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The Death and Return of Superman Collector's Editions

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Brandon Shepherd

5,614 views

The Death and Return of Superman saga is so 90s, and also credited with the beginning of the publishing gluttony that paved the way for the market crash later in the decade. One such 90s thing about this set is the number of "Collector's Editions" released. I have most of these and enjoy them, but it has been frustrating finding them graded. These editions crowed just about every comic shop in America but I never see any raw 9.8 candidates. Most of the graded examples are also listed with high BIN prices, so I wait patiently for regular auctions.

All four Superman titles cover dated June, 1993, were released with Collector's Editions along with regular or newsstand counterparts, starting with Adventures of Superman #500. AoS #500 was the prelude to the "Reign of the Supermen!" storyline, introducing four new Supermen. AoS #500 Collector's Edition came sealed with a trading card. 

Image result for adventures of Superman #500 polybaged Image result for adventures of Superman #500 polybaged 

I believe AoS #500 was the most ordered and distributed comic book of 1993. I had my eye on a few eBay auctions for 9.8 graded editions recently and was surprised to see them realize $50 to $75. 

The next Collector's Editions were the four Superman titles that followed AoS #500 with Die Cut covers, these editions also came with a centerfold poster.

Action Comics #687D Superman The Man of Steel #22D Superman #78D Adventures of Superman #501D

Then the real Superman finally returned, with two more (and shinny) Collector's Editions for Superman #82 and Adventures of Superman #505.

Superman #82DFSIGNED.A Adventures of Superman #505A

 

What I have thus far.

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I just need the Collector's Editions of Superman #78, Adventures of Superman #501 and #505. I also need a scanner.

As of this writing, AoS #505 has only 1 9.8 listed for both the regular and Collector's Edition. :whatthe: 

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I recently scored AOS #505 Collector's Edition CGC 9.6 on eBay, which is the highest grade I've seen "in the wild". The census has had 1 solitary 9.8 out there for YEARS now.  Whoever has it likely knows that's 1 of a kind. No pics of it anywhere either.

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41 minutes ago, Bibbo said:

I recently scored AOS #505 Collector's Edition CGC 9.6 on eBay, which is the highest grade I've seen "in the wild". The census has had 1 solitary 9.8 out there for YEARS now.  Whoever has it likely knows that's 1 of a kind. No pics of it anywhere either.

3211E828-D658-4A53-B920-48067038C4D1.jpeg.48051e7f3561d7aa63a1f075efe3efc5.jpeg

That’s quite an impressive display you have there, sir!

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Thanks! Probably my four favorite issues from that run. I have the other 4 Collector's Editions of the four Supermen in 9.8 as well, but my wife is starting to drop some not so subtle hints about taking up space with my display(s). :bigsmile: 

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Now I have a graded copy of Superman #75 Poly-Bagged (Collector's Edition) Edition.

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I've passed on other graded copies several times over the years, I figured since I have the Platinum Edition of this book that having this edition wasn't necessary. I finally caved in.

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I also have a copy still sealed, and a few opened copies with all the inserts. 

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Can y'all believe that I own a 10.0 -The Adventures of Superman #505 Collector's edition!? It's practically brand new, as if I took a time machine back to 1993 and just bought the dang thing! I actually have over 200 "10.0s" in my humble collection, bcuz I took great sacred care of them in a dry storage 😂😂 I've been collecting since 1989 and about to SELL some of them.  I also own ALL four of the aforementioned collector's editions, AoS #22 & 501, S#78, AC #687 and they're all 10.0s!  Here's a sexy glimpse of this perfectly beautifully made chrome foil baby, guys! Enjoy the eye candy hahaha 

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1993 Superman 505 Collectors Edition xxx.jpg

1993 Superman 505 Collectors Edition xxxx.jpg

Edited by DjFlex
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Here's the rest of these sexy 10.0 Superman babies from 1993, when some of you's weren't even born yet lol  I suppose they can Press em' nice n' sweet if they wanna get all picky with us.... grading our Collections like stepchildren LOL I had to hold down the front covers with AA batteries, sue me! hahaha 😂😂💀

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On 4/10/2020 at 2:33 PM, DjFlex said:

I actually have over 200 "10.0s" in my humble collection, bcuz I took great sacred care of them in a dry storage 😂😂 I've been collecting since 1989 and about to SELL some of them.  I also own ALL four of the aforementioned collector's editions, AoS #22 & 501, S#78, AC #687 and they're all 10.0s!  Here's a sexy glimpse of this perfectly beautifully made chrome foil baby, guys! Enjoy the eye candy hahaha 

Reality is gonna hit so hard. :devil:

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Question?  I have a Superman #75 sealed in the black poly bag is it worth more that way or should I have it out and graded by CGC?

