Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... 

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ICONIC ARRIVAL
The Cards: Caitlin Clark 2024 Panini Instant WNBA (All-Rookie Team) -- Rookie Card (/26,980)
The Price: Whatever a 10-pack cost was from Panini
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: There's no doubt that Clark owned the WNBA in her rookie year and for most of this year her only pro cardboard came via Instant ... but I passed. Why? I figured I'd wait and see what popped up that I liked in packs -- and then when I opened one of her college career boxes I found interesting stuff but not cards all that slab-worthy with the details for cutting and printing. (Too messy for the risk to me.) As an easy slabbing decision, I grabbed a 10-pack of this card within hours of its arrival online. Why? It's clean and simple -- iconic -- and I knew that I'd want one or two of these in a slab with a high mark. How does that happen? Well, you have to have a few to pick from -- to eliminate obvious flaws like centering or corners -- and in this case three of my 10 might get sent in. The rest were too off-centered for my taste. There were plenty of these made so there's no rush, but it'll happen at some point in 2025.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this ... but WNBA cards are here.

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What: 2025 Topps Genesis Disney trading cards
Arrives: March 7
Box basics: Five serial-numbered cards per box (20 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: A new line dropped for Topps in the non-sports realm on Jan. 1 and promptly sold out as it was a limited release highlighting solely iconic characters from the Disney-owned realm.

Keep reading for more.

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

THEY'RE BACK ... SOMETIME SOON
The Item: Stranger Things Season 1 Target-exclusive Blu-ray set (2016)
The Reason Bought: How many Netflix series these days get a physical DVD release of any kind? How many get chain store-exclusive variant versions? Not that much of anything TV gets a physical release, really, not at least anywhere near the volumes of the past and that thought, along with the fact that the final season of this franchise is finally dropping sometime this year, got me looking here. I really liked the feel of this DVD set that's made to look like an old 1980s VHS sleeve that's had plenty of wear and tear and I also liked the idea of a graded item with that feel -- one where its actual flaws can blend in well and not stand out as glaring reasons why an item didn't grade higher.
The Grade: CGC 9.4 (A+ seal)

Reality Check: There are definitely other* copies of this one graded, but a pop report doesn't yet appear to be live for CGC Home Video (or it was down when I prepped this) and my number didn't come up on the verification search, either. That's OK for me as slabbed movies and games aren't as high on my radar in slabs as cards and magazines in terms of a "commodity" ... these are more the kind of shelf item with maybe some longer-term potential substance to them. To me they're more of a name-your-price novelty -- and, as an aside, I do like CGC's cases a lot more than others in this realm. This was a relatively cheap addition as well -- less than a lot of retail card boxes -- and over time affordable items can build a collection. One scary part? This is not far away from being 10 years old ... time flies.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The packs 2018 Pearl Jam Chicago trading cards (four packs)
First Buzz preview: N/A
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... (click here for non-sports boxes)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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What's a Bulk Break? Well, it's basically a Buzz Break -- but with a lot of packs or something that's found in volume but not in box or case form. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The lot: 2012 Cryptozoic The Big Bang Theory Seasons 3-4 (72 retail packs)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... newer non-sports cards are here

Keep reading to see what was in this lot.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The boxes: 2014 Topps UK Transformers movies trading cards
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... Click here for newer non-sports cards

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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What's Buzzing: Collecting Claus cards, reactions to Barry Bonds' upcoming Topps ink, new pulls, NFL chatter and more on fans' minds in today's edition.

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What: Cheers Premiere Edition Trading Cards
Arrives: Feb. 26, 2025
Box basics: Two autographs and one memorabilia card per 24-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Pre-order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Making your way in the hobby world today may take everything you've got, but Rittenhouse Archives will start off a new year where everybody knows your name as the cast of this past classic -- and a number of notable guest stars known elsewhere -- come to cardboard for the first time.

Keep reading for more info on this one.

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What: 2025 Pieces of the Past Nine Year Edition Series 1 trading cards
Arrives: Feb. 10
Box basics: Nine hits per nine-pack box (nine boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Pieces of the Past takes a hits-only approach for its ninth anniversary with "the greatest cards we have ever produced" found in this one as it revisits back as far as 2017 releases.

