box: 24 packets (4 stickers per packet) 0,90€ each
ecoblister: 5 packets + 1 card limited 4,50€
treasure box: album + 23 packets + 4 cards limited
The dawn of a new era? Or simply the necessary research to propose something different? Maybe it’s the second one, but we like to think it’s linked to the first hypothesis. Certainly the HP phenomenon does not know the word end and indeed it is enriched with new followers, as the generations go by. Impressive if we think about how much the actors who play the various characters have become adults and those adults, unfortunately, some of them are no longer with us.
Panini’s editorial proposal is intriguing, in our opinion on the one hand it meets the now clear need to have albums that are not too abundant in stickers, on the other it also winks at collectors. For families the possibility of collecting an album with a limited number of stickers and therefore relatively easy to complete, for the large public of enthusiasts and fans having a collection of over 800 stickers but not in a single issue. This album is the first of four that thematically retraces the entire long saga, from the Harry Potter films to the Fantastic Beasts prequel.
The photos used are nothing particularly new for a Harry Potter sticker album, if the story is the same and the characters are always the same (even if, thanks to the Fantastic Beasts films, we are meeting new ones) then it is in the formula , in the format, in the proposal that you have to be original.
We don’t need to tell you the story, you know it by heart. The total number of stickers in the album could be misleading, from 1 to 100 but in reality they are 200, so the fun and pleasure that sticking stickers always gives us is guaranteed.
Even the choice to limit the texts and images printed on the album in other cases would have made us grumble, in this case it’s to give all the space possible to the stickers; once again, our little card friends are the absolute protagonists. We hope that in the continuation the charts will be able to amaze us, so as to make each album different from the other.
After all, the very title of the album leaves no doubts, this is a guide in stickers. Not sure what your house could be? The album opens with a nice test to find out, here too attaching the stickers is essential. Don’t you remember the other houses? Well, go to the last pages and maybe your curiosities will find the answers.
The general reasoning remains that brings us back to the sentence with which we opened this review. There was a need for novelty and to create new formulas to always keep the variegated world of stickers alive. Guessed the mix between two parallel but different worlds, that of occasional buyers and the most hardened collectors.
The interesting idea of offering a box set to contain the four albums (hopefully calculated with enough space for the complete albums..), a sin exclusively on the Panini site and also a limited set of 14 cards, irrelevant for the completeness of the album but an extra that will please those who “can’t get enough”.
The paper in the album is certainly of a much higher quality than the Panini average of recent years. The stickers are no different, large and shiny, as are the special metal ones and the many more or less small ones. A questionable choice was that of inserting only four stickers in a packet, the price of the packet is paradoxically cheaper when compared to other collections, precisely as a function of the quality.
On the other hand, a sticker could be added and the price left at 1 euro. Is it just an experimental project? Maybe yes, but if you read what is written on the last page “the first four collections”, it is a clear message that Panini are convinced they have got it right; this time, we too think the same.
We are not. Before even analyzing this collection, we cannot fail to highlight a purely Italian issue: the cost of the sachets. In fact, for some arcane reason, in Italy the cost of the packet is 1 euro more than all the others. All. Both the European Union (France, Spain, Germany, etc.) and also for non-EU countries such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Because?!? We would very much like to have an answer, a fact that we had already reported for the collection of cards on wrestling.
The collection can be considered a continuation of the “Welcome to Hoghwarts” released in March 2021, where among other things the cost of the packet was 1.50 for 6 cards .. in addition to the fact that the collection had a total number of cards more congruous, 216. Here we have 300 and the binder is not enough. Missing opportunity considering that even the back of the cards have their own images and should be enjoyed all the way through.
A long preamble that can be summed up in a simple “sin”, the collection deserves in our opinion, certainly HP fans will not be intimidated by the higher cost of cards compared to the rest of Europe, but if you have friends abroad who plan to come and see you, let them make the purchase.
Evolution is a collection that somehow tries to free itself from what has already been seen previously, through the 7 years of the film saga by showing us how the characters have changed, consequently also the actors who impersonate them. For example Hermione, aka Emma Watson, from child to beautiful young woman.
