In the colorful world of comic and magazine collecting, where nostalgia brushes up against carefully curated collections, PSA recently made headlines—but not for all the right reasons. The company amplified anticipation with the promise of launching a coveted grading service tailored for comics and magazines. Collectors across the land, hearts aflutter, prepared to see their precious editions encased in PSA’s newly minted slabs. Yet, like an unexpected plot twist in a noir detective novel, the excitement has been overshadowed by a less-than-heroic delay.

The once-touted 20-day turnaround for PSA magazine grading—dreamed of by hobbyists for quick flips and seamless displays—has dramatically swelled into a 75-day waiting game. It’s a bit like expecting a superhero to swoop in for a Swift rescue only for them to quip, “I’m on vacation. See you in 75 days.”

With its grand entrance into this niche universe, PSA wasn’t just stepping into the ring; it was announcing battle plans with special launch pricing. Modern magazine and comic submissions from 1975 to the present, valued under $400, were dangled before the excited eyes of collectors at a tempting $25.99. For older, vintage treasure seekers, the price was set at $39.99. A delicious carrot before an expectant crowd, if only it didn’t come with such a hefty stick of waiting.

Insider whispers attribute the snag to unforeseen tariffs and production setbacks. PSA, hoping to launch with a stylish slam, instead finds itself without the new magazine slabs ready for action. The anticipated arrival of these hero-esque slabs is now ominously penciled in for September—a wait that feels as long as a serialized cliffhanger.

Of course, the plot thickens, because what would a collector’s tale be without its intricate dilemmas? Enter the newly introduced pressing service, promising to erase those pesky creases before grading. At $11.99 for modern editions and $29.99 for the vintage gems, it feels like a smart addition to enhance the allure of your prized possessions. But there’s a catch: opting in for pressing means committing—all items in your order will undergo the transformative squeeze. A policy that leaves collectors mulling over the perfect balance between preservation and personalization, much like a chef choosing between a rare delicacy or a hearty entrée.

Yet, let’s address the proverbial elephant in the gallery: PSA’s label design. Despite entering this new grading territory, PSA’s slabs seem about as inspiring as the final season of a run-down sitcom. In a market landscape where every detail counts, PSA’s offerings come across like a dull sidekick next to the boisterous and customizable flair of CGC’s slabs. With CGC, collectors can indulge in adding character artwork to labels, infusing their collections with life and vigor. The result? Labels that don’t just sit prettily on the shelf but shout personality and presence, a visual delight in any enthusiast’s display.

In contrast, PSA’s labels evoke a yawn rather than a wow. A design reminiscent of times when fashion faux pas were more common and tastes unrefined, its contribution to the hobby seems as outdated as dial-up internet. In today’s world of collectibles, where the exterior presentation is as seductive as the content within, collectors expect their beloved pieces to dazzle and captivate at a glance.

For enthusiasts eyeing both turnaround expediency and winning presentation, CGC remains the reigning monarch. To capture the comic and magazine collector crowd genuinely, PSA might need to harness some visionary magic, perhaps unleashing an audacious label redesign that captivates rather than underwhelms. Until then, the company’s slabs, ironically, stand out not for their presentation but for the protracted wait time that accompanies them.

Of course, PSA’s entry into the comic and magazine grading scene remains significant. And the industry eagerly watches to see if they’ll weave their own legend or become a cautionary tale in Hobbyland. As collectors sit by the proverbial docks of disappointment, one thing is sure: this narrative is far from over. There are pages yet to turn, cliffhangers to confront, and, hopefully, a triumphant redesign that matches the aspirations of collectors and the elegance of their collections.

PSA Comic Book Grading Time Increases