In the Beginning

The first comic book I can remember having was given to me when I was five. One rainy day it was sitting on the floor of my Grandfather's car waiting for me. I say Grandfather, but I mean my Pop-Pop. This man, this incredibly kind man gave me something that I never realized until much later on in life, when I was slightly over forty. It was not only a treasury sized edition of Star Wars that he gave me as a kid, it was the passion that I felt for this materialistic item of fancy artwork and words. 

I have purchased comic books many times before, but those were pulled from the three for a dollar rack. They mostly consisted of Richie Rich, Casper, and the occasional super hero comic book. This begs me to answer, what's the difference between the first comic books I ever owned and the first comic book of my collection? A collection consists of more than one, normally this needs a beginning, and this was my beginning.

My first comic books never had me going back for more month after month. They were purchased whenever I was close to a newsstand or comic book shop, including a shop that I frequented when I was ten. Then one day at my local 7-11, when I was twelve, a recent remodel moved the magazine rack to the front of the store. This marketing ploy stopped me from entering the candy aisle; it was also the first time I bought a comic book with my allowance. 

New Mutants #15 was in the front, its cover by Tom Mandrake drew me over. The inside, by Sal Buscema and Chris Claremont, is what made me want to pick up the next issue, I didn’t realize I had to wait a month and headed back to the store the next day where my understanding of the Marvel Universe expanded.  I left with five or six new titles. It was a long time later that I attributed issue #15 as the beginning of my dirty little secret and as I got older I hid them away, only confiding with my closest friends. 

My comics were with me as I started dating, when I moved out, and became a father. These bound papers traversed through my twenties, thirties and entered into my forties. I continued on with these four color books being part of my life's experiences. Comic books have been a part of me for as long as I can remember, especially that treasury sized edition of Star Wars that I hurried to pick up off the floor of the car while my feet dripped from the rain outside. I tossed it to the left, buckled my seatbelt, and picked it back up ready to begin an adventure. The comic book has long since been lost to the trials of life, but I transferred the love that I have always had for my Pop-Pop to the little stapled stories I buy every week, and every week I still go on an adventure. 

Thanks for Reading

The Cost of a Grade

Or Collecting CGC

I might have to start this article with what is CGC? For decades, collectors wanted to buy the best possible comic book. Originally comic book enthusiasts would clamor for a pedigree because they were of the highest quality. I found out about these sought after collectibles from a list published in my first Overstreet's Price Guide. At one point the OPG was the be all to end all of comic book price gathering amongst trends, recorded sales, and even speculation. Since then, other magazines have come and gone. Wizard and CBG are some examples. 

Now with the internet, an up to date price guide is only a few short clicks away. EBay started to change the comic book industry in September of 1995 by allowing others to bid on comic books. A copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 could be found without ever having to leave home and at the price one is willing to pay. In 1999 the industry would greatly change once more, eventually escalating prices. 

CGC is a subsidiary of Certified Collectibles Group, or CCG. Comics Guaranty Company also known as CGC was surrounded by sister companies NGC (1987), SGC (1998), and followed by its younger sibling PMG (2005). CGC officially opened in 2000, but was created in 1999 amongst criticism, after all comic books were meant to be read. If you ask a fan of Marvel Comics who was mainly responsible for the creation of the Marvel Universe, the answer would be a resounding Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. If you ask who was responsible for CGC, the answer might be a little more difficult to come by.

Mark Salzberg, owner of the Certified Collectibles Group deciding to add grading comic books to his repertoire scoured the industry and found in more than humbled whispers that Steve Borock was the man to talk to. Steve was a knowledgeable collector originally setting up booths as a kid at local conventions. Over the years he acquired an “eye” to attain the best comic book possible and owned many of them. His love for the hobby had him questioning Mark, thinking this venture was only a way to scam the less knowledgeable; he met up with him anyway. 

After a dinner, set up by Steven Fishler, Steve Borock was convinced that it wouldn't destroy the hobby he loved, but level the playing field. Joining CCG was simply meant to be, but he couldn't do it alone. Some names that also show up when researching the origin of the most controversial topic to come along in comics since Dr. Frederick Wertham, would be Mark Haspel, Paul Litch, and later on Chris Friesen.

Originally starting with three graders, there were many nights the couch became the sleeping spot of choice for Steve Borock rather than take the trip home; besides, it got very cold in Parsippany, NJ. For CGC to work, a standard had to be created. How many flaws could each grade have? What if the book was restored? Could all three graders agree? Would the industry accept a third party grading company? And could the slab be fixed? These were Steve Borock’s first burdens.

