What: 2025 Topps Star Wars Smugglers Outpost trading cards
Arrives: TBD 2026
Box basics: TBD
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Star Wars gets an several-brands-in-one release with this one as it’s what Topps says is "an exciting amalgamation of many popular Topps Star Wars brands that collectors have loved over the years” with sets including Finest, Chrome Black and Galactic Antiquities in there for starters.

Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.

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CHICAGO -- Following the excitement of the National Sports Collectors Convention, Toytastic Trade Night will bring the Star Wars trading card galaxy together for an unforgettable night in Chicago on Aug. 1.

The venue for Toytastic Trade Night.

Set against a dramatic Chicago skyline backdrop in a stunning modern venue, Toytastic Trade Night is expected to welcome more than 300 collectors, dealers and fans, making it the largest Star Wars trading card-focused event of the year.

The Saturday event will feature an expansive Artist Alley with more than 25 creators, including many of the top official Topps Star Wars artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to meet creators, purchase original art, commission sketches and get cards signed all in one place.

“This event is about community, creativity, and celebrating Star Wars cards at the highest level,” said Josh Deutsch, founder of Toytastic Studio. “After the National card convention wraps up, this is the place to be Saturday night.”

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Minor league baseball cards from the past can include some weird stuff ... sometimes stuff you wouldn't imagine to be found on a baseball card. Here are some some new fun cards and oddities in this latest edition of MiLB Madness. 

AT THE BEGINNING ...
The Card: Kyle Schwarber 2015 Choice Iowa Cubs
The Buzz On This: With USA Baseball, other prep showcase sets and NIL deals these days, it’s not uncommon for players to have cards sometimes several years before their pro debuts -- if they even have a debut at all, In some cases, minor-league looks can emulate the big club and that’s what got me to bite on this early (but not first) card of The Schwarbino. He’s seen in a Cubs uniform -- an Iowa Cubs uniform -- but you wouldn’t probably know the difference here if those logos didn’t have a little extra attached. The helmet logo is partially obscured, too, but I liked the simplicity here so I grabbed it. Schwarber is going to go down as one of the better power guys of this generation and he’s already got a firm place in baseball history with his Cubs World Series run and All-Star Game heroics. This was an easy grab for $6 in my book.

Keep reading for more examples of some weird or fun baseball cards you can find in and around MiLB.

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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 pack: 2025 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs 
Where to buy: Click here (these are box-toppers in Pop Century boxes)

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

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What's Buzzing: Sleeping on Steph Curry cards (kind of), NFL chatter, Luke Skywalker's pricey debut, new pulls and more.

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1 -- Showing off certain Steph Curry cards

2 -- All your football chatter

3 -- Luke Skywalker's debut in elite grade = cash

4 -- New MLB pulls are popping here

5 -- WWE has 'em talking

6 -- All your off-season MLB chatter is here

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary.

MY EARLY INK FOR A BREAK-OUT STAR
The Card: Pete Crow-Armstrong 2018 Panini Elite Extra Edition 18U National Team Signatures Red (from 2019 USA Baseball Stars & Stripes rack sets)(/100)
The Reason Graded: I landed this ink for the Chicago Cubs star in a rack set -- that's a set and then some bonus cards in pack form direct from USA Baseball back in the day -- and he was one of a number of good names I found there for a low price. They all sat with my stuff for a few years before his breakout 2024 season got this one put into a grading order. Why? So I could get some ink in a slab and cross him off my list of key names needed. Crow-Armstrong joined the 30-30 Club this season, won his first Gold Glove and was an All-Star, too. The cool part? I added his ink from a two-auto set for just $9.99. (Other colors of this card are in standard EEE boxes ... the Reds are only in the sets I bought.)
The Grade: CGC 9.5 (10 auto)

Reality Check: The stock on these is the standard Donruss cardboard that can't decide if its chippy or soft -- it's generally pretty clean but a bottom corner could be soft here on the card backs where there's some color to make fuzz really obvious. This one was cleaner than other grading-worthy names but I'll likely slab others I found over time as more than a few here are in MLB now. He was the highest-profile name who needed to be graded now.

