Topps Launches GPK Trumpocracy Cards #6-#8

The Trump cards continue in full force for the second day in a row. Today Topps launched Garbage Pail Kids Trumpocracy – First 100 Days cards #6-#8. Topps also launched two Wacky Packages cards and one GPK Network Spews card. Despite having the GPK name, the Network Spews card is actually a Wacky Packs card. As usual each card can be purchased for $9.99 or in lots of 5 for $29.99, 10 for $49.99, or 20 for $79.99. A six card bundle featuring all of today’s cards can also be purchased for $44.99. Free shipping is being offered via the SmartPost option. The cards are available on Topps.com for 24 hours. Topps will reveal the print run after the end of the sale. Here are pictures of today’s new GPK cards.

How Many 2017 Adam-Geddon Cards Were Produced? Part 1

This is Part 1 of a two part series on the production of 2017 Garbage Pail Kids Adam-Geddon. Click here for Part 2.

Topps closed out 2016 with a retail Garbage Pail Kids set that was produced in higher numbers than recent sets. The TV show theme didn’t always resonate either, as many complaints came in with collectors not understanding the gags. Throughout the last 10 months, Topps has also gone full steam ahead with various GPK online exclusives. Collectors did seem to be a little more excited when the theme of the first set of 2017 was released. Would the new Adam-Geddon theme with classic characters propel the new set to higher production? Or would over-production and collector apathy result in lower demand? I’m going to attempt to answer those questions in this two part series on the Adam-Geddon production. While Topps has kept a similar format as the previous releases, they still made some pretty major changes this time around. Some of those changes unfortunately makes it even harder to break down specific production numbers. Let’s see what we can actually figure out.

First my disclaimer! Production numbers are never an exact science, and Topps makes it tough on us. In order to attempt to solve this riddle we need to look very closely at the clues in both the odds and the sell sheets. Some things to keep in mind for this post. 1) Topps doesn’t want the public to know exactly how much of each card was made. Why? No idea really, I think its dumb, but historically Topps only provides enough information to get close. 2) We need to make some assumptions. Those assumptions will be based on the clues we have, but still some guessing has to happen. 3) The odds never quite seem to come out completely equal. However we can round and get pretty close to how much was produced. 4) Topps changes what is printed from what the sell sheet says all the time. This will throw off all our numbers. 5) Keep in mind Topps historically holds back 5% of the print run to cover missing hits, damaged cards, and their No Purchase Necessary program. These numbers would include that 5%. With all that in mind let’s get started…(Warning lots of math coming up. If you don’t want to hear about the process, skip to the bottom for the answer sheet!)

First we need to figure out how many packs were made for the entire print run. In order to do that we need to use a card type where all the odds are exactly the same in Hobby, Collector, and Retail packs. Once again there is only one card type that fits that description in this set, the Fool’s Gold borders, at 1:51. Here is what we know, there are 180 cards in the set. Fool’s Gold cards are numbered on the back to /50. Therefore, 180 cards X 50 number of golds per card = 9,000 total Fool’s Gold cards X 51 odds = 459,000 total packs made for the release. This is our first stop along the way where things could go wrong. There is only one card type shared across all pack types with similar odds. As you’ll see in a later discussion, while Autos and Plates are also shared across each pack type, Topps has drastically changed the odds on Jumbo Retail packs, therefore throwing off the numbers. We have to use what we have available to us. I believe this is a good starting point, and gets us on the path to more information.

Now let’s try to figure out how many of each pack type was created for this release. Collector packs are always the easiest to figure out because they always contain cards that are exclusively made for the set. This time there is one type of insert and two parallels that are exclusive to Collector boxes, and are numbered on the back.

