CBCS and Sun

The weather was a lot better in Florida than in Philadelphia. I was surrounded by comic books and those that enjoy collecting them. Even though things didn't begin as planned, the event went over very well. What should be stated first is that even though Steve Borock was an amazing host along with his team from CBCS, this couldn't have been done without Tony Starks, who at the last minute couldn't attend.

After we ate, Steve Borock held an impromptu Q&A session. There were a number of good questions. One was about the grading practices between eras. Another one was about the effect of cover miswraps and other manufacturing defects on final grades. The subject of the equipment being used and not properly maintained allowing pages to be torn rather than cut was also discussed.

Steve also talked about the beginning of CGC, if only very slightly. He mentioned grading guides and then said to forget all about them, unless you were an amateur. And according to the master himself, the best way to learn about grading is getting burned.

Steve answered question after question, then after the tables were cleaned off, he handed out a comic book to each table for some training. My greatest weakness, a square bound book, was the first comic book to grace the table I was at. Also making the rounds were Bronze Age X-Men and Captain America books, and Silver Age copies of Incredible Hulk and Fantastic Four.

We were told to grade them, but not share our answers to anyone. Normally when I'm next to my lil' bro, I ask him his opinion, much like Steve and West do when grading. This time I was made to judge by myself. 

I never did find out what the grades were. Nor did I discuss them with Steve. We were too busy talking amongst our new acquaintances. There were a few questions I wanted to ask, but I was too busy taking notes and even they weren't good enough. So what else happened? Was poetry recited? Were the Dirty Blues played? Was this enough to stop me from using CGC? Was it worth traveling from Philadelphia? 

More to come,

Thanks for Reading

From Near Mint to Good

I can imagine the year is 1962. It is a nice summer day outside and my parents hand me a dollar to leave the house and have a good time. I bolted from the front door, not realizing the $1 I was given was more of a bribe for some needed alone time between adults. I was ten and wouldn't realize until a full nine months later that it was either the best dollar they ever spent or I should have known better and held out for more like my older brother. I imagine going into the local shop and scarfing down some ice cream before heading to the movie house for a film. It was the last day Dr. No was playing. 

Once the movie was over, with money to spare, I headed back to the local malt shop and checked out the spinner rack. I looked at comic book after comic book wondering why there weren't any comic books like what I read in my older brother's collection. What happened to all those great, gory stories; the ones where my sister was freaked out by the pictures? I liked my copy of the Fantastic Four #1, and looked for more that were like it. I leafed through, looking for something that would impress my brother, when I finally spotted it. Amazing Fantasy #15 was sitting there towards the bottom. 

I didn't know it at the time, but it looked different; it looked life-changing. I took a single copy to the counter, leaving behind a handful more and parted with .15 cents. I couldn't believe that comics were no longer a dime. I purchased that and a Hershey bar. I rolled up the comic and placed it my back pocket, munched on the candy bar, and ran for home. It was late and I had to make it back before dinner.

At least that is how I imagine what buying an Amazing Fantasy #15 would have been like. Comic books today are made from paper, just like those over fifty years ago. But there have been so many technological advances to improve the look and feel of a comic book. (This does not include digital). As a recent experiment I decided to combine my two materialistic loves, Star Wars and comic books.

I purchased a few of the newest number ones since I knew what I was about to do was unthinkable to any collector. I intentionally purchased one that I graded at 9.6 and then treated it much like the Amazing Fantasy #15 that the ten year old described earlier might have. The only difference is the first appearance of Spider-Man had over fifty years to age and deteriorate. I was giving the Star Wars #1 just 24 hours.

I rolled it up into my back pocket. I dropped it. I laid it on water. I poured coffee over it. I placed it under my pillow as I slept...the last one, yea my fiancée only just found that tidbit out as she proof read this post. I wanted to see how good of a job I did in creating fifty year old conditions in just one day. I sent it to CBCS under the two day modern tier, which is something I recommend to anyone who wants their books graded right away. Before I wrapped it up, I gave it a quick once over. I just looked it over, front cover, back cover and leafed through the pages. My quick assessment was I knocked the book from a 9.6 to a 4. 

