🗞️ This Week’s Collectible News

NFT Market Rebounds for the First Time in 2025
After a sluggish start to the year, the NFT market just posted its first monthly sales increase. Volume jumped 15% to $430 million in May, and the number of unique buyers surged by over 50%. Meanwhile, the total number of sellers dropped to a multi-year low — a signal that demand is rising while supply thins out. This shift could lead to more competitive bidding and renewed confidence across major marketplaces.

Disney Pinnacle Offers Exclusive Pin to Disney+ & D23 Members
Disney just announced a special activation for fans attending D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Disney+ subscribers and D23 Gold Members can claim a free digital Mystery Capsule pin at the Disney Pinnacle booth — part of its new digital pin trading experience powered by Dapper Labs. Supplies are limited and the pins are exclusive to the event.

SEC Commissioner Clears the Air on NFT Royalties
In a major win for artists and creators, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce clarified that NFTs paying out royalties do not make them securities. She compared resale royalties to how musicians earn from streaming — not how shareholders earn from owning stock. This public stance removes a cloud of uncertainty around creator-friendly collections and brings regulatory clarity the space desperately needed.

FIFA Launches Its Own Blockchain for Digital Collectibles
FIFA is no longer relying on third-party chains — they’re building their own. The global soccer federation unveiled its custom Layer-1 blockchain built on Avalanche tech, which will host all future FIFA NFTs. This move lets FIFA scale digital fan engagement ahead of major tournaments like the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. Expect new collectibles, gamified rewards, and real-world access tied to digital assets.

British Museum Blends Fine Art with Bitcoin Ordinals
Bridging centuries of culture with blockchain, the British Museum has launched a limited series of sterling silver sculptures based on Albrecht Dürer’s 1515 woodcut The Rhinoceros. Each piece includes a unique inscription on the Bitcoin blockchain via Ordinals — creating a permanent record of ownership and provenance. The first sculpture sold for six figures and is now part of a London-based exhibition running through June.

Pudgy Penguins Cross Into Kids’ Bookshelves
Pudgy Penguins is headed straight into mainstream family homes. The Web3-native brand announced its first children’s picture book, The Worst Birthday Gift Ever, in partnership with Penguin Random House. Launching this November, the book features signature Pudgy characters in a heartwarming story — a massive step for expanding NFT brands into traditional media, classrooms, and retail spaces.

Marvel & DC Unite for First Crossover in 20 Years: Batman/Deadpool
Marvel and DC Comics shocked fans by announcing their first crossover event in roughly two decades, bringing Batman and Deadpool together for a pair of one-shot issues. The crossover kicks off in September with Deadpool/Batman, written by Zeb Wells and drawn by Greg Capullo, followed in November by Batman/Deadpool from legendary writer Grant Morrison with artist Dan Mora. Each issue will include bonus short stories featuring surprise Marvel/DC character team-ups. This historic team-up between the two comics giants has collectors and fans buzzing, as it marks a long-awaited reunion of the Marvel and DC universes in print.

Avengers: Doomsday Movie Updates – Original Stars Return & Sequels Delayed
In movie news, Marvel Studios provided major updates on the next Avengers films. The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday (set for May 2026) will reunite several veteran MCU stars – including Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, and more – alongside newcomers like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen reprising their iconic X-Men roles. Marvel also quietly pushed back the release dates of Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up Avengers: Secret Wars, adjusting the timeline likely due to production challenges. Fans are excited by the ensemble cast confirmations but will have to wait a bit longer for these blockbuster team-ups as Marvel realigns its cinematic schedule.

Frank Castle Returns as The Punisher in a Gritty “Red Band” Series
Marvel Comics announced the comeback of original Punisher Frank Castle in a new limited series titled Punisher: Red Band. After a two-year absence (during which a different character took up the mantle), Frank is back – complete with his classic skull emblem – in a 5-issue story by writer Benjamin Percy and artist Julius Ohta. Billed as a “Red Band” book (a nod to R-rated intensity), the series promises a violent, uncompromising return to the Punisher’s street-level vengeance. Percy has teased a darker, bloodier tone for Frank’s revival, thrilling longtime Punisher fans who have been eager to see Castle rejoin the Marvel Universe in all his brutal glory.

