There’s a clear overlap between fans of comic books and people who buy geek subscription boxes. That seems to be the audience that Nerd Block are going after with the launch of their latest monthly offering, Comic Block.
I’m a moderate fan of comics, but generally like the Nerd Block offerings, so decided to go for the debut box from Comic Block. The box promised a collection of comics, as well as a T-Shirt and all provided at a price point lower than the main Nerd Block range.
The standard price for Comic Block, paid on a rolling monthly subscription, is $13.99 USD plus shipping. For the UK, that’s a total of $26.49 USD (£18 GBP) including shipping.
As usual with this company, delivery to the UK was fast, taking around one week from the dispatch email. The block was delivered in a stylish box, slightly smaller than the regular Nerd Block box, presumably designed around the usual comic size.
All the items arrived in excellent condition, with comics boarded and bagged.
Box Contents
Worst Shirt Ever Simpsons T-Shirt (Exclusive)
This is possibly my favourite T-Shirt ever received in a box of this type. I value T-Shirts at $10 USD (although the information card within the box suggests $20 USD).
Batman Collectible Art Print (Exclusive)
A cool looking print. No artist listed on the information card, although there are initials included in the print corner.
As this is really just a piece of cardboard (which would look good framed), I’m going to value this at $5 USD, which is around the starting price for Batman prints on Amazon.com. You could make an argument for a higher price point.
Marvel Secret Wars #1 (Exclusive Variant)
I got a different variant cover for this eight issue mini series inside this month’s Zavvi ZBox and I believe that there are more doing the subscription box rounds.
Cover price is $4.99 USD.
DC Action Comics Convergence #1
This is the one item which I don’t believe is an exclusive. This is first of a two issues series, cover price $3.99 USD, bringing together versions of DC heroes from multiple universes. Looks like a good read.
Image Comics Mythic #1
This is a comic series I know very little about, with a supernatural, fantasy and magical theme. I’ve never ventured far into Image Comics, but this one again has potential.
There’s no cover price shown on this one, but the standard cover is listed elsewhere at $1.99.
More from this box: all our Comic Block reviews.
Box Review
I really like this box – much more than I thought I would. Comic Block was a lot of fun to unbox and there is excellent value for money here.
From my raw figures, I get $26 USD of value for around the same price delivered. That may be being uncharitable, as I know that variant covers and exclusive items can carry a premium. If you’re within US or Canada, you’ll be slightly ahead after shipping is considered.
The main winner for me is the T-Shirt, which is exactly the style I like and comes from one of my favourite TV series. I think that this is the first The Simpsons item I’ve ever had in a box and I’d like to see more from that show, as well as similar areas like Family Guy. I would have thought that there was a decent crossover audience with the geek subscription box type of buyer.
Where I’m a little disappointed is that the advertising copy suggested that there would be graphic novels (but perhaps not every month). I think that Comic Block does need to deliver a graphic novel next month.
Another good point about the box is providing comics from each of Marvel, DC and Image, as well as the variation across established superheroes and exposing new comics. I appreciate that this type of exposure also ties in with the marketing and advertising strategy of each company, in the same way that Free Comic Book day each year sees lots of comics being given away as loss leaders to try and encourage new paid readers down the line.
One risk is of this subscription is getting lots of first issues of comics, but never seeing a series. I do hope that Comic Block can address this by establishing some continuity in these boxes.
With all said, I will be buying Comic Block again. The price is reasonable and I’ve enjoyed the contents. If you like comics, or want to get into them, Comic Block has a lot to offer.
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.
