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CGC Journals

Our community journals

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    Describing my first experience with Comic Verification Authority.

    I just received my first batch of books back from CVA today. I do have to say, it was a very pleasant experience. For those of you who don't know what CVA is, it's an additional verification only given to the books "exceptional" eye

    appeal. To use the words of one of the owners Joe. I've never really agreed with the way a lot of these books in the "pressed book era" look. I get it, CGC uses a point scale. Some of these books with their mis-wrapping and poor centering look horrible. However are still assigned the 9.8 grade(LOOK AT THE ATTACHED PICTURE YOU'LL SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT). The books with the CVA sticker on them are put in a data base using their CGC number a registered as the "best of the best". I consider myself an elitist and I will be looking for the CVA label on books I purchase from now on. They're just better looking.

    Also, for those looking for honest and personalized service? I was shocked at how well I was treated! Well done CVA crew! I'm not easily impressed.

    For those of you wondering, 3 of the 5 books I sent in received the "Exceptional" grade. I was kinda bummed out about the 2 that didn't make the grade. After comparing the books, I see why they didn't.

    Take a look at them in my sets if it pleases you. They are Amazing Spider-Man #'s 175, 172 and 161.

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    Read this...

    Okay. I'll be quick. My LCS guy is kinda standoffish and wasn't there yesterday. So I walked around looking at some back issues and came across an X-Men 141 with no price on it. I asked the other guy how much? He said, "hold on, let me call the owner."

    It looked rough, but hey, I wanted it. The guy gets off the phone and says, "Yeah, that one is $75." I said, "no thanks."

    I looked at a girl standing beside the counter (your typical comic lurker) and said, "what would you grade this book, I'm not buying it but just for fun I'm going to write down a number and see what you think."

    She looked and after a minute said, "probably fine, around a 5.0 grade." I turned over my number and had written 5.5. No big deal. I bought on on eBay last night for $30 and it looks better than the on in the LCS. Just a quick rant for you boardies...

    Ryan

    PIC of the one I bought below...

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  1. after starting comics last year, this is my 1 year celebration.

    After I got big into comics almost a year ago and started learning the history of them I found myself in a comic frenzy. I was happy looking at all the old comics and how much I just wanted them all, after a while I was able to distinguish certain comics just from their covers. From number 1's to first appearances to back in the day big deals.

    After looking at both the 2 big names, DC and Marvel I found that I was a total DC fan, the characters themselves just jumped out at me and I new that they were going to be the heroes I'd be reading about. A yaer has gone by and I have been able to get my hands on a few comics that I am happy to now own, I have Action Comics #242, batman #121, Supermans pal Jimmy olsen 134, DC comics presents #26 and the complete run of the Blackest Night series, which was amazing! I am currently reading Batman, Green lantern and the justice league, who all have good new storylines this year. To think that this all started by me wanting to get my younger brother a comic book for his birthday.(I got him nightwing #1, BIG Robin fan him)

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    WOW it's not graded.

    checked in on the 18th (NYCC)...12 business days later and it's Scheduled for Grading (2nd day waiting for grading). Not super impressed since they've blown the 10 days i paid for via fast track.

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  2. Up and coming

    Just started drawing on blank covers again wondering if I should get them graded and try my luck on my eBay store with them? Could use some advice.

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    GROUPPIES
    Latest Entry

    What I do for a liven

    I'm Anna I have an eBay store called GROUPPIES . I sale Rock-n-Roll Autographed stuff,and I just started in comics. Most are Autographed.

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  3. Longshot4971
    Latest Entry

    This book had eluded me for years.

    So, I finally was able to get the book that had eluded me for years. Michael Turner Presents: Aspen #1 Wizard World Chicago Variant at a 9.8 grade. I couldn't be happier in my comic collecting career. This book is rare, not to mention, beautiful. Michael Turner was one of the best artists and story tellers out there, in my humble opinion. What's next? I'm going to try and find a 9.8 of Aspen #2 to complete the set.

