Cryptozoic
The New 52 release was originally scheduled for a late August release but was
eventually delayed; the new release date is set for tomorrow, September 18,
2012. The base card checklist has also been whittled down to 61 cards, 60 base
cards and a cover card. The reason for the delay is due to the additional steps
required for completing the base set compared to a standard release. Because
this is based on DC’s The New 52 story line every card had to go through a
number of steps before even being passed on to the printers.
1. The
checklist has to be approved by DC’s creative team
2.
Card art descriptions are written for each base card, this is the basis for the
card design that the artist will use in creating the illustration
3.
Artists are selected
4. Art
descriptions are sent to the artists
5. The
artist submits a rough sketch of what they created based on the art description
6. The
roughs are sent to the DC creative team for approval
7. When
the roughs are approved the artist will then move on to creating a full color
version
8. The
full color version is sent to DC for approval
9.
Once a card has full approval it is then submitted for printing with the other
base cards
As you
can figure with 25 artists working on a 61-card base set this would be a time
consuming process, any cards that were returned requiring a change, additions
or subtractions would add more time and delay the printing process. Getting a
look at the final base card designs along with examples from the two inserts
you can appreciate all the time that the artist put in to the designing of the
product. Cryptozoic did DC and The New 52 storyline justice. The base cards are
beautiful.
The
Lanterns and Work In Progress inserts are a nice addiction to complement the
base set. You will pull two of each insert along with a sketch card in each
24-pack box, expected to be running $60-65 each.
The
Lanterns insert is a 9-card die-cut set that covers a number of characters from the Green
Lantern books. This includes members of the various Corps, there are 7 color
corps connected to different emotions, as well as a number of villains. The cards are die-cut in to the famous Lantern logo.
The
Works in Progress set is a 9-card checklist that covers the progression of the
characters. The cards are lenticular/hologram style so you see the progression of the character as you move the card.
The set includes the main characters from DC’s universe like Batman, Superman, Green
Lantern and Wonder Woman.