  • Patch Cards – 20 cards in set X 50 made per card = 1000 total patches X 36 odds = 36,000 Collector packs made
  • Bloody Red Border – 180 cards in set X 75 made per card = 13,500 total Bloody borders X 3 odds = 40,500 Collector packs made
  • Spit Blue Border – 180 cards in set X 99 made per card = 17,820 total Spit borders X 2 odds = 35,640 Collector packs made

The numbers are very close for two types, but off on the Bloody borders. Here’s why I think they are off. The actual odds for Bloody borders are probably lower than 1:3, but Topps rounds up on the packs. I’m willing to bet most collectors will average more than 8 Bloody borders per collector box, early box results show most boxes with 9 reds. I believe this gives us a good number of Collector packs. I’m going to go with 36,000 for our purposes throughout the rest of our discussion.

Now let’s move onto Hobby packs. Darn you Topps! This was one of the major changes Topps made in the configuration of the product this year. Hobby packs are basically Retail packs now. There is nothing to distinguish a Hobby pack from a basic Retail pack. In previous releases we could use a card type that Hobby and Collector packs shared, that we also knew the print run of. Since that no longer exists, and we can’t tell the difference in packs, there is no way to determine how many Hobby packs were produced. While this is frustrating, it won’t stop our quest! For the rest of our discussion I will combine Hobby packs into Retail packs.

We know we have 36,000 Collector packs. So how many Retail/Hobby packs do we have? 459,000 total packs – 36,000 Collector packs = 423,000 Retail/Hobby packs. While that’s a lot of packs, is significantly less than previous releases. One way I use to be able to double check my numbers was to use another card type that is in all pack types, where we know the print run. There are two types that fit that description, Autos and Plates. Let’s looks at the numbers for both types.

  • 90 autos in set * 25 print run = 2,250 total autos * 168 odds = 378,000 total packs
  • 360 total plates * 1070 Avg. odds = 385,000 total packs

What a second….that’s a lot less total packs than what we came up with earlier. We can’t use these numbers because of another change Topps made on the odds. In previous releases the Jumbo Retail packs counted as 2 regular packs. All the odds on Jumbo packs would be exactly half of a regular pack. So it made it very easy to just count each Jumbo pack as 2 packs. With Adam-Geddon only Fool’s Gold and Sketch cards have the odds halved. The Plate and Auto odds are the same as other retail packs. That tells us plates and autos will be much harder to pull in Jumbo retail than regular retail packs. It also explains why the total pack numbers are lower when we use these numbers above. Its only counting the Jumbo packs as 1 pack, which makes sense based on the odds.

That leaves us with 423,000 Retail/Hobby packs. We can however deduce from the number above there is right around 45,000 Jumbo packs produced. We aren’t however able to break down the pack distribution any further with this series. We don’t know the total print run of the various sketch types. Those are the only other different card type inserted into packs. So the best we can do is come up with a total retail pack number of 423,000.

Here’s what I believe the total production numbers to be for Adam-Geddon:

  • Total Production – 459,000 Packs
  • Collector – 36,000 Collector Packs or 1500 Hobby Boxes or 187 Collector Cases
  • Retail/Hobby – 423,000 Retail/Hobby Packs

(Once again my numbers could be off. We had to make some assumptions and trust the sell sheets and odds. But I’m confident these numbers are really close.)

So what does this all mean? Production is way down compared to the previous set, Prime Slime Trashy TV. This looks to be the lowest set produced since I started running the numbers. Take a look at the last three sets and the production numbers:

  • Total Pack Production
    • Apple Pie – 484,000
    • Trashy TV – 638,000
    • Adam-Geddon – 459,000 (28% decrease in total overall production vs. Trashy TV)
  • Collector Pack Production
    • Apple Pie – 36,500
    • Trashy TV – 35,000
    • Adam-Geddon – 36,000 (3% increase vs. Trashy TV)
  • Retail Pack Production
    • Apple Pie – 408,500
    • Trashy TV – 550,000
    • Adam-Geddon (Includes Hobby packs) – 423,000 (23% decrease vs. Trashy TV, that includes hobby packs added in)

Topps prints to order their product. Which means based on distributor pre-orders, Topps decides how much product to produce. The numbers tell me this set was under ordered compared to previous releases. It shows collectors continue to purchase Collector cases in similar numbers. However, retail orders appear to be down significantly from previous sets. Topps made other changes as well that affects the print run. The base set is almost 20% smaller than previous sets. Topps also changed the number of cards in a pack, to 8 across the board. As you will see in part two all this changes how many of each card type exists.