    Till next time.

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  4. Temujin's Journal

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    Here is journal mainly about my hunt for The Aliens comics (and also few other horror and sci-fi series)

    I've just started to collect these so it's going to be a pretty long ride.These are my first additions:12184.jpg.e91dcab536c11bc0a874a5acb2633943.jpgTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

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    Ricky Cordero
    Latest Entry

    BATMAN #1 2000 SUPERMAN #1 1999 Wonder Woman #1 SPIDERMAN #1 GOLDEN RECORD FANTASTIC FOUR #1 TALES OF SUSPENSE #1 DAREDEVIL #1 AMAZING FANTASY #1 X-MEN #1 AVENGERS #1 ACTION COMICS #1 DETECTIVE COMICS #27 HULK #181 JOURNEY INTO FEAR #1 ALL WINNERS COMICS #1

    INCREDIBLE COMICS AND I WILL BE SENDING HIGH GRADE COMICS TO GET CERTIFIED. WE WILL START ARE OWN WEBSITE SOON......STAY TUNED !

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  5. After two submissions, I've finally nailed one :)

    I lucked out a while back on a couple error variants of Walking Dead #35 on eBay. The seller did not mention error in his title and had a pretty low buy it now, considering the going rates of graded copies. Fortunately, one of the copies was an easy 9.8 although it was listed at VF+. I suspect, to be a tight grader. The second copy came back as a 9.6, easily covering my grading and buying fees.

    While my focus has been to acquire more 9.9 and 10.0's, as of late, this was the one hole in my set, that has always bothered me. The 9.2 filler I picked up, before the price explosion, wasn't enough to keep me satisfied in my goal of a complete 9.8 set. With the exception of a couple books, I have been able to build a set I am very proud of :)

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    I've completed my Wolverine CGC 9.8 Mini - Set, I think I'm putting the whole set on hold.

    It started with picking up the 1988 Wolverine #1 in 9.8. Then I decided I probably should get #10 as well. Now there was a gap from 2-9 that needed filling.

    Once that run of 10 books was filled in issues 1-4 from the 1982 Mini-Series were on my menu. Along the way I decided to snag #1 of the 3rd and 4th volumes as well.

    And that is what I am calling my Wolverine CGC 9.8 Mini - Set, which I think for now is complete and on hold.

    Going for a complete run sounds like fun but with so many other books I'd love to add to my collection I think I am at a place where I can be pleased with what I've got completed and add to it a little here and there perhaps.

    Next I think I'm going to move on to the McFarlane Amazing Spider-man. I think I can swing 9.8's of every issue except 300, which I already have a 9.6 of. Wish me luck!

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  6. sirbestow1
    Latest Entry

    Some mornings you wake up and notice that everything has gone up, except for your paycheck

    I'm sure there are some collectors out there, like me, when everything goes up it hurts your hobby. I mean some days I'd love to tell the electric company where to stick it because I'm investing in a sketch cover. But I know that after an hour without power that it would be a mistake because I wouldn't be able to enjoy that cover (oh and I'm sure the wife being a bit upset might factor in too).

    So the example of this Journal moves to Baltimore Comic Con. A small convention that hasn't yet been effected by the MEGA-con idea of we must get every person from pop culture and beyond to show up to sell more tickets (even though they have little to nothing to do with comics at all). They still keep it to writers, artists and creators. Even though I like to possibility of meeting a big name actor at a MEGA-con, in my heart I hope Baltimore doesn't get too big for it's britches and stays comic oriented.

    This was my second year. I discovered Baltimore last year when Stan Lee came to town. It seemed to be a place where I could expose my children to the inner workings of the comics they read. Strange considering I don't always know who wrote or draws the books I like/liked (I'm still learning). I felt it was a great way to meet Stan and it wasn't a shove fest to do so. Over all it was a great experience.

