Marvel’s Past & Present in One Set – Breaking Open a 2024 Upper Deck Marvel Beginnings Box

Marvel Universe Expands – Breaking Open a 2024 Marvel Beginnings Volume 2 Series 2 Blaster Box

The 2024 Upper Deck Marvel Beginnings Volume 2 Series 2 continues to deliver a deep dive into Marvel’s extensive history, expanding upon the character-rich set introduced in Series 1. While I didn’t open Series 1, this box break gave a great first-hand look into the structure, inserts, and character selections in Series 2.

This release features a 180-card base set, which, when combined with Series 1 and the future Series 3, forms a comprehensive 540-card collection covering iconic heroes, notorious villains, and hidden gems from Marvel’s extensive lore. In addition to base cards, the set includes multiple parallels, inserts, and unique subsets that make for an interesting mix of nostalgia, rarity, and collectibility.

Breaking Down the Set – What Makes Series 2 Stand Out?

Upper Deck structured Marvel Beginnings Volume 2 to revisit classic Marvel characters while introducing modern design elements. The base cards highlight individual characters, featuring key details and striking artwork, while inserts focus on themes such as cosmic powerhouses, sword-wielding heroes, and Marvel’s most dominant forces.

Key Features of the Set

✔ 180-card base set, with characters ranging from A-list Avengers to lesser-known but compelling figures
✔ Parallels such as Green Mirror World (#/61), Purple Reality (1/1), and Red Supernova (exclusive to retail blasters)
✔ Inserts including Cosmic Annihilation, Heavyweights, Gods of Marvel, and Swordsmen
✔ Flipped FX inserts featuring multiple color variations (Blue, Red, Orange, Black, and Gold)
✔ First Appearance Variants, with Rare, Super Rare, and Hyper Rare short prints
✔ Glitz & Glam foilboard cards, Micro Motion dynamic images, and classic holograms

Each blaster box contains 10 packs of 5 cards each, with a mix of base cards, inserts, and exclusive Red Supernova parallels.

Inside the Blaster Box – My Break Experience

The break delivered a varied mix of Marvel characters, but the condition of the cards left a lot to be desired. Upper Deck’s quality control issues were apparent, with corners and edges showing signs of damage straight out of the packs.

Here are some of the notable cards pulled from this box:

Standout Base Cards & Character Highlights

• Adam Warlock – A major cosmic player in Marvel Comics, known for his connection to the Infinity Gauntlet storyline.
• Scarlet Witch – A fan-favorite character with an ever-growing presence in Marvel media.
• Ghost Rider (Beginnings Insert) – A visually stunning pull, highlighting one of Marvel’s most supernatural anti-heroes.
• The Thing – One of the most recognizable figures in Marvel history, known for his catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!”
• Toxin (Refractor Parallel) – A key symbiote character, offering a great addition for Spider-Man and Venom fans.

Inserts and Thematic Cards

• Heavyweights Insert – Darkhawk – This subset focuses on some of Marvel’s physically strongest characters.
• Swordsmen Insert – Colleen Wing – A spotlight on blade-wielding warriors, including heroes and villains.
• Refractor Variants – Pulled a Death’s Head and White Tiger refractor, though condition issues made them a bit of a letdown.

While some cards in this break stood out, the quality control concerns made it less satisfying than expected.

Character Deep Dives – Notable Marvel Figures from This Break

Adam Warlock – The Cosmic Savior

Adam Warlock is a central figure in Marvel’s cosmic stories, originally created to be a perfect being. His Infinity Gauntlet role cemented his status, making his card a strong pull for fans of cosmic storylines.

Ghost Rider – The Spirit of Vengeance

Ghost Rider is one of Marvel’s most visually striking characters, with his flaming skull and supernatural chains. His Beginnings insert stood out in this break, offering a great piece for any supernatural Marvel fan’s collection.

Scarlet Witch – The Reality-Bending Powerhouse

Scarlet Witch’s growth from an X-Men villain to one of Marvel’s most complex heroes makes her a standout pull. With WandaVision solidifying her mainstream popularity, her cards remain highly sought-after.

Final Thoughts on the Marvel Beginnings Volume 2 Series 2 Blaster Box

While the character selection and thematic inserts were strong, the poor card condition straight from the packs was disappointing. Blaster boxes remain an accessible way to collect, but for those seeking higher-quality cards and rarer parallels, hobby boxes may be the better choice.

Pros

✔ Wide character selection, including lesser-known Marvel figures
✔ Interesting insert themes, like Swordsmen and Cosmic Annihilation
✔ Retail-exclusive Red Supernova parallels add value

Cons

❌ Poor condition on multiple cards, leading to disappointment
❌ Some inserts felt repetitive
❌ High chase odds for premium inserts

For Marvel fans, this set offers a deep dive into characters both famous and obscure, but condition concerns may affect long-term collectibility.