Unboxing January's Nerd Block Classic

Nerd Block was having a sweet 50% off promotion for their January box, so I had to order one! This is my first ever Nerd Block box. It has always interested me, but the high shipping cost puts it it at $30.00/month. That's a bit pricey considering that there are so many great boxes for roughly $10.00 cheaper per month. That being said, the swag in this month's box was pretty sweet; especially for the $20.00 I paid after the promotional discount.

The first thing I noticed opening up the box was the 6" Daenerys Targaryen Funko Legacy figure. I dig Game of Thrones and don't have any of the figures, so this was pretty awesome. There were a total of 6 different figures randomly inserted into boxes. The next thing I noticed was the exclusive Neverending Story notebook. This thing is sweet! It's a thick book filled with blank pages that you can use for anything you want; stories, notes, sketches, etc. The next item I pulled out was an 'Unreal Estate 4: Concerning Hobbits' print by Nakatomi Inc. artist Tim Doyle. This is definitely one for the wall.

The last three items were all Harry Potter themed. First was a pretty slick looking keychain of the Hogwarts School crest. Next was a very very cool film cell bookmark. The film cell I got had a scene between Harry and Voldemort squaring off face-to-face. The last item in this month's box was an awesome ShirtPunch 'Deathly Hallows' T-Shirt. This was a very solid box, and if it weren't for the high cost of shipping, I'd probably be sticking with this box. Unfortunately, I think this was a one-time purchase.

Inside this month's box:

- 6" Daenerys Targaryen 6" Funko Legacy Figure (1 of 6)
- Exclusive Neverending Story Notebook
- Unreal Estate 4:Concerning Hobbits Print by Tim Doyle
- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Crest Keychain
- ShirtPunch 'Deathly Hallows' T-Shirt
- Harry Potter Film Cell Bookmark

Unboxing January's Star Wars: Smuggler's Bounty Box: Resistance

The second Smuggler's Bounty box arrived on my doorstep a day after I received an e-mail telling me that it had shipped. Talk about light speed! As much as I loved the first one, this box was supposed to be the make-or-break for me. I'm trying to keep my subscription box addiction to a minimum, so I had told myself that if I didn't like this one, I'd suspend my subscription and pick and choose which boxes I ordered depending on the theme. After receiving this box, as much as I dug it, I may pass up the next one.

This month's box came with an exclusive flocked Cewbacca POP! figure and I am in love with it! This is my second flocked POP! after the Hot Topic Simba I received as a gift and I'm really into them. Next up were a very cool BB-8 patch and Poe Dameron pin. I'm definitely going to be using these on something at some point. The box also came with an exclusive POP! tee featuring all your favorite Resistance characters from 'The Force Awakens.' There were three colors (grey, black, and blue), which were sent out at random; I received the black shirt.

The last piece in the box was a C-3PO POP! mug. It comes with a red handle to represent C-3PO's red arm in 'The Force Awakens.' I'm not really a mug person and I got a Starlord one in my last Collector's Corps box, so as neat as it looks, this is probably going to go to someone who'll appreciate it more. It's the first Star Wars item in the Funko Home line and no other products have as yet been announced, so this may be the only Star Wars POP! Home item we get. Overall this was a great box, but I just get too many subscription boxes as it is and I want to try out Funko's upcoming 'Legion of Collectors' DC box (ugh, that name).

Inside this month's box:

- Poe Dameron Pin
- BB-8 Iron-on Patch
- Resistance POP! T-Shirt
- C-3PO POP! Mug
- Flocked Chewbacca POP! Figure

Unboxing January's Loot Crate: Invasion

The first Loot Crate of 2016 has arrived, and with it comes change. Loot Crate announced that each crate will include a T-Shirt and a cloisonné collector pin that "unlocks something epic." I didn't  usually keep the buttons, but if they continue sending out pins as cool as this month's, I'm going to have a big collection. Now this may be me, but this month's magazine seemed to have a bit more content in it than previous ones. January's theme, 'Invasion,' coincides with tonight's premiere of the X-Files six-episode event. I was a HUGE fan of the series and watched them as they aired, so this crate was very very exciting for me.

