May the Fourth Be With You: a reflection

I love Star Wars. I have ever since my grandma took me to see Star Wars in the theater in Yorkville, Illinois, in 1977. Who knew my life would be shaped in such a way on that unassuming trip to the movies.

I don’t know. I guess I accept it as a day for me, a fan of Star Wars. I appreciate when someone says to me, May the Fourth Be With You or Happy Star Wars Day. It makes me feel good. I enjoy my fandom. So how do I spend the day?

To start, I don’t take the day off from work. I am fortunate to work in an environment where I can wear a Star Wars shirt. So I get to show off my newest or most favorite Star Wars threads. This year, I wore my new Mandalorian and Grogu film t-shirt. I listened to my Star Wars playlist on Spotify as I got ready in the morning. I collected the limited May the Fourth cards on Star Wars Card Trader. It is always fun to see what card designs they come up with. This year, the cards were pretty much focused on the Mandalorian and Grogu. That is fine with me!

When I came home from work, I immediately fired up Disney+ and watched the final two episodes of Season One of Maul: Shadow Lord. I gasped, sat on the edge of my seat, said “Oh No!” many times, pondered, cheered, pondered some more, then it ended, and I was in disbelief. It is an amazing show and was a great way to celebrate Star Wars Day.

I wasn’t done. I knew I wanted to do more to celebrate my fandom in my own little way. My family left me alone (although I always do wish they would join me), and I decided to watch Solo: A Star Wars Story. I love this film and was always disappointed that it didn’t do better at the box office. I still can’t figure out why people didn’t care for it. I think it gets better the more it ages. It was hard for some to accept that someone other than Harrison Ford could play Han Solo, but I feel that Alden Ehrenreich did an exceptional job.

Anyway, I have to share a moment that just turned out perfect. When Solo and crew enter the malestrom on the way to Kessel, a thunderstorm heavy with lightning started to roll in outside. I had the window open so I could hear the thunder off in the distance. As the Kessel scene started to pick up with action in the mines, the storm hit outside and lasted all the way to the takeoff, and Kessel run in 12 parsecs. It was a dramatic play in the movie and a dramatic storm outside. It was great!

I didn’t want the night to end even though it was getting late on a work night. I let Rogue One roll anyway. I got about an hour in before I called it a night.

It was a great day and pretty par for the course over the last several May the 4ths. I love celebrating “Star Wars Day.” I know it isn’t for everyone. It isn’t their fandom, and I am totally cool with that. I mean, I don’t celebrate Die Hard at Christmas, which isn’t really parallel to this at all, but it was the best I could come up with. Well, May the Fourth Be With You…Always.  

Star Wars Card Trader: Top 5 of '25

Every year since 2020, I have been reviewing the Topps Digital Card Trading apps, digital cards, and offering up my top 5 favorite insert and award cards from my own collection. This is Part 1 of a series where I will review the top 5 cards from the Star Wars Card Trader (SWCT), Topps Bunt (Bunt), and Marvel Collect digital card platforms. Since I am only reviewing the cards I personally collected, my list may be vastly different from another’s list. Also, we have different appreciation which is what makes these lists so much fun to share and discuss.

In Part 1, I will share my favorite SWCT cards from 2025. Here we go! May the Force Be with You!

5. Fourth Place, Boonta Eve Classic 2025, Award Card, Card Count 14,140

Yeah, let’s get over the fact that my team got 4th place! It was well worth the ridicule if this is the card I got. This is a seriously colorful and imaginative card. For 4th place, I’ll take this award any day.

4. Skeleton Crew - 2, Cards Watch Party, Uncommon, Card Count 22,877

First, I love the watch parties that SWCT hosts from time-to-time. It is fun to watch the show/movie, check the app to see others’ comments and to collect cards along the way. I love this “film poster” style card for one of my biggest shows that shocked me with how great it was. Don’t judge, I just didn’t think it would be such a hit; however, this card was a no doubt winner.

3. The Death Star Destroys Jedha City, Season 16 Moments, Uncommon, Card Count 30,103

I have always loved the cards from the “Moments” series from the other 15 seasons, but in 2025, this particular card is a top 5 for me. It is a horribly beautiful image of the Death Star demonstrating its awesome power. This is one of the most dramatic moments in Star Wars films, and therefore, it is one of my favorite cards from 2025.

2. Too Strong for Blasters, 2024 Topps Star Wars Chrome Galaxy, Uncommon, Card Count 56,261

The look of this card is spectacular and takes me right back to the tension and excitement of The Empire Strikes Back. Luke is facing down the goliath AT-AT. I love how this card tells a story with the hazy snowy atmosphere and the second AT-AT looming in the background. This card is gold.

