I was reading Nonsportscardforum.com and I found a Box Break topic about Fleer Marvel RetroTrading Cards (Upper Deck). At first I believe it was really a new Rittenhouse card series because it was obvious the copy-paste artwork. But I remember that also Upper Deck like to recycle artwork. Seriously the only “Retro” feeling I got looking the cards was only when I saw the original border design used for the Marvel Universe Series cards and the Fleer Ultra X-men cards.

Some months ago, I was checking my new founds from some Marvel Heroes & Villains packs. Then I decide to check my Lenticular cards with the official Rittenhouse checklist and the Jeff Allender’s Checklist when I noted that card L7 Bishop/Apocalypse wasn’t part of it. So I decide to check in eBay for other card. Nothing found. I asked to other collectors in the Nonsportscardforum. Nobody has seen it. 

One of the members recommended contacting Rittenhouse (RH) to ask about it. The RH support answer was that the card was inserted by “accident” because it was planned for other “future” product. So time will tell if it was for a future release or it is a rare card.

Here are some photos of the card.

Marvel Heroes and Villains Lenticar Card L7 Bishop & Apocalyse (Front view)

Back view of Card L7

- Jeff Allender’s Checklist added the card in the list as “scarce”. 

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Long time ago, I wrote in my blog a review about this G.I. Joe 30^th Salute card set for the 1rst box I opened. In the 2^nd box I found Chromium Cards (C3 and C6), Comic Anthology Card #3, Mini-press sheet of Tim Hildebrandt, and the Medallion Card (see Figure 1).

Figure 1- Inserts/Chases found in the 2^nd G.I.Joe 30th Salute box.

The Medallion Card has a nurse in the front and in the back some info of the limited card (see Figure 2). In the back is indicated that only 4 cards of this one are in every case. The card is stamped with #1336. It doesn’t have the maximum, but knowing Comic Images must be a minimum of 1500 to a max of 5000 cards created. Searching in Internet I found that a case of this series have 12 boxes. So the number must in that range. Now about the card condition is Excellent. The design is weak the only difference between this card and a base card set is the back. I didn’t notice it until I was looking the numbers of the cards in the back.

Figure 2- Medallion Card (front & back).

Update info:

I decide to make a search in Internet before posting this in the blog. In eBay a seller has photos from cards 2092 and 2367.

If you are interesting to buy G.I.Joe 30^th Salute (Comic Images 1994) cards sets, single/base/common cards or chase cards check my store:

I bought some opened boxes from Marvel Heroes and Villains. The card set was produced by Rittenhouse in 2010. The sealed box has 24 packs with 5 cards by pack. The base card set is composing of 72 cards. The card set has 5 types of inserts sets: 72 Parallel Cards (1:3 packs), 9 Marvels Most Wanted (1:8 packs), 18 Alliances (1:12 packs), 6 Lenticular Flip (1:48 packs), 6 Tri-Fold Poster Cards (1:48 packs), 1 Sketch Card in the sealed number boxes.

The base/common card set illustrations are based on artwork from some Marvel Comics covers. The front of the card has a nice design, but the back it just disappointing. It just has the same illustration of the front with some kind of pencil sketch effect (Figure 1). It only has the name of the card and the comic book cover of the artwork. Also the set miss a checklist card.

The insert/chase cards illustration (except the Sketch Cards) are based also in Marvel Comics covers artwork. The Parallel cards difference is the silver Marvel logo and not black around the illustration (Figure 2). For my eyes was difficult to see these cards at first. I recommend recheck your cards and focus in the silver Marvel logo.

The Marvel Most Wanted Card Set (Figure 3) is printed in metallic foil. The set idea is to show the most dangerous villains, but it confuses to see Deathlok a Hero-Vigilante character surrounded with villains. Also it is making not sense that in this “Most Wanted” you forget somebody like Doctor Doom, Sabretooth, Green Goblin or a Loki for some not interesting villains like Sphinx or M.O.D.O.K. or Viper. The Alliances cards are print in metallic foil and just show some of the Marvel Universe Teams of Heroes or Villains (Figure 4). The Tri-fold poster card (Figure 5) is an interesting idea. The card has a 3 panel artwork that fold in a single card. The Lenticular cards (Figure 6) have a hero and a villain. The Sketch card I found was a Cyclops & White Queen by Arie Monroe (Figure 7).

The condition of the cards is a mix. The most common defects are bends near the corners/edges and scratches. I was surprise to see card # (Figure 9) has a line role. At first I believe it was maybe a problem in the case of the first seller I bought the box, but I bought more from other sellers to found the same problem. For the base/common and parallel cards 1/5 of the cards in a box can be found in Very Good or Excellent condition. The Most Wanted and the Alliances cards can be found from Very Good to Near-Mint condition. The Tri-Fold and the Lenticular can be found in Excellent-Mint or Near-Mint condition.