    This year was more Stan, but to me it was a been there and done that. All three of us have been enjoying Avengers Vs. X-men and the next "big guy" in line was John Romita Jr. I thought it was another great person for my kids to get an autograph from. Noting that I started the article with tightening my belt getting an affordable Avengers vs. X-men comic wasn't exempt from this. I wanted the girls to have something nice, like a variable, but the earlier issues were ruled out (note I have to buy in pairs for this adventure). I had to go with a pair of issue 10 VS. team variant (so each could have the same book but different covers) . I know by this book they have switched artists, but what can you do when you are on a budget.

    For myself? I ruled out JR Jr. I figured I could catch him again at another convention, when money might not be as tight. Worse case scenario: I have issue 300 Uncanny X-Men already autographed by him, from the 90's with a "COA". I could just go with a green label on that and couple the COA with the grade. There were 3 creators on my list but the budget for SS grading only allowed 2 books - Neal Adams, Larry Hama and Herb Trimpe. Neal and Herb are going to be at NYCC, but I A) didn't want to risk them cancelling out B) Baltimore is such a small convention that they would be EASY to get to. Larry isn't on the guest list for NYCC as of yet, so he was a top pick.

    Slight diversion here - I'm a little weird when it comes to the autographs (maybe you are too). I like to get things signed that the person had something to do with. I also "try" to keep my collection within boundaries - books dealing with Wolverine or books I have read. Wolverine is easy considering he is in everything! Book I've read? I don't like running out to buy a book I haven't read or have no intentions of reading just to get an autograph. The third, self imposed rule, is the book should have a little value to it. I don't intend on selling my collection, but there could be a time in the future that I might have or need to sell something, and I would want something that I could move (like to pay that power bill). Rule three is flexible based on budget.

    It does bug me a bit the A vs X that was singed by JR Jr. wasn't the book he worked on. Bigger obstacle was Herb Trimpe. I do have Incredible Hulk 181, but it is graded at a 3.5! So I settled. Wolverine 100 went to Herb and Larry for a duel signature. Neal signed a copy of First X-men 1 Variant.

    Deviation #2: I have another book that I'm looking for 4 signatures (Wolverine 10) for an "original creator" signed book. Herb Trimpe, Chris Claremont, John Bryne (I hear good luck with that) and Len Wein. That book I put to the side for NYCC so I can get Herb and Chris at the same time - and hopefully crack out the book in the future for Len and John.

    So settling for the four books instead of 5, and getting a small family "donation" to help out with the trip, we were Baltimore bound, ALMOST. In my hunt for getting stuff signed for signature series, I began to learn about the other creators that were going to be there and their relation to the books I read. I'm already biting my nails over the budget, but the other side of me points out that I should get something because you never know what the future holds (I cut back on getting an autograph from Joe Simon last year due to budget. I'm sure you know the rest).

    Looking across my bookshelf my eyes fall on a Wolverine book that my children had gotten me for Christmas one year. I picked up the book and started thumbing through it and started noticing how it was put together.

    "HEY. It starts out with Incredible Hulk 181 and there is Herb's art" & "There is a chapter about Fatal Attractions which was written by Larry" & "Oh! JR Jr has quite a few pieces of work in here too."

    The wheels started to spin. In this economy, there is NO WAY I afford a SS book for everyone who was there. BUT I will be in line for most of these people ANYWAY so why not take this book and get signatures too (most don't charge for autographs). This isn't a "future value" decision, this is a "because I like it" decision.

    So I filled up the book with post-its on pages where I wanted them to sign. Added others, because we were going to occupy the same spaces. People who I wanted to meet but didn't have any work in this book, were deligated to the last page.

    The trip was a success. Small hick-up with the CGC at the start of the day, but once the ball started rolling, there was no stopping it! The girls got to meet JR Jr and get their books signed. It really made their day to be involved and do stuff on their own. Now comes the long wait from the CGC to get those books back!

