Random Wax: 2022 Fleer Ultra Avengers Blaster

2022 Fleer Ultra:  This set is one I like.  This Mockingbird photo stood out to me.  In the comics she was tied closely to Clint Barton (Hawkeye) and were even married.

The art is strong on these cards.  Some classic looks as well as updated versions of many of the favorite characters.

Medallion, First Appearance and Ultra-Stars inserts.  First Appearances are pretty cool.  Wish the photo was a bit bigger.  That grey background on each side feels unneeded and the bottom area is clunky.  Stature is the daughter of Scott (Ant-Man) and Maggie Lang.  First I've heard of her. 

Jim Cheung Artist Spotlight card.  I like his art.  Another card where it feels like the photos could take up more of the card.

Silver Age Avengers inserts along with more ladies going deep into Avengers lore. I like adding the classic look for team members.

That War Machine looks like a Red Parallel but it is an Orange Parallel #/549.  Wonder Man is a Green Parallel.  My only complaints about this set is the ultra thick card stock and price point.

Another Green Parallel of one of the great comic artists, George Perez.  We'll end it with an Ultra Power Thanos insert.  The name feels very appropriate.  These cards are always fun.  I like Marvel as much as the next guy.  The grandsons will enjoy these as well once they see them.

BREAKDOWN:

3 – Green Parallel

2 – Artist Spotlight

1 – Medallion

1 – Ultra Stars

1 – Ultra Power

1 – First Appearances

1 – Silver Age Avengers

1 – Orange Foil Parallel #/549

Camon Avengers Battle of Vengeance Box Set Cards (5 Packs)

Camon Avengers Battle of Vengeance Box Set:  Recently got turned on to these licensed cards from China.  My first post was Kayou Marvel cards.  Finding information on these cards can still be somewhat tough, and confusing, but that first link at least helps with the checklists.

Overall I like the Kayou cards more but I like these.  This set gives you plenty of variety in terms of art for major characters from Marvel.

Those letters in the bottom right denote the variation.  The variations are: R, SR, SSR, HR, SGR, LR, UR, MR, and CR in that order from most common to the most rare.  The art on these Iron Man are sharp.

MWW-040 is the card number.  About the only thing on the cards that make sense though it does say Camon in the bottom right which is helpful.  These are game cards so those numbers mean something.  Just don't ask me what.

Most of the art is standard versions of the characters we know.  Whereas the Kayou cards gave you looks from the Avengers movies that we've come to know and love.

I like that Ultron card.  

These have the character's name on the front where Kayou cards don't.  In that set it would have been nice because there were characters I couldn't name.  You can look them up of course but it's more fun if you see it right there on the card.

I really like Black Widow. so these were nice pulls.  Like that first one the most.  Good looking Hulk as well to end it.  These are fun.  I'll have more to share over time.  The grandsons enjoy them as well.  With not many Marvel or DC cards out there these do a great job of filling the void.

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards (5 Packs)

11 – SR

1 - SSR

 

2022 Fleer Ultra Avengers Blaster

22 UD Fleer Ultra Avengers: I was looking forward to this set and grabbed a blaster when I saw them hit the shelves.  War Machine gets to lead us off.  Rhodey is a great partner for Iron Man.  Pretty good look at the armored hero though there is a lot going on.

The design on these really is nice.  It's simple and the art takes center stage.  These are on very thick stock.  Feels like wood they are so thick. I'm okay with it but it doesn't feel needed.  Would have appreciated more cards for my money as opposed to the card stock this thick.  Only 18 cards in a blaster.

The backs are simple but I like the info they provide on the character.  That with the color and comic image make this a win for me.

Here we have an Ultra Stars and a Medallion insert.  I like the Ultra Stars card but the Medallion is an all-foil background that doesn't do much for me.  Think silver and not the black look the scan makes it look like.

My Artist Spotlight insert.  This is a nice pull.  I really like Alex Ross so this hit the spot.

These are both green parallels.  Nice classic look at Thor while the Gamora art is not a look I'm familiar with.