1. Victory! Vintage - 2025, Uncommon, Card Count 14,930

I went classic with my top card of 2025. We all know the scene, and I can hear the music building to the award ceremony. I chose this card because I enjoy the art style, the border, the font type, and the coloring. It is also a unique image for a card and really captures this moment from the film.

Bonus 2025 Card Highlight:

The Song of Four Wings - 2, Visions Season 3 premier, Epic, Card Count 115

I always like to add as a bonus the highest-tier card with the lowest card count from the year. If you note the card count from the cards above, the count of 115 is remarkably small. I also really enjoy the look of this Visions Season 3 card. It is really striking with the black background, orange horizontal paint swipes backing a feature character in season 3 of Visions. I even like the design of the Visions logo on the bottom left of the card.

I have a double copy of two of these cards that I am always willing to trade for an equal value trade. Follow me, JEDIGROSS, in the app to expand your collection with a trade.  

The Kamino Clone Kids Played for 2025 League Champion: Fantasy Football Recap

It was a good season for the Kamino Clone Kids. Two weeks before the playoffs, the Kids were sitting in first place! They lost the final two games, but went on to play the Khofar Nights for the league championship. It was a bad week to have an average week. The Kids receivers, 3 of the top 5 receivers in the league this season, had pedestrian weeks and the Kamino Clone Kids fell 191.02 to 156.47.

The Kids received admirable play from QB Dak Prescott (33.25) and RB Chase Brown (31.60), but the trio of George Pickens, Amon St. Brown, and J. Smith-Njigba totaled 42.80 points, combined. Jaylen Warren, who scored 37.40 points the week before, came in with 7.32 points in the final game. Alas, this was a competitive league and the Kids was in the heat of it the entire season.

The league completed its sophomore season, and the Kamino Clone Kids have emerged as a team to contend with. In 2024 the Kids finished in third place and now, 2025, they ended in second place. While it would be nice to walk away with the big trophy, the front office is happy with the first two seasons’ results.

Kamino Clone Kids Final 2025 Roster:

QB: Dak Prescott, Dallas

RB: Chase Brown, Cincinnati

RB: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburg

WR: George Pickens, Dallas

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit

TE: Jake Ferguson, Dallas

W/R/T: J. Smith-Njigba, Seattle

W/R/T: Darius Slayton, New York Giants

W/R/T: Tyler Warren, Indianapolis

DL: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas

LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay

DB: Jordan Battle, Cincinnati

Bench:

QB: Sam Darnold, Seattle

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville

RB: Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles, Chargers

WR: Keon Coleman, Buffalo

TE: Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh

DL: Jonathon Cooper, Denver

DB: Budda Baker, Arizona

Want to check out the season for the Kamino Clone Kids?

Weeks 1-8

Weeks 9-14

Fantasy Football: Kamino Clone Kids Playoffs

The Fantasy Football Playoffs are here and the Clone Kids should be happy...but they aren't.  Two weeks ago, the Kids were flying high in first place of the division and the league.  After losing two straight weeks, they now sit in 2nd place in the Light Side Division and 4th in the league.  

Time to wrap the sore joints, tie up the pads, and strap on the helmets as we head into the first week of the playoffs against the 5th place team in the league and division foe, Pabu Porgs.  The Kids split the season with the Porgs winning one early and losing in Week 13.  It should be a good game for the first round of the playoffs, but the tension is high to prove the good season wasn't a fluke.  

Playoffs: 

Round 1: Clone Kids (8-6) vs. Pabu Porgs (8-6) 177.66 - 160.33 "Kids Top The Porgs with Receivers Going  Deep" 

Round 2: Clone Kids (9-6) vs. Naboo Gungans (10-5) 

The Kids bring three of the top 5 Wide Receivers in the NFL into the playoffs.  Here is the playoff roster for the Kamino Clone Kids: 

QB: Dak Prescott, Dallas

RB: Chase Brown, Cincinnati

RB: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburg

WR: George Pickens, Dallas

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit

TE: Jake Ferguson, Dallas

W/R/T: J. Smith-Njigba, Seattle

W/R/T: Darius Slayton, New York Giants

W/R/T: Tyler Warren, Indianapolis

DL: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas

LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay

DB: Jordan Battle, Cincinnati 

Bench: 

QB: Sam Darnold, Seattle

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville

RB: Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles, Chargers

WR: Keon Coleman, Buffalo

TE: Jonnu Smith, Pittsburg

DL: Jonathon Cooper, Denver

DB: Budda Baker, Arizona

Want to check out the season for the Kamino Clone Kids? 

