Auction Buzz is a monthly look at some of the variety found out there on the auction block via for Dallas-based Heritage Auctions ... check 'em out.

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MJ’S MASTERY
The Item: Michael Jordan 1998-99 SkyBox Molten Metal Fusion (/250) -- PSA 10
The Price: $125,000 after 20 bids (ends April 25)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: On paper, a card from not that long ago that’s limited to only 250 copies isn’t typically a six-figure card. But, this one is Michael Jordan. But, this one is a PSA 10. But, this one is a Fleer insert with condition sensitivity ... so here we are. Here’s Heritage’s take on this one: "The 1998-99 SkyBox Molten Metal Fusion Michael Jordan No. 41F card emerges from a visually distinctive insert set produced during the lockout-shortened NBA season. Known for its industrial-themed design that evokes molten steel and forged metal, the Molten Metal Fusion series reflects the bold, experimental style of late-1990s basketball cards. Jordan, of course, had recently completed his glorious 'Last Dance' in the Windy City at the time this card was released by SkyBox in a limited edition of 250, so Jordanmania was at its absolute height as Chicago Bulls fans ricocheted between the giddy emotions of a second three-peat and the deep sorrow of losing a once-in-a-lifetime talent. ... Just 36 examples of this card appear in the PSA population at the time of this writing, and the subject card shares PSA Gem Mint 10 supremacy with just six others. The delicate materials that supply this card with its silver gleam have proven both a blessing and a curse, denying over 80 percent of the submissions entry to the elite club in which this stunning specimen enjoys membership. It's a monumentally appealing rarity that makes the best 1986 Fleer cards look downright common by comparison."

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

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Buzz buys a lot of stuff these days and for a few reasons, really. In recent times, I've been picking off bulk lots of comic books -- new stuff and old stuff -- by the box and have decided to make it a monthly drop here. Why? Just for fun ... 

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A MIX OF NEW AND OLD ...  
The Lot: 44 assorted Marvel comic books ... find comic cards at BlowoutCards.com
The Price: $65 (shipped)

Keep reading for more on this one ...

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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. 

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A MYSTERY MIX ... THE FINALE
The Lot: A mix of 50 assorted non-sport inserts and promo cards
The Price: $9.99

Keep reading for more on this one ...

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Did somebody say "ThunderCats?"

They did and that one got The Boss' attention at Blowout Cards as Thomas Fish is a serious collector of original comic book art that includes the original pen-and-ink debut panels and/or covers for iconic characters such as Wolverine, Ghost Rider, X-Force and Deadpool. If you didn't know, he also owns the entire issue's worth of original artwork from Jim Lee's X-Men reboot in 1991 ... the No. 1 issue remains the best-selling comic book issue ever with more than 8 million copies sold across five variants. (He's got all of the covers, too -- click the image here to see 'em all up close.)

But ThunderCats? That one checks in as his favorite series ... which leads us to right here, right now today.

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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.

Disclaimer: This one's definitely a different kind of Buzz Break ... just for fun. 

The box: Mile High Comics Image Comics Mystery Pack box
Where to buy: Via Mile High Comics ... click here for non-sports boxes

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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 ... another super-sized edition with some new inclusions like comic books and magazines.

FRESH OFF THE TRUCK
The Book: Captain Britain No. 1 (1976 Marvel UK magazine, with mask) -- first appearance of the character
The Reason Graded: This one arrived back in my hands from CGC on Sunday, so I'll have it lead off here as it's as fresh as it gets in my stash of slabs -- and it actually presents a question for people familiar with pressing. (Help a newb out!) First, the back story ... I picked this up probably 30 years ago via Mile High Comics for more than I would have normally spent back then -- probably around $20 -- for a NM-MT copy. For all these years, it was in its magazine bag with one of their old round condition stickers still attached before I recently decided to dig it out for slabbing. Why? It's obscure -- it's a newsprint-style, magazine-size book released only in the UK -- and it's pricey when it's in elite grade. (We'll get to that.) This debuting character is one that had evolved a lot by the time I had gotten into comics (around 1990) and he was the leader of the British X-Men group, Excalibur, which launched as a standalone title in 1988. As part of collecting key issues and artist favorites back then, I tracked down this debut that was mentioned on the back of his 1990 Impel Marvel Universe card. (That set is what drew me into comics.) I knew this copy wasn't perfect, but it was close and I figured it was best to get it slabbed despite some paper-texture funk (the vertical black lines in white areas around the nameplate and corner box). I assumed some of that might lighten up as part of CGC's pressing/cleaning process. If it helped at all, I had figured it might get it closer to one of those top grades.
The Grade: CGC 9.4 (Universal)