I checked my grade after getting an email telling me my books had been graded and encapsulated only two days after they were received. At first I wasn't going to look since I was planning on picking it up at a CBCS grading seminar. I am unsure if my grade would have been different if I had graded it like I knew they would have, or like I should have. The comic book will make its way to me after CBCS ships it, it never made it to the seminar.  I will have the graded comic back in my hands soon, after all I am looking forward to seeing what would happen if I "accidentally" drop it down a flight of stairs...or two; and then maybe I will be able to crack it again and see if I can get the grade a bit lower.

Thanks for reading

Tnerb

Ant-Man #1: A Roundabout Review

Ant-Man, or rather Hank Pym was a founding member of the Avengers. He is probably also one of Marvel's first failed attempts to revitalize a character. Hank became Giant-Man, Yellow Jacket, and Goliath all early on in his career. During his West Coast Avengers days he gave up and just became Dr. Pym using his Pym particles to do all the work. Marvel once again tried to revitalize Ant-Man using a new character to fill the boots. Scott Lang, a criminal, attempted to do the right thing, much like years earlier when Luke Cage put aside his criminal ways. 

Scott Lang wasn't the greatest Ant-Man. He was flawed as a hero, but as a martyr, he was better. Marvel has a repertoire of heroes who have returned from the dead. Scott was no different. A week into the new year has a new Marvel #1. Multiple variant covers has Marvel feeling this is the next best thing, but how do you get people to believe that Ant-Man is the book to get. I imagine the check list looks as follows:

Bring Character Back from the dead: check

Create huge movie franchise: check 

Spread rumors: check

Hire all star cast: check 

Hire director: check

Publish new Ant Man comic: check.

But how good is it? Nick Spencer created an issue that stands alone. A solid opening with flashbacks allowing new readers and old ones alike get a feel for the character. Ramon Rosanas illustrates the tail with Jordan Boyd. I read along wanting to hate the thing from the beginning. I wanted Marvel to fail so I wouldn't have to spend a little more money every month. It looks like that isn't happening. The first issue is a good opening. The stage is set, now I'm waiting for the curtain to raise.

Thanks for Reading

A Shot of Reviews for 11-12-14

MPH #4

This book feels like a popcorn movie running on pure adrenaline. Mark Millar created this little world that has me enjoying the ride. 

Alex + Ada #10

Plain and simple, this is a love story. I looked all over for a Young Romance #181 and before turning it over to CGC for grading I read it. For the seventies it was exactly what a romance comic was meant to be. Alex + Ada is so much more. After ten issues I'm still hooked. 

Spider-Verse #1

I'm not sure if I like this one or not. The spider-verse story looks amazing, but this hodgepodge of pages seems nothing like what I've read before. I wish I would have passed on picking this one up. 

Superior Iron Man #1

Such a disappointment, but that's only because they should have waited until the AXIS storyline finished. Buy the book but wait until reading, at least until AXIS is over. 

AXIS #5

There were so many marvel crossovers throughout the years. This is the first one to me that is actually fun. 

Thor #2

If the first one was good, the second is better. Now that "she" has the hammer, what happens if she loses it?

All-New Captain America #1

I've been waiting for this and it does deliver. This issue is post AXIS and unlike the Superior Iron Man it won't ruin anything. It's only the first issue, but it has me looking forward to the second issue. 

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb 

A Sixth shot of Reviews (10-22-14)

As I collect comic books every week, both new and graded, I like to give you a quick review of what I bought.

The Wicked + The Divine #5

If you like the series, you'll continue to enjoy. Issue five might not give any answers but it will give you more questions. 

The Amazing Spider-Man #8

Ms. Marvel guest stars in Dan Slott's beginning of the end for Spiders everywhere. Do I dare say that he writes Ms. Marvel  better than G. Willow Wilson? After this issue I'm looking forward to issue nine, and Silk is officially in a costume. 

