Beckett Bought CBCS — and Now PSA’s Parent Company Is Buying Beckett. What That Means for Graded Comics

by Kyle Willis December 18, 2025

The graded comics market is going through a major consolidation moment.

First, Beckett acquired CBCS, officially expanding its presence in comic book grading. Now, multiple reports confirm that Collectors, the parent company of PSA, is in the process of acquiring Beckett. If finalized, this would place CBCS, Beckett, and PSA under the same corporate umbrella.

For comic collectors, dealers, and anyone holding graded comics or CBCS slabs, this raises important questions about value, standards, turnaround times, and competition within comic book grading companies.

What Does Beckett Buying CBCS Mean for Graded Comics?

At a high level, it means fewer independent grading companies controlling a larger share of the graded comics market.

According to reporting, CBCS would remain operational under Beckett, and Beckett would operate under Collectors — the same company that owns PSA. Public messaging emphasizes “independent brands” and “business as usual,” but ownership consolidation still matters in collectibles where trust and perception drive value.

A quick timeline

2017: Beckett acquires CBCS and enters the comic book grading market
December 2025: Collectors (PSA’s parent company) announces a definitive agreement to acquire Beckett
Current status: CBCS is included in the acquisition and expected to continue operating under Beckett

In simple terms: CBCS would become part of the same corporate ecosystem as PSA.

Why This Matters to Comic Collectors

Even if you don’t grade trading cards, this deal affects the entire graded comics market.

1) Consolidation reduces competition

When fewer companies control grading, it can lead to:

Less pricing pressure
Slower innovation
Fewer alternatives for collectors

This doesn’t mean negative changes are guaranteed — but consolidation always changes incentives.

2) CBCS brand perception is a real concern

Across forums and collector groups, the same themes keep appearing:

“Don’t change CBCS labels.”
“Don’t alter grading standards.”
“Will CBCS grading tighten?”

In collectibles, sentiment alone can move prices, especially for modern books where buyers are more sensitive to grading company preference.

3) Short term: CBCS slabs are unlikely to crash

All public statements point to status quo operations:

Same grading process
Same standards
Same submission workflows

Historically, changes tied to acquisitions tend to happen gradually, not overnight.

What Could Change in the Graded Comics Market

While nothing is guaranteed, collectors are watching several areas closely.

Pricing and grading specials

Collectors has stated there are no immediate pricing changes planned. However, pricing adjustments often happen after acquisitions are fully integrated, not during the announcement phase.

Turnaround times (TAT) and capacity

New ownership can mean:

Improved systems
More staffing
Better tracking and intake

At the same time, consolidation can increase submission volume, which may temporarily slow turnaround times across grading companies.

Standards and grading culture

Beckett is known for stricter grading standards in the card market. Whether that philosophy meaningfully impacts CBCS remains to be seen, but even the perception of stricter grading can influence resale behavior.

Marketing reach and crossover exposure

One possible upside is increased visibility. If graded comics are promoted alongside PSA’s massive card ecosystem, CBCS could benefit from:

Broader mainstream exposure
Increased dealer adoption
Better liquidity for CBCS slabs

Practical Advice for Collectors and Shop Owners

From a shop-owner perspective, here’s how to approach this moment:

Don’t panic sell CBCS slabs. There’s no indication CBCS is shutting down.
Watch buyer behavior, not headlines, over the next 30–90 days.
Grade based on your goal — resale value, speed, cost, or personal collection.
Diversify when appropriate, especially if liquidity matters for your books.

If you’re considering whether now is the right time to grade or to sell graded comic books in Florida, market sentiment matters just as much as official announcements.

The Bigger Question: Does This Help or Hurt Competition?

Collectors has emphasized that PSA, Beckett, and CBCS will remain independent brands. History across collectibles suggests consolidation often leads to:

Centralized decision-making
Fewer choices for collectors
Higher barriers for new grading companies

In the graded comics market, trust is everything. If collectors feel quality slips, turnaround times worsen, or choice narrows, they will respond accordingly.

For now, this is a watch-and-evaluate moment, not a crisis — but it’s an important shift for anyone buying, selling, or holding graded comics.

If you’re unsure how these changes may affect the value of your collection, Cowabunga Comics regularly helps collectors evaluate, buy, and sell graded comics both locally and nationwide.