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

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What: 2025 Topps Star Wars Hyperspace trading cards
Arrives: Dec. 30
Box basics: Four serial-numbered cards per box -- two autographed cards and three sketch cards per eight-box case
Checklist: TBD
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Star Wars will hit Chrome for one last time in 2025 with a new line "like never before with a first of its kind trading card experience celebrating the many worlds of the Star Wars universe."

Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.

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Auction Buzz is a regularly appearing look at some of the variety found out there on the block ... check 'em out.

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NEW RECORD COMING IN DECEMBER?
The Item: Frank Frazetta, "Conan The Berserker" original art used on Conan The Conqueror (Lancer/Ace, 1967)
The Price: $10,000,000 opening bid (ends Dec. 10)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This classic couldn't wait to appear here next month when it hits the block via Dallas-based Heritage Auctions -- that starting price shows that it's a big deal right now and that this one will likely end up being as big as it gets when it's sold.

First, a nugget about that opening price for those who might not know ... earlier this year, a Frazetta painting of Conan sold via Heritage for a record $13.5 million -- that one was for the cover of the first Lancer/Ace paperback book in a 12-part series -- and this comes from a later book with a visual that helped inspire the modern-day take on the iconic character beyond just paintings. "This intricately detailed and action-packed image stands as the best of the series for many collectors, and the painting is indisputably one of the small handful of Frazetta's most desirable from the upper echelon of his greatest hits," reads the Heritage listing. "Combining Frazetta's very best elements of fantasy iconography and classic artistry, Conan has never appeared more powerfully heroic -- even super heroic -- than in this unforgettable scene. ... The bold composition is one of the artist's most iconic, immediately recognizable, and memorable. Conan absolutely dominates the detailed battlefield, and Frazetta masterfully employs red highlights that swirl throughout, culminating in his bloody sword, victoriously raised, seemingly slicing through the entire atmospheric sky and serving as the dramatic punctuation of the composition.

This 15-by-19 painting also was later used for the cover art on metal band Molly Hatchet’s third studio album (Epic Records, 1980) to further its legacy, which also includes countless appearances on Frazetta prints, posters, shirts and even guitars ... but that's just one part of its history. It's presently owned by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, who is a serious collector of horror and fantasy artwork and posters and he bought this piece directly from the legendary artist for $1 million back in November 2009. It's appeared in a book about his collection and been displayed along with other pieces he owns in museum exhibits.

"When Hammett acquired it, Frazetta had sold virtually none of his major paintings, and Hammett had his pick of treasures -- choosing Berserker above them all," reads the Heritage listing. "To put that staggering price in perspective, soon after the artist's passing in 2010, Frazetta's original pen-and-ink comic book cover for Weird Science-Fantasy No. 29 -- widely considered to be the greatest comic book cover of all time -- sold for just $380,000, which itself was far more than any comic art had sold for previously. That's all to make clear what a premium both Frazetta and Hammett placed on this showpiece."

Check out this video to hear Hammett describe it all.

Keep reading for more interesting pieces up for grabs -- this isn't even the only item with a million-dollar opener coming in December.

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What: 2025 Topps Star Wars Chrome Galaxy trading cards
Arrives: Dec. 10
Box basics: Four parallels per 18-pack hobby box -- one autographed card and three sketch cards per 12-box case
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Star Wars will hit Chrome once again with its art-focused line, which will include autographs as well as plenty of parallel power from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.

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What's Buzzing: A.J. Lee returns to WWE, NFL Week 1 chatter, Junior Caminero, Star Wars Chrome, Sapphire UFC and more.

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1 -- NFL Week 1 is here

2 -- A.J. Lee returns to WWE after a decade away

3 -- Checking in on the Junior Caminero thread 

4 -- Results from almost a half-case of Star Wars Chrome blasters 

5 -- Inside a Sapphire UFC box

6 -- All your MLB chatter

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

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: 2025 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs 
Where to buy: Click here (these are box-toppers in Pop Century boxes)

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

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This new department will be an occasional series that will take a quick look at a game or gaming release with card elements -- essentially a breakdown of what's in a box, but not the typical kind of a Buzz Break. (Buzz isn't a gamer so this will just be what's in a box vs. gameplay analysis.) Maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

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The Game: Star Wars Rivals Expandable Game System Premier Set Series I (Funko Games, 2023)
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for other gaming -- or for traditional Star Wars cards

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery from this one.

