Unboxing: Super Hero Stuff’s Hero Box Gives What You Want, When You Want It

Subscription boxes can be a hit or miss for some fans. While one month’s box may have a theme right up your ally, the other couldn’t be further from your specific geek interests. After all, a fan who loves Superman, The Walking Dead, and Terminator with equal aplomb is rarer than a two-horned unicorn.

Fortunately, SuperHeroStuff.com finally has an answer to that problem with Hero Boxes. Hero Boxes distinguish themselves from subscription boxes by, uh, not being a subscription box. Instead of committing to any set subscription, or waiting for the perfect theme to come along, Hero Box buyers can select what they want, when they want it.

Super Hero Stuff offers a robust roster of superhero themed boxes that you can purchase in one-and-done deals. Currently, Hero Box offers perennial themes including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Star Wars, Deadpool, Green Lantern, and The Flash. But keeping in step with the competition, Hero Box also rotates through unique monthly themes as a ninth option.

Since ComicBook.com has a soft spot for Grant Gustin’s pearly white smile, we had Super Hero Stuff mail in a Flash Box. You can view the unboxing in the video below.

Overall, Hero Box delivers a mostly successful package. While the contents inside certainly made us feel like the fastest man alive, the actual packaging was a major roadblock. Whereas Lootcrate or Marvel’s Collector Corps. carefully design their boxes with unique packaging, Hero Box just throws the loot in standard mid-size box and slaps an uninspired label on it. Half the fun in subscription boxes are the boxes themselves. The physical act of opening it is half the fun. Think of it this way: Would you want your birthday gift wrapped with a Walmart bag? No. Unfortunately, that’s what it’s like to open a Hero Box.

Venture inside, however, and you’ll see that Hero Boxes certainly compensate the poor packaging with a wealth of treasures. Inside, our Flash box contained:

* A Flash T-Shirt
* A pair of Flash Socks
* A Flash Belt
* Two Flash Buttons
* A Flash Eraser
* A Flash Symbol Window Decal
* A Flash Keychain
* An issue of JSA V. Kobra #1

The box was certainly on pace to satisfy even the fastest Flash fan’s appetite for swag. The box’s emphasis is certainly on apparel (which makes sense, since Super Hero Stuff is an apparel website), providing an entire wardrobe and more for the buyer. The only item that really felt like a Flash Fluke was the comic book. What business does a JSA comic from 2009 have in Flash-themed box? Buyers probably aren’t into these boxes for the comic, but still. Super Hero Stuff could have easily put in Flash comic–or at least an issue that was a little more recent–into the box. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix for a relatively small issue.

With all this loot adding up to a $75 value, Hero Box’s flat rate of $50 is certainly a steal. True, it’s a higher per-box rate than other services, but you’re also getting far more goodies than the average package. And you’re also getting the value of convenience, and actually having a say in what will arrive at your doorstep.

Overall, Super Hero Stuff’s Hero Boxes offer a satisfying change of pace in the growing subscription box market. While the packaging could certainly improve, the specifically-tailored goodies assure that you won’t be disappointed by what’s inside, with the exception of the comic book. But once you look past that small hiccup, Hero Boxes give the geeky goods you really want.

Disclaimer: Super Hero Stuff Provided ComicBook.com with a Hero Box free of charge.