Who’s Doing It Better? Topps Chrome Marvel vs. MTG’s Pop Culture Playbook | Talking Shop #163

Welcome to Episode #163 of the Talking Shop Podcast, recorded June 23, 2025.This week we’re asking the big question: Who’s doing it better—Topps or Magic: The Gathering?With Topps Chrome Marvel pulling in big numbers and MTG rolling out collabs with Final Fantasy, The Last Airbender, Lord of the Rings, and even Marvel on the horizon, it’s clear both brands are chasing pop culture dominance. But which one is connecting with collectors—and the market—more effectively?Also in this episode:Saying goodbye to Panini’s NBA run as the Finals wrap upRoyals slugger Vinnie Pasquantino loses track of his own home runShohei Ohtani returns to the mound, throwing gasThe 1/1 Rock & Stone Cold dual auto finally surfacesJac Caglianone announces himself with two MLB homersAnd yes, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in a WWE ring might actually be happeningPlus, we take stock of Fanatics Fest—the cards, the cameos, and whether this event raised the bar for the National.Let’s break it all down—because every card has a story.Links from the Episode:NBA Finals wrap-up: https://www.google.com/search?q=nba+finals#sie=m;/g/11xd4f84gb;3;/m/05jvx;dt;fp;1;;;Vinnie Pasquantino home run confusion: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKpZDsExQa2/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DK5viw0MBjM/Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1356177645848458/Rock & Stone Cold 1/1 auto pulled: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1154481676721168&set=a.638069135029094Jac Caglianone debut: https://www.facebook.com/reel/738971648598800/ https://www.facebook.com/reel/1862430307946564/Brady vs. Manning in the WWE (??): https://www.facebook.com/reel/1454801952356652/Topps Chrome Marvel & MTG comparisons: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLJK3K1vLc-/ https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1412297813345319Fanatics Fest highlights: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLK2Kc1OCGF/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLLC_HPMIPJ/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLLrbCxOU_u/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLIFnq5uapM/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DLFwlZnMH0x/📍 Visit Grand Slam Cards – Rock Hill, SC 🛒 Shop or join a break: https://www.grandslambreaksrockhill.com 📍 952 Mt Gallant Rd | Mon–Fri: 11–7 | Sat: 11–5🎧 Subscribe, like, and join the conversation—because every card has a story.#TalkingShopPodcast #ToppsChromeMarvel #MTG #PopCultureCards #FanaticsFest #WrestlingCards #SportsCards #ShoheiOhtani #HobbyNews #JacCaglianone #Panini #NBAFinals