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? Actor Kal Penn.

Continue reading →

Buzz buys a lot of stuff these days and for a few reasons, really. Sometimes it's just bargain-hunting, sometimes it's just something that strikes me. And other times it's a lot -- a group of things -- and that has happened enough lately I figured I'd try something different as a regularly appearing item. Sometimes my lots will be wins, sometimes they won't be ... but I'll let you decide. 

--

A MYSTERY MIX
The Lot: A mix of 46 assorted non-sport promo cards (and some inserts, too)
The Price: $9.99

Keep reading for more on this one ...

Continue reading →

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: Giant-size Box of Mystery comics repack box
Where to buy: Check the story for the chain ... hit BlowoutCards.com for non-sports cards

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

Continue reading →

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 some new stuff and some oddball stuff as I'm still waiting on a bunch of pick-ups to arrive.

--

A BIGGER DEAL 
The Card: Jasson Dominguez 2020 Bowman wall art (/99)
The Price: $17.50 (after promotional discount)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This guy's iconic card this year has eluded me beyond a couple of standard Bowman cards I pulled in blasters -- all I really wanted was a clean grading-worthy Chrome, but no -- so I opted for a limited version of a card that's a big deal this year but in bigger form as Topps wall art. This is an 11-by-13 version of the card that Topps sold on its site for $24.99 (sold out) but with a 30 percent discount if you buy three posters of any kind. I opted for this one and some other stuff you'll see here in the coming weeks and months. Will Dominguez pay off for the many chasing him? We'll find out eventually but this one fits into my stash pretty well no matter what as I try to pick off Rookie Cards as wall art -- mostly Heritage but I also include a few other iconic cards.
Grab a box right here: No boxes of these ... but 2020 Bowman can be yours in a few forms here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

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 Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the '90s (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion: 
153 of 220 (70 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Continue reading →

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 Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the '90s (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion: 
153 of 220 (70 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Continue reading →

Fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer will have a new wave of collecting options soon.

Funko revealed its newest Pop! vinyl toys on tuesday and they're all memorable characters from the hit TV show that arrived and ran for seven seasons beginning back in 1997.

Continue reading →

When it comes to autographs in the sports world, there are plenty of ways that collectors and the autograph industry itself has helped commodify ink.

In other words, there are a number of common items that are commonly signed that help us all figure a common value that we'd expect to pay or expect to get if we have to sell something we own. Jerseys, balls, helmets, cards, photos -- there are a lot of ways to collect sports autographs.

But for celebrity autographs, it's a lot less complicated as the 8-by-10 photo is arguably the most-commonly solid piece across the whole spectrum of television, movies and others of note who we might find, say, at a comic book convention or other similarly organized signing session. Not all films have massive toy lines, not all celebs have book deals and TV shows often don't have posters you can find all that easily.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: National Treasures arrives ... the calm before the storm.

Continue reading →

What: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Ultimate Collector's Set Series 2
Arrives: Feb. 1
Hobby box basics: One autograph per set

What's buzz-worthy: Buffy is back with a premium-priced set that will include either a Sarah Michelle Gellar or Alyson Hannigan autograph in every single box.

Keep reading to see a gallery and more.

Continue reading →

If you're like Buzz, you've probably seen Funko's ReAction figures in chain stores and marveled at some of the quirky inclusions in the various lines.

It's an ongoing series of 3.75-inch figures in a distinct style reminiscent of Kenner's original Star Wars toys right down to the line's logo and the clamshell packaging.

The difference, though?

Continue reading →

One of the surprises in last year's Topps baseball card set was First Pitch, a collection of celebrities seen throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at MLB games.

It's back for 2016 Topps Series 1 -- a set that's just 13 days away -- and it's still a secret as the checklist has not yet been revealed. (Nor has the design -- so you can settle for last year's Jessica Alba card above.)

But Buzz has done some research to perhaps discover who'll be in this year's set. We don't know how many cards there might be, but they'll be found a few times per box.

Keep reading for the possibilities.

Continue reading →