In a move that reverberates through the comic book collecting community like the crack of Thor’s hammer, PSA is breaking into the comic book and magazine grading arena. Known predominantly for their mastery in assessing the worth of sports and trading cards, PSA now turns its skilled eye toward comics, sending shivers down the spines of competitors, particularly CGC, the reigning champion of comic grading.
The big unveiling took place with the opulence and pageantry deserving a Marvel crossover event, as PSA announced it would begin grading comics starting July 14. Their pricing tiers shimmer like a golden key to the city, beginning at a tantalizing $25.99 per item for Modern-era comics—the kind that never gets old, specifically any tome printed from 1975 onwards. The cherry on the cape? An estimated 20-business-day turnaround, a speedy proposition that might just pit them head-on against—and perhaps skirt past—the traditionally longer waits associated with CGC.
For those eager beavers whose comics need a little sleeking and shining, PSA offers a pressing service starting at $11.99. This sounds like a lovely idea, albeit resulting in turnaround times that resemble a nostalgic snail’s pace at the entry-level, roughly doubling those without pressing. But hey, perfection requires patience, right?
CGC may tout its near-monopoly on grading the crème de la crème of comic books—indeed, every one of the top 10 most wallet-busting comic sales bore the inarguable CGC stamp. Yet, as PSA unfurls its proverbial cape across this new domain, it’s pulling the strings with competitive pricing strategies ominously snapping at CGC’s heels. Such competitive motivation, coupled with PSA’s existing infrastructure, could be the super serum collectors didn’t even know they needed.
The pricing wonks at PSA devised their charge list like a chess master positioning pieces. A perusal reveals tiers that stand neck-and-neck or give a cent or two’s worth to CGC’s reigning rates. This chess move foreshadows fierce competition, leading one to anticipate a thrilling battle of the grade titans that the comic world hasn’t witnessed for more than a few panels.
This leap into the comic cosmos isn’t PSA’s first caped crusade. Nostalgia enthusiasts may recall a peculiar yet stylish cameo in that universe during 2024’s San Diego Comic-Con. There, PSA unfurled prototype holders as part of a cunningly combined effort with Marvel and the on-trend fashion sophisticates at Kith. The limited-edition “Marvel Super Villains” sneaker line didn’t come alone; they were paired with exclusive comic variants—a number of them dressed in PSA’s new stylish encapsulation. Like a rare comic found in mint condition, such partnerships often pay off handsomely, with the unforgettable 1-of-1 Venom-Spider-Man sketch variant from this drop fetching a cool $30,000 on eBay not long after.
As PSA stands on the precipice of accepting submissions, eyes clouded with curiosity and anticipation gaze their way. Can they galvanize collectors, sway them from their tried-and-true grading routines, and draw them towards a luminary brand historically draped in trading card accolades? With PSA’s bulging name recognition and market-savvy infrastructure, the excitement within the comic book community is palpable. All await to see if the prevailing CGC giant will feel the ground beneath its fee-discounted fortress shift—just as Spiderman feels his Spidey-senses tingle at the approach of danger.
The introduction of PSA into this graded game signals a thrilling intertwining of past, present, and future potentials within the comic book universe, where every collector can, at least briefly, imagine themselves holding the Infinity Gauntlet of perfectly graded, pristinely pressed comics. This tale, still unfolding, is certain to capture the imagination of anyone who has ever turned a page or slipped a comic from its protective sheath. As the saga of graded comics continues, PSA’s daring gamble might just be the enriched elixir the collector community has waited for, a reminder that every universe—whether Marvel, DC, or otherwise—loves a hero’s journey into the unknown.