All fun stuff to think about as you bust into those new packs! Let me know your thoughts on the numbers in the comments!

This is Part 1 of a two part series on the production of 2017 Garbage Pail Kids Adam-Geddon. In Part 2 we will look at production numbers for all parallel and insert sets. Part 2 can be found here.

Topps Launches GPK: Trumpocracy The First 100 Days Cards #1-#5

Dis-Race is over, long live Trumpocracy! Today Topps made a number of changes to their online section that sells the daily GPK cards. Part of that change was launching Garbage Pail Kids GPK: Trumpocracy – The First 100 Days. Gone are listings for GPK Disg-Race to the White House set. It would appear that set has come to an end. In its place are sections for GPK Trumpocracy, GPK Spews, a separate section for Wacky Packages: Alternate Facts, and a new art based set parodying Twitter called, Twister.

Today’s cards feature five cards based on these first few days of Trump’s presidency. Topps also launched one Wacky Packages and one Twister card under their own separate set banners. As with the Disg-Race set, each card can be purchased for $9.99 or in lots of 5 for $29.99, $10 for $49.99, or 20 for $79.99. A seven bundle is available featuring one of each card offered today from all the sets can be purchased for $44.99. Free shipping is being offered via the SmartPost option. The cards are available on Topps.com for 24 hours. Topps will reveal the print run at the end of the sale. It will be interesting to see what collector demand is for these now that the Disg-Race set appears to be finished. Here are pictures of today’s new cards.

Topps Launches 2017 GPK AAAP Presidential Inaug-Hurl Set

While its not clear if the Disg-Race to the White House set is finished or not, that won’t stop Topps from making the Trump cards. Today Topps launched 2017 Garbage Pail Kids American as Apple Pie In Your Face Presidential Inaug-Hurl Ceremony online set. The set falls under the Apple Pie banner, as opposed to the Disg-Race label. The set is comprised of 8 new GPK paintings, available as a 2 card a/b set, and 3 Wacky Packages cards. All cards are based off the president’s inauguration last week. Each a/b GPK card, or Wacky card can be purchased for $9.99. The entire 19 card set can be purchased for $49.99. Free shipping is available via the SmartPost option. The cards will be available on Topps.com for 7 days. Topps will reveal the print run at the end of the sale. Here is the checklist and pictures of the new cards.

  • 1A: DISLOYAL DONALD
  • 1B: “TRUSTY” TRUMP
  • 2A: DECIMATION DONALD
  • 2B: TERMINATION TRUMP
  • 3A: DESPAIR DONALD
  • 3B: TORMENT TRUMP
  • 4A: APPALLED ABE
  • 4B: LET DOWN LINCOLN
  • 5A: DRIZZLE DONALD
  • 5B: TEARFUL TRUMP
  • 6A: MELANCHOLY MELANIA
  • 6B: TURNED AWAY TRUMP
  • 7A: KOOKY KELLYANNE
  • 7B: CRAZY CONWAY
  • 8A: GLAD VLAD
  • 8B: 45TH PRESIDENT PUTIN
  • 9: MELANIA’S JACKIE-OH NO! MASQUERADE COSTUME
  • 10: TRUMP SCOUTS COOKIES
  • 11: MY PARENTS WENT TO THE INAUGURATION AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY PRESIDENT T-SHIRT

2017 Series 1 Garbage Pail Kids Adam-Geddon Explained

After only a three month break, Topps has released the next retail set, 2017 Series 1 Garbage Pail Kids Adam-Geddon. The theme is a welcomed and major departure from the last GPK offering, Prime Slime Trashy TV. This set’s theme focuses on classic GPK characters in end-of-world scenarios. Topps is continuing with the same format for the base sets that started a couple of years ago. This time however, the set size is smaller. The 180 card set is comprised of 9 subsets. The base cards continue to lack card back artwork, sticker die-cuts, and numbering is on the back. Once again there are no checklist cards for the base set. Production for this set appears to be down compared to previous releases. I will have the usual articles taking a stab at production numbers in a few days. Click here for the official checklist Topps released. Here is what you can find, and where you can find it in 2017 Series 1 Garbage Pail Kids Adam-Geddon.

