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The Death and Return of Superman Collector's Editions

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Brandon Shepherd

5,622 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.

3317054_Full_Obv.thumb.jpg.0f3b5663ec6fbff1c5a3602d19359afc.jpg2123090_Full_Obv.jpg.53b0a576f574cd740e504a0bcbff1dde.jpg2123090_Full_Rev.jpg.dfffd75064a1f8e922249e4875499a69.jpg3132005_Full_Obv.jpg.77d67f25c4746fcf1a84b658069f0ec0.jpg3132005_Full_Rev.jpg.ba589e3b4ffa771c7bf825096738778c.jpg3000135_Full_Obv.jpg.e01f4900ff686b9370ba840c4fef7c95.jpg3000135_Full_Rev.jpg.b7178808d9f979c1819741476beef6ad.jpg

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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23 minutes ago, Iconic1s said:

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

True. Didn't mean it in that sense,  just in the sense that he finally got the whale he was after. (thumbsu

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Yeah, I paid waaayyy more than I probably should have for AOS 505 CE 9.8.  Whoever consigned it with MyComicShop knew exactly how rare a 9.8 grade was for that one.  I couldn't pass it up though. Again, 10 years and the posts above are the first time I've seen 9.8 grades "in the wild" for this one.

Edited by Bibbo
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3 hours ago, Bibbo said:

Yeah, I paid waaayyy more than I probably should have for AOS 505 CE 9.8.  Whoever consigned it with MyComicShop knew exactly how rare a 9.8 grade was for that one.  I couldn't pass it up though. Again, 10 years and the posts above are the first time I've seen 9.8 grades "in the wild" for this one.

Completely understand.  I think we all have done it for the ones we were hunting,  especially for so long . 

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10 minutes ago, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

Completely understand.  I think we all have done it for the ones we were hunting,  especially for so long . 

I almost didn't...but as soon as "10 years..." rang through my head I was already in checkout. :cloud9:

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On 9/14/2020 at 2:42 PM, 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!! 🤷🏻‍♂️

Funny you should say that, now there are 7 listed in 9.8! :whatthe:

D7BC0433-03E9-43D8-A020-243BDC76C783.thumb.jpeg.08a7398d414421f266de7cec15ae4c85.jpeg

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7 hours ago, Bibbo said:

Amazing, only a few months ago there was only 1 solitary 9.8 on the census for AOS 505...Now there's 7! :o

I sooooooo missed this when I quoted another response of yours letting you know there are now 7. :facepalm:

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15 hours ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

I sooooooo missed this when I quoted another response of yours letting you know there are now 7. :facepalm:

Haha, I was shocked too! It's a high print number book and a pivotal part of the "Return" storyline.  Crazy that it's taken this long for that many to appear on the census, and I'm sure it wasn't for lack of submissions.  Those other 3 must have just appeared recently. Based on the prices I've seen, people are well aware how rare a 9.8 is for this book.

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1 hour ago, Bibbo said:

Haha, I was shocked too! It's a high print number book and a pivotal part of the "Return" storyline.  Crazy that it's taken this long for that many to appear on the census, and I'm sure it wasn't for lack of submissions.  Those other 3 must have just appeared recently. Based on the prices I've seen, people are well aware how rare a 9.8 is for this book.

The thing that I always wonder about is people's motivation to get some of these books graded.  For example, I submit to try to finish my set off in 9.8 and don't really think about the possibility of selling anything.  I find it really hard to part with any book that I submitted myself.  I imagine there are a lot of people that submit certain books (maybe like this one) just to flip them.  Nothing wrong with that I suppose but this is what occurs to me when I see a census bump like this... either we are going to 1) see the new additions pop up for sale somewhere, or 2) there are some other unknown collectors just as obsessed with this set that just added the book to their set and aren't saying anything.

I personally like seeing a census bump and then seeing the books pop up for sale... worst thing is when you see a bump, especially if it's something like a lone, or second 9.8 and then never hear or see anything about where that book went.  Drives me crazy! lol    

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On 9/18/2020 at 9:07 AM, Iconic1s said:

The thing that I always wonder about is people's motivation to get some of these books graded.  For example, I submit to try to finish my set off in 9.8 and don't really think about the possibility of selling anything.  I find it really hard to part with any book that I submitted myself.  I imagine there are a lot of people that submit certain books (maybe like this one) just to flip them.  Nothing wrong with that I suppose but this is what occurs to me when I see a census bump like this... either we are going to 1) see the new additions pop up for sale somewhere, or 2) there are some other unknown collectors just as obsessed with this set that just added the book to their set and aren't saying anything.

I personally like seeing a census bump and then seeing the books pop up for sale... worst thing is when you see a bump, especially if it's something like a lone, or second 9.8 and then never hear or see anything about where that book went.  Drives me crazy! lol    

Here are a few quick thoughts and observations from my “bubble.”

I’d say a majority of those collecting these books are only looking for raw, newsstand fresh, first printings. The real niche would be those collecting CGC examples. And then you have those who go for the Signature Series and the even smaller niche of getting the multiple printings graded.

I’m no @RockMyAmadeus when it comes to analysis, but it looks like the seven Doomsday! Issues have the highest number of CGC submissions, with plenty of 9.8s for sale in the eBay bubble, especially Superman #75 and Man of Steel #18. The funeral issues don’t appear to be graded as much and the Reign of the Supermen books seems to be the least popular. I know that’s basic and I don’t have any numbers to quote.

There is also the hubris that these boards (another bubble) have a big influence on the market. But maybe it’s helped to influence a few sellers to sub those multiple printings.