Weeks 1-8

Weeks 9-14

Top 5 Star Wars Card Trader Base Cards 2025

Rounding out the Top 5 base card series (last week Marvel, two weeks ago Bunt), I bring you my top 5 Star Wars Card Trader (SWCT) base cards.  I "hoard" way to many category of cards in SWCT like animated cards, droid cards, vehicle cards, and Grogu.  I haven't counted, but it is probably in the ball park of 21 or so cards that I don't workbench.  

I mention all of this because my list actually comes from all cards not just the hoarded ones listed above.  Anyway, here we go!  My top 5 base cards of 2025: 

5.  Grogu - 2025 Base, Series 2 - Tier 1 - White  Card Count: 100

It is no secret that I absolutely adore Grogu, so sorry, not sorry, he will probably always be on a SWCT card list.  I do love the sweet action shot of him raising his arms up for someone to pick him up.  

4.  Black One - 2025 Base, Series 3 - Tier 1 - White  Card Count 40

While the X-Wing may not be my top star ship in Star Wars, the have always looked super cool and battle ready.  They had to be cool, because Lucas wanted something to be fast, real fast like his car racing in Petaluma, CA.  No one flies an X-wing like Poe Dameron.  Gutsy, non-standard, daring, you name it, he tried it.  I can hear you all say, he is better than Luke?  I didn't say he was better, I said, "no one flies and X-wing like Poe."  We see the potential right here! 

3.  AT-ST - 2025 Base, Series 3 - Tier 1 - White  Card Count 38

Classic!  My mind flashes back to 1983 with this card image from The Return of the Jedi.  I remember thinking it was so cool to see those little walkers we got snippets of on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.  Here we see that they aren't only used in tundra invasions, but in all relevant moments of power.  Actually, I just thought it was cool to see one so close up and in a forest.  It wasn't until years later that I realized they transported Luke to Vader in an AT-AT.  So cool! 

2.  Millennium Falcon - 2025 Base, Series 1 - Tier 1 - White  Card Count 226

I have a three-way tie for my favorite ship in Star Wars.  Why a three way tie you ask?  It depends on what day and what I've most recently watched whether I say The Ghost, The Razor Crest, or the Millennium Falcon.  Since this card has the ship that has been #1 for the longest and it has a sweet explosion behind it, I go with the Millennium Falcon as my #2 card for 2025.  Tell me it doesn't look awesome!  

1.  Darth Vader - 2025 Base, Series 2 - Tier 1 - White  Card Count 89

I bet you thought my #1 base card for 2025 would be a ship.  You bet wrong.  I had to go with the greatest villain of all-time, Darth Vader.  I had three base card choices for Vader, but I could not deny how impressive, most impressive this card from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series looks.  Clean, shiny armor and dark imposing eyes.  The shattered glass behind him just screams power from this imposing character.  We can feel the power of the Dark Side coming through.  

I hope you have had a chance to take a look at all three Top 5 Base Card posts, Topps Bunt and Marvel Collect.  Let me know what your favorite base cards of 2025 are especially if they are from the Disney or WWE sets.  

Stay tuned in just a few weeks, I will share my favorite "insert" cards of 2025 for each of the three platforms I collect.  May the Force Be With You

Fantasy Football: Kamino Clone Kids Weeks 9-14 (updated 12/9/25)

Captain Rex by maharlika
Deviant Art 25

The Kamino Clone Kids have had a  surprisingly good first half of the season!  They have had some QB problems the last couple weeks as Baker Mayfield has been struggling to command the team.  Wide Receivers have been the commanders of the Kamino Clone Kids with George Pickens, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and J. Smith-Nijgba leading the way.  Tight ends Tyler Warren (IND) and Jake Ferguson (DAL) have contributed well in the first 8 weeks as well.  Running backs Chase Brown (CIN) and Jaylen Warren (PIT) are holding their own.  

The front office picked up Trevor Lawrence to cover Mayfield's bye week, but they may stick with him if Mayfield doesn't right the ship.  Kids coaches also hope that Jonathon Cooper (DEN), Edgerrin Cooper (GB) and Budda Baker (ARI) can step it up to score extra points on defense.  

