OUT NOW: NEW CLASSIC TRILOGY BOOKS FROM TOPPS

It's a bumper month for all lovers of the classic TOPPS STAR WARS cards and stickers series of the 70's to 90's, as TOPPS' long-time editor/writer and keeper of the STAR WARS card universe collective Gary Gerani, once more happily aligned with ABRAMS BOOKS, present their collection of the much beloved 1995 card set devoted to the original version of STAR WARS in its premiere showcase 'widevision' format, featuring images specially selected and telecine captured from the unaltered original 1977 movie, at a time before the film was widely available to see in its full aspect ratio- so successful and fan acclaimed was this launch set that it became the opening salvo to an outstanding run of STAR WARS cards and imagery presented in this special size, in presentations that have continued to this day as a release tradition up to The Force Awakens. Adding welcome completism, the book also comes with the later 1997 Special Edition card set of the film,  that was specially focused on all the love them or hate them editorial, optical and effects changes made to the film by George Lucas and ILM for a new cinema watching generation in the saga's then 20th Anniversary year. RANCHO OBI-WAN's Stephen Sansweet returns to bring his editorial comments and behind the scenes information to bear on this particular and also visually impressive set.

Relive those halcyon special days of specialist card collecting, here: Star Wars Widevision: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One (Topps Star Wars): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419724497: Books

Continuing the fun and celebrations, also available via ABRAMS, comes the TOPPS compilation book featuring these earliest merchandise collectibles linked to the Classic Trilogy in sticker form, reprinting 250 of the classic sticker images that first showcased the 1977 adventure's memorable characters and action (and mostly in their original release size for this new publication), worthily just in time for the saga's Fortieth Anniversary. The title also comes with eighteen bonus stickers mixing 'Legacy' heroes and villains with the new stars of The Force Awakens, plus five pullout backgrounds to create your own sticker posters on one side, or display a recreation of the classic Topps STAR WARS puzzle poster on the other. A colourful, nostalgic treat, indeed.

Get it here: Star Wars Topps Classic Sticker Book: Amazon.co.uk: The Topps Company: 9781419727115: Books

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'RETURN OF THE JEDI: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES'

A new breed of hero becomes a cover star to the new RETURN OF THE JEDI TOPPS book. Images: ABRAMS BOOKS and STARWARS.COM

Back in early April 1982, on the Elstree Studios set of the then titled REVENGE OF THE JEDI, Mark Hamill told the official fan newsletter Bantha Tracks that filming on this seemingly last adventure for the Original Trilogy characters felt like coming to the end of senior year in high school- getting ready to leave but also feeling nostalgic for what had come before. I think that such a potent feeling was similarly felt across the board by everybody then working on the ambitious wrap-up blockbuster, and especially beyond its studio home, via those serendipitous merchandisers who had the wisdom and the guts to get licenses on what many Hollywood moguls originally thought was going to be either a disaster or a flash in the pan. Certainly, the TOPPS card company were an early sign-on for STAR WARS, and would enjoy unprecedented success with their cards sets for the first two films back in 1977 and 1980, with the excitement yet also sadness of the trilogy's completion with the eventually renamed RETURN OF THE JEDI fast becoming a very palpable and exciting reality and experience for the series range editor Gary Gerani and the small team, whose work delivering colourful cards and exciting picture selections would become such a locked-in and beloved part of the lives of early generation STAR WARS fans. Gerani's opening history notes for the latest chapter in the collected card series tribute to the TOPPS range, RETURN OF THE JEDI: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES - published by ABRAMS COMICARTS, are a wonderful time capsule for those final spirited two years of The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, dealing with an even more efficient and corporate-changed LUCASFILM, talking about the top secret script of which Gerani was one of the few to read it in its entirety, and his fun recollections of getting unique visual glimpses of all the new and striking sequences, worlds, aliens (Jabba the Hutt and his other gross creatures, plus the sweet Ewoks of Endor, who'd all become major selling points to the new run), and cool land and space vehicles that the TOPPS cards would soon so ably display, during a rousing finale period.

Blues and bubblegum! 

The diverse character series wrappers.

Rare shop box packaging.

