First Details on Star Wars Galaxy 6

The line has been around since the early 1990s and has provided a gorgeous look into the vast Star Wars universe. After taking a break from more than a decade, Star Wars Galaxy 4 re-launched the art-centric line with beautiful results. Not only was it an excuse for various artists to showcase their work, it was also a natural fit for sketch cards.

Galaxy 4 gave way to Galaxy 5 and now this January, Stary Wars Galaxy 6 is slated for release. The announcement isn't a shock as Topps has been handing out various promos for the set for months.

Taking from the files of "If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix it," according to Previews, the set sounds awfully similar to the last release. The base set will again composed of 120 cards, including artwork from posters, comic covers and various products, as well as newly commissioned works for "Art of Star Wars" and "Art of Celebration" subsets.

Basic inserts will be Foil Cards and Etched Foil Puzzle cards, both falling 1:6 packs. Premium inserts include sketch cards (one per hobby box), Manga sketch cards, die-cut sketch cards, printing plates, autographs from original Star Wars cast members and the original artwork used in the Etched foil puzzle.

This is one of the base sets I really pay attention to as the artwork brings a new spin on a line that has been done over and over and over and over. The different and often contrasting styles are fresh and make me wish my drawing skills were better than they were. That said, there doesn't appear to be anything else that's new or different. Last time the addition of the Manga cards and cast  autographs weren't huge leaps but still they were a gesture of the line evolving.

Hobby packs will have seven cards, with 24 packs in a box. Star Wars Galaxy 6 is scheduled for release on January 26, 2011.

Hack/Slash Artist Numbers

5finity has announced the number of cards each participating artist did for their recent Hack/Slash ssketch card set. There numbers do not include Artist Exclusive cards.

5finity defines rare artists as those having done less than ten cards, including Artist Exclusives. Mokhtar, Soloud, Webber, Pekar and Duron are all dealer-incentive exclusives.

Albert Morales	24
Amber Shelton	16
Amber Stone	40
Amy Clark	16
Ana Sanchez	25
Andy Black	10
Andy Perez	10
Anthony Hochrein	25
Arley Tucker	10
Ben Hansen	35
Benjamin Glendenning	32
Bill McKay	16
Brent Schoonover	20
Brian Shearer	10
Buddy Prince	40
CH Miles	10
Cal Slayton	16
Cassandra Lovell	40
Chad Cicconi	24
Charles Holbert	32
Chris Foreman	40
Chris Mullins	31
Dan Devine	16
Dan Parent	20
Dan Schoening	10
Daniel Bradford	20
Daniel Campos	25
Daniel Logan	16
Danielle Soloud	40
Dave Beaty	10
Dave Crosland	10
David Cutler	16
David Namisato	17
Dennis Budd	16
Dominic Marco	20
Drew Moss	16
EJ Su	12
Frank Kadar	10
Frank Rapoza	10
Frankie B Washington	40
George Webber	16
Glen Fernandez	25
Hanie Mohd	32
Irma Ahmed	24
j(ay)	10
Jason Atomic	10
Jason Martin	10
Jason Metcalf	24
Jason Worthington	10
Jay Fosgitt	40
Jeff Pina	40
Jeremy Treece	5
Jerry Gaylord	40
Joe Pekar	16
Jon Hughes	40
Jon Riggle	40
Jose Jaro	20
Joshua Flower	40
Justin Wayne	10
Katie Cook	16
Kelly Everaert	4
Kristin Allen	40
Lak Lim	40
Lance Sawyer	32
Luis Diaz	40
Luke Smarto	40
Lynne Anderson	16
Mark Bloodworth	10
Mark Englert	24
Mark Slater	24
Mel Celestial	40
Mel Uran	40
Michael Duron	24
Mick Collins	40
Mike Norton	24
Nathan Stockman	25
Nicole Goff	5
Patrick Finch	8
Penelope Gaylord	40
Randy Kintz	16
Remy Mokhtar	32
Robin Thompson	16
Ross Campbell	15
Ryan Cody	20
Ryan Kincaid	25
Scott Rorie	10
Scott Simmons	40
Scott Zirkel	10
Sean Dove	32
Shawn Van Briesen	10
Spencer Platt	20
Thomas Tuomey	10
Tim Seeley	30
Tod Allen Smith	24
Tony Scott	10

Raising Cain

With his brutal TKO victory over Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez has launched himself to the top of the heap of mixed martial arts heavyweights. With it comes bigger returns, both for the fighter and those looking to cash in on the star's reign as champion.