Week 9:  Kamino Clone Kids vs. Lothal Starbirds  175.70 - 127.65 "Kids Get Back to the Win Column" (2nd Light Side Div. 2nd in League)

Week 10: Kamino Clone Kids (6-3) vs. Pabu Porgs (4-5)  131.60 - 144.12  "Kids Disappointing Turnout versus the Porgs" 

Week 11:  Kamino Clone Kids (6-4) vs. Khofar Nights (6-4) 159.30 - 158.00  "Kids Survive the Night in Week 11" (1st Light Side Div. 1st in League)  

Week 12: Kamino Clone Kids (7-4) vs. Mustafar Moof (5-6) 232.90 - 137.39 "108 Points from WR Carries the Kids" 1st Light Side Div. 1st in League)

Week 13:  Kamino Clone Kids (8-4) vs. Naboo Gungans (7-5)  175.76 - 229.25 "Clones Routed by the Gungans"

Week 14: Kamino Clone Kids (8-5) vs. Crait Vulptex (4-9) 

Weeks 1-8 recap

Here is the current Kids lineup and roster: 

QB: Baker Mayfield (TB)

RB: Chase Brown (CIN)

RB: Jaylen Warren (PIT)

WR: George Pickens (DAL)

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)

TE: Tyler Warren (IND)

W/R/T: J. Smith-Nijgba (SEA)

W/R/T: Jake Ferguson (DAL)

W/R/T: Cooper Kupp (SEA)

DL: Jonathon Cooper (DEN)

LB: Edgerrin Cooper (GB)

DB: Budda Baker (ARI

Bench: 

QB: Trevor Lawrence (JAX)

RB: Isaiah Davis (NYJ)

WR: Keon Coleman (BUF)

WR: Calvin Ridley (TEN)

TE: Jonnu Smith (PIT)

DB: Jordan Battle (CIN)

DL: Maxx Crosby (LV)

LB: Fred Warner (SF) IR

QB: Joe Burrow (CIN) IR

Fantasy Football: Kamino Clone Kids Weeks 1-8

Captain Rex by maharlika
Deviant Art 25

Just like in Fantasy Baseball, I can't help myself and just have one fantasy team.  I like to double my chances at maintaining middle-of-the-road teams that aren't terrible, but definitely aren't winners either.  

This is the second season of the Jedi Knights Fantasy Football League.  The Kamino Clone Kids actually fared well in the inaugural season with a record of 11-5 and finishing third in the league of 10 teams.  We wiped the slates clean except for choosing draft order, and started fresh with the 2025/2026 season teams.  

Be sure to check back here each week of the season for updates through Week 8 of the season. 

Week 1: Kamino Clone Kids vs. Pabu Porgs 141.45 - 175.70 

"Kids Get Steamrolled by Allen and Henry"

(5th Place Light Side Division)

Week 2: Kamino Clone Kids (0-1) vs. Khofar Nights (1-0)  189.60 - 174.05 

"Kids Lose Burrows in Win, but St. Brown Carries the Club to 1-1" 

(4th in Light Side Division)

Week 3: Kamino Clone Kids (1-1) vs. Mustafar Moof (1-1)  148.85 - 169.10  

"The Kids Find Subpar Play in Week Three and Fall to the Mustafar Moof" 

(4th in Light Side Division) 

Week 4: Kamino Clone Kids (1-2) vs. Naboo Gungans (1-2)  184.15 - 141.64 "Kids Bring Balanced Attack led by George Pickens"  (4th in Light Side Division)

Week 5: Kamino Clone Kids (2-2) vs. Crait Vulptex (2-2) 205.67 - 170.00  "Kids Air Attack Dominates Week 5" (2nd in Light Side Division 4th in League) 

Week 6: Kamino Clone Kids (3-2) vs. Kessel Revolutionaries (4-1) 210.70 - 165.05  "Pickens, Smith-Njigba Carry the Kids to Victory"  (2nd in Light Side Division, 2nd in League)

Week 7:  Kamino Clone Kids (4-2) vs. Ferrix Rebels (3-4)  181.80 - 175.40 "Kid's Air It Out versus the Rebels to move to 5-2"  (2nd in Light Side Division, 2nd in League)

Week 8: Kamino Clone Kids (5-2) vs. Dathomir Rancors (1-6) 126.24 - 174.50 "Kids Underperform as Key Players Sit on Bye Week: Look to Bounce Back Week 9"  (2nd in Light Side Division, 3rd in League) 

See Weeks 9-16 

Presenting the Kamino Clone Kids Football Club: 

QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (IR)

RB: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

RB: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

WR: J. Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

TE: Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

WRT: George Pickens WR, Dallas Cowboys

WRT: Calvin Ridley WR, Tennessee Titans

WRT: Cooper Kupp, WR, Seattle Seahawks

DL: Maxx Crosby, Los Vegas Raiders

LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers

DB: Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

Bench: 

QB: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (starter week 3)

QB: Russell Wilson, New York Giants

RB: Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys

RB: RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

TE: Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers

TE: Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

LB: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

DB: Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks

Putting Away the Family Legos

At the beginning of the summer, my youngest daughter and I pulled a bag of our family Legos out of my office.  I wanted to open up some space and clean out the clutter, so this seemed like an easy start.  