The cards in general has a good looking for little kids, but for old comic non-sport card fans it miss the feeling. We like to see interesting illustrations, but we like to read about it. The idea of has multiple types of insert/chase cards is good, but Rittenhouse isn’t really adding interest to collect the insert/chase cards with the bad card condition and no new or original artwork unless is a sketch card.

-          Some of the comic cover artwork is amazing.

-          Condition of the base/common cards.

-          Recycle artwork from other card sets.

-          No checklist card.

-          Condition of the insert/chase cards.

Hello, another nice day and again looking in the vault of card collection from the ‘90s. I brought another review, Wolverine From Then Till Now 2 is card set produced by Comic Images in 1992. The box has 48 packs with 10 cards by pack (see Figure 1).

Figure 1- Wolverine From Then Till Now 2 card box and packs.

The base card set is composing of 90 cards. The insert cards for the set are 6 prism cards. I bought 3 boxes from 2 different sellers. As far I opened 2 boxes one from each seller. From a box I manage to get 3 base sets and from the other box only 2 base sets. In every box I found 3 prism cards. From a box I found (see Figure 2)

Figure 2- Prism Cards

The base set is about Wolverine’s origin, allies, and enemies (see Figure 3). Something very common from the Comic Images sets for the Marvel Heroes from the ‘90s was recycle some artwork from comics and present it with a nice info in the back related to the image. As I said in my G.I.Joe review this is the only thing I always like from Comic Images. Also in the back of the card except from the checklist you can see other recycle artwork in some way related to the card. Like card #89 were the front artwork is an X-Men Cover about “Days of Future Past” were Wolverine is kill by a Sentinel. Then in the back of the card you can see the Sentinel (see Figure 4). Also in the back of the cards you can find some comments from comic book writers and artist. For design of the cards in my opinion the only bad decision was choosing the artwork for card #1 (see Figure 5). Who will note that the set is about Wolverine? There are not claws or we can see Wolverine in his uniforms. Years ago, I remember see the local trading card sellers to show this set to sale with card #5 in top. In my opinion cards #43 or #61 is better to be card #1.

Figure 3- Base Cards

Figure 4- Base Card #89

Figure 5- Base Card #1, #5, #22, #43, and #61

The condition of the cards like always in Comic Images series is bad. As far I can see the base cards are in “Excellent” condition. So if you find “Near Mint” Cards in these boxes, you found a treasure. The most common defects are line roles that can only see in an angle respect to the light and scratches near the corners. The only surprise for me was with the Prism Cards because the prism cards are in “Near Mint” Condition.

My final thoughts

As a Comic Book fan, I found the set interesting. The design is simple like all Comic Images sets for Marvel Heroes. So if you like nice colors and nice cardstock, it will be nothing. The set pass any eyes without attention with a boring card #1. The really big killer interest of the set is the condition of the base cards.

The Good

-          Back of the cards have interesting info.

-          The Prism cards are in great condition.

-          Sealed boxes can still be found.

The Bad

-          The artwork for the first card of the set.

-          Condition of the cards.

If you are interesting to buy Wolverine From Then Till Now 2 (Comic Images 1992) sets, single/base/common cards or chase cards check my store:

The set is about the G.I.Joe merchandise and media from 1964 to 1994. I bought 2 boxes and open one (see Figure 1). Like some of the products of Comics Images of the ‘90s there is sometimes a disclaimer indicating that if you get and Insert or Chase you are lucky (it doesn’t said literally, but it what you understand). The box 48 packs with 10 cards in each one.

The base set is composing of 90 cards. The series has 4 types of inserts sets: Chromium Cards, Comic Anthology Subset, Autograph Card, and Medallion Card. I don’t wrote any ratio because by my experience with Comic Images. It doesn’t work. From this box I got 2 basic sets, 3 Chromium Cards (C1, C5, and C6) and Comic Anthology Card #1 (Figure 2).

The cards from base set (see Figure 3) are photos or illustrations for merchandise like toys produced or prototypes, comic books covers, and some conception artwork. It is Comic Images so I wasn’t expecting in the front a great design or something like that. It isn’t good for the eye see the mix between photos and drawings. The ones whose designed it looks like they weren’t thinking about displaying the cards. Not even the checklist has the classic subdivisions when cards have different contents. The only interesting part of the set and the only good thing I like from Comic Images is the way they add in the back of the card interesting info of the front illustration (contrary to some sets like JLA Archives). In the back you will find the explication or info of the illustration plus extra info in the left of the card of some G.I.Joe characters or vehicles. The Chase cards aren’t so great. The differences from the base cards are the material and back design. The Chromium cards are just some G.I.Joe dolls in a relate term scenario and the Comic Anthology Card is just a normal card with a comic book fact and a front illustration not directly related to the info in the back. Card #1 is about the death of General Flagg, but the front is Lady Jade, Roadblock, and Flint.

