Top 5 Star Wars Card Trader Sets of 2021

The Top 5 Topps Digital 2021 favorites continue with Star Wars Card Trader Sets.  The Top 5 come from cards that I have actually collected in the SWCT app. I may not have the complete sets, so I note how many I have of the set.  If you have any of the cards I'm missing from these sets, I would entertain fair trades.  My SWCT username is JEDIGROSS.  

If you are evaluating your collection and can't believe I would have passed on a certain set, it may be that I didn't collect that set, or it may be that we just have differences in opinion which is awesome!  Here are my Top 5 sets of 2021:  

5. The Mandalorian - The Legend Continues - Wave 1 Standard, Uncommon, 5/5 collected

This set is unique.  I enjoy the "card pack" look of the set which makes if fun.  Clearly, if I opened these packs they would be Mandalorian cards, but what would the set look like with pack covers like these?  It is a fun and colorful little set that comes in at number 5 for me this year.  

4. Daniel Govar Original Art: Pilots & Ships Wave 1 Parchment, 

    "Tora Doza and the Blue Ace," Uncommon, 9/9 collected

Going along with my affinity for the ships of Star Wars, this set goes a step further and gives me the pilot of my favorite ships.  My number 3 card of SWCT for individual cards came from this set (see here), but I chose to display the "Tora Doza and the Blue Ace" card here.  I enjoy any card that uses a Star Wars subject that we don't get to see often. I really enjoyed Tora Doza's character in Star Wars Resistance, but I enjoy the entire set done by Daniel Govar.  There is a full-color set of this in the Rare variant which is awesome, but since the black and white sketch is more accessible, and I just like the shading of the black and white, I chose it as my number 4 in 2021.

3. Kevin-John Original Art, Helmets, Wave 1 - Signatures "Bo-Katan Kryze," 

    Super Rare, 2/5 collected

If you love Mandalorian helmets, this is a must-have set!  The raw feel to the art with the "bleeding" paint matches the style of the Mandalorians.  Not much else to say other than I love the aesthetics of these cards.  

2.  Derek Laufman Original Art Series, Color Art, "Zori Bliss," Rare,  / collected

This is a super cool series of characters that Laufman chose to create.  I love the interpretation of the characters with some "cartoon" feel to many of the images.  I chose the Zori Bliss card to represent the series because I really like how he makes her out to be the gun-slinger that I imagine her to be.  I don't feel the film brought out that aspect of her, but Laufman shows it clearly in this card.  Check out this series and I think you will agree that it should be in the Top 5 of any list.  

1. Widevision 2021, Series 1-4 Bronze, Uncommon, 

    26/26 Series 1, 26/26 Series 2, 25/25 Series 3, 26/26 Series 4 collected

One item to start with this set of amazing cards. An apology, no apology to Cory Clubb of CWK Pourover, this is kind of a four-way tie as I am including four sets as my Number 1 choice.  I give forgiveness to this because they are all the same series, just in 4 waves.    

Anyway, this set is awesome!  I really liked the editors' choices on what scenes they captured for the wide vision treatment.  The captured essence of wide vision went from human conflict to galactic battle.  I really appreciate all aspects of how they used this format.  I tried to display some of that with the cards I chose to represent the sets.  Enjoy!  

A quick note:  Acquiring information for the cards was kind of frustrating this year which is why some cards don't have actual names of the cards or sets.  I had to guess at that.  I normally get that information by clicking on the card, then using the information button on the bottom left.  About 85% of the cards did not have any information available.  All the fields were filled with "???"  I hope this feature is fixed in the future, but don't get me wrong, I love this app and hope it continues for a very long time!

Top Five Star Wars Card Trader Insert and Award Cards in 2021

The Top 5 Topps Digital 2021 favorites continue with Star Wars Card Trader Insert and Award Cards.  The Top 5 come from cards that I have actually collected in the SWCT app.  If you are evaluating your collection and can't believe I would have passed up on a certain card, it may be that I didn't collect that card, or it may be that we just have differences in opinion which is awesome!  I always love this quote that highlights the benefit of thinking differently, "If everyone is thinking the same thing, then someone isn't thinking."  I think it was U.S. General Patton who said that, but you can probably easily prove me wrong.  I am focused on SWCT cards not who said what!  Here we go!

