ECCC: A Roundabout (P)Review

So here I am sitting in my humble abode wondering what I can bring with me across the country to this wonderful and beautiful comic con I have heard so much about in the past. I have comic after comic that I want to have signed and graded, but signed by who you ask. You can hurry now and visit their website to see all the illustrious creators they have. First and foremost for me is Gerry Conway to add his scrawl next to Stan Lee's and John Romita's on my Amazing Spider-Man #129.  And the likes of Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams will also be making their way there along with one half the creative team of the New Mutants, Chris Claremont. Should I mention the joy of an Epic Elfquest run reprinted by Marvel, maybe an issue #1 to be signed by Richard and Wendy Pini.

I was thinking of having my Marvels book signed, but then I wanted to have the only book of X-Infernus I don’t have in a 9.8 signed and graded, but for the life of me I can’t figure out where that book is. I will continue looking up to the day of my departure but what is this, these beautiful copies of the Spider Man and Black Cat story by Kevin Smith and Terry and Rachel Dodson, do I dare, can I dare? I printed out an invoice for those for CGC, the worst that could happen is my decision not to have them signed by the artists and graded by CGC.

But why, yes WHY am I going across country to a convention so far away from home when I can just wait until Wizard World arrives here in Philadelphia? Because it is the ECCC and as the time draws near I get more and more excited. This isn't just a comic-con, this is a chance to meet friends. A dinner is to be held for the “Boardies”, a bunch of us that love the idea of encapsulating a comic by CGC and placing them in a set on the registry of possibly the best comic book, recently I have fallen in love with the idea of getting the worst possible too.

I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be sitting at a dinner table with others just like me. Comic collectors, aficionados, geeks, nerds, dweebs, and any other assorted names that were given to what makes “The Big Bang Theory” such a big hit. I will be talking about the convention for weeks to come. I must imagine that if I am this excited before the event, by the time the event is done, I fear I will only be looking forward to go gain in 2014.

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Indestructible Hulk #2: A Roundabout Review

Indestructible

 Hulk

 #2

 A 

Roundabout 

Review

As a child, everyFriday I looked forward to watching the Hulk. There was something about the wayBill Bixby turned into Lou Ferrigno that appeased my young mind.  It amazed me this destructive force of naturewas always on the run, from all people, a reporter. The show was scheduledsurrounding my mid-hour bedtime, but for some reason I was allowed to watch ituntil the end.  Although, I had alreadyreceived my first comic book, I had yet to start collecting them.

I picked up theIncredible Hulk from time to time, but it was never a title that made it on mymust have list. Quite honestly the Hulk always felt like a strong B-listcharacter.  As atrocious as that soundsit is a compliment. Every time I collected the Hulk, a few issues later Istopped. But, if you threw the Hulk as a character into another book, I lovedthe madness that ensued.

There were some goodruns, like Todd McFarlane’s Joe Fix-It, Peter David & Dale Keown's convergenceof Banner and The Hulk, especially the start of it in issue 377, and myfavorite is the Hulk from the Secret Wars contributing to one of my favoritecovers, issue #4. Then of course Planet Hulk led into World War Hulk which enrapturedme. The combined skills of John Romita Jr. and Greg Pak encroached on my beliefthat the Hulk could seriously gain my respect... And yet, I stopped again. 

The whole Red Hulkfailed to impress me in a financially burdened market. I can only afford somuch. Once again the Hulk fell to the wayside. When it was announced that"Indestructible Hulk" would be hitting the stands, I opted to pass. Iwas wrong to do so.

I picked up issue #1 aweek before issue #2 was due out. After reading it, I finally felt I wasreading a comic book worthy of a new beginning. I have mentioned, loudly, thatI am against the number one craze. Both my Roundabout Reviews were "Marvel Now" #1's. I found them confusing. They threw me into a story I knewnothing about. Indestructible Hulk gave me no such illusions. Mark Waid, also currentlywriting my favorite title, Daredevil, continued to impress me. But wouldissue two of “Indestructible Hulk” be any good by comparison? Can Lenil Yu keepetching personalities on each face? Are his dark shadowed eyes his tribute toRob Liefeld’s white orbs?

I am still trying to figure out a format for myRoundabout Reviews. Do I spoil the book for you, do I hint to entice you to buyit, do I do one single review or multiples, and will I review anything elsebesides Marvel? The truth is after heading to the comic book shop, a day late,I was ready to read and review the latest Locke & Key but with four morebooks to read, Indestructible Hulk #2 was exceptionally good enough I proceededto write leaving the last four books to read until later.