The “slab” was the first problem to overcome. Both holders for NGC and SGC were solidly constructed to not only keep the cards and coins safe, but resistant to tampering. Comic books were a whole different avenue and they were three dimensional opposed to the two dimensions of their collecting counterparts. The sonic vibrations causing the slab to seal were only able to be opened by brute force, such as with a hammer. This could hardly be useful with a comic book.

  

At the 1999 New York Comic Con, the initial submissions were returned after it was realized the first version of holders were just not good enough. The possibility of the comic book being damaged inside what was supposed to protect it was just too overwhelming. Steve Borock wanted something that could protect the item and yet still be opened, if the owner of the comic book decided to read it. Once he was satisfied with improvements of the holder, CGC opened their doors and began grading on January 4th, 2000 with "Walt Disney Comics and Stories #1".

CGC doesn't merely slap a numerical grade to it; they also look for hidden defects, color breaks, chips, cracks, and missing pages. They search for tears, ink markings, foxing, water damage, and clipped coupons. There is also married covers, cockling, spine roll, indents, spine creases and in my case, Lucky Charms marshmallow stains. This list is unsurprisingly long. Most of us forget CGC looks for restoration first. I believe a way to protect the average collector was originally the main objective of CGC.  Steve Borock once called the internet the Wild West since you never knew what you were going to get and many times I am sure that was true.

Was that Amazing Fantasy 15 you just purchased over the internet not as good of a deal? Did the seller accurately describe the item or lie? Was it held together by tape? Was a page missing? Are the staples newer than the book? In fact a comprehensive detailed check and analysis on each comic book is performed by CGC. Two preliminary graders look over a comic book, each entering data without the other's knowledge. Once this is finished a senior grader looks over the same comic book and assesses it. Once the final grade is entered, all three entries are visible. If the grades match, the book is passed on to be encapsulated. If it doesn't, the three graders then discuss the condition before the final process.

This of course is for a fee. CGC is a business after all, one with ten plus years under its belt and over two million comic books graded. The cost and time involved is dictated by the tier of service involved. For example, an older Silver Age comic book will cost more to grade than a book just purchased off the shelf. After grading is completed, the book is encapsulated with two layers of protection. The first, or inner layer, is a soft plastic called Barex. CGC considers this as “The Well”. Afterwards this is secured in a thick hard exterior. Archival paper is placed inside the comic book between the front and rear covers to help reduce the damage caused by time.

The degree of restoration, signature placement, damage and numerous other probabilities are just a small amount of what goes into segregating the comic books and clarifying what grade and label a comic book should receive. The most popular and widely used is the Universal Blue Label. A restored book gets purple, CGC witnessing a signature gets yellow, and a restored comic book with a witnessed signature gets a dual color label with purple and yellow. The last label is green for any qualified grades, which deserves an article all by itself. Once in a while a discontinued red label can be found.

In 2007, at Wizard World Philadelphia, I picked up my first two CGC graded comic books. I purchased them originally as a novelty. I first heard of third party grading years before and I thought the idea of encapsulating a comic book away from ever being read again was ludicrous. As I walked around the convention floor purchasing various Daredevil issues to complete a run, almost every dealer had CGC graded comic books adorning their "walls". My curiosity piqued. My thought process changed from “never” to “why not?”

By the end of the show my growing comic book collection now consisted of two universal graded comic books. The first one was a 9.8 copy of Secret War #2 that I procured for $25. The second, also acquired from the same forgotten dealer, was a copy of a Daredevil #90 graded a 9.0 for the same price.  I thought the two that I picked up would be the end of it, and it was, until I walked into a much smaller convention, the Philadelphia Comic Con. It was at this smaller convention my addiction began with the first issue of my favorite title in the coveted 9.8 grade. 

Today CGC is the number one third party grading company for comic books with over two million graded. I predict they will reach four million in less time than it took to reach the first two, especially with the Signature Series popularity constantly growing and auction sites reporting record high sales, but why use CGC? Why have a book graded? Why get it checked for restoration? Is it worth it? And what could it cost?

Steve Borock originally created an idea for an ad still published in the OPG. The advertisement asked if you would buy a house without certification, a diamond, or even a car. And then asks why buy a comic book without the same peace of mind. I believe he meant for older comic books from the Golden and Silver Age and not so much with the newer Copper or Modern age. A new car should be flawless, much like a fresh comic book taken off the shelf. The back issue bin might be a bit more difficult to find a premium looking comic book, especially from the seventies or older.