It contained TWO X-Files exclusives- the first was an exclusive T-shirt, with a design chosen through a contest collaboration between Loot Crate and Threadless. The second exclusive X-Files item was an awesome LED flashlight, and they also threw in a pack of batteries. The exclusives didn't stop there, either! Also included were a Space Invaders vinyl figure, Alien Face hugger plush, The Fifth Element prop replica Multi Pass, "Invasion" mini art prints, and pin. The pin unlocks a copy of the first issue of "Letter 44" from Oni Press on Comixology. Overall, a very impressive start to the new year!

Inside this month's box:

- Exclusive X-Files "The Day Has Come" T-Shirt (Threadless)
- Exclusive X-Files LED flashlight (Loot Crate Labs)
- Exclusive Alien Facehugger Plush (Kidrobot)
- Exclusive Space Invaders Vinyl Figure (A Crowded Coop)
- Exclusive The Fifth Element Prop Replica Multi Pass
- Exclusive "Invasion" Mini Art Prints
- Loot Pin with Digital Comic Download

Get Ready to Fall in Love with 'Jonesy'

This February, award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is smitten with Jonesy, the new limited series from heartbreakers Sam Humphries (Legendary Star-Lord, Weirdworld) and Caitlin Rose Boyle (Buck n’ Lou & the Night Crew). Perfect for fans of Giant Days, Scott Pilgrim, and the new Archie, this lighthearted comedy features a teen cupid in plaid who misuses her “love powers” as she tries to find her place in high school.

“Jonesy is one of those comics that just brings a smile to your face,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Sam and Caitlin have created a fresh, relatable group of characters that fit right into the BOOM! Box family alongside Lumberjanes and Giant Days, which means we can promise hilarious shenanigans, a great story, and beautiful art!”

Jonesy is a self-described “cool dork” who spends her time making zines nobody reads, watching anime, and listening to riot grrrl bands and 1D simultaneously. But she has a secret nobody knows: she has the power to make people fall in love! Anyone, with anything. She’s a cupid in plaid. There’s only one catch—it doesn’t work on herself. She’s gonna have to find love the old-fashioned way, and in the meantime, figure out how to distract herself from the real emotions she inevitably has to face when her powers go wrong.

“Jonesy, like Giant Days, is the kind of series that would have kept me, as a teen, running back to the comic shop every month,” said Editor Shannon Watters. “I’m so pleased that BOOM! Box is able to bring it to all of you.”

Jonesy #1 (of 4) arrives in comic shops on February 10th with a main cover by series artist Caitlin Rose Boyle for the price of $3.99. Announced earlier, a second “Final Order Cutoff” variant cover by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Seconds, Scott Pilgrim) & Jason Fischer (Seconds) is available. Also available in a limited quality is a retailer incentive cover by Lissa Treiman (Giant Days).

Star Wars Card Trader Debuts New Base Cards

The Star Wars Card Trader app from Topps recently dropped a new set of base cards. For those that aren't familiar, the Star Wars Card Trader is a digital trading card app that lets you collect and trade cards with fellow fans. There are thousands of cards drawn from almost 40 years of Star Wars history to collect and trade. Checking into the app daily will earn you enough credits for up 5 free packs of cards a day. You can also earn free credits by watching videos or you can purchase them, which gives you access to special cards not available in the free packs.

The new base cards feature characters from the original and prequel trilogies, as well as Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, and The Force Awakens. I like the look of this new set as opposed to the last version of base cards. They've removed the colored borders around the cards, though white, blue, and red versions are still available to collect. With the release of the new set, I have dropped down to only 11% of total cards collected. That's with the 9,000+ cards in my collection (I do have a lot are duplicates). It's making it much harder to collect them all with the constant release of new base cards and inserts as well as re-releases of vintage cards. But that's where the fun comes from, right? Download the app to your mobile device and get your collection started today!

