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: 2021 Panini Phoenix football cards (Fire Burst factory set with bonus pack)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for other formats)

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

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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 ...

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MY LAST FROM THE PROJECT ... 
The Card: Mickey Mantle 2021 Topps Project70 by Alex Pardee (/12,112)
The Price: $19.99 via Topps
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This artist captured most of the big-print-run attention in the second Project and this card that mashed his monster vibes with Mantle's 1952 Topps card and then 1981 Topps was the last one to get my attention and a buy last year. (Or was it this year?) Anyway, this one recently arrived in my mailbox and since this year's Project100 has arrived with a totally different approach and a number of changes -- not all good ones in my view -- I figured I'd drop this here. The print run of this won't be touched this year -- they're capped at less than half of that for 2022 -- but I suspect I'll be keeping an eye on the offerings. You should keep an eye on the past cards now if you passed before ... and keep an eye open on the new ones, too. You never know where the collecting winds and tastes might spark interest. Some monsters could be waiting.
Grab a box right here: None for this one ... click here for MLB boxes

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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 lot: 2020 Panini NFL Sticker & Card Collection (10 packs)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Keep reading for what was inside this one ..

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

What's Buzzing: Mike Trout, Julio Rodriguez and Jasson Dominguez check-ups, Talking Tom Brady gets a job, riding the Prizm WWE waves and a stolen card alert.

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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 ...

WOOOOOOO!
The Card: Charlotte Flair 2015 Topps WWE Undisputed NXT In Line Autographs #NA-CH
The Reason Graded: The trio of big first/first-year autos in this release for three of the four biggest homegrown women's names (aka not Ronda Rousey) in WWE in this one have been slabbed in my stash -- Flair this time, Becky Lynch last time and Sasha Banks a couple times before in the history of this series. Why? Well, I think first (or first-year) autos are way more important than what people argue about on the Rookie Card front. They're inherently rarer and this brand is one that always seems to grade well as long as there's not any back-edge damage here (the designs often have dark colors).
The Grade: CSG 9.5

Reality Check: This one checked in where I had hoped -- and thanks to their new shift to a "Gem Mint 10" scale this one would be a 10 if in a new slab. (I'm good with that, too.) Flair isn't my favorite of The Four Horsewomen of NXT but I think this is one of her better cards ... though I do wish she would have signed in blue like everybody else.

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 break down 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: 2021 Panini Playoff football cards (jumbo pack)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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

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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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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: 2021 Donruss NFL cards (holiday blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

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

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What: 2021 Panini Rookies & Stars football cards
Arrives: Jan. 5
Box basics: Two autos and two memorabilia cards per six-pack box (14 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Rookies & Stars is back on the field with the familiar format but plenty of new names -- rookies -- and then, of course, the stars to go with them.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five NFL players who impressed Buzz in Week 7.

BIG CATS IN CINCY
Ja'Marr Chase -- WR, Bengals (Rookie Cards in 2021 boxes)
QB Joe Burrow had a day but that's almost to be expected but Chase had a monster showing with eight catches on 10 targets good for 201 yards and a score. All are career-highs except for the TDs but that's not a big deal as he's establishing himself as big deal on a team with big potential. His RCs this year are probably overlooked compared to others among this year's crop but a game like that will change things in a hurry. His 754 yards for the year are the most through seven games in NFL history for a rookie so that clearly puts him on pace for records by season's end if he maintains. With a young star QB that's a good recipe for cardboard success.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

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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: 2021 Donruss NFL cards (jumbo)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

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

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What: 2021 Break King Football Premium Edition
Arrives: Early October
Box basics: At least two graded buyback cards and one encased card per box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: NFL fans can take their shot at some notables from the past and present here with everything being Rookie Cards or rookie-year inserts.

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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 that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... 

--

A STEAL ON JOE WILLIE
The Card: Joe Namath 2015 Panini National Treasures Century Materials Holo Silver (/15)
The Price: $20
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one is a steal for the volume made and considering that, unlike a number of Namath's recent memorabilia cards, it's got a game-used piece inside of it and not a player-worn swatch. I easily would have paid more for a card like this for this brand (one I've historically liked) with a prime piece and so few made. In fact, I'm sure I have paid more for cards with more copies made compared to this. Would I go this high for a player-worn card? Perhaps but it wouldn't have been as easy of a no-brainer to grab.
Grab a box right here: National Treasures football boxes (all years)

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: 2021 Score football cards (hanger)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading to see a full breakdown and gallery of everything that was in this one.

