Three epic movies, six sets of trading cards. 2003 Topps Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Update brings the trilogy to a close — at least as far as single-film sets go. Like the previous pair of update releases, the focus is on filling in the gaps left by the initial release.
The base set has 72 cards with numbering carrying on from Return of the King. The design stays true as well. Coming out after the film had its run in theaters, the entire movie is fair game including late special effects shots and full story details.
Each hobby box has either an autograph or a memorabilia card.
The autograph checklist has only three signers. Not only is director Peter Jackson the biggest name, but it’s also the rarest. Other autographs include Mark Ordesky (executive producer) and Sala Baker (Morannon Orc).
2004 Topps Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Update has nine memorabilia cards with material used to make costumes. The subject list varies from Frodo to Aragorn to the Witch-King.
The product has no other inserts that were included in packs. A UK binder came with nine exclusive cards, though.
While this is the last of the single-film sets for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Topps would go on to make several more products in the years that followed including Trilogy Chrome and a pair of art-based Masterpieces sets.
2004 Topps Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Update Checklist
Click on links to shop for cards or check current market values on eBay.
Cards per pack: 7
Packs per box: 36
Boxes per case: 4
Shop for 2004 Topps Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Update boxes on eBay.
Base Set
72 cards.
91 Title Card/Checklist
92 Sméagol’s Great Desire
93 Uneasy Alliance
94 Isengard’s Fall
95 In The Golden Hall
96 A Soul In Torment
97 Lure Of The Palantir
98 Arwen’s Decision
99 Toward Minas Tirith
100 The Gates Of Minas Morgul
101 Sauron’s Footsoldiers
102 The Flaming Signal
103 Terror From The Skies
104 Nazgul Triumphant
105 Day Of The Nazgul
106 Friend…Or Fiend?
107 Return Of The Sword
108 King Of The Dead
109 “Regain Your Honor!”
110 Massive Orc Army
111 Attack Of The Trolls
112 Winged Horror
113 A Wizard Among Them
114 Leviathans Against Us
115 Inside Shelob’s Lair
116 The Horror Of Shelob
117 Smashing Through
118 Trolls On The Rampage
119 Along Came A Spider
120 Caught!
121 Cornering Her Prey
122 Sam Battles Shelob
123 Mûmakil On The March
124 A Deadly Advance
125 Hero of Rohan
126 Spectacular Battle
127 Facing The Fellbeast
128 Éowyn’s Challenge
129 Wrath Of The Witch-king
130 Aragorn’s Phantom Army
131 Army Of The Dead
132 Spectral Warriors
133 Slaying The Witch-king
134 Legolas’s Bold Assault
135 “Depart And Be At Rest”
136 Rescued By Sam
137 At The Black Gate
138 Facing The Ultimate Evil
139 Toward Mount Doom
140 Monsters Of Mordor
141 “This Day We Fight!”
142 Gollum Returns
143 Fury Of The Fellbeasts
144 Gandalf’s Resolve
145 Winged Fury
146 Moment Of Truth
147 Gollum’s Savage Attack
148 Rampaging Trolls
149 The Ring At Last!
150 “My Precious!!!”
151 The Ring Destroyed
152 The Fall Of Barad-Dûr
153 Falling From The Skies
154 The Great Eagles
155 A Fellowship Reunited
156 The Crown Of Gondor
157 Love And Valor
158 Sam’s Wedding Day
159 Bilbo’s Last Adventure
160 “It Is Time, Frodo”
161 The Sea Calls Them Home
162 The Journey Ends
Autographs
3 cards, 1:36 packs combined with memorabilia cards.
Odds for individual cards noted.
Sala Baker as Morannon Orc – 1:427
Peter Jackson, Director – 1:2202
Mark Ordesky, Executive Producer – 1:729
Memorabilia Cards
9 cards, 1:36 packs combined with autographs.
Odds for individual cards noted.
Aragorn’s Coronation Shirt – 1:633
Arwen’s Coronation Dress – 1:265
Elrond’s Bronze Silk Robe – 1:480
Eowyn’s Coronation Dress – 1:300
Eowyn’s Golden Hall Party Dress – 1:438
Frodo’s Grey Havens Vest – 1:870
Merry’s Rohan Cloak – 1:266
Sam’s Wedding Jacket – 1:257
The Witch-King’s Cloak – 1:243
Album Cards
9 cards, distributed with UK-exclusive album.
U1 Gollum
U2 Frodo
U3 Sam
U4 Denethor
U5 The Return of the King
U6 Gandalf
U7 Legolas
U8 Gimli
U9 Aragorn
