2025 Skybox Metal Universe DC Batman

[orion9578]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

If your primary complaint is that the product is too diluted from all the obscure characters in the checklist, I agree. But if your argument is that Batman and his immediate friends and foes couldn't carry a release on their own, I disagree.

There is no reason to shoehorn Superman or Wonder Woman into a Batman set. Batman is a massively popular character on his own and is a street-level character with dark themes, which is in stark contrast to the brand image of Superman and Wonder Woman.

Metal Universe Spider-Man didn't need characters like Magneto or Thor to help sell product -- as someone who was a big Spider-Man fan growing up, it's frankly ridiculous including them.

That's a big part of it, but not the only issue I have. I keep repeating myself, but UD needs to put their best foot forward to have any shot at all at keeping up with Topps and the Marvel license. Using the best of what they have to offer is attempting to put their best foot forward, in my opinion.

I get what you're saying, about random characters that have very little to do with the products namesake...my counter argument would be that this isn't the 90's and boxes aren't $50 anymore. My opinion is companies need to do what they can to add as much value as possible when they're asking $200-$300-$400-$500...$1,000+ for a "hobby" box. I know they aren't doing what they're doing to appease purists. They're doing it so when they put out a Superman Metal(Or whatever, Fleer Ultra), people wanting Superman cards will feel the need to buy MORE of that product because he wasn't in the Metal set.

I think we can just agree to disagree at this point. I understand where you are coming from and hopefully you understand where I am coming from. I think the companies need to add as much value as possible to these EXPENSIVE "hobby" products and it sounds like you're wanting something more similar to a simpler time in our HOBBY, which I would 100% call a "hobby" nowadays

[DynaEtch]

I was actually not much a fan of UD including the extraneous characters in the team specific sets…Wolverine, Beast, Cap America in Spidey metal etc, and Spider-Man in, well, almost anything. I get Orions point about it providing value to those opening it. Just comes across to me as, why even delineate the sets if characters from all over are included anyway. Another thing UD would do is include like 4 different Spiderman base, which also functions to increase value, but another thing I wasnt big on, as it dilutes things. Without looking at the checklist for Batman Metal yet I imagine it’ll be something like that- probably several Batman’s.

[DynaEtch]

This is a little off topic but something else contrasting DC with Marvel cards for me is the nature of the characters. Is it me or are a lot of characters in DC basically just a guy/woman wearing a costume. Superman, Batman, WW, Robin, Green Lantern, Flash, Joker, Lex Luther etc. Sure there’s plenty of that in marvel too, but it seems like there’s more characters like Hulk, Venom, Carnage, Thing, Iceman, Human Torch, Silver Surfer etc that kinda make for more interesting artwork. Maybe I’m just missing a lot of characters in DC, but I think the above cover most of the major ones.

Idk, trying to rationalize why DC has never been near the same as Marvel in trading cards. Maybe it’s the characters. It’s probably more the 90s though, which were super big with marvel and x-men, and that era majorly influenced nonsports collectors of today. Both DC and Marvel got an initial Impel set, but Marvel’s took off. I still remember Joe Jusko talking about the atmosphere building up to late 1992….Skybox was coming out with two sets- Marvel Masterpieces and Death of Superman. Since death of Superman was THE thing at the time, Jusko assumed his set wouldn’t hold a candle to the Superman set and hype around that. Turned out his fears were totally unfounded and the Masterpieces set blew the Superman set out of the water. Everyone was talking about the Masterpieces. (granted it was a much better set). I think that was a key moment in skyrocketing Marvel over DC at the time and the tide never did shift over to DC for the rest of the 90s. Whatever the case, because of that era, we end up with a lot more Marvel card collectors today.

So it’ll be interesting to see how DC does here under Upper Deck. Anecdotally I have not been hearing much hype around DC Annual or Superman Fleer Brilliants…granted these are pretty lackluster generic sets, but still…Topps Marvel are also super generic but at least the hype is around it.

[meandsharon11]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

This is a little off topic but something else contrasting DC with Marvel cards for me is the nature of the characters. Is it me or are a lot of characters in DC basically just a guy/woman wearing a costume. Superman, Batman, WW, Robin, Green Lantern, Flash, Joker, Lex Luther etc. Sure there’s plenty of that in marvel too, but it seems like there’s more characters like Hulk, Venom, Carnage, Thing, Iceman, Human Torch, Silver Surfer etc that kinda make for more interesting artwork. Maybe I’m just missing a lot of characters in DC, but I think the above cover most of the major ones.

