The Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire trading card set by Topps from 1996 is a collection of cards released by Topps in the year 1996. This set was a tie-in product for the larger Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire multimedia event. The set contains 100 cards, each with original color artwork created by artists Greg Hildebrandt and Tim Hildebrandt, and the card design was the work of Becky Foote.
Each individual card presents a color illustration on its front side, visually representing a scene or idea from the book. The reverse side of each card features detailed text, either a narrative or descriptive passage, linked to the illustration's theme. Notably, the text on the backs of the first 72 cards combines to form a complete summary of the Shadows of the Empire novel. Cards numbered 73 through 82 were produced as special character foil cards. Cards 83 to 88 put the spotlight on various starships and vehicles featured in Shadows of the Empire, providing a brief history and descriptive information for each. Cards 89-94 showcased artwork that drew inspiration from the Shadows of the Empire comic series published by Dark Horse. Finally, cards 95-100 presented artwork inspired by the Shadows of the Empire video game developed by LucasArts.
The Hildebrandt brothers started by reading the novelized version of the story and identified characters, scenes, and settings that they thought should be included in the card set. Bob Woods from Topps, along with their agent Jean Scrocco, then narrowed down these selections. Although the brothers were particularly struck by the scene of Darth Vader meditating in his medical chamber, it was ultimately not chosen for inclusion.
The creation of thumbnail sketches took four months, during which the artists focused on the overall design, layout, and lighting. After Topps gave their approval of the rough compositions, the artists moved on to the process of staging models, complete with costumes, and setting up the lighting. Among the models who posed for the characters were Linda Siegal, as well as Greg Hildebrandt's children Mary and Gregory, and daughter-in-law Olga. Tom Kyte was one of the models, posing as both Dash Rendar and Xizor. The paintings themselves were created on boards using acrylic paints. Throughout the project, the brothers kept in mind that the final illustrations would be reduced to the size of a trading card, and they intentionally avoided details that would appear cluttered at that scale. Topps created transparencies of the original paintings before proceeding with digital separations. The brothers gave their approval of the proofs before the cards went to print.
- Xizor is Lurking
- Leia's Recurring Nightmare
- Luke Feels the Dark Side
- Leia Defends Herself
- Reunion on Tatooine
- Xizor Greets Vader
- Xizor's Dirty Handiwork
- Ferreting Out a Traitor
- Beautiful... and Lethal
- Xizor Summons Jabba
- Leia Meets Dash Rendar
- Vader Stays Sharp
- Xizor Relishes the Good Life
- Fancy Flying
- Luke Scores a TIE
- "Help Me, Obi-Wan..."
- Boba Fett Escapes From Gall
- Narrow Escape
- Dealing with Dash
- Vader Grows Wary of Xizor
- Xizor Wants it All
- The Emperor Insists
- It'th Greedo'th Uncle
- The Waiting Game
- Luke Hones His Lightsaber Skills
- Swoop Troop Attack
- Luke Axes a Swooper
- Good Ol' Beggar's Canyon
- Vader Destroys the Rebel Base
- Guri Does Xizor's Dirty Work
- Luke and Dash's Bothan Mission
- Dash's Persuasive Charm
- Attack on the Suprosa
- Leia Meets Guri
- Luke and Melan Are Ambushed
- Luke's Taken Prisoner
- Guri Turns the Tables
- Boarding Guri's Stinger
- Chewbacca in Disguise
- Leia and Chewie Go Underground
- Leia Visits Spero's Plant Shop
- Vader Seethes Over Luke's Escape
- Leia Arrives at Xizor's Palace
- Leia Finally Meets Xizor
- Leia is Smitten
- Vader Senses His Son
- Leia Prepares for Xizor
- Hyperspace... At Last!
- Xizor Prepares for Leia
- The Kiss
- Take That, Xizor!
- Xizor Sharpens His Claws
- Dash Does it Again
- Luke Becomes One with the Force
- Xizor's Troubled World
- Vader Uncovers Xizor's Secret Past
- Same Beast, Different Sewer
- Dash Fires the Guide
- Artoo and Threepio Helm the Falcon
- Luke Blocks Xizor's Fire
- Will Xizor Call Luke's Bluff?
- Five Minutes Until Impact
- Guri Goes Toe-to-Toe with Luke
- Xizor Narrowly Escapes
- Xizor's Castle Blows Up
- Battle Over Coruscant: Part I
- Battle Over Coruscant: Part II
- Battle Over Coruscant: Part III
- Good Riddance, Xizor!
- Watch Out, Dash!
- Dash's Secret Getaway
- Luke Plans Han's Rescue
- Luke Skywalker
- Leia and Chewbacca
- Lando Calrissian
- R2-D2 and C-3PO
- Dash and Leebo
- Xizor
- Guri
- Darth Vader
- Jix and Big Gizz
- Boba Fett
- Millennium Falcon
- Outrider
- Virago
- Stinger
- Swoop
- Slave I
- IG-88's Bold Attack on Boba Fett (Dark Horse 1 of 6)
- Fett Fends Off Fellow Bounty Hunters (Dark Horse 2 of 6)
- 4-LOM Tries His Luck Against Fett (Dark Horse 3 of 6)
- Another Narrow Escape for Boba Fett (Dark Horse 4 of 6)
- Fett Deals with Zuckuss (Dark Horse 5 of 6)
- At Last, Fett Delivers Han to Jabba (Dark Horse 6 of 6)
- Dash Battles AT-ATs on Hoth (LucasArts 1 of 6)
- Dash Uncovers the Swoopers' Plot (LucasArts 2 of 6)
- Dash Aboard the Suprosa (LucasArts 3 of 6)
- Dash Attacks Xizor's Skyhook (LucasArts 4 of 6)
- Dash Rides Ord Mantell Hovertrain (LucasArts 5 of 6)
- Dash Battles IG-88 on Ord Mantell (LucasArts 6 of 6)
In what appears to be an inconsistency with established continuity, card #41 depicts Leia having removed her helmet while conversing with Spero. However, in the novel, she maintained her masked identity throughout their interaction.
Card #42 portrays Darth Vader interrogating a human bounty hunter who was involved in Luke's abduction. In contrast, the comic book adaptation shows Vader interrogating a Barabel.
Card #53 shows Luke and Lando concealing themselves in the Southern Underground wearing their usual clothing. The novelization describes them as disguised in the red armor associated with the Coruscant Guard.
Card #58 depicts the slain Guide as a man of average height and build. In contrast, other sources consistently portray and describe Benedict Vidkun as a short, gaunt, goblin-like figure.
Card #66 showcases Coruscant Guards positioned on the Falleen's Fist, implying that these Guards were in the employ of Xizor. Similarly, the comic book adaptation depicts Xizor's Palace being defended by Guards clad in red armor.
- 1996 Topps Star Wars Shadows of the Empire on Trading Card Database