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.

Thanks for Reading

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.