Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast

Episode: VeeFriends Comic + Trading Cards Market Update | Collectibles News You Need
Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Ryan Luden (Radcast Network)
Special Guest: Andy Krainac (President of VeeFriends)
Recurring Contributor: Brian (Ludex)

Episode Overview

In this jam-packed episode, host Ryan Luden delivers exclusive collectibles news, hands-on industry analysis, and a high-profile interview with Andy Krainac, President of VeeFriends. The episode’s headline: VeeFriends’ major partnership with Walmart and the launch of their first-ever comic book with live activations at New York Comic Con (NYCC). The show also includes a lively segment with Brian from Ludex, featuring data-driven trading card trends, hobby stories, and the announcement of a community giveaway.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. VeeFriends x Walmart Comic Book Announcement

Guest interview: Andy Krainac, President of VeeFriends

• VeeFriends IP Growth & Strategy

  • VeeFriends, founded by Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee), is built around positive traits and authentic storytelling.
  • The brand integrates culture, collectibles, and character-driven messages (e.g., Empathy Elephant, Flexing Fox).
  • Recent successful launches include Tops Chrome trading cards and an autographed Super Sticker series with NBA star Steph Curry.

  “We say brick by brick at VeeFriends because that's how we think about building this IP long term, every day.”
  — Andy Krainac [03:22]

• Walmart Partnership / NYCC Activation

  • VeeFriends and Walmart are partnering for a Comic Con exclusive:
    • Free VeeFriends comic giveaway at the Walmart NYCC booth (#2821), featuring a prequel story (“Edition A”).
    • Each comic includes a VeeFriends mini sticker (first seen in Happy Meals at select restaurants).
    • A Walmart Live livestream with GaryVee and the team will offer 300 slabbed/graded CGC comics to online viewers.

  “We're also going to be doing a live stream with Gary where those not in attendance are going to be able to try to snag one of 300 CGC graded comic books...”
  — Andy Krainac [05:37]

• Storytelling Evolution

  • The new comic line fleshes out backstories and character origins, aiming to turn fans into ‘character maxis.’
  • Lead characters like Motivated Monster and Optimistic Otter will finally have developed narratives and nemeses.

  “We are going to turn some of our biggest fans into ‘character Maxis’ ...they're going to learn for the first time ever where Optimistic Otter is coming from and what he's about...”
  — Andy Krainac [08:12]

2. Collectibles Culture & VeeFriends’ Impact

• Positive Traits as Collectibles USP

  • VeeFriends encourages collecting by character trait—e.g. Accountable Ant, Very, Very, Very, Very Lucky Black Cat (the VeeFriends “holy grail”).
  • Story-driven collecting bridges generations and reintroduces parents to the hobby through shared values.

  “My favorite thing, probably on earth, [about] VeeFriends, is seeing tweets of parents that have not been in the hobby for decades...reconnecting with the hobby and their kids.”
  — Andy Krainac [09:48]

  “Trillion percent accountability is the unlock to happiness.”
  — Andy Krainac [12:56]

3. Market Analysis: Trading Card Trends & Hobby News

Baseball Card Market Update

• Lively banter on MLB playoffs, club fandoms, memories of collecting Frank Thomas and Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards, and the influence of regional loyalty (Yankees, White Sox, Cubs).

• Notable quote on collecting culture:

  “Collecting is Americana. Honestly, getting in this industry, people collect something—it’s just part of our culture.”
  — Brian [16:35, repeated later]

Data & Scans ("Ludex Segment of the Week")

• The Ludex app sees major scan spikes during Pokémon and major sports releases (example: Pokémon scan volumes rise from ~2.2 million to ~3 million in release months).

• Hot card data:

  • Top 3 baseball players by card scan uptick:
    1. Chapman (+100%),
    2. Nico Hoerner (+86%),
    3. José Ramírez (+41%).
  • Otani remains high but only gained 4% due to his already high baseline.

  “In a month when there's a release, we'll get about...3 million Pokémon [card] scans. Without that release, it's about 2.2 million.”
  — Brian [23:02]

Giveaway Announcement: Ludex x Zion Case

• Ludex is giving away a branded Zion card case: Listeners can win by guessing the total number of baseball card scans in the Ludex app from now until the World Series concludes.

  “Every card that is scanned from today to the final game of the World Series—how many baseball cards were scanned into Ludex? Whoever is the closest wins the Ludex Zion case.”
  — Brian [30:25]

Upcoming Content

• Teaser: “Ludex Bracket”—tracking which MLB playoff teams drive the most card scans as an alternate predictor to on-field outcomes.

4. Community Engagement & Final Remarks

• Host Ryan invites listeners to send stories (not just high-value hits) for the new “Case Hits of the Week” segment.
• Closing encouragement to keep collecting, keep scanning, and participate in the show’s interactive components.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The irony of accountability is it's about counting. But there's really only one and it's you.”
  — Ryan Luden [13:46]

• “Accountability from Gary’s content and in general is such a big and important word...it’s why Accountable Ant is one of the most popular and collectible VeeFriends characters.”
  — Andy Krainac [12:56]

• “It's not just about the value. It's about what you're collecting, what means something to you. Share a story, share a video of you holding up the card that you hit last week.”
  — Ryan Luden [22:14]

• “It's got to be worth more than that. And I've done that myself. I've rescanned a few cards on Ludex. I was like, maybe the valuation will go higher if I scan it more.”
  — Ryan Luden [17:02 & 25:20] (showing collector mindset)

• “That's what's so funny about the hobby. You know, a guy will have a million dollar case in his hands and, you know, shower maybe not case.”
  — Ryan Luden [26:23]

Key Timestamps

• Interview w/ Andy Krainac (VeeFriends President): [01:23] – [16:19]
• VeeFriends x Walmart NYCC/Comic Book Details: [05:37] – [09:10]
• Discussion of Collectibles Culture: [16:35] – [18:15]
• Baseball Fandom & Card Nostalgia: [18:15] – [21:19]
• Card Market Trends/Ludex Segment: [21:19] – [32:36]
• Giveaway Announcement/Contest Rules: [30:24] – [32:36]
• Brian’s Hobby Story: Water Damage Collection: [33:30] – [34:46]
• Community Invite/Final Calls to Action: [35:41] – [36:31]

Summary Table: Key News & Opportunities

| Segment | Highlight/Takeaway | Action for Listeners | |----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | VeeFriends x Walmart | Free comic+mini sticker at NYCC; join Walmart Live stream for exclusives | Attend NYCC or Walmart Live | | Ludex App Data | Major scan spikes on new releases; Pokémon & MLB playoff bumps | Scan and track your cards | | Giveaway | Guess total Ludex baseball card scans from now–World Series to win Zion Case | Submit your guess | | Community Call | Share favorite pulls, stories—feature on show | Submit video/story for next episode |

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic and authentic, anchored in hobby enthusiasm and practical insight. The hosts are personable, mixing expert market knowledge with nostalgia and a spirit of community.

End of summary.