Cards of the 1980 Topps Set
When The Empire Strikes Back hit theaters in 1980, it didn’t just raise the stakes for the Star Wars saga. It deepened the mythology, introduced unforgettable characters like Yoda, Lando Calrissian, and Boba Fett, and delivered one of the most iconic twists in movie history. The cultural impact was immediate, and Topps was ready to capture the moment with a massive trading card release that matched the scale of the film itself.
Across three series and a total of 352 cards and 88 stickers, the 1980 The Empire Strikes Back set gave fans a chance to relive the adventure piece by piece. Series 1 came with bold red borders, Series 2 switched to a cool blue, and Series 3 went in a new direction with yellow-gold borders and green text. Each series offered a rich mix of film stills, character portraits, and behind-the-scenes moments that brought the galaxy far, far away into every pack.
Now, as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, we’re showcasing some of the most memorable cards from that original Topps release — vintage snapshots of a sequel that changed the story forever and left a lasting mark on collecting history.
Collect The Empire Strikes Back Cards
1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back #279 Lando Calrissian
characeter info
• Old friend of Han Solo and the administrator of Cloud City on the planet Bespin
card info
• One of 88 cards in Series 3
what they’ve said
• “You know, that ship’s saved my life quite a few times. She’s the fastest hunk o’ junk in the galaxy.” – lando calrissian talking about the millennium falcon
1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back #247 Luke Battles Himself
character info
• Member of the rebel alliance and son of darth vader
Card info
• One of 132 cards in Series 2
what they’ve said
• “you’ll find i’m full of surprises.’ – LUKE SKYWALKER TO DARTH VADER on Cloud City
1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back #16 The Hidden Rebel Base
Location info
• The Hidden Rebel Base on Hoth was a command and control center for Rebel operations after the Battle of Yavin
Card info
• One of 132 cards in Series 1
Movie Info
• The scenes on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back were filmed in Norway
