On Thursday May 21st, Topps’ Star Wars Card Trader held a unique event, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Empire Strikes Back by hosting a watch party in the app. Topps encouraged fans to cue up the movie at 5pm Eastern and dropped selected packs of cards that in some cases, coincided with the events happening on screen. Returning guest Daniel Lo from Fantha Tracks, and Franc Mulder, aka @mrdaftprawn on Twitter, give their post event reactions and talk about the cards as well as their favorite scenes, as we continue our multi-episode podcast event celebrating 40 years of Empire Strikes Back Cards.

Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com

On the heels of the film's official premiere on May 21st, Topps and O-Pee-Chee released the trading cards in the U.S. and Canada to an eager audience who cracked open packs featuring new bold designs, more cards, inserts, stickers, and that classic piece of gum. Michael Delaney, aka @hoth_ion_control on Instagram, along with returning guest Tom Gross, from Coffee with Kenobi, help look back and celebrate 40 years of Empire Strikes Back cards in the first, of a multi-episode podcast event. Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com

‘Into a larger world’ is a monthly Star Wars Fanzine created by Kara DJ which harkens back to the classic days of community created periodicals. It engages the reader with vivid, multi-color layouts and right sized pieces of content sure to inform and entertain. She also brings in numerous contributions from the community. You can find her on Instagram at @sacredsomethingbykara - Full show can be found on www.rebelbasecard.com

Isaac is a Texas A&M alum & Star Wars fan who started showing off his large collection on his Instagram page. He's seen his audience grow, but along with that, a positive connection with the SW community he didn't expect. Since Rogue One was one of his favorite movies, pulling a Felicity Jones autograph from a Topps Women of Star Wars box was pretty special. You can find him on Instagram @thestarwarsaggie.

Residing in the northwest Chicago suburbs, Sammy Gomez is a sketch card artist for Topps, Rittenhouse and RRParks cards. Sammy talks about how he got started, his kitchen studio, and making it work during these crazy times. You can find Sammy online at Instagram and Twitter @sammyg2323.

Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com

One of the breakout stars of the Disney+ series 'The Mandalorian' was the creature known, only as 'the Child.' Just about everyone from the hard core fan to the causal non-viewer has seen this pint sized character show up in popular culture and has helped move the show move beyond its traditional base. Ahead of a traditional physical full set this fall, Topps has come out with this mini 32 complete card set that will be available in retail and hobby outlets highlighting moments of the Child from season 1. We also replay a small portion of our talk with Mark Von Ohlen from Star Wars Authentics & Topps.

Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com

Ashley Villers is a sketch card artist for Topps, who resides in Texas with her husband and their cats. An art major in school and a former Middle School Art Teacher, her card work in the recent Women of Star Wars set can trace its roots all the way back to an art show in her native state of Ohio where she designed some Star Wars themed playing cards for an art show. Ashley broke into the Topps Star Wars offerings with last year’s Journey to the Rise of Skywalker and The Women of Star Wars set is her second, but certainly not the last. She was recently featured in Tatooine times for their Women of the Galaxy week:

https://tatooinetimes.com/interviews/pure-sabaac-its-in-the-cards/

Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com

A passion project two years in the making, Tom Rosy, Mike Determan and others volunteering their time are working on a film that chronicles the members of the 501st Midwest Garrison in Illinois. According to the website, the documentary highlights - 'Star Wars Enthusiasts–showing how they are much more than adults playing dress-up. The 501st are compassionate, charitable, and down to earth people doing what’s right for those in need. There’s a reason why their motto is “Bad Guys Doing Good”

http://behindthebucket.com

Interview with Fabio and Ross of Tatooinetimes.com

'Women of the Galaxy’ is a celebration of voices and stories from and about women, non-binary, multi-cultural creators, and fans in the Star Wars universe.' Founded in 2017 Tatooine Times strives to be an online location for insightful, sometimes long form and always respectful Star Wars content. Founder Fabio Fiori and Ross Hollebon put their combined skills together in order to promote the best creators and their work within the Star Wars galaxy.

Find Tatooine Times on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @tatooinetimes

Fabio Fiori

Instagram/Twitter: @fabeliflow

Ross Hollebon

Instagram/Twitter: @rosshollebon

Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com

Topps will release the Women of Star Wars Set in late March 2020: "The first trading card release to celebrate the iconic and The first trading card release to celebrate the iconic and important women in the Star Wars galaxy, this set features an eclectic mix of all-female characters from heroes to villains (and even a little scum)." We take a deep dive into the release and more, talking to contributing sketch artist Dawn Murphy and Mark Von Ohlen from Topps & Star Wars Authentics, both returning guests to the program.

Full show notes to be posted on www.rebelbasecard.com