In a move that’s stirring the comic book pot in a significant way, PSA, the renowned grading service for sports and trading cards, is branching out into the world of comic books and magazines. Comic aficionados and collectors can finally catch a glimpse of what PSA’s foray into this colorful world will entail. The company recently laid out its pricing structure and estimated processing timelines, all set to unravel from July 14 onwards.
The spotlight is firmly on the pricing and turnaround time. For Modern-era books — those born post-1975 — the base cost is pegged at an affordable $25.99 per item. The processing speed is swift, with an estimated 20-business-day turnaround. It’s akin to taking a Velociraptor out for a stroll rather than a lumbering T-Rex, especially in comparison to some industry tedium-doers.
But wait, there’s more! PSA isn’t stopping there. They’ve added a pressing service for comics and magazines, starting at $11.99. This pressing service is aimed at giving comics a facelift before grading, ironing out those irksome creases and tweaking the presentation to perfection. If you choose this option, however, brace yourself for extended waiting times—as if waiting for the latest superhero flick’s sequel wasn’t enough—since the pressing will nearly double the turnaround time at the introductory tier.
For those not in the know, CGC, or Certified Guaranty Company, has long been the big, burly guardian of the comic grading world. To put it plainly, they’ve held an almost mythical sway over the market, especially when considering that all of the top 10 priciest comics ever sold were blessed with CGC’s seal of approval. Yet here comes PSA, striding confidently into this arena, brandishing pricing tiers that are not only competitive but in some cases even more budget-friendly than their seasoned rival. Competition in this somewhat stagnant space seems poised to get a gust of fresh air.
Interestingly, this isn’t PSA’s first subtle dance with comic books. They took their initial steps into these illustrated waters way back in 2024. During San Diego Comic-Con, they stealthily debuted prototype holders as part of an eye-catching collaboration with the fashion brand Kith, focused on the Marvel universe. This collaboration birthed limited-run “Marvel Super Villains” sneakers, coupled with exclusive comic variants. In a crossover of the realms of kicks and comics, some of these variants were encased in gleaming PSA holders. A particularly special 1-of-1 Venom-Spider-Man sketch variant caught the eyes of collectors and netted a cool $30,000 on eBay earlier this year. Talk about having your foot in two worlds.
As the curtain lifts on PSA’s comic grading services, the reaction of the collector community remains key. Will PSA’s name recognition and robust infrastructure tip the scales in its favor? Or will the traditionalists remain loyal to CGC’s seasoned craftsmanship? With PSA’s strategic and market-savvy approach, complete with attractive service tiers and pressing services, they’re certainly setting themselves up as the new kids on the block who mean business.
The forthcoming journey through this narrative-rich terrain is as thrilling as any superhero saga. Whether you’re a comic die-hard or merely curious about how this clash of titans unfolds, this development promises to inject some dynamic energy into the comic-book-grading world. As PSA sets its sights on garnering loyalty and quenching the collector’s thirst for well-graded comics, only time will tell if they succeed in leaving a lasting mark in the annals of comic history, much like an invaluable first edition Superman comic holds its ground.
