$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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices