After a strong Star Wars trading card line-up in the first eight months of 2015 (see “Topps Kicks Off ‘Star Wars’ 2015”), Topps is beginning its initial three-set Star Wars:  The Force Awakens program with a run-up set, then following it up with two Force Awakens sets, incorporating more expansive reveals of film content.   

Topps’ run-up set, Star Wars:  Journey to the Force Awakens, will release to key mass retailers on Force Friday, September 4, with the hobby release September 16.  Topps is doing four retailer exclusive versions of the set, for Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, and Walgreens; a hobby version with exclusive cards; and a mass version with no parallels for other outlets.  Content will be drawn from the first six movies, with plus new content from Star Wars:  The Force Awakens.   

The second release, Star Wars:  The Force Awakens Series 1, will release in December with the release of the film (see “Best in Shows:  Q4 2015”).  It includes 100 base cards with key characters and plot points from the film, 54 insert cards, including 18 Character Stickers (one per pack) 9 Character Montages, 9 Aliens & Creatures, 9 The First Order, and 9 Blueprints (hobby exclusive).  Five Parallels include Lightsaber Green (1 per pack), Lightsaber Blue (1:2 packs), Lightsaber Purple (1:4 packs), Gold (numbered to 100, Hobby Only), and Platinum (numbered to 1, Hobby Only). 

Hits will include autographs, sketch cards, medallion cards, and printing plates.  Autographs include base autograph, Lightsaber Purple Parallel (25, Hobby Only), Gold Parallel (10, Hobby Only), and Red Imperial Guard Parallel (1, Hobby Only).   Hobby sets will also include Dual Autographs (3 combinations x 3 each), and Triple Autographs (2 combinations x 3 each).   

Medallion Cards will include two medallions, The Resistance and The First Order, in gold, silver, and bronze, with eight characters across each medallion.  Printing plates include Base Printing Plates (154 cards x 4 plates for a total of 616),a nd signed printing plates (four per subject).

The third set, Star Wars:  The Force Awakens  Series 2, will release in early 2016, with content drawing from the entire plot of the film. 

Topps plans to release Star Wars products throughout 2016, including a new Star Wars Masterwork set.  Other sets have not yet been announced, but there will be plenty of Star Wars material to draw from, including the first stand-alone film, Star Wars:  Rogue One, in December (see “Best in Shows:  Q4 2016”).