The first long part of the collection is therefore dedicated to many images of our actors / heroes, the novelty is precisely that in the sheet of 9 cards we find only one character, starting from the first film “The Philosopher’s Stone” to the last “The gifts of death”. Which become 18 for Harry Potter (card 10-27). Following Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. After them they always follow with 9 cards each Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy. With fewer cards Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Rubeus Hagrid, Luna Lovegood, Minerva McGonagall, Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius Black and Dobby.
Very interesting is the part that goes from card 124 to card 180 where we find all the others, from secondary characters to professors, to the many magical creatures. Following the second part of the collection, starting (from card 181 to card 225) from certain epic moments in the films, who has never dreamed of having a Quidditch match?!?
The subsequent choice of presenting the families, with 9 cards each, the Weasley and Malfoy families (from card 226 to card 243) was nice, appreciated and spot on. If magic is the protagonist of the saga, the collection cannot fail to be, too, at the end of a very rich series of cards. From card 244 to card 300 we find magical objects and places, with a grand finale at Hogwarts Castle.
The guide to the collection that we find in the binder is really excellent, first a long introduction that proposes the saga and its characters, to follow the very well structured check list where for each card we have a short and effective presentation. Next to the information on the type of collectible card.
In fact, if Harry Potter saved himself from Voldemort, he could not do the same with the “parallel” fever. The new fashion on which the main publishers (Panini and Topps) have thrown themselves, if they have done so, it is certainly because a part of the collectors goes after it. To us, old comic book collectors, it reminds us so much of the past fashion of variant covers that, at least in Italy, in the 90s they risked blowing up the market. Advise? The parallels are trivially just cards of different colors, but with the same subjects on the card, so if you find them well, if not so patience, you will still have the complete collection. Then, let’s be clear, everyone is free to spend their money as they see fit.
It is a valid collection, also for the care with which it was prepared, having the image on the back of the card, different from each other, is a not insignificant added value, often not seen. In our humble opinion the total number of cards could be limited, at least to 270 so as to be able to contain them all in the binder, being able to look at both the front and the back (267 actually, because there would also be limited ones, at the moment 3).
The heart pushes us to buy many packets and create the conditions for exchanges for our Association with many fans, the collection deserves it. The head instead tells us to go further, because that cost so unfavorable for us Italians compared to all other countries (remembering that the product is “made in Italy”) we cannot accept it and the only thing that Panini can understand is a negative data on sales. Will our gesture be of no use? By the way, done reluctantly? Probable, but it is the only “weapon” in our possession and we use it.
(EN)
Fantastic Beasts: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE
EDICOLA NEWS: THE REVIEWS nr. 243
album: Fantastic Beasts – The secrets of Dumbledore (Panini)
box: 24 packets (4 stickers + 1 card per packet) 1,00€ each
t is always complicated when an opinion is already negative, especially if in reality there are several interesting aspects. Our considerations cannot suffer the negative impact of the album paper which, once again, is a punch in the stomach.
We are not asking for top quality paper, but acceptable, collectible, decent, that is. The feeling is that there is really a total lack of respect not only towards the buyers but also the history of Panini, at least of the Panini family, of the four or rather eight brothers and of Nonna Olga, celebrated by us with a card.
The annoying point, beyond any other aspect, is that these shortcomings heavily affect those who, in the Panini household, have not forgotten history, tradition and seriousness. Result: albums that are interesting from many points of view, are eventually massacred by details where the paper crisis is just a mere excuse, if Panini herself, at the same time, releases albums with matte and non-glossy paper that do not cause problems. And other publishers, almost all of them, use glossy paper but without all these disasters.
It is really a big shame because the album linked to the Harry Potter Universe proves to be quite interesting. First of all in the formula, in our opinion winning, no more time for biblical albums (for those Calciatori are enough) but essential, to the point that the sometimes useless cards can also be digested. “Dumbledore’s Secrets” contains just 120 stickers, an excellent solution, especially in an era where the boxes that arrive at newsstands contain only 24 packets. To be (very) optimistic, we are satisfied that we can find an adequate number of stickers other than having to then only make a limited order of missing ones at Panini between stickers and card.
