The 2024-25 Panini Obsidian Basketball set is back, and it’s striding onto the scene with the same brooding panache that has cemented its place as a standout product for basketball card aficionados. In a marketplace often filled with chrome and glitter, Obsidian dares to go dark. It doesn’t just tiptoe into the murky shadows, but rather embraces them, bringing flashes of neon chaos and intergalactic design sensibilities that seem plucked from the cosmos.
Opening a hobby box this season is an exercise in minimalism paired with maximum impact. Each box is a svelte single pack, which contains seven cards. This isn’t an endless shuffle — it’s a hit parade. Amongst these seven cards, collectors are promised a trinity of hits: usually consisting of two autographs and a singular memorabilia card. In addition, there’s a trio of inserts or parallels, along with one solitary base card that punctuates the collection like minimalist punctuation at the end of an explosive sentence.
Despite the simplicity, or perhaps because of it, this format is tantalizingly straightforward yet brimming with potential for the thrill of the chase.
Obsidian’s allure starts with its outlandishly futuristic aesthetic. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill basketball cards but heavyweight champions of innovation. Designed to shimmer under focused light, the base cards themselves are a feast for the eyes, with parallels that crank up the vibrancy to an almost electric degree.
This season introduces new flood parallels, each more eye-catching than the last: the Pink Flood is limited to 49, while the Blue Flood swims deeper with a cap at 30. The Hot Springs sizzle at 15, but the true mystery of the lineup is the Caldera parallel, which keeps its numbering a closely guarded secret. Collectors can still find themselves navigating through the full spectrum of Electric Etch parallels, with everything from mid-numbered color blasts to the ever-elusive one-of-ones.
Autographs within the Obsidian set are tried-and-true treasures. Collectors can expect familiar themes that have proven to deliver solid returns year after year. Returning stars of the checklist include Rookie Jersey Autographs, Matrix Material Autos, and Galaxy Ink. Periphery galaxies are also explored with Twilight Signatures and Volcanic Signatures, while the Rookie Eruption Autos capture the explosive potential of emergent talent.
This year, the set has added a new flame to its repertoire with Scorched Signatures. These designs are ablaze with fiery graphics that set them apart visually, bringing a touch of pyrotechnics to the otherwise sleek class.
The memorabilia cards in Obsidian defy expectations. The Cutting Edge memorabilia selections are not mere afterthoughts. Instead, each card is crafted with precision, often highlighting meaningful jerseys from significant players and promising rookies. The design philosophy manages to walk the line between sharp, almost minimalist lines and bold statements, capturing fragments of history wrapped within the card stock.
But what’s a spectacular card set without the allure of inserts? Obsidian doesn’t let up here either, delivering inserts that are anything but filler. The sci-fi-inspired vibe seeps through in sets like Supernova and Orbital, creating cards that would be equally at home on your shelf as they would be in an art museum. New attractions like Atomic Initials add a futuristic touch, layering player initials over dynamic action shots.
For the seasoned chasers, the intrigue of Obsidian’s SSPs (super short prints) offers a compelling challenge. Signature sets like Volcanix and Black Color Blast offer considerable clout with their rarity. Now, a newcomer has joined their ranks: Vitreous. This die-cut design isn’t just seeking to make waves—it’s dropping a meteor into the hobby.
In essence, Obsidian knows its identity well. It doesn’t cater to everyone, nor does it need to. Instead, it leans into its strengths: a dramatic edge wrapped in a simple pack that doesn’t dilly-dally but instead delivers with deliberate impact. For collectors with a penchant for obsidian-hued foil, vibrant explosions of color, and the electrifying opportunity to unearth a rookie standout from within the confines of a single pack, Panini Obsidian serves as both an enigma and a revelation. It’s one of those not-to-be-missed pleasures in the dynamic world of sports card collecting.
