Is the collectibles market hitting a new ceiling, or are we just getting started?

In this episode, we dive deep into a record-breaking month for the hobby. We cover the staggering $13 million private sale of Batman #1 and Superman #1, and the historic $15 million Nicolas Cage copy of Action Comics #1 that has officially redefined "blue-chip" assets.

But it’s not just about the millionaires; we’re looking at how Bandai is declaring war on One Piece scalpers with strict new rules, the "perfect" science behind a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, and a legendary "attic find" that turned a family's inheritance into a multi-million dollar legacy.

In the Guest Chair: Adam Kellenberger

We are joined by former shop owner and comic art dealer Adam Kellenberger (Owner of Comic Boards Ink). Adam takes us behind the curtain of the comic art world to discuss:

• The Transition: Moving from a local card shop owner to a high-end art dealer.
• Art vs. Cards: What makes a piece of art a "1-of-1" compared to a sports card?
• Modern Masters: Why artist Sveta Shubina is taking the industry by storm and how her unique style is carving out a new niche.
• The Big Stage: A preview of MegaCon and what it’s really like traveling the country trading in ink and paper.

Inside This Episode:

• Hobby Headlines: The $18M "Big Five" and the 7-foot Silver Surfer statue found on Facebook.
• The Grading Standard: What actually goes into a PSA 10?
• Scalper Wars: Is Bandai’s new One Piece policy a win for fans or a loss for sealed collectors?
• Interview with Adam Kellenberger: Origin stories, the birth of Comic Boards Ink, and the legends of comic art.
• What Ya Got In The Stack: Adam shows off a personal favorite from his private collection.

Connect with our Guest:

• Comic Boards Ink: http://comicboardsinc.com/ & @comicboardsink
• Follow Sveta Shubina’s Art: https://svetashubina.com/ & @sveta_has on Instagram
• Follow Andrew Tarusov’s Art: https://tarusov.com & @askandy on Instagram
• Kickstarter Campaign Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/svetashubinaart/dreadfull-iii

Welcome back to Cards On Blast, your home for the latest trading card news, market moves, and deep dives into the world of collecting. This week, JT and the Bird are heading to Western PA to shine the spotlight on Pittsburgh, a city with some of the most storied franchises and "blue-chip" legends in the hobby.

🎙️ In This Episode:

📰 Hobby Headlines

• The Blue X-Fractor Fumble: Topps advertised exclusive Blue X-Fractors in their 2025–26 Chrome Basketball Mega Boxes, but collectors found only silvers. We break down the "exchange program" and why this is a nightmare for those holding hot rookies like Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey.
• The $2M Fraud Conviction: A Redmond man is heading to prison for a years-long scheme involving forged PSA labels on Michael Jordan and Pokémon grails.
• Live Commerce Boom: Whatnot’s 2026 report is out—sports cards are officially the #1 category in the U.S., with over 6.4 million cards moving a month.

🆕 New Releases & Market Moves We dive into the heavy hitters dropping this week, including:

• 2025 Panini Prizm Football: The $1,000 hobby box chase for Color Blast and the next generation of NFL stars.
• 2025 Topps Pristine Baseball & Museum Collection: Premium patches, on-card autos, and the return of the "Atelier" booklets.
• Specialty Drops: Detroit Red Wings Centennial (Octopus Ink!), Topps Chrome Premier League, and Topps Royalty UFC.

🏙️ City Spotlight: Pittsburgh We’re ranking the Top 5 Must-Own Legends for every major Pittsburgh franchise. Whether you’re chasing the "Great One" of shortstops, the "Steel Curtain" icons, or hockey royalty, we’ve got your shopping list ready:

• Pirates: From Honus Wagner to the legendary Roberto Clemente.
• Steelers: Why Joe Greene and Big Ben are the pillars of any Steelers PC.
• Penguins: The ultimate debate—Sidney Crosby or Mario Lemieux?

📦 Crack That Pack & Pull of the Week Bird rips into Allen & Ginter and Disney, while JT hunts for 2025 Chrome Baseball. Plus, don't miss our Card Pull of the Week: an insane Travis Hunter Orange Fluorescent RC from Mosaic!

"In Pittsburgh, we don't just collect players; we collect legacies. From the Immaculate Reception to Mario saving the franchise, the Steel City is a goldmine for the hobby."

Episode 34 - Windy City Takeover | Cards On Blast ⚾🏀🏈🏒

Welcome back to Cards On Blast, your home for the latest card news, market moves, and deep dives into the world of collecting. This week, JT and the Bird are taking a trip to the 312! We’re breaking down the legendary sports history of Chicago and how the icons of the Windy City still dominate the card market today.

But first, the hobby is on fire! We’re discussing the massive $1.1M Paul Skenes sale, the upcoming 2026 Topps flagship changes, and Dan Marino’s surprise baseball debut. Plus, Bird cracks a fresh pack of SEIZE: Gilded Treasures—does he find the fire?

In this episode, we cover:

• The Debut Patch Craze: Breaking down the Top 5 MLB Debut Patch sales (including that Skenes monster).
• Topps 1952 Lockdown: Why Topps is restricting the most iconic design in history starting in 2026.
• Mari-Knows: Dan Marino joins the 2025 Bowman Draft lineup.
• Chicago City Spotlight: The "Mount Rushmore" of Chicago cards across the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks.

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @CardsOnBlast

Listen to the full audio experience on: 🎧 Spotify 🎧 Apple Music 🎧 Amazon Music

Are you team "Old Slab" or "New Slab" for the Logan Paul Pikachu? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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