I will retain the right to add spoilers in myRoundabouts but for this one I’ll keep it spoiler free. All pictures are takenfrom issue #1, or from previous incarnations  buy them both and I think you'll be like me and feelcompelled to not only pick up issue #3 but look forward to it.

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An Evening Chill

There is a chill in the house that won't go away. I wonder is this age that creeps up on me or the daunting task of living within a budget. Is it inexplicable to think how much easier things could be if I decided I no longer needed the car or the insurance that goes with it? 

Could I rely on faith and good eating habits to quantify my savings by canceling my health insurance, and would it be so odd to dispose of the leash that tethers me everywhere I go by relinquishing my phone? These few items alone would relieve me of the burden with this workload I carry to make what I need to not only survive, but thrive. But, what if by releasing the tension these requirements make with the sustainable minimal amount I earn, that without I might flourish, an idea I have been toying with.

Then what? Do I buy more comics? Do I try to find that diamond in the rough? Do I use the excuse of lack of funds to keep me inside for hours and hours to type words? And are those words any good strung together?

The chill lingers, the portable heater drums on, and I gaze at my comic collection. Each box filled with books attached to memories, some more potent than others. Each cover, each story silently crying out to me to read again. And I question if I give in to that silent voice, where should I begin?

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My Amazing Spider-Man #129

I was sixteen, maybe seventeen when I asked my father for $300.00 to purchase a Near Mint copy of Daredevil #1. There was some profanity before the final word of "NO". The book was one of two that I was truly interested in. I was a more consciousness collector and started to purchase the back issues, the Frank Miller Daredevil issues helped bring upon this renascence of the hobby. I've always wanted a first appearance of a silver age created character and my copy of Iron Man #1 was not one of them.

My second choice was an equally beautiful copy of Amazing Spider-Man #129. Even though the book wasn't a silver age book it did meet the criteria of a major first appearance, in this case the Punisher. And the price was more reasonably affordable for my allowance, part time job, and whatever I was given in trade.

Before my father said "NO", I asked Dane, the proprietor of ComiCards if he could hold them for me. He made sure to stress there was a lot of interest in those two books but since I was a loyal customer he would give me a week. I had hoped with a loan from my father I would be able to afford both of them, but now it could only be the one.

I brought my copy of Iron Man #1 along with a few other books I had I was willing to trade in, my Tales of Suspense #97 was turned down. I received a total credit of $80.00 for everything he wanted and another twenty thrown down and I became the proud owner of a very beautiful book. I couldn't wait to get it home to read.

The back issues on the wall, which is where this one was placed were kept in, were safely secured in a Mylar bag. The hole in the top of the bag allowed me to place this comic book on my wall. At school no one knew I collected comic books but the select few who made it into my inner sanctum knew of my addiction. Before placing it on the wall with my "Longshot" series I shed the book from the sleeve, read it, and with equal caution placed it back into its protective casing.

Over the years I read it a few times and even taken the time to grade it. The first time I graded I didn't have much experience. I looked over the book carefully examining the front and back cover while ignoring the insides. I was unaware they counted. I wrote in a spiral book my full collection and marked next to the title the grade I thought it should be. My educated guess was a 9.4.

It would be years later before CGC started and even more years before I accepted them and decided to trust them with my Amazing Spider-Man #129. At Wizard World 2008 I turned it over to CGC, it came back the same day, graded a 9.2 with white pages. I wanted to question them, to find out more, but I was still enclosed in my own shell. I let the grade stand. I brought it home, joined the registry and never added any of my books.

Eventually CGC had a signing for Stan Lee. I opted for this possible once in a lifetime event and debated on what I could send in compared to what I should send in. There was so much, but I could only afford to send four. Out of what I did choose, my Amazing Spider-Man was the cream of the crop. I was overjoyed that this time they graded the book what I thought it should have been all along, although I was perplexed how the page color changed from "white" to "white to off-white". At that time though it was only one of two graded In a 9.4 Signature Series..

Another two years passed and I had the opportunity to add another great to the cover, this time by John Romita. I was relieved when the book was graded the same. I am sure there are a few more double signatures out there and after researching a bit I found one on eBay. Its asking price was set at $2500. Although it didn't sell right away, it did sell.

After learning more about the way CGC grades and immersing myself more into the aspect of third party grading I decided to see what others would say about my Amazing Spider-Man #129. I took it to Matt Nelson of Classics Incorporated which was newly acquired by CGC. There was a flaw I originally missed that he pointed out to me. He thought the imperfection that I missed would be pressed right out. He looked it over and felt positive that the book would reach a 9.6.

