Buzz Break: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Proofs

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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.

Cards per box: 1
Base set completion: 
N/A
Duplicates: 0

Inserts/short-prints: 1 (all in gallery below)
Leaf Metal Pop Century Silver Crystals Pre-production Proof (1) – Cailey Fleming (1/1)

What’s Buzz-worthy: I'll readily admit I didn't remember this name when I opened the pack -- it's a first card for her here -- but I've seen her in a few roles and you probably have, too, if you've watched The Walking Dead, Loki or Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She's 17 now but she's been active for a decade with Judith Grimes, Silvie and Rey those three roles ... some key characters, albeit some being smaller flashback scenes. More recently, she was in IF and is in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, too. (An interview here looks like a good primer.) Her ink isn't super pricey -- about $40 and up -- in the standard set but with big roles early on this could be a starting point. Her only cards are here and in Leaf Decadence and it doesn't look like she had any Walking Dead stuff. ... As noted before, in past years, the proofs from Leaf's annual celebrity ink-fueled line Pop Century were released as slabbed cards and sometimes as 1/1 Proof autos, too, at a higher price per box. This time? One proof per pack in sealed top-loaders with a sticker and cert attached to both. At a glance on some cards that's a little distracting -- some are on clear plastic -- but ultimately the backs are all blank here along with the autograph spots. The price should be a little more friendly on these this year without slabs and ink but the lineup in Pop Century was as stacked as it gets so there should still be interest here as 1/1s, though there are many varieties per card with all the colors and textures, can sell well for names who are in obvious demand ... and maybe even for some you might not know. ... Overall, I like this approach as it's something that could trend affordable while remaining unique and something that could pique the interests of a lot of collectors out there with all of the various genres found here. I think there's potential here with quick ripping (if you land a good name) or if somebody ends up breaking out in bigger roles later. This pack feels like it could be just that.

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Product Grade: A
Pack Grade: A
Fun Grade: A- (one-card packs can be hit and miss)

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