All of the uniform features of the previous two TOPPS books are present and correct: reproductions of the front photos and back text/art of every card in this two-set series and its stickers (the first set having a bigger card concentration than the second- a deliberate choice in capturing the core audience in the film's primary release window, and the company expecting tail-off sales with the second), some great photos/scans of the individual bubble gum wrappers, boxes and other aspects of the marketing campaign, plus a commentary on selected images by Gernai. Sadly, alongside a few niggly errors, this latter aspect proves mildly disappointing this time out- unlike the previous books, the author's observations/notes accompanying the cards feels a little thin on the ground in places, with few behind the scenes anecdotes and snippets of info actually revealed- a shame, as there are many deleted scenes cards across this particular run whose details would have proved informative to appreciating fans old and new.

Free bonus cards are another welcome treat.

STAR WARS and George Lucas may have gone into a limbo of sorts after 1983, but the TOPPS universe would nonetheless remain a vital part of the franchise's success across the generations to come, celebrating the space fantasy's past and future with further creative ambitions and production drive heading into the nineties.

The saga, and the TOPPS saga alongside it, continues...

The first TOPPS saga is complete...

AFICIONADO RATING: A satisfying and colourful conclusion to this first era of TOPPS and Classic STAR WARS. 3 out of 5

Get hold of the book here: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume Three (Topps Star Wars): Amazon.co.uk: Lucasfilm Ltd, The Topps Company, Gary Gerani: 9781419720925: Books

CLASSIC IMAGE: NET TRAP!

They've previously fought Stormtroopers, faced a Sith Lord, evaded star fleets and attacking ships, only to now get felled by a simple but effective hunter's trap on a forest moon. Yep, its not a great day for General Solo and his friends, but it'll lead to a meeting where additional furry firepower will make all the difference to them in their struggles against the Empire, in this comedy moment from RETURN OF THE JEDI, immortalised on TOPPS card from 1983.

Look out for the final classy and colourful TOPPS celebration book for the Classic Trilogy, showcasing JEDI, out tomorrow (August 16th), courtesy of Gary Gerani, original STAR WARS TOPPS series editor, and ABRAMS COMICARTS, compiling together for the first time all 220 cards of the two-part series set and 55 stickers, plus four all-new bonus cards, and rare promotional imagery.

Get hold of the book here: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume Three (Topps Star Wars): Amazon.co.uk: The Topps Company, Gary Gerani, Lucasfilm Ltd: 9781419720925: Books

CLASSIC IMAGE: CALRISSIAN ON THE EDGE!

Its been a long time coming, with improvisation now the name of the game (what with their original plans having been shot to hell), but the rescue of uncarbonized star pilot Han Solo by his beloved friends is finally underway. Luke Skywalker, united with his lightsaber, has led the charge of battle against their skiff captors high above the loathsome Sarlaac Pit on Tatooine, and now Lando Calrissian has come out of his hidden within plain sight disguise to join his compadres, in a moment from the ever spectacular Sail Barge battle filmed in Yuma, Arizona, for RETURN OF THE JEDI, and an iconic image immortalised on TOPPS CARDS, back during the film's original release in 1983.

Look out for the final classy and colourful TOPPS celebration book for the Classic Trilogy, showcasing JEDI, out this month (August 16th), courtesy of Gary Gerani, original STAR WARS TOPPS series editor, and ABRAMS COMICARTS, compiling together for the first time all 220 cards of the two-series set and 55 stickers, plus four bonus cards, and rare promotional imagery.

Get the book here: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume Three (Topps Star Wars): Amazon.co.uk: The Topps Company, Gary Gerani, Lucasfilm Ltd: 9781419720925: Books

COMING SOON: 'RETURN OF THE JEDI - THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES' BOOK

Fans of TOPPS guru Gary Gerani and ABRAMS COMICARTS continuing celebration of the original and iconic STAR WARS Classic Trilogy TOPPS cards series will be pleased to hear that their lovely new mini-hardcover book on Return of the Jedi arrives next month (August 16th, 2016).