Years ago, when my girls were young, we introduced them to Legos through the Duplo line.  Those
were fun; they loved the idea of building and breaking apart and building again.  Good times.  A few years later, I bought my oldest daughter her first set of Legos with the Lego Friends line.  This was a fun theme of Legos as it was girl focused in marketing and product.  Over the years we purchased several, well okay, lots of these sets from small ones like the dog training set, to the large sets like the Lego Friends house.  I loved to help them build the sets and play when they were built.  I have no doubt that these Lego friends toys were the most played with toys in the house.  I liked to build my space sets from the 1980's and have space invasions of the Lego Friends town.  They didn't always like that.  Hehehe...

Flash forward to this summer when both of my girls graduated.  One graduated from high school heading to college and the other graduated from 8th grade heading to high school.  They are growing up.  Something I haven't been very supportive of, but there is no stopping it, I suppose.  Anyhow, the youngest and I were cleaning up a tote bag of partially build or broken sets with random pieces spread across the bottom of the bag.  The goal was to figure out what pieces went to which set and deconstruct what was left of the partially build sets.  Lets just say, there was a lot of organizing to do.  As we got started, my daughter decided the best way to get the lose pieces organized with the sets was to just rebuild the sets.  She told me what she needed from the lose pieces and we hunted for them together.  We spent several hours rebuilding about 5 sets that were in the bag.  We hunted, built, talked, shared memories with the sets (I didn't mention the alien invasions), and had a good old time.  It was a nice way to start the summer.  

I couldn't bring myself to tear down the sets we had just built, so we took them to the basement to display and look at for a while.  Our mission was accomplished as we found a home for all of the lose Legos from the bottom of the tote bag.  

Now, school has started.  One daughter off to college and the other navigating the landscape of high school.  It was time to change out the display of Lego Friends in the basement.  I took them down one-by-one and started taking them apart and organizing them in their own Ziploc bags with the directions.  In this process, I was struck.  I will probably never build Legos with them ever again.  I let it sink in.  I will never build Legos with them ever again.  

Of course, the hope is some day when the grandkids come to visit, we will pull those "old" Legos out of the basement.  I don't know what that will be like, but I don't imagine it will be the same as building them with my daughters.  Maybe it will be more wonderful.  I don't know.  Nevertheless, the family Legos are now put away.   

I guess it is just me now as building Legos isn't really my wife's thing, so I pulled out my Star Wars Legos that I have gathered over the years.  I started rebuilding those.  Even though I am building those on my own, I have the memories of all the hours of fun I had with my daughters as children building the Family Legos.  

Top 5 Star Wars Card Trader Cards for 2024

In 2020, I started ranking my favorite digital cards here on Seeking Positivity In The Galaxy.  At the conclusion of 2024, it is no different except that in 2025 we will be celebrating 10 years of Star Wars Card Trader.  I've shared the story before, but I will never forget where I was when I opened my first pack of digital cards.  I was at the Indiana Comic Con when my friends Dan Zehr (co-creator and host of Coffee with Kenobi) and Cory Club (co-creator Coffee with Kenobi) and I downloaded Star Wars Card trader and started collecting digital cards.  I have been hooked ever since.  Purchasing trading cards and finding storage for them has become difficult, so the digital collection has consumed me because of the little or no cost of creating a collection and having the collection with me wherever I go.  

To celebrate 10 years of SWCT, each month I will reveal my Top 5 award cards from each year.  I think it will be fun to go back and explore the award cards I have earned over the years.  I suspect I will have memories and stories of completing certain collections.  In January, I will start with my 2015 award card collection.  

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I suppose I should share with you my Top 5 favorite insert (common, uncommon, rare, super rare, Epic, and Iconic) cards of 2024.  These are cards that I actually own in my collection, so I may be missing some awesome cards that I simply don't have.  That is sad, but it is the reality of collecting; sometimes you get what you want, and sometimes you don't.  