Click for a closer look

Reality Check: This one checked in lower than I had hoped for as I had thought a 9.6 might be realistic -- but the only dramatic difference here vs. higher marks is the dollar signs and probably some of that funk. (My back cover wasn't as clean as I remembered so my gut feeling may be moot.) A 9.8 copy of this has topped $5,000 on eBay while ones in my condition have been around $1,500 ... so it's still a good slab. (I'm sitting on it like everything else in my stash.) ... Here's where I can use some help from the pressers/slabbers out there, though. It seems like pressing may have actually added to the funk or emphasized it in spots. Some of the white areas definitely have more of that showing now, not less, particularly around the right side of the No. 1 box and the "free inside" mask circle where there's plenty of white paper. It's absolutely the same book (minor pulp spots are there as they were when I sent it) but I was surprised by the paper texture seemingly being emphasized (or not as clean) after pressing. (Click on the image above right -- ignore the color difference as that is likely due to my photography skills.) You can see more dark spots/texture of the paper visible -- perhaps it's from ink on the inside page showing through? I assume I'm not the first to press one of these -- or that they wouldn't press these if it would make its condition worse. I didn't have this on my mental list of outcomes, and naturally, I wondered whether this dropped me a grade and it will always bug me now. Perhaps this happened because the cover is newsprint and not white paper? The time it takes for pressing has had me not doing that on nearly all other submissions but this one -- my first sub I had pressed -- left me wondering if it helped at all. (If I could do this one all over again ... I would not have.) By the way, the color you see peeking out the right side? That's a perfect mask tucked inside the issue just like the cover promises from almost 50 years ago. All in all, I'm glad I graded this one and I think it's the priciest comic book in my stash ... but it definitely prompted some questions.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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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 START FROM THE HARDCOURT
The Card: Ja Morant 2019-20 Donruss Optic #168 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: As I noted last time, I have made an effort to slab some of my better (basic) Rookie Cards for key NBA names in the last couple of years and Morant is among them. Why? Well, I didn't pull all that many to start with, so they still sort of still feel special to me unlike some brands (Chronicles) where I cleaned up and have plenty of the basics. Last time here, you saw my Zion Williamson Optic Rookie Card, so I figured this time I'd drop my Morant ... If I remember correctly I found both of them in the same box.
The Grade: CSG 9.5

Reality Check: It graded well, which is what I was hoping for, and via CSG that's not always the easiest thing to get. Optichome-stock cards of the last couple years seem to always have issues on the backs from what I have seen with chippy edges and sometimes-textured stock that isn't all that smooth and clean. This time? It's clean and I think this mark on the CSG pop report (*they say it's coming very soon) might be a lot smaller than other places.

