Hobby Nonsense

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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This week on Hobby Nonsense, Jesse and Ray bring the drama.

The episode starts with the release of Topps Chrome VeeFriends and the announcement of the first-ever MrBeast autograph card. There's only one, demand is already through the roof, and one card in the set already has a $100,000 bounty attached to it.

The guys then discuss the challenges of having so many major non-sport releases packed into a single month, including:


Star Wars Masterwork


VeeFriends Chrome


Disney Chrome


Marvel Chrome

Next, they take a deep dive into Marvel Chrome Comics, where increased print runs may not tell the whole story. With sketch cards increasing by over 1,000%, the hobby may be overlooking some important details.

Then the drama begins.

The internet has erupted over accusations involving Jason Paige, the singer behind the iconic Pokémon theme song. After claims surfaced that he took advantage of young collectors in a trade, Jason responded publicly. Jesse and Ray break down the situation and explain why the story may not be as simple as it first appeared.

The conversation then shifts to the ongoing Bricks & Minifigs controversy, where allegations involving a franchise owner, a dying man, missing LEGO inventory, mafia, YouTubers, and accusations of theft have spiraled into one of the strangest stories in the collectibles world.

Also in this episode:


Lorcana sets that may still have room to run


WWE Cosmic Lunar Box update


And the exact strategy Jesse uses to find deals on cards that normally seem out of reach

One of the most drama-filled episodes of the year.
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