I hope you enjoy my Top 5 SWCT insert cards: 

5.  Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary - Watch Party, Darth Maul, Cards - Watch Party Uncommon, 24,237 Card Count

I have always enjoyed film commemorative cards and this card is no exception.  First, Darth Maul is one of my favorite Star Wars villains.  Put him on this nicely designed card and it is a winner!  There is a nice golden border around two sides with scenes from the film underlaid the golden color.  In the lower left corner is a 25th anniversary logo. and Darth Maul's name is printed on the red border below the image.  Flip the card around and the center of focus is an image of the Phantom Menace film poster.  This is a really sweet card, and I'd try to trade for a copy of this set.  

4. The Millennium Falcon, Rescuing the Resistance on Crait, Season 9 - Moments, Uncommon, 23,251 Card Count

Trading cards have always done a great job of highlighting people from baseball players to film
characters, but when a card highlights an item, I am always fascinated.  When the card features the Millennium Falcon, it brings the ship alive.  I chose the the card highlighting the rescue at Crait because of the dramatic nature of the image.  I can hear the Falcon swooping across the sky as it is being fired upon in this scene.  Whether you think the Falcon classifies as a character or simply a star ship, this card brings it alive.  

3. Merchant and Smuggler, Cad Bane, Series 2 - Wave 2 - Base - White, Uncommon, 17,506 Card Count

The Merchant and Smuggler sets are some of my all-time favorite sets.  I love the classic "old fashion" text font that titles the card, "Merchant & Smuggler: Purveyors of Fine Goods.  It is a great look.  Choosing this particular card with Cad Bane boils down to a great character with some wonderful detail in the card.  Bane's vest has a decorative detailed pattern and the armor on his arms and shoulders are detailed down to the wires and lights.  Also, don't miss his expression with his curved down scowl.  

2.  Topps Star Wars Masterwork, Grogu, Wave 1 - Commemorative Stamps - Chrome Silver, Super Rare, 2,260 Card Count

You didn't think I would do a Top 5 SWCT list without a card featuring Grogu, did you?  Of course not,
but the theme of this card caught my attention before I noted that Grogu was featured on one of the cards.  This card features a stamp of Grogu framed in the card.  The diagonal style in the upper right and lower left corners and the green/gold/orange striation in the background of this card are eye catching.  The card then also gives us a "bonus" image of Grogu on the card laid behind the stamp image and boarder.  There is also a gold title, Star Wars Masterwork," at the top of the card.  

1.  Rebels Box Set, Chopper Comforts Hera Syndulla, Series 1 - Base - White, Uncommon, 26,169 Card Count

I knew this card would be my top SWCT card of 2024 from the moment I collected it.  Besides being a
stunning card to look at, it connects me directly to the story and the emotion of this story.  As the title of the card states, "Chopper Comforts Hera Syndulla," this card is the scene where Hera seeks reflection of the most recent battle in which they lose her love, Kanan Jarrus.  Her close friend and partner, Chopper, joins her for the moment.  In a classic Star Wars moment, the two look off into a deep red sunset.  This is a touching moment and a dramatic card to collect in 2024.  

My Top 5 Star Wars Card Trader 2024 Base Cards

Those base cards of a set are the cards that start to pile up after purchasing multiple packs.  In my non-expert/fan of years opinion, to make a good base card, the boarder should be interesting and draw your eye to the subject of the card.  Speaking of the subject of the card, I feel like the base cards should focus on unique images of not only characters, but in the galaxy of Star Wars, have ships, creatures and maybe even locations.  

I think you will see the qualities of a good base card show up here in my Top 5 Star Wars Card Trader 2024 Base Cards:  

5.  Grogu, 2024 - Series 1 - Tier 1 - White

Okay, I'm a sucker for the cute factor.  Who doesn't want the most popular character in Star Wars at the moment on a base card?  I am glad they didn't try to do too much with the card and just gave us...well, Grogu!  

4.  Shin Hati, 2024 - Series 2 - Tier 1 - White

Something that brings a base card set to life is introducing new characters.  I think this is a solid card that gives us a good look at Shin Hati.  She moves fast and furious in the Ahsoka series, so it is nice to get a good look at this new character in the base.  

3.  Dume, 2024 - Series 2 - Tier 1 - White 

I love the creature cards.  I especially like the creature cards of creatures that make a major difference in the story like the Loth Wolf.  Now with the Rebels 10th anniversary set, we get a few new Loth Wolf cards, but before that the Loth Wolf cards were just a handful.  

