Best Artwork From Every Pokemon Card Set (Part 1 of 3)
Every Pokémon card set has great artwork, but some stand out from the rest, for good or bad (don’t get me started on the crochet style). Obviously art is subjective, just look at those uber-pretentious art galleries in New York City where people spend thousands on something that looks like an infant smeared feces on a canvas. So needless to say you will disagree with this list at some point. I am not looking for the most popular or strongest Pokémon or the card that is the most valuable. I am simply looking for the artwork that is the most appealing, this includes background, placement, lighting, design, attention to detail, perspective, etc… Maybe it’s not so simple after all.
I’ll be looking at every English set released including promotional sets. The promotional sets will not be evaluated until after it has been completed, meaning there are no more cards planned to be released within that set. I also do not differentiate between 1st editions, holos, or reverse holos.
This is part 1 of 3 articles. View part 2 here, View Part 3 here
If you want to research more about any of the sets or individual cards, I have provided links to their Bulbapedia and Pokellector web pages. Bulbapedia has tons of great information to delve into, while Pokellector is the best place to find all the images of the cards in a particular set. I used both of these sites extensively for this list.
Use the links below to jump to a particular card series:
1st Place
One of the most popular Pokemon in the game, this artwork had a lot to do with it. You can sense the raw power exuding from its gaping mouth.
Runner-up
The serene setting of the aurora borealis brings a sense of admiration and mystery to this elusive creature. The best background of all the artworks in this set.
1st Place
Looking at this card makes you want to shuffle across the carpet in your socks to unexpectedly shock someone. The purple and yellow play well with the hairline electricity shooting through it.
Runner-up
This scene reminds me of something you would see for sale at a tourist destination in the tropics. The shadowy Krabby in the sand is a nice touch.
1st Place
Perfectly drawn into his surroundings and illuminated by moonlight this sludge Pokemon is right at home in the oil refinery.
Runner-up
Just ignore the asymmetrical pupil placements and this shadowy figure will haunt your dreams. Or maybe the pupils make him crazier, which is even scarier.
1st Place
Released with the Pokémon Card GB Official Guidebook, this Venusaur looks upset, maybe because it heard people were saying Bulbasaur was the worst of the gen 1 starters.
Runner-up
The distortion causing energy waves emitting from the finger ball hands look menacing. Or they look like Gandalf blowing smoke rings from his pipe, your choice. Either way this artwork is cool.
1st Place
Since the Base 2 set is just a reprint of Base, Jungle, and Fossil, I will pick two that just barely missed out from above. Rhydon (the first Pokemon created) displays motion blur like no other card in this set.
Runner-up
This terrifying Pokemon leaps towards it prey. I love the raw viciousness you get from looking at a card like this.
1st Place
The whole Team Rocket set takes a darker approach and I love it. Dugtrio busting into a bedroom, cracking the floor, shattering the wall, and mean mugging everyone is sight to behold.
Runner-up
Its a good thing Machoke is wearing that lifting belt, remember safety first. The rocks streaking down and the dust billowing up make this artwork mesmerizing.
1st Place
The first set to feature trainer’s Pokemon, the artwork really started to get good. The low angle looking up at Electabuzz makes him look menacing.
Runner-up
The shadowing of both Haunter and the background give an eerie feeling of eminent doom.
1st Place
The shadows and lighting play so well together on these cards of the nefarious team rocket. It truly makes them feel darkened.
Runner-up
The first trainer card to appear in this list. It captures the two personalities so well, Erika and her caring, Growlithe and his stubborn pride.
1st Place
Imagining Onix in his natural underground environment really makes you wonder what it is like to live underground.
Runner-up
Maybe I have a soft spot for Lugia being the original legendary Pokemon (Ho-Oh is second in my opinion), but this card is iconic to me.
1st Place
Crouching in the grass at dusk I like how Houndour is drawn into the environment.
Runner-up
The silhouette makes the vivid colors of the eyes and body markings pop out for this dark Eevee evolution.
1st Place
This small set of 18 cards is really just 3 big images cut up into individual artworks that all fit together. Definitely check it out if you have never seen it.
Runner-up
Spanning 3 total cards this Pidgeot draws your attention no matter what part of its body you see.
1st Place
Possibly the best artwork of any series. This guy made a bad decision to row his boat on Lake Rage that day.
Runner-up
Kingdra in mid attack displays its power and grace in one fell swoop.
1st Place
Of all the “light” artwork in this set I fell like this card most embodied the spirit by having multiple Pokemon sleeping next to each other.
Runner-up
An all ready naturally dark Pokemon, the fire and thorns really bring out Houndoom as a wicked Pokemon.
1st Place
Since the Legendary Collection is basically a reprint of the Base through Rocket sets so I have chosen artwork not previously selected. I love the way the crystals refract so many different colors.
Runner-up
This was the first set to have reverse holos, they have come along ways since 2002, the new versions are much better done.
1st Place
The hyper-realistic look of this artwork I don’t think is done enough in Pokemon art. The putrid mustard yellow gas fits perfectly with its disgruntled face.
Runner-up
Fire can be so difficult to draw that it makes me appreciate it even more when I see one done well like this.
1st Place
A small set of 9 cards this was a farewell by Wizards of the Coast before their Trading Card Game printing rights expired to Nintendo.
Runner-up
To be honest this is a pretty weak runner-up, but due to only have 9 cards in the set, there was not much to work with.
1st Place
Houndoom in its most iconic artwork. Lonely, tortured, yet stoic and unnerved, even the dead trees know its pain.
Runner-up
I like how the rain is pouring on this barrel chested beast as he is unfazed by the lighting overhead.
1st Place
I have not chosen many pencil stroked looking artworks thus far, but after seeing this one, it instantly became my favorite of the set.
Runner-up
The mean claw and meaner face show this zard is not messing around.
1st Place
The holo-foiling for the entire background of the card is beautiful, it really adds another dimension to the card.
Runner-up
The lighting from the two different sources plays well to illuminate the Pokemon and add depth to its features.
1st Place
The lighting on this artwork is well done, capturing the sheen of the jewels really brings out this Pokemon’s personality.
Runner-up
Caught in the middle of an attack, I like how the energy is dispersing from Raichu’s body.
1st Place
The small details of the bits and parts in the box and the attention to detail everywhere set this artwork apart from the others in the set.
Runner-up
The juxtaposition of the Graveler and the boulder showing how similar the two are stuck out to me.
1st Place
Easy choice for the best artwork of this set. Majestic, bold, and Resolute.
Runner-up
I have a soft spot for Rhyhorn as it was the very first Pokemon card I ever got (from the Jungle set). The motion blur is what got this card second place.
1st Place
Very unique card with the “intense glare” of the red eyes placed over the Pokemon.
Runner-up
The huge stone spires on either side mimicking the pincers on its head make for a great contrast and comparison.
1st Place
I like the very realistic art style, especially how it the artist drew the mane flowing in the wind.
Runner-up
The way the light shines through the wing, softly illuminating it and drawing your attention to the background is beautiful.
1st Place
The upward angle to make Marowak appear bigger and more menacing gives him a Batman type feel when standing atop a skyscraper.
Runner-up
The back lit web it stands on makes me wonder what it would be like to run across a huge spider like this in real life.
1st Place
Shiny Rayquaza is an inherently cool looking Pokemon, and with the art that is breaking out of the frame, this was an easy number one for this set.
Runner-up
Gently hovering on the water, the contrast between the mean face and the bubbles is just plain fun.
1st Place
Blue electricity emanating from the blue body accented with yellow plays very well together.
Runner-up
Someone or something seems to have angered Rhydon, you can feel its powerful tail whip.
1st Place
This artwork keeps drawing you in. The middle Poliwag happily following in line, while the back one falls face first into the water.
Runner-up
The swooping and elegant lines truly embody the personality of Suicune. The border breaking elements are done exquisitely.
1st Place
This card has it all; swooping lines, water light refraction, and monochromatic coloring.
Runner-up
Swirling holofoil that bleeds to the border set this artwork apart from the rest.
1st Place
I like the way the debris on the ground is being stirred up by the beating wings.
Runner-up
Thick dark lines showcasing movement in water is very well done.
1st Place
The background drew me in, with the sunset colors and rippling waves.
Runner-up
I know I know, two of the same Pokemon in one set. They were the two best though.
1st Place
The delta species typing (just a different type than normal, in this case fire instead of water) giving it a fiery glow looks cool.
Runner-up
This card is number two because of the holofoiling, which is unique and beautiful.
1st Place
The purple haze over all the elements makes the green of his tail pop.
Runner-up
Explosions of color yet it remains a dark feeling card.
1st Place
Heavy lines and vivid colors make this card stand out from the rest in this set.
Runner-up
At almost black and white for the entire card, this is very unique.
1st Place
The notorious Team Rocket member doesn’t look so tough playing with a pokeball. The holofoiling looks great.
Runner-up
The sinewy muscles and almost entirely greenness of the card make this the runner up for the Nintendo Promos set.
1st Place
I love the purple fungi in the background and how they are lit up cast colors on Garchomp itself.
Runner-up
The greenish water and holofoiling make this Vaporeon feel right at home.
1st Place
I like how he is drawn into the environment as if camouflaging itself from predators, or maybe waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
Runner-up
This got the number two spot because of the holofoiling of different shaped and sized circles the exist well with the background.
1st Place
The extending hand drawing out plasma waves from the abyss onto the attack info and the holofoil border are really something special.
Runner-up
Horizontal warped lines on the artwork itself and the corresponding concentric circles on the attack details go well together.
1st Place
I don’t know if it is the fall colors or the sky that almost matches Mr. Mimes skin tone but I like this card.
Runner-up
Showing the two worlds that Croconaw lives in, water and land, is beautifully done here.
1st Place
Shattering through a wall of geometric and vibrant patterns set this artwork apart.
Runner-up
Every time I see Electabuzz I hear his jumbled scream of buwahabuba. Also I like the artwork here.
1st Place
The background won me over with the falling leaves and holofoiled accents behind so many of them.
Runner-up
Explosions of rock and emotion, need I say more?
1st Place
This Moltres is about to start a wildfire bigger than California. In fact maybe this is what has been causing all those fires there lately.
Runner-up
I know what you are thinking; really an energy card that is so lame. These much cooler energy cards have been in a few sets of the DP Series, and with the lack of other contender in this particular set, it made it to number two.
1st Place
The elegance of Dragonair and the timeless beauty of the cherry blossom tree are purely tranquil.
Runner-up
I like the melding of all the colors, how the seamlessly intertwine and dance around.
1st Place
A very unique art style that fits well with the personality of Gengar
Runner-up
Swooping lines and angered water cower to the mercy of Gyarados.
Hopefully you enjoyed viewing some of the best artworks Pokemon has ever done. If you would like to view the latest artworks, this is part 1 of 3 articles. View part 2 here. View part 3 here
