Im not sure what to say here. We all knew that Panini has a HORRIBLE track record of building new football products, and we know that Topps literally took them to school with Inception for a number of years. In terms of products that are signed at or prior to the Rookie Premiere, there literally was no better product in the bag. Topps Inception was so good, it offered content that Panini could only dream about, before they could finally put out high end stuff like Immaculate much later in the year.
Enter Panini Origins.
When you see the pictures, you are going to look for the Topps logo and the Inception name. You will want to believe that a miracle has happened and somehow Panini does not have the exclusive. You will be wrong. Origins is very real. Panini literally has produced the equivalent of those fake sunglasses you can buy on the street. This is Panini’s Faux-kleys product.
Now, I am happy we get SOMETHING like Inception. The cards look good. They really did a good job ripping off Inception down to the blotchy background behind the player. Im glad the Rookie Premiere content that wont be 100% cards like those horrendous Pen Pals cards they have been touting.
I just find it fucking hilarious that Panini is so incapable of originality that they literally have to resort to this. You guys can all thank me for warning you when Khrome and Six Star become Panini’s newest product lines.
They arent being shy about this whole thing, and if they meant it like a middle finger to Topps, its not working. It only looks more and more like they have no idea how to cultivate their own brands from scratch. Seeing this should just reinforce how big of a mistake the NFL made. Too bad its not about the cards and its all about the money. If it were about the cards, this would be hard to shake.
I was depressed that Inception was gone, but I cant say I am less depressed that Panini is playing Weekend at Bernie’s with Topps’ dead sets.
Wow. Just wow. I know it is a straight ripoff, but I am surprised Panini could make cards that look this good at all. Not bad. Still not holding my breath when it comes to that whole exclusive. Couple that with the weak draft class the football I am buy will be minimal this year and probably beyond.
I agree, Panini’s Origins looks great. It does kinda, sort of, almost looks something like Inception. I see some Panini Gridiron Kings 2.0 here. What ever…..I like it.
Kinda sorta? Hahahahahaha. That is hilarious.
Yea I’ve always thought identical twins kinda sorta look alike!
Nice looking cards. Because they look like Inception. I wonder if Panini hired some of Topps’ designers.
Also, is it me or does the card stock look much thinner than Inception used to use?
It’s sad to see so much trash talk. I see this as a way to honor the Topps brand and they seem to do it well. With Topps no longer in the picture, Origins isn’t ‘faux’ — rather it harnesses the quality we expected from Topps. I for one am excited for a product with no crappy sticker autographs.