This is the second of two parts celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the 1993 release of Topps Star Wars Galaxy. That spring, Topps launched its first Star Wars product in a decade, after the movie tie in cards and products of Return of the Jedi. Star Wars had all but fallen off of the radar for a lot of fans. But with the 15th anniversary of ‘A New Hope,’ a new and popular trilogy from Timothy Zahn, and a resurgence of trading cards, both sport and non-sport, the folks from Topps were keen to capitalize, and developed a set dedicated to the art of the famous trilogy, plus bring in artists to create new visions of those famous films.
My worn copy of ‘Heir’ I pinky-swear-promise I’m finishing it this time.
In part one we talked to Sean Taggart who was the Topps project manager for the first Galaxy set, under the direction of Gary Gerani. He talked about the effort for them to engage with artists and put together, what would be the largest Star Wars base set fans had seen. While he was keeping those artists on schedule, Gerani and Steve Sansweet were doing the copy for the backs of the cards. It took them and many others to bring the cards to life, and they all were rewarded with a successful product that spawned two additional sets back to back - and 8 additional over the next several years. While 2022 saw the most recent Galaxy set, revisiting some of those classic cards in chrome, Topps Star Wars Card Trader, the mobile app, has created it’s own Digital Galaxy cards that bring in top artists who showcase their talents to a new audience, that can enjoy the art of Star Wars anywhere they go.
In part two we talk with several guests who can give us a wide scope of how the hobby was at the time of the first galaxy release, to the modern Chrome Galaxy cards of today. The influences on the hobby, and those who might pick up a pencil and start making their own dent in the art universe. Fausto Barrionuevo, Karl Schmidt, Steve Stolk and David Dickson are collectors who have enjoyed Galaxy sets from long ago and today, and they talk about what the cards mean to them and how they collect. We talk with Ben Abusaada, who returns once again to the program, he was an artist on the 2018, but he also collected Galaxy as a youth. And we get a taste of a new member of the Galaxy family, as Brandon Bernard, Lead Graphic Designer for Topps Star Wars Card Trader, talks about the amazing original art that collectors can chase under the Digital Galaxy banner. And one of those contributors, artist `Robert Jimenez, also returns to the program and helps us close out the show talking about art being enjoyed right on your smart phone.
One more surprise guest on the program, series one artist Dave Dorman who I caught up with recently at Joliet Star Wars Day, was kind enough to give us a few words on being in that first set.
As I had mentioned in the episode I wanted to give you some resources if you would like to check out the artwork and additional content on those early Galaxy sets. You’ll see some links below.
Abrams has done books on the card sets of each movie of the original trilogy, as well as the mid-90’s WideVision card sets, that owe a debt of gratitude to the success of Galaxy. This book was released in 2016 and can be found at amazon and I’m sure other book outlets.
Resources:
Star Wars Galaxy: The Original Topps Trading Card Series- Abrams Books 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Galaxy-Original-Trading/dp/1419719130
The Art of Star Wars Galaxy is a trade paperback with two volumes that followed the first two card sets. Both are gorgeous 9 by 12 books that feature large and in some cases full page copies of the artwork that graced the card sets, plus fuller profiles and stories about the cards. Written and edited by Topps’ Gary Gerani, this is a must have for Galaxy Collectors and lovers of Star Wars art. Although both were released in 93 and 94, you can still find copies on Amazon and secondary markets like eBay.
Collectors should also check out the old copies of Star Wars Galaxy Magazine which ran for 13 issues, from 1994-1997, often coming with exclusive cards, posters and even comics, if you find them still sealed. On their own, they are great time capsules of that time in fandom. The successor, also from Topps Publishing, Galaxy Collector ran 8 more issues finally coming to a halt in 1999.
Star Wars Insider # 53, published in the spring of 2001, has a very nice section on Star Wars cards and is a nice cap to the end of the decade and gives hints at the cards that would launch in the new millennium including a new collector chase card, autographs. Sketch cards for Star Wars wouldn’t be too far behind.
After the first three sets of galaxy, between 93-95, many different kinds of Star Wars cards would be sold, including 3D, prequel tie-ins, wide vision, themed sets and so forth, but Galaxy wouldn’t make its return for another decade until series 4 in 2009, but like I said, it would make up for lost time between then and now.
The Art of Star Wars Galaxy Vol 1 - Topps Nov 1993
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Star-Wars-Galaxy/dp/1883313015
The Art of Star Wars Galaxy Vol. 2 - Topps 1994
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Star-Wars-Galaxy-Vol/dp/1883313031
Collectors:
Norrin Radd (Fausto Barrionuevo) @sketchcardhive on Instagram
Karl Schmidt - @pileo64 Instagram
Steve Stolk @star_wars_topps_cards, @starwarsfanSince1977
David Dickson @starwarscardcrazy
Artists:
Dave Dorman davedorman.com
Ben AbuSaada @ksgeekman Instagram
Robert Jimenez @zerostreet Instagram https://linktr.ee/zerostreet
Industry:
Brandon Bernard - Topps Star Wars Card Trader
@stbernard81 Twitter/Instagram
https://www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-card-trader
Galaxy Series 1 breakdown
3 Sections
1- Title Card
2 -A Tribute to George Lucas -Drew Struzan
3-14 Portraits by Joe Smith
5-47 The Design of Star Wars -
Production and Development Art
48-81 - The Art of Star Wars -
Poster, promotional and merchandising art
82- 139 New Visions -
New art by comics illustrators
140 Checklist
I have inserted a copy of the episode at the top of this post and would encourage you if you like what you hear, subscribe to the program on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows from.
This was especially satisfying to finish and post. Galaxy really is a key release for Star Wars cards. Although I think there would have been card sets released at some point, I don’t think they would have been as ambitious and fulfilling as if they had been releasing them just to release cards. You should take a look back at some of the other ‘90s releases as there is just so much content packed into each card. Steve Sansweet would return to help write copy on other releases of this era as well.
Coming down the road in the podcast, we will be revisiting Return of the Jedi and its 40 year card saga with some special guests. Part one of that special is already recorded and I can’t wait until you hear it.
Until then, enjoy the recent ‘Breakfast Pack’ show with returning co-host Gregory Cass of Eye On Canon and get ready for some upcoming shows covering the National Sports Collectors Convention taking place here in Rosemont at the end of the month.
Thanks for supporting the show and the Stack.
Loved this listen! I'm not a Galaxy collector, but it was really interesting hearing about the history of it!