🗞️ This Week’s Collectible News

From museum-level memorabilia to mystery cases that sold out in minutes, this week was packed with major moments in the world of collecting. Whether you're flipping sketch covers, chasing 1-of-1 grails, or just keeping up with the shakeups in comic book distribution — we’ve got you covered with the top headlines you don’t want to miss.

🧸 Labubu Dolls Take Over — Adult Collectors Drive Global Craze
Labubu dolls from Pop Mart are the latest sensation sweeping the collectible world — and it’s not just kids chasing them. Sparked by a viral post from Blackpink’s Lisa, these quirky elf-like figures have become a must-have among adult collectors, with fans camping out and hunting for the elusive blind-box exclusives. As prices climb on secondary markets, Labubu joins the ranks of Sonny Angels and Smiskis in what’s becoming a booming niche of adult designer toys fueled by nostalgia and scarcity.

🏟️ Tom Brady Opens the Hall of Excellence in Las Vegas
Tom Brady is taking his collectibles game to the next level. The NFL legend is opening the Hall of Excellence, a memorabilia museum set inside the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. General admission starts at $35 and includes a self-guided tour narrated by Morgan Freeman. Highlights include all seven of Brady’s Super Bowl rings, Jackie Robinson’s 1947 bat, and Oprah Winfrey’s Presidential Medal of Freedom. This isn’t just a museum — it’s a full-blown shrine to the most iconic moments in sports and culture.

🕷️ Marvel Pulls Out of Diamond Distribution
In a major shake-up to the comic book industry, Penguin Random House is pulling Marvel Comics and other titles from Diamond Comic Distributors. This move could significantly change how local comic shops order and receive their inventory, and it's sparking conversation across the industry about what's next for distribution in the direct market.

🚀 Fanable’s “Galaxies Far, Far Away” Drop Sells Out in Minutes
Fanable’s latest mystery case drop, Galaxies Far, Far Away, blasted off on May 22 and sold out in minutes. Featuring CGC-graded slabs from franchises like Star Wars, Silver Surfer, and Guardians of the Galaxy, the $99 cases included grails like Fantastic Four #48, Star Wars #42, and silver-embedded poster replicas. With a 90% buyback policy and chase items like CGC 10.0 slabs, this drop proved Fanable is dialing in on what collectors want — quality, value, and nostalgia.

🎨 Battle Beast 1:2000 Sketch Variants Command High Prices on eBay
The ultra-rare 1:2000 sketch variant of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1, featuring original art by Ryan Ottley, is making waves in the collector community. These blind bag exclusives are fetching significant sums on eBay, with listings reaching up to $1,800. Retailers received one sketch for every 2,000 regular copies ordered, making these variants exceptionally scarce. Collectors are advised to exercise caution, as counterfeit listings have been reported.

🌟 VeeFriends Comic #2: Ultra-Rare 1-of-1 Sketch Cover Pulled
A one-of-a-kind sketch cover of VeeFriends Comic Book #2, featuring original artwork by Gary Vaynerchuk, has been pulled, marking a significant moment for collectors. This unique piece, part of the limited release of 3,000 copies, stands out as the only one of its kind. The comic, which delves into the origin story of Fearless Fairy, sold out rapidly upon its release. The discovery of this 1-of-1 sketch cover has generated excitement within the VeeFriends community, highlighting the growing interest in exclusive comic collectibles.

🪖 Star Wars Grails Sniped by Comics and Crypto
BOUNTIES CLAIMED! The team at Comics and Crypto just locked in two legendary Star Wars mints on VeVe — and both came with serious collector significance:

• #1977 Stormtrooper Helmet (Common) – the year the Star Wars universe was born
• #501 Night Trooper Helmet (Secret Rare) – honoring the elite 501st Legion

Both were claimed for 1,977 gems — proving that iconic numbers still rule in the digital grail hunt. Absolute flex.

This week’s Goldin auction delivered serious heat, with modern legends and 1-of-1 grails crossing the block. Here are the top five sales collectors were watching:

🏀 Caitlin Clark Rookie Card Sets the Pace
2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Gold Prizm #22 (#07/10) — PSA MINT 9, Pop 3
Final Price: $63,833 (88 bids)
The Caitlin Clark frenzy continues as her gold Prizm rookie commands a massive price. A new WNBA auction record and a signal that her cards are entering elite territory.

🏆 Kobe Bryant True Gem Patch Auto Brings the Heat
2014-15 Panini Flawless Patch Autographs Ruby #PA-KB (#06/15) — BGS GEM MINT 9.5 / Beckett 10, Pop 1
Final Price: $23,803 (42 bids)
An iconic signature, flawless patch, and true gem grade — this Kobe piece checks every box.

🏈 Bo Nix & John Elway Downtown Duos 1/1 Sells Big
2024 Panini Donruss Optic Downtown Duos Gold Vinyl Prizm #13 (#1/1) — BGS MINT 9
Final Price: $17,995 (52 bids)
Rookie legend meets Hall of Fame icon in this dual 1-of-1. A unique crossover card with long-term upside.

⚾ Shohei Ohtani Rookie Auto Lands Solid Hit
2018 Topps Legends in the Making Autographs #LITM-2 (#1/5) — BGS GEM MINT 9.5 / Beckett 10
Final Price: $7,320 (43 bids)
The rarest serial number with a pristine grade — a future Hall of Famer’s early auto stays strong in value.

⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo Orange Refractor Signed PSA 10
2018-19 Topps Chrome UCL Autographs Orange Refractor #100 (#05/25) — PSA GEM MT 10, Pop 4
Final Price: $2,087 (20 bids)
Low pop and perfect grade — this orange refractor is one of the cleanest Ronaldo autos you’ll find.

We’re beyond excited to announce a major milestone for Nerdcave’77 — we’ve officially partnered with California Comics USA to become part of their immersive store experience inside the VeVeVerse!

This isn’t just any collaboration. California Comics has built a reputation for crafting some of the most stunning, high-detail environments and displays in the digital collecting space. Their attention to detail, creativity, and passion for the craft is unmatched — transforming digital storefronts into vibrant hubs of fandom. Joining their space in the VeVeVerse is not only an honor, it’s a dream come true for us as collectors and creators.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of what collecting can look like — blending nostalgia, innovation, and community into a next-level experience.

We’re just getting started. Big things are on the horizon — and we can’t wait to explore them with you in the VeVeVerse.

Make sure to follow @CaliComicsStore on X— big things are on the way!

Each week, we give back to our amazing community with a collectible giveaway. Here’s this week’s lucky winner:

🎉 Congrats to… https://x.com/DoktaStrange

Thank you to everyone who participated! If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry — another giveaway is right around the corner. Just stay subscribed, stay engaged, and you might be next!

From surprise mints to major moves on the charts, these are the NFT projects that had the timeline buzzing. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just watching from the sidelines, this week's top 5 are leading the way in volume, hype, and holder activity. Let’s dive into what’s trending and why it matters.

Sourced from Key Collector Comics

This week’s comic market is moving fast, with key issues seeing massive sales spikes due to fresh rumors, media speculation, and collector hype. Here are the top 5 books leading the charge:

1. Tales to Astonish #81 (1966, Marvel)
📈 +967% increase in copies sold
– 1st appearance of Boomerang
– Rumored villain in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day storyline
This silver age sleeper just exploded thanks to Boomerang buzz—don’t be surprised if prices keep climbing.

2. Justice League Europe #11 (1990, DC)
📈 +867% increase in copies sold
– 1st appearance of Joseph Mason
– A Superman movie toy leak featuring "Baby Joey" has fans speculating about Metamorpho’s son
From dollar bin to trending charts—this book’s wild rise shows just how powerful a single toy leak can be.

3. Web of Spider-Man #36 (1988, Marvel)
📈 +850% increase in copies sold
– 1st appearance of Tombstone
– Rumored role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and a potential fit for Spider-Man Noir on Amazon
Crime boss turned top spec—Tombstone’s gritty style makes him a perfect villain across multiple universes.

4. Avengers #162 (1977, Marvel)
📈 +650% increase in copies sold
– 1st appearance of Jocasta
– Rumored casting for Vision Quest series on Disney+
Ultron’s twisted creation might be headed to the small screen—and collectors are reacting fast.

5. Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 (2025, Image)
📈 +460% increase in copies sold
– Origin of Battle Beast
– Positive reviews + speculation on an animated spin-off + rare 1:2000 variant heat
Battle Beast is a fan-favorite—and this solo spotlight issue could be the start of something big.

Next week is shaping up to be a big one — here’s what collectors should be watching closely:

🦇 Fanable Mystery Drop – “From Gotham to Metropolis”
Here’s a little alpha… Fanable’s next mystery case is set to bridge the DC universe — from Gotham to Metropolis. Expect first-in-app actor signatures, graded page slabs by CGC, and a lineup that has insiders buzzing. Details drop next week — you won’t want to miss it.

🦸‍♂️ Superman #7 (1939) Still Available on Candy.io
One of the most historic Golden Age covers — Superman (1939) #7 — is still live on Candy.io as a digital collectible. This issue features the first time Superman appears flying across the cover and remains a major piece of early DC history. Don’t sleep on it — high-grade physical copies are nearly unattainable, making this digital version a compelling pickup for modern collectors.

🦇 Absolute Batman #9 – Releases June 11, 2025
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta continue to redefine the Dark Knight in the Absolute Universe. In this issue, Batman infiltrates Ark M, a facility with a dark past, only to confront a formidable adversary from Alfred's history—Bane. This reimagined Bane is even more imposing than his traditional counterpart, adding a new layer of intensity to the storyline.

🧬 Incredible Hulk #449 (1997) Still Available on VeVe
The 1st appearance of the Thunderbolts is still live on VeVe’s platform. With the team confirmed for the MCU, this key issue continues to be a smart pickup — especially with only a limited supply in digital format.

🛸 Ultraman Vol. 2 – Drops Wednesday, May 28 at 10AM PT (Blind Box Waitlist)
Shinjiro Hayata takes up the mantle in Ultraman, Vol. 2, as a covert SSSP battles a terrifying new alien threat. The drop features 5 epic variant covers and lands in VeVe’s blind box waitlist format — so suit up and get in early if you want a shot at something rare. This one’s for kaiju fans and cover collectors alike.

That’s a wrap on another week with Nerdcave77 — and as always, we’re grateful to have you with us.

Big shoutout to California Comics USA for teaming up with us this week. We're honored to be working with such passionate creators in the digital collectibles space.

And to all of our readers — thank you. Whether you’re here for the alpha, the giveaways, or just the love of collecting, your continued support means everything. You’re the heartbeat of this community, and we don’t take that for granted.

We’ll be back next Sunday with more news, more finds, and more ways to level up your collecting.

— The Nerdcave77 Team
Stay curious. Stay collecting. Stay Nerdy.