Mark Spears Monsters

Mark Spears Monsters:  Happy Halloween!  I've liked Mark Spears art since I've first saw it. The color and his depictions of these classics really work for me.  This Concepts Bride of Frankenstein take is one I like and she is a favorite of mine from the Universal Monsters universe.

Very creepy Mr. Happy.  I like the card design in that the simplicity allows you to just enjoy the art.  My biggest gripe is I can't find the checklist for this set.  He doesn't have a website and his store is on Amazon.  It has to be somewhere.

Nice synopsis of the characters we see on the front.  I like the design mostly because of the "group shot" and cobwebs at the top.  

My sticker.  Each pack also comes with a piece of gum which is smartly wrapped in plastic. No gum stains here.

Lord Varick reminds me of Marcus who was one of the Volturi in the Twilight Saga.  Doctor Maltorius looks like he would be found in an 80s horror movie.

The Classic Chrome is my other insert. Looks like Dracula's wives aren't happy with something the Bride of Frankenstein served on cribbage night at Dr. Frankenstein's.  I really enjoyed these cards.  If I was an art guy I'd definitely pick up his to hang somewhere.  I will chase more of his cards though.

BREAKDOWN:

7 – Total Cards

1 – Sticker

1 – Classic Chrome

1 – Original Concept

1 – Stick Bubble Gum

2022 Score Football

2022 Score:  These are in the wild and a brand I always look forward to.  I'm liking these at first glance and Drew Brees makes anything look good.  I know Saints fans are wishing he'd had a few more seasons in him.  One of the great ones for sure.  That purple border works for New Orleans as I think Mardi Gras.

The design isn't bad but probably won't go down as one of the great ones.  It does have a score vibe to it with some of the color schemes.  This is a meaty set with veterans and retired greats making up 300 cards while 100 more cards are dedicated to rookies.

Rookies get some love.  Here we have base cards with players in their new team's unis while that Sam Howell is a Throwback Rookie insert.  And I like that design.  How long until Atlanta puts Desmond Ridder in at QB?  They've ridden Marcus Mariota up until now and pretty much refuse to run.  It's kind of worked as they are 3-4 going into today which is a surprise to most including me.

Huddle Up is a simple but nice insert I've come to enjoy each year.

More rookies.  It's always great seeing these youngsters in their college uniforms.  Another simple design but this is one of my favorites.  I would normally think I'd find this bland but in hand I like it.

I like these Sack Attack cards which feature current defensive studs as well as retired greats.

The overall design of the backs is pretty good.  I like the colors and large team logo. Only one line of stats which is always a foul but no issues with the write-ups.

Celebration is a fun insert.  Plenty of variations players do when showing their exuberance but for me the old school spike of the ball is hard to beat.

Retired greats!  You know I love 'em.  And I love Bo and of course Jim Kelly so these were some definitely wins.  I'll chase more of these.  I thought this was a fun pack.  I'm happy with my pull and the cards.

BREAKDOWN:
40 – Total Cards
7 – RC
6 – Retired Greats
4 – Potential
2 – Huddle Up
2 – Celebration
2 – Sack Attack
2 – Throwback Rookie

1991 Topps The Addams Family

1991 The Addams Family:  Who doesn't like The Addams Family?  I mean they're creepy and their kooky.  Another fun movie that goes great in October.  I thought the casting here was done well with Christopher Lloyd as Uncler Fester probably my favorite.

The design is fine though I'm not sure about the blue borders and lack of logo somewhere.  Plenty of room for something small to be added in there.

I really like the backs with the muted photo of the Addams' house, the big logo and a nice write-up.  I do think the logo and write-up could have been full on colored though and not subdued.

Movies like this have plenty of great shots to offer with plenty of great characters and scenes.

Lots of good shots and memories from this fun movie make this pack a win.  The Gomez below is the sticker.

BREAKDOWN:
8 – Total Cards
1 – Sticker

Hocus Pocus 2

 Hocus Pocus 2: I'll keep this short but I did get a chance to watch this one and I enjoyed it.  I like the first one and I think this one keeps the same vibe while updating it.  The returning stars of the original are getting all the press but the new young stars really help make the movie fun.  Their characters and acting are fun.  Which is what this movie is.  I don't know what hardcore Hocus Pocus fans think but for me it was an easy watch and enjoyable.  Again it's in line with the original and if you liked that one you'll want to see this one.