As much as a car drops in value once removed from the dealership, a comic book has a chance to return on the cost, creating speculation. The craze in the nineties had comic books selling over a million copies each, on a few select issues. No such comic book has revisited those numbers and not one of those highly publicized books has yet to pay for a child's college tuition.

As things change, a six month transition period in 2008 occurred, this allowed Mark Haspel to take over the reins, changing from Vice President, a position he had since day one, and becoming the President of CGC. Steve Borock left CGC after this time and is now Senior Consignment Director at Heritage Auctions. In the same press release that announced Steve leaving and Mark taking over, it also announces Paul Litch becoming Vice President and Modern Primary Grader. Steve left knowing that CGC would be in good hands with someone who was there at the beginning with him. In 2011 Mark Haspel left on an extended leave of absence. Paul Litch is still at CGC as Primary Grader.

In the fifties comic books were currency into the world of make believe. A good neighborhood had friends trading them quickly after being read. At ten cents apiece, sales were staggering. I imagine one out of a hundred hoarded them, but with burnings in the fifties sparked by the book “Seduction of the Innocent” of these treasured items, their value seems to be guaranteed, hence why a majority of EC comics sell for hundreds of dollars in the poorest condition. In 1952 an industry high of over a billion comic books sold, that's over fifteen million a week.

Today, comic books are a bit more expensive. Who wouldn't want to purchase the best condition for their comic book collection? Any new comic book placed on the rack of any specialty shop I consider to be "Off the rack Near Mint". Once purchased there should be no problems with it getting a 9.4 if bagged and boarded and sent to CGC. A 9.6 is a meticulously nice book, while a 9.8 is easily the most sought after. Do I dare even mention a Mint 9.9, or its pure perfection counterpart, a Gem Mint, historically marked with a numerical ten?

A CGC 9.8 copy of Harbinger #1 which sold for $2550 in March of 2008, was the first comic book from the nineties to sell for over a thousand dollars in that grade. I heard a Spawn #1 in a 9.9 did the same, but yet to find proof of that transaction. The most popular one now from the same decade is the first appearance of DeadPool. The New Mutants #98 has over 4000 graded (4373), one reaching an incredible 9.9 signed by Rob Liefeld and more recently an unprecedented universal gem mint ten. More keep coming in as one of the most popular books of the modern age, next to the previously mentioned Spawn #1 (3551) and The Walking Dead #1 (1762).

     

Between 1991 and now The New Mutants #98 became a key comic book much like The Incredible Hulk #181, from the seventies did. The other issues to arise with interest from the same eighties title in a 9.8 are #1 (681), #16 (140), and #87 (2042). Including the three mentioned, issue #98 is probably graded more than the rest of the title combined, including the annuals. Some of these issues have only two graded in a 9.8.  Issue #58 (9.6 SS) and Annual #4 (9.6 SS) do not even have a 9.8 copy on the census, yet. Any of the Non Key issues could be found in any dollar or blowout box, but once graded a 9.8 by CGC those same books could become upward to a hundred dollars; signed a little bit more.

Grading by CGC greatly increases the purchase price of a book, although it does not guaranty it is worth that cost. It only guaranties the grade. There are instances where a comic book not graded by CGC outsells a comic book that was graded by CGC. I personally had many comic books graded purely because what they are worth to me. My New Mutants series is a testament to that. This also begs to ask again why send a book to CGC? Is money the objective? Are you planning to flip the comic book? Is it the pride and joy of your collection? And what can it do for the buyer knowing the grade?

I like CGC because of the community I became part of, but it also allows the buyer to feel comfortable with what they are purchasing, akin to purchasing a pedigree before CGC was created. A gem mint copy of New Mutants #98 sold through ComicLink.com reaching $15,449, a comic book that originally guided in the OPG for $4 in 1999, the same year CGC was stepping into the waters (this was dismissed as a coincidence). The most this comic book could have cost to get graded was the $18 charge for grading, an additional $10 to fast track it, $5 for the invoice fee, and possibly an additional $5 to have them scan it. Add a minimum of $10 for shipping it back to you and you’re looking at $48. Spending that on a non-key comic book priced at $5 is clearly not worth the financial cost.

If you purchased Deadpool’s first appearance when it first came out at cover price the chance of attaining a gem mint, however small, would give you a small profit of over $15,000, if the last recorded price was matched. A 9.9 could gain an approximate $3000 dollar profit, a 9.8 about $300, while a 9.6 could get you $50. Anything less isn't worth the cost of the grade. 

