Custom Fan Box: Review: April 2015

Our subscription box reviews continue with Custom Fan Box.

Review by Matt Cummings

Subscription boxes - the monthly subscription service - are all the rage these days: you can go with the standard themes behind Loot Crate, choose a clothing line, and even get a little kinky from Unbound. While I haven't partaken of the latter, I have gotten deep into several geek boxes. This time, it's the new service from Pop-Up Tee's Custom Fan Box. Here's the deal: you choose the single month plan - that's all the choices you're given - and then select from a variety of radial boxes broken down into categories like favorite movies, television, etc. You're also asked to choose a shirt size, which doesn't appear to be the case for May's offering. That one asks you for a shoe size. But we're worried about April, and so here's the breakdown of Custom Fan Box's inaugural offering.

First, let's be clear about expectations: you're promised a collection of items worth more than its $29.98 "subscription." I say that because currently you can only choose a one-at-a-time option. Also, remember that due to the many, many choices you're given, each box is totally customized; therefore each experience will be different. I chose items including Marvel, DC, Godzilla, Lord of the Rings, The Big Bang Theory, Star Wars, and bacon. Yes, I had to choose a food.

This arrived in a Priority Mail box. Not a great start.

Upon cracking the case, things immediately improve with a quick glance. Looks like a t-shirt and Vinyl Pop! figure.

And yes, the shirt is excellent! Well-made and fits great.

The Vinyl Pop! X-men Deadpool is straight-up cool. This one will not be flipped!

The good news continues with this excellent Godzilla coffee cup. Again, another item I will be keeping.

Then we get to the smaller pieces, some of which are a bit...odd. Like the Bacon Mints. Eeewwww.

Finally, we get these two great pins, one from The Big Bang Theory and Lord of the Rings. It's a nice conclusion to the box.

In the end, April 2015's April's Custom Fan Box is an excellent first-at-bat for the company. The idea of choosing your own custom-filled box with terrific exclusives is far more interesting when compare to Loot Crate or other geek-related subscriptions. The only issue here is cost: at $10 more than Loot or similar packages, it's an expensive alternative; however, what you get is superior to the sometimes uneven Loot. If you're thinking of making this a monthly effort, you'll have to visit the site regularly to choose your preferences and pay. At this point, I do plan on doing exactly that.

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