Iconic Rookies: 2002 Topps Spider-Man #3 – Spider-Man

Every once in a while the hobby gives us something that should be a “no-brainer,” and somehow it still sits in that undervalued zone.

Today’s Iconic Rookies entry is exactly that:

2002 Topps Spider-Man #3 – Spider-Man (the base card… not an auto).

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Why This Is an “Iconic Rookie”

This series isn’t about “first-ever Spider-Man card in history” (that’s a whole different universe of collecting).

This is about the first clean, mainstream, movie-era Topps Spider-Man base card that reads like a true character cornerstone — and #3 nails it.

• Early in the set: card #3 feels like “main character energy,” because… it is.
• Simple identity: it’s not a scene, not a subplot, not a blink-and-you-miss-it moment.
• Perfect binder anchor: if you’re building character pages, this is the card you build around.

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Set Context: 2002 Topps Spider-Man

Topps did a full movie-style release here: a base set that walks through the film and highlights the key characters.

• Year: 2002
• Manufacturer: Topps
• Total cards: 100
• Card: #3 – Spider-Man

Collector tip: There are lots of “Spider-Man moments” in sets like this. But a straight-up card titled “Spider-Man” that sits at #3 in the base run? That’s your foundational piece.

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PSA Pop Report (Set Overview)

If you want graded supply context, start here and then find #3 in the list:

PSA Population Report – 2002 Topps Spider-Man (set overview)

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Condition & Grading Notes

“It’s 2002, so it’s easy” is how you end up with a stack of cards that look great… until they don’t.

• Edges & corners: watch for tiny whitening and soft corners from handling.
• Surface: scratches and pressure marks can hide until the light hits it wrong.
• Centering: don’t assume it’s perfect — actually check it.

If you’re grading: buy like a grader. If you’re collecting: buy the cleanest eye appeal you can and enjoy the card.

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Market Snapshot: How to Shop It

• PC copy: a clean raw example is usually the best value.
• Grade play: only cherry-pick truly sharp copies — don’t “hope” a 10.

Helpful search links:

• eBay Sold Listings – 2002 Topps Spider-Man #3 Spider-Man
• eBay Live Listings – 2002 Topps Spider-Man #3 Spider-Man

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Build Ideas (Make It a Page, Not Just a Card)

• Core character trio: #2 Peter Parker + #3 Spider-Man + #4 Mary Jane = instant centerpiece page.
• Villain add-on: pair it with Norman Osborn / Green Goblin cards for a clean “hero vs villain” layout.
• Movie-era icons: keep a binder section for early-2000s film cards that launched modern fandoms.

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Final Thoughts

2002 Topps Spider-Man #3 – Spider-Man is one of those cards that feels obvious — and that’s exactly why it belongs in Iconic Rookies.

It’s clean, it’s early in the base run, and it’s the kind of foundational character card you’ll always want in a movie-era Spider-Man collection.

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Tags: Spider-Man, Marvel, Topps, movie cards, iconic rookies, early 2000s, character cards