REVIEW:Cryptozoic's Hobbit The Battle Of The Five Armies (1/1 GIVEAWAY!!)

The third and final installment of The Hobbit series comes to not only a finale on the big screen, but to trading cards as well. I think Cryptozoic did a great job capturing all of it.

In every box of The Hobbit, you will find 24 packs with 5 cards per pack. Each box has 1 autograph and boxes will run you about $85. 

The base set is built of 90 cards. That's a big set for Cryptozoic. The cards are full color screen grabs capturing all of the big moments of the film and some closeups. Whether its Bilbo and the Dwarves watching Smaug setting the Laketown ablaze or Bard the Bowman breaking out of prison and Smaug with the black arrow or when Bard and Thranduil's armies gather at the gates of Erebor, offering to trade the Arkenstone for the white gems and gold or when Thorin nearly kills Bilbo because of his betrayal.

The inserts are really classic and fit the theme of the product throughout. Rainbow foil board Character Biography falls 1:12 packs such examples as the Bolg and Bilbo Baggins. The Portraits, top left card, fall 1:48 packs so nice pull there.

Weapons chase set, the Orc, fall 1:4 packs. Silver foil board variant of Base and Weapons chase fall 1:6 packs

Canvas variant of Base and Weapons chase fall 1:24 packs and this one is numbered to 75.

Once again, Cryptomium, think Topps Superchrome technology and love the name too, makes an appearance as a Smaug puzzle chase set 1:24 packs that comes in three piece puzzle.

My autograph from the box was Luke Evans who played Bard The Bowman. These fall one per box.

The product is loaded with autograph signers including the director:

Peter Jackson, Director
Ken Stott as Balin the Dwarf
John Tui as Bolg
Jed Brophy as Nori the Dwarf
Lee Pace as Thranduil
Howard Shore, Composer
William Kircher as Bifur the Dwarf
Stephen Hunter as Bombur the Dwarf
Graham McTavish as Dwalin the Dwarf
Peter Hambleton as Gloin the Dwarf
Aidan Turner as Kili the Dwarf
Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield
Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman
Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel
Mark Hadlow as Dori the Dwarf
John Callen as Oin the Dwarf
John Bell as Bain son of Bard
Adam Brown as Ori the Dwarf
Mary Nesbitt as Tilda
Peggy Nesbitt as Sigrid
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
Ryan Gage as Alfrid
Sir Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins
James Nesbitt as Bofur the Dwarf
Manu Bennett as Azog

Then my box also had an extra surprise, a sketch/fine art card that falls 1:72 packs. Beautiful one at that.

Back of the card with artist signature

The only disappointment with the card is that the bottom corner had a very slight, probably unnoticeable to most but one with OCD like me, roundedness. If you look at the corner on the right I think you can see it. I would guess during transferring from sketch artist to Cryptozoic that may have happened. But, it's only a guess. It doesn't take away from the card though and that's why I am giving it away!

 

My overall thoughts were that it was a fun product to open. The price is a bit steep for a one hit product as I would have liked to have seen wardrobe addition as well or an extra autograph. But, other than that, inserts look great, and surprises like the sketch card and others such as Lenticular Posters chase set at 1:144 packs, Printing Plates 1:398 packs and redemptions for Oversized Autograph Cards (1:17,280 packs), could be around any corner!

Now onto the contest portion of the review,

Here is how the prizes break down for this one.

1st place, 1st on the random list, will win the sketch card!!
2nd place, 2nd on the random list, will win a handful of inserts and a possible third place winner could as well.

Now onto the small writing and how to enter.

1. MUST be a U.S. resident to enter. Shipping costs have gone haywire and I can't afford to ship everywhere. Sorry.
2. Cards will be shipped PWE
3. Random winners will be chosen after 7 randoms
4. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TELLING ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PRODUCT. Do you like it? What would you fix about it? What's your favorite part?
5. Sport Card Collectors or it's owner (person who runs the blog), WILL NOT be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged mail. Sorry had to add this in since someone tried to scam me once about this.
6. Contest starts today, ends on Thursday, March 17th 2016. Winner will be announced in a separate post on Friday March 18th.
7. Please make sure to thank Cryptozoic for their generosity and give them a follow on all social media sites. Please check out their website HERE as well for your trading card want and needs!

Good luck to everyone who enters!