Monday, August 29, 2011

Under Locke and Key

As much as CGC changed the way I collect comic books I wouldn't be collecting the way I am if they weren't good. A few months ago on FCBD I picked up a whole bunch of comics, both free and not. One of the books that I decided to try was Locke & Key. As with past FCBD’s the comic books were mostly reprints. This was true for Locke & Key but since I haven’t read it before I was enthralled. I was also skeptical…was it really that good. I read it again. It was a quick and easy read. When I read the original in its trade form I noticed the reprint was also edited (formatted to fit your screen). I read the comic book one more time when I realized I had to get this story.

I found book two in a Barnes and Noble and purchased the book deciding I would wait till I purchased book one. With Wizard World Philadelphia approaching the very next month I decided to wait to read it so I can purchase the trades at the show for a discounted price. Unfortunately the first and third trades were at full price (still a bargain at $24.99) when I bought them and I couldn't wait…. I already read book two. It was after I purchased the other trades that I decided I wanted to get this series in a CGC 9.8 “white pages” or better. I checked out eBay and found a Gem Mint ten. I bartered and bought the copy.

When I got the book in I was thrilled to have my second Gem Mint Book. I was going to check out the registry and add it right away when I saw the person who was in first. His set was amazing. I felt once again how I felt when I first saw Bagofleas in the lead of the New Mutants set, which was pretty much I’ll never be able to get a better set then this guy. I was ready to quit before I even started and didn’t even bother with adding the book. I have been checking out eBay and other sources and decided that it was worth collecting.

I started the New Mutants set not because I wanted to be first, but because I wanted them all. They were (and are) my favorite. So after some thought I decided to collect the Locke & Key books after all but I would on get them if they were a 9.8 SS or better. Something I started to do with the New Mutants. I hope to get no lower than a 9.9 but will settle for the 9.8’s. I knew if I was going to get a set of this series then it would be because I like the series not that I have to be the best. I added my set only recently and then saw the person that had the first place was gone.

I don’t know why he is gone but I wish him well. Many other people who are collecting Locke & Key have purchased books from him. The ones that I have noticed have even mentioned this thanking him. It will be a long time before my collection of this title goes anywhere since I will have to be patient. I have learned patience. I only need a handful more of the New Mutants so I feel comfortable in moving on. There are others I thought I would have enjoyed collecting and I might have before Locke & Key but now I feel like selling them off because if they are not something I want to collect, why should I?

Someone wrote how there are collectors who need to complete the whole series. ….. This is how I am for eighty percent of my CGC collection, okay maybe ninety. There are many DC comic books out there, yes DC that I want to get and have no desire o get anymore. I just want them because of the memories they bring. They are also a bit of money to just get and not have a set. I feel odd buying a book just for the one copy and then using it for points. I have to remind myself I am not using it for points. I am getting it because I like it, which of course is why I am starting with the series Locke & Key.

Thanks for reading

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