Buzz Break - 2019 Topps Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (mini 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: 2019 Topps Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (mini blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: Initially at Walmart for these -- BlowoutCards.com for hobby

Packs per box: 6 (five standard one three-card Battle Lines pack)
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 33
Base set completion: 
20 of 110 (18 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Insert cards: 13 (everything from box in gallery below)
Green parallels (4) – Never lose faith, Forbidden union, Luke Skywalker's ambitions, Battle against The Empire
Silver parallels (1) – Struck by the remote
Character stickers (1) – C-3PO
Foil cards (2) – BB-8, First Order Stormtrooper
Kylo Ren Continuity (1) – No. 4
Schematics (1) – Millenium Falcon
Battle Lines (3) – Rey & Kylo Ren vs. Praetorian Guards, Yoda vs. Count Dooku, Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: What's a mini blaster? Well, it's my term for this one as the Walmart blaster is a $9.99 box with just five packs and then a bonus pack here -- meanwhile Target's blasters include 10 packs and a manufactured Relic for the standard $19.99 price. This brand arrived on Force Friday at both hobby and retail and the big box is clearly the way to go here as there's just not much going on in this format and the Battle Lines aren't all that impressive enough to be a big-draw bonus in my book. There are printing plates possible in a few sets here as well as commemorative patch cards -- one in 325 packs -- as well as standard autographs at one in 338 packs or one in 68 boxes. (Meanwhile, ink is one per hobby box.) There also are multi-auto cards and sketch cards also found here -- also long odds, but they are in there. I really like the feel of the 1977 design being re-done -- so this one still gets a decent grade out of me. It also hits the mark for me by looking back at past films ... but since we're all about avoiding spoilers but also having some kind of set out to buy as the anticipation builds for the film we get the "Journey" approach. The cards that do show scenes or characters from the new film have a puzzle back -- so there are no details to be given away at all (see gallery). I like it, but hobby boxes the way to go with this one.

Product Grade: B+
Box Grade: B- (basically average results here though not bad)
Fun Grade: B-

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