2014 Cryptozoic : DC Comics Epic Battles Trading Cards

DC Comics Epic Battles Trading Cards were released by Cryptozoic Entertainment on October 1, 2014. The premium release is printed on 30pt "Cryptomium" cardstock. Each box is serial numbered to 3,000. Boxes contain 20 packs and each pack contains 5 cards. The series is comprised of 63 chromium base cards and 5 insert sets.

A hand-drawn sketch card is inserted in every 20 packs, or about one per box. Base cards and insert sets contain original artworks created for this series. The box artwork is from Flashpoint #1 (May 2011), penciled by Andy Kubert, inked by Sandra Hope, and colored by Alex Sinclair. The card text was written by Adam Beechen.

Base cards and "Make Believe" cards each have four different variants: Base, Copper, Gold, and Metal. Copper parallel odds are 1:5 packs, Gold parallels are serial-numbered to 75, and Metal variant odds are 1:20 packs. Each base subset forms a nine-card image representing one of seven DC crossover events.

   

Superman, Jade, and Lady Quark are featured on card #1 from the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series. Kal-L, the Superman of Earth-2, appears on card #7 with Martian Manhunter. The series was illustrated by Vince Sunico.

 

Card #12 showcases Superman from the 1992 Panic in the Sky storyline. The subset was painted by Xermanico.

Card #19 features Superman and Superboy (Kon-El) attacking an alien parasite during the 1993 Bloodlines crossover. The artwork is by Pow Rodrix and Overdrive Studios.

Superman and Darkstar Donna Troy appear on card #35. The Spectre, another Jerry Siegel creation, can be seen in the background. The heroes battle Hal Jordan as Parallax during the 1994 Zero Hour event illustrated by Pat Boutin.

Card #60 features Wonder Woman and a Kryptonite-poisoned Superman from the 2013 Trinity War story arc. The subset was illustrated by Ryan Odagawa.

The "Make Believe on Cryptomium" insert set reimagines DC heroes and villains as children on a playground. The odds of finding a "Make Believe" insert are approximately 1:10 packs. A young Superman and Brainiac appear on card PB-06. "Make Believe" was illustrated by Patrick Ballesteros.

"BAM!" insert odds are about 1:10 packs. "BAM!" inserts have Copper, Gold, and sticker parallels found in approximately 1:20 packs. Gold parallels are serial numbered to 75 copies each. Card T-08 is a stylized cartoon image of Superman. The artwork is by THARP.

 

A limited edition binder includes an exclusive title card depicting Superman and the Justice League. Superman also appears on hand-drawn sketch inserts. Sketch cards from 80 different artists are inserted in every 20 packs. The precise number of Superman sketch cards produced for this series is currently unlisted. Superman sketch cards have been observed from David Lee, Chris Foreman, Rich Nolinelli, David Namisato, and Vince Sunico.

Artwork for the 2009 Blackest Night event is by Jon Wayshak, known professionally as WAY$HAK. The 2001 Flashpoint subset was illustrated by Marat Mychaels.

DC Comics Bombshells insert odds are approximately 1:10 packs. The bi-fold panels measure 2.5 x 7 inches. DC Comics Bombshells were originally designed by Ant Lucia. The concept first launched in 2013 as a line of figures depicting DC Comics superheroines in a 1940s pin-up style.

"Totally Fabricated" relic card odds are 1:160 packs. The cards feature a piece of fabric representing costumes for Green Lantern, The Flash, or Harley Quinn.

One of twelve art redemption cards were inserted in every 5,000 packs. The cards could be redeemed for the Trinity War pencil art by Ryan Odagawa or original comic book pages.

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Superboy-Prime is featured on card #2 of the Crisis on Infinite Earths base set, but the costume design is incorrect for 1985. Superboy-Prime in the Anti-Monitor armor first appeared in Infinite Crisis #5 (April 2006). Pow Rodrix is misspelled as "Roderix" on the cards and promotional materials.