Lauren Taylor Topps X Card Buy

Lauren Taylor Topps X:   World Series Game 1 tonight - enjoy!  Lauren Taylor is an artist I've been high on since I first saw her work.  I was able to grab some off of eBay and wanted to show them off.  She's done work for Topps and also sells work on her site.  We'll kick it off with this pretty cool Mike Trout.  Her Millville Meteor take on Mike Trout she did is my favorite, but I don't think it is on a card.

Enjoy one of the greatest to ever take the mound.  I chose players that mean something to me and whose art I liked.  I almost grabbed Freddie Freeman but he's in a Dodgers uni.  I might still do it but not yet.

The backs are all the same except the team logos.  The Yadi didn't have a team logo.  Maybe because it came from Wave 2 and that way doesn't have the logo?  Not sure.  You can pick up autographed cards as well.

Just something about how she does this pictures within a picture thing really does it for me.  Yadi seems to always look good on cards and this one is no different.  The only other player I was really looking for was Rickey Henderson but he wasn't available from the seller I grabbed these from.  I'll get him later for sure.

Really happy to see Ronald Acuna Jr. in that retro Braves jersey.  It's a favorite of mine and he is such a fun player.  Hopefully he and the Braves can make a longer run in the post season nex year.

This card is found 1:10 packs and was the most expensive of these.  It was worth it to me.  I like her art and I like her story.  She's a good follow on social media and a mental health advocate.  She also does art for non-sport subjects and it's fun seeing her present art to her subjects.  This was quick and easy but I'm very happy to show these off and introduce you to Lauren Taylor. 

1999 Dart Sabrina The Teenage Witch

1999 Sabrina:  This show was definitely a guilty pleasure when I was younger. It ran seven seasons headlined by Melissa Joan Hart.  Yep that's Randy Travis.  Quite a few stars had cameos on the show.  The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was based off this and is a favorite series of mine which can be found on Netflix.

Sabrina was just fun and didn't take itself too seriously and was a good watch for kids.  And selct adults.  Sabrina lived with her two aunties.

Where there are witches there are wizards.  Dom Delouis.

Good color on the back and nice write-ups.  I like it.

The design...well I guess there isn't one.  At a minimum you have to have a logo somewhere right?   A witches hat?  Wand?  Only six cards in a pack which is a bit disappointing but I find that is fairly common amongst non-sport cards.

Fun cards and fun memories.  Salem the cat is a former warlock turned into a cat after trying for world domination.  A beloved member of the family he talks and is definitely cynical as the back of his card states.

Random Wax: 2020-2021 Hoops Basketball

20-21 Hoops:  Excited for the NBA season to start and I'm always excited about these SLAM inserts. Great look and fun cards.  Can Ja Morant and the Grizzlies get back to the Conference Finals after a surprising run last year?  That's the big question Memphis fans are asking.

Some great scorers here with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.  Victor Oladipo gave the Heat a nice boost after coming back from injuries last season.  Be curious how close to his old self he can be after a healthy off season.

Jaden McDaniels was solid for Memphis last year while the Hawks are wondering if Okongwu is their center of the future after a nice bump in production in season number two for him.  

I like this Lights Camera Actions design with the star.  Another nice SLAM card and a great player in Luka.  Dallas didn't make any huge moves in the off season so I'm curious where they go from here.  And everyone is wondering who Ben Simmons is and what he can be in the Brooklyn offense when fully engaged.

I really like Demar DeRozan and I was really happy to see him do so well in his first season with Chicago.  We'll end it with James Harden.  No longer a Rocket and has made his way to the 76ers via the Nets.  Can he and Embiid take Philly to the next level?  I'm not sure but they should be fun to watch.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
6 – RC
1 – Purple Parallel
2 – Slam Magazine
1 – Lights Camera Action

2002 Inkworks Scooby-Doo Movie

2002 Scooby-Doo:  This movie is always one I enjoy having on in the background when I'm doing something.  It's a fun movie that I enjoy and it's an easy watch.  This is my first look at this set.

I thought the casting on this film was great. The card design is okay but could be better.  Even with the logo and island themed trimmings it seems a bit bland.  Good screen shots though on the fronts.

The backs are fine.  They won't blow you away but there's enough there to let you know what is going on.

Nice shot of the hotel where much of the shenanigans take place.

Daphney showing off her skills.  

Overall a good pack.  Cards showed off the cast which is what you hope for.  Wish there had been a few more cards. This Scooby-Doo sticker is a great way to end it.  

BREAKDOWN:
6 – Total Cards
1 - Sticker