The album is divided into two parts, in the first pages (stickers from 1 to 44) space for the previous films, this also explains the background graphics to the minimum terms. There is, as the right change of style compared to the following pages where we get to the heart of the new film and where in the images we find beautiful and large photos of scenes from the film, in black and white which makes it all very fascinating, right contrast with the stickers above. which are obviously in color. An appreciable detail, by attaching the stickers, the images below still maintain vitality with the various characters / actors still clearly visible.
The stickers are certainly not trivial, the editorial line is similar to the previous albums, correct choice since the quality is excellent, as well as the larger format than the standard. The frame, also special silver or gold, allows you to have that picture effect that, you will see, will make you spend more than a moment enjoying the photographs. Photographs, not “frames” from the film, this is what they seem. Really beautiful.
The 30 cards are ultimately a good filler for a good collection. In the starter pack there are also 3 limited edition cards. Another detail that we appreciate, compared to other collections, is the size of the limited, equal to the 30 cards found in the packets, this should allow you to keep them all together in the dedicated box, attached to the album.
The stickers are beautiful, the limited formula of stickers and cards to complete the album is good, a pity, a real shame about the insult (sorry, we can’t find a more correct term) of the quality of the paper. And if Panini ever had the intention of releasing a hardcover version, it would not be remotely a solution for those who have the right to be able to collect in a curated, traditional and stapled album.
box: 24 packets (5 stickers per packet) 0,90€ each multiset: 5 packets 4,50€
Tin Box – orange, red or white – 11,90€ (15 packets + 2 cards XXL) Exclusivity Box 34,90€ (hard cover album + 20 packets + 2 cards XXL + 1 card Jubilee) Treasure Box 19,90€ (20 packets + 2 cards XXL)
Another Harry Potter album?!? Why not, we answer. It is perhaps the longest-running and strongest mainstream of those of the new millennium, probably second only to Star Wars, but with the difference that it still has a very active market on stickers and cards. Just the last release of cards a few months ago met with a lot of interest.
Of course, there are no new films, even the images cannot be new, so Panini tries to make the product interesting in the setting of the album and in the contents. Let’s analyze how successful it has been.
The basic idea is precisely to give fans notions on how to become wizards, witches and of course students of Hogwarts. A fairly successful cross between a school guide and the secrets of the films in the series. Among the chapters we therefore find the entrance to Hogwarts, its four houses, the subjects of study and a lot of information almost as if it were really possible to visit the castle. After all, just find the right track, right?
What wizards and witches are you if you don’t know how to cast spells? Ample space is dedicated to this fundamental aspect, which is also the backbone of the entire saga. First the pages with a broad description of this world and then in particular on the Patronus, the powerful defense spell, if you don’t know what we’re talking about, go see the movies!
After a taste of the potions, the final pages of the album are interesting, dedicated not only to wands but also to their magical owners: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Bellatrix, Severus, Ablus, Voldemort and the Elder Wand. For each triple stickers with captions of the powers. Most intriguing part of the album!
If you are not tired of learning yet, last few pages to visit Hogwarts and the central poster for the 12 silk-effect Y stickers. The stickers are certainly the added factor of the album, very beautiful, gold frame for the standard ones, red or black for the special ones, larger than usual, they make their figure, even for the choice of photos. The “glow in the dark” are quite common specials for Panini albums, always interesting.
Attached to the 3-card XXL starter pack, they are not the only extra initiatives to the collection, on the Panini website the tin box and above all two exclusive boxes are also announced: Exclusivity and Treasure Box, with additional material to the collection and finally also the hardcover version. Object that has been missing in Italy for some time, if we do not consider the albums related to football.
