2002 Topps Spider-Man Movie
In 2002, Topps proudly announced "The Wait Is Finally Over". Not only did fans finally receive (after forty years) a real, genuine Spider-Man theatrical release, but also after four years we received another full-sized Spider-Man trading card set. Actually, we received two of them, see also 2002 Artbox Spider-Man FilmCardz. But that's a separate story.
This movie tie-in set from Topps was the first real Spider-Man card set since 1997 Fleer Ultra Spider-Man, and it was suitably substantial. It featured 100 base cards (99 + checklist) each with high-resolution, high-gloss movie stills. The first 81 of those cards stepped detail-by-detail through the movie plot, with Peter Parker's comments on the back of each card. There was a 9-card "behind the scenes" subset, and a fun little 9-card "Parker's Pix" subset featuring Spidey self-taken Daily Bugle pictures with suitably erratic framing and composition.
There were also four chase sets as follows:
- 5 Web Tech Foil Cards: These have shiny foil backgrounds, with glitter glued to the webbing.
- 5 Hologram Cards: Only the background webbing is hologram, foreground is a flat image.
- 5 Clear Cards: Images on transparent plastic.
- 10 Glow-In-The-Dark Stickers: The webbing, and Spider-Man's outline are glow-in-the-dark.
Note: The Hologram cards are impossible to scan or photograph. The background is actually silver, not black as my scanner would try and have you believe. Packs were 7 cards per pack in two different styles (Spider-Man, and Green Goblin). Box design is blue/black, with 24 packs per box.
The photo stills are wonderful, and the image reproduction quality on the glossy card is superb. However, the chase card sets are deadly dull, and come across as "gimmicky" rather than impressive.
