• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
0

First to the 1st, On the 1st, a Discussion of CGC Census Graded Firsts!

0
SW3D

825 views

Well, there have been journals aplenty authored by collectors espousing their CGC firsts. This journal is going to be no different! And it's open to feedback to all collectors who currently own an OAK and who purchased said OAK in raw form, had it graded, and knowingly or unknowingly, contributed the first ever graded copy of its kind to the CGC census (with signature or sans signatures, variant covers accepted). And being that it is the first day of 2014, what better way to celebrate the New Year than by reminiscing about CGC firsts and OAKs.

So I invite you to share with us your stories about some of your proudest first moments; splurge on us with some background on the comic (key comments if applicable), how you came to purchase or own it raw, what eventual grade it achieved, and its One-of-A-Kind status today (if it still applies or not).

Here's a list of mine:

Spawn 9 (1st Appearance of Angela/Newsstand Variant). This was my first OAK ever! I submitted it last year at NYComicCon and it achieved its grade in February 2013, a month or so before the news of Marvel's acquisition of Angela. Direct Editions of this comic were already graded, but no Newsstand Editions had been graded until my submission; getting back the distinction of "Variant Copy" was just pure dumb luck. I bought this particular copy along with a few Direct Editions from an LCS in Forest Hills, Queens, NY called Modesty Comics... but not because it was Angela's 1st Appearance, not because it was a Variant (I was utterly clueless that the Newsstand Edition was different), but because I thought it had an ironic piece of history surrounding it: the litigious battle between Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane over Angela, Medieval Spawn, and Cogliostro's creator rights. If Angela didn't make the move to Marvel, no one would give two for this comic, after-all, Angela had been declared dead by Todd McFarlane for over 13 years in Spawn 100. And although the magic spell for Angela has temporarily worn-off, if comic's history is any indication, Angela's star will be on the rise soon enough. Currently a total of 9 Newsstand Editions have been graded: 4 9.8's, 4 9.6's, and 1 9.4. My copy is no longer an OAK, but for a few dizzying months during Angela's popularity craze, it was sitting all on its lonesome on a throne in a private Kingdom. Read the original journal: http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=13176

Captain America: Transformation & Triumph No. 1 (Promotional Comic/Free with the purchase of the June 6, 2013 edition of the Wall Street Journal). This was an impromptu purchase made more challenging since: (1) no prior announcement was made of this promotional/free comic that I was aware of; (2) I had to scramble late in the evening to obtain copies from CVS and at a Newsstand; (3) I had to keep them from getting damaged by reckless cashiers, and lastly; (4) from getting soaked wet due to a torrential downpour. What's interesting to note about this comic: I believe it takes place in the Marvel Movie Universe or the Ultimates judging by the costumes worn by Captain America (cover art makes him look like actor Chris Evans) and Nick Fury (cameo appearance). There is a flashback segment to Steve Rogers origin as Captain America. I actually got 4 copies graded in total: 2 9.8's and 2 9.6's. To date, these 4 remain the only graded copies. It all happened here: http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=14330

Curse of the Spawn 9. I graded 6 in total and 5 came back 9.8 and 1 a 9.6. I found the raw copies from various LCS's in New York City. After falling head-over-heels for Angela, I began a hunt for her back issues from Image. This one is a gem since it is Angela's origin story where it is revealed she is the amalgam of six females souls who lived tragic lives. It also introduced a mysterious and haunting character named Durges, who seems to have a manipulating and diabolical hand in the life and creation of Angela.... where it is revealed in flashbacks, each female witnessed the face of Durges as the last vision before passing unto death. Relive all the fun: http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=14323 Update: One lucky devil has added a graded copy to the Census, a fabled yellow label bestowed a 9.8. If the owner of said comic is reading this, I would be greatly interested in buying your copy. Congrats by the way!

Dark Dominion 7 (1st JG Jones Pro Work). This is the first copy to reach the census, given a respectable 9.4, with a Yellow Label signed by artist extraordinaire JG Jones at Wizard World NYC June 2013. Its main significance being the first pro comics work of JG Jones best known for the outstanding covers for Y The Last Man, Wanted, and the entire 52 series. I originally bought the comic raw from Lone Star/MyComicShop. Happily, as of today, it remains the only sole graded copy of its kind! Walk down memory lane: http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=14410

Rant 1 (1st JG Jones Writing Credit). Another raw purchased from Lone Star/MyComicShop, is my copy of Rant 1. JG Jones, as previously mentioned, is known primarily as a celebrated cover artist, however, this comic is unique in that JG Jones co-scripted/co-wrote this comic. When I met the artist at Wizard World NY (June 2013), JG Jones reflected that this was to be his first published work, but delays set it back and it was eventually published after his Dark Dominion stint. Happily, Rant came back graded a magnificent 9.6 and bears Jones' inscription. A quick review of the CGC Census reveals it is still an OAK! Another chance to read it: http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=14466

Superman Special Number 1, by Walter Simonson (The Death of Superman?) The jury is still out on this one, but if you read the ambiguous ending, it is not a stretch of the imagination to at least consider the possibility Superman was killed by the Sand Superman and replaced by him. For this reason alone, the comic is shrouded in controversy and is a must-have for Superman fans and collectors alike. The comic is not very old, about 21 years, yet it is hard-to-find, especially a Newsstand Edition. Before I submitted my original owner newsstand copy for grading, I consulted the CGC Census and discovered none had been graded. And I find that shocking seen it is written and drawn by the very popular Walter Simonson. To date, I own the only graded copy, a 9.2 with White Pages, with the added distinction of triple signatures provided by Geof Darrow and Michael Golden (both artists have pin-up illustrations featured in a bonus art gallery), and the man himself, Walter Simonson. Judge for yourself: http://comics.www.collectors-society.com/JournalDetail.aspx?JournalEntryID=14931

And yet another joins the group: Aria Blanc & Noir #1 Dynamic Forces Edition. Although not the first to get graded, it is the first to have that magical yellow label, as Jay Anacleto's inscription graces this HTF variant copy. According to Dynamic Forces, only 5,000 copies exist. I got this gem through... you guessed it... Lone Star/MyComicShop.

For some reason, I get a kick out of being the first to get a particular comic graded. In the early days of the CGC, I'm sure this was quite common,

14958.png.b184df0dd90d251469b1118ca4eba88f.png

To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

0



0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now