Velasquez made his debut with UFC in April, 2008, beating Brad Morris in a couple of minutes. With the win over Lesnar, he takes his career MMA record to 9-0. His first licensed card was in 2009 Topps UFC Round 1. His fighter checklist includes almost 60 different cards, including 17 different autographs in 2010 Topps UFC and 2010 Leaf MMA. Prior to this evening, one of the more common autographs from Topps and Leaf could be found for under $30. Expect those prices to rise with his win tonight and continue to rise if the 28-year-old dominates the heavyweight division in the months ahead. For Lesnar, the loss could bring a softening effect to prices as he's no longer an unstoppable monster.

2009 Topps UFC Round 1 Cain Velasquez (Rookie Card)

Ever since abandoning his highly successful professional wrestling career and a failed attempt at making the NFL, Brock Lesnar became the most talked about person in MMA. He brought a dominant swagger in the cage and a big-time showmanship that led to huge jumps in pay per view buy rates and further cemented the growing mainstream appeal of MMA for the masses. Love him or hate him, Lesnar was the face of the sport. But can he maintain that with his loss? It all depends on the inevitable rematch.

But for now, there's a new king in town.

2010 Topps UFC Autograph Cain Velasquez

2010 Leaf MMA Autograph Cain Velasquez

Mars Attacks Riffed in New Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Comic

It's been a long time since I've bought myself a comic book that wasn't in the form of a collected edition or graphic novel. I certainly have never bought a Simpsons comic before. Both changed when I found out that The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror #16 contained some cards spoofing the classic Mars Attacks set.

Attached as a four-"card" uncut sheet, the cards take on the set notorious for its gloriously offensive artwork and story. The cards are hilarious, capturing an updated feel for the set.

Although the comic promotes a 55-card set, it is done with its tongue firmly in cheek. There's no need to go out and buy dozens of copies looking to complete their sets. Only the four cards exist (#'s 3, 9, 22 and 46 for those keeping track). That said, this is so a set I'd love to see released as a full-blown set. Compliment the base cards with some glow-in-the-dark and lenticular motion inserts and you've got a set that could do excellent, particularly at the retail level.

Leave It to Bieber - Justin Bieber Trading Cards On the Way

Every era has their teenage pop icons. For me it was Michael Jackson then New Kids on the Block. Both had cheesy card sets from Topps. Both had parents scratching their heads as to why their kids were listening to such a racket.

Welcome to parenthood, Ryan. Justin Bieber's on the scene and I just don't get it. I must be an adult now.

Sealing the deal is an upcoming card set featuring the Canadian pop sensation. Last week Ed Webb of SciFi Cards posted the following solicitation he received via email on Non-Sport Update's Card Talk:

Justin Bieber Trading Cards

(SRP-$1.99 pack, $47.76 box )
20 boxes per case /24 Packs per box / 6 cards per pack

Orders Due: 10-15-10 Release Date: 11-17-10

Current set configuration includes:
* 190 Cards per set
* 30 Stickers per set
* Look for Justin Bieber Autographed Cards
* Discover Bieber Trivia on 150 Cards
* Plus 4 Nine-Card Puzzles creating mini posters of Justin Bieber
* Including 1 Sticker in every card pack

Box Contents: 2 Spellbounds, 3 Downlowds, 1 Parallel and 24 Stickers 

While Webb wasn't sure of the manufacturer, another manufacturer confirmed it was Panini who had acquired the rights. Although I think the set might be a few months late, I can't say I'm shocked. And the race is on to cash in before biology kicks in and the pop singer's voice changes and he loses his boyish looks.

This set isn't for me and thankfully my daughter is still too young to 'get it' but there's a good chance this set will be huge, especially with the inclusion of autographs. It'll be great for the hobby as well, as this is a license that will draw new people into the hobby in droves - similarly like Twilight did a couple years ago.

November is turning out to be quite the month for music cards. Press Pass will also be putting out their first AC/DC set and Panini's delayed Michael Jackson set is also expected to finally hit shelves.

Kick Ass Get Its Butt Kicked

They might be six months late and missed both the theatrical and DVD window where interest might have been much higher, but Dynamic Forces' set based on Kick Ass has finally arrived. I loved the movie and its unapologetic send-up of the superhero genre, but I'm not at all excited about the prospects of what Dynamic Forces has lined up.