Here's the details:

Following the success of Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Topps released two brand-new sets of collectable trading cards in 1983 to coincide with Return of the Jedi, the final instalment of George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy. Now, for the first time, all 220 cards and 55 stickers are reprinted in one deluxe volume. As with the previous books in the Topps series, this collection features the fronts and backs of each card, including character profiles and puzzles featuring all of your favorite scenes from Return of the Jedi. Also included are four bonus trading cards, rare promotional images, and an introduction and commentary by Gary Gerani, the original editor of the Star Wars Topps series.

Also available from Topps: Star Wars: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume One, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume Two, and Star Wars Galaxy: The Original Topps Trading Card Series.

Preview: Topps' Return of the Jedi Trading Cards from 1983! | StarWars.com

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: The Original Topps Trading Card Series, Volume Three (Topps Star Wars): Amazon.co.uk: The Topps Company, Gary Gerani, Lucasfilm Ltd: 9781419720925: Books

Look for more coverage of the book on STAR WARS AFICIONADO soon...

AFICIONADO REVIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES VOLUME TWO

Darth Vader's Uber-villain status is confirmed with THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and immortalised as part of the US TOPPS CARD series. Images: TOPPS/ABRAMS BOOKS.

"Luke Skywalker and Han Solo rescued the princess, destroyed the Death Star. But their story didn't end there..."

So said the breathless announcer (later revealed as Harrison Ford) behind the wonderful sneak-peek trailer for the then upcoming first sequel to STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Back. A trailer filled with action, romance, wonder, incredible visuals, dark danger, and a return to the universe of George Lucas that had captured our hearts and imagination with its scope, characters and overall fantasy vision. From this trailer it was also clear that Empire was not going to be like any sequel we'd seen before, and that something truly special was on the cinematic horizon, bringing surprise and delight not just to eager fans but those savvy merchandising backers who saw the saga's potential early on, and who'd now continue reaping its rewards, both artistic and commercially, alongside Lucasfilm. One of those key early players were the equally iconic in their own right bubblegum card makers of TOPPS, whose joining together with the STAR WARS empire in presenting regular and hugely successful trading card series seemed a very natural fit. The incredible story of how that partnership and the resultant franchise translation came to be continues with the latest wonderful time capsule from Gary Gerani and ABRAMS COMICARTS that is the celebration and examination of Episode V: STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TADING CARD SERIES Volume Two, out now in right-size hardback.

Battle in the snow!

A key member of the TOPPS company for over forty years, Gerani reveals what it was like working on the new card series beyond the incredible success of the original four-series that had been so marvellously concocted for the original STAR WARS film (not yet christened A New Hope) three years earlier, now ready with the rest of the company's enthused management and design teams for the visual thrills of Empire, where he'd be quickly excited by the early script that he was one of the privileged few to read, loved seeing the very raw effects stop-motion footage of Imperial Walkers in stomping action on the snowy plains of Hoth, and hearing about the enigmatic Yoda- the film's unique and truly one-of-a-kind secret marketing/publicity weapon for eventual unveiling. But as for the incredible revelation of Luke and Vader? Well that took all the merchandisers just as much by surprise as the cast and audiences seeing the completed movie by May 1980!

Master Yoda debuts.

Romance and danger!

With expectations high and the fan base still there in the millions, and getting even bigger and more dedicated as the long three year wait for the film intensified, Gerani's lovely book introduction reveals a bigger and refined Lucasfilm operation at work for Empire, well organised and ready to promote the film in effective ways with TOPPS, not just in its cards (small and large size) but in its other division of candy, and in working with the other licensees beyond theirs, ably supported via superb onset photography by film set veteran George Whitear (of which certain selected imagery on these new cards would feature material and angles ultimately cut from the movie), and memorable, specially created ILM composite work of all the epic conflicts on land and in space that would make sequel one such a standout. With sales confidence high, all three TESB TOPPS sets would have extended amount runs of cards and stickers, with their overall front and back designs getting a revolutionary and attractive new framing/colour look, and their backs receiving specially written information and character details from Gerani, presented in the best zippy Flash Gordon tradition to appeal to the younger readers and purchasers (showcasing character name spellings and details that would eventually change once SW history was properly cemented). These were the cards that would help introduce the world to the mysterious new friends and baddies of the saga, like old smoothie Lando Calrissian, the dreaded bounty hunter Boba Fett, and the finally revealed on release Jedi Master in exile on the swamp world of Dagobah- Yoda.

