In the realm of trading card collection, where excitement and nostalgia converge to create an experience unlike any other, Topps has struck gold with the release of its much-anticipated Topps Finest X-Men 97 trading card set. Officially making its grand entrance into card shops and comic book stores, this latest offering has already captured the hearts and imaginations of X-Men devotees and card enthusiasts around the globe. As enthusiasts rip open their first packs, the collection reveals its treasures, ranging from captivating inserts and coveted case hits to the prized autographs of familiar and new voice actors.
For aficionados of X-Men: The Animated Series, which first graced television screens in 1992 with all the flair and pizzazz one could ask for, this card set is a tantalizing trip down memory lane. Many of the voice actors fans grew to love have returned to lend their talents to Disney+’s reboot, X-Men ’97, and their autographed cards have instantly become the gleaming gems in the collection.
To commemorate the launch of this marvel (pun intended) of entertainment card releases, Topps orchestrated a thrilling Rip Night event at the famed Golden Apple Comics, a veritable sanctuary for collectors and comic book fans alike. Attending this celebratory gathering was Lenora Zann, the iconic voice behind Rogue, and Chris Potter, who lent his suave intonations to Gambit back in the ’92 series and now voices Cable in the rebooted series.
The night ignited with palpable excitement as Chris Potter experienced a serendipitous moment that left attendees ecstatic. As he opened a pack, he pulled none other than a rare autograph card of George Buza, the legendary voice actor for Beast. As one of the prominent, brainy stalwarts of the X-Men lineup, Buza’s autograph became an instant highlight, reminiscent of a previous Rip Night when WWE celebrity The Miz pulled a card autographed by The Rock, creating waves in the trading card community. Although some might have expected Potter to pull a card with his own likeness or that of Cable, the coveted Buza autograph nevertheless captured the sensational spirit these events incite.
Now, what sets Topps Finest X-Men 97 apart from other offerings, you might wonder? This collection impresses on multiple fronts, all of which blend effortlessly to elevate the collector’s experience. First, are the visually arresting inserts and case hits, boasting designs that brilliantly merge modern aesthetics with the classic allure of X-Men lore. Then there are the autographs—prized signatures from both the returning luminaries of X-Men ’92 and the fresh voices of X-Men ’97—making them sought-after treasures.
These autographs, numbered modestly at roughly three to four per case, create an atmosphere of scarcity that boosts their allure and potential value. It’s no wonder that collectors, driven by this scarcity, have taken to the secondary markets to secure these elusive signatures. Case in point: an autograph by Cal Dodd, the unmistakable voice of Wolverine, recently fetched an impressive $400. With other fan-favorite characters like Rogue, Beast, and the formidable Magneto spreading their own autograph magic, one must trust that values will retain their robustness as more collections take shape.
The phenomenal start of the Topps Finest X-Men 97 has naturally sparked discussions about what potential expansions might lie on the horizon. If one follows the fervor for original voice actors’ autographs, it seems likely that this isn’t the last we’ll hear from Topps in this delightful arena.
Future possibilities could artistically play around with more autograph variations, allowing collectors to chase even rarer versions. Parallel card sets could add another thrilling dimension, while inserts featuring tantalizing concept art or behind-the-scenes glimpses of X-Men ’97 could charm even the most cynical collector. More subgroups zooming in on individual X-Men, akin to targeted sports card releases, might further ignite collecting passion.
It’s this exquisite blend of reverence for the past coupled with contemporary appeal that cements Topps Finest X-Men 97 as an unmissable gem in a collector’s haul—whether they’re fanatics of the mutants from the comics, the classic series, or are just now discovering the thrill of trading card hobbies. As the buzz continues to crescendo, this venture stands poised to be one of the landmark entertainment card releases not just of 2025, but perhaps the entire epoch.