5.  Star Wars Visions: Ronan,  Rare,  9642 GC  

I love the look of this card.  It is dramatic art for who may be the subject of my favorite Visions episode.  The dramatic red of the saber really pops with the black and white art.  Ronan's robe is not just flowing in the wind, but it appears to be whipping in the wind adding a sense of action to the image.  

4. Ahsoka Tano Authentic Autograph, Uncommon, 4381 GC

Who doesn't want an Ahsoka card with Ashley Eckstein's autograph?  I mean, seriously.  It is a pretty stock image of Ahsoka, but the autograph is enough to make it my 4th top card of 2021!  

3. Mandalorian and the Razor Crest Daniel Govar - Original Art: Pilots and Ships 

    Wave 1 Parchment, Uncommon, 33,368 GC

I absolutely love original art!  I am thankful that Star Wars Card Trader has made a commitment to these artists and giving them top billing for their work.  This card comes from one of my top sets of 2021 (coming soon) "Pilots and Ships."  It also is one of my favorite subjects of Star Wars these days: the Mandalorian and his ship, the Razorcrest!  

2.  Topps Choice Series 3 - Loth Wolf, Uncommon, 4342 GC

The subject of this card is a family favorite and was a total shock when it appeared on the Topps Choice list.  At Star Wars Celebration Chicago, I bought the plush Loth Wolf in the store for my youngest daughter who is an animal lover.  She fell in love with the white Loth Wolf and he quickly became her favorite stuffed animal. She appropriately named him "Wolfie," so my second favorite card of 2021 is "Wolfie!"  

1. The Mandalorian: The Heiress Card #9,  Uncommon, 9236 GC

I believe this card actually hit the app in December of 2020, but it is part of the 2021 collection.  I knew that this would be in my top 5 when it came out a year ago.  I love ships.  I love action.  I love epic shots. This card is all of it.  The shot of this Imperial transport alone is beautiful, but the four Mandalorians flying above it for their raid adds just enough to make it an epic shot, in my opinion.  This is a magnificent card and tops my list for 2021.  

A quick note:  Acquiring information for the cards was kind of frustrating this year which is why some cards don't have actual names of the cards or sets.  I had to guess at that.  I normally get that information by clicking on the card, then using the information button on the bottom left.  About 85% of the cards did not have any information available.  All the fields were filled with "???"  I hope this feature is fixed in the future.  

Top 5 Marvel Collect Sets for 2021

The Topps Digital Cards "Top 5" lists continue!  If you missed the first post that revealed my choices for the Top 5 Insert and Award Cards from Marvel Collect, click here to view that first.  Today, I will be looking at the  Top 5 Marvel Collect sets for 2021.  The criteria for this list are that these are sets that I chased during the year.  I may not have been able to finish the sets, but I did chase them and I have several cards from the sets.  It is likely we collected different sets; therefore, your list will be awesome but different.  The purpose of this list is not to evaluate all sets in the app for 2021, just the ones I attempted to collect.  Have fun and let me know what your top digital sets are for Marvel Collect in 2021!  If you want to see more cards from these sets, check out my collection on Marvel Collect Username: CYCLELIBRARIAN

I only trade doubles, but if I have doubles, make a fair trade.  I just might accept!

5.  Black Widow Premiere Collection, Rare, 12 card set, DNF 7/11 collected

This set was released in coordination with the film last spring.  What drew my eye to this set was the "dirty," unrefined style of the art to match the grittiness of the film and the Black Widow story.  I also was drawn to the dramatic use of the black and white format with the red splashed in on select cards.  There were a couple key cards to this set that I was not able to get (there are only so many credits!), but the cards I do have in my collection are cherished.  

4.  Avenger Bookmarks, Uncommon, 8 card set, finished 8/8 collected

As a librarian, how could I pass up on this set?  Avenger Bookmarks?  Yes, please.  Turns out, I really liked the modern art and style of these bookmarks.  I am waiting for these to come out as actual bookmarks one day!  Love these.  