Seeing the sudden census bump for the AOS #505 CE reminds me of Action Comics #686 second printing. A year ago this unicorn had its first 9.8 in the census, now today there are four. I also remember years ago when Superman: Man of Steel #18 fifth printing had less than 5 9.8s in the census, the book was called rare and now there are 38 9.8s listed, not a big number but it looks really big in the eBay bubble.

Just some bubble thoughts that are not a statement of fact. 

Edited by Brandon Shepherd
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On 9/19/2020 at 9:17 AM, Brandon Shepherd said:

I got myself one.

P1030522.JPG.ca1973d6313028e08bb1cd223417575d.JPG

Bibbo has one, Iconic1s has two, I got mine, that leave 3 unaccounted for. 

:martini:

Awesome, congrats!!  It's a sight to behold in person, isn't it? 

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10 hours ago, Iconic1s said:

Another one just popped up on eBay and mycomicshop!!  The world has gone crazy!!

915863571_ScreenShot2020-09-21at9_05_24PM.thumb.png.08c1af2c38f33e99712771f44e66618c.png

I immediately thought of this scene when I read the comment in bold above!

image.jpeg.f21e5ec1599f833fb89d33fd9598b170.jpeg

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Well there's another one accounted for!  It is pretty funny. We've all been waiting YEARS for a 9.8 of this book, and now they're falling from the sky.  At least they're pricing them appropriately based on the scarcity. It would hurt to see this one priced around $100, similarly to Superman #82 CE.

Edited by Bibbo
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12 hours ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

Soooooooooooooo shiny! 
B9190E87-B747-48CE-96A0-3B99E27402F1.thumb.jpeg.46d138fb7a227c888dbeac91388aeba4.jpeg

:whatthe: :whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe::whatthe:

I also have mine displayed with Superman #82...I'm still basking in the glow!

I was 8 in 1993, and I still remember seeing Superman #82 CE on the comic rack of my local drug store (Osco) stopping me in my tracks and desperately explaining to my mom why I NEEDED to have it. LOL

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On 9/25/2020 at 7:25 AM, Bibbo said:

I also have mine displayed with Superman #82...I'm still basking in the glow!

I was 8 in 1993, and I still remember seeing Superman #82 CE on the comic rack of my local drug store (Osco) stopping me in my tracks and desperately explaining to my mom why I NEEDED to have it. LOL

Nice! I was late to the party, I didn’t start collecting these books until early 1994, I was 11. I got my copy of Superman #82 CE from a torn up collectors pack at Toys ‘R’ Us that was supposed to contain AOS 500 CE, the four die cut covers and Superman #82. The package had been ripped open and only had a beat up MOS #22 and the shinny #82. I had to have it and I got it! @onlyweaknesskryptonite Do you know of or have this pack in your collection?

Edited by Brandon Shepherd
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12 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

Nice! I was late to the party, I didn’t start collecting these books until early 1994, I was 11. I got my copy of Superman #82 CE from a torn up collectors pack at Toys R Us that was supposed to contain AOS 500 CE, the four die cut covers and Superman #82. The package had been ripped open and only had a beat up MOS #22 and the shinny #82. I had to have it and I got it! @onlyweaknesskryptonite Do you know of or have this pack in your collection?

Cool stories!  I was a little bit older but remember getting my 82 CE off a shelf at a comic book store in Beaufort SC. This is gonna sound weird, but I can still remember how that book smelled different (sorry for any unintended visuals). 

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I just tried looking and know I have at least 3 packs the 82CE was distributed through, but so far have only managed to locate 1 pack20180402_012817.thumb.jpg.f3609675a48b8d003c24e62d756cf026.jpg20180402_012828.thumb.jpg.72d1149795ce2f96cba5b6c943928565.jpg20180402_012834.thumb.jpg.08d7d219f41c1a8a93227afbdca23637.jpg20180402_012842.thumb.jpg.29817812c0cb48daae0385079a97b35e.jpg

there is also a 5 pack like the one above that has the 4 die cut and 82CE . Similarly the AOS 505 was distributed through about 5 different packs including one that came with the trade of the return and 82 2nd print. Also you guys missed one of the AOS 505 CGC 9.8 that popped up last week and sold within about a hour of showing up on ebay.20200925_123035.jpg.8e3a54e618ba0c223d071996df56df35.jpg

so there is one of the others from the Census. 

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3 minutes ago, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

I just tried looking and know I have at least 3 packs the 82CE was distributed through, but so far have only managed to locate 1 pack20180402_012817.thumb.jpg.f3609675a48b8d003c24e62d756cf026.jpg20180402_012828.thumb.jpg.72d1149795ce2f96cba5b6c943928565.jpg20180402_012834.thumb.jpg.08d7d219f41c1a8a93227afbdca23637.jpg20180402_012842.thumb.jpg.29817812c0cb48daae0385079a97b35e.jpg

there is also a 5 pack like the one above that has the 4 die cut and 82CE . Similarly the AOS 505 was distributed through about 5 different packs including one that came with the trade of the return and 82 2nd print. Also you guys missed one of the AOS 505 CGC 9.8 that popped up last week and sold within about a hour of showing up on ebay.20200925_123035.jpg.8e3a54e618ba0c223d071996df56df35.jpg

so there is one of the others from the Census. 

That’s the one! I remember the white tab!

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5 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

That’s the one! I remember the white tab!

Interesting enough these made their way to most baseball card, drug store, toy shop, and book stores. If you look at the back of the tab they were made and distributed by Beckett. If I remember correctly this specific one came from a Woolworths in Cincinnati Ohio.

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