Buzz Break: 2019 Topps Stranger Things Season 2 (hobby)

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 Stranger Things Season 2 trading cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 164
Base set completion: 
100 of 100 (100 percent)
Duplicates: 30

Insert/short-print cards: 33 (all in gallery below with some base)
Upside Down parallels (2) – Mapping it out, Nerd (/99)
Scene stickers (4) – Tunnel descent, Closing the gate, Searching for Jane, Bonding over Nougat
Character cards  (6) – Sam Owens, Martin Brenner, Billy Hargrove, Dustin Henderson, Max Mayfield, Terry Ives
Character stickers (20) – Nancy Wheeler, Max Mayfield, Jim Hopper, Martin Brenner, Lucas Sinclair, Scott Clarke, Joyce Byers, Eleven, Murray Bauman, Terry Ives, Steve Harrington, Will Byers, Kali, Mike Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Erica Sinclair, Billy Hargrove, Dustin Henderson, Sam Owens, Bob Newby
Green commemorative medallion (1) – Jonathan Byers (/50)

Autographs/Memorabilia/Sketch Cards: 1
Autographs (1) – Karen Ceesay as Mrs. Sinclair

What's Buzz-worthy: This sequel to the first Stranger Things set could be a bit of a sleeper in my mind in that, in theory, its print run probably isn't as high as the first release, meaning you should have a better shot at pulling the rarer and key stuff without a substantially higher price. Translation: They probably made a ton of the first release because of a ton of pre-order interest and this one is perhaps closer to the norm for finding stuff. Autographs will be found roughly one per three boxes here, while the Upside Down cards are only supposed to arrive one per box. The medallion cards seem like an upgrade to the patches the first time around and this one is a one-in-742-packs card. The designs here include a standard-feeling retro design for the base set, a nod to 1990 Topps baseball and some standard stickers that give you everything and a little chase between the two sets. All in all, a hobby box of this one feels like a good mix and each one will offer either ink or a sketch card along with a secondary hit. It isn't a super-flashy break but it's a comfortable one. About the only drawback with this second series is that there, at least in my mind, seems to be more iconic images from the first season moreso than the second when it comes to the base set. The "moments" are still there but I think the first base set might be a tad stronger. The inserts here are a little more varied but help balance it out with some retro flash and variety.

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

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