3. Sanctum Sanctorum, Rare, 9 card set, DNF 4/9 collected

If you are a fan of Dr. Strange like I am, it would be hard to keep this set off a "best of" list.  This set is full of dark purple and red colors as Dr. Strange is depicted in different scenes of spell casting.  He is joined by other Marvel characters in several cards.  Characters like Clea, Spider-Man and Loki make appearances in this set.  It hits number three on my list for the dynamic value of color and scenes of magic.  

2. Vintage Panels, Uncommon, Waves 11 and 12 include 10 cards each wave, finished 20/20 collected

I have been collecting these cards from the first wave.  In fact,  I am only missing three cards from all waves and all three missing cards come from the first wave.  As you may remember from past lists, I really enjoy comic panels on cards and that is what this set is all about!  Each panel focuses on one character and each set follows a variety of classic characters including, Spider-man, Ghost Rider, Iron Man, Ant-man, Nova, Hawkeye, Rocket Racoon, and many more.  

1. Marvel Architechs, Rare, 11 card set, DNF 7/11 completed

Most of my list is made up of some pretty classic art and comic panels, but the Marvel Architechs set is digital candy for the eyes!  With black backgrounds, the color make the characters pop right out of the cards.  Characters whose uniforms are dark, as seen on the X-Force card, create a menacing tone with white and gray shading.  The detail in the characters are sharp, and perspective lines coming out of the center of the card push the characters right off the screen.  This set is exceptional and worth a look.  

Friday Favorites: Saturday Relaxation

It is time for another "Friday Favorites" list.  This month: Saturday Relaxation.  In all seriousness, I came up with this topic as I woke up recently from a nap on a chilly, wet Saturday afternoon.  I often feel guilty on a Saturday afternoon when I have taken a long nap, and I wake up seeing others in the house being productive.  It made me think about what my favorite things are to do to relax on a Saturday.  

Let's face it, there is "lazy" relaxation and then there is "productive" relaxation.  Calling something lazy does not always mean bad. Personally, I would consider lazy as blindly scrolling social media and in a similar way channel surfing on television.  There is always a place for either, but I think we know when we have crossed a line. My Top 5 ways to relax are all what I would call "productive" relaxation.  What is lazy or productive is always up for debate, but here are my Top 5 ways to relax on a Saturday.  

5. Clean the house:  Yes, I realize it sounds crazy, but sometimes the process of cleaning brings relaxing satisfaction that the house looks nice.  The room that is most satisfying to clean to me is the kitchen.  I just love seeing a shiny stove and cleared off countertop after a busy week where the dishes may have built up a little or a lot.  I enjoy visiting the kitchen to pick up a snack or to start a Saturday night dinner when it is spotlessly clean.  It also makes for a stress-free Sunday while planning meals for the week.  

4. Write:  I don't often get to do this on a Saturday, but it is relaxing to me to get thoughts out of my head and onto a page or document.  I do try to write both ways: written and typed.  I tend to put more personal thoughts and ideas handwritten in a journal where I try to keep my creative writing typed on a document for easy editing.  I think I find it to be particularly relaxing because it is a solitary, reflective practice.  My writing will never be famous; I've never had that intention, so it is nice to just write and enjoy.

3. Work out:  Once I start a workout, I thoroughly enjoy that time.  It sometimes takes a little willpower to motivate me to start a workout on a weekend (don't want to get all sweaty, don't want to spend the time, lazy), but once I get going, I am always happy I did it.  In fact, I cannot think of one time where I thought, "Jeez, I wish I wouldn't have worked out today."  Whereas, there are a number of times at the end of a Saturday I think, "I wish I would have worked out today."  I always feel energized when I complete a workout, and for those times the workout wears me out, it is Saturday and I can take a nap.  Speaking of naps...

2.  Take a nap:  Taking a nap is my number two most relaxing activity for a Saturday.  It is so satisfying to lay down in the middle of the day with the purpose to cozy in on the couch or back in bed to take a snooze.  I have nothing more to say about that!  