2.  N-1 Starfighter, 2024 - Series 3 - Tier 1 - White

The starships in Star Wars are part of what bring the cool factor.  To see the Falcon blast out of Mos Eisley, watch a Star Destroyer come out of hyperspace is just awesome.  Base cards that include the ships of Star Wars really make a set interesting.  What cooler than the sleek N-1 Starfighter from The Phantom Menace?  This ship was brought back to prominence and "cool factor" when the Mandalorian rebuild one after he loses the Razor Crest.  

1.  Ezra Bridger, 2024 Series 3 - Tier 1 - White

I love the look of this card.  First, it is a new shot of the new Ezra from the Ahsoka series.  It is great to see his lightsaber and a moment from the show rather than a posed shot.  This is my top card from SWCT 2024 Base set.  

A note about the card design that I really like and appreciate.  The character name is clearly stated at the bottom of the card, and the show/movie the image/subject is found is appreciated.  There are many characters who appear in multiple stories, but the image may not clearly state what story the image is from.  In addition, the base set has several important minor characters who we know but may not remember where they are from.  Several of the Andor characters are that way for me.  

A New Fantasy Football League brings a New Team Name (Updated 12/16/24)

I have been playing Fantasy Sports since the late 1980s when my friends and I got permission from our math teacher on Tuesdays to go in the hall to figure our fantasy points from the baseball team stats in the USA Today.  Over the years, I've won a few seasons, had lots of promise for good seasons, but more than not, they end in disappointing seasons.  I have played Fantasy Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Nascar (I had no business in the Nascar league).  The league I have been with the longest started sometime in the early 2000's.  That is a baseball league league with guys from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States.  I didn't know most of them when we started and some guys dropped off and some have joined, but we have become good friends even though many of us have never met in person.  

The whole point of this walk down memory lane is to say, when I am asked to join a new league, I struggle mightily to say no.  That said, I joined a new football league this year, and I would like to introduce a new Fantasy Football Team: The Kamino Clone Kids in the Jedi Knights Football League.  

Here's a look at the opening week roster of the Clone Kids: 

Starters: 

QB: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

RB: Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars

RB: Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

WR: Nico Collins, Houston Texans

WR: DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

TE: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburg Steelers

WR: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

WR: Brian Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars

WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

DL: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers

LB: Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts

DB: Kevin Byard, Chicago Bears

Bench: 

QB: CJ Stroud, Houston Texans

RB: Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

RB: JK Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

WR: Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

LB: Bobby Okereke, New York Giants

LB: Quincy Williams, New York Jets

DB: Antoine Winfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I am excited for this league for a few reasons.  First, I've never played in a league where we draft individual defensive players instead of a team defense.  That is kind of fun and offers a new way to strategize both in the draft, but in the season as well.  Second, I'm in this league with some really great friends, and I think that is what it is all about, friendships.  Anyway, after week 3 the Clone Kids are looking pretty good, and headed for a clash with the only other undefeated team in the league, the Pabu Porgs managed by my very excellent friend Colby, host of The Colby Cast.  

Week 1: 1-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 177.6

Khofar Nights:  129.20

Week 2: 2-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 228.45

Mustafar Moof:  188.30

Week 3: 3-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 180.00

Kessel Revolutionaries: 167.50

Week 4: 4-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 184.50

Pabu Porgs:  181.40

Week 5: 4-1 

Crait Vulptex: 216.70

Kamino Clone Kids: 201.35

Week 6: 4-2

Ferrix Rebels: 158.75

Kamino Clone Kids: 152.15

Week 7: 5-2

Kamino Clone Kids: 222.35

Lothal Starbirds: 139.51

Week 8:  6-2

Kamino Clone Kids: 187.15

Alderaan Molators: 186.30

Week 9: 6-3

Dathomir Rancors: 236.90

Kamino Clone Kids: 222.85

Week 10: 6-4

Khofar Knights: 152.59

Kamino Clone Kids:122.55

Week 11: 7-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 204.90

Mustafar Moof: 138.60

Week 12: 8-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 175.10

Kessel Revolutionaries: 167.15

Week 13: 9-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 217.35

Pabu Porgs: 216.40

Week 14: 10-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 202.75

Crait Vulptex: 162.55

Week 15: Round 1 Playoffs 11-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 211.75

Alderaan Molators: 203.50

Week 16: Round 2 Playoffs 11-5

Dathomir Rancors: 274.45

Kamino Clone Kids: 170.80

Week 17: Third Place Game  11-6

Pabu Porgs: 

Kamino Clone Kids: 

The Kamino Clone Kids end the season in 4th place.  

