Topps Bunt Top 5 of 25

This post finishes up the series of Top 5s of three Topps Digital platforms. The Topps Bunt sets are massive compared to Marvel Collect and Star Wars Card Trader. I found that it is much more challenging to pick a top 5 in Bunt than on the other platforms. Generally, I flip through my sets and add to the favorites that I already marked throughout the year. With Marvel and Star Wars, I usually end up with 8-9 favorites that I need to weed down to the top 5. With Topps Bunt, I had over 20 cards in the favorites that needed to whittle down to a top 5. I left a lot on the cutting room floor, but I hope you agree this is good top 5 list and as a bonus I always include my lowest card count card of the year. So, here we go with my top 5 Topps Bunt of 25.

5. Rickey Henderson, Topps Chrome 25, Series 1 - Ultraviolet All-Stars, Super Rare, Card Count 2515

This groovy card stands out! There isn’t a single player style that I don’t like, but Rickey Henderson is a classic. When a baseball card looks like the next baseball card, this one brings it. I love the classic action shot of Henderson with the circle cut-out with a face image, and his name shooting out of the top of the wavey checkerboard is his name Rickey Henderson.

4. Pete Crow Armstrong, Creature Feature 25, Series 1 - Moonlight, Rare, Card Count 11,355

Holiday cards are a ton of fun, and this creepy motion shot with the broken screen, static view, vampire castle in the background of this PCA card is great. What more is needed for some Halloween spooks?

4. Riley Greene, 12 Days of Topps 25, Special Event - Relic, Super Rare, Card Count 1,419

Seems like I made a mistake and have a tie. I mean, I did say it was hard to narrow down to the top 5. It is fitting however, because they are both special event, holiday cards. Like the Halloween card, this card is a motion with snow falling and every now and then Santa flies by on his sleigh pulled by reindeer. It even comes with a little present uniform patch in the card.

3. Tarik Skubal, Postseason Match-ups 25, Wild Card Round - Gold, Super Rare, Card Count 909

There is so much cool stuff happening on this card. First the text, making it feel like the playoffs with “The Matchups,” “Tigers Vs. Guardians,” and the Wildcard Logo. Yes! This is a playoff card! The feature player, Tarik Skubal, prominently displayed on the front and in the back a Guardians opponent waiting for the pitch. This design does exactly what it is supposed to do, build anticipation in the playoffs.

2. Greg Maddux, Icons of the MLB 25, Series 2 - Bronze, Uncommon, Card Count 25,780

Yes, clearly this top 5 is heavily dominated by Tigers and Cubs (don’t worry, #1 isn’t either). But, it really is more about the design of the card than the subject…until this card. This is all about the subject. I love this entire set that celebrates some of the best from the past like Carlos Delgado, Trevor Hoffman, Larry Walker, and Frank Thomas. I chose the Greg Maddux card because he is one of my top 3 pitchers of all time. I really like the late 1980s uniform and his high kick delivery. This card is also a motion card where the boarders slide in to frame the Icon of the past.

1. Squirrel, Topps Now 25, August - August 22, Uncommon, Card Count 24,041

I promised that the number one card of 2025 would not be a Tiger or Cub, so here you go, it is the cute squirrel that snuck into Yankee Stadium on August 22. I don’t recall if they caught him or he got away, but this Topps photographer caught the whole thing. This has to be one of the most unique cards celebrating the human or natural side of the game. It is my #1 Topps Bunt card of 2025.

Bonus Entry: Lowest Card Count of 2025

Jason Varitek, 1990 Topps Baseball 25, Series One - Gold Signature, Legendary (Super Premium Pack Exclusive), Limited Edition Count 50

Marvel Collect: Top 5 Cards of '25

This is part two of a three-part post highlighting the top insert cards on Topps Digital platforms from 2025. Last week, I took a look at the top cards from Star Wars Card Trader. This week, I look at Marvel Collect.

5. Magik, Gold Label 25, Series 1 - Golden Stars - White, Uncommon, Card Count 25465

This is a really sparkly card for the Queen of Limbo. The action pose Magik keeps is pretty awesome, with the sharp edge of the sword taking center stage. The gold sparkle and lettering on this card really bring it to life.

4. Thor vs. Hercules, Fight of the Week ‘25, Series 1 - Green, Uncommon, Card Count 48,971

I always like the weekly sets, but this card really stood out. Yes, the “Fight of the Week” theme of this card is cool. Yes, the art of these two muscle-bound heroes is awesome. But the win of this card is that it brings back the classic childhood arguments of the “who is tougher” or “who would win if…” conversations with friends on the walk to school or on the bus.