Saban Brands and Nucleus Debut 'Power Rangers' Exhibit to Celebrate New BOOM! Studios Comic

To celebrate the release of its new Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic, award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios has teamed up with Nucleus and Saban Brands for the Power Rangers Official Tribute Exhibition. For this unique fan event, Nucleus will be curating brand-new tribute art work along with rarely seen production art from the original TV show. The exhibit will run at Gallery Nucleus January 16 - January 31, 2016.

 

EXHIBITION LOCATION

Gallery Nucleus

210 E. Main Street

Alhambra, CA 91801

 

A reception open to all fans will be held on the evening of January 16th, featuring:

 

◦6 - 7pm Media / VIP hour

◦7pm doors open

◦FREE ADMISSION, Open to the public, No RSVP, all ages welcomed

◦First 100 attendees get a FREE door prize

  

◦Purchase any Power Rangers exclusive print and be entered to win a FREE #0 White Ranger cover

◦Purchase any Power Ranger-related items from the Nucleus shop and be entered in hourly raffle giveaways

◦Signatures will be limited to the first 200 guests who purchase any Power Rangers-related items

◦Food truck on site

◦Costumed Red and Pink Stunt Rangers in attendance

◦Writers Kyle Higgins and Mairghread Scott will be on hand to autograph a limited number of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #0 copies. Other special guests to be announced

◦Limited-edition Nucleus Exclusive Power Ranger prints to be released on opening night

◦Special Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 bundle pack will be available on opening night (while supplies last)

◦Official Power Rangers pop-up shop from Jan 16 - 31 only

 

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 from BOOM! Studios arrives in comic shops on January 13th, featuring seven intermixed Power Ranger covers illustrated by Spectrum Award-Nominated artist Goñi Montes (RoboCop), including the rare 1-in-50 Green Ranger cover and the ultra-rare 1-in-100 White Ranger cover. It is written by Kyle Higgins (Batman Eternal, Nightwing) and illustrated by Hendry Prasetya (Green Lantern, Power Girl). This issue also includes the short story from the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics by Mairghread Scott (Toil and Trouble, Transformers: Windblade) and Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Dragons), and the first installment of a Bulk and Skull-centric adventure by Steve Orlando (Midnighter) and Corin Howell (Ben 10).

The Divergent Series: Allegiant Teaser

The third installment of the blockbuster Divergent series franchise, ALLEGIANT takes Tris [Shailene Woodley] and Four [Theo James] into a new world, far more dangerous than ever before.

After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.

Chill with the Coolest Guy in Ooo in the KaBOOM! Limited Series 'Adventure Time: Ice King'

This January, KaBOOM!, an award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network, are pleased to present the six-issue limited series Adventure Time: Ice King. Storytellers Emily Partridge (Adventure Time) and Pranas Naujokaitis (Uncle Grandpa), along with artist Natalie Andrewson (Lumberjanes), focus on one of the most tragic and hilarious characters in the Land of Ooo in an exciting new adventure that really shows what makes the Ice King tick.

 

The Ice King has always been there, kidnapping princesses, messing with Finn and Jake, and generally being a weirdo. But there’s way more to him than that! He’s a deep, thoughtful person with a heart full of love! Or...maybe he just really wants to marry a princess. Either way, this is one journey the citizens of Ooo aren’t likely to forget!

 

“The Ice King is one of the strangest and most intriguing characters in Adventure Time,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “The more we learn about him, the more questions we have! Emily, Pranas, and Natalie will be giving us a closer look at this character as they join us for our first Ice King-centric series!”

 

Ice King wakes up one morning to find Gunter missing and a ransom note from someone called Dark Magister Templi Marble! Panicking over his sweet Gunter, Ice King goes to Wizard City to find help and discovers the coolest, most intimidating secret society of wizards who are also looking for Marble.

KaBOOM!'s award-winning Adventure Time comics are based on the hit Cartoon Network original series. From the mind of series creator Pendleton Ward and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, Adventure Time follows the unlikely heroes Finn and Jake, best buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants—and always find themselves in the middle of heart-pounding escapades.

 

Adventure Time: Ice King #1 (of 6) arrives in comic shops on January 20th with a main cover by the original Adventure Time comic artists Shelli Paroline & Braden Lamb for the price of $3.99. Also available in a limited quantity is a subscription variant by Corin Howell and a retailer incentive cover by Wyeth Yates.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in this reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England.  Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is a master of martial arts and weaponry and the handsome Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper class prejudice.  As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield in order to conquer the undead once and for all.