1. Read:  I just love to pick up a book, newspaper, comic book or magazine to read on a Saturday.  Normally, my day begins with the local newspaper, which continues to become smaller and smaller as newspapers become more and more obsolete.  I refuse to give up on local journalism, but it seems that financially, they will give up on me.  Until that day comes, I will continue to read the Saturday paper with my morning coffee.  When I don't have as much time, I will find time to look at a magazine or online article, but if there is time for a book, you better believe I am settling in to do some reading.  Reading really helps me to escape as my mind slips away from our world into the setting of the book with the characters and I am taken someplace else.  It is the best escape for me, and therefore it is my number one way to relax on a Saturday.  

Relaxing and taking time for ourselves, our families, or our friends is a positive way to spend a Saturday.  In my mind, the idea of relaxing seems like a waste of time, but really, it is quite productive because it energizes us and helps to clear our minds.  Make relaxation intentional to keep it productive and keep yourself from participating in "lazy" activities that can sometimes actually zap our energy and motivation.  Take some time to relax this weekend by yourself, with family, or with friends.  It will be a good use of your free time.  

Top 5 Marvel Collect Insert and Award Cards for 2021

It is time for my second annual review of the Topps Digital Card apps top cards.  This week I will be looking at my Top 5 Marvel Collect Insert and Award Cards for 2021.  Sticking with the same criteria as last year, this is a list of the Top 5 cards that I collected.  If you are looking at your sets, it is likely we collected different sets and cards; therefore, your list will be awesome but different.  The purpose of this list is not to evaluate all cards in the app for 2021, just the ones I have collected.  Have fun and let me know what your top digital cards are for Marvel Collect in 2021!  If you want to see these cards and others from the sets, check out my collection on Marvel Collect Username: CYCLELIBRARIAN

I only trade doubles, but if I have doubles, make a fair trade.  I just might accept!

5. Peter Parker from the Comic Impact Collection, Super Rare, 842 Global Count

Spider-man makes several of my top five cards.  I like the aesthetics of this card titled Peter Parker with the black/gray brick border.  The card features Spider-man with his mask off, suspended on his web over New York City.  This card is all Spidey, but it shows his uncertainty of having his mask off in public.  Being Spider-man, though, his identity is probably pretty safe up in the sky.  

4.  Infinity Cover #8 from the Infinity Comic Collection set, Super Rare, 1086 Global Count

This card is a reproduction of a variant cover to the Infinity Comic.  The card is fun to look at and very light in content as the baby Avengers play on a classic arcade game that has Thanos on the outer case of the video game console.  I like the retro feel of the hero community playing an arcade game console along with the dire situation of combating Thanos.  I especially appreciate a brooding hulk letting Cap stand on his shoulders to command the battle. My guess is these baby Avengers probably don't have enough quarters to finish the game.  

3.  Spider-Man #5 from the 90's Collection, Rare, 3605 Global Count

I love the comic panel cards and 2021 brought us a common set with tons of cards with comic panels.  Spider-Man #5 comes from a different set, the 90's Collection which has some really cool and unique cards in a sharp-looking card design.  I like how the right-hand side of this particular card has the larger border on the right and the Spider-Man title printed down the side with the Marvel logo at the bottom right corner.  This page of panels is cool, and the card is very appealing.   

2. Carnage vs. Spider-Man Award Card

There is so much happening in this classic Spider-Man vs. Carnage battle card.  First, the border is all comic book look with comic box and lettering background with blue, black and red colors.  Then, the action is in the center of the card.  It appears that Carnage has the upper hand on Spidey (as he often does in a battle with Spider-Man), but it appears that maybe Spidey has a plan to perform an upper kick to the face of Carnage as they battle on the top of a skyscraper in NYC.  I love the realism and detail to this card and the blinding white of the background brings the battle to focus. I've spent more time than I should just playing this moment of battle out in my head.  

1.  Cable from the Topps Weekly Original Art Set, Rare, 5258 Global Count

While the Carnage vs. Spider-Man card is full of color, action and detail, my top card of 2021 is all about the simplicity of a sketch card.  It isn't often that you come across a card with Cable where the focus isn't massive guns, weaponry, and armor that Cable typically carries with him.  This card is just the man.  The techno-organic virus is clearly present on the left side of his body, and his organic arm, showing the massive bicep and musculature that we have come to expect, is all Cable.  This card demonstrates Cable's dominance as a soldier and a leader of the X-Men.  I love original art, and I love original art of my favorite X-Man, Cable. 