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary.

NINES ARE FINE
The Card: Aaron Judge 2017 Topps Archives -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: The unique 1960 Topps design always stands out to me. Why? Because one of my first clean vintage cards as a kid was a Gus Bell form the set, which I got since I knew he was a big-leaguer's dad. (Yay, trivia!) So that's perhaps one reason I held this Judge RC instead of letting it go. (Plus, I didn't rip as much of this brand ... so it was the only copy I pulled.) Judge's dominating 2025 season should make you stop and wonder about slabbing any RCs or early/rare stuff you have now ... just because. He and Shohei Ohtani are all-timers playing right in front of our faces now and are as safe as it gets when it comes to grab and slab or buy and hold -- even with plenty of their cards being graded.
The Grade: CGC 9

Reality Check: I knew this wouldn't be a 10 contender with the finicky stock here and the centering being a smidge off by my typical standards for a slab, but, like I said, it was my only copy. Most check in at this grade, so the nine makes sense, too, and the volume below it also shows this card isn't the easiest to grade.

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

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What: 2025 Topps Chrome Star Wars trading cards
Arrives: Aug. 29
Box basics: One autograph per 10-pack hobby box (eight per case) or two autos per one-pack breaker's box (10 per case) or four parallels per 32-card Sapphire Edition box (TBD per case)
Checklist: Click here
Sapphire Checklist: Click here
Sapphire Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Star Wars will hit Chrome once again with a few box options that are the only teasers for the time being along with any TBD details on the box mocks.

Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.

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What's Buzzing: Harrison Ford autographs, The National, Living Set chatter, new pulls and more.

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1 -- Never tell me the odds

2 -- The National nears

3 -- Talking the Topps Living Set

4 -- Another hot take, or ... ? 

5 -- New MLB pulls are here

6 -- Reactions to an alleged autograph forgery ring

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

Auction Buzz is a monthly look at some of the variety found out there on the auction block ... check 'em out.

It's going to be a busy second half of the year for Dallas-based Heritage Auctions with a number of regularly scheduled events as well as some showcase auctions with high-profile stuff all on the calendar. This time, we look at a few things from a few active sales this month.

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DARK KNIGHT IN DEMAND
The Item: Batman tin robot with original English box (Nomura Toys, 1966)
The Price: $5,250 after 29 bids (ends July 11)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This vintage Japanese toy is a foot-tall prime piece of pop culture with an obvious 1960s feel yet with some aspirations of something more for the future -- it's a battery operated tin toy and it's complete with its Adam West-styled box and fabric cape. This one is "an iconic fusion of superhero flair and vintage tin toy charm" per Heritage and it's one of two known styles -- this one has the serious face and one with the switch button in red. Heritage calls this "a standout from the golden age of Batman collectibles, blending Japanese craftsmanship with Gotham nostalgia."

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

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Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ...

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RETRO RECORD-HOLDER
The Card: Roger Maris 2014 Panini Classics Home Run Heroes Jerseys (/25)
The Price: $30
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I ponied up a little bit for this one vs. my typical range for Maris mem cards since it's a rarer card, has a material (jersey/pants) swatch vs. a bat and is from a brand that packed a lot of potential for big names back in the day. Yet, at the same time, that price was a bargain. Yes, its centering is just slightly off, but otherwise it's clean -- that errant spot on the right side is part of the printed design on all cards here. It was an easy addition for a player I collect and pick off stuff for a few times a year. Those top corners are really clean on this one, which might not always be the case with those bold colors.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this ... but MLB cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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RUNNEMEDE, N.J. – Goldin, an internationally renowned auction house known for rare and record-breaking collectible sales, today announces the acquisition of Studio Auctions, a boutique auction house specializing in one-of-a-kind Hollywood and pop culture memorabilia.

The deal marks Goldin’s first major acquisition since joining the eBay portfolio in May 2024, and expands its selection of authenticated entertainment assets -- reinforcing its leadership across the collectibles category.

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Here's this month's roundup of items that have recently caught my eye as a buyer ... 

