Hobby Nonsense

his week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse is finally feeling better, Ray is back from vacation, and there’s a lot to catch up on before diving into one of the biggest market discussions we've had in months.

First up, Matt Hathorn of Funcle Cards joins the show for a major Disney market update 🏰. Since his last appearance just three months ago, portions of the Disney card market have exploded, with some cards increasing more than 5x in value. Together they discuss:

Which Disney sets collectors should be targeting

Which products they would avoid

Floor pricing on key parallels

How the PSA shutdown impacted supply and demand

Where the Disney market may go next

After Funcle leaves, Jesse and Ray break down several new releases and announcements:

✨ 2026 Marvel Mint SDCC Exclusive Boxes

💎 2026 Disney Sapphire

🌌 2026 Star Wars Galaxy, including favorite early cards, insert expectations, and a surprise signer

They also take a closer look at Upper Deck E-Pack, explaining how the platform works and where collectors may find value.

Ray then dives into Pokémon, covering the new Pitch Black release and sharing his early picks for some of the biggest chase cards in the upcoming 30th Anniversary Pokémon product. The discussion also touches on the recent price drop at GameStop and what it may mean for collectors.

To close the show, Jesse and Ray tackle a bigger-picture question:

🤖 What happens to the hobby if the AI bubble bursts?

Looking at historical market bubbles, they discuss how collectibles have reacted during past downturns, where opportunities may emerge, and why this cycle could play out differently than previous ones.
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Sports Boi is under the weather, so Solar Ray is flying solo from the Florida beach for a special Seaside Chat edition of Hobby Nonsense!

This week's episode is packed with hobby news, market talk, collecting strategies, and a few hot takes as we break down everything happening across trading cards and collectibles.

This week we cover:

● 🟡 Pokémon Mega Evolutions: Pitch Black preview and the biggest chase cards

● 💰 The shocking $192,000 Gold Star Mew sale and what it means for the Pokémon

market

● 🔥 Why certain Pokémon cards could become long-term sleepers

● 🎮 Palworld's upcoming trading card game and the ongoing Pokémon lawsuit

● ✨ Disney Lorcana's Attack of the Vine and why it could be the game's biggest set yet

● 🧱 New Pokémon LEGO sets and the must-have collectible

● ️ Bubba Wallace's incredible Space Jam NASCAR tribute

● 🤼 WWE cards that could explode in value over the next few years

● 📈 Smart collecting vs. ripping packs and how to build your collection on a budget

● 🍣 Benihana trading cards... yes, they're actually real.

● 👀 Plus plenty of hobby opinions, collector advice, and nonsense along the way.

Whether you're into Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, wrestling cards, LEGO, or just love the collectibles hobby, there's something for everyone in this week's episode.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off with a deep dive into Topps Chrome Marvel Comics 🕷️. They break down the most collectible inserts, highlight a few sleeper cards that many collectors may overlook, and discuss the surprisingly strong autograph checklist featuring names like Kevin Feige, Aaron Judge, and Steve Aoki.

Next, they cover several notable new releases and announcements:


🏀 Upper Deck's 30th Anniversary Space Jam set, including NASCAR crossover content and Michael Jordan autographs


🦇 Enemies of Gotham City, a new tabletop game that feels like a perfect fit for fans of DC Comics and strategy games like Settlers of Catan


🎟️ Updates on Fanatics Fest and The National, including which event may be the better fit depending on what kind of collector you are and where you can find Jesse and Ray

Ray then shares some new Pokémon news, including the possibility of a more collectible Pokémon coin making its way to the United States with additional rarity and chase appeal.

The conversation shifts into a broader hobby discussion as Jesse and Ray explore why Pokémon and TCG collectors often seem to have a deeper collector culture than the traditional sports card market.

Finally, they revisit one of the hobby's most controversial topics 🎨: card restoration. As the use of paint to repair white edges becomes more accepted in some circles, the guys debate where the line should be drawn and what collectors should consider acceptable.

It's an episode packed with Marvel, Pokémon, Michael Jordan, hobby philosophy, and one of the most debated subjects in modern collecting.
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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray kick things off with a review of Disney Chrome ✨. While the product was a fun rip overall, Jesse found some of the hit rates surprisingly underwhelming compared to the published odds, leading to a bigger question: are collectors better off buying blasters and megas instead of hobby boxes?

Next, they're joined by Nicholas Barton of the All Stars Card Show, a unique event designed specifically to serve disabled children and their families ❤️. Nicholas shares how the show got started, who it benefits, and how collectors can support the upcoming charity auction this Sunday.

After the interview, Ray recaps his experience at the Nashville Card Show, and his biggest takeaway is sure to spark debate:

👉 Sports cards may be slowing down while Pokémon continues to thrive.

Then Ray discusses the two newly announced Pokémon sets, what excites him most about each release, and which cards collectors should be keeping an eye on.

They close out the show with a return to Lorcana, breaking down recent record sales, current market trends, and lessons Jesse learned the hard way after diving deeper into the game and collectible side of the hobby. If you're considering getting into Lorcana, this segment may save you both money and frustration.

🎙️ Plus: Disney Chrome, Pokémon investing, Lorcana market updates, charity auctions, Nashville show observations, and more.
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Disney takes center stage this week on Hobby Nonsense.

Jesse and Ray kick things off by discussing the controversy surrounding Disney Chrome breaks happening days before release, with some breakers charging double and even triple what others are asking while allegedly listing characters that don't even appear on the checklist. Is the system being manipulated, or is this simply the cost of being first?

The guys then break down what is shaping up to be the biggest non-sport release of the year:

2026 Topps Chrome Disney

They cover:


Debut characters


Major signers


Case hits


Top chase cards


What collectors should be targeting


Why Disney Chrome continues to separate itself from other entertainment products

Then they're joined by Digital Inkwell for a deep dive into one of the hottest topics in collecting:

Is Lorcana the answer to "What's next after Pokémon?"

The conversation covers:


How Lorcana got to this point


Whether the current boom has historical precedent


How collectors are reacting to recent set changes


The most undervalued cards and sets


What new collectors need to know before jumping in

Whether you're a seasoned Disney collector or someone curious about Lorcana's future, this episode serves as a complete guide to where these markets stand today—and where they may be headed next

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