STAR WARS alphabet!

And then there's the reprinted classic imagery from the film's all-time great scenes- showing us the darkly distinguished emergence of Darth Vader as the middle film's villain and his personal quest for Luke Skywalker, the boy's arrival and training on Dagobah, and the possibly final haunting fate of Han Solo on Bespin- the catalyst lure to bring a Sith and Jedi-to-be together in a classic and genuinely unsettling confrontation, with long term ramifications to be continued three years later with Revenge of the Jedi. Accompanied by interesting past info that would swiftly lock itself into fan brains forever (plus some neat new observations/commentary from the author), as well as the kind of entertaining dramatic license caption hyperbole that certainly wouldn't get past Lucasfilm Marketing these days, the overall reprinting of all the cards and ancillary items is of a good standard, though its a shame that some of the later images of the time (from the gold set) clearly had poor re-touching/printing problems. (Leia's white rebel outfit goes pink often!) Its a shame the book couldn't additionally have featured corrected printings/re-scannings of selected rare imagery, alongside the old versions.

Out now from TOPPS/ABRAMS COMICARTS.

As well as the cards (whose variety includes alphabet stickers, behind the scenes filming, Ralph McQuarrie production paintings and spaceship galleries), let's not forget the book's equally worthy reprinting of key adverts and marketing materials, photographs of the card boxes and sticker packets, and lots more specially shot imagery that I hadn't seen before, all of which delightfully add up to another satisfying and well produced history and joyously nostalgic exploration of classic STAR WARS. This book certainly brought back the ten-year old kid in me, reminding me all over again how much I was surprised and thrilled by that first sequel, and its singularly unique magic and striking air of darkness.

AFICIONADO RATING: 4 out of 5

Get the book (and its free collectors cards) here: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: 2 (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719141: Books

With thanks to ABRAMS BOOKS UK

Earlier AFICIONADO previews:

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: BEHIND THE SCENES: ECHO BASE UNCOVERED!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: BEHIND THE SCENES: WIDE-EYED DIRECTING!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CLASSIC IMAGE: READYING THE PIT OF PERIL!

Go Back In Time With This Gallery of Amazing Classic Star Wars Trading Cards

BEHIND THE SCENES: WIDE-EYED DIRECTING!

Determined to take the next chapter of the STAR WARS saga into new areas of storytelling, with a particular emphasis on character and getting the very best performances from his stars, Irvin Kershner, friend and former teacher to George Lucas, proved the perfect choice as the film's capable director, seen here going through a scene on the Bespin corridor set with Mark Hamill and the robot Artoo, during Elstree Studios filming of April 1979. A great and still rare-ish image that sees very little media reprinting nowadays, and first made an impression on this classic TOPPS CARD celebrating the film from 1980/81.

Out now is Gary Gerani and ABRAMS BOOKS next exploration of the STAR WARS TOPPS TRADING CARD pop culture experience, showcasing the evolution and creation of the legendary series cards linked to that all-important first sequel, and a book set to be as equally popular with fans as their previous entries dedicated to the original STAR WARS and the nineties STAR WARS GALAXY art.

Get the book here: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: 2 (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719141: Books

Go Back In Time With This Gallery of Amazing Classic Star Wars Trading Cards

CLASSIC IMAGE: READYING THE PIT OF PERIL!

A crude facility it may indeed be, but Darth Vader knows that the Carbon Freeze chamber trap being prepared by Lando Calrissian and his Bespin technicians for the incoming Luke Skywalker will be more than adequate, in this rare image from The Empire Strikes Back that sees very little media reprinting nowadays, and first made an impression on this classic TOPPS CARD celebrating the film from 1980/81.

Out now is Gary Gerani and ABRAMS BOOKS next exploration of the STAR WARS TOPPS TRADING CARD pop culture experience, showcasing the evolution and creation of legendary series cards linked to that all-important first sequel of the saga, and looks set to be as equally popular with fans as their previous entries dedicated to the original STAR WARS and the nineties STAR WARS GALAXY art.

Get the book here: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: 2 (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719141: Books

Go Back In Time With This Gallery of Amazing Classic Star Wars Trading Cards

BEHIND THE SCENES: ECHO BASE UNCOVERED!

