maybe a decent sketchagraph of Lando. There isn't a 10k card in the mix, if that makes sense. Maybe this puts some people off like the sports card guys?

Cujobyte · 03-13-2015, 12:36 PM

I'd like this product more if it had 2x sketchagraphs per case instead of just 1 with the tiniest chance at a second.

rmaheras · 03-13-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdhaugh11

Well there you go, I did not know the release date was pushed back. I am sure Topps is finding it difficult to get the sketch cards back in time to pack due to the quick turnaround from Masterwork.

I'm still on schedule, so my sketch cards should be turned in on time. I finished 45 panoramic cards and am working on 15 standard-sized sketch cards as we speak.

richo · 03-13-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmaheras

I'm still on schedule, so my sketch cards should be turned in on time. I finished 45 panoramic cards and am working on 15 standard-sized sketch cards as we speak.

@russ,

Did the 3 week delay translate to giving you more time, or is that just for Topps to collate? Just interested on this.

Rich

justice41 · 03-13-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmaheras

I'm still on schedule, so my sketch cards should be turned in on time. I finished 45 panoramic cards and am working on 15 standard-sized sketch cards as we speak.

Russ is that what they sent total? I was told to take my 9 Returns/AP's from the stack. 6 Panoramic and 3 Regular and turn in the other 50. If they sent more disregard but if they didn't you may want to let them know so they can get your AP blanks out schnell.

justice41 · 03-13-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richo

@russ,

Did the 3 week delay translate to giving you more time, or is that just for Topps to collate? Just interested on this.

Rich

Our deadline didn't budge even when we started getting Sketchagraphs after the fact. It's all about choosing wisely

richo · 03-13-2015, 02:14 PM

Do we know who made the final sketchagraph list? I know Lando is on there.

Dewman · 03-13-2015, 02:40 PM

Copying from the other thread. But I'm sure you've seen it already richo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewman

Artist Dan Curto posted a picture of a pile of sketchagraph blanks on Facebook with the cards signed. The visible signatures were:

- Billie Dee Williams
- Jay Sanders - Credited as Imperial Pilot in the radio drama
- Paul Hecht - Credited as The Emperor in the radio drama

There were at least 2 other distinct signatures but not enough of the card was showing to tell who they were.

Dewman · 03-13-2015, 02:55 PM

Dan also just posted a pic of a Jeremy Bulloch sketchagraph blank.

jdhaugh11 · 03-13-2015, 03:26 PM

I would imagine there would be 8-10 subjects for the Sketchgraphs. I believe there were 8 in series 1.

rmaheras · 03-13-2015, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richo

@russ,

Did the 3 week delay translate to giving you more time, or is that just for Topps to collate? Just interested on this.

Rich

My deadline didn't change -- it's still March 17.

rmaheras · 03-13-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justice41

Russ is that what they sent total? I was told to take my 9 Returns/AP's from the stack. 6 Panoramic and 3 Regular and turn in the other 50. If they sent more disregard but if they didn't you may want to let them know so they can get your AP blanks out schnell.

They sent enough blanks to cover my APs, so I'm good to go.

JRCrosby · 03-14-2015, 10:36 AM

A large FedEX box just arrived yesterday and it contained THREE sketchagraphs of Jeremy Bulloch. I received the other sketchagraphs last week I think. I think the delay was Topps trying to get all the signer's cards in house and to us. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to more time for artists. Seems this set was kinda forgotten by Topps after Masterworks and them already promoting the next Chrome.

rmaheras · 03-14-2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRCrosby

A large FedEX box just arrived yesterday and it contained THREE sketchagraphs of Jeremy Bulloch. I received the other sketchagraphs last week I think. I think the delay was Topps trying to get all the signer's cards in house and to us. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to more time for artists. Seems this set was kinda forgotten by Topps after Masterworks and them already promoting the next Chrome.

I'm not working on Chrome, so Empire was a nice Star Wars finale for me for awhile. It's also my second most favorite Star Wars film.

justice41 · 03-14-2015, 01:55 PM

I'm almost finished with my ESB Illustrated Cards. Only a few left and they go out monday. Full color on them all so far. Came up with what I think will be cool for a few of the Sketchagraphs especially the Radio voice actors.

brentley79 · 03-14-2015, 01:58 PM

Artists: Are you sending back your APs or keeping them? Contract says they should be sent in and they will be returned to you, but I've been hearing about artists having trouble getting their cards back. I'm not even sure mine will be completed in time to send back!

richo · 03-14-2015, 02:08 PM

Looking forward to seeing what people do with the Bulloch's.

justice41 · 03-14-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentley79

Artists: Are you sending back your APs or keeping them? Contract says they should be sent in and they will be returned to you, but I've been hearing about artists having trouble getting their cards back. I'm not even sure mine will be completed in time to send back!