    As for myself and the Wolverine book? Well I did as planned. I was already at the table for my SS books so asking for one more - just for me - wasn't a problem. Majority of the time my oldest was in charge of the book and she got the autographs on my behalf (while I stood back and snapped pictures). When it came to JR Jr.... well...

    He was offering to do sketches for $50 donation to the Hero Initiative. A great charity and one I particapated in before. The wheels started to spin again. "When are you going to get another chance to get a sketch from a top artiest?" A small loan from a family member later and I was able to get that Romita sketch right in the front page of the book.

    Herb signed his page. Larry his. Neal didn't have some art work in the book so he was delegated to the back page (loaded with covers). So was Greg Horn (ironically he signed over a cover he did do and didn't realize it untl after the fact. I made note for a future SS book.) I also got to meet Jim Cheong (back cover signed) and chat with him a bit. What a great guy!

    The gem of the trip was Erik Larson. One of the founders of Image com

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  7. i didnt get to send as many as i wanted!

    i have just sent in my second batch of comics for grading.i only managed to afford to get 4 done due to lack of funds

    as i live in england it is the postage that bumps the price up so much (60 dollars for 2 books)

    when i read some peoples journals they are sending in over 50 sometimes!

    jealous!!!!

    well i suppose it will take me longer than i thought to complete my sets but il keep plodding along with them

    adam

    p.s my 2nd submission was batman shadow of the bat #1 and #6

    and buffy season 8 riley and willow 1 shots

    cant wait to get them back!!!

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    I've been collecting comics off and on since 1965...now is the time to take the plunge and send some in to be graded.

    Although comics were my first love, pulp magazines took over that passion some years back. I've been buying and selling pulp magazines for more than 25 years, and I just decided to pull out the thousands of comics I still have and check them out. I was amazed to find so many high grade books in my collection. [High Grade in my eyes anyway.] So I've started pulling all the Golden, Silver, and Bronze age books in high grade and see how they stack up grade wise. I hope I'll be pleasantly surprised, and will start to see the fruits of my labor when I get these goodies out for sale.

    Will be taking these to the Akron Comicon on November 10th, but I'd like to see some of these in action in an auction. Now if I can only decide which one would be best.

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    After waiting a number of weeks deciding as to when to ship to CGC, I sent my Modern tier submission in.

    It really doesn't matter when they get graded because they are for my registry set collection. I sent in 60 Moderns to be screened at 9.6. for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I hope to catch my competition.

    Now let the long wait begin.

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  8. All about my trip to Baltimore Comic-Con where I got X-Men 12, 16, 28 and Savage She-Hulk #1 signed by Stan Lee.

    For some background you can read my journal about acquiring my copy of X-Men #12.

    http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5889947#Post5889947

    So when I bought my 4 Stan Lee signature tickets from Desert Wind comics on 8/15 for $55 each I noticed that they were no longer offering their $20 Fast Pass ticket which allows non-VIP ticket holders to get in the VIP line. I emailed them about it right away but they never responded to me until the day before the show which was 23 days after I emailed them about it. Thanks for the quick response Desert Wind!

    Anyway they said that they were asked not sell the fast pass online by the convention staff, but that I could still buy one for $20 when I picked up my signature tickets.

    I got to the show at around 8:20am (it opened at 10 for non VIPs and 9:30 for VIPs) and I waited in line to get it. I was about 200 people back in line. Once I was on the show floor I made a bee line to wear Desert Wind comics booth was SUPPOSED to be according the map that was on Baltimore Comic Con's website and the map in the brochure that everyone at the con received. What did I find when I got there? A booth for comiXology. Guess what? They did not have my tickets and they did not know exactly where Desert Wind's new booth was. They just pointed me in the direction of Stan Lee's signing area.

