This new department will be an occasional series that will take a quick look at a game our gaming release with card elements -- essentially a breakdown of what's in a box, but not the typical kind of a Buzz Break. (Buzz isn't a gamer so this will just be what's in a box vs. gameplay analysis.) Maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

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The Game: Star Wars Rivals Expandable Game System Premier Set Series I (Funko Games, 2023)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for other gaming -- or for traditional Star Wars cards

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery from this one.

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Auction Buzz is a monthly look at some of the variety found out there on the auction block ... check 'em out.

It's going to be a busy second half of the year for Dallas-based Heritage Auctions with a number of regularly scheduled events as well as some showcase auctions with high-profile stuff all on the calendar. This time, we look at a few things from a few active sales this month.

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DARK KNIGHT IN DEMAND
The Item: Batman tin robot with original English box (Nomura Toys, 1966)
The Price: $5,250 after 29 bids (ends July 11)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This vintage Japanese toy is a foot-tall prime piece of pop culture with an obvious 1960s feel yet with some aspirations of something more for the future -- it's a battery operated tin toy and it's complete with its Adam West-styled box and fabric cape. This one is "an iconic fusion of superhero flair and vintage tin toy charm" per Heritage and it's one of two known styles -- this one has the serious face and one with the switch button in red. Heritage calls this "a standout from the golden age of Batman collectibles, blending Japanese craftsmanship with Gotham nostalgia."

Keep reading for more interesting pieces up for grabs right now.

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RUNNEMEDE, N.J. – Goldin, an internationally renowned auction house known for rare and record-breaking collectible sales, today announces the acquisition of Studio Auctions, a boutique auction house specializing in one-of-a-kind Hollywood and pop culture memorabilia.

The deal marks Goldin’s first major acquisition since joining the eBay portfolio in May 2024, and expands its selection of authenticated entertainment assets -- reinforcing its leadership across the collectibles category.

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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: 2015 Topps Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens (hobby)
Where to buy: Will take some hunting ... BlowoutCards.com for newer boxes

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

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What: 2023 Topps Star Wars trading cards
Arrives: Aug. 11
Box basics: 24 packs and one WideVision card per hobby box (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This one will include "tons of new content to collect including chase pieces like hologram cards, rare short-prints and various SKU exclusives for the more-serious collectors," according to Topps, but there may not be any hits -- autographs or printing plates -- per box this time around.

Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.

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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 Topps Chrome Star Wars trading cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Pack/Box Odds: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of 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 Topps Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1 trading cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby when available)

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

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There's been a disturbance in the Throwback Thursday Force ...

Topps #TBT will have a new set this year -- starting today -- and it's a release that will continue month-long looks at the past via new cardboard and its solely going to be dedicated to Star Wars. It's the 2023 Throwback Thursday Star Wars Edition Set.

There also will be photo variations and parallels each week.

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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: 2017 Topps Journey to Star Wars The Last Jedi (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com for other Star Wars releases

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

What: 2022 Topps 206 Star Wars trading cards
Arrives: Wave 1 is live now via Topps.com
Box basics: 10 cards per pack (two parallels)
Checklist: Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4 

What's buzz-worthy: The saga from long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away gets a ride on tobacco-style cards with stars from throughout the franchise included in the first wave.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

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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 ... and this time around it's a little heavier on football as that season is here.

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AEW ORIGINALS ... AS IN ORIGINAL ARTWORK 
The Cards: Gummy Arts original T206-style drawings (1/1s) for Thunder Rosa, Orange Cassidy, MJF, Powerhouse Hobbs & Sting
The Price: Less than an AEW hobby box
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: If you don't know the work of artist Mike Noren -- aka Gummy Arts -- he's been drawing athletes or memorable pop culture characters in penciled cartoon-style reproductions of past cards or on new creations for years now. You can find constantly updating feeds of his work in timely posts over on Instagram or Twitter and then sometimes those get reproduced and sold as cards in packs. In other instances, he's let the original artwork go, too. Those vanish fast and can be pricey -- actually, his packs can vanish fast, too -- and for years now I've eyed the section of his site for original art (typically $50-80 depending on subject) that made it into cards. I had never found one that was must-have for me -- or at least found a must-have one in stock -- but one day after seeing a tweet of his I did my regular ritual and checked the site to find this set of five T206/Honus Wagner homages in one slightly pricier lot but had to grab them. I had remembered seeing the Rosa online but didn't remember any of these being made into actual cards. It turns out they weren't, so the only thing that exists f0r now (at least when I recently grabbed them) are these originals. Four are top AEW stars while one is an all-time great who has worked for every company ... really a no-brainer for me and I might have paid the typical full price for one or two of these. The Rosa card in a Tijuana jersey and others in their own Wagner-style threads made me laugh, while that Cassidy is not far from spot-on even in Noren's style. Poke around here on The Buzz and you'll see more of these ... just not in 1/1 original art form.
Grab a box right here: AEW cards are here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2022 Topps Star Wars Chrome Sapphire Edition
Arrives: Sold out today on Topps.com (online-first release)
Box basics: Two parallel cards per box
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: The first two series of original Topps Star Wars cards from 1977 get Chromed with a Sapphire treatment in this release that will pack two parallels per box.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery 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: 2021 Topps Star Wars Masterwork trading cards (hobby box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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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 ... and this time around there's a bit of everything.