Idk, trying to rationalize why DC has never been near the same as Marvel in trading cards. Maybe it’s the characters. It’s probably more the 90s though, which were super big with marvel and x-men, and that era majorly influenced nonsports collectors of today. Both DC and Marvel got an initial Impel set, but Marvel’s took off. I still remember Joe Jusko talking about the atmosphere building up to late 1992….Skybox was coming out with two sets- Marvel Masterpieces and Death of Superman. Since death of Superman was THE thing at the time, Jusko assumed his set wouldn’t hold a candle to the Superman set and hype around that. Turned out his fears were totally unfounded and the Masterpieces set blew the Superman set out of the water. Everyone was talking about the Masterpieces. (granted it was a much better set). I think that was a key moment in skyrocketing Marvel over DC at the time and the tide never did shift over to DC for the rest of the 90s. Whatever the case, because of that era, we end up with a lot more Marvel card collectors today.

So it’ll be interesting to see how DC does here under Upper Deck. Anecdotally I have not been hearing much hype around DC Annual or Superman Fleer Brilliants…granted these are pretty lackluster generic sets, but still…Topps Marvel are also super generic but at least the hype is around it.

Basically, DC started in the mid 1930’s and people were only interested in relatable stories. This is why a large majority of DC characters are people with abnormal abilities, or abnormal situations with no special abilities. The fantastical at the time was considered absurd.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Without looking at the checklist for Batman Metal yet I imagine it’ll be something like that- probably several Batman’s.

As there should be -- there are multiple iconic iterations of the character:

-- Dark Knight Returns
-- Batman Beyond
-- Arkham Series version

[ggxarmy]

This is probably the most "on brand" Batman set ever. He has always preferred to work alone.

Most times he doesn't like having to deal with Robin in any iteration, including his son.

So having a Batman solo set featuring Teen Titans/Suicide Squad and their Rogues Gallery is fantastic.

Also, this gives newer collectors a chance to get in on the ground floor of PC'ing a wide variety new characters, with limited amounts of previous cards. They won't have to go hunt down 1995 or 1996 Masterpiece versions that are crazy rare and expensive. Maybe some Overpower Cards or VS System TCG cards.

They went a little parallel happy like most products. I just need them to stop delaying this damn set. I got notification today that its pushed to November 12th.

[Sickleclaw]

Bit the bullet and went in for a box. Given the price, I'll do character breaks for the rest.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by Sickleclaw

Bit the bullet and went in for a box. Given the price, I'll do character breaks for the rest.

$250 for a box -- the same as 2025 Topps basketball. I know which one I'd rather pay for.

[finfangfan]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

$250 for a box -- the same as 2025 Topps basketball. I know which one I'd rather pay for.

Seems a bit steep but at least it’s not sold out so people who have been waiting for this set should be able to pick up some boxes to open. There are also blasters available with some blaster exclusives. So probably quite a lot of this was printed. I think I will “wait for ePack” and just pick up singles.

[fabiani12333]

If you're concerned about value from this product -- considering the potential diluted checklist and hobby box price -- just realize that it probably means the biggest hits will carry even more value due to the difficulty of pulling them. Being the first PMGs of Batman and Joker is a big deal in trading card world -- you should see them going for top dollar on auction platforms, similar to the top Marvel characters.

As a collector, I hate the idea of being priced out of those type of cards. But I understand the model the hobby is currently operating in.

[Sickleclaw]

Yeah, given the price, I will likely only be able to buy one box for retail, and then buy packs on epack occasionally. I will try to bid on breaks for my favorite characters but yeah, at 250, I really can't do another box.

[Jaysabz]

Originally Posted by Sickleclaw

Yeah, given the price, I will likely only be able to buy one box for retail, and then buy packs on epack occasionally. I will try to bid on breaks for my favorite characters but yeah, at 250, I really can't do another box.

Give it a few months and snap up the transferred hits from ePack off COMC, where everybody undercuts everyone else for the lowest price.

I LOVE Green Lantern, been reading the comics continuously since 2011, but have read everything back to the mid-80s.

Also a fan of DC in general.