    I ran over there, found Desert Winds table (right next to their CGC submission table) and got my tickets and my past pass. I put my tickets and fast pass in my wallet and I walked towards the end of the VIP signature line. On my way to the end of the line, one guy asked me where my VIP badge was and I told him I had purchased the fast pass ticket which allows me to get in the VIP line. HE LET ME THROUGH WITHOUT EVEN ASKING TO SEE IT! So bascially, I could have saved $20 and just lied to one guy.

    What was really nice is that the end of the VIP signature line was next to some tables and chairs that were there for people who were eating food purchased from one of the convention food places. I claimed a chair and then asked the nice lady in front of me to hold my spot while I got some CGC forms. I got one form, went back to the line, sat down at the table and started filling out the form.

    This was the first CGC form that I've ever filled out and even though I have good reading comprehension, I made a mistake. I had plenty of time since the line was not moving yet (Stan started signing at 10:35ish) so I went to get two more forms since I realised that they require seperate forms for separate pricing tiers and I need to use two tiers. Then I managed to screw both of those forms up as well! On one I had selected the Economy tier that requires you to send in at least 15 comics and I made some other mistake on the other form. So I got up one more time, got two more forms, sat back down and filled them out correctly! Woooooo!

    Not long after I finished my forms the line started moving. It went really quickly and I had all four of my items signed by like 11:17am. Oh remember that fast pass? It is only good for one usage so it should have been taken from me either right before or right after I got my things signed. Did anyone ask me for it? Nope. So once again, if I was a more dishonest guy, I could have saved $20. In the end I asked a guy if I should give him my fast pass and he was all like 'Oh. Yeah.'

    Now allow me to digress a little about this fast pass stuff. The $20 is not a big deal for me and I think it is really worth the money because I would rather pay $20 than wait in line at a convention where there are other things I want to do. What pisses me off is that their lax fast pass security makes the fast pass pretty much useless.

    Now that my four comics were signed I got in the CGC line and started putting the comics back in their bags. While I was fumbling with my four comics and their boards I managed to get one of the pieces of tap on a bag stuck to the back of my X-Men #28! Instead of stopping to think about this, I started to pull the tape off very slowly and very gently. Most if it came off clean but near the end of the tape strip it did pull some paper off the back ad on the issue. I was absolutely livid with myself! I am surprised that I didn't Hulk out right there.

    I managed to get my other 3 issues into their bags without a problem. Now is the part of my day where things started getting pretty awesome. I noticed the guy behind me in line had some really awesome comics in his hands. Comics like X-Men #1, Amazing Spider-Man #1, Avengers #1 and Avengers #4. He looked like he was having trouble with his forms (sound familar?) so I tried to help him out. One of his problems was that he didn't know how much his comics were worth which is important because for comics worth over $3,000 each CGC charges 3% of the comics fair market value and that 3% can fall between $150 and $3,000 (don't quote me on that).

    To help him figure out the value of his comics I needed to get a close look at them. He handed me X-Men #1 and it looked fantastic. It must have been a 9 or better. His copy of Amazing Fantasty 15 was even better and it looked super bight! The Avenger's #1 was a VF at least and the Amazing Spider-Man #1 was in great physical condition, but the color was all washed out. For some reason he had put Avengers #4 in his bag earlier. I guess he decided not to grade that one. After I handed his comics back to him I started up an app on my phone that gives you comic book values (Zap-Kapow!) since I was not sure what the NM prices were for these issues. I knew they were high but not how high.

    There prices listed in the app are:

    X-Men #1 NM=$34,000 VF=$23,800

    Avengers #1 NM=$25,000 VF=$17,500

    Amazing Spider-Man #1 NM=$60,000 VF=$42,000 F=$18,000

    Amazing Fantasy #1 NM=$65,000 VF=$45,500

    I was blown away by those numbers. I couldn't believe I was just holding signed copies of all of those issues in my hands!

