The 2025 Topps Chrome Update release has an awesome insert that will get comic book enthusiasts very excited.
According to a recent article from Topps Ripped (and an Instagram post displaying what some look like), this product will feature a 10-card insert called “Alter Ego Superheroes” that turns baseball’s biggest stars — and some past legends — into comic book-style characters.
December 10 is the release date for the Chrome Update, and it can’t come soon enough with this included.
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Alter Ego Superheroes in the 2025 Topps Chrome Update
via Topps/IG
Here are the 10 players Topps will be featuring within this special insert:
Rickey Henderson (Oakland Athletics)
Frank Thomas (Chicago White Sox)
Ozzie Smith (St. Louis Cardinals)
Cal Ripken Jr. (Baltimore Orioles)
Jasson Dominguez (New York Yankees)
Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Pete Alonso (New York Mets)
Francisco Lindor (New York Mets)
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves)
The concept isn’t entirely new for Topps, but executing it in Chrome format with this mix of Hall of Famers and current sluggers creates something fresh. These are classified as short prints with only Superfractor 1/1 parallels confirmed, so they’re legit chase cards.
The Man of Steal Gets The Superhero Treatment
via Topps/IG
Let’s talk about the Rickey Henderson card first, because if anyone deserves the superhero treatment, it’s him. I mean, just his nickname alone was perfect for this. The Man of Steal redefined the leadoff position with his blend of power and speed. His 1,406 career stolen bases are an MLB record, and we probably won’t see anyone challenge it for quite some time (if anyone ever does).
Henderson’s place in the hobby is legendary, too. His 1980 Topps rookie card remains one of the most iconic pieces of cardboard from that era, with PSA 10 examples regularly fetching more than $100,000.
Another thing that makes Henderson perfect for this superhero concept is his larger-than-life personality. He talked about himself in the third person and played with the kind of swagger that defined 1980s baseball. This Alter Ego Superheroes card celebrates the memory of his superhuman abilities in a format that can finally match his personality.
The Big Hurt Transforms Into Comic Book Gold
via Topps/IG
Once again, Thomas getting the superhero treatment makes perfect sense when you consider the nickname alone (it’s almost like Topps did this on purpose or something). “The Big Hurt” sounds like it was ripped straight from a Marvel character profile.
Thomas dominated the 1990s thanks to his offensive capabilities. While he won back-to-back MVP awards in 1993 and 1994, it was his combination of raw power and elite plate discipline that set him apart. Thomas walked 1,667 times while launching 521 home runs and finishing with a .301 lifetime average.
The real holy grail for Thomas collectors is still his 1990 Topps “No Name on Front” error card. This legendary mistake has become one of the most sought-after baseball cards of the entire 1990s, with even low-grade copies selling for thousands.
Thomas was inducted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 2014, earning 83.7% of the vote. He was also one of the few superstars from the steroid era never linked to performance-enhancing drugs. This new Alter Ego Superheroes card presents him in a format that matches his intimidating presence at the plate.
Pete Alonso’s Free Agent Status Adds Intrigue to His Card
via Topps/IG
Including Alonso might be the most fascinating from a timing perspective. The slugger opted out of his contract with the Mets after the 2025 season and is currently a free agent. And sure, there are hints of him being a Met on this card — you can see part of the Home Run Apple, maybe a small outline of Citi Field, and “Polar Bear” uses some Mets colors, but he isn’t clearly pictured in his Mets uniform.
Rather than feature him in team-specific gear while his future remains uncertain, Topps created an image that’d technically work regardless of where he signs. He did a good job of boosting his contract value heading into the offseason, though. Alonso finished 2025 with a .871 OPS, 38 home runs, 41 doubles, and 126 RBI while playing in all 162 games for the second straight year.
The Scott Boras client is rumored to be looking for a guarantee in the range of seven years for $200 million, but he’ll likely land much less than that. Spotrac tabs his current market value at four years and $113 million. It’ll be interesting to see how his market ultimately unfolds, but The Athletic’s Jim Bowden thinks the Mets and Boston Red Sox are his two most likely destinations.
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