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TIFFY TIMES TWO
The Cards: Tiffany Stratton 2024 Panini Three Count WWE Prime Memorabilia Autographs Purple parallel (/25) & standard version (/99)
The Price: About half of a Three Count box these days
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card was immediately on my radar back when it first was revealed among the mock-ups for this high-end WWE brand and, I've said it before, if this set hadn't used sticker autos it would be perfect. The end of the Panini WWE run combined with a logjam of releases and then the collector (and definitely flipper) focus perhaps shining more on Chrome actually made secondary market prices on a lot of stuff here a bit softer than I had expected, allowing me to pony up on two of these at prices I could handle. (I had initially figured I wouldn't land one of these, let alone one and a parallel.) I was picky with these and wanted to make sure I landed one with a clean auto -- full name, not the abbreviated and half-empty-sticker "Tiff" that shows up sometimes. Both of these hit the spot on both auto quality and price ... and if they ever dip more, I'll do more. Why? It's a Tiffy Time world and we're just collecting in it.
Grab a box right here: WWE cards are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading ... so here's this month's grading diary.

SCENE FROM A CLASSIC
The Card: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson & Lisa Spoonauer (aka Dante Hicks, Randal Graves and Caitlin Bree) 2017 Skybox Clerks Triple Scene Autographs
The Reason Graded: Back when this one arrived, I picked off a lot of the autos over time -- at least while they were affordable -- with my sights set on some of the obscure names here and not the pricey Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) ink that any serious collector of the View Askew realm likely already had on something before this card set arrived. The character that I wanted to find was Caitlin Bree as that character's moments were hilariously twisted and this card's scene was the culminating moment in her story. Getting this on cardboard was hilarious to me. What's unfortunate here is real life -- Spoonauer died of a medication overdose at age 44 while fighting cancer just 10 days after this product arrived. Read director Kevin Smith's tribute to her here. Over time, I picked off all but one of her autographs -- one that had been pricey that's even moreso now still eludes me as it also includes Smith -- but I recently decided to slab a couple of the best ones form my stash when I revisited them and saw how clean they looked. 
The Grade: CGC 10 (Pristine)

Reality Check: Perfect grade works for me. Her auto just barely touches the border of the card but that's about its only potential issue and it's really not incomplete, so it still got a top mark. (Though auto grades are pretty meaningless to me.) This is a strong start and I should really slab more -- and find that last one I need.

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

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What: 2025 Topps Star Wars Meiyo trading cards
Arrives: May 4, 2025
Box basics: TBD per eight-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps' latest Star Wars set explores the famed galaxy while taking on an Asian feel with "a carefully curated experience rooted in character-driven storytelling and Japanese-inspired design" and it will drop after a preview edition that arrived at Star Wars Celebration in Japan this past weekend.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What's Buzzing: LeBron James got McDonald's, Drake Maye's future, Bobby Witt Jr. and more in this Thursday edition.

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1 -- Check out this notable McDonald's 1/1 pull ... 

2 -- Future forecast for Drake Maye?

3 -- Off-season NFL chatter is here

4 -- Still legit

5 -- Thoughts on 2025 Topps Tribute

6 -- A long story from a galaxy not so far, far away ... 

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What: 2024 Topps Star Wars Masterwork trading cards
Arrives: April 16, 2025
Box basics: Four hits in every four-pack hobby box with two autos guaranteed (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps' high-end Star Wars brand arrives once again, packing a hit in every box and stars from throughout the galaxy on both film and television.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What's Buzzing: Still reacting to the 2025 Bowman design, new finds, a big Star Wars Superfractor pull and more.

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1 -- Still reacting to the 2025 Bowman design tease

2 -- Results from six boxes of Cheers cards

3 -- New MLB pulls are here

4 -- A big Star Wars Superfractor pull

5  -- Worth the wait

6 -- Ripping into some Donruss NFL

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What: 2024 Topps Star Wars Chrome Black trading cards
Arrives: March 19, 2025
Box basics: One encased autograph in every box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The Topps Chrome Black formula goes intergalactic once again with Star Wars as the formula that has been previously used for Topps' dark line gets some minor tweaks.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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