SCI-FI BLACK EYE

SOME CARD SETS MISS THE MARK, OFTEN DUE TO THE FILM OR SHOW’S SHORTCOMINGS. HERE ARE FIVE SCI-FI SETS BEST FORGOTTEN, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR APPEARANCE.

THE BLACK HOLE (TOPPS 1979)

This Disney film got poor reviews, not enough action and lots of talking, all of which is reflected in the 88-card/22-sticker set.

TRON (DONRUSS 1982)

Another Disney production, the film is based around video gaming. The neon images of players, vehicles and screens do not lend themselves well to cards and are rather boring.

MARS ATTACKS! WIDEVISION (TOPPS 1996)

The Mars Attacks movie did not live up to the original cards. The Martians just look silly in this set instead of menacing. Note that major cast members opted to not appear on any cards.

BATTLEFIELD EARTH (UPPER DECK, 2000)

This is considered one of the worst films ever made, so how good can the cards be?

2001 PLANET OF THE APES (TOPPS, 2001)

This confusing remake can’t touch the original film. Although it had great special effects and design, there is nothing special about the base set, but some of the autographs are highly sought after, as are the hard to find stickers, only available in retail packs.

10. STAR TREK 35TH ANNIVERSARY (RITTENHOUSE ARCHIVES 2001)

It’s almost impossible to choose one best Trek set but this is the writer’s favorite! Beautiful Holofex base cards of Original Series characters, a nice salute to Dr. McCoy and some of the earliest Trek sketch cards. e signers are mostly guest stars but there is a double auto with Shatner and Nimoy.

9. THE ORVILLE, SEASON ONE (RITTENHOUSE ARCHIVES 2019)

is show began as a spoof of Trek, but evolved into an exciting space adventure. is attractive set from Rittenhouse covers the great first season and offers a huge list of signers including most bridge crew.

8. 2015 DOCTOR WHO (TOPPS 2015)

Even with so many great Doctor Who sets available, this one stands out as a good overview of the series. All the Doctors, their Companions, allies, and enemies are covered. Plus, each season of the show has a recap in an attractive, massive 200-card set. Many Doctors are among the signers, and there are cool inserts and relics.

7. THE TWILIGHT ZONE (RITTENHOUSE ARCHIVES 1999)

is first Twilight Zone offering set the standard for the others to follow. It features an attractive b&w design and takes a look at some classic episodes—To Serve Man, It’s a Good Life and Nightmare at 20,000 Feet. Lots of big name signers with this set as well.

6. JETS, ROCKETS, SPACEMEN (BOWMAN 1951)

Beautiful, fantastic art depicting space travel makes up this 108-card set. Astronauts visit alien worlds and face strange extraterrestrials and monsters in this exciting space fantasy. Originally planned as a 180-card set, cards 109-180 were never issued and were later reprinted (in various stages of completion) by WTW.

5. STAR WARS GALAXY (TOPPS 1993)

Galaxy stands as an early departure from photo-based Star Wars sets. e series consists of art, much of which was never seen, allowing fans to witness a new perspective of the SW saga. Topps continued the tradition with seven more beautiful sets and the whole series includes work by some of the great illustrators of our time.

4. ALIEN (TOPPS 1979)

is classic sci-fi/horror film deserves great cards and this set delivers with an 84-card and 22-sticker set. Alien features the crew of the Nostromo in the battle of their lives against those egg thingies and that fantastic Xenomorph.

3. FIREFLY: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION (INKWORKS 2006)

is shiny space-western ended way too soon, but le fans with three cool sets, this one being the best. e 72-base cards covered the memorable characters and the episodes and the list of signers featured most of the major cast.

2. INDEPENDENCE DAY (TOPPS 1996)

is blockbuster film, filled with great special effects and an all-star cast, translated well to the widevision format, capturing the sweeping panoramas of alien ships destroying cities. e 72-card set only has six holofoils as chase. is was the film that Mars Attacks the Movie should have been.

1. MARS ATTACKS (TOPPS 1962)

e Holy Grail of card sets, Mars Attacks, has it all— creepy looking Martians, giant bugs, death rays, lovely women being abducted, and lots of Norm Saunders art. For those who can’t afford the original cards, Topps has re-released this set twice.