I picked up the February 2016 Comic Block based on the indication that this was grandfathering me to the extra-large Comic Block, with the current pricing. The advertising for this was slightly deceptive, as the box that arrived was the same small box as normal. The assumption is, therefore, that the larger box begins shipping next month.
Despite that, the current offer for Comic Block is always interesting, with three comics, an exclusive T-Shirt and a further comic related item (usually an exclusive) sent to your door every month. And, normally at least one of the comics carries an exclusive cover.
The current price, subject to changes with the larger box size, is $26.49 USD (£20 GBP). That price includes the postage to the UK.
Shipping from Canada to the UK was decent, taking around a week, with the final stretch delivered by the UK’s Royal Mail.
Box Contents
The Joker T-Shirt (Exclusive)
This is a good print and it’s an exclusive Shirt Punch design as usual. The Joker’s face here makes a striking image.
The T-Shirts in Comic Block are normally some of the best out of all of the Nerd Block family of boxes.
I value this at the T-Shirt standard of $10 USD.
Hellboy Winter Special (Exclusive Cover)
This is a Dark Horse Comics release and it is a one-shot comic (single issue series).
This contains four stories, including one from the companion series, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953.
This comic did arrive bagged and boarded, but unfortunately with the useless sealed bags, requiring this to be cut open.
I’ve never read Hellboy before but I’ll give it a go.
There is no price with the exclusive cover, but the regular version costs $3.99 USD.
Hellboy And The B.P.R.D.: 1953 Beyond The Fences #1
The second Hellboy comic in the same block. Let’s hope that I enjoy them.
This is part of an ongoing spin-off series and this is the first issue of a new story arc.
The cover price for this one is $3.50 USD.
Deadpool Mercs For Money #1
I already received this Marvel comic in the February 2016 Cosmic Toy Box.
The other version had a variant cover. This is the main cover release, with a cover price of $3.99 USD.
This is an extra-thick issue, as it also contains a reprint of Spidey #1 taking up the second half of the issue.
On the plus side, this is the only one of the three comics that has a reusable bag with it.
POW! Pin (Exclusive)
This is inspired by the Batman TV show of the 1960s.
Nice enough as pins go, but the comic related items in Comic Block tend to be rather limited.
I value this as my standard rate for these badges and pins of $2 USD.
More from this box: all our Comic Block reviews.
Box Review
The value of contents here work out at a slight loss. I make that $23.48 USD of value, about $3 USD less than the cost price.
Putting that aside, the contents are all decent, with a very respectable T-Shirt included and some interesting comics. I do think that this would have benefited from one more exclusive cover.
I will stick around next month to get the grandfathered rate for Comic Block and to see if the newly enhanced box offers any improvements. I’m still waiting for a box that has one of the long-promised graphics novels in.
Comic Block is a great way to try new comics, but the same “extra value” seen in other boxes is often missing from here.
Comic Block has since stopped running, so the subscription link that originally sat here has been retired. You can still browse every Comic Block review on this site.