EPack has the DC Annual set at around $6/pack. Bought about $150 worth of packs - hit a booklet sketch (low quality) and a nothing-burger character /299.

I was able to go on COMC and get /88 parallels of the four different Green Lanterns in the set (Hal, John, Kyle, and Guy) for under $20 each.

Best offer of $50 was accepted on a sketch of Green Lantern Jessica Cruz (mid level quality).

And got autograph cards of four DC writers I'm quite fond of for under $30 each.

So all said and done, for less than the cost of two boxes on ePack, got four different Green Lanterns /88, a Lantern sketch, and four autos from four comic writers I admire.

Love that about ePack. Hate when I occasionally lose self control and rip $100-200 in packs when I know I shouldn't, though!!

[Sickleclaw]

Originally Posted by Jaysabz

Give it a few months and snap up the transferred hits from ePack off COMC, where everybody undercuts everyone else for the lowest price.

I LOVE Green Lantern, been reading the comics continuously since 2011, but have read everything back to the mid-80s.

Also a fan of DC in general.

EPack has the DC Annual set at around $6/pack. Bought about $150 worth of packs - hit a booklet sketch (low quality) and a nothing-burger character /299.

I was able to go on COMC and get /88 parallels of the four different Green Lanterns in the set (Hal, John, Kyle, and Guy) for under $20 each.

Best offer of $50 was accepted on a sketch of Green Lantern Jessica Cruz (mid level quality).

And got autograph cards of four DC writers I'm quite fond of for under $30 each.

So all said and done, for less than the cost of two boxes on ePack, got four different Green Lanterns /88, a Lantern sketch, and four autos from four comic writers I admire.

Love that about ePack. Hate when I occasionally lose self control and rip $100-200 in packs when I know I shouldn't, though!!

Yeah, I'm aware that the race to the bottom on epack + the many non names in the set will mean that a lot of the items will rapidly lose value in that sense. So even numbered from the no names should be abel to be had rather cheaply.

Yeah I feel that about epack sometimes, the fact no physical storage means that its tempting to spend more than i should.

[Ajax1723]

These were available for a lot less than $250 for a while when this was announced. We're at the "hype it up and sell it higher" phase of a release.

[finfangfan]

Originally Posted by Ajax1723

These were available for a lot less than $250 for a while when this was announced. We're at the "hype it up and sell it higher" phase of a release.

What was initial MSRP?

[Ajax1723]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

What was initial MSRP?

Based on distributor pricing, $140-150/box probably. Somewhere in that area.

[PrinceVegeta]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

What was initial MSRP?

I'm paying around $110-120 cost

[finfangfan]

Originally Posted by PrinceVegeta

I'm paying around $110-120 cost

Wow… you got it at a great price.

[PrinceVegeta]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

Wow… you got it at a great price.

Thats the direct price

[Sickleclaw]

It's the 9th, and the major retailers are still saying it's coming out on the 12th. I'm crossing my fingers a bit here, but hoping it actually does release this week.

[Ajax1723]

Originally Posted by Sickleclaw

It's the 9th, and the major retailers are still saying it's coming out on the 12th. I'm crossing my fingers a bit here, but hoping it actually does release this week.

Yea my gut doesn't feel good about this. I have seen barely anything and this is supposed to ship now lol. Just not sure what to believe.

[finfangfan]

Originally Posted by Ajax1723

Yea my gut doesn't feel good about this. I have seen barely anything and this is supposed to ship now lol. Just not sure what to believe.

I’d think if the street date was delayed beyond 11/12 they would have already announced the new date. The fact it is still showing 11/12 with two days to go tells me it should hit on time. I’m surprised UD isn’t hyping it up a bit more tho.

[Sickleclaw]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

I’d think if the street date was delayed beyond 11/12 they would have already announced the new date. The fact it is still showing 11/12 with two days to go tells me it should hit on time. I’m surprised UD isn’t hyping it up a bit more tho.

https://x.com/UpperDeckEnt/status/1988023401748050260

Upper deck more or less confirmed it's tomorrow.

[finfangfan]

Originally Posted by Sickleclaw

https://x.com/UpperDeckEnt/status/1988023401748050260

Upper deck more or less confirmed it's tomorrow.

Probably the 12th as listed (tomorrow is the 11th) but def a good sign!

[PrinceVegeta]

Seen some with it in hand, its out tomorrow