Batman v Superman Die Cast Figure from Jada

Batman v Superman figures started hitting shelves on January 1st and are already quickly being scooped up by collectors. Wonder Woman figures are already proving ridiculously hard to find. I went into a Toys R Us thinking I'd be able to pick one up and was sadly mistaken. There was not one Wonder Woman to be found, but I did pick up an Armored Batman die cast metal figure from Jada.

The stylized design reminded me of a Funko POP! figure, and you all know how much I love those. The box didn't lie, unlike a vinyl Funko figure, this guy is pretty darn heavy. He's not all metal though; he's plastic from the waist down and so is his cape. Still, this is one hefty figure that carries a reasonable $9.99 price tag.

Except for a waist that can twist back and forth, this guy has no articulation. Not that I'm complaining, I'm okay with that. Though I think it's odd that his arms don't also move up and down. But, he's going to be standing next to my POP! figures, so it doesn't bother me at all. There's also a Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Batman/Superman 2-pack available. 

Armored Batman next to a Funko POP! figure

BOOM! Studios Launches Power Rangers Publishing Program with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0

If you were a kid in the early ’90s, chances are Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series had a significant impact on your childhood. The iconic superhero franchise is a multi-generational, globally recognized pop-culture phenomenon and has seen continued success for more than 22 years. This coming January, award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is partnering with Saban Brands to bring the fun and adventure of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers team to modern day with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0, written by Kyle Higgins (Batman Eternal, Nightwing) and illustrated by Hendry Prasetya (Green Lantern, Power Girl).

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which first premiered in 1993, is a live-action children’s television series about a group of ordinary teenagers who “morph” into superheroes to save the world from evil. Each Ranger is identifiable by their individual Ranger colors: Jason the Red Ranger, Zack the Black Ranger, Trini the Yellow Ranger, Billy the Blue Ranger and Kimberly the Pink Ranger. A sixth member, Tommy the Green Ranger, joins later in the series. Since Mighty Morphin Power Rangers debuted, Saban’s Power Rangers series has continuously aired on television, with the upcoming 23rd season, Power Rangers Dino Super Charge, premiering in early 2016. BOOM!’s comic series will focus exclusively on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and appeal especially to super fans who grew up watching the show in the ‘90s.

Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers make their BOOM! Studios comic debut in this kick-off #0 issue, which sets the stage for the rest of the series. After escaping Rita Repulsa’s mind control, Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, joins the rest of the Power Rangers to combat her never-ending evil plans. Any semblance of a normal life is now gone for Tommy, but with his newfound family there lies hope for a brighter path. This issue also includes the short story from the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics by Mairghread Scott (Toil and Trouble, Transformers: Windblade) and Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Dragons), and the first installment of a Bulk and Skull-centric adventure by Steve Orlando (Midnighter) and Corin Howell (Ben 10).

“We’ve been teasing this launch for a while now, so it’s nice to finally unveil some of the big plans we have in store for the fans,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We’ve worked to create something that is fun and fresh, yet still carries the authenticity of the original Power Rangers series we grew up loving and continue to be fans of today. We’re exploring one of our favorite Ranger’s toughest times and doing it in a way that we, as fans ourselves, are excited to dig deeper into.”

“The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers served as a launching pad for the now global Power Rangers franchise and it’s been exciting to see it come full circle through our partnership with BOOM! Studios,” said Marcy George, VP of Global Consumer Product for Saban Brands. “BOOM! has brought on notable artists, including Paul Pope and Kevin Wada, to bring to life these iconic characters. It will be fascinating for fans to explore completely new adventures through the comic books and learn more about the original team of Power Rangers.”

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 arrives in comic shops on January 13th for $3.99. There will be a collection of seven intermixed Ranger covers by Spectrum Award-Nominated artist Goñi Montes (RoboCop), including the 1-in-50 Green Ranger cover and the ultra rare 1-in-100 White Ranger cover.