    So we both eventually got up the table and we both got taken care of. His transaction took longer than mine of course. My total was a little over $200 and they made me use UPS instead of the insured USPS rate that was listed on the form. The lady assured me that my package would be insured for the full market value of my comics. One of the reasons I wanted to use the USPS is because they are going broke and I think they could use my business. Oh well.

    So now I am just waiting to get me comics back and I am hoping that they will all get 9.8s. Hey a guy can dream can't he? You know what I wish? I wish I would have read those comics before I had them encased in plastic...

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    gatlingmonkey
    Latest Entry

    spine is ok

    cover looks greatneed help with it getting cgc never did this before12060.thumb.JPG.7ddea28d022bbdd2940b1178521fb071.JPGTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

  9. New for September 2012

     

    www.comicbase.comPricing Trends for September 2012Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead continues to be the story of the year. This month, The Walking Dead (Image) #11 jumped to $26 from $8.50, and #43 went to $12.50 from $7.50. Alpha Flight (2nd Series) #17, featuring a team-up with Big Hero 6, has been selling briskly and almost tripled in value to $5.50.Near-forgotten heroes of the early 1990s are languishing away in dollar bins. Nexus the Liberator #1 dropped to $1.25 from $2, and Nomad #4 went to $1 from $1.50. Not surprisingly, both are widely available at lower price points.To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

  10. Never ever!

    I just got greedy and decided to send in three books to possibly get grade bumps and ended up with grade reductions!! Damn myself for wanting to be greedy! The books were....

    1) Batman 227 9.0 --- now an 8.5

    2) Batman 232 9.2 --- remained the same.

    3) Batman 234 9.2 --- now a 9.0

    Now I have to decide to try and be greedy/lucky and send the books back to see if they come back the original way I sent them or just stay with what I'm getting back.

    Fml. I guess the only way to truly learn is by making mistakes.

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    RyukyuPito
    Latest Entry

    My First Bronze Age Set...

    Godzilla debuted on film in 1954, becoming a colossal hit for Toho Production studios (Japan); the following year, the film was released in America under an altered title, "Godzilla: King of the Monsters." Marvel Comics acquired the rights to this film icon in 1977, beginning a two-year run (written by Doug Moench and drawn by Herb Trimpe), under the same title. In the first issue, Godzilla bursts out of an iceberg, a story line very similar to the 1963 film, "King Kong vs. Godzilla." Starting from the second issue, the bane of Godzilla's existence was S.H.I.E.L.D. -- taking on a role that "G-Force" performed in Godzilla films of the eighties. Godzilla met several other established Marvel characters during the series run, including the Champions, the Devil Dinosaur, the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. Marvel lost the rights to the character and the series ended production (rather abruptly) in 1979, with issue #24.

    I vividly recall Toho's Godzilla films and similar Japanese monster folklore (kaiju), regularly airing on weekend broadcast television during the early-1980s; this introduction to a very specialized genre of Japanese entertainment (tokusatsu), spawned a later interest that included [but was not limited to] the Ultraman series - in which similarly, not only positively affected my early cultural development, but remains a major driving force for my current, collective interest in Marvel's "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" graded books. The Godzilla (1977) set will remain my first Bronze Age target for completion. Additionally, with story lines that entertainingly illustrate the Fantastic Four and the Avengers failing to defeat the creature, Godzilla, in my opinion, remains a truly formidable and iconic character of the Marvel Universe.

    I recently acquired from e-Bay a Godzilla (1977) #23 Signature CGC 9.8 WP; issue includes an appearance by the Avengers (Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Yellowjacket, Wasp, Scarlet Witch and Vision). The book (06/79) is signed by Avengers co-creator, Stan Lee, and the comic's lead artist, Herb Trimpe. I really enjoy this issue's writing and vibrant cover art; this early addition to my first Bronze Age collector set, truly makes me happy, but the strike out of the newsstand bar code always puzzles me?!

