Wizard World, Inc. announced it is joining the growing number of subscription-based box services targeted at the geek audience with its new monthly ComicConBox.

The ComicConBox will include exclusive collectibles, toys, games, licensed artwork, comics, apparel, Wizard World Comic Con tickets, VIP discounts and more, according to the announcement.  The monthly service is $29.99, and includes Epic Grand Prizes included in random boxes. The first box ships on April 20.

Wizard World is joining a growing list of companies launching geek-related, curated  subscription box services capitalizing on the success of category leader Loot Crate (see “Loot Crate Hits 100,000 Subscribers”), which has had a noticeable impact on Diamond Comic Distributors' monthly sales charts due to its exclusive variant comic covers (see “Seven Titles Over 100K in February”). Marvel recently launched its own subscription box service, Marvel Collector Corps, with partner Funko.

There are currently more than 20 different subscription boxes in the category, with box frequency varying from monthly to quarterly, and subscription rates running  from $10 - $50.00 each. Specific boxes focus on toys, board games, comics, toys & collectibles, kid-friendly brands, t-shirts, tech, Japanese candy, anime, and books.  Some offer a mix of all of the above, curated around a changing monthly theme like Loot Crate (Battle, Convert, Heroes, Villains). 

Nerd Block Inc. offers boxes in a number of categories, including Nerd Block, Nerd Block Jr., Arcade Block, Horror Block, and Comic Block.  

There are even sites based on affiliate sales of subscription boxes across categories like My Subscription Addiction and Find Subscription Boxes to refer fans to specific boxes.

We're wondering if this could work at the store level (i.e., retailers offering to curate monthly packages of cool new products in particular categories).  

At some point, it seems likely that that the category will shake out, but the appeal is understandable.  For the seller, subscription boxes offer a reliable, repetitive purchase.  And for fans, as long as they are happy with the curation, subscription boxes offer a way to cut the time they spend shopping and the potential to get unique items, or at least items they wouldn't otherwise of have found.