cmixer

Will CGC grade a Vipera Bionda #12 (1978) Italian Horror pulp comic? It's small (like 7" x 5") and thick like a 1990's TV Guide. Do I submit this under the Magazine tier? Thanks in advance!

okay; I scanned my new FCBD sketch cards and added them to my Google Gallery (first two pics): https://photos.app.goo.gl/XL93G9gfd9NbvMMA8

Didn't know which thread to post this in; but thought it would be appreciate here: Wayne Vansant, Mark Bagley & Joseph Linsner were at Free Comic Book Day in Marietta, GA (Dr. No's Comics). -- Mark Bagley and Joseph Linsner were sketching for free, so the line moved slow. (Wayne Vansant was drawing for kids & taking commissions). -- Nancy A. Collins & Kristina Deak-Linsner were also there, but are primarily writers, and this is an Original Art thread. Bagley was funny. After a few initial requests he shouted, “last Venom of the day” … he’s eliminating characters as he goes … After a few Green Goblins he shouted, "last Green Goblin for the day." Here's a few pics of other people's acquisitions: I mainly collect "sketch cards," and will scan + add my pickups later. Great people, great event.

Here's some Pictures ...

I had my presser mail CGC my modern books on 06/07/2021 and never got another CGC notice (besides the original order confirmation). UGH.

Here's a random bit of information -- In the trading card world, I know a guy that shows up to small & local card shows every weekend, and offers to "buy out" each of the dealers, obviously getting a bulk-rate deal. He then has his "contacts" that he flips the card to ... autograph cards to one guy, numbered cards to another guy, rookies to yet a third dealer. He makes a full-time living buying big collections from people ready to cash out, and knows how to quickly piece out the collections to turn a profit. He's done this for 15 years. The current best "deals & gems" are had by playing in the deep-end. Buying a $100 book for $2.00 at a swap meet is no longer the norm because anyone with two bucks and a cellphone can play. I have more than one friend who would sell his entire collection and cash-out if the offer was right, and still leave room for the next guy to make a profit.

Hey all. This is my first time trying this. I started making a Google Photo gallery with pictures of my comic books. Please give feedback if this works, or is too busy/clunky. I feel like 6 books per photo allows me to post a lot of books quickly, then I can give closeups as requested. -- For now, I'm only looking to trade (for comics, sketchcards, sketch covers, or anything else that's interesting). I'll try to trade in your favor, and marked prices are just ballpark estimates on value. If I did something wrong, or my post doesn't comply with community practices, feel free to delete. https://photos.app.goo.gl/K3ZBBsYigH4FEAUC7

I once read that 50 Cent (the rapper) had allowed people to buy one of