    Additionally, this set's last issue (#24) included at the end, a cameo (teaser) role by the ASM. I would like to eventually find a high grade copy of same. I have yet to attend a comic convention within the States, and I would love to introduce my young son to this high-energy, cultural event, while having the opportunity to meet and ask for Stan's signature on this specific book.

    And the hunt continues...

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    The angry spider
    Latest Entry

    Is the comic book market set for self correction?

    Just a thought, not a hope, and I hope I am wrong. Are there signs that indicate a fall out of record high comic book prices?

    If one were to look at the record breaking auctions of the last year, then "no" is the simple answer. However the average collector is not making those purchases (Action Comics #1, Tec 27 etc). Non-comic based investors are buying much of the super high priced inventory as economic fears overshadow hope in other markets. The super rich have taken to any and all collectibles as a way to hedge inflation and insure their portfolios against another probable economic downturn.

    This in itself is good for the industry, but may not fair so well for the average collector. It is sending a mixed signal about comic book sales that can be misinterpreted. The signal reads "Collectible Comic Book sales at all time high!", or "Comic book history being made yet again!".

    As a collector myself, who will probably never own an Action Comic #1, I know damn well that too often we are giving in to this hoopla. I feel that just because the very few ultra rare comics are making headlines, it shouldn't mean diddly squat to a non-key bronze aged X-Men comic that grades 9.8.

    In the newly released Overstreet Guide (just a guide, I know) we have seen for the first time in over 5 years where average price increases are 2-3 percent for NM copies of key issues. Some copies even dropped for a first time. I know at the many shows I attend (NY, Columbus, Detroit, Maryland, wherever) I am inundated with copies of Hulk 181, X Men 94's, Giant Sized X-men 1 etc. Even the "Guide" whose advisory board primarily consists of the dealers whose interests obviously lie in rising prices is showing for the first time weakness in the market. There is too much inventory!!!

    I am only sharing concerns with my comic collecting brethren, as I love the hobby and have been at it for 20 plus years, but let's see the signs as they are apparent.

    There are non-key bronze aged books asking (and basically getting) 1000.00 or more because they are 1 of only 12 graded at a 9.8. In a situation of a golden age utlra rare comic one could be rest assured that in 10 years it will remain 1 of only 12, but for a book that was published in 1982, and knowing that it is abundantly available in Raw form, the odds of it staying 1 of 12 in ten years are slim to none.

    The record high sales of ultra rare books, teamed with a plethora of superhero movies, and the fact that CGC has now gone mainstream are all good things, but I believe are contributing to the artificial inflation of comic prices.

    For the record, I am a collector, not a dealer. I do not sell my books and they are not for sale. Resale is not something I have to worry about when purchasing, but like any other collector, I try to not pay any more than I have to! A high market positively affects the value of my collection and that is a good thing, but an artificial market when discoered, will royally screw the value of my collection making it worthless. This only comes in to play when and if I wish to sell/trade in my collection, not if I am sitting on it, but I am reminded of a similair situation what was it? Oh yes, the housing bubble that popped in '06 and still hasn't recovered.

    My friends, we do not need a repeat of that in our hobby. If a self correction is imminent, and I think it is, much better for the market to deflate over time than pop.

    My 2 cents......enjoy collecting,

    The Angry Spider

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    spidy 107 new mutants 98

    Well, I started collecting finaly during ComicCon Chicago. First I got New Mutants #98 rated at 8.0 first apperance of deadpool. The next day my girlfreind suprized me and got me a copy of The Amazing Spider-Man 107. I was so happy, and on top of that I was going to stan lees signing. Needless to say I got that 107 signed!! Although the grade is only at a 7.0 im still happy as hell. Now im looking for a full run of ASM :D

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  11. 20 business days, 100 business days, 110 business days.

    April 10 I submitted 11 books expecting to have them back 4-5 weeks later, which was the average turnaround advertised by CGC. Then I found out that the 'current turnaround' was 100 days. And today I see that it's now 110 business days. Another 5 weeks. At least, because I am certain that between noe and then that turnaround number will go up again.