The amazing Rebel base hangar on Hoth, and its splendid full-size X-wing fighter prop, built on the then new STAR WARS STAGE at Elstree Studios, London, comes under the spotlight as a fascinating behind the scenes image- part of a now legendary series of 1980/81 TOPPS cards for The Empire Strikes Back.

Today sees the release of Gary Gerani and ABRAMS BOOKS next exploration of the STAR WARS TOPPS TRADING CARD pop culture experience, looking at the evolution, creation and showcasing of series cards linked to the all-important first sequel of the saga. I'm intrigued to find out how this next very special wave came into being, what differences there were in the way the photo selections were now being formulated and written for (especially with top secret conditions coming into effect on certain characters and scenes), and, most importantly of all, just how Princess Leia's white/cream Hoth outfit ended up going pink!

Get the book here: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: 2 (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719141: Books

Go Back In Time With This Gallery of Amazing Classic Star Wars Trading Cards

OUT NOW! 'STAR WARS GALAXY: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES'

Yoda's enduring appeal is perfectly captured by Joseph Smith - gracing the cover of STAR WARS GALAXY: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES book, out now from ABRAMS.

Steve Ditko, George Perez, Gil Kane, Jack Kirby, Moebius, Gene Colan, Dave Gibbons, Walt Simonson- a powerhouse of international game-changing artist names whose creativity and incredible talent have shone throughout the pages of comic and graphic novel history across fifty years. Unparalleled icons whom, if assembled in any one arena linked to their industry, would surely be sensational enough, but when such pioneers come together to celebrate, discover and enjoy the rich and diverse heritage and universe established by George Lucas's original STAR WARS Trilogy, then that's something even more alluring and fascinating - as witnessed within the incredible collection comprising STAR WARS GALAXY- the superb early to mid-nineties card series from the industry giant TOPPS. Singular contributions that would become so popular and strikingly showcased, and as a unified collection importantly helping the franchise back into a re-energised state with the eventual return to the big screen, and beyond, from 1997 onwards.

WATCHMAN legend Dave Gibbon's take on the Tatooine droid capture.

Romantic and exciting art for the chasm swing by Zina Saunders.

An intriguing vision of a helmet removed Boba Fett, from Dan Brereton.

Gary Gerani, one of the key masterminds behind the prior success of the beloved STAR WARS photo bubblegum cards series for TOPPS back in the seventies and eighties, returns with those other artistic pioneers of ABRAMS BOOKS/ABRAMS COMIC ART to take us behind the scenes of a changing industry that would see the company launching itself with vigour into the nineties- cards this time round specially designed to appeal beyond the school playgrounds, drug store and newsagents purchasers, and more to the demands of super fans and collectors, providing images lavishly printed within striking thematic devices to make them even more desirable and unique, alongside information and profiles a little bit more detailed than the early days. Cards brought to life with individual style and colourful beauty, as each artist (many of whom would offer their talents without request for this rewarding enterprise), including many then rising stars, happily revealed their own precious take on a classic scene, character or event from EPISODEs IV to VI, or boldly explored their own alternate fresh moments and perspectives, to surprise and delight fans- many examples of which have since gone into illustrative history and pop culture beyond their original task of expanding the realms of STAR WARS. There are also fine returns to the illustrated dominion of Jedi, Sith and Empire from key figures who had helped launch and cement the saga into the comics medium from 1976 to 1980: Howard Chaykin, the responsible and striking illustrator giving us an epic taster of the original film's artistic and genre potential before it even went into cinemas to dazzle the world, and the man who made the adaption of the subsequent MARVEL COMICS sequel of The Empire Strikes Back such a respected classic: Al Williamson. The book comes to a close with a fine Afterword from another magician of the pen and brush stroke - a true giant who has contributed delicious and atmospheric poster art for every film in the saga so far: Drew Struzan, illuminating us with subtly strong and stirring words on the pieces showcased here. Words which will certainly linger in the mind after reading.

Princess Leia takes Wicket the Ewok for a fun speeder bike ride, courtesy of June Brigman.

The lethal Lumiya wields her energy weapon, in this great image from Colleen Doran.

The book also shows us the various promotional materials for the three card sets, and reveals intriguing behind the scenes info.