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ONE OF A KIND ...
The Piece: Shotzi Blackheart 2021 Topps WWE Undisputed Rob Schamberger original painting (plus an artist-signed copy of her card)
The Price: Less than a box of Undisputed
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was a surprise find for me that I purchased straight from the artist's store. I got it in hand before I even had opened a box of the final Topps Undisputed release that just recently arrived and it's my second original that's part of a theme for me. A couple of years ago I landed his Sasha Banks painting from his first year of making cards within the Topps release (10 cards per year for 2019, 2020 and 2021) but I missed out on the 2020 piece I would have wanted. This batch wasn't really on my mind until I saw a tweet -- these popped up on his site and a few were gone the same day but there are some notables still up for grabs like Big E and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in their glorious 11-by-15 form. There won't be any prints of these -- just the cards, artist autos (/10) and new wrestler autos (/10) in packs -- so I'm on my way for a rainbow of collecting 'em all for the star simply now known as Shotzi. The image comes from a studio shot a little earlier in her WWE career (at right) but it still captures plenty of the energy from this star who has had a relatively consistent look (and the same name) since her time in the independent scene.
Grab a box right here: 2021 Topps WWE Undisputed

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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: 2021 Topps Star Wars Battle Plans trading cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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What: 2021 Topps Star Wars Masterwork trading cards
Arrives: Feb. 23, 2022
Box basics: Four hits in every four-pack hobby box with two autos guaranteed (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps' high-end Star Wars brand drops once again with some new inclusions for new series within the legendary galaxy and with plenty to chase.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery 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: Star Wars Destiny Rey Starter Kit
Where to buy: Poke around ... BlowoutCards.com for standard Star Wars stuff

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of 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: 2019 Topps Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (mini blaster)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

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

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Star Wars is a family thing and a new Topps set arriving today for pre-order proves it.

The 2020 Topps Star Wars I Am Your Father's Day set is a simple one that delivers from throughout the franchise's long-running galaxy and is available from Topps.com printed to order for just the next six-plus days.

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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: 2020 Topps Star Wars: Return of The Jedi Black & White trading cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of 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: 2019 Topps Star Wars Skywalker Saga trading cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Keep reading to see a breakdown of what was in this box along with a gallery.

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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 ...

A BIG BLASTER PULL
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps #700B hand on helmet SSP photo variation
The Reason Graded: Not that long ago, I pulled this card from a Series 2 blaster box and decided that it needed a slab since these SSPs appear to be relatively rare -- and I was even more surprised to see how they didn't grade all that well on the pop report. Meanwhile, mine looked very clean ... so I had to do it.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: Only one card graded better than mine and four others have equaled it while eight cards have checked in at a BGS 9 or lower -- that seems pretty low for a modern card, though the skinny stock here clearly could have issues after these cards hit packaging. I'll admit that this was a pull while Ronald Acuña Jr. hunting in Series 2, but this feels like a win on top of a win with it grading so well after being pulled from a discounted box. Here's hoping his third season is as strong or better than his first two, which are remarkably similar from the batting side.

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 box: 2019 Topps Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Black & White trading cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 56
Base set completion: 
41 of 150 (27 percent)
Duplicates: 0

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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: 2019 Topps Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Black & White trading cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 7
Cards in this box: 56
Base set completion: 
40 of 150 (27 percent)
Duplicates: 0

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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: 2018 Topps Finest Star Wars (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 12
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 58
Base set completion: 
36 of 100 (36 percent)
Duplicates: 0

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