    What bugs me here is that if CGC who have obviously more work then they can handle, keeps advertising (e-mail earlier today) that people can submit books at conventions.

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  12. tjanse1's Journal

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    After some time of sitting around reading and enjoying comics. i have decided to write my first comic book. Now we all have had this idea at one time or another. Most just never do anyhting with it. Instead of being another one of those guys. I have had several ideas over the years I write them down and move one.

     

    I decided to write about something that is near and dear to me. Some of this story is a reflection of my life at one point in time when I came back home from oklahoma. I wont say whats tru and whats made up. I can say it made me a stronger person in life and walked away from my past and moved forward.Now I cant release everything about the book. I like to save some for the future. You will get sneak peaks at pages, character designs, color palletes, and snips of story line. Here is how the idea started turn back the clock to phoenix comic con. I had to do something for some boardies and have fun. But for the first time decided to go to some panels or atleast one panel.How to break into comicsYes seems simple enough right well it was. Went sat amongst my people well atleast some fanboys. I already just about knew everything that was said in this panel from my own research. Broke down to luck in a lot of cases and pure passion just like anything else. Luck has been on myside in the past more then anyone would ever know. Passion that i have.So left that panel feeling ahh well whats next. I already knew a few artist but no one with in my budget. Plus all thought im some smelly fan boy not serious at all. So I went with my gut on this by luck ran into the guy that did the panel He's a talented artist had a current book with image. Why not what do i got to lose.Stopped at his booth and talked for about a minute and yes it was a minute. He maed a homemade businesscard. Left the con a few days went by didnt know if it was the 3 day rule before i email call whatever. ContactSent him the email went something like this he blah blah blah I want to do some chartcer mockups spoke with you for a few seconds at the con. Days went by then email oh ok cool yeah at the price we discussed is that cool? How you want them done for style jim lee? ebas? Well at this point in time had to come clean right away and put it out all on the line said want it in your style need the characters to look like this gave him the descriptions.A week went by and they were done end of email. Then few days went by emailed back and said look im very serious about this here is my -script read it tell me if want to do this with me. He read it liked it needed some work. Thats ok he didnt hate it and didnt tel me to f off. So reworked it drank a lot of vodka helps with the process somewhat atleast thats what i tell meself. Sent back said ok in a nutshell. MoneyNow Im not a artist not a inker I can only write. So i needed a walmart type of thing that didnt cost me a ton of money. So we worked out a great deal x amount per page inked colored lettered.I sale books to pay for the pages and look forward to submitting to image in the near future. Now its a big gamble for me considering I dont know if image will say yes or no. But if i never take the chance I will never know. I will post more in the future thanks JeremyTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

  13. KRS_SD's Journal

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    20 yr hiatus and addicted once again!

    It didn't take much. Just a a one day trip to Wondercon to look for Monster High dolls for my kids. Then the addiction I once felt when I was 14 hit me again. 5 months later and a trip to SDCC, I've been able to acquire 90% of my Copper age collection I had growing up. I've acquired multiple copies of key Copper age issues just to find that potential 9.8 copy!! When will this madness stop?!?

    I received my email that they were shipped this week. Here are the grades from my first submission at SDCC:

    New Mutants 98- 9.6

    New Mutants 98- 9.8

    Uncanny X-men 266- 9.8

    Amazing Spiderman 300- 9.6

    Amazing Spiderman 300- 9.8

    Incredible Hulk 340- 9.6

    Incredible Hulk 340- 9.8

    X-Factor 1- 9.4

    And I thought my copy of X-Factor would get the highest grade!

    I have delved into the Modern age world a little, but may work my way back into the silver age. There are just way too many issues/variants/prints of comics for me to keep up with. As of now my Modern addiction is to Adventure Time comics thanks to my daughter!

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