3. Symbiote Spider-Man, Web of Heroes - ‘25 Season 1, Series 1 Base - Free Pass, Card Count 25,273

There are three things I love about this card. 1. The perspective looking down from above on Spidey, with the lines of the buildings and street below giving us a sense of danger that he faces every day. 2. The color theme highlights the colors of Spider-Man but it seems off and misplaced in some way with the symbiote suit. 3. This card highlights Spider-Man.

2. Galactus, Midnight ‘25, Seres 1 - Horizon, Base - Uncommon, Card Count 33,736

I don’t have much to say about this card because it speaks for itself. Galactus, power, cosmic, goliath. The coloring with what appears to be a star shining on him as he sizes up a planet that is likely to be the next victim of his insatiable hunger really pops on this card.

1. Warlock, Convention Collection, NYCC ‘25, Series 1 - Black, Uncommon, Card Count 28,807

This is a special card. I love the look of this convention set with the star field border. The subject of Warlock is pretty rare. I only have 4 other Warlock cards other than this one. Warlock is such a unique character and creates a very dramatic image in this card making it my favorite Marvel Collect card of 2025.

Bonus Entry: Lowest Card Count of the Year

Spider-Man #12, Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing! Series 1 - Homage - Red, Epic, Card Count 265

Top 6 Topps Digital Holiday Cards 2025 (SWCT, Bunt, Marvel Collect)

Topps Digital has always created Holiday season cards much to my pleasure, but this year they seem quite exceptional.  So, a present from me to you to celebrate the Christmas holiday, here are my Top 6 holiday cards.  Like all other digital card top 5 collections, these are cards that I actually own in my digital collection.  This time I am also including the back art.  Let me know if you like seeing the back art too!

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

6. Captain America  Holiday Heroes,  Series 1 - Happy Holidays - Blue,  Uncommon Card Count 15,481

Who would like a Holiday Greeting from Captain America?  Definitely me!  This card is as classic as they come, almost Currier and Ives classic.  

5. Tarik Skubal  Santa Archives,  Series 1 - Holiday Relic - Rare 

This is a fun card, and it doesn't hurt that the subject here is the 2025 AL Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers.  There is lots to love about this card, but the relic patch of the Santa hat is pretty spot on, well played.  And seeing the fierce pitcher in a Santa hat is rather enjoyable as well.  

4.  Rogue and Gambit  Holiday Collection '25,  Series 1 - Base - Snow - Uncommon  Card Count 18,958

Adorable isn't usually the word I associate with the X-Men especially when it comes to these two fierce warriors and cursed lovers, but this card is about as cute as can be.  These two making a Wolverine Snowman is pretty funny.  Rogue appears to be having a good time while Gambit (Remy) has an ornery look on his face.  

3.  Jace Jung  Topps Holiday '25,  Series 1 - Green Signature - Super Rare  

This is a great card build.  I enjoy the holiday boarder with garland on one side and snow flakes on the other.  The team logo on the bottom left, team name in block letters going up the left side of the card along with the baseball diamond with the player's position highlighted.  Then it is a rookie card signature card and from a Detroit Tigers player to boot!  

2.  Zorii Bliss  Holiday Season 2025,  Season 20 - Characters - Uncommon  

Yep, the last two cards in this Top 6 are Star Wars cards.  Choosing the top 2 cards from Star Wars Card Trader (SWCT) wasn't intentional, it is just the way it worked out, and I believe you will see why. 

This Zorii Bliss card (and all the cards of this set) are stunning to look at.  Not because of bright pictures or action filled images, but the art is unique.  I love the sketch style art with the subtle holiday themed snowflakes in the background of the image.  This may end up on my top insert card list for SWCT.  

1. Grogu & The Mandalorian  12 Days of Topps - 2025, 12 Days of Topps - Uncommon 

This is about as Christmas and cute as they come.  We have seen images of Mando flying with Grogu in his satchel which is cute in and of iteself as Grogu's ears are flopping in the wind.  The Mandalorian with his Santa hat on while carrying a bag of presents over his shoulder and Grogu in the front just says Star Wars Galaxy holiday season.  This card won't show up on my top inserts list, but it is #1 on my Holiday list.  

