It was an interesting first year for Funko’s Marvel Collector Corps. After a stellar opening, the subscription box service descended into chaos with its disastrous Marvel STUPOR BOX and August’s less-than-awesome SPIDER-MAN. With October’s DOCTOR STRANGE, we witnessed the uneven nature of what these boxes could become, displaying Funko’s best and worst faces and making us wonder if our money would be better spent someplace else. But luckily, December’s X-MEN presented us with one of the best boxes from the series and perhaps a top five box period. Their newest box – SUPERHERO SHOWDOWNS – is both impressive in its concept and pairings, sporting a collection of high quality products inside.

THE PROMISE

Before we begin, let’s look at the original deal and MCC’s current offering: promising a value of $50, regular boxes would keep the “fluff” (their words) to a minimum with Funko partnering each time to deliver an exclusive figure. Regardless if you joined at the Founders level or took on a per-box delivery, the Year One box was offered for an additional cost of $135 after tax. We were also treated to an end-of-year gift from Funko in the form a golden Captain America statue. Yeah, that sounds even less cool as I write it.

THE DELIVERY
As always, we use QUALITY and TIMING to base our reviews, so let’s see how this box measures up. As always, we’ll end our review with some additional thoughts after the unboxing:

THE GUTS
One of the best parts of these boxes has been their ability to make itself relevant, even when a new film or television releases wasn’t on the horizon. December’s X-MEN was a great example, and so is February’s SHOWDOWNS. I really applaud the concept, because we can only get so many Captain America and Iron Man in our boxes before we’re ready to go all Green Rage Monster. We don’t need gear tied to a franchise for these things to be relevant, and with this one we get so much great stuff that we can hardly contain ourselves. Literally, we can’t contain ourselves.

PIN/PATCH
Upon opening any box, you’re first treated to a pin/patch set that usually offers solid returns. Here, we get a hint of what’s underneath the next layer of cardboard, and the result is simply awesome. The staredown of Iron Man and Ultron is a fabulous idea, and the comic-themed color scheme reminds us of the terrific conflicts these two have joined in the past. The same goes for the great pin, featuring Hulk and General Ross in their bulked-up angry versions. Again, we’re seeing classic comic colors and drawings being utilized here, once again proving why these sets are usually so solid. WIN and WIN.

LOVE. THIS. SHIRT.
Another area that MCC generally hits it out of the park is their t-shirts. We’re not just talking about a run-of-the-mill thing you can get at Hot Topic, these shirts are unique to the box and generally revolve around Funko-styled heroes and villains. February is no different, gifting us a look that is sure to find its place among my top ever. Another classic showdown, this time it features Spider-man and his ultimate foe Green Goblin, and result is a homerun…no, a grandslam. Check out those colors, and you have to feel how soft it is. I also really like the fact that the theme of the shirt isn’t something you’re going to find in your local mall teen store. It’s that feeling of exclusivity that really elevates its value. Taken under those circumstances, you can see why these are so popular among subscribers. WIN WIN WIN.

THE COMIC
Another solid element of MCC’s boxes has been the variant comic covers. This month’s cover is the first to feature a photo instead of Funko-themed artwork, with Wolverine and Sabertooth taking out their frustrations out on each other. These are the classic versions of these characters, and while I usually like the photo-realistic art of Alex Ross (his 1994 MARVELS is epic) and Clint Langely (check out his GUARDIANS run from 2006), this cover celebrates two iconic characters from the INHUMANS VS X-MEN. And what’s best about these comics is that they offer great jumping-off points for issues across the Marvel universe. Count this as another solid WIN.

A CURIOUS SUBMISSION
Let’s be clear: I love Pop! and dislike anything that isn’t, like Rock Candy, Dorbz, and…well…Pint Size Heroes. The last thing I need is start collecting yet another line of cheaply-crafted figures. While I understand that Funko’s deal is expand their brand – and that these tiny guys are probably made for a much younger crowd – the end result is more throwaway than long-term keeper. Colors tend to fall towards the primary side, and the sculpts are more friendly. Still, I have no interest in collecting these, and their inclusion here doesn’t make me want to invest in them. So while I’m ok with the item, I’m branding this one a PUSH.

ONE OF THE BEST POPS EVER
Oh boy. This set is incredible. MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL is the bright light in an otherwise dim NETFLIX television universe, and luckily MCC shows us one of the best showdowns in their universe with The Man Without Fear facing off against one of his nemeses, none other than Bullseye. The sculpts are terrific, with Daredevil featured in a dynamic jumping move and Bullseye ready to defend his position with a sword and his famous playing card in his hands. Colors and costumes reflect earlier versions of the comics, and their long-standing animosity reminds us that we need to go back and re-read those Frank Miller issues as soon as we’re done here. It’s one of the best POP! sets we’ve ever gotten, so count this as another WIN.

THE BOTTOM LINE
February’s Marvel Collector Corps box starts 2017 on a mostly stellar note, delivering incredible returns on our $50 investment and once again establishing new levels of awesome in the process. It’s a splendid box, from an excellent pin/patch set, one of the best shirts ever, and a figure set that easily establishes itself among the very best. But it’s also clear that Funko has every intention of continuing to shove their other lines down our throats (as they’ve done with DC’s Legion of Collectors). With our yearly survey from the company complete, it’s clear from the questions they asked that Funko is looking to move into new directions. The question is, will fans accept them? If February is the beginning of a change for MCC, let’s hope they double-down and start adding other lines like Hasbro exclusive Marvel Legends figures. Another question is whether fans will consider MCC’s solid predictability lately a failure or time for major changes. If we get to the end of 2017 and we’re talking about boxes of this quality each time, I will have no worry about singing their praises. This mix of shirts, Pops, and comics is exactly what I’m looking for, even if the returns aren’t as splashy as the spectacular failure that is GEEK FUEL and LOOT CRATE. For now, we’ll continue to enjoy this month’s stellar box. Now if I can only get rid of those Pint Size figures….