(Note: I will continue to update this post as new information comes to light and any new parallels/inserts are found.)

  • Base Set – 180 total cards made up of 9 different subsets.
    • Alien Invasion (5a/b – 10 Total Cards)
    • Apocalypse (12a/b – 24 Total Cards)
    • Bio & Tech (8a/b – 16 Total Cards)
    • Dumb Deaths (10a/b – 20 Total Cards)
    • Monsters (5a/b – 10 Total Cards)
    • Natural Disasters (18a/b – 36 Total Cards)
    • Nuclear (18a/b – 36 Total Cards)
    • Pollution (5a/b – 10 Total Cards)
    • The Plagues (9a/b – 18 Total Cards)
  • Parallel Sets – Same exact cards from the Base set, except with a different speckled color border.
    • Bruised Border (Dark Blue/Black) – 1:1 – Collector (180 Cards)
    • Spit Border (Light Blue) /99 – 1:3 – Collector (180 Cards)
    • Bloody Nose Border (Red) /75 – 1:2 – Collector (180 Cards)
    • Fool’s Gold Border (Gold) /50 – 1:51 – Retail/Hobby/Collector (180 Cards)
    • Puke Border (Green) – 1:1 – Retail/Hobby (180 Cards)
    • Pee Border (Yellow) – 1:4 – Target Retail Gravity Feed (180 Cards)
    • Printing Plates – 1:1062 Collector, 1:1063 Hobby, 1:1080 Retail, 1:1076 Retail Jumbo, 1:1073 Gravity Feed (360 Total Plates – 4 per card artwork)
  • Insert Sets – All the various insert subsets that can be found in packs.
    • Best of the Presidential Election – 1:24 – Collector (5a/b – 10 Total Cards)
    • Classic Adamgeddon – 2 Per Jumbo Retail (10a/b – 20 Total Cards)
    • Gross Bears – 3 Per SE Blaster Box (11-15,L3 – 6 Total Cards)
    • Bathroom Buddies – 3 Per EA Blaster Box (7-9a/b – 6 Total Cards)
    • *Adam Bomb’s Armageddon – 2 Per Blister Pack (2a/b – 4 Total cards) *On sell sheet, not on checklist. Has not appeared in stores yet.*
    • Patch Card /50 – 1:36 – Collector (10a/b – 20 Total Cards)
    • Artist Autograph /25 – 1:168 Collector, Hobby, Retail (90 Total Cards – 1 per card artwork)
    • Sketch Card – 1:326 – Hobby/Retail (38 Artists)
    • Shaped Sketch – 1:178 – Collector (38 Artists)
    • Double Artist Panoramic Sketch – 1:694 – Collector (?? Artists)
    • Loaded Sketch – 1:75 – Blaster Box (38 Artists)
    • Panoramic Sketch Cards – 1:637 – Jumbo Retail (38 Artists)

2017 Series 1 GPK Adam-Geddon Retail Odds

Thanks to eBay member cardgarys for the following pictures the Jumbo Retail and Blaster Box packs for 2017 Garbage Pail Kids Adam-Geddon. Thanks to Clint at GPK & Wacky Warehouse for the picture of the Gravity feed pack odds.

