There are a lot of things one can collect that aren't cards -- sometimes they can even come in packs and sometimes they don't. Buzz has been exploring the world a little bit in different directions but with many of them still being paper items -- stacking paper but not in that ol' money kind of way. Here's a look at a few items that entered my collection in recent months that can all fall under this department, which will be found here roughly once a month. 

NEARLEY PERFECT FOR WHAT IT IS ...
The Item: Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) -- The Sporting News, March 28, 1970
What It Cost Me: $7
What's It Worth: Not sure but it’s so clean I’d think more.
The Buzz: I spotted a dealer with some impressive copies of this sports newspaper of the past -- issues so clean they ultimately don’t even have a light bend from being lightly folded or stacked for storage -- and this one was an easy grab at that price with one of the NBA’s all-time greats front and center in what was his rookie season. My batch of these was so clean and free of the common issues for stuff like this that the lone problem that I only spotted here (but only after buying) was a bummer in comparison to others. See that light white line right by his name? That’s actually a small tear. I didn’t notice it at first or it blended right into the photo, but this is still a very impressive item otherwise that’s 56 years old. I’ve never really worried about anything on newsprint when it comes to collectibles -- they are far too challenging to store and often have lots of condition issues -- but these impressed me and you’ll see more like it in the coming months here as I picked off a decent little stack with legendary names attached. If you have names you collect, you might do some searches for your teams or players in this realm. They can be nice additions without breaking the bank.
Find Cards At: NBA boxes at BlowoutCards.com

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What: 2026 Leaf Metal Pop Century trading cards
Arrives: March 25
Box basics: Four autographed cards and two 1/1 proofs or printing plates per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's annual celebrity release returns once again with some big names in store and a number of first-time signers for the brand.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2025 Leaf Electrum Multi-sport trading cards
Arrives: Jan. 30, 2026
Box basics: Three auto cards per hobby box (10 per case) or five autos and one 1/1 Vibrance or Flash auto per super mega box (eight per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: One of Leaf's newer lines gets a sophomore release with a new packaging option in play and with stars from the field and beyond both found inside -- sometimes on the same card.

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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 ... a mix of low-and and higher-end finds as well as some non-traditional things people might like to collect. 

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MY HERITAGE SLEEPER SET ... 
The Card: Hank Aaron 2023 Topps Heritage Puzzles (announced /500)
The Price: $17.99
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This oversized box-topper set isn't huge at just 20 puzzles on the checklist but they don't drop all that often, either, from what I have seen -- one per case at most (and maybe not at all). It's one that I knew I liked immediately back when Heritage dropped with its lineup of mostly current names but also with some past stars all in one spot. What are they? Literal puzzles shrink-wrapped to a cardboard backer placed atop the packs in some boxes. A total of 13 active players (two rookies) are here along with seven Hall of Famers -- but some obvious names like Shohei Ohtani didn't make the cut ... so I suspect we'll see more in the second series later this year. I liked a few of the options in this one but waited for prices to dip and they really haven't as much as I had hoped they would. (Why? They're on the rarer side of things compared to a lot of stuff in this one.) This one presented itself on more of the affordable side more recently so I bit. These are just oldschool cool if you ask me -- something that feels a bit anti-2023 but also not totally part of a rigid Heritage formula that's been going for two decades plus now. I like surprises -- and this set felt like one.
Grab a box right here: 2023 Topps Heritage

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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 set: 2022 Garbage Pail Kids We Hate The '90s Expansion (Week 3)
Where to buy: Topps.com (this one long gone) for newer sets; BlowoutCards.com for regular GPK cards

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: 2020 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here

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

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What: 2020 Leaf Metal Pop Century trading cards
Arrives: August
Box basics: Four autograph or memorabilia cards per box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's annual celebrity release is back for another Metal go with notable names from Hollywood and standouts from other areas of pop culture, too, all in one spot.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images.

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Collectors of Funko Pop! figures will have several new figures on the way in February and beyond as the Lynnwood, Wash.-based company continues to expand its lineups.

Among the figures to come are characters from the Battlestar Galactica TV series, Independence Day, Clueless, a new wave of WWE characters and a deep Harry Potter roster.

Keep reading to check out our gallery.

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