Unveiling the Chaos: A Detailed Review and Breakdown of the 2023 Upper Deck The Boys Seasons 1 & 2 Trading Card Set
Introduction
"The Boys," the gritty, satirical superhero series on Amazon Prime, has captivated audiences with its dark take on power, corruption, and vigilante justice. Based on the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the show follows a ragtag group of anti-heroes known as The Boys as they battle the corrupt superheroes of The Seven, all under the corporate umbrella of Vought International. Seasons 1 and 2, which aired in 2019 and 2020 respectively, set the stage for this explosive narrative, introducing iconic characters like Homelander (Antony Starr), Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), and Starlight (Erin Moriarty).
In 2023 (with some sources noting a 2025 release window, likely due to production timelines), Upper Deck, in collaboration with Skybox, launched the first-ever trading card set dedicated to the series: The Boys Seasons 1 & 2. This hobby-exclusive product brings the show's visceral energy to collectors through a mix of base cards, parallels, inserts, autographs, and memorabilia. Aimed at superfans and trading card enthusiasts, the set immerses users in the world's lore with high-quality artwork, rare hits, and thematic elements like Compound V parallels that nod to the show's super-serum. Priced at an MSRP of around $119.95 per hobby box, it's positioned as a premium collectible. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive breakdown of the set's components, including examples, followed by an in-depth review and analysis.
Set Overview
The 2023 Upper Deck The Boys Seasons 1 & 2 set consists of a 250-card base set, divided into 100 cards for Season 1, 100 for Season 2, and 50 Character cards. Each hobby box contains 15 packs with 7 cards per pack (105 cards total), and cases hold 12 boxes. On average, boxes deliver 4 base cards per pack, with additional hits like parallels and inserts. The set utilizes Upper Deck's advanced technologies, including lenticular effects, metal prints, and shadow-box designs, to enhance visual appeal. Collectors can expect an average of two Compound V parallels, one short print (SP) insert, and one 3D lenticular card per box, with autographs falling roughly one every other box (six per case overall).
The base cards recap key scenes and moments from the episodes, while Character cards spotlight heroes, villains, and supporting cast. The set's thematic parallels and inserts tie directly into the show's universe, such as "Floor 82" referencing Vought's headquarters or "Supes Suits" memorabilia featuring actual fabric swatches from costumes.
Base Set Breakdown
The base set is the foundation, offering a narrative walkthrough of Seasons 1 and 2.
- Season 1 (Cards 1-100): These cards chronicle the early chaos, from introductions to major plot twists. Examples include:
- #1: "Maeve Saves" – Depicts Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) in a heroic moment.
- #20: "You're the Homelander" – Captures Homelander's intimidating presence.
- #34: "Flight 37" – References the tragic plane incident.
- #100: "Honey, I'm Home" – A tense family reunion scene.
- Season 2 (Cards 101-200): Focuses on escalating conflicts, new threats like Stormfront, and deeper character arcs. Examples:
- #101: "Terms and Conditions" – Highlights Vought's corporate machinations.
- #102: "Burn in Truth" – A fiery confrontation.
- #200: "Safe, For Now" – A cliffhanger nod to ongoing dangers.
- Characters (Cards C-1 to C-50): Standalone profiles of key figures, inserted at 1:1 packs. Examples:
- C-1: Jack Quaid as Hughie Campbell.
- C-2: Antony Starr as Homelander.
- C-24: Claudia Doumit as Victoria Neuman.
- C-50: Dan Darin-Zenco as Doppelganger.
The base cards feature sharp photography from the show, with glossy finishes that pop under light. They're straightforward but serve as excellent entry points for fans reliving episodes.
Parallels: Adding Rarity and Theme
Parallels elevate the base and character cards with color variations, serial numbering, and thematic ties, making chases exciting. All apply to Season 1, Season 2, and Character cards unless noted.
| Parallel Name | Rarity/Odds | Description & Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 1:3 packs | Basic color shift for accessibility. Ex: Red Parallel #1 "Maeve Saves" or C-2 "Homelander". |
| Compound V | /399 | Glows with a blue hue, referencing the super-serum. Ex: Compound V #101 "Terms and Conditions" (/399). |
| Floor 82 | /82 | Serialized to Vought's elite floor. Ex: Floor 82 C-4 "Starlight" (e.g., 35/82). |
| Black | /25 | Dark, premium look. Ex: Black Parallel #200 "Safe, For Now" (/25). |
| The Seven | /7 | Ultra-rare, tied to the superhero team. Ex: The Seven C-7 "The Deep" (/7). |
| Printing Plates | 1/1 | Unique cyan, magenta, yellow, or black plates used in production. Ex: Printing Plate #34 "Flight 37" (1/1). |
These parallels add depth, with lower-numbered ones like /7 commanding premium prices on the secondary market. In box breaks, reds appear frequently, while /82 and below are celebrated hits.
