A Sequel With Enormous Anticipation

Superman II (1980) followed the massive success of Superman: The Movie (1978). Topps had already produced a trading card set for the first film, and the sequel provided another opportunity to capitalize on the growing superhero merchandising boom.

Topps released the Superman II trading card set in 1980, consisting of:

• 88 base cards

• 22 stickers (sold separately in packs)

This structure mirrors other Topps movie sets of the era, such as Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.

Design Style

The set uses:

• bright red borders

• bold yellow title text

• stills from the film

• a “Kryptonian Crystal Bank Archives” subset at the beginning (character cards)

The design is consistent with Topps’ late‑1970s/early‑1980s aesthetic—colorful, simple, and aimed at young collectors.

A Complicated Film Production

• Superman II was famously shot simultaneously with the first film under director Richard Donner. After Donner was removed, Richard Lester completed the film.

This production turmoil affected the trading cards in subtle ways:

• Some stills come from Donner‑shot scenes, even though the theatrical cut used Lester’s footage.

• Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) does not appear in the card set because Hackman refused reshoots and his scenes were minimized; the Trading Card Database confirms his absence.

Topps’ Image Selection Challenges

Because the film’s final cut was still being assembled during merchandising production:

• Topps relied heavily on early promotional stills.

• Some scenes in the card set differ slightly from the final film.

• A few cards depict alternate takes or unused angles.

The set is widely available today:

• Complete 88‑card sets regularly appear on eBay for $12–$20.

• Sets including stickers sell for slightly more.

Condition Sensitivity

The red borders make edge wear very visible, so high‑grade cards are harder to find.

Sticker Rarity

Stickers are more condition‑sensitive due to:

• gum residue in packs

• children peeling/using them

Complete sticker sets command a premium.