The New Mutants #99, a cover tribute to X-Men #138, would be even less. GPA’s highest recorded price for this book with a signature series 9.8 signed by Rob Liefeld was $125 (Dec 2013). A universal 9.6 copy was significantly lower, selling for $14 (Jan 2013). This clearly is not worth the cost to grade if making money is your only goal. So what if you’re trying to grade “The Human Fly”, “Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew”, or” On a Pale Horse”.  Is it worth it?

Starting in any hobby can become addicting, I've been collecting since I was twelve and reading comic books since I was five. I don't know who gave me my first comic book although I have a strong suspicion it was my Pop-pop. Over time comic books became a huge part of my life. Every week I go to my LCS. I purchase the new comic books to add to my collection. What can I say; I enjoy the story, even once asking my dad for $300 to purchase what looked to be a near mint copy of Daredevil #1. His reply was along the lines “What are you, nuts?”, and yet my addiction is still held in check by believing what it all comes down to, much like the cost of a comic book, it's the love of owning the book which makes it worth the cost of a grade.

Thanks for Reading

Is Superior Spider-Man, Superior?

I have to imagine when Amazing Spider-Man #700 was released, no one expected what happened at the end, myself included. I associate the final pages of this historic issue with page 271 of Star Wars: Vector Prime. What happened was so unexpected; so terrifying that it had to be read again. I couldn't believe what was on the printed page even after reading it the second time. The final pages of ASM #700 had me experience the feeling of What The...? once again. Dan Slott had me riveted with excitement, followed by dread. The impossible was possible, Peter Parker was no more.

Issue seven hundred ended a series beginning back in 1963. This changed to Volume Two with a new #1 right after issue #441 somewhere in the late nineties (Nov. 98') and reverted back to its original numbering with its milestone five hundred (Dec. 03') while becoming volume one, once again. And if that's not confusing enough, Marvel might start over again to make sure the readers aren't thoroughly confused. Oh wait, they did, this time however, instead of starting over in a brand new direction with Amazing Spider-Man #1 (or #701), they started over with something superior.

But is Superior, superior? A CGC copy of Amazing Spider-Man seven hundred in a 9.8 condition has sold anywhere between $18 and $2550 (with a universal label), variants included. To be fair, the $18 price tag had a broken slab; if you do not include that particular copy then $22 was the next cheapest sale price. If I include the signature series versions, the price tags become loftier. I could only imagine if one eventually turns up with Steve Ditko's signature on it. And if the last issue is fetching these prices, did speculation cause the first issue of Dan Slott's re-visioning of Stan and Steve's 1963 creation to be just as successful?

An encapsulated copy of Superior Spider-Man issue #1 sold for $13 while the highest cost was a variant by Joe Quesada (sketch cover) at $450, (once again, a universal label). This is nowhere near the famous issue where Peter Parker dies (?), which was released only a few months earlier. Covers might not make a comic superior, although it could make it somewhat more desirable, look at the recently released Forever Evil #1 lenticular 3D cover. Although the cover might be the reason to pick the comic book off the shelf, I feel it's the writer that keeps you coming back.

Dan Slott has completed almost two years with an exceptional title, I speak of Superior Spider-man and not the amazing title that preceded it. Even after death threats and hate mail (aplenty) he chugged away to tell a story. It might not be Peter Parker's story, but it is Spider-Man's story, which once again begs me to ask, is Superior Spider-Man superior? With the recent annual released, written by Christos N. Gage, I had the chance to find out. Ever since the first New Mutants Annual was published I always believed the extra issue added to the overall story. This favorite tale of mine, “The Cosmic Cannonball Caper” was written by X-Men scribe Chris Claremont, the same writer of the first fifty four issues; two more in the sixties, one in the eighties, and the first three annuals. Superior Spider-Man could not say the same. 

Christos N. Gage started writing comics in 2004. Dan Slott started in the early 1990's as an intern at Marvel until his big break with his first monthly title, Ren and Stimpy. After his first successful title, of which number one was a scratch-N-Sniff polybagged issue (and yes I bought two), Dan cut and sharpened his teeth on many titles before landing the "big comic book". Although Christos has co-writing credits on a few Superior Spider-Man issues (11, 12, and 13), it was Dan's creativity that filled in the slot. (I am so sorry, I couldn't pass that up.)