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

Top 5 Marvel Collect Base Cards of 2025

Two weeks ago, I shared my Topps Bunt Top 5 Base Cards of 2025.  This week, I am sharing my Top 5 Marvel Collect Base Card of the year.  If you remember from my July post of my top base cards from 2025 so far, two of the Marvel Collect base cards I highlighted there will show up here.  Don't remember reading that? Check it out here 

Throughout the year, I "hoard" my favorite base cards.  I quote hoard because I don't go after trades to fill the hoard, but I don't workshop them, so they will always stay at the top of the collection when I look the collection by quantity of cards.  

There are 16 cards I found interesting enough not to workshop away and let them move to the top of the base collection.  Here are my favorite 5 of those 16 and I will leave a list of the characters portrayed of to fill out the remaining 16.  

5. Hawkeye, Series 1, White, Tier 1 - Card Count 107

I like how this shows a superhero in a common location, a theme park.  It is a setting to which we can all relate.  The fun spirit is what I like about this card. 

4. Kate Bishop, Series 1, White, Tier 1 - Card Count 107

Let's stay with Bishop's world and take a look at the card highlighting Kate Bishop.  Where, Hawkeye's card is fun and relatable, Kate's card is dramatic and filled with movement.  She looks powerful and invincible taking aim with her bow and arrow standing in a field of flying arrows coming right at her.  This is a card that will stick with me for quite some time.  

3. Spider-Man, Series 1, White, Tier 1 - Card Count 88 

You know this character's card will likely show up in a top 5 for me either in base card collections or in "insert" card collections, probably both.  There is a reason a character in comics becomes a favorite, and for me it is the look, the power, the personality.  For Spider-Man, it is all of those, but the look is why he always shows up on my lists.  Here he is, swinging through the New York night sky with webs all around him and Spidey in some contortion of swing.  The best...well, almost the best this year!

2.  Magik, Series 1, White, Tier 1 - Card Count 100

This card depicts power in full display.  From the pages of the X-Men, Magik holds her soul sword into the ground with the power of light pouring out and the souls of her sword writhing and screaming to get out of the ground.  So much of Magik and her power is on display here.  

1.  X-23, Series 1 - White, Tier 1 Card - Count 99

The theme of this list seems to be power on display, but my favorite part of it is they are all women with power.  X-23 displays it in the most unique and artistic ways.  It is in a point of view from above and her hair is flowing out wildly from her as she crouches flexing her muscles and blades.  This card is perfect!  

It wasn't hard for me to find my top cards when the set was released, but narrowing it down to five was a bit of a challenge.  So, I want to give all 16 of the cards I have been hoarding a shout out.  Here is the remainder of the list:  

Thor

Wolverine

Spider-naut (I discuss in the July post linked earlier)

Spider-Girl

Polaris (beautiful card that uses shading so well)

Emma Frost

Captain America

Elektra

Spider-Gwen

Psylocke

Miles Morales

Top 5 2025 Bunt Base Cards

The Major League Baseball season has come to a close which means we are in the final quarter of 2025.  It is time for my annual series of Top Base Cards from Bunt, Marvel Collect, and Star Wars Card Trader.  This week I will cover 5 of my favorite Bunt base cards. 

In December and January, we will take a look at the insert cards of Common, Uncommon, Rare, Super Rare and Epic rarities.  I do not get Legendary cards in my collection.  But today, we focus on what makes a card set special...it is the base cards.  

With no further delay, here are my Top 5 Bunt Base Cards in no particular order: 

5.  Gunner Henderson 2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

Anyone who has read my past assessments of digital baseball cards knows I love cards that show action.  Action makes this card of Gunner Henderson a top card of the 2025 Base Set. 

4.  Josh Winckowski  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

This card really catches the moment.  In this case, an intense moment of Josh Winckowski looking in for the sign for his catcher.  This is a great card to play "What Happens Next."  

3.  Julio Rodriguez  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

A good base card catches the personality of a player as in this card of Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners.  Cards like this really make the game and players likeable.  

2. Alexis Diaz  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

That wind-up!  What a leg kick from Alexis Diaz!  This is what a baseball card is all about that action moment that shows us the moment something great is about to happen.  That moment when the baseball is about to be up in play.  Magnificent! 

1.  Lawrence Butler  2025 Bunt Base - Series 1

The cool factor.  Lawrence Butler looks super cool in his wrap-around mirror glasses.  By the way, there is no sarcasm in that statement.  He does look really cool in this card (even with his neon green and pink mittens).  Look at the full seats in the background.  This is a great card.  It caught my eye from the release of the set.