DC Reveals Justice League Red – A Secret Covert Ops Team
DC Comics unveiled Justice League Red, a brand-new limited series that adds a twist to the Justice League mythos. Written by Saladin Ahmed with art by Clayton Henry, this story centers on a black-ops Justice League unit formed and led by the android Red Tornado. The premise: Red Tornado assembles a hush-hush squad of heroes to tackle missions so sensitive that even Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman can’t be told. Set to launch in August, Justice League Red introduces a bold direction – mixing familiar DC faces with a covert-operations vibe – and has fans speculating about how this secret team’s existence will impact the wider DC Universe. It’s a fresh concept for the Justice League brand, aimed at both longtime readers and new fans of edgy superhero suspense.

Beloved Comics Writer Peter David Passes Away at 68
Comics fandom mourned the loss of Peter David, who died on May 24, 2025, at the age of 68. A prolific and influential writer, David is best known for his character-defining runs on titles like The Incredible Hulk, X-Factor, Spider-Man, and DC’s Young Justice, among many others. His career spanned decades and earned him a reputation for sharp wit, rich characterization, and revitalizing struggling series. News of his passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from industry peers and fans alike, celebrating David’s lasting impact on comic book storytelling and the many iconic storylines he crafted throughout his legendary career.

The Legend of Zelda (NES) - CGC 9.4 A+ First Production – Sold for $375,000+, this sealed 1987 first print is one of the most legendary and desirable video games of all time.

Pokémon Blue Version (Game Boy) - CGC 9.8 A++ – First production Sandshrew variant in flawless condition. Estimated to have closed near the $200K mark.

Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) - CGC 9.6 A+ – Early production "Bros. Left" version pulled in $125,000+ as Mario classics continue to rise.

Pokémon Red Version (Game Boy) - CGC 9.9 A++ – Near-perfect grade for a first production sealed copy. Final price topped $117,000.

Super Mario World (SNES) - CGC 9.4 A – Launch title for the SNES reached $85,938+, continuing strong momentum for early Nintendo titles.

Ice Climber (NES) - CGC 9.4 A+ – Rare mid-production hangtab variant saw high five-figure attention from hardcore NES collectors.

Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES) - Wata 9.8 A+ – First production, sealed copy fetched $67,000+, proving demand for Mario remains consistent.

Chrono Trigger (SNES) - CGC 9.8 A++ – One of SquareSoft’s most iconic RPGs landed at $65,625+ with RPG collectors still active.

Clu Clu Land (NES) - CGC 9.2 A++ – Matte sticker, first production variant of this 1985 title hit the high five-figure range.

The Legend of Zelda (NES) - Wata 9.6 A+ (Mid-Production) – Later print still earned over $50,000, affirming Zelda's multi-tier value.

🧬 A Digital First: Marvel Comics #1 (2021 Mint)

California Comics has just added a historic piece to their vault — the Marvel Comics #1 (Common) minted in 2021, the same year digital comics first launched on VeVe.

Why does this matter?
This isn’t just about the comic itself—it’s about capturing a moment in history. 2021 marked the year the comic world crossed into the blockchain frontier. Owning a MC1 from that first-ever digital batch is like holding a first printing of a revolution. As collectors, we know mint numbers tell a story—and this one tells the story of how it all began.

🎥 Get To Da Comics: Live Readings Every Friday

Teaming up with Get To Da Comics, California Comics is bringing the comic experience to life each week with live readings direct from the VeVeVerse store.

Every Friday, fans can tune in on YouTube for live comic book storytelling, character breakdowns, creator shoutouts, and maybe even a few surprise giveaways.

It’s a throwback to the days of reading comics aloud with friends—but this time, it’s happening inside a digital storefront built for the future.

Whether you're new to collecting or a seasoned reader, these livestreams are a perfect way to reconnect with the magic of the panels. Follow @OzmanKollects63 and don’t miss out.

🌱 Buy Comics, Plant Trees: Giving Back with Every Sale

This one hits the heart. California Comics has partnered with One Tree Planted to launch an eco-friendly initiative with real-world impact.

📦 For every 10 digital comics sold, 1 real-life tree will be planted.

Collectors often talk about value and rarity—but this initiative adds something even more meaningful: purpose. Supporting the comic shop now also means helping reforest the planet. Whether you’re buying your first comic or stacking your digital shelf, your purchase now plants the seeds of a better future—literally.