I send nothing back, but I also got permission. So check with Topps. Everyones experience will differ.
I didn't get any Bulloch's Got a Billie Dee though

03-12-2015, 04:48 PM	#1
jdhaugh11 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,973 jdhaugh11 Jdhaugh11	2015 Star Wars Illustrated: Empire Strikes Back With less than a month away from release of this product, I haven't heard much about it due to all the talk about Masterwork along with preview info of Chrome Series 2. I picked up a case of Illustrated ESB for $800, which looks to be the best price out there (that I could find anyway). I really like the Panoramic sketch cards and Sketchgraphs in this product, but haven't heard about any checklist of which actors signed the Sketchgraphs or even which Artists are in this product. It looks like they increased the number of hits from 1 to 2 for this product, which is a major plus. Also the Film Cel relics don't look to take up a majority of the hits either. Based on the prelim numbers I have found about this product it looks like they will/have made about 8,540 boxes Of the 24 hits in a case here are the averages you should get: Printing Plates: 0.8 Panorama Sketches: 8 Regular Sketches: 2.8 Artist Autographs: 7 Sketchgraphs: 1.1 Film Cel: 4.2 Also the Gold Parallels of the base should fall about 1.4 per case Overall the product looks solid, I really love the look of the base cards. It obviously won't be anywhere close to the hit Masterwork or Chrome were, but should be better than Illustrated: New Hope IMO I would love to hear your thoughts about this product or if you know of any new information regarding this product.

03-14-2015, 10:36 AM	#20
JRCrosby Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,163	A large FedEX box just arrived yesterday and it contained THREE sketchagraphs of Jeremy Bulloch. I received the other sketchagraphs last week I think. I think the delay was Topps trying to get all the signer's cards in house and to us. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to more time for artists. Seems this set was kinda forgotten by Topps after Masterworks and them already promoting the next Chrome. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/JasonCrosbyIllustration

03-12-2015, 05:04 PM	#2
mutigers77 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denver Posts: 1,349	Really really excited about this product.

03-12-2015, 08:00 PM	#3
PoPCulture Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: In the Goldilocks Zone Posts: 8,600	It's actually no longer less than a month away, but I see your point about lack of interest. Release has been pushed to 4/29. I posted this a few days ago in the other thread but not many are thinking about this one due to the sustained interest in Masterwork

03-12-2015, 09:54 PM	#4
jdhaugh11 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,973 jdhaugh11 Jdhaugh11	Well there you go, I did not know the release date was pushed back. I am sure Topps is finding it difficult to get the sketch cards back in time to pack due to the quick turnaround from Masterwork.

03-12-2015, 10:44 PM	#6
PoPCulture Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: In the Goldilocks Zone Posts: 8,600	I am looking forward to it but I think that it is odd that Topps is putting an update for Chrome2 on its Facebook page just about everyday but they are showing nothing for a product that releases 6 weeks from now.

03-13-2015, 11:23 AM	#8
richo Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,236	I like ESB so am ordering some, but there are a few red flags about this release. I think it does seem clear that Topps are putting more effort, at least in marketing, in to Masterwork and Chrome 2. I think the difference between the illustrated release and those other two, is that you don't have ridiculously valuable and rare chase cards to go after like triple autos or Ford. The most valuable card will be a very good sketch or maybe a decent sketchagraph of Lando. There isn't a 10k card in the mix, if that makes sense. Maybe this puts some people off like the sports card guys?

03-13-2015, 12:36 PM	#9
Cujobyte Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Mexico Posts: 6,649 Cujobyte29	I'd like this product more if it had 2x sketchagraphs per case instead of just 1 with the tiniest chance at a second.

03-13-2015, 02:14 PM	#14
richo Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,236	Do we know who made the final sketchagraph list? I know Lando is on there.

03-13-2015, 02:55 PM	#16
Dewman Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,815 barclay27	Dan also just posted a pic of a Jeremy Bulloch sketchagraph blank.

03-13-2015, 03:26 PM	#17
jdhaugh11 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,973 jdhaugh11 Jdhaugh11	I would imagine there would be 8-10 subjects for the Sketchgraphs. I believe there were 8 in series 1.

03-14-2015, 01:55 PM	#22
justice41 Banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,887 winnahno.1	I'm almost finished with my ESB Illustrated Cards. Only a few left and they go out monday. Full color on them all so far. Came up with what I think will be cool for a few of the Sketchagraphs especially the Radio voice actors.

03-14-2015, 01:58 PM	#23
brentley79 Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 7	Artists: Are you sending back your APs or keeping them? Contract says they should be sent in and they will be returned to you, but I've been hearing about artists having trouble getting their cards back. I'm not even sure mine will be completed in time to send back!

03-14-2015, 02:08 PM	#24
richo Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Posts: 2,236	Looking forward to seeing what people do with the Bulloch's.