AXIS #3

I haven't seen so many villains band together since Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. It is refreshing. I hope Magneto becomes all he should be and if I were a betting man, my money is on Doom. What I love best is I can read this series without needing to read everything else.

Starlight #6

Is this the end? Is this the last issue? If it is, it ended admirably well, but I hope not. If you like Flash Gordon of old, BUY THIS COMIC BOOK. 

Lazarus #12

I purchased the earlier issues to try something new. And even though I might not be ecstatic about every issue, I'm enjoying the setting. I feel that I'm watching a lit fuse and I'm just waiting for the fireworks to go off. 

Avengers #37

I love it that Bobby Dacosta purchased A.I.M. And Steve's reaction is priceless. I have enjoyed Hickman's run month after month. I just wish Marvel would get on the same page with each title, may more *notes. All in all, a great popcorn read. 

A 5th shot of Reviews (15-Oct-14)

Edge of Spider-Verse #5:

This is the final issue before the story finally starts. I still remember Secret Wars where the lead up issue was a panel or two on the final page. These days there is always a prologue that can take months before the main event. If this was the morsel, I'm looking forward to the entree. 

Spider-Man 2099 #5:

Another Spider-Verse lead in. Peter David has been known to me for years. He was always good, but never great, not to me anyway. Issues 1-4 were entertaining, each cover has been beautiful, and now Peter is dabbling in Dan Slott's world and doing so quite marvelously. 

Justice League #35:

This title continues to be a roller coaster ride of fun, especially with Lex Luthor on the roster. 

Axis #2:

Another great issue. Not as good as the first but still exhilarating. I also love how all I have to read is this series. No side issues and no one shots. The art compliments each page. I can't wait until the next issue. 

Ms. Marvel #9:

A sleeper hit of the year? This title has also reached the hands of my girlfriend, a non-collector. The Inhumans were never one of my favorite creations. And with the terragin mists spread throughout the world, there are more Inhumans than ever before, next we will all find out mutants are Inhumans too. And after 9 issues, G. Willow Wilson still has my attention. 

Original Sin Annual #1:

I could have waited for this to be compiled in the trade. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. 

Uncanny X-Men #27:

I still wish they never renumbered this series. The art is some of my favorite and Bendis keeps the characters going.

Daredevil #9:

I still enjoy the tales of Matt Murdock, but the artwork is lacking. The original Purple Man was created way back in Daredevil #4 and now we are dealing with his kids who emit some sort of hive mind, but after all this time I'm afraid I'm collecting just to say I have them all. 

Thanks for Reading

A 4th Shot of Reviews (11-Oct-14)

Amazing Spider-Man #7: 

Ms Marvel guest stars and reminds me a bit like when my lil bro met Stan Lee for the first time. Dan Slott continues to give me a comic title to enjoy month after month. 

AXIS #1: 

The first half of the book was better than the second half. I disliked only one thing. I wanted to see the Falcon as the new Captain America in his own series first. Rick Remender is starting this series off like a fight gone bad, like a kick to the groin. 

Thanos: A God up there is Listening #1

This is more about the son of Thanos than Thanos. If I would have skimmed through the comic before buying it, I would have passed. 

Imperial #3: 

I am truly loving this series. If there was a vote for best new series for 2014, this would be my pick. Bonus: no ads. 

Birthright #1: 

Please read full review...or better yet, buy the book. 

Avengers #36: 

There are so many confusing elements including Sunspot in charge of AIM, and telling Thor what to do. Not to mention Cannonball being a father. This comic book has fun written all over it. 

Sex Criminals #8: 

I can't say the issue slows down because it was a series that never picked up, it was always at a steady pace, like driving down the freeway at 65 mph. I have yet to read an issue I don't like. 

Black Science #9: 

This is a title I have to read twice. Cross dimensional travel can always be confusing much like living backwards. Black Science is one of those series that you have to start at the beginning with. Fortunately, the first issue is not expensive.