Buzz Break: 2018 Topps Stranger Things Season 1 (blaster)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Topps Stranger Things Season 1 trading cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available ... others in stock)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of highlights from this one.

Packs per box: 11 (10 standard, one commemorative patch pack)
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 71
Base set completion: 
58 of 100 (58 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Insert/short-print cards: 13 (all in gallery below with some base)
Scene stickers (2) – Motivated Mike, Steve Eyes Nancy
Character cards  (2) – Martin Brenner, The Monster
Character stickers (8) – Eleven, Joyce Byers, The Monster, Jim Hopper, Karen Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Officer Callahan, Connie Frazier
Commemorative patch (1) – Steve Harrington (Hawkins High School)

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: I'm not going to say that boxes of Stranger Things trading cards are really drying up -- but I am by asking this .. when was the last time you saw some of these boxes out there in the world? This first series arrived just a couple of years ago with a super-retro shoebox-style blaster that's all about the basics -- a meaty selection of base cards and then a manufactured Relic of some type with your only chases being parallels in this format beyond inserts. Hobby boxes of this one include a checklist that's got autographs and Relics and other surprises but you won't find those here -- these are the home of the patch cards on the list there and parallels start at one in 47 boxes. This set is one that shows scenes from the first season with a look and feel of 1980s cardboard printed on Heritage-style stock that also goes right with the aesthetic of the time though with today's cleaner printing and cutting. A sampling of the cards is in the gallery below along with all of the inserts found this time, which also all have a simple early 1980s vibe to them and simply showcase characters and moments. Other potential inserts in these boxes include Upside Down, Christmas Lights and Waffle parallels all found no less than one in seven boxes. These boxes are all about getting you the basics a bit cheaper -- or letting you get a bite of that Eggo -- before you dig in for more with hobby boxes where the autograph lineup is pretty solid ... just like this series. Newer releases explore things a little more (hit that link up top) and mix up the aesthetics as well as the inclusions but this one was he first. Hobby boxes might be worth a look if you can find them with some of the signers branching out and doing other roles ... this one feels like a long-term pop culture fueled box to hold on the hobby side. That or at least until next year ... when we finally get Season 4.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: B
Fun Grade: B

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