 

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On 4/21/2020 at 10:00 AM, Agent Hill said:

Question?  I have a Superman #75 sealed in the black poly bag is it worth more that way or should I have it out and graded by CGC?

 

If you get a 9.8 grade, your book is worth between $100-$120, while the bagged edition in it's raw/sealed form fetches $15-$20 on ebay.  So if you feel like your book may be in NM shape, it's definitely worth sending it in for grading. Even if you get a 9.6 or 9.4 grade, it's still worth more than it is in the bag.

Edited by Bibbo
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Anyone have an Adventures of Superman #498 (1st print) CGC 9.8 they wouldn't mind parting with? 

Edited by Bibbo
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I predicted a long time ago that eventually the direct and newstand editions of Superman #75 CGC 9.8 would surpass the value the black bagged edition (not to be confused with the rarer Platinum Edition pictured above).  It seems that I was correct based on the trends I've seen on eBay over the past 6 or so months.  I've always vastly preferred the Jurgens/Breeding cover over the super-generic (and on the nose) tombstone cover, so this makes me happy to see...

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1312.R2.TR0.TRC1.A0.H0.TRS2&_nkw=superman+75+cgc+9.8&_sacat=17084&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=superman+75+cgc

Edited by Bibbo
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Awesome!

I was wondering why this book is so hard to find in 9.8. If I remember correctly the cover material is similar to that of Batman #500 Collector’s Edition from around the same time this book came out, and there are a bunch of those in 9.8 holders. Maybe the silver material is fragile?

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1 hour ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

Awesome!

I was wondering why this book is so hard to find in 9.8. If I remember correctly the cover material is similar to that of Batman #500 Collector’s Edition from around the same time this book came out, and there are a bunch of those in 9.8 holders. Maybe the silver material is fragile?

I went through over 30 raw copies and also had submitted three others before these (two 9.6 and one 9.4).  They all had a crease/indent across the back and all except these two also had a non color breaking bend on the spine by the triangle number. Many also just had indents or scratches to the foil.  Even the ones straight  from the collector’s box were in rough shape. I think the foil is just really soft.  I had all my submissions pressed but I really think the lack of the bend by the triangle number is what set these two apart.

The silver cover looks pretty sweet graded 9.8 and slabbed! :bigsmile:

Edited by Iconic1s
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On 9/16/2019 at 1:12 PM, Bibbo said:

I recently scored AOS #505 Collector's Edition CGC 9.6 on eBay, which is the highest grade I've seen "in the wild". The census has had 1 solitary 9.8 out there for YEARS now.  Whoever has it likely knows that's 1 of a kind. No pics of it anywhere either.

3211E828-D658-4A53-B920-48067038C4D1.jpeg.48051e7f3561d7aa63a1f075efe3efc5.jpeg

There is an Adventures #505 Collectors Edition in 9.8 on mycomicshop.com.

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?IID=8603431

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Just now, Brandon Shepherd said:

Congratulations! 
 

:tink:

Thanks, I’m legitimately thrilled! 
 

Also noticed this is a different number than the two above from July. In over a decade I’ve literally NEVER seen a 9.8 for AOS 505 CE. When it rains it pours, I guess!! 🤷🏻‍♂️

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20 minutes ago, Bibbo said:

Thanks, I’m legitimately thrilled! 
 

Also noticed this is a different number than the two above from July. In over a decade I’ve literally NEVER seen a 9.8 for AOS 505 CE. When it rains it pours, I guess!! 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’ve noticed this also with many of the multiple printings. I really want the regular edition of AOS #505 in 9.8 and there is only one in the census as of this writing. 

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1 hour ago, Bibbo said:

Got it!!

This has been my "white whale" for 10 years now.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!:tink:

 

 

SUPER-happy for you!!  Congrats!! 

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1 hour ago, Bibbo said:

Got it!!

This has been my "white whale" for 10 years now.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!:tink:

 

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Congratulations on obtaining your white whale!  Guess now you can change your name to Ahab....:roflmao:

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1 hour ago, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

Guess now you can change your name to Ahab....

....uhhhh...  might want to rethink that... I don’t remember things working out so great for Ahab... lol

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