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: Mystery Power Box non-sport/gaming repack (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Retail outlets ($9.99) -- click here for non-sports

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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NEW "ROWDY" CARDBOARD 
The Item: Ronda Rousey 2019 Topps WWE Road to WrestleMania Blue auto (/50)
The Price: $499.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one might be a little over-priced since it's a rarer parallel but you never know who might be looking and clicking so that's one reason why you see this one here. Other reasons? It's a pricey potential find -- one of many -- from a box that guarantees ink every time and presently runs less than $55. It's also interestingly the first card I've seen using her nickname as part of her name. She appears to have ink from several parallels in this one so she should be in the mix from here on out as long as she keeps signing -- that's a good thing here and should be a good sign for releases to come.
Similar Pieces: Other Road to WrestleMania autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019 Topps Road to WrestleMania boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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Have you seen the latest crazy items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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THE ROYAL WEDDING'S BIGGEST CARD
The Item: 2012 Cryptozoic Fringe Seasons 1-2 Autographs Meghan Markle
The Price: $999 (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Beginning tomorrow, this American actress will potentially be known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex as she's marrying into England's Royal Family. This is one of just a handful of trading card appearances for her in this Fringe set and this once was a relatively inexpensive signature. Now? It's pricey and a number of people will undoubtedly be interested in these cards as the international spotlight will be all over the story of how she's ended up the bride and everything that entails tomorrow. Members of the Royal Family are not permitted to sign autographs, so there won't be more to come on that front.
Similar Pieces: Other copies of this card on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for non-sports cards

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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It was 25 years ago this week that the comic book world changed a bit with the formation of Image Comics.

The new company brought us Spawn, The Savage Dragon, WildC.A.T.s. and Youngblood in its earlier days and The Walking Dead in later years.

As part of that anniversary, comic book shops around the country are celebrating Image Comics Day on Wednesday with some new arrivals from the company, which was created by Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. 

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She's one of the comic book world's biggest icons and a ferocious superheroine vampire — and her first story ever published back in 1969 is now in the hands of one of the world's biggest comic art collectors.

She's Vampirella and the original art — the complete seven-page story — from Vampirella No. 1 is in the hands of Thomas Fish, the owner of BlowoutCards.com. The artwork previously sold in May 2009 after it had been in the collection of its creator, Forrest J. Ackerman all these years.

"During the last comic art con in Secaucus, N.J., I had an opportunity to meet the previous owner and discuss this historic first appearance piece of comic book and horror memorabilia," Fish said. "After some negotiation, we were able to come to a deal we were both happy with and the artwork is now part of my collection."

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Based on box office totals for Deadpool -- $677.7 million and counting worldwide -- there might be a few people looking for a piece of The Merc with a Mouth.

Sure, there are 25 years of comic book appearances to be had -- and there are key issues that also can be found as graded books and as original art -- but maybe there's something else that you might want without the stresses of storage or breaking the bank.

That's where Rob Liefeld comes in.

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Deadpool's $150 million showing at the box office this past weekend was a landmark moment for both R-rated movies and a potential game-changer for comic book films, too.

It set box-office records for its rating, records for its studio, records for its time of year and a few other fronts ... and it all started for the character 15 years ago this month as The New Mutants was a Marvel Comics series that was winding down. Deadpool debuted in issue 98, which was called "The Beginning of the End Part 1" -- the title's final issue was just two months away.

The duo that created Deadpool was artist-writer Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza -- and their work was seen by many readers that month but many, many more when X-Force No. 1 arrived a few months later. One of those books is one of the hottest in collecting today --  Mutants No. 98 -- while the other is one that collectors of the Polybag Era have stashed away in bulk. (Buzz is right there with a few dozen in a box somewhere.)

But what's got to be hotter than the hot book for the hottest movie of the moment?

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Up next on the comic book movie hit list is Deadpool, a Marvel-inspired creation arriving on Feb. 12 that you've already probably seen a commercial for a few times here and there. (As long as you have a pulse ... or a TV.)

Deadpool is a wise-ass who arrived in the Marvel universe in February 1991 via The New Mutants No. 98. That $1 book will cost you more now but the Rob Liefeld creation has many other appearances out there for fans to chase in all those years since.

His second appearance comes in X-Force No. 2 -- everybody has X-Force, right? (Even Buzz has at least a dozen No. 2's in storage somewhere to go with 30-some first issues ... )

Since we're close to the arrival, Buzz figured it was time for a vote -- check out the latest trailer below and then tell us what you'll do.

[polldaddy poll=9294078]

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

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