2012 Rittenhouse True Blood Premiere Edition Trading Cards

Product Review

2012 Rittenhouse True Blood Premiere Edition Product Review

Reviewed by Ryan Cracknell

Good: Comprehensive base set, numerous insert sets add value and make boxes less reliant on the major hits, strong designs throughout.

Bad: Multiple autograph designs for lesser signers, insert themes are very similar to other recent sets.

The Bottom Line: 2012 Rittenhouse True Blood Premiere Edition does a great job of pulling together the first four seasons of the popular cable show. It offers a comprehensive base set filled with great write-ups and crisp images. While the autograph lineup isn't just top stars, but most are actors who made an impact on the show in some form. Complimenting the set are several inserts that do a great job of adding value. They don't have quite the same pop as Rittenhouse's recent Game of Thrones and James Bond 50th Anniversary sets, but they're still solid. The one potential danger is that the same themes are being used across multiple sets. This isn't a big deal for casual collectors who might only focus on the True Blood line. But for those going after multiple sets, some of these themes are in danger over being overused.

Card Design: 4.0/5.0

2012 Rittenhouse True Blood Premiere Edition has clean designs throughout. The base set packs a ton of information. Card backs are extensive, summarizing each of the first 48 episodes. Every base card has two photos, all of which are crisp. A nice touch is that card fronts reference both the season and episode number.

My favorite inserts are the Shadowbox cards. Similar to the cards in Game of Thrones, James Bond 50th Anniversary and Marvel Universe (not to mention the sports-themed cards Upper Deck has been making for years), several layers combine to make a 3D effect. A little more flair in the background would have been nice, but even without, the cards have a lot of pop.

The strength of the other basic inserts comes from the strong photography. While much of it has been used for show promotions in the past, they're still great shots. The Quotable cards are the one insert sets that underwhelm. They look and feel more like a double-sided base card.

Like all Rittenhouse products, autographs are all on-card. Several signers have two designs. Personally, I'm partial to the bloody design as it's more distinct and connects directly to the show's theme. The full-bleed design is also clean but it doesn't stand out quite as much.

Checklist: 4.0/5.0

Despite covering four seasons of the show, the 98-card base set does a good job of capturing everything. Two cards are dedicated to every episode with each giving as in-depth a synopsis as one could expect.

The autograph checklist is also strong, providing collectors with nearly every key cast member. While some important characters aren't included, it provides balance for future sets, at least if autographs from these actors are planned. Also, most of the secondary signers are more than background actors. They play key roles in the sow that make them recognizable, even if only for a handful of episodes.

The numerous other insert sets provide a lot of variety in packs. Sometimes with entertainment trading card sets there's a monotony of seeing the same people over and over with the same design. With an insert in nearly every pack, it breaks things up.

Value: 3.5/5.0

Rittenhouse has found the configuration sweet spot with products like this. A pair of hits and tons of inserts give collectors a lot to chase. And with a handful of high-end signers, there's a better chance of getting something big than in a lot of other releases.

Personally, I'm not a fan of having two different autograph cards from the same signer in a single product. Although there are fewer duplicate signers than in Rittenhouse's recent Game of Thrones set, they're still fairly common. I understand that this allows manufacturers to have smaller print runs for individual cards, but it doesn't look like the approach is adding much value. I think it can work, but only if the duplicate signers are spun off into distinct insert sets that are more than a simple design change.

I appreciate the numerous inserts Rittenhouse is offering in their products. Breaking the box, it gives a lot of perceived value. It also takes away a lot of the sting if you don't get a Sookie Stackhouse or Bill Compton autograph. No matter the break, collectors are left with a nice variety of great cards.

The Fun Factor: 4.0/5.0

2012 Rittenhouse True Blood Premiere Edition is an attractive well-designed set that delivers on nearly every level. Fans of the show who might not traditionally collect cards should really enjoy it, especially if they grew up with traditional baseball cards or movie cards that came with a stick of gum.

My one concern is for the core group of card collectors that buy a lot of Rittenhouse's products. In recent months, several of their releases are feeling very much the same. The configurations and feel for True Blood is very much the same as Game of Thrones. Hopefully the formula will get changed up a little in future.

That said, True Blood Premiere Edition has a lot of great elements. I also get very excited to see new licenses hit the hobby. Rittenhouse has been on a roll as of late in that department and it's helping breath new life into the entertainment side of the hobby and bringing new collectors along for the ride.