Plan 99: Tech's Sacrifice - a reflection

Note: I wrote this immediately after I finished watching Episode 16 of The Bad Batch after clearing my eyes.  

I don't know what I expected would become of Clone Force 99.  Did I think they would find themselves retiring on a tropical island on Scarif or opening a hunting lodge on Endor?  I don't know.  After Episode 13, Pabu, I actually thought the tropical island might become a reality.  Heck, in episode 16, Plan 99, it was a dream just steps away.  

The final two episodes of The Bad Batch season two, The Summit and Plan 99, left me emotionally drained and feeling quite miserable.  I suppose this is just good storytelling.  This truly feels like that moment when we finish the last page of a book and immediately miss the characters.  

I found a connection to all the characters in the Bad Batch, but Tech is a character I seem to have the strongest connection.  Season two has strengthened those connections as many of the episodes seem to place a focus on him and his difficulties understanding human behavior and emotional connection.  This is shown in his growing relationship with Phee Genoa.  She challenges him to see things through different eyes, and it seems to be catching on when we see him pause to look after Phee before they leave on their final mission.  We can almost see the gears turning in his head as he wrestles with the logical and emotional side of relationships.  Tech has also become more connected with Omega in season two as well.  He is seen teaching her the art of flying the Maurader with so much patience and understanding.  He seems to also be taking on the role of the teacher in other areas as well allowing Hunter to become more the father.  In the final, heart-wrenching episode when Tech, in his dire situation, declares Plan 99, it holds much weight because of the growth and relationships we see Tech build.   

This dire situation is when Tech hangs by a single cable as the Imperial forces hammer the cable runner Clone Force 99 is in hanging over the deep, foggy chasm.  Tech finds himself in this position as he goes to restore power to the cable car by running along the cable cog back to the last tower where the power was shorted out by Saw Guerrera's terrorist bombing of  Tarkin's Imperial Base.  There is a lot going on here that adds to the tension of the scene.  As Tech hangs, it becomes clear that if he doesn't release the crumbling cable car that is holding back the rest of the car Clone Force 99 is on, everyone will perish.   They don't have time as Imperial fighters are coming around for another run to blast the car off the cables.  Tech declares a code they apparently were given, Plan 99.  When that becomes clear to Wrecker and Omega, they yell desperately for him not to follow through.  In fact, Wrecker orders Tech not to follow Plan 99.  Tech says, "When have we ever followed orders?"  He fires his pistol to break the final cable holding the damaged section of the car, including himself, away causing him to fall to his end.  

Source: The Bad Batch Episode 16 Disney Plus

This image and moment are frozen in my mind.  

I couldn't believe that someone or something wouldn't swoop in to save Tech and the Bad Batch.  How could this happen?  I honestly thought somehow that Saw  Guerrera's team might be the ones to come to the rescue. No one came, no solutions were presented, Tech made his sacrifice to save his friends.

I.was.stunned.  

How is it that animation can have such an impact?  These are characters drawn in a fictional story played out on a screen!  Isn't animation storytelling just stories that are presented like Saturday morning cartoons of my childhood?  When and how did animation start to hit me so hard emotionally?  Not just in Tech's instance, but over and over again: Ahsoka walking away from the Jedi Order, Maul's final ending at the blade of Obi-wan Kenobi on Tattooine, and Kanan's sacrifice.  

It seems that the format isn't as important to the message as the message itself.  Sure, the animation draws and colors the pictures and that has a visual impact on us, but the story is the key.  Whether it is animation, live action, pictures on a page, words in a book, or orally shared, what makes the emotional connections and draws the reader or viewer is simply the story.  An amazingly well-written story with compelling characters and meaningful conflict can make the listener, reader, or viewer sink into and buy into the story.  

Understandingly, everything falls apart for the Bad Batch after this event.  One might ask was Tech's sacrifice in vain?  The Bad Batch is eventually captured after betrayal from Sid. Right before this betrayal, Hunter and Omega talk about life on Pabu.  They talk about hanging up the weapons and adventure, so Omega can be a child and Hunter can rest and be a father.  The season ends with Omega in the hands of the Empire, and the remaining Bad Batch members (Hunter, Wrecker, Echo) fiercely resolved to fight to get Omega back.  

Happily ever after?  Probably not for Clone Force 99. I don't know what I expected of the Bad Batch. 

Update: We learned at the Star Wars Celebration Europe Bad Batch panel, that there will be a third and final season of the Bad Batch. Stay Tuned! 
.  

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!