Are you listening?

One of the best things about doing a live radio show about trading cards and collectibles is that anything can happen at any time. We talk about a lot of things, sometimes it spins wildly out of control, and sometimes it is controlled insanity.

Recently, as part of the 2011 Industry Summit, we decided to add a new segment to the show. It's focuses on Local Card Shops and their importance to the trading card industry. We've dubbed it -- LCS Spotlight. It is a fantastic source to find out information about opening a store, tips and tricks to help your shop succeed and a whole lot more.

I encourage anyone to listen that has thought about, is currently operating or just ready to open up a shop. The information from past guests including Alan Narz, Wayne Frazier and Mark & Donna Rubin is priceless. Their years, and experience in this business are a blueprint for success.

Check out the Cardboard Connection Radio archives to tune in.

A Lifetime Ago - Hot Comics Premiere #1

I was a punk at age 24. I thought I could take on the world and knock it flat on its ass. I knew exactly what I wanted to do for a living from the time I was 4. I began drawing and writing comic books before my first day of Kindergarten.

I took a majority of art classes and went to the Joe Kubert School to learn from the best. Some unfortunate family issues forced me to not finish and graduate, but I felt I learned enough to land a job. My dream though was to self-publish a comic book.

I didn't know all of the things I needed to, and learned while doing it. I also didn't realize how much it cost in 1994, when I wasn't making a great living. I did the best I could and surrounded myself with some incredibly talented people. That year, I lived out my dream and published Hot Comics Premiere #1.

It's not the best comic I've ever read, it's not the worst. Either way, I'm darn proud of doing exactly what I set out to do. A few people have asked me about it because I discussed it recently so I thought with the technology available today, I could put together an eBook version of it.

Here it is for you to enjoy, free of charge... Just click the cover image.

3 Things I Like About 2012 Topps Series 2 Baseball

Are you one that's on the fence about checking out Topps Series 2 baseball? I hear you. I'm still working on my Archives set, so this is way too soon to be refocusing on another product. Unfortunately it's my job, so I can't get caught up on one product for too long. Series 2 is one of those sets you either love or hate, especially this season with a lot of extras and variations to chase. I can tell you three things I do like about the product and I am going to let the pictures do the talking...

Upside Down, Inside Out, An Interesting Error In Topps Series 2 Baseball

I've been reading a lot of comments about 2012 Topps Series 2 Baseball. Like just about any product, you'll find people that love it, and loathe it. I haven't opened up enough to make that decision yet. But I have opened some, and know at least 3 things that I like about it.

As I was sorting a box of it, I enjoyed what I was finding, and questioned some of the content too. To me, Topps flagship is always a fun break, but not a very exciting one. You get a lot of cards, you get a lot of inserts, and you get to build a set that still has some stroke with long-time collectors.

This year there are all kinds inserts to chase, some short-printed cards with great, and really funny photos. It's a lot to take in, especially for those that just want to put a set together and not have anything get in the way.

Topps has finally found a way to add some extra value into this line that collectors have been complaining about for years. In this industry you can never please everyone. It's nearly impossible. Collectors are all different, but many dump their base cards and this is a set made up of mostly base cards. Hit seekers generally stay away from it, while at the same time bashing it. Then you have the set builders that are a tad anal, and they just want a big set to build. Adding SPs, memorabilia and autos is the last thing they want to see. Guess what they do? Complain about it.

Well, after sorting, I found some of the surprises that collectors are either happy or bummed about, but I also found a couple of surprises that I am pretty sure Topps didn't intend to be in the set.

Pirates catcher Rod Barajas is supposed to be card #391 in the series. The two cards of Barajas that I found in my box are a little different than the regular card #391 in the set. The first card of Barajas is indeed #391, but when you flip the card over, the number is in the upper left corner instead of the lower right corner. In other words the back is printed upside down.

About 7 packs later I put card #395 of Jonathan Lucroy in order. Lucroy is #395 in the set. About 2 packs later I found out that Barajas is also card #395. I pulled this second version of Barajas that is numbered incorrectly.

Now the question remains... is it simply an error? Is it a planned error/variant? It made me wonder how many people even look at their base cards anymore? Do you? Did you find any unreported variations or errors in your packs of Series 2? Be sure to share them here!