2021 Topps Update Hanger Box

2021 Topps Update:  Had to pick some of this up.  This nod to 1992 isn't my favorite design but a logo could change my mind on that.  Still I like this Bryce Harper photo so we'll kick it off with the recently named 2021 National League MVP.

Had to get that great throwback uni from the World Champion Braves in there.  It'll be interesting to see where Marcus Semien goes after a monster year for the Blue Jays.

This is a foil parallel but no clue what kind.  It isn't numbered.

As you'd expect there are plenty of rookies included in this set to include Rookie Debut cards.

This is the back of Ian Anderson's debut card.  In addition to his impressive first start he also had a great start for the Braves during Atlanta's win over the Astros in the World Series.

Not the best Yadi photo.  I do like the 1986 inserts as part of their 35th Anniversary.  While it is a somewhat boring design it looks better on modern cardboard.

The Reds and Padres cards are checklist cards while the Kevin Pillar card is a orange foil parallel #/299.  Not a bad box. I prefer the inserts over all the rookies and players on new teams but other collectors are fans of that I know.

BREAKDOWN:
67 – Total Cards
21 – RC
4 - 1992
4 – Rookie Debut
2 - Checklist
1 - 1986
1 – Foil Parallel
1 – 70 Years of Topps
1 – Orange Foil Parallel #/299
1 – RC/Rookie Debut/Topps All-Star Rookie

2021 Absolute Football

 2021 Absolute Football: Found these at a Target when I was out of town.  I've liked some of the past releases and the strings being incorporated in the design works for me.  We'll kick it off with Stefon Diggs of my Bills.  Hope the win against the Saints on Thursday can get him and the offense back on track.  

This year's design is one I like as well.  Hits all the marks sans the player's position.  I initially thought there was two much white but nope - the mix of white and color works for me.

Plenty of youngsters as nine of the 20 cards are rookies.  You'll see them in both their team or college unis.  These cards are also silver foil which is why they scan so dark. 

The backs are okay considering they have the bare minimum stats.  That James Robinson is a Red Squares parallel #/499.  Not a bad pack of cards.  I might get more if I see them on the shelves based on the design.  Would like to see more than 20 cards in a pack though.  Enjoy your football day.

BREAKDOWN:
20 – Total Cards
9 – RC
3 – Green Parallel
1 – Red Zone
1 – Star Gazing
1 – Red Squares Parallel #/499

Masters of the Universe: Revelation Action Figures

 Masters of the Universe: Revelation: I'm a big fan of this animated series by Netflix as is my grandson who I picked up these figures for.  They are from wave one of the action figures.  The current series is a different take on MOTU that has these really cool figures.

Probably my favorite figure.  He just really looks good and what I'd expect from Skeletor.

Moss Man is the grandson's favorite figure.  He comes with a cool "branch" arm great for taking out adversaries. 

He-Man is a good looking figure.  His sword and shield are great compliments and he works well in the group.

Evil-Lyn is my favorite character in the series and her figure with the white hair is right there with Skeletor amongst these figures. Something about that look is too cool.

Chillin like villians...

These are fun figures and Mattel did a really good job matching them to the series.  I'll post a review of the series as soon as I finish season two.  Had to show these guys off before they get too much "battle damage" courtesy of the grandson.  Check out the series and these figures when you get the chance. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Saw this one with the six year-old grandson yesterday and it was a good and fun movie.  It is approved by the six year-old and the other kids in the theater who all had plenty of laugh out loud moments.  For adults it moved quickly and I found it an easy watch.  It's definitely a kid's movie but parents won't find themselves regretting being in the theater.

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Contenders Basketball

 2020-2021 Contenders Basketball: Happy Thanksgiving!  Back to this favorite brand of mine and one of my favorite players in the NBA today.   The son of Arvydas Sabonis is his own man in today's game. He's a two-time all-star and averaging 18 PPG and 11 PPG while shooting 57% a game this season.

Another great pull which is to be expected with the small checklist.  Can't wait to see Klay Thompson get back on the court and you have to wonder how much better the best team in the league, the Golden State Warriors at 11-2, will be when he does.

I do like the Game Night inserts.

More great players and this was a really good pack.  I'll continue to show off these packs once a month until I get through the 12 I picked up in July. Have a great Turkey Day and hope everyone gets to enjoy a good food coma.

