Well, I haven't updated my journal in over 18mo... so, I guess I'm due.

Well, my last (and 1st) journal entry was back in the fall of 2006... so, I guess I'm well overdue. During that time, my Righteous Rojatt's, Human Fly registry set was brand new and I was eager to share it. In that entry I expound on my "goals" for 2007: finalize my individual issue write-ups , add pictures , find a HG #3 and a #15 for submission. Well, that makes me 50% effective with my goal-making, eh? Well, maybe closer to 75%, but during only 18mo. you would think that I might've done better ~ HA!

During that time, I stepped-up my search for my raw #3 and #15, of which there were NONE in the CGC Census at the time. Certainly, neither are high value comics, so unfortunately in order to stay cost effective as a rule, I kept to buying bulk lots for the most part unless a noteable singular issue presented itself. The sad fact however, is that these issues have been relegated to bargain-bins for decades and nice copies are a difficult find. Especially while considering #3 with it's rich blue cover and #15 being a black cover of all things, which seem to show wear the quickest.

By July of 2007, I had found 3-4 copies of #3's that seemed to fit the ever elusive high-grade criteria. Of those, I narrowed it down to that one copy that seemed to be a notch above the others. Reviewing an extremely "clean" copy that I bought from W.A.C. (Warehouse Auction Centers) on eBay as a raw "9.6", I didn't feel that it was quite a 9.6, but was clearly a strong copy. That same July, I headed to the Paradise-Con in Toronto, Ontario with my prospective submissions in tow. I proceeded to wait a ponderous 2mo. for the bundle to return, which it eventually did, on 9/11 (of all days). I eagerly tore into the delivery and revealed my prize... a freshly slabbed 9.4 #3 with White Pages! I was extremely pleased and upon a consultation with the current census at the time, revealed that my copy tied one other as the HIGHEST current copy! As it stands right now, there are still only 2 graded copies of #3 -- mine and one other 9.4, while there are still no copies of #15.

Fast forward 1yr., my search for a gradeable #15 continued with only moderate success. I located 4-5 truly nice copies, but none that I thought were as nice as my previous #3. I eventually figured that I'd be stuck settling for 9.0 at best until one of my eBay bulk lots appeared to pay off. A few months ago a very nice, near complete collection of the series presented itself on eBay. Looking decent, yet the listing wasn't written in a manner towards really "selling" the lot as being high-grade. I threw out a fair bid given my lot buying methodology and easily won the bid. However, upon the delivery of this lot I was pleasantly surprized indeed! Every copy was in a Mylar and full Backing Board and all were argueably the nicest copies I had seen in a very long time. The elusive #15 in particular, was the easily the standout copy of the lot -- I had finally found my grading candidate!

This brings us to present day, last weekend in fact. The Toronto Paradise-Con once again rolled into town and off I headed, raw books again in tow. I submitted many more this time, more confident in my grading skills -- 9 books total, including my Human Fly #15. I certainly don't want to set my expectations too high, but will moderately hope for another CGC 9.4. Upon being slabbed, it will be the ONLY graded (and obviously highest) copy and will complete my "Righteous Rojatt's set" 100%!

I'm hopeful that I can post a triumphant conclusion to this tale by mid-September... stay tuned collecting friends, STAY TUNED!

*Here's a stock photo of #15 for reference...