With great power comes great responsibility was not only Ben Parker's greatest advice, it was also Peter's greatest crutch, which is what made him Amazing. Otto Octavius wasn't the first Superior Spider-Man. That credit goes to Kravenand J.M. DeMatteis. Otto isn't even what makes Spider-Man superior, as the unexciting annual that was recently released ascertains. 

I perused through the copy at Fat Jack's Comicrypt in Philadelphia and decided against its purchase. The money would be better off spent in other ways, but at least it helped me answer the question of "Is Superior Spider-Man, superior?" Yes it is, but only because of Dan Slott, much like the reason why Spider-Man was so amazing when it was written by Stan Lee.

Thanks for Reading

My Experiment with Pressing

Last year I went to the Baltimore Comic Con. I brought a few comic books with me for Matt Nelson formerly of Classics Incorporated and currently with Classics collectible services (CCS), a subdivision of Certified Guaranty Company (CGC). Was the talks if a transition even in place now. Was this a way for CGC to now add a purple restored label to pressed comic books or a way to start a new color label on this currently considered non-restorative technique.

I met Matt Nelson through Steven Ritter when they were partnered with WorldWide Comics. I have already been asking questions about this technique to improve upon a comic books condition, and yes it is also possible to decrease the condition. After questioning him the one day I decided to put my money where my mouth was. Was pressing the be all improvement on a books visual desirability or is it categorized incorrectly away from dreaded purple label of death.

I brought 14 books for him to look at, fourteen books to see if they could be improved with a pressing before passing them into CGC. As with algebra I needed a given, I needed an X. Out of the fourteen, some were raw, some were graded, others were regarded and dropped, while still others were regarded and stayed stationary. The books will be listed as follows. I will omit page color since it is irrelevant to the ordering procedure.

The first book I'll start with is the Walking Dead Chromium Edition. He told me there was no reason to give him thus book, it was easily a 9.8. This was turned over to Desert Winds at the NYCC For Robert Kirkman's autograph. It was just returned as a SS 9.6. Was Matt's estimation off? Did Desert Winds somehow damage the book? Will I write about this in further detail?

The other books were:

X-Men #42 grade: 7.0 screen :7.5
X-Men #52 grade: 9.0 screen: N/A
X-Men #142 grade: 9.2 screen: N/A

X-Men/Alpha Flight #2
Grade: 9.4 SS screen: 9.8 SS

X-Infernus #3
grade: 9.4 SS screen: N/A

Amazing Spider-Man #129
Grade: 9.4 SS screen: 9.6 SS

New Mutants Annual #4
Grade: 8.5 screen: 9.6

New Mutants Summer Special #1
Grade: 9.0 screen: N/A

New Mutants #58
Grade: 9.6 SS screen: N/A

Daredevil #48
Grade: RAW screen: 8.0

X-Men #132
Grade: RAW screen: 9.4

X-Men #101
Grade: RAW screen: 6.5
And finally

X-Men #99
Grade: RAW screen: 9.0

Right off the bat I want to say I like the honesty that Matt showed. On these particular books above, any books marked under screen as N/A were turned down because he felt a press wouldn't do well, even asking if he was sure, especially on the New Mutants #58, he looked it over again. He told me once again he didn't think a press would work and put them in the do not press pile.

Out of 14 books shown he took only eight. The six he omitted were taken home. My understanding a bit better. Everyone already knows what happened to my Amazing Spider-Man #129 but what about the next seven? Was it wirth it? Was he right? Was he wrong?

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

Winning in an Auction

I don’t know why I did it. I just did. They weren't necessarily a book I wanted to collect but I won on three books on one of the latest comic book auctions. The books were three different issues from Kazar. Each of those issues was from the run he had in the eighties. I never collected them when they came out since I just started collecting comic books and really didn't know about him. I was too busy immersing myself into the world of super heroes to be worried about Tarzan reject.

My curiosity about the character started years and years later, most likely with Vol #1 issue #12 of Daredevil.   I still never searched for any of his books until recently, but still didn’t pick any up. I was too enthralled in completing my New Mutants collection. Now that collection is almost complete I also decided to collect Locke & Key but I wanted to collect something else. Something older and Kazar wound up being that title but only because they were so cheap….and I felt like winning an auction. My losses were piling up.

I won the books and am now trying to think maybe I should have bid on the others because when I checked eBay out for other issues, none of them were that cheap. I think this series will take me a long time to complete because I really do not want to spend that much on them. I also have to decide if I want to collect the other Volumes too because the title character also had small runs in 71 and 74. I think these will go nicely with my copy of X-men #10 (Stan Lee’s Signature Series) which is out in CGC Limbo of verified but on a side not at least the books I had g to San Diego are know in the Waiting to be Graded status. 