Now I’m going to talk about the great problem of the products of Comic Images from ‘90s, the “Card Condition”.  I have some of their 90’s products and it is a miracle to find a series or box with cards in great condition (I mean a lot of Near Mint cards). From 480 cards, only near 150 are in Near Ming Condition. I’m not a specialize grader, but there weren’t “Mint” condition cards in this box. And something more get to my attention when I was grouping the cards. The cards aren’t cut the same height. The maximum different I found was 1 millimeter. You can see what I refer looking Figure 4 and 5. This manufacturer error is very rare to see in cards and in special in the base cards. I saw it with some chase cards that the material isn’t cardboard like Marvel 70 Years Clear Chase Cards, but as I said before is very rare.

If you are G.I.Joe fan the set will be good in your collection. If you are a non-sport collector the set will not be very interesting because the lack of design and condition of the cards.

-          Back of the cards have interesting info.

-          Buy a box don’t guarantee get a Chase card.

-          Condition of the cards.

-          Design of the cards.

I bought 2 boxes (1 normal and 1 jumbo) of DC versus Marvel (by Fleer/Skybox 1995) from this I opened the Jumbo Box (see Figure 1). For my surprise and for first time I saw a long jumbo pack (see Figure 2). The box has 24 packs of 11 Cards plus a Ballot to vote for the winners of the crossover.

Figure 1- The jumbo box.

Figure 2- The jumbo pack.

The base set is composing of 100 cards. This box has 3 types of inserts sets:  Impact Cards (1:4 packs), Holo F/X Cards (1:8 packs), and Mirage Cards (1:360 packs). From this box I got 1 basic set, 7 Impact Cards #5,10,11,12,13,16, and 18 (Figure 3 & 4) and 3 Holo F/X Cards #5,6, and 9 (Figure 5).

Figure 3- Impact Card #5.

Figure 4- Impact Card #10,11,12,13,16, and 18.

Figure 5- Holo F/X Cards.

The base set (see Figure 6) illustrations has combination of drawings and paints. The paints show the important battles in the cross-over like Superman vs. Hulk. The first card is paint then every nine you will see one in the set. Like the classics base sets of the 90’s. The artwork is from the actual comic’s artists of the time like Joe Quesada, Kubert Brothers, John Byrne, etc. In the back of each card you can see the names of the artist, inkers, and CGI designers for each card. For example the Sabretooth by Joe Quesada (Figure 7). The Impact Cards are part of 2 puzzles based in 9 cards. The Impact cards #1-9 are JLA vs. Avengers and #10-18 X-Men vs. Teen Titans. The Holo F/X cards are the paints you see in the base set.

Figure 6- The base set.

Figure 7- Sabretooth Card.

The condition of the cards is great. From 264 cards, only 16 base cards and 1 Impact Card were in Very Good condition. Also I found near 30 cards with a little rollover defect. The design and artwork for the base card and the chase cards is great. The only disappointment is see some of the artwork of the base set recycled for the Holo F/X chase set.

The Good

-          Base set illustrations are and made by famous artist.

-          The artwork is great, but I see better artwork in other sets.

-          Condition of the cards. Expect to find 15% to 20% of the cards with a defect.

The Bad

-          Artwork was recycled to create one of the chase sets.

If you are interesting to buy DC versus Marvel (by Fleer/Skybox 1995) sets, single/base/common cards or chase cards check my store:

I bought 3 boxes of Fleer Ultra X-Men: Wolverine by Fleer/Skybox 1996 some months ago. The box looks like a classic Jumbo Box (see Figure 1), but it only has 6 cards by pack and the box had 36 packs. I bought 3 boxes of this series because is really rare and scarce to find this series.

Figure 1- The classic jumbo box, like this 1994 Fleer Spider-Man.

The base set is composing of 90 cards. It has 2 types of inserts sets:  Holoflash (1:4 packs), and Mirage/Lenticular (1:24 packs). Every box I got 1 basic set and Foil Set, and a Lenticular card. I got lucky to complete the Lenticular set and I get one extra in other box. So from 3 boxes I got 4 Lenticular Cards (see Figure 2), 3 Holoflash Sets & 3 base sets.

Figure 2- The Lenticular Cards.

