The Topps Company is preparing to issue a new series of Star Wars trading cards that features all the top characters from the original trilogy and The Phantom Menace.  The all-new, all-foil cards have a bold double-image design enhanced by silver foil-covered cardstock.  For the first time in the history of the Star Wars trading card franchise, the Star Wars Evolution cards will include autographs, and Topps is guaranteeing one autograph per box.  Topps plans to ship the cards to retailers in late August, just nine months before the premier of Star Wars Episode II -- and as a special bonus, Star Wars Evolution will include a sneak peak at some of the characters in Episode II.

Insert cards for Star Wars Evolution showcase twelve of the most important characters from the Star Wars saga, with two levels of rarity.  For example, Princess Leia will appear in her familiar white gown in the base set, but her 'Evolution A' card depicts her in the rare 'Boushh' disguise outfit, while the even rarer 'Evolution B' card shows her in the slave girl costume provided by Jabba the Hut.  Some of the other characters who get a similar multiple insert card treatment include Luke, Han, Lando, Yoda, and Palpatine.

But the key innovation in this series of Star Wars cards is the inclusion of authentic autographed cards.  The stars who have agreed to provide autographs include: Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia); James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader); Billy Dee Williams (Lando); Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO); Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca); Ian McDiarmid (Senator Palpatine); Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett); and Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Singh).  Topps will include more than 20 different authentic Star Wars autograph cards in the series, and the company guarantees a minimum of one autographed card per display box.