Thanks for Reading

Another New Mutants #98

I once thought I would win a signature series New Mutants #98 in a 9.9 for a $1000. I was wrong. The fact of the matter is two hours after the opening bell, the first bid was a $1000.00 Even after thinking of bidding a little more, the end result wouldn't have mattered because there is no way I could of topped the actually selling bid at $6,601. If I did my research i probably wouldn't have bid at all since the first universal grade of New Mutants #98 in a 9.9sold for $12,500 (if I am not mistaken).

Pedigree's September auction had a 3rd copy of New Mutants #98 in a 9.9, this was also a universal grade and not a signature series. I decided to place a losing bid ($300) just to get an e-mail on it. I think I was the winning bidder all for about two hours. I do have a 9.6 copy (this is my original copy) and a 9.8 SS copy I bought from Comics To Astonish. I also tend to look to upgrade any book on the New Mutants set if I can. Hence why many of them are signature series. Issue #98 might just be the only issue i didn't buy a universal grade first and then upgraded.

Even though issue #98 has a slew of first appearances(3) and the more popular character is appearing all over the Marvel map I do not believe that book is worth that much. Maybe I should possibly ay it isn't worth that much tome but since the average price for New Mutants #98 in a 9.9 is over $6000 I could be slightly wrong. If a fourth one comes up I will bid on it again but not an amount that it would be more wisely spent to purchase another book, let's say #168 in a 9.8

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb 

Getting Ready to Ship

Getting ready to Ship.

I have the paper work all filled out. I have my ten books ready to be packaged up and after my trip to the comic books hops I have a good strong box to ship them in. The only thing I was afraid of was the graphic novel not fitting. It fits, barely. I will be going to sleep first and I will box it up tonight. I tend to budget close to the wire at times and it hasn’t been this close in a while. Fortunately I get paid tomorrow so I hope that printing out a shipping label after 6 tonight should have the payment clear out of my account by Friday giving me an extra day for my cash deposit to verify.

I am excited and nervous at the same time about sending my books in. The first fear is what if they disappear. Sure I plan on insuring them and will claim the money for them but this isn’t about the money. One of my most valuable books will be in this grouping. Sure it is only a 4.5 copy of New Mutants #15 but I bought this from a 7-11 rack all the way back in 1984. If this disappears, there is no getting this back. It is also the only 4.5 on the registry; I know I say that like it was a gem 10.

The excitement part is because they will be a signature series soon and I have really been trying to get those. At the moment I think My New Mutants Collection is compiled about %20 with signatures. I personally feel that it is pretty cool. The thing is I was never one for standing in line for signatures so it is even better that someone else is doing it. I also am not so much into the points as some other people are but let’s be honest I would not have been able to claim first place in the New Mutants set without them.  But how did I start collecting the Signature series, what made then more special to me than the universal grade and why am I willing to risk a book that is already a 9.8?

Thanks for Reading

Passing on Books

I was recently at a small convention called Philadelphia Comic–Con. There were two CGC graded comic books I was interested in. The first one I saw was a copy of Eternals #1 Sketch Variant in a Gem Mint. They wanted a $100. The second book (at another booth) was a copy of ASM #119 that was graded a 9.2 which made me lose hope that my ungraded copy of ASM #127 would ever attain such a grade. In fact, my book looked awful in comparison.

I brought my ASM #127 to drop off to Keegan from Comic to Astonish, who I originally met at a previous Philadelphia Comic-Con. I met him some two years ago and have purchased comic books from him ever since. I also purchase from an acquaintance of his (I met them separately, old cliché…small world) and asked if they could bring them to the show. I have had multiple problems with the USPS and this seems to be a satisfactory way for me to get my books. This month, the five I was due to get, never made it due to an unforeseen issue.  

I went to the show anyway so I could drop off a check and a comic book to Comics to Astonish. The check was for two previous signature and grading fees. CGC still has these. This time I wanted John Romita’s signature. The first book I had in mind was my CGC 9.4 SS copy of ASM #129. The problem is once the book was un-slabbed for the process there would be no guarantee that it was Stan Lee who originally signed it, the #127 I have was my next best choice, condition wise anyway. The #86 would have been lucky to get an 8.

