1982 Donruss Dark Crystal trading cards adapt the equal parts gorgeous and nightmarish Jim Henson fantasy. From a card perspective, it’s not spectacular. That said, there aren’t a lot of readily available collectibles from The Dark Crystal‘s initial release.
1982 Donruss Dark Crystal Trading Cards Overview
The set consists of 78 cards. It’s a straightforward translation of the film and its plot, working through major moments and plot points.
Fronts have a still from the movie’s action, offering a close up look at its artistry and the world Henson built. A thick purple frame and the film’s logo in the bottom corner are the dominant design elements. The border is so thick that it does take over somewhat and make for some tight cropping on a lot of cards. The card number is also on the front but there is no caption.
Card backs go vertical, keeping the same general purple border. The title shifts to the top. This is also where a headline caption is with a description of the scene landing in the space below.
1982 Donruss Dark Crystal trading cards all have rounded corners, much like playing cards.
By no means is the set groundbreaking in its approach, but it does have a lot more content than most of Donruss’ other entertainment releases from this time. Many often had a picture on the front with backs acting as a puzzle piece.
Collation for this set is not great. Despite having almost 300 cards in a box, there’s no guarantee that you’ll complete even one set of 78 cards. This despite the fact that there are enough cards in a box for three full sets.
1982 Donruss Dark Crystal trading cards remain relatively affordable still today. The simple structure and lack of big-name celebrities probably help. There also appears to be a good amount of it out there, both in box and set form.
1982 Donruss Dark Crystal Checklist
Click on the links to shop for cards on eBay and to check current market values.
Set size: 78 cards
Cards per pack: 8
Packs per box: 36
Boxes per case: 16
Shop for 1982 Donruss Dark Crystal packs and boxes on eBay.
Base Set
78 cards.
Buy on eBay:
1 The Castle of the Dark Crystal
2 The Skeksis Power Ceremony
3 The Mystic Ritual-Guardian
4 The Valley of the Standing Stones
5 The Mystic Scribe
6 Jen the Gelfling
7 The Dying Mystic Master
8 The Quest Begins
9 The Master’s Funeral
10 The Skeksis Emperor’s Death
11 A Grab for Power
12 The Dying Skeksis Emperor
13 The Emperor’s Funeral
14 The Skeksis Ritual-Master
15 The Battle of the Stone
16 The Skeksis Chamberlain
17 The Skeksis Garthim-Master
18 The Disgraced Chamberlain
19 Jen is Captured
20 Aughra, Keeper of Secrets
21 Aughra’s Observatory
22 Aughra’s Explanation
23 Selecting the Shard
24 Garthim Attack
25 Jen’s Escape
26 The Swamp
27 Fizzgig
28 Another Gelfling
29 Kira the Gelfling
30 Jen’s Dreamfast
31 Kira’s Dreamfast
32 The Banqueting Hall
33 An Unexpected Prisoner
34 Aughra in the Castle
35 The Garthim-Master
36 Aughra in the Chamber of Life
37 Aughra’s Eye
38 Pod Slave
39 The Making of a Pod Slave – I
40 The Making of a Pod Slave – II
41 The Making of a Pod Slave – III
42 Essence, the Life-Force
43 The Skeksis Slave-Master
44 The Black River
45 Crystal Bat
46 Jen, Kira, and Fizzgig
47 Pod Village
48 Kira at Home
49 Jen at Pod Village
50 Jen and Ydra
51 Garthim
52 Garthim Raid
53 Escaping the Garthim
54 In the Forest
55 The Gelfling Ruins
56 The Wall of Prophecy
57 The Outcast Chamberlain
58 The Trek of the Mystics
59 Kira Atop a Landstrider
60 Jen Rides a Landstrider
61 Landstrider Assault
62 Landstrider Defeat
63 No Exit
64 Flight to Safety
65 The Teeth of Skreesh
66 The Secret Tunnel
67 Kira’s Capture
68 Kira in the Chamber of Life
69 The Mystics at the Castle
70 Jen in the Crystal Chamber
71 The Leap
72 The Lost Shard
73 Kira’s Act of Heroism
74 Kira’s Sacrifice
75 The Two Made One, by Gelfling Hand
76 The Great Conjunction
77 The Mystics and the Dark Crystal
78 Harmony Restored
