Preview: 2013 Star Wars Galactic Files Series 2

Schedule Release Date: July 31, 2013
Box Configuration: 24 packs per box, 12 cards per pack
SRP: $97/box

Box Break:
1 Sketch card
1 Autograph, Medallion or Printing Plate
24 Inserts

What To Expect:
Building on last year’s Galactic Files Series 1 release, this year’s Series 2 continues the 350-card checklist picks up at base card #351 and runs through #700. Each base card will have 4 parallels; Blue (#/350), Red (#/35) and Gold (#/10) plus a new parallel; Printing Plates (1/1).

The base cards are broken down in to Characters, Places, Planets and Weapons. Only Characters continues from last year’s release.

The only insert series that are continuing are Classic Lines (1:4) and the foil Black and White Moments (1:12). The new insert sets: Weak Minded (1:3), Ripples In The Galaxy (1:6) and Honor The Fallen (1:6).

The hits are broken down in to:
Sketch cards: which includes characters from all 6 movies, the Clone Wars and the Expanded Universe

Autographs: This is a 20-card checklist including actors from all 6 movies.

Dual Autographs: I believe this is a 5-card checklist including actors from all 6 movies.

Medallion Relics: There are 30 different card designs which depict 12 different vehicles from around the Star Wars Galaxy.

Printing Plates: There are a total of 1628 Printing Plates, 4 for each base card and insert from Series 2

My Thoughts:
This set closes out the most complete and comprehensive Star Wars set ever, this set is a must for any fan just for the information alone. The set is huge and quite mind blowing but can be an interesting chase if you are building the set from packs. A nice collection of hits with the sketches and autographs and the addition of the printing plates are pretty cool. I am not big on the Medallion Relics because they are manufactured but last year they did include unit patches, which were also manu-patches. Over all though, a big win for the fans.

How cool would it be to see a Sir Alec Guinness/Ewan McGregor cut signature/autograph card? How about a David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Sebastian Shaw, Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen multi-autograph/cut signature card?

Ok ok… cut out Lloyd and Hayden and just go with the good Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader actors before the role got ruined with the prequels.

Just a suggestions Topps, feel free to run with this bad boy

Pros:
Sketch cards
Autos & Dual Autographs
Complete the set


Cons:
LARGE checklist (a pain when completing a set by hand)
Sticker Autographs
Manufactured Relics


Rating:
Last year I rated the set 5/5 (well, actually 4.75/5 but who is counting) and there is no reason for me to change that rating for Series 2.