I received word via e-mail yesterday; on December 7th my book was graded. I just have to wait till I get the book in my hands but Matt did indeed come through on his predictions and the book will be returned to me as a 9.6. But after reading this long journal entry I ask you do I add another signature to the mix. Gerry Conway will be at the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington and I would love for him to add his signature to the likes of Stan Lee and John Romita. Would it stay a 9.6? Would the book drop to a 9.4? It's a gamble and I have a couple months to decide, but I wonder if this was your book, what would you do?

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb 

This was originally written for the CGC registry.

Rumor Has it!

Rumor has it

I can’t remember the first pre bagged book I ever picked up and I am not talking about back issues either. I remember X-Force bagged with Variant Cards, I remember Spider-Man bagged as well. Both those bags were clear. The Death of Superman was the first bagged book I remember that was not see through. The black background accented the Red S. I bought more X-force books than I ever should have and I learned to curtail my spending for the Superman bagged issue. I only bought two.

So many people thought that would be the next best book, the book that would send their kids through school. I wanted one to read, and one to keep bagged. My readable copy is gone. I still have the bagged copy in between a thick plastic holder much like they use for baseball cards. Variant covers were another gimmick but at least now you have a choice to purchase a “rare” cover, much like a fellow collector on the registry was looking for the 1 in 200 copy of JLA.

When I spent money quicker than I was earning it I would buy comic related cards as well and felt like I won the lottery when I found a hologram card in one of the two packs I purchased. If I remember correctly it is a card of Spider-Man and Venom. I still have the card. I just don’t know where it is. There is something magical about being surprised by the unexpected, much like Christmas Morning. I feel that DC is pulling off a huge gimmick with their whole line starting over at #1 that a lot of people are overlooking the Ultimate line bagging their number one books.

So why are they doing this? It can’t be to stop the readers from gazing through the book. All the new #1’s that the ultimate line is doing are bagged but the variants are easily accessible. Most shops have them bagged and boarded with a price hike. I would have no problem unbagging one and looking through the book to see if I wanted to buy it, much like I did with the September 7^th DC books. I can understand why they did it with the last issue of the Ultimate Spider-Man. Does he die or doesn’t he. I’ll admit I was wrong. I thought Peter would live. So why bag the other number ones?

At my comic shop today, a day I wasn’t going to go, I picked up a fair amount of books including a single DC #1. My LCS was busier today so I was able to talk to the manager and he asked me a question. He asked me if I knew why Marvel was bagging all the #1’s. Admittedly I said no.  I chat with many people about Comic books now that I am writing for Comicbooked.com and even started my own blog with AshotofComics.Blogspot.com but no one mentioned what he mentioned to me and I am curious enough to post this article/journal entry/ blog entry on all three avenues of communication just to find out if it is true.

I have a copy of Ultimate Comics All-New Spider-Man which I had the option of buying a variant but decided since I was already buying another variant I would have to pass. I only wanted the book to read anyway, not collect, maybe a CGC copy down the line, which was the reason why I bought the other variant. Anyway, what I was told that the reason for the bagged copies was inside were random variants which were signed by Stan Lee? Is this true? I don’t know but I would like to find out whether a reader could tell me, or who knows maybe I will be lucky enough to find out right now…….

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

This for That

I joined the CGC registry over two years ago. My points recently have stagnated. The only way I can go up in the ranking is to add all my CGC comic books, including the ones I wish to sell, or buy more comic books. I started looking at one of my Favorite websites for that hoping maybe I can get a good deal. I want to do this, I truly do, but then my budget is shot. I won’t have the money to send in fifty books to CGC next month. This is where I take a deep breath.

I have to remind myself to be patient, to wait. What I should be doing is diligently place items on eBay that I don’t want anymore. My issues of FF for instance. I wouldn’t mind selling all five for a nominal price just to get rid of them. If I can start off just selling a few issues and not spend the money the second it arrives in PayPal I might be able to save up for that one particular item I want. This will take time.

I look around my abode and see two of my collections displayed predominantly. They are my comic books and my shot glasses. The other portion of this collection is my Star Wars items. Some are displayed but not all, like my action figures. They are placed in safely in totes and stored in my closet, dry and dark, two of the best things for a collection to be placed in. I should start selling them. Part of me is crying out no, the other part is thinking that they will only be a sacrifice if I buy what I truly want.