That ASM #119 had a $160 price tag to it and I was thinking I would buy that and send that along in addition to the raw #127 I just handed over. I wanted too, I really did but with the NYCC arriving next month I needed to hold off. I already purchased a ticked for Sunday and currently have ten books I want to bring with me to get them signed for the signature series. However, planning ahead I knew the one day would not be enough so I called and e-mailed CGC hoping I can send the books to them in Sarasota, FL. They said yes.

Seven of the books are already graded, six of those have a 9.8 grading. Three are raw. My Marvel Graphic Novel #4 is only a 9.4 but how great would it be to have both Bob Mcleod and Chris Claremont sign those.  Eight of them will be re-administered into my collection while two others I am hoping to be able to sell. The only reason I am even thinking about selling the others is because it would help me reclaim what I am selling. I don’t want to make a living (yet) out of buying comic books just pay off what I am spending.

I was thinking about sending my 9.8 copy of New Mutants #15 but the longer I started at it the more I wondered if it was a true 9.8 or a beautiful 9.6 so I decided to send in my original 4.5 copy instead, a book I hope to have signed by everyone involved. I still have books at CGC, which many of you reading this still do. One set if from the San Diego Comic Con and the other set from The Baltimore convention. Most Likely I will have this next set handed over to CGC before I even get the first set back and I realize if I keep collecting this way I might start to have more yellow Labels than blue ones but only if I keep passing on Books

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

Trimming my collection

Working nights hinders the ability to enjoy the day, but every once in a while I escape from my humble abode and walk out into the sky to go pay my rent. This slight escape allows me to bask in the sun and try to darken my pale skin. I make this trek every month and I follow this by creating a budget on how the next month is going to be. This pre-planning helps me collect the comic books I enjoy so much. I am at the end of my New Mutants run that I have diligently pursuing for about over the last two years. I am happy with my collection and what I have accomplished in that time.

The second part I have decided to do was send in fifty books for grading and encapsulation. This has been a hindrance for me because I do not have the cash to accomplish this in one lump sum. Of course this is where my Father comes in. I owe him a little bit more for the computer I have since he put it on his charge card and they put out the money for me to get the insurance on my comic books. If all goes according to my budget I should have that paid off and then I can send in fifty more books to get graded. Twenty are for me. I hope this amount will be mixed between my New Mutants that I purchased off the shelf and copies of my Sandman series.

The other thirty is the tricky part. I have decided to send these in for a minimum grade of 9.6. Sure I might not be able to get a premium price but I can most likely recoup what I spent. For instance I have a copy of WildCats Gold #1 that will probably get a 9.6. Should I send it in with a pre-screen of 9.8 and be denied the grade I was hoping for. A 9.6 would sell for a minimal price and I am OK with that because then it will be in someone’s collection that will cherish it. My collection is growing, although I do not believe it will be at the three hundred I was hoping for by the end of the year it has come a long way from the 166 I had about this time last year.

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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.

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One step closer

I just purchased my last available New Mutants book. It was a signed signature series copy of #87 by Stan Lee. They lowered the price to an amount I was comfortable with. I know Stan Lee had nothing to do with the book but since I had so many of the Liefeld set already set I figured why not.

After I purchased it a second one showed up on eBay. This one was a bidding option. I am going to bid on it to a certain price because it is signed by someone who actually had something to do with the book. I have the extra funds since I am almost done with the set. There are only a few left that I need so I started to upgrade to a signature series for the ones I don't already have.

Twenty percent of my set is signed. I sent out four more to get another couple signatures hoping they retain a 9.8. After I pay those off I'll need to finally send those books in I want to get graded, some to flip, some to keep. CGC has been slow grading and when I sent my books in last October I got them back quickly. By the time I send them in I should have the money.

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Comfortably Numb

It is almost four in the morning and I want nothing more to do than listen to Pink Floyd. A friend of mine, my best friend feels a local radio station plays them to much. This might be one of the reasons I want to listen to them so desperately.

Without a computer I am struggling from writing more about comic books. I watched the fourth Indiana Jones movie. I placed some comic books in order and I glanced at some more eBay items for sale. One of which is a CGC copy of New Mutants #87 2nd print. The starting bid is at .99 cents. I purchased mine at way above that price.

So what does that have to do with Pink Floyd? Nothing. It's just that when I listened to songs like Another Brick in the Wall pt.2 or Comfortably numb I always felt like everything was going to be alright. I could be wrong though..... I might have to listen to Stairway to Heaven.

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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?