Beatles: Get Back Initial Reaction Ep.1

It was Friday, Black Friday, in the evening when my family was settling down in the living room, and I
made an announcement, "I am planning to watch the new Beatles documentary on Disney+."  Without an objection and maybe even a little interest, I started the show.  I am really the only Beatles fan in the family, but I thought, maybe this would entice them and prove once and for all in my house, how awesome the Beatles really are.  It didn't.  After about 20 minutes, I was the only one left in the living room.  Everyone else found something more important to do.  

In fact, The Beatles: Get Back wasn't what I was expecting.  I walked into it with no prior knowledge of what I was about to see, but I wasn't expecting what I saw.  That doesn't mean disappointment, it just means I needed some time to process the show.  After about one hour in, I turned it off.  As the rest of the evening went by, I couldn't stop thinking about what I heard and saw.  I was even thinking about it the next morning, and that next Saturday evening, I found myself settling in to finish episode one.

I found this documentary to be intriguing at first, but before long I discovered that it is a treasure...for a Beatles fan.  Maybe others found a different experience, but while I became mesmerized by this uncensored, raw footage of the Beatles planning a live show with brand new music, my family of non-Beatles fans were completely bored and kind of put off by Paul, John, and Yoko Ono.  The opinion of my family doesn't impact my opinion of the show, but it does make me ponder the accessibility of the show.  With all of that said, here are my initial reactions: 

I was blown away by Paul's on-the-spot writing of Hey Jude, Get Back, and The Long and Winding Road.  It is a dream to hear an artist tell the story of how a song is created, but to watch Paul, John, George, and Ringo play it out, sing unwritten lyrics, trial-and-error style, was incredible.  I am especially giddy about Paul blah, blah, blahing his way through verses of The Long and Winding Road, only to have John eventually say it would be nice to hear some words in there.  There is something quite charming about that. This alone may have been worth the two hours plus time on the first episode of the documentary. 

I wasn't surprised to see Yoko Ono make an appearance on the show as I had read and seen in other documentaries that she was a presence, but this show really showed how much she was inserted into the group.  Less by verbal input and opinion, and more by her physical presence and proximity being the fifth member.  She quite literally sits at John's side the entire week of filming doing God knows what.  We also sense her emotion and passion at the end of the episode when the group, minus George, display their raw emotion of frustration at the end of the second week of planning and writing.  I did appreciate the few moments that were seen between Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono when Linda came to the set in the second week.  Something about that interaction made Yoko Ono feel less of a silent presence and more of a person as she is seen talking with Linda.   

I never doubted that the Beatles had their differences.  In fact, it was quite known, but never have I, or maybe any of us as fans, seen the conflict quite in the way this film shows it.  It is very clear that there is an issue with George and that he and Paul were headed down a difficult road.  George demonstrates a bit of an inferiority complex that maybe he isn't the guitar player of an Eric Clapton level. Later in the documentary, Paul is unhappy with the way George is playing.  Paul stands and it feels rather aggressive as he looks down at a seemingly trapped George in his seat and his guitar on his lap.  The issue is the style of guitar playing.  Soon after this incident, we learn that George has left the session and has quit the project.  I wasn't surprised.  Paul really left a bad taste.  Admittedly, I am only a viewer of this documentary.  I wasn't there to see where all of this was coming from in the past, but at this point, we have watched this conflict begin to brew over the two weeks of practice and planning in the first episode of the program.  

Overall, the first third of this show is brilliant.  Again, I have to say, though, it is brilliant for a Beatles fan.  I can completely understand as my family started to file out of the room.  This show, as brilliant as the editing and original film treasure, is not for everyone.  I will have to watch it alone.  Don't feel sorry for me though, I will grab some popcorn and probably a beer, to settle in for the next 4 hours of two episodes of The Beatles: Get Back.