Inserts: Thematic Depth and Artwork
Inserts are standalone cards that expand on the show's lore, featuring original art, quotes, and shadow-box effects. They're randomly inserted with varying odds.
- A View From Home (30 cards, 1:48; 10 SPs, 1:720): Shadow-box cards simulating TV screens. Ex: Regular #AVH-1 showing Homelander's public facade; SP #AVH-SP1 with rare behind-the-scenes vibes.
- Action Figures (15 cards, 1:11; 15 Variations, 1:90): 3D lenticular renders by artist John Stanko, mimicking action figures. Ex: #AF-1 Homelander (regular); Variation #AFV-5 Starlight with alternate pose.
- Behind The Boys (15 cards, 1:5; Gold /7): Production insights. Ex: #BTB-1 on filming the plane crash; Gold #BTB-3 /7.
- In Memory Of... (15 cards, 1:5; Gold /7): Tributes to fallen characters or elements. Ex: #IMO-1 for Translucent; Gold #IMO-2 /7 for a whale scene nod.
- Metal Prints (30 cards, 1:60): Durable metal cards of characters. Ex: #MP-1 Billy Butcher.
- Most Wanted (5 cards, 1:900): Rare wanted posters. Ex: #MW-1 The Boys as fugitives.
- Quotes (15 cards, 1:5; Gold /7): Iconic lines. Ex: #Q-1 Homelander's "You guys are the real heroes."
- Retro (15 cards, 1:180): 90s-style art by Tom Morgan. Ex: #R-1 The Seven in comic flair.
- Supes Lenticular (30 cards, 1:30; 10 SPs, 1:720): 3D motion cards. Ex: #SL-1 A-Train speeding; SP #SL-SP1 Laser Baby.
- Team Ups (25 cards, 1:100): Pairings like Butcher and Hughie. Ex: #TU-1 The Boys vs. The Seven.
These inserts shine with creativity, especially the lenticulars and artwork, providing collectible variety beyond base cards.
Variations, Autographs, and Memorabilia
- Variations: Primarily in Action Figures (15 variants at 1:90), offering alternate designs or poses. Ex: Standard Homelander vs. variant with laser eyes activated. Some inserts like Supes Lenticular have SP versions for added rarity.
- Autographs: From 22 signers, including first-timers like Karl Urban and Jessie T. Usher. Odds: Singles 1:210, Duals 1:1,800, Triples 1:18,000, Quads 1:30,000. Parallels include Red (/49 or /25), Inscribed (/25), Gold (1/1). Ex: Single Auto of Antony Starr as Homelander; Dual of Urban and Quaid; Action Figures Auto Variation (1:1,080) like signed Starlight figure.
- Memorabilia (Supes Suits): Fabric swatches from costumes. Singles (9 cards, 1:120) like Homelander's cape; Duals (7, 1:360) e.g., Starlight and A-Train; Triples (3, 1:1,080); Quad (1, 1:3,600). Premium parallels /25.
Hit Rates and Odds
Per box: 2 Compound V parallels, 1 SP insert, 1 lenticular. Case averages: 6 autos, 2 mem/plates, 6 retro/numbered parallels, 2 metal prints. Rarer hits like quads are case-busters, adding thrill to group breaks.
Review and Analysis
The Boys Seasons 1 & 2 set is a triumphant debut for the franchise in trading cards, blending fan service with collector appeal. Strengths include exceptional variety— from thematic parallels like The Seven /7 to original artwork by Stanko and Morgan, which feel fresh and immersive. Autographs and memorabilia elevate it beyond typical entertainment sets, with signers like Urban adding star power. Box breaks reveal fun pulls, like A-Train autos /90 or Floor 82 serialized cards, making it engaging for show fans. Collectibility is high, especially for low-numbered parallels and SPs, which could appreciate as the series continues (now in Season 4+).
Weaknesses emerge in collation—duplicates are common, and some boxes feel light on premium hits, leading to "awful" pack experiences in reviews. The set lacks detailed card quality specs (e.g., stock durability), and rarer items like quads (1:30,000) might frustrate casual buyers. At $120/box, value depends on hits; strong autos boost ROI, but base-heavy boxes may disappoint.
Overall, this set earns a solid 8/10. It's a must for The Boys enthusiasts, offering nostalgic recaps and chase-worthy rarities. For general collectors, it's a fun, thematic entry, though entertainment sets can fluctuate in long-term value. If you're into dark superhero satire, rip a box— just watch for those Compound V surprises!
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