After our preview back in January we had practically forgotten that this lovely would be landing on our new office doorstep on April 27th! What landed, of course, is the initial merger between Marvel and Funko called the Marvel Collector Corps Box. It is a once-every-other-month subscription service and promises exclusives in every box - each with a special t-shirt (different styles will be sent to different people randomly in the size you choose). Though these are exclusives nothing in the box is limited too much, nor in any numbered editions (perhaps they will in the future?). Judging by the images I've seen on their Facebook page they shipped a stockload of these out to the craving masses.
If you have questions before you decide to subscribe (and Yes, you can still get in on the initial box) you can visit their FAQs page. Upon arrival I was pleased to see two things: first the box was a fairly nice scale and second, it came in a nice hefty insulated box to protect the contents of this debut. Not to mention the dynamic graphics as well - it's Captain America! They promise no filler, so let's have a look inside and see if they deliver the goods, shall we?!
"You Have Joined The Marvel Collector Corps" greets you as you pull back the cardboard box cover, revealing an inner cardboard protective "level" which showcases a nice looking Ultron patch - fierce! You'll also notice the inner comic prints on the inside of the box (a nice added touch). And a commemorative Capt. America metal pin which you can see better in this close-up.
I don't wear pins, though I used to cover my jackets with them back in the day. Now I have them all in a single box, and maybe one day I will make a framed display of them as a group - it will be quite a motley crew. This one is sharp.
And this is the t-shirt I got (as it was packaged and opened). And I already am wearing it as I type. It is super-comfy, made by Flophouse and is a 90/10 cotton/poly blend. I really like the old school boxing match-up style graphic and the dual color - I don't have another t-shirt like it. There is no graphic on the back of this heather gray t-shirt. The screenprint is made to look old and slightly worn, but it's just for graphic sake - and I like that hint. Bring on the Avengers!
Though this is supposed to be mostly a mystery box, the Corps let this one slip prematurely on their social media - just kept us waiting until now to peel back the pages and start the series...the artwork is colorfully eye-popping on this 001 Variant Edition - of which we will surely see others for this particular comic. Though look at all those rocking the cover, even Groot is getting in on it on this Guardians Team-Up. It is not bag/backed like other boxes have done which is a slight demerit here.
And of course, the piece-de-resistance, the Funko Hulkbuster (73) in a more slimline box than we have seen in the 6" line of Pop!s. But he is a super-fine and detailed figure and this exclusive looks metal, and feels it too, surely the weightiest figure in the line. It's a great figure.
With this box coming in at about $32 w/tax + shipping - it is a fairly nice investment in quality goods. If you are an Avengers fan and collect Pop! figures - this one is truly essential. For the sake of time I did not unbox him just yet (watch for that elsewhere - probably all over the social networks by now).
And lastly, probably the nicest surprise of all - one of the new Funko/Marvel Dorbz figures - this reviewers first. And it's an exclusive to this set only - and it's Ultron! Check him out....
The Dorbz figure is a lil' smaller than I expected them to be, but it is awfully cute in a size somewhere in between a Pop! and a Mystery Mini series. That said, the paint looks as though it is actually printed because it is geometric and precise. Like the Pop! format with its showcase style - these attempt to make the figures almost all look smirking or smiling with squinted eyes. Very animated.
RATING
Design/Packaging: 9/10
Contents/Value: 8/10
Cool Factor: 8.5/10
Room For Improvement/Suggestions: We realize the popularity of both the fanbases of both Funko and Marvel, though resting on thouse laurels simply wouldn't keep the thrust of innovation moving forward. I'm unsure if I "feel" that the value is over $50 here, even if you just hand me a list price and say call it a day. I was hoping for at least one additional "wow me" moment. And there was still room in the box - but I'm like it didn't have filler, so they stuck to their word. What might have been cool is something like a coupon for 50% off two tickets at some participating theaters, or a baseball hat or a mini. Even a scratch card sweepstakes to win some bigger, grander item? All said, this was a wonderfully welcome first effort and here's looking forward to the film later in the week!
PREVIEW: January 29, 2015
THIS JUST IN from Marvel.com: In an exciting joint announcement from Funko and Marvel, and with all the mystery boxes popping up here and there, a new one is being born! Check out the official Marvel Collectibles subscription service featuring Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Funko has collaborated with Marvel to build a first-of-its-kind subscription box service -- Marvel Collector Corps -- featuring 100% exclusive collectibles, apparel and accessories from some of the biggest events in the Marvel movie and comic book universe. The debut box ships in April and will feature items from Marvel’s 'Avengers: Age of Ultron,' including an exclusive 6” Iron Man Hulkbuster Pop! vinyl collectible only available through Marvel Collector Corps. The box contents also include a T-shirt featuring one of four exclusive designs, an additional stylized vinyl collectible and two premium accessories. The box represents over $50 of value.
*** The debut box will be the ONLY place you will find the Hulkbuster 6" Super-Size Pop! ***
Boxes will ship every two months and Marvel’s 'Ant-Man' will be featured in the June box.
The service includes two levels:
Basic Collector level
Founder level
Marvel Collector Corps celebrates the dedicated Marvel fan and intends to create a new Marvel Collector elite! Customers who sign up for the Founders program, which includes a six-box subscription, will receive an exclusive Founder Statue on the 12-month anniversary of their first box shipment. As long as their membership does not lapse, Founders will continue to receive a new exclusive figure every year on their anniversary. The Marvel Collector Corps service from Funko is available for $25 per box, and fans can signup now at here. #collectorcorps
Keep in mind that multiple subscriptions may not be purchased at the same time. With shipping (and tax) it's about $34, for the annual edition (that's 6 boxes) it comes to about $191, though in addition to the boxes you also receive a Free Annual Gift (an 8" Founders Figure). They have also just started a blog, so you can check back for more as it grows.
The prototype for the Funko Hulkbuster you'll find in the new Marvel Collector Corps box!
Taken from IGN News.
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