Nerd Block is a subscription mystery box that delivers geeky collectibles right to your door each month. You can choose whatever theme box you are into–there’s the Classic Block, Arcade Block, Sci-Fi Block, Horror Block, Comic Block, and even a Boys Jr. and Girls Jr. Block for younger kids. The sets always includes a t-shirt, along with 4-6 other collectibles that are often exclusive to Nerd Block subscribers. Today I am unboxing the January 2017 Horror Block.
Horror Block is going to be my Valentine this year. The mystery box company has decided to make 2017 the “Year of the Nerd” with a revamped approach to providing its subscribers with the best possible items in their Blocks. They’ve already started out on a high point for me with the January Block. It includes eight horrific items–six of which are exclusives. Scroll on to find out what’s inside!
Okay, admittedly, this first item is not so much a high point. Something from the Canadian slasher My Bloody Valentine is of course ideal for this time of year, but… an actual Valentine’s Day card? Not really worth the anticipation. I do, however, really like the style of the artwork (for which the only credit is the Twitter handle @butchovision), and think it would make an amazing print or alternate cover for the film.
In the past, Horror Block has been great about including random knickknacks for the home, but this item makes me think that there is a whole untapped market they could get into–car accessories! This Jason mask air freshener is a good baby step towards that. It has a lovely (if not overwhelming) pine fresh scent emanating from the double-sided artwork featuring the iconic hockey mask with Jason’s silhouette against the trees. Bonus for me: I just got a new car, and this will be a great way to decorate it and keep it smelling pretty!
I am now adding to my horror movie pin collection thanks to Horror Block. An exclusive collectible created by WaxOff Design, this pin will show that you are a proud Jaws fan and member of the Amity Island Swim Club! The pin is about an inch in diameter, made with nickel plated zinc, and has two fasteners in the back. The lettering and central picture are embossed to give the simplistic design just a bit more depth.
Now that I think about it, I am not sure that I would actually want to be a member of the Amity Island Swim Club… dangerous waters up there.
One of the biggest holes in my horror movie viewing is Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm series. I have still only seen the first film, and it was so long ago that I can barely recall it. My interest for the series was piqued again by the release of the fifth film, Phantasm: Ravager, and I know I need to dive into the whole thing soon. Luckily, I now have a book to help me along the way–a special edition of the Rue Morgue library, The Authorized Phantasm Film Companion. The book contains a foreword from Coscarelli, and then chronicles the journey of the Phantasm series in ten chapters. There are interviews with the cast and crew, a special section devoted to Angus Scrimm, plus much more information that I know will help me gain a greater appreciation for this very unique set of movies.
This is the first time since I signed up for Horror Block that the t-shirt has kind of been a miss for me. From the t-shirt company ShirtPunch, this is supposed to be a mummy design, although I don’t know what mummy it’s a reference to. It’s more just like a creepy skull with a random piece of fabric wrapped around it, and I have no idea why the skull has four eyes. Still, we horror fans like the random creepy stuff, so I will of course be sporting this shirt at some time or another.
Getting into the really good stuff now! January’s Block was a little heavier than normal and it was because of this amazing mason jar poison glass! It’s a bit on the small side–about the size of a coffee cup–but how could you not absolutely love this? The design of the skull and crossbones with the filigree around it is great, and the glass itself is thick and of good quality. And if you don’t want to use it as a glass or mug, I’m sure some crafty horror fans out there could turn this into a really neat candle, or use it around the house in some other way. Excellent inclusion, Horror Block!
I’m having a tough time deciding what my favorite item this month is, and it is definitely a toss-up between the next two items. I am a fan of both the Resident Evil movies and games, and the series celebrated its 20th anniversary in March of last year. Horror Block is still celebrating that milestone by providing us with this awesome S.T.A.R.S. badge diecast replica! The gold embossed badge is about three inches tall, and has a magnetic backing. Now I can nerd out even more by wearing this while playing one of the games, and I’m not even kidding about that. The box that it came in is cool, too, and is perfect for safekeeping the badge.
While I am tickled to death by the S.T.A.R.S. badge, I also adore this final item in the block–a Silence of the Lambs beanie. The front design is a simple patch featuring the title of the film, and a picture of the iconic death’s-head hawkmoth from the poster. You really never know what you’re going to get with this subscription box when they announce the featured films for the month, but I am continuously pleasantly surprised by items like this. We only have a few more weeks of winter left, and I plan to make great use of this awesome beanie until then.
Horror Block hit it out of the park for the first block of 2017, and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for the rest of the year. Another change for the company is the inclusion of a Nerd Block mini-magazine in each box. The 12-page booklet not only replaces the old description card, but also includes a couple of articles. For this first edition, they list out “Freddy Krueger’s Most Creative Kills,” do two short Q&As, and look at “The Doppelgangers of Marvel vs. DC.” This magazine is a fantastic idea, and another great way for the company to share its passions with their fans.
If you like what you saw here, head on over to Nerd Block to start your subscription today!
