New Pokémon Art Joining Banned List?! Plus, Exclusive SDCC Marvel Mint Release & 2025 Star Wars Topps Chrome Preview
In this new release packed episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray go all in on the latest hobby news—starting with a recap of some of the wild news coming from San Diego Comic-Con, which now feels like a must-attend event for non-sport collectors.They break down the exclusive “Fork” redemption card used by “Hangman” Adam Page during AEW All In, which Upper Deck is turning into a real card in an upcoming product. Then they preview the National Sports Card Convention from a non-sport perspective, including how to get the exclusive Star Wars Topps packs being handed out at the show.Next, they cover:The upcoming release of Topps Chrome Star Wars, expected to be more affordable than last year while still including major signers like Jude Law and Carrie-Anne MossThe latest Pokémon release, including new collectible artwork for every Pokémon in the set, and a card that might soon be banned due to controversial artworkA bold comparison between the Pokémon 151 set and XY Evolutions, and why the “overprinted” argument might not hold upThey also jump into the Marvel universe to talk:The debut of Marvel Mint at SDCC and initial reactionsUpcoming release announced for 2025 Marvel Topps Chrome SapphirePlus, reactions to this week’s Garbage Pail Kids 40th Anniversary set, complete with throwback artwork and original artist autographs. And as they wrap, they realize they forgot to mention a huge one—the upcoming MTG Spider-Man Expansion Set, which is already seeing a spike in prices thanks to its original comic-based art.
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1:12:17
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1:12:17
How to Spot Fake Autographs: A Former Forger Speaks Out, Plus the Biggest Chases in 2025’s Non-Sport Releases
In this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray open with breaking news that’s shaking the hobby: reports of hundreds of millions of dollars in forged autographs and fake certificates of authenticity. With autograph collectors now facing serious risks, the team brings on a uniquely qualified guest—Cliff Panezich, a former forger who once ran a multi-million dollar counterfeit autograph operation.Cliff pulls back the curtain on the forgery world, sharing:Tips for spotting fake signaturesWhich marketplaces and items are most vulnerableAnd how collectors can protect themselves from getting burnedBefore that explosive interview, Jesse shares how he pulled the most expensive card of his life during a recent break, and explains how non-sport card breaks work for collectors who haven’t tried them yet.Later in the show, Jesse and Ray break down the biggest chase cards from recent non-sport releases like:Topps Chrome MarvelStar Wars MasterworkFleer Brilliants Superman and moreThe episode wraps with a look at how Labubu’s explosive growth is shaking up the collectible world—its parent company Pop Mart is now reportedly larger than Mattel and Hasbro combined—and an update on an upcoming giveaway from Courtyard.io.
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1:17:08
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1:17:08
Why Lorcana Might Be Ready to Explode, Nashville’s Pokémon Shift & a Look Back at 2009 Topps American Heritage
In this episode of Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off by recapping the Nash-ional, the booming Nashville Card Show that’s quickly evolving into a Pokémon-focused destination. Ray shares details on a major find and how the vibe of the show has changed for collectors.Then they’re joined by David Campos to finally dive deep into the world of Disney Lorcana. David breaks down:What’s currently hot and chase-worthyHow the game is performing in the marketAnd how changes in the upcoming release could take it mainstream in a big wayLater, Jesse introduces a new segment: Throwback Set, spotlighting 2009 Topps American Heritage—a hidden gem packed with cut autos from U.S. presidents, sports legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, and pop culture icons.Then in New Releases, Jesse and Ray react to Upper Deck’s Fleer Brilliants Superman drop and discuss the latest Pokémon release, which isn’t wowing collectors.The episode wraps with Poke Corner, where they dive the latest Pokémon News starting with some eye-popping price jumps, including the surge of 1st Edition Charizard cards and why Pokémon 151 packs could hit $50 and up in the near future.
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1:28:10
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1:28:10
A New Co-Host Has Appeared! Dodgers’ One Piece Promo Explodes, The Pope Goes Pokémon, and Vintage Bands & Presidents with Ryan Nolan’s Return
In this milestone episode, Jesse officially welcomes Ray Solorio as the new co-host of Hobby Nonsense! Ray will bring his expertise on WWE and modern Pokémon, while diving deeper into the world of non-sport collecting alongside Jesse.They kick things off with a breakdown of the Dodgers' One Piece promo cards, which were handed out at a recent game and are already dominating the resale market. Then they tackle one of the strangest hobby headlines yet—the Pope signing a Pokémon card—and why it might actually be better than having signed one of his own official cards.Later, Ryan Nolan returns to discuss the rising interest in vintage non-sport, including American History cards, and dives into the niche but growing world of music cards, from Ozzy and Black Sabbath to The Rolling Stones. They explore what card manufacturers need to do to market modern band and performer cards successfully.The episode wraps with a look at:Upper Deck’s DC packs at San Diego Comic-ConThe wild rise of Felt Hat Pikachu—now the most graded Pokémon card ever, still fetching over $1,000 a pop
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1:12:23
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1:12:23
$30K Scanned Pokémon Pack Sparks Controversy, Final Fantasy Breaks MTG Records & PSA’s Junk Wax Hero: The Rare Cards You Didn’t Know You Needed
In this week’s episode, Jesse kicks things off with a major update: the Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collaboration is now officially the best-selling MTG crossover to date. He explores what that means for future collaborations—and what it might say about past ones, too.Then it’s on to a new release from Upper Deck: a Scooby-Doo trading card set, complete with surprising inserts and some serious nostalgic appeal.Next, Jesse revisits a growing problem in the hobby: CT scanning of sealed packs and boxes. A recent sale of a $30,000 Pokémon pack—advertised as scanned and showing a Base Set Shadowless Charizard—raises huge ethical concerns. Jesse breaks down why this is a slippery slope for the hobby and urges collectors and manufacturers to take a stand against it.He also speculates on a new force behind Pokémon’s global momentum: the expansion of the TCG into the Chinese market, and how that may be quietly fueling increased demand.To close the show, Jesse interviews Matt Hathorn, a junk wax collector recently featured in PSA Magazine for his passion-filled collection featuring Steve Urkel, ALF, and the rarest Saved By the Bell card set in existence. They talk 80s/90s nostalgia, obscure sets, and what makes collecting fun again.Plus, Jesse announces a $300 Comic Book Giveaway courtesy of Courtyard.io, and shares how listeners can win.
Hobby Nonsense is your weekly dive into the weird, wonderful world of non-sport trading cards and pop culture collectibles. Hosted by Jesse Gibson and Ray Solorio, the podcast covers everything from Pokémon, Marvel, and Star Wars to Garbage Pail Kids, sketch cards, and vintage oddities from the junk wax era.
Each episode features news, market trends, release breakdowns, and interviews with collectors, creators, and industry insiders. Whether you're chasing Charizards, ripping retro wax, or exploring obscure inserts, Hobby Nonsense delivers insight, nostalgia, and a lot of hobby fun.
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