Comicboxer Subscription Box Review – July 2015
Comicboxer is a comic subscription box that sends 5-7 of the month’s hottest comic books from DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Boom Studios, IDW, Dynamite, Dark Horse, and more. This is our first box.
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Comicboxer
The Cost: $27.99
The Products: 5-7 comic books from publishers like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Boom Studios, IDW, Dynamite, Dark Horse, and more.
Ships to: Worldwide!
Before we get to the comics, I wanted to highlight how well they are packaged. Everything is encased in bubblewrap, and all five comics were not only bagged and boarded, but shipped together with an extra bag that fit all 5 comics for extra protection. I was impressed!
It comes with a letter outlining this month’s comic selections.
Here are this month’s selections. I flew through all 5 comics this afternoon, and absolutely loved all five. Please note that I’ll be using the prices on the issues of the comics for value.
Batman #41 – Value $3.99
This is a series I want to catch back up on. I read the first 5 volumes (LOVE Court of Owls) but trailed off. I honestly think the Synder+Capullo combo creates my favorite Batman. I won’t spoil storylines, but while this isn’t a #1, it is a sort of intro into the next phase of the Batman franchise. I highly recommend this run!
Broken World #1 – Value $3.99
For me, this is one of the real reasons why I’m loving comic boxes, introduction of a new comic to binge! This was a fantastic read, with great graphics – very excited to find and read the remainder of the series.
Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1 – Value $3.99
This one does not disappoint as well. I have a hard time keeping up with all the storylines of Secret Wars, so it’s nice to get 2 issues this month that introduce storylines that I have not followed. It doesn’t hurt that we get an appearances from one of my favorite Spidey villains!
Justice League of America #1 – Value $5.99
This is a thicker, more glossy, book than the rest. We also received this issue in Power Up Box this month, but with a different cover. I hadn’t read it yet, so I jumped in and gave it a shot – while it was probably the least favorite of the 5, it was still a good read.
Weirdworld #1 – Value $3.99
Here’s the other Secret Wars run this month. The thing that hit me first was the unique, and beautiful, visual style of this comic – so it made it even better that this issues was autographed by the illustrator Mike Del Mundo! I will absolutely continue reading this storyline!
Here’s a closer look at the autograph!
And it comes with a COA for the autograph.
One more thing to note – in both Marvel issues you received a voucher for a free digital copy of Secret Wars Civil War #1! Sound familiar, yep – we received that in this month’s Geek Fuel.
Batman Batsuit Blueprint – Value $5?
Wasn’t sure how to value this one, but it is an official DC Comics blueprint! It’s a really nice tie in with Batman #41. Read the issue and you’ll have a better appreciation for the blueprint!
There were a couple of other small items as well, including some info cards. It also included an intro into a Cosplay Fan Box and a coupon to save 10% on your first box.
Verdict: The total value of the items come in right around the cost of the box, so that’s good. For me, the real value in this box is all about curation and intros in to new storylines that I would have not found myself. It’s a really nice option for discovering new reads, and I’m excited to see what I’m in for next month!
Do you subscribe to Comicboxer?
Written by Eric Cadman
I like comics but the value is way more than you’d pay going to the store, especially with a pull list. The bonus items are just free swag so I can’t understand the value and I just don’t know that it makes sense to let other people pick out your comics. How hard is it to go to the store?
Personally, I’m with you. The value of the comics themselves is under the cost of the box (signature not withstanding.)
My main concern is jumping into the middle of a storyline. Most comics aren’t one-shots anymore, so pulling single issues seems like you’ll find yourself in the middle of a story.
But if they’re doing a good job of avoiding that, I can definitely see how this box would be good for people looking to get back into comics- and for the comic industry in general. More readership is a good thing!
For ME, it’s not a match. I would be interested in a box that sent two or three trades so I could get at least a good chunk of a storyline, though. (But then I kinda prefer reading via trades. They’re easier to store (bookshelf!) and find when you want to read them again.)
The graphic novel box that might work for you (and would be fun to see reviewed here) is Comic Bento (www.comicbento.com). Their monthly plans start at $20/month plus shipping (cheaper for long-term sign-ups) and get you a themed box containing usually four graphic novels. August’s theme is “Explosions!”
Pretty cool box. My nephew and I share LootCrate and I do believe this might just be our next box to share. Thanks for the review! And YES that does mean I’m helping to give the poor kid a heavy dose of nerdy fun every month. 😛 But hey, it’s such fun, isn’t it
Glad to see ComicBoxer on here! I got this box too, and where I didn’t get the Batman blueprints, I received a Black Canary band poster instead! You’re right, it’s all about the curating for these boxes, and these guys are doing a great job!
That sticker for Gotham Academy is cute! I just got into that series and am sad that I have to wait till next march to read the second volume! 🙁
Thanks for reviewing this one. I’ve been on the fence with this box because I wasn’t sure about the value, but I’m thinking I’ll have to try it.