BREAKDOWN:
22 – Total Cards
1 – Game Night
1 – Red Parallel
1 – 2020 Draft Class
1 – Green Game Ticket Parallel

Eternals

Eternals: Got to see this one with the daughter and we enjoyed it.  A good gauge was the fact that the 2 1/2 hour movie didn't seem that long when it ended.  With the characters all being new there was plenty of character development but also good action sequences.  Eternals also brings good characters to the Marvel Universe.  Now whether or not we'll see them again or how is another story.  As of now the film has made over $335M worldwide but is that enough to justify a sequel in Marvel's eyes?   I think there is plenty of room for these newcomers but I don't get Marvel's vision for this phase of movies.  I don't see anything connecting them all like the Avengers phase did.  We'll see.  Again I liked Eternals and it can be fun if taken for what it is.

 

Ghostbusters Afterlife (2021) - NO Spoilers

Ghostbusters Afterlife:  I really enjoyed this movie and so did the six year-old grandson who was playing Ghostbusters as soon as we got home.  The kids really are the star of this movie but the movie does a great job honoring the origins.  And seeing Ecto-1 was still a great moment even though we knew it was coming. I thought the actors did a great job and the story moved well.  I will admit I may have missed some of the finer points with the grandsons there but I do know I was entertained.  I look forward to seeing it again when I can give it 100% of my attention and see what I might have missed.  I highly recommend it to everyone.

Random Wax: 2020 Contenders Football

2020 Contenders Football: You know I enjoy this brand and I understand I may be on an island with that.  I'll kick off this pack, which I picked up in January, with Patrick Mahomes which makes any card look good. He may be struggling some this year but anyone would be more than happy with him under center for their NFL team or fantasy team for that matter.

I do admit this year's design has a glaring issue in that they only leave about one third of the card for the photo.  Fail.  Outside of that I do like the design and that the area behind the player isn't plain white but actually shows the background.

I'll take a Christian McCaffrey card any day though this design is not a winner for me.  I do like the MVP Contenders which is made that much better with having Matty Ice on it. 

Jake Fromm probably won't see the field in any meaningful minutes but he's still shows up on this Rookie of the Year insert.  Always good seeing retired greats in these sets.  Can't see it here but that Mean Joe Green is an emerald parallel.

Even with the design issues this was a fun pack.  Grabbing Mahomes, McCaffrey and Josh Allen make it a win.  

BREAKDOWN:
 22 – Total Cards
1 – Retired Great
1 – Winning Ticket
1 – MVP Contenders
1 – Rookie of the Year Contenders
1 – Legendary Contenders Emerald Parallel

 

2021 Slam Attax Alexa Bliss (Blue) Multipack

2021 Slam Attax: This was part of my Topps UK purchase back in July.  I first noticed the Slam Attax cards last year and this year I picked up some of the 2021 cards directly from their site.  With this Alexa Bliss multipack you get a a bronze, silver, gold or platinum blue Bliss card.  I pulled a silver. Alexa Bliss is my favorite wrestler so it was fun seeing something like this offered.

The cards have plenty of color and I like the design.  Slam Attax is a card game and due to copyright issues it can't be produced in the US.  While these are available from Topps UK the shipping from England isn't cheap and will take a while.  Six weeks for my order.  

Different types of cards make this fun.  

One oversized "Stone Cold" Steve Austin card is included.  These are really big and maybe three times the size of a regular card.  

You'll get to see plenty of stars from the US as well as the UK.  

Championship card.

These are fun.  They have a unique design specific to the game of course but it works for me.  Also plenty of variety and star power in the set.  I'll definitely look out for these again next year.  And we get a Hulk Hogan appearance.

BREAKDOWN: 
30 – Total Cards
2 – Bro Booster
2 – PPV Booster
1 - Factions
1 – Finisher
1 – Legends
1 – Super Rare
1 – Oversized
1 – NXT Heroes
1 - Championships
1 – UK NXT Heroes
1 – Limited Edition Silver
1 – Firefly Funhouse Puppets

1991-1992 Topps Stadium Club Hockey

1991-1992 Stadium Club Hockey: Not sure I ever picked these up back in the day but I know I liked its baseball counterpart.  Photography as always is at a premium on these.

    The card design is pretty simplistic.  The photos are a bit dated as they feel darker than what we are used to today.  Might be due to technology or maybe just how arenas are lighted now.

Love how they show a past card of the player on the back.  Sporting News was a big sponsor of this set.  You see their scouting report on the back and there is a separate card in each pack promoting the magazine.  I subscribed to Sporting News for a long time and was a big fan so this was fun to see.  Overall these backs are pretty cool and I like how they incorporated the ice as the background.

I may not be the biggest hockey fan but I do enjoy hockey cards.  This was a fun pack looking for greats of the game and also seeing some of the different jerseys and franchises from years past.  

BREAKDOWN:
12 – Total Cards
2 – Hall of Famers