The base set (see Figure 3) illustrations is great paints from different artists. I can’t see the artist firm in the artwork like other series of cards, but it is found in the checklist. Base set “Weapon X” by Glenn Orbik, “Department H” by Ken Kelly, “Second Genesis” by Tom Kuffin, “Japan” by Julie Bell & Boris Vallejo, “Allies” by Dave Dorman, “Madripoor” by Mark Texeira, “Mojoworld” by Tom Fleming, “Enemies” by Cliff Nielsen,  “X-Men” by Joe Jusko, “Age of Apocalypse” by Marc Sasso, and “Savage Beast” by Brian Stelfreeze. And 9 Chase Cards or Holoflash Cards by Greg & Tim Hildebrandt. Contrary to the past X-Men Fleer Sets were you find the Bio or background of the story. In the back panel of the cards you are going to find a little comic book story of Savage Wolverine & Elektra in the Mojo’s World.

Figure 3- The base set.

The Holoflash Cards (Figure 4 & 5) are a big puzzle that looks like the Fatal Attraction moment when Magneto pulls out the Adamantium from Wolverine. In the back is a little adventure of Lil Wolverine getting ready for a Halloween Costume Party.

Figure 4- The Holofash Set (front view).

Figure 5- The Holofash Set (back view).

The condition of the cards is the bad story. In the middles ‘90s Skybox & Fleer began to implement glossy surfaces and gold ink to the cards. Many of these cards act like I was Magneto who designs them. The cards like to stick together and sometimes when you separated them, they loose parts (see Figure 6). The X-Men Wolverine set is a great example. Near 50% of the base cards were in that condition. The Chase Cards were fine because they don’t suffer this problem. They were always packed as the last card in the pack.

Figure 6- The damage cards.

The set has excellent artwork and the Chase Cards aren’t something great, but like all cards from ’90s the focus was the base set. The design & illustrations are excellent. The condition of the cards is poor. Because if you open a “sealed box”. You expect to get near 70% of the cards in “Near Mint–Mint” Condition. As far the only “glossy” cards I found with the “Magneto Problem” are the 1994 Flair Marvel. 

The Good

-          Base set illustrations are and made by famous artist.

-          The artwork is fantastic.

-          Easy to made the Chase Set.

The Bad

-          Difficult to find the boxes.

-          Condition of the cards.

-          Mirage (Lenticular) cards aren’t the best Chase/Insert Cards.

If you are interesting to buy Fleer Ultra X-Men: Wolverine by Fleer/Skybox 1996  sets, single/base/common cards or chase cards check my store:

The Hobby box of 36 packs (Figure 1) is scarce, but can be found in eBay for more than a $100 in “buy now”. For my opinion that is too high. I always got them in auctions for no more than $50.

Figure 1. The box.

The set is composing of 100 cards. It has 3 types of inserts sets:  100 Gold Foil Signature (1:1 pack), 20 Impact Cards (1:2 packs), and 9 Holoflash Cards (1:6 packs). In this box I found 39 Gold Foil (Figure 2), 17 Impact, 6 Holoflash (Figure 3), and base set (finally).

Figure 2. Gold Signature Cards.

Figure 3. The Holoflash Cards.

The illustrations in the base set are great drawings by the Kubert family: Joe Kubert (father), Andy Kubert (Son), and Adam Kubert (Son). The Impact Cards are 10 heroes and villains with their alternates’ characters from the Age of Apocalypse. The cards are embossed and contrary to the rest of the cards aren’t in glossy stock or with metallic inks.

The condition of the cards is fantastic. Even with box in bad condition. The base, Gold, Holoflash cards can be found in Near Mint condition. By my experience open sealed boxes. The best are the cards with wrappers packs in aluminum because in paper or plastic. If you drop the box even sealed by accident be prepare to lose maybe 10% to 20% of the cards. An example is DC Cosmic Cards (Impel). The Impact Cards in other hand get them in Near Mint is more difficult. Some of them get thick with other cards. And some has greases in the corners even when you found them in a center of a package surrounded by NM cards. When opening the cards you must be careful because this series suffers what I call the “Magneto Problem”. In other words cards get thick one to the other due to the pressure.

The set has excellent artwork and the Chase Cards aren’t something great, but like the cards ’90 the focus was the base set. The design & illustrations are good. The condition of the cards in general is fantastic. If you open a “sealed box” expects to get near 90% of the cards in “Near Mint–Mint” Condition. As far the only “glossy” cards of the 90’s I found without the “Magneto Problem” are the 1994 Flair Marvel. 

The Good

-          Base set illustrations were made by famous artist.

-          Condition of the cards.

-          Three levels of Inserts.

The Bad

-          Difficult to complete base set with some boxes.

-          Condition of some Impact cards.

-          Magneto Problem.

If you are interesting to buy Fleer Ultra 1995 X-Men All Chromium sets, single/base/common cards or chase cards check my store: