1973-74 Menko
Chuck Norris (RC) Rookie

The card is part of the 1973-74 JCM15b Menko “Bats and Bones” Bruce Lee “Dragon” Promotional Set.It is the only card in the 16 card set that features Chuck Norris.The pictured Chuck Norris card is currently the highest grade assigned by CGC to any card from this set.Predates the 1974 Yamakatsu Mini cards. The Japanese Menko JCM15b set was printed twice. Once in 1973 and again in 1974, (thus the 1973-74) the backs being either a more traditional Grey card stock or with the Tan/Brown back.The Bruce Lee/Chuck Norris Rookie (left) card pays direct tribute to the iconic Colosseum fight scene from the 1973 film The Way of the Dragon (known in Asia as Return of the Dragon) between Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee — a fight widely credited with helping launch the modern action movie era.The ultra-rare set was printed on thick battle-ready stock with dynamic photo-art and "Dragon" kanji text; Bruce Lee was known as 'The Dragon' throughout Asia at the height of his fame.

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What are Menko Cards

Menko is a Japanese card game played by two or more players. It is also the name of the type of cards used to play this game.

Each player uses Menko cards made from thick paper or cardboard, printed on one or both sides with images from anime, manga, and other works. A player's card is placed on the hardwood or concrete floor and the other player throws down his or her card, trying to flip the other player's card with a gust of wind or by striking his or her card against the other cardIn the 1970s they frequently featured movie stars, athletes, and pop-culture icons in photo-art form. The JCM15b “Bats and Bones” set is one of the thickest and most visually distinctive early Bruce Lee promotional issues.

The Funky Artwork really pops

Pure 70's Vibe

This red background card along with the Chuck Norris Rookie card are among the rarest in this very rare set.The 1973-74 Menko Bruce Lee Promotional set is unique in that it is the the first and only early set that features scenes from four of the five Bruce Lee’s Kung Fu movies: The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972), The Way of the Dragon (1972), and The Game of Death (1978).This set kicks a tractor trailer full of roundhouse kicks more ass due to the inclusion of Chuck Norris and the significance of his Rookie card.

Started Accumulating This Collection
in Early 2024

We submitted 42 cards that were hand delivered to CGC in Florida in early April.(3) of the Bruce Lee & Chuck Norris (RC) Rookie Cards were part of those first 42 cards submitted to CGC; those cards received grades of, Authentic (AU), 1.5 & 5.5

- One complete set was submitted along with a partial set containing 14/16 cards.- The cards are thick, 100 pt. thick game-card stock.-Full purchase history tracing these cards back to their Japanese origin is available for serious collectors and institutions. The cards were procured via Yahoo Japan, COMC, Ebay, Mercari Japan and Mercari.*There is one Bruce Lee card pictured that is not part of the 1973-74 JCM15b set. The Bruce Lee in green pants middle second from the bottom row is part of a different Menko set. (too bad, it also kicks ass)

Far From the Same Old Same Old

Far Out Style

The green swirls in the windows really pop here.

Real deal

Here is a magazine spread from the mid 70's that includes the still image from the Return of the Dragon Film that is displayed on the Bruce Lee/Chuck Norris (RC) Rookie

Bribes were paid in order to secure the Coliseum for shooting the film.Chuck Norris starred in the 1972 film as Colt, an American karate fighter working for the mafia.**Chuck also played a villain in the 1974 film Yellow Faced Tiger/ Slaughter, but after those first two films, he refused to play another bad guy over the remainder of his storied career.

Full set in pictures

Traditional Japanese Photo Art With a 70's Boho TwistPeak Bad Assery

Full set in pictures

Unique Vintage 70's Pop Art
(Grey Back Pictured)

Full set in pictures

Colors That POP

Full set in pictures

Brown Back Pictured with the "Bat & Bone" both Traditional Japanese Sybols found on Menko cards