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What: 2021 Panini Absolute Football cards
Arrives: Sept. 22
Box basics: Three autos and two memorabilia cards per three-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Absolute hits the gridiron once again with plenty of the familiar inclusions collectors have come to expect from the brand.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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: 2021 Score football cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Keep reading to see a breakdown and gallery of what was in 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: 2021 Panini Prizm Draft Picks football (multi-pack)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for other formats)

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

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What: 2021 Panini Origins football cards
Arrives: Sept. 8 for hobby/Sept. 17 for International blasters
Box basics: One rookie patch auto, another auto and one jumbo or patch mem card per seven-card box (16 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Origins' sixth season on the gridiron arrives with some new touches within the familiar format that add some differing types of artistic flair in this one as well as players shown in their NFL uniforms for the first time -- no Photoshopped updates this time.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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

What's Buzzing: The National, new Star Wars cards, Giannis, Tua cards, new MLB pulls and more.

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What: 2021 Panini Black football cards
Arrives: Aug. 25
Box basics: One rookie patch auto, one auto and one memorabilia card per five-card box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Black returns for another season on the gridiron with its familiar look but also with "new and improved content" with "more rookies and more inserts than ever before" as well as some new chase elements.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Continue reading →

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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: 2021 Panini Contenders Draft Picks football cards (blaster box)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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

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What: 2021 Panini Elements football cards
Arrives: July 30
Box basics: Two autographs and one memorabilia card per five-card box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: The fourth season of Elements arrives with some energetic new looks, some legends from the past alongside today's greats and, of course, plenty of new rookies.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2021 Panini Gold Standard football cards
Arrives: July 23
Box basics: Five autos or memorabilia cards per seven-card box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Gold Standard takes the field once again with the familiar golden hues but some new touches atop them t0 go along with a new crop of rookies (last year's players in these mocks) and more to chase in on high-end spot.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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. 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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LATE-SEASON MAGIC
The Item: Tua Tagovailoa 2020 Panini Chronicles Score Rookie Red Zone Autographs (/20)
The Price: $989.99 Buy-It-Now 
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a big card -- on Optichome stock -- from a new arrival on the hobby side recently and it's a sample of a number of fun and expensive cards that can be found in the season catch-all NFL release that combines several brand names into one. It's been a long time since I found new NFL out in the retail wild (the 5 a.m. campers win) -- so much so I thought this was from the release giving us a new go at 2021 draft picks in their school colors. (That's still to come.) Nope, it's the release giving us another crack at the strong rookie crop that was ... in new NFL gear images with a little less Photoshop than during the season. It seems like it wasn't that long ago I was ripping into Chronicles Draft Picks boxes for these same guys ... but the NFL version is perhaps in a little stronger demand from more collectors. I've been a big fan of Chronicles for pretty much all sports and formats for a couple years now ... it's worth the look.
Similar Pieces: 2020 Panini Chronicles autos 
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2020 Panini Chronicles boxes

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

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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 mix of buys/submissions over the last few months.

MY RAINBOW IS COMPLETE ... I THINK
The Card: Nick Swisher 2015 Panini Prizm USA Baseball Black Finite Prizms #6 (1/1)
The Reason Bought: So, Buzz hasn't gotten his hands on as much wax as normal out there in the retail wild these days -- I'm just not camping out at 5 a.m. -- so that's actually been a good thing for when rarer cards present themselves. One example is this 1/1 card that popped up slabbed recently and I grabbed it because I think it completes my rainbow (I'm not organized enough yet to know for sure but I'm 99-percent sure) and, more importantly, it's one of a few instances where I own game-used memorabilia seen on a card. That jersey? It's in my stash ... though he didn't play a lot that summer. (The No. 11 jersey was sold via Hunt Auctions in a bulk lot of USA stuff from several years in several groups long ago and I found it a few years after that.) Oddly enough, there's a decent chance that this card cost me around the same amount as the jersey ... actually, the jersey might have been cheaper.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: It's the only card that's in existence so the pop report shows that and won't ever change. What I'm not sure of is whether any of the autographed cards for him on the checklist from this release were ever actually made -- or are they might all be out there in a box or two mis-packed. Not one has ever surfaced. (You never know.)

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

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