In a move that’s sending ripples of excitement and curiosity through the collecting community, PSA, the powerhouse renowned for trading and sports card grading, is gearing up to venture into the world of comic books and magazines. When the firm flings open its doors to submissions starting July 14, collectors will finally see the curtain rise on what could be one of the most intriguing duels in the collecting world. PSA has announced its pricing and handling strategy, offering a sneak peek into what competitors might hope to emulate and enthusiasts are sure to buzz about.

The cost of entry for modern, post-1975 comic devotees is set at $25.99 per item, with a promise of a business-savvy 20-day turnaround. But that’s not the only trick up PSA’s well-tailored sleeve. The company is also set to introduce a pressing service, designed to iron out any creases in comics and magazines, with fees beginning at an easy-on-the-wallet $11.99. While a comic in need of both grading and pressing could see its spa day extend to around 40 business days, the promise of enhanced preservation and presentation could be a tempting proposition for collectors eager to elevate their prized possessions’ status from glorious to glorious-plus.

PSA’s bold plunge into the comic realm marks a hairy-chested challenge to CGC’s long-standing lordship. For years, CGC has sat upon its comic grading throne, in part due to its stronghold over the titles that have fetched dizzying figures on the auction block. To say that the top 10 highest-priced comics all owe their graded gold status to CGC is to hit the nail on the head of market domination. PSA’s strategic pricing suggests it’s not just dipping its toes but is perhaps preparing for a full-bodied cannonball into these collector-infested waters.

With a pricing structure tailored to appeal to the discerning and thrifty, PSA is clearly vying for collector allegiance. Their proposed tariffs often align with or undercut CGC’s, giving collectors reasons to ponder switching allegiances or at the very least, diluting their monogamous collection routines with a tryst or two at PSA’s new grading party.

But lest one imagine this foray as PSA’s first courtship with comics, let it be known that they’ve dabbled in these affairs before. It was 2024 when PSA flirted with the idea during San Diego Comic-Con, unveiling prototype comic holders at a Kith-Mounted Marvel Collaboration. The otherwise innocuous merge of spandex and sneaker glamour brought forth the “Marvel Super Villains” sneakers, each paired intimately with a unique comic variant encapsulated by PSA. And let’s not misremember that a 1-of-1 Venom-Spider-Man sketch variant from this drop had collectors’ hearts (and wallets) racing to the tune of $30,000 on eBay’s auction floor earlier this year.

Now, as submission day looms, eyes are inevitably turning to the collector world’s zeitgeist, waiting to see how it will respond to such a marquee name entering the game, replete with PSA’s prestige—and logistics muscle—supporting its venture. For some, the coming months might offer a plethora of choice that feels akin to picking the right wine at a lavish dinner: do you stay with the trusted house favorite, or throw caution to the wind for an untested but perhaps tantalizing new variety? Time will tell if PSA’s entry into the comic grading market turns into a happily-ever-after narrative for collectors or merely a footnote in the annals of comic grading history. As it stands, with choice comes excitement—and maybe a little chaos. Grab a seat; it’s shaping up to be quite the show.

PSA Comic Grading