Looking back and seeing how the comic book movie has taken over Hollywood, Iron Man is looking more and more important with each ensuing Marvel movie blockbuster. Its cards set a high bar as well. 2008 Rittenhouse Iron Man trading cards do a good job of showcasing the film and an even better job of showcasing the talent behind it.
The base set is fairly minimal with just 70 cards. Most of these dig into the film’s story, although there are more than a dozen Behind-the-Scenes cards as well that look at what happened on the other side of the camera.
2008 Rittenhouse Iron Man Autographs
Each 2008 Rittenhouse Iron Man box promises two total autographs, Costume Cards or Sketch Cards. All stand out in their own way, but it’s the autographs that are the product’s biggest draw. Not only did lead star Robert Downey Jr. sign, but Jeff Bridges did as well. Both are legendary actors that could have their name dropped in many “all-time” discussions. Downey’s signature in particular has soared in value, now running thousands.
Other standouts include Terrence Howard (Jim Rhodes) and director Jon Favreau. When the set came out, Clark Gregg was considered one of the set’s common autographs. But given the importance of his character, Agent Coulson, in ensuing Marvel films and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show, appeal for his autograph has grown.
Additional Inserts
Of the premium inserts, Costume Cards are the most plentiful. All the major characters are covered with multiple wardrobe pieces. The toughest cards feature Pepper’s bustier and Obadiah Stone’s tie.
A total of 20 artists have pack-inserted sketch cards. Bob Layton sketch cards were given to those four cases.
Other inserts in the product include Casting Call, Iron Man Archive and Armored Hero. Each has nine cards.
Some of the coolest cards can’t be found in packs or boxes. Those ordering two cases received one of three different Prop Cards. Each has a small piece of a different Iron Man suit embedded in them.
2008 Rittenhouse Iron Man trading cards were limited to 9,000 boxes.
2008 Rittenhouse Iron Man Checklist
Click on links to shop for cards or check current market values on eBay.
Base Set: 70 cards
Cards per pack: 12
Packs per box: 36
Boxes per case: 12
Release Date: April 30, 2008
Shop for 2008 Rittenhouse Iron Man boxes on eBay.
Base Set
70 cards.
1 Title Card/Checklist
2 Movie Plot
3 Movie Plot
4 Movie Plot
5 Movie Plot
6 Movie Plot
7 Movie Plot
8 Movie Plot
9 Movie Plot
10 Movie Plot
11 Movie Plot
12 Movie Plot
13 Movie Plot
14 Movie Plot
15 Movie Plot
16 Movie Plot
17 Movie Plot
18 Movie Plot
19 Movie Plot
20 Movie Plot
21 Movie Plot
22 Movie Plot
23 Movie Plot
24 Movie Plot
25 Movie Plot
26 Movie Plot
27 Movie Plot
28 Movie Plot
29 Movie Plot
30 Movie Plot
31 Movie Plot
32 Movie Plot
33 Movie Plot
34 Movie Plot
35 Movie Plot
36 Movie Plot
37 Movie Plot
38 Movie Plot
39 Movie Plot
40 Movie Plot
41 Movie Plot
42 Movie Plot
43 Movie Plot
44 Movie Plot
45 Movie Plot
46 Movie Plot
47 Movie Plot
48 Movie Plot
49 Movie Plot
50 Movie Plot
51 Movie Plot
52 Movie Plot
53 Behind-the-Scenes
54 Behind-the-Scenes
55 Behind-the-Scenes
56 Behind-the-Scenes
57 Behind-the-Scenes
58 Behind-the-Scenes
59 Behind-the-Scenes
60 Behind-the-Scenes
61 Behind-the-Scenes
62 Behind-the-Scenes
63 Behind-the-Scenes
64 Behind-the-Scenes
65 Behind-the-Scenes
66 Behind-the-Scenes
67 Behind-the-Scenes
68 Behind-the-Scenes
69 Behind-the-Scenes
70 Behind-the-Scenes
Autographs
9 cards, 1:12 packs combined with Costume and Sketch Cards.
Lieber distributed as a case topper. The Downey as Iron Man autograph was sold directly by Rittenhouse and limited to 150 copies.
Bridges and Downey both consider Very Limited (VL), which means 200-300 copies each.
Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane VL
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark VL
Jon Favreau – Director
Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
Terrence Howard as Jim Rhodes
Larry Lieber – Comic Writer
Faran Tahir as Raza
Shaun Toub as Yinsen
Costume Cards
17 cards, 1:12 packs combined with Autographs and Sketch Cards.
Very Limited (200-300 copies), Limited (300-500 copies)
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Christine Everhart – Grey Skirt
Jim Rhodes – Blue T-Shirt
Jim Rhodes – Jeans
Jim Rhodes – USAF Dress Shirt
Obadiah Stane – Blue Stripe Dress Shirt
Obadiah Stane – White Check Dress Shirt
Obadiah Stane – Yellow Tie – Very Limited
Pepper Potts – Black Jacket
Pepper Potts – Black Skirt
Pepper Potts – Bustier – Limited
Raza – Camo Jacket
Raza – Olive Jacket
Tony Stark – Jacket
Tony Stark – Pants
Tony Stark – Shirt
Yinsen – Blazer
Yinsen – Vest
Sketch Cards
1:12 packs combined with Autographs and Costume Cards.
The following is a list of artists that worked on the set. Layton cards distributed as a four-case incentive.
Bob Layton
Brent Schoonover
Brian Denham
Brian Kong
Cat Staggs
Chris Wilson
Dan Cooney
Gabriel Hernandez
Grant Gould
Harvey Tolibao
James Bukauskas
Jason Sobol
Jim Kyle
Justin Chung
Kevin Graham
Matthew Goodmanson
Rich Mollineli
Sarah Wilkinson
Sean Pence
Steven Miller
Tom Hodges
Prop Cards
3 cards. One given for every two cases ordered.
Iron Man Mark 1 Armor Prop Card /225
Iron Man Mark III Armor Prop Card /175
Iron Monger Armor Prop Card /150
Armored Hero
9 cards, 1:24 packs.
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H7
H8
H9
Casting Call
9 cards, 1:12 packs.
CC1 Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark
CC2 Terrence Howard as Jim Rhodes
CC3 Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane
CC4 Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts
CC5 Faran Tahir as Raza
CC6 Shaun Toub as Yinsen
CC7 Leslie Bibb as Christine Everhart
CC8 Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
CC9 Jon Favreau – Director
Iron Man Archives
9 cards, 1:8 packs.
AR1 Tales of Suspense #39
AR2 Tales of Suspense #40
AR3 Tales of Suspense #46
AR4 Tales of Suspense #48
AR5 Tales of Suspense #50
AR6 Tales of Suspense #52
AR7 Tales of Suspense #57
AR8 Tales of Suspense #58
AR9 Tales of Suspense #65
Promo Cards
P1 Tony Stark Arm Out – General Distribution
P2 Iron Man – Non-Sport Update Magazine
P3 Iron Man Flying – Binder
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