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Almost Like Christmas Morning

Every Fed Ex Shipment I have ever gotten was always in the morning, a Wednesday morning. I remember this mainly for the fact that they always had to redeliver since I was with my Father for coffee. This time it was different. This time they delivered in the afternoon…when I sleep. Which let’s face it, how many of you as a child had trouble sleeping before Christmas morning.

My seven New Mutants graded in a 9.8 arrived a little past four in the afternoon. I should have went back to bed because I can only sleep about an hour more before going and hanging out with my best friend. I tossed and turned for fifteen minutes before realizing there would be no sleeping for me. My Christmas package had arrived and was silently pleading for me to open it. Who am I to deny a good package what it wants.

I opened the box, popcorn peanuts, bubble wrap, and comic books are what were inside. I ignored the invoice. Did I really want to recall what I paid? I did make sure all eleven books were in there and decided to start placing them on the registry, which coincidently thrusts me into first place. There are still a few others that I need but it feels so good that the number has diminished. With a series that spanned 100 issues, 7 annuals, 1 Special (by Art Adams no less) and a Graphic Novel for a total of 109 issues. If I don’t have them in a 9.8 I don’t have them at all with the exception of the graphic Novel. The best I have so far is only a 9.4.

The best part about them getting to me in the afternoon is I still got to have Breakfast with my Dad, my Wednesday comic pull list completed, and my package without having to wait an excruciating extra 24 hours.

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Monday, Monday

Every Monday I know I only have a couple days until comic books come out. This seems unusual for someone who doesn’t collect but no different than someone who can’t wait till Friday to start the weekend with a drink. We all have our rituals weather it is weekly, monthly or even daily. The comic books I choose are the ones I enjoy to read, I tend to stop collecting something if it loses my interest. I just don’t have the extra funds to purchase comic books in that way. I used to. I bought things just to help my collection grow.

I buy trades now on certain Mini-Series rather than get all issues with all variant covers. I want the story. I want to be entertained. Many smaller publishers will have limited series and only limited series. I enjoy this more than someone starting over. I know I am going to get a full story. It is going to start and it is going to end. Many titles that are continuous have added limited runs to add to their story; Magic was such a title for the New Mutants. It nestled in between a few panels of New Mutants #14.

Monday is also that strange day because it is not a day that I wake up and have to start a first day of the week. I have one day off and that is Thursday. My work day starts on a Sunday at 11 and end early Monday morning between 3 and four, this makes it my shortest work day. I also tend to edit some of my articles. In other words what you read is either a first draft that I tend to post and then rehash it over and over for it to be perfect.

Comic books are a simple means to tell a story. Sometimes these stories are grand in scope over decades of writing. Other times they are a small tale that will ripple across a lake. But every Wednesday I make the trek to my comic shop with the full intent to buy new comic books for the day and then on my way home amongst the bustle of public transportation I start to read a few rewarding my week not with a beer but with a story.

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A World Without Comic Books?

Once in a while I feel the need to rearrange my living quarters. I rent so I do not wish to call it my place, I just reside here. It is a small place but cheap and I find that it does suit my needs. Most of these times that I rearrange is for the sole reason of being able to display my comic book collection with the least bit of clutter. I have over 5,000 books in my collection currently. This number was once more that this, much more. Life changes, things happen but I vowed never to have to diminish my collection for reasons of space and money.

My collection of CGC books has increased to over two hundred; three hundred was my goal for the end of the year. This rearrangement process is done alone and takes some time. I had a great idea of separating my collection of CGC books and my raw books, this seems to be failing but as I have already disassembled my bed, moved it, and reassembled it I feel I already have to move forward with this endeavor. In my teens when I lived with my parents and my walls were adorned with poster after poster, comic book after comic book I enjoyed changing the look of my room. It felt wondrous to wake up to a new room. Now it is an apartment and this process takes longer.

During these frantic changes of location of my décor I have yet to reread my comic books. This is something I did when I was younger which elongated the time it took me to complete my goal. I have not done that in a real long time. Take my comic books; sprawl them onto my bed and read a story. The New Mutants are a title I read and reread. My issue #15, my original which happened to be the first book that started my collection was graded a 4.5. It wasn’t the first book I had but the one that without I would most likely not even be writing.

Have you wondered if there was a point in your life that if it did not happen how your life would be? A certain movie when you were five, a first kiss when you were 12, A comic book at the same age, a child being born, a car accident, or a dreadful mistake. We are what our past experiences make us, but ask yourself this, what kind of person would you be without Comic Books?

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