AFICIONADO RATING: Another book (with bonus cards!) to treasure, capturing a unique era of STAR WARS history through the eyes, minds and artisanship of 170 artists - one whose fascinating and evocative pieces would truly set the gold standard for a decade or more to come. 4 out of 5.

Get the book here: Star Wars Galaxy (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719134: Books

AFICIONADO previews: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: STAR WARS GALAXY THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES BOOK

CLASSIC ART: IN THE HAND OF THE DARK SIDE!

Jack Kirby, the legendary visual co-creator of the incredible MARVEL COMICS universe, alongside that other icon in super-scribe Stan Lee, gave us so much incredible action, heroism and scary villainy across hundreds of colourful comic issues, capturing readers imaginations so fiercely, so the artist must surely have felt quite at home penning this sadly one-time-only piece of STAR WARS art, featuring the incredible galaxy-spanning conflict between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader (who was very much the Doctor Doom-esque villain of this particular franchise, in so many ways).

This great 1994 composition is one of the many fine pieces reproduced this March 15th, 2016, with the release of the next chapter in the ABRAMS book series chronicling the superb STAR WARS TOPPS photo card sets that would become so cherished: this time focusing on the diverse art magically brought to life for its three-year spanning STAR WARS GALAXY, in a lovely, right-size hardback once more compiled and charted by the enthusiastic original editor and writer for the linage: Gary Gerani.

Here's the book press release notes:

Ten years after the release of Return of the Jedi, the Topps Company reintro­duced the Star Wars universe to collectors with a series of trading cards. Illustrated by the biggest names in science fiction, fantasy, and comics—including Kyle Baker, Moebius, Jon J Muth, William Stout, and Walter Simonson—George Lucas’s galaxy is reinterpreted in each artist’s style, portraying favorite characters, re-creating classic moments, and even inventing new scenes the illustrators always wanted to see. These trading-card images became instant fan favorites and the benchmark for visual reinter­pretations of Star Wars to come. For the first time, this collection showcases the complete New Visions series; rare promotional images; an introduction and commentary by Gary Gerani; and an afterword by Drew Struzan, and cover art by Joseph Smith.

Featuring over 170 artists including Michael Allred, Sergro Aragonés, Simon Bisley, John Bolton, Bret Blevins, Timothy Bradstreet, Dan Brereton, June Brigman, J. Scott Campbell, Paul Chadwick, Howard Chaykin, Mark Chiarello, Gene Colan, Amanda Conner, Geof Darrow, Jack Davis, Steve Ditko, Colleen Doran, Dave Dorman, Steve Fastner, Bob Fingerman, Frank Kelly Freas, Rick Geary, Dave Gibbons, Keith Giffen, Jean "Moebius" Giraud, Mike Grell, Scott Hampton, Jeffrey Jones, Kelley Jones, Michael Kaluta, Gil Kane, Cam Kennedy, Karl Kesel, Sam Kieth, Jack Kirby, Ray Lago, Rich Larson, Jae Lee, John Paul Leon, Esteban Maroto, Michael Mignola, Ralph McQuarrie, Linda Medley, C. Scott Morse, Mike Avon Oeming, Jimmy Palmiotti, George Perez, John Pound, George Pratt, Joe Quesada, P. Craig Russell, Zina Saunders, Mark Schultz, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joseph Smith, John K. Snyder III, Jim Starlin, Ken Steacy, Brian Stelfreeze, Dave Stevens, Drew Struzan, Boris Vallejo, John Van Fleet, Charles Vess, Jill Thompson, Angelo Torres, Tim Truman, Al Williamson, Gahan Wilson, and more

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Gary Gerani is the creator, editor, and writer of hundreds of Topps trading card sets and the author of Topps’s Star Wars series. Gerani lives in Los Angeles.

The Topps Company, Inc., founded in 1938, is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery.

Get the book here: Star Wars Galaxy (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719134: Books

Look out for the AFICIONADO review shortly.

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARDS' (VOLUME ONE)

Where were you in '77? Images: ABRAMS BOOKS.

STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARDS SERIES (VOLUME ONE)

Written by Gary Gerani

With Robert V. Conte

Published by ABRAMS BOOKS

Reviewed by Scott Weller

When I think of STAR WARS’ impact on my eight year old childhood of 1978 (the movie didn’t come out beyond London’s West End and into the suburbs until January that year), two things immediately spring to mind- running about at primary school pretending to be Luke Skywalker wanting to rescue potential Princess Leia’s in my playground field of vision, and the desperate search for anybody, and I do mean anybody, who had a spare number 4 (“Space Pirate Han Solo”) to the original blue stars TOPPS card series of which I’d valiantly consumed so much bubble gum to complete my set!

Yes, that’s how important to me those TOPPS cards were (blue and red- we only had those two batches in the UK), and to all the zillion other kids who loved STAR WARS across the world (in a pre-VHS tape era), in representing its spell-binding ingredients- the classic imagery of characters, weaponry, spaceship and planets that was now starting to enrich our lives then and forever more- a unique cinematic freshness and feeling that would prove so empowering on our imaginations that we just couldn’t get enough of it.

The idea of someone producing a tribute book to those cards of yesterday was genuinely deserving of merit, and now its finally materialized, via the talents of author and TOPPS card employee since its halcyon days, Gary Gerani, in conjunction with those admirable people of finesse at ABRAMS BOOKS, presenting the first in their Classic Trilogy retrospective and celebration of the entire run of this enduringly successful series.

Giving us an affectionate and important lowdown on how the TOPPS card series of the STAR WARS universe came to be, Gerani, a key early supporter of the film, despite early looks at publicity pictures that left him unsure of its potential appeal, and especially after a prior classic STAR TREK card set had failed so dismally in sales for the company, reveals the publishing gamble that soon emerged from early rejection to pay-rich dividends whilst also generating a continued aura for a pop culture legend, not just for TOPPS but also the small and dedicated team assisting Gerani with all his photos and info needs at Lucasfilm, plus the eager to make even more profit 20^th Century Fox over the course of three years.

With humour and nostalgia, as well as looks at some rare specially commissioned key art used for both the cards and publicity, alongside scans of the original wrappers, Gerani’s affectionate commentary is a huge part of this opening book’s appeal: the innocence of the early days before the STAR WARS marketing machine became so entrenched- the design ideas (some better than others), the early mistakes (yep, the infamous Threepio 'extension' card is included, as well as a couple of errors that the author still hasn't spotted even now! Blue card 36, anyone?!), and the overwhelming sense of fun and creative enthusiasm from the TOPPS team that went into making these early products such pop culture icons.

And for anyone who’s never had the complete set of cards, the individual front and back reproductions seen here are of fine quality- the now legendary blue borders set with the first amazing assemblage of classic STAR WARS (including some occasional rarities) launches things in grand style, followed by a red set with some truly garish one-off retouching (green walls of the Blockade Runner-yeeww!), then a third (yellow) and fourth (green), both rushed to fulfil demand by reusing and cropping past images yet also managing to find some intriguing new rarities-many of which have still not been republished to this day, and a final compilation (orange) incorporating great behind the scenes imagery from the filming and some finally released images of the ever-popular Cantina bar aliens created by the now legendary Rick Baker.

And for completism, the reproduced back card production info proves a further hoot to read (much of it supplied by the film’s then key publicist Charles Lippincott), what with their of-its-time movie facts and behind the scenes cast and crew personal quotes, alongside character stickers that American kids surely pasted on every conceivable shape and sized wall or bedroom in their celebration of all things STAR WARS!

The end of the book is complimented by memorabilia expert Robert V. Conte’s brief but fascinating photo essay of the equally best-selling, one-off, US-only Wonderbread card set of 1978, which became a key component in helping promote STAR WARS cinematic return engagement within its home territories, as it propelled itself towards a then incredible $200 million take at the domestic box office. This book, for the first time, presents these important images, and their back card info, along with some other key artistry linked to their original release. For UK and international readers, it’s a curious and enjoyable addition.

AFICIONADO RATING: Like Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine, I can smell and taste that era of bubble gum STAR WARS all over again. An essential right-size purchase for the original 1977 era fan, whose four reproduction cards are the final icing on the cake. 4 out of 5.

Get hold of the book here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Original-Trading-Series/dp/1419711725