First, there's not much in the way of major star autographs. That is unless you're stoked about signatures from the guys who played 1st Gang Kid and 2nd Gang Kid. There's also a tie-in to the comic book with autographs from some of the creators who worked on the book, most notably John Romita Jr. They're all fine and dandy, considering this is a niche release aimed more at the hardcore Kick Ass fan.

But there's a few more autographs that I think might have been a cute idea done correctly. When I first heard of this set way back when, I never expected to see the likes of Nicholas Cage, McLovin or any of the other headliners signing cards. Dynamic Forces did include the following:

Now before you go getting excited that they landed Nicolas Cage (who played Big Daddy), they didn't. This is a "character autographed card" or "Tuesday intern project." Honestly, done correctly, the idea has some merit. But it all falls apart with the card backs:

Although it doesn't say Cage signed the card, they also don't note that these are gags leaving it open to unsuspecting collectors who might not know differently. Dynamic Forces doesn't exactly provide much promotional material to get word out either. My main concern is the confusion these cards are bound to cause. All it would have taken was a small disclaimer noting that "Big Daddy" is the nickname of the intern who signed the cards and that he's in no relation to the famous actor portraying him on the front. Confusion cleared up, idea is all of a sudden sort of cute, or at least different (unless it actually counts towards the advertised number of autographs in a box, then it's horrible).

So be careful if you come across these with a seller highlighting the Oscar nominee's autograph. It's not. It really is just Big Daddy from the Dynamic Forces offices.

Kick Ass also includes some decent-looking costume cards and sketch cards.

And the Award for the Worst Cut Signature Ever Goes to...

...2007 TriStar Signa Cuts Paul Krause.

Since the advent of cut signature cards, there have been plenty of autographs that have been butchered. From dead presidents to Hollywood legends, the list of cropped cuts is long. But nothing like this abomination.

Not only is the autograph indecipherable, but to add further insult is the fact that there's a huge chunk of white space being wasted. Is it really too much to expect these cuts to be moved to fit the window?

Not surprisingly, the auction for this card ran its course without getting anyone to bite on the $5.99 opening bid.

Video Pack Break: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Here's a quick pack break. I'm hoping to get scans up this weekend for those who care as I'll be out of town for the next couple of days.

Pack Tease: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

 Have you ever seen better pack art?

This arrived in my mailbox today. And it's legit. I don't have time to bust it right away but sometimes it's okay to show off legends like Ron Burgundy, especially when they come in a faux wax pack.

Ewok Hunting

Even though the well off Star Wars-themed sets seems to be endless, the franchise has yet to see the release of any card-bound costume or prop cards. Leave it to a magazine, a good cause and a dead Ewok to make it happen.

A few weeks back Non-Sport Update offered an exclusive variant cover of their current Star Wars-themed issue at the Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo. Sure Mark McHaley artwork was amazing and the 300-copy print run made the issue more enticing, but the real draw (at least for me) was the inclusion of the first-ever Star Wars memorabilia card. The variant issue also had a serial numbered card featuring a swatch of Ewok fur from Return of the Jedi.

Non-Sport Update Topps Star Wars Galaxy Ewok Fur Card

 My copy arrived last week and the card instantly became one of my favorites. In general, I'm not a fan of costume cards. Like game0used jersey cards in various sports products, they've become somewhat commonplace and generic for me to really get behind them. But Ewok fur!

The card features more artwork from McHaley, whom I think is one of the best sketch card artists around right now. Not only is the fur embedded on the card, but it actually fits into the design, giving the Ewok a fuzzy belly. Sheer brilliance, in my opinion.

The card is fully licensed and was produced by Topps for the project. The issue also included a certificate of authenticity from the Prop Store to vouch for the Ewok swatches. Proceeds from the sales of the variant issue went to charity, so it's also for a good cause.

If you're looking to land one of the cards or variant issues, good luck. Non-Sport Update sold out at the show after a brief advance made available beforehand on their website. Since it's release, the Ewok card instantly became one of the hottest in the non-sport hobby. Prices on eBay were approaching $200, however in the couple of weeks since they seem to be settling at $75-100 - quite a drop, but still at least triple the original cost.

(Full disclosure: While I am a columnist for Non-Sport Update, I had to pre-order a copy like the general public and paid full price like the general public.)