Taking into account the current prices of the packets and the quality of the stickers, we do not focus on costs, while instead we must point out, unfortunately and once again, the album paper is absolutely not up to the product. Too bad an interesting job can be ruined by this lack of attention from Panini. A bit like going to a restaurant, eating very well, but finding oneself with dirty dishes and glasses. However delicious the food may be, the main memory will always be negative..
Welcome, indeed welcome back to Hogwarts! Harry Potter is always a hallmark of success, despite the fact that the films have been finished for years the demand for material is always high. Panini cannot ignore this, luckily raising the bar each time. Last year’s Absolute (stickers + cards) which re-proposed the whole saga of the young magician was among the best-performing albums of 2020 and the 50 cards had left excellent sensations.
Now it’s time to go back to an entire card album which, again, traces the history of the 8 films but fortunately not as a simple repetition of what has already been seen so far. The collection follows a logical thread starting from the Philosopher’s Stone of 2001 up to the double Deathly Hallows of 2010 and 2011. In reality we must be happy that after 10 years material is still being published, while Panini has known (when he wants .. ) greatly improve the quality of their cards, 10 years ago probably the result would have been very different.
The album guide is monumental, each single card is presented with its own description, perhaps a superfluous job for someone but well done and fun. If you know the saga, we invite you to look at the images of the cards, try to guess which movie and moment of the same they refer to and only then, if necessary, go and read if your memory plays a bad joke.
216 really well-made cards, as were already those of last year’s album, indeed in our opinion we see a further improvement. The thickness is significant, much better than those of Adrenalyn Calciatori, the same images are effective and exciting, re-proposing both moments of the films and the many characters, many more, from the cards we have seen, than the usual ones. The added value are also the cards dedicated to the objects and animals that populate the saga. Even if something is certainly missing, like last year’s one, it can be said that this collection is a must for all collectors. The print is of excellent workmanship, a pleasure for the eyes and also to the touch. Recalling various recent experiences at Panini we can only be satisfied.
Also important is the number of special cards, 60 among those in relief, rainbow, silver and gold. Speaking of special cards, worth mentioning are the nine limited editions, three are found in the starter pack, the other six in the two Patronus and Giratempo boxes, sold only on the Panini website.
We do not know how to predict a success, perhaps the character is more dated than others more recent, from our point of view and given the current market prices it can be a very fun collection to try to complete, expensive but less exaggerated than others and above all better organized. .
Do you want to let us dream? So we think that such a product can also be repeated with other sages, just as Panini has revived the Jurassic Park / World universe. Which? Not having the rights to Star Wars, a definitive edition of all Marvel movies until the fall of Thanos could be very appetizing, at least for us!
comment: Harry Potter never goes out of style! The saga of the young magician continues to have millions of fans around the world, even if the story and the consequent films have come to an end.
After last year’s Magical Sticker Album (in a little effective tabloid version), Panini celebrates the entire saga with a new album that retraces all the adventures. Appreciable that it is not just a copy / paste of previous productions (after all it could not be, given that not all albums in the past were made by Panini), the stickers have the rectangular format that we had already appreciated for Avengers End Game.
This particular “widescreen” model goes well with the images taken from the various films, each equally represented with a number of equal-sized stickers (6 pages and about 27 stickers for each episode, only the second part of “The deathly hallows” it has a few less).
It is also an album full of captions, so as to resemble almost a book in stickers, it recalls certain productions of the same 80’s Panini where for each sticker there was the explanation below.
In the album there is inside the binder (to be assembled) for the 50 cards, more value of this collection. As for Avengers and Spider-Man, even here Panini maintains an excellent level, not only of card quality but above all for images. Very close-ups (from C32 to C39) of the main characters, captivating the holographs with details to be discovered.
Was another Harry Potter album necessary? Those who already have others will surely do it to complete the collection (but are we sure it will be the last? ..), those who do not have them but love the saga can have a single album in the whole story; who does not appreciate much, surely can find other interesting products in this period of invasion of quality albums at newsstands.
Panini continues the promotion and production of albums with stickers and cards, together, if the results are these, we cannot complain!