Keep reading for more info and a selection of images.

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What's Buzzing: NFL chatter, Allen & Ginter X collation, Caitlin Clark, new pulls and more in this Friday edition.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The pack: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs (two)
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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What's Buzzing: Talking StarPics, NFL chatter, a big MLB trade, Randy Moss and more in this mid-week edition.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...

--

IT'S POGPOOL!
The Books: Deadpool No. 5 (2024) -- Dogpool from Deadpool & Wolverine variant
The Price: About $13 total
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This pair of books came in and went right back out to CGC for slabbing within hours. I may or may not land 9.8s ... but I don't care. I simply needed that movie star in a gimmick slab and I opted to send both as they were clean but perhaps not perfect ... just like Dogpool. Well, they're closer to perfect than Dogpool, but ... I'll have more to say when I get the slabs back. There are a lot of Dogpool books from the past -- and I've noted two previous pick-ups in this series (including his debut) -- but this one is most-tied to the hit movie. If there are more movie covers like this coming -- or they already exist -- they'll get a look from me. In fact, I need to go look after I finish this.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this ... but non-sports cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What's Buzzing: NFL Week 14 is on their minds, Juan Soto, new pulls, collector thoughts and more in this Saturday edition.

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For years now, autographed books coming direct from the publishers -- or direct from the authors themselves -- have been an affordable way to collect ink from notable names in all realms of pop culture.

It's not a perfect system with stamped autos, fakes and autopens sometimes in the mix -- a problem for publishers to catch as they are not authenticators -- but thanks to dedicated collectors on the Blowout Cards Forum and elsewhere, those problems often get caught and fixed ... or at least become well-known enough to avoid if it's an issue that goes uncorrected.

Getting ink in-person is always best -- book tours still happen, of course -- but landing autographed editions from publishers, online sellers or celebs themselves via their websites or other appearances are common.

Our latest subject and autograph in this ongoing series? Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke but without the Daenerys Targaryen price tag.

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What's Buzzing: NFL chatter, a big Target shipping issue, Allen & Ginter X, rumors for sketch card fans and more.

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

STRONG SEASON ... WHAT'S NEXT?
The Card: Juan Soto 2018 Topps 582 Montgomery Club Set 1 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: A big season that came up short of the goal ... but now it's time for a historic payday while still in his mid-20s. Soto's Rookie Cards (2018) aren't all that rare, really, but there's a lot of demand -- but they still might be good buys depending on where he goes next. (Mets? Watch out.) All those thoughts were in mind when I popped this one into a submission earlier this year along with other key names from this small set for Club members. It's not a traditional RC since it's from a small set, but it's still a good Soto to me ... so I slabbed it.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: Top grade of a small volume works for me. I'm sure there will be more and I'm sure the pops are higher elsewhere, but the range of the grades here shows it might not be the easiest kind of card to grade thanks to that retro stock.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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What: 2025 Historic Autographs Founding Fathers trading cards
Arrives: Jan. 29
Box basics: Four hits per four-pack box (24 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs' first release of the new year will include plenty of history with cut autos/handwriting samples, pieces of notables' handled items and more in every case -- and with a hit of some type in every pack.

Keep reading for more information.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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What's Buzzing: The Paul Skenes variation Topps should have made -- along with other what-if cards -- plus Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, chasing Caitlin Clark Rookie Cards, NFL Week 11 and more in this Saturday edition.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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What: 2024 Historic Autographs Celebrity Quad trading cards
Arrives: Dec. 11
Box basics: Four encased cut autos per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs' next release is one where every box starts a collection -- as in all four cut autos inside every box have a common tie.

Keep reading for more information.

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What: 2025 Keepsake Steve McQueen Premiere Edition trading cards
Arrives: Jan. 21
Box basics: One encased Keepsake Relic and one five-card pack per illuminated box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The newest Keepsake release turns its commemorative lens toward a Hollywood icon who brought action and attitude to the big screen in the 1960s and 1970s.

Keep reading for more info and a selection of images.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

Continue reading →