Craving My Addiction

At times when I was younger I needed a comic book much like a smoker needs a cigarette. I am feeling that way now. Unfortunately it is not any comic book I want but the ones I am patiently waiting for so I can add them to my collection. Of course I am talking about CGC graded comic books. I have four that I will not be able to get before the 18^th of September, another which is in transit somewhere, and a few more at CGC itself. All in all I have at least ten more waiting to come to me. I can wait till Wednesday when new books arrive; I don’t yet feel like I need a comic book to read. I still have enough here.

I want to add to my registry. I want to show that I am an avid collector not just by my words but by my collection. This is a nagging hunger, one I have to squelch or I fear it will encompass me and dwindle my funds. This past week was a glorious opportunity for me to jump ahead of the game with extra hours. A broken toe destroyed this hope. Over this next month I will have to budget tighter because next month in October I plan to send in more books to get graded, twenty for my collection and thirty to hopefully sell.

Of course what am I going to do with that thirty??? I am going to sell them to put towards more books. My addiction doesn’t have to control me. With proper thought and planning instead of craving my addiction I can feed it.

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Back on my Computer

For the past few days I have been stuck entering my blogs by my phone. Even though I was fortunate to be able to do so, I started to miss a lot of stuff i took for granted. For instance as I am writing this I am following an eBay item that will be ending in over thirty minutes. Of course this will be for a comic book graded by CGC. a comic book I technically don't even collect anymore since Daredevil went on his own. Either way I plan on bidding on it and if I am lucky will win.

The other item I have been having withdrawal symptoms form is being able to write on Comicbooked. com It has been far too long that i was able to post anything. I plan on getting some sleep first but one i wake up I will persevere through the amount of writing I have to get done. Writing for fun is great, writing with a cause in mind is a bit more difficult. I actually want to continue to write now...but my eyes are getting heave and even now I am hoping I can stay up to bid.

I also miss interacting with the registry members and notice a great many journals have been added over the past five days. I look forward to mentioning on the journals I can and of course adding my own. I think I currently have 169 and hope to grow to 200 by my two year anniversary date. Well I am off to go check out the auctions I missed in the hopes that I might find a book I need, a rare find, or a very cheap deal.

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The Digital Age of Comics?

I think I am sated. I might be good on collecting CGC graded comic books for the next month. I entered my New Mutants comic books onto the registry for my set. I have four more to still enter for another set and I even have four more that will be added to my signature series. All in all I am moving along at a nice pace. This brings me back to getting raw copies, books I can read. I still need Daredevil issues #2, #3, and #9 to complete that set. I could have finished long ago but isn't there something to the condition you might want. I hate buying a book at an over inflated price.

I could also save for another convention, or maybe something special like an iPad. This way I can start my digital collection. Don’t get me wrong I am a huge fan of having a book in my hands but I am also afraid of damaging my books as well. At a younger age I didn’t care. I would eat pizza and Lucky Charms as I read the tales of my heroes and villains. Every Wednesday I am there to pick up my comic books, with few exceptions. But Digital…should I fight against this?

Tales to Astonish is a series I would like to get. Issues #70 to #101. I have one and it is graded by CGC. I looked for the Marvel Masterworks o this series but have not found the first of the series I want. I would love to be able to buy all the issues for the same price as what I would have spent on a single book. Then I can slowly complete the collection in the best CGC grade I can afford. I don’t want digital to overtake the industry, just compliment it.

What are your thoughts? Do you scream against a digital comic book or rave to have Marvel Follow DC on day and date? I was once highly against CGC encapsulating a book away from a reader and now I enjoy collecting comic books all the more.

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Dropping a Work Shift

I work, sometimes I work too much. The extra hours I put in are rewarded with comic books. One such reward arrived this past Wednesday afternoon. Normally I get these things delivered in the morning and I have to wait till Thursday anyway. Not so this time since my package arrived through a different hub. This destroyed all sleep. Every car I heard made my jump thinking it was Santa bringing me my toys… I mean Fed Ex bringing me my Comic Books.

I just got finished adding my New Mutants issue #’s to my registry. This placed me in first. It took a long time to get here and there is no guarantee I will remain. The books are more expensive. I won’t deny that. For what I spent on new Mutants #98 signed by Rob Liefeld could have netted me the whole series….twice. I am ok with that because it is fun collecting these…over. Not only can I share them with others, they know that to get a better set they will have to compete with me.

I have another set in mind that I want to collect but to get a better set then the current first place holder will be somewhat difficult if not next to impossible. I did get to sleep and am refreshed for the next day after an evening of playing pool and cleaning my residence. I am trying to find a new way to display my comic books…and these things are getting heavier.

Are there any times that you pick up an extra shift just to buy an extra book or two? Did you ever wait all day for a packaged cancelling out anything else you were supposed to do?

Thanks for Reading