A few interesting things to point out on the odds. Historically Jumbo packs odds are 1/2 of a regular retail pack. This is because there are twice as many cards in a Jumbo pack. This isn’t the case this time, except with the Gold borders and Sketch cards. This leads me to believe the hits will be very hard to pull from Jumbo packs. On the positive side all other odds are easier compared to Prime Slime. Gold borders, Autos, and Sketch cards are all a little bit easier pulls this time around. Coupled with the set size being a smaller 180, this leads me to believe retail production is down quite a bit compared to the previous release. I will have a full rundown of production in a few days after I’m able to run the numbers.

2017 GPK Adam-Geddon Retail Blaster Pack/Box Odds

  • Fool’s Gold 1:51
  • Printing Plate 1:1080
  • Artist Autograph 1:168
  • Sketch Card 1:326
  • Loaded Sketch Card 1:75 Blaster Boxes

2017 GPK Adam-Geddon Retail Jumbo Pack Odds

  • Fool’s Gold 1:26
  • Printing Plate 1:1076
  • Artist Autograph 1:168
  • Sketch Card 1:163
  • Panoramic Sketch Card 1:637

2017 GPK Adam-Geddon Gravity Feed Pack Odds

  • Pee 1:4
  • Fool’s Gold 1:51
  • Printing Plate 1:1073
  • Artist Autograph 1:168
  • Sketch Card 1:326

Topps Reveals Print Run for GPK Disg-Race Cards #150-#152

Topps got some good news with the third presidential election release of the week as sales were up for the week. Today Topps revealed the print run for Garbage Pail Kids Disg-Race to the White House cards #150-#152. As usual the Wacky Packages card led the way with sales with 370. Sales of the GPK cards were slightly higher, especially with card #151. The card, featuring Legos and Trump, finished with 339 in sales. It’s expected today’s presidential inauguration will mark the end of the Disg-Race set. Look for Topps to possibly release one more set based on today’s festivities. Here are the final numbers for the third release this week.

#150 – Neopalpa Donaldtrumpi – 277
#151 – Donald Grump – 339
#152 – The Real Whitehousewives of Washington D.C. (Wacky) – 370

Topps Reveals Print Run for Topps Comics #1

Topps decided one week ago to revive an old property, and turn it into an online exclusive. Today Topps revealed the print run for Topps Comics GPK #1 The Worst of 2016. The comic, which also comes with two GPK stickers, cost $19.99 plus shipping. While sales numbers weren’t overwhelming, customers still showed up to purchased issue #1. A total of 265 copies were sold during the week the comic was available. It looks like Topps is shooting for a weekly release of the comic, as issue two also launched today.

Topps Launches Topps Comics GPK #2

As promised one week after launching the first Topps Comic, they are back with a brand new issue. Today Topps launched Topps Comics GPK #2 2017 Presidential Inaug-Hurl Ceremony of Donald Dump. The second issue focuses on today’s festivities. Once again the comic has six pages inside. The comic also comes with two cards, 1a Donald Dump and 1b Tossed Cookies Trump. The comic can be purchased for $19.99 each or in a lot of 5 for $89.99. You must also pay for shipping. The comic will be available for 7 days on Topps.com. Topps will reveal the print run at the end of the sale. Here are pictures of the new comic.

Topps Reveals Print Run for GPK Disg-Race #147-#149 & Network Spews #3

In what looks to be the final week of releases for the presidential election sets, Topps is going full steam ahead. Today Topps revealed the print runs for Garbage Pail Kids Disg-Race to the White House cards #147-#149 and Network Spews #3. The second online release this week faired only slightly better than the previous day’s cards in sales. While no record lows were set, the GPK cards stayed in the mid 200’s sales wise, including the Network Spews card. The Wacky Packages card did rebound with 342 in sales. All indications are the Disg-Race set will finally wrap up after the inauguration on 1/20. Here are the final numbers for the second online release of the week.

GPK Disg-Race
#147 – Dirty-Dealing Donald – 269
#148 – Steve Hardly – 262
#149 – Hack’em Blackmail’em (Wacky) – 342

GPK Network Spews
#3 – Wrecked Ringling – 257