I remember back in 2007 when Topps Triple Threads was released with the first regularly produced booklet cards in Football. Although the booklet had been around in basketball previously, Topps made it famous. I have to say, I hated every minute of it, mainly because there was always more of a focus on the swatches in the booklet than the things that really count. Design was never a focus, and when you have TWO cards to use instead of just one, I dont understand why it took so long for the booklet cards to finally be something worth considering for purchase.
This year’s Supreme seems to be averaging a booklet card per 16 box case, something which would normally cause me to roll my eyes. However, there are some really nice looking cards that these booklets have produced this time around, all of which include large, full size player pictures. Instead of a penny sized photograph covered up by a hundred different swatches, Topps has actually composed the cards as an improved version of last year’s Five Star booklets. Although they are stickers, they use the stickers in a way that doesnt take away from the card. If a company is going to use stickers, at leasst use them in a way like this. Plus, when the boxes’ MSRP is 90 bucks, with a possibility of junk jersey card being the hit, there had better be some chase to buy more than one pack at a time.
Here are some of the cool ones:
Blaine Gabbert Dual Jumbo Patch Booklet Auto 1/1
Ray Lewis Six Jersey Autograph Booklet /10
Additionally, there are some really nicely composed patch cards that previously would have previously been a visual disaster for Topps. When there are multiple swatches to include on a card, Topps has had a very tough time doing things the right way until these last two years. Even with the space on a horizontal card, there are not a lot of ways to fit four swatches on the card, in a way that doesnt generally damage the visual composition or look of the final product. Supreme, and likely Five Star alike will not have this type of issue, as there is evidence that their design team has finally figured out exactly how to make products look high end.
Demarco Murray Dual Patch Auto /10
Joe Montana Quad Patch Auto /10
Supreme is definitely a hit and miss break, as was a product like Ultimate back in 2009. However, in both cases, when a box delivers, it is VERY tough to beat the results. When Panini’s products focus more on cutting corners with design to save money for the company, the cards dont even come close to measuring up against a product like Supreme. National Treasures hasnt even been previewed yet in a full capacity due to its late release, but I have to believe its going to take a miracle for it to beat Five Star now that Topps has had a full year to make that much more incredible.