My grandsons are getting into DC and Marvel trading cards but they aren't easy to find at friendly prices.  The older stuff isn't cheap nor are newer offerings.  I have found a few that aren't bad but wish it was easier to find affordable hero cards.  Good look at Hawkeye on this horizontal offering.

A couple of key X-Men cards.

Another green parallel in the form of a Greatest Battles insert.  This was a big story arc for Marvel and I think they had considered using it as the basis of a movie at some point.

This is the back of the Silver Age Avengers cards.  The front is below.  That Speed card is a Orange Foil parallel #/549.

I like both of these.  That Spider-Man really looks nice while I enjoy seeing classic comic covers so the Earth's Mightiest Spinoffs inserts is a nice pull.  The Checkmate Iron Patriot below isn't bad for a diecut.  Fun box of cards.  Not sure if I'll pick up more blasters but I'll definitely look for some singles.  

BREAKDOWN:
18 – Total Cards
3 – Green Parallels
1 – 3X3
1 - Medallion
1 - Checkmate
1 – Ultra  Stars
1 – Orange Foil #/549
1 – Artist Spotlight
1 – Greatest Battles
1 – Silver Age Avengers
1 – Earth’s Mightiest Spinoffs

 

Avenger: Endgame - NO SPOILERS

They did a great job with Avengers: Endgame.  There were so many threads to the Marvel universe that were a part of this movie.  The old cliche' "I laughed, I cried..." definitely applies here.  It was amazing they were able to pull it off so well.  I thought they did a great job taking what we knew, and what we thought we knew, twisting it a bit, and giving us an excellent movie.  There were plenty of surprises as well as those "wow" moments that give you a small chill.  I really can't say too much and can't wait to actually talk to someone about it.  I look forward to seeing what others think as well.      

Move Avengers Comics From My Collection

Just showing off more of my Avengers comic collection as Avengers: Endgame should be in full swing today.  The Falcon is my favorite Marvel character so it isn't any surprise I'd want to showcase this comic book.  

Avengers Vol 3 #64 (April, 2003)

Another cool cover for me.  I've always kind of had a thing for Wasp and this cover sticks out for me.

Avengers Vol 3 #71 (November, 2003)

Another nice looking team shot on the cover.  I was always partial to Iron Man, Scarlett Witch, Vision and Hawkeye.  Captain America didn't really do it for me when I read comics but I really enjoy his character in the movies.  

Avengers Vol 3 #80 (May, 2004)

I really like the art on this one especially that of the ladies.  

Avengers Vol 3 #502 (September, 2004)

I have a few annuals as well.  I also have quite a few West Coast Avengers and the highlights from that run will be up on the blog sometime as well. 

Avengers Annual #12 (September, 1983)

Wizard, the popular comic magazine at the time put out specials pertaining to particular titles from time to time which were fun.  I like the cover here except for Thor's face.  Something is off there.  I subscribed to Wizard for years and really liked that magazine.

Again all these will probably go at some time except for a select few.  I'll look at showcasing other comics in my collection over time.  Below is my Avengers collection detailed out.

Avengers
Volume 1		181-182, 230, 232-246, 248, 269, 271,360-369,371-375,400
Annual		12, 13,22
Volume 3		1 (Alternate Cover), 39,41, 50-84, 500 - 503
Finale		N/A
New Avengers		1-9, 12-17
Wizard		0
Wizard Special Edition		N/A

Avengers Comics Volume 1 Single Issues

Avengers: Endgame comes up out today in some theaters and and thanks to the suggestion of Colbey over at Cardboard Collections I've decided to share some of my comics.  Seems like showing off some of my Avengers comics would be appropriate so here goes.  These are actual scans of my comic books and all are from Volume 1.  Avengers 181 has the Avengers being told they have to pair down to seven members -  Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Beast, Captain America, Wasp, and The Falcon.  It doesn't work out that way but I loved the large group cover art so I picked it up many years ago.  I haven't read these in decades so I won't be going into detail on these - just showing a few off.  

I picked up Avengers #182 at the same time.  Neither are great stories per se but I purchased these at a time when there was no internet and finding information on back issues wasn't exactly easy.  Still these were nice pickups.

Avengers #181-182 (March-April, 1979)  

I'm a big Rhino fan so that's why this one get's shown off.  It seems like the Avengers are a bit overkill to go after a guy whose power is brut strength.  Sill I like Rhino for no good reason and here he is.  

Avengers 237 (November, 1983)

I just liked the cover of this one with the Spider-Woman out of body experience thing going on and the characters besides the bed.  Random but it stands out to me.  Avengers 246 (August, 1984)

There were of course shiny comics back in the day as in this foil cover.  I also really like the Black Knight.  I can't say I'm an expert on him but I always loved his look. Avengers #363 (June, 1993) 

I really like the art on this Vision cover.  Another character I like and I really enjoy his character in the movies.  From the actor to how he is portrayed I just really enjoy him as well as Wanda.

Avengers #367 (October, 1993)

I'll show off more Avengers comics tomorrow.  Below is the breakdown of my Avengers collection.  I don't purchase single issues anymore, preferring to do the trade paperbacks.  I plan on selling off the majority of my singles in my collection.  But selling comics is tough especially when they've sat for 15 - 20 years.  You have to figure out if each issue is special or just average for pricing, shipping is expensive, scan them or take photos and it is all time consuming.  But it is time.  Hopefully I'll find an easier avenue for selling it all off.  I'll share more of my comic collection over time.   

Volume 1		181-182, 230, 232-246, 248, 269, 271,360-369,371-375,400
Annual		12, 13,22
Volume 3		1 (Alternate Cover), 39,41, 50-84, 500 - 503
Finale		N/A
New Avengers		1-9, 12-17
Wizard		0
Wizard Special Edition		N/A

Avengers: Infinity War Review (NO Spoilers)

Great movie!  I was ready to be somewhat disappointed in Avengers: Infinity War but I was anything but.  All our kids (18+) all also loved the movie.  Starting where Thor: Ragnarok left off this movie is full of action beginning to end.  There are multiple story lines that are all handled equally well doing a good job of making sure those watching aren't overwhelmed.  There are definitely some surprises, the biggest of which is the star of the movie - Thanos.  This is a Thanos movie and as a character he is great.  It is rare when a villain sees the amount of screen time that Thanos gets.  He was handled really well and I think he is one of the best villains you'll ever see.  There are a ton of characters from across the Marvel Universe here but I never felt like it was too much.  Some didn't get the face time we are used to them getting but this movie is about the universe as a whole and the far reaching affects that Thanos' antics have on it.  I really enjoyed Infinity War and it deserves all the praise it is getting.  It would be tough if someone hasn't seen any of the other Marvel movies but I doubt those folks will be seeing this movie anytime soon.  For everyone else go see this movie!    

The Avengers Movie Review

I along with a gazillion other folks went to the Avengers movie this weekend.  I am a comic fanboy so I've really been looking forward to The Avengers.  The added bonus was being able to go with my four youngins and beautiful wife.  She's still lost despite the son and I's many inputs trying to help her digest everything going on.  We went to a 3:55 showing yesterday in the small town in which we live.  That means we didn't have to fight the huge crowds in larger venues.  The link below shows just how many folks watched the movie this weekend:

"The Avengers" Is The Biggest Movie Opening Ever

The move itself was very fun.  Not a ton of surprises but you get what anyone could want with lots of fighty fighty.  Thor vs Hulk, Iron Man vs Thor, Loki vs Captain America, bad guys versus everyone, and much more.  What else could you want?  I liked the plot as it wasn't too out there for the average viewer nor too distorted as to make a comic book fan leave the theater wondering "what were they thinking".  Each character received plenty of screen time to include the more minor characters of Black Widow and Hawkeye allowing time to provide them some back story.  Many good one liners as you'd expect.  My favorite scene is the Loki-Hulk fight near the end of he movie.  I won't spoil it with details.

Not a perfect movie but I think the large majority of those wanting to see the movie will enjoy it.  Won't be too many folks leaving disappointed.  Someone smarter could dive into the nuisances of the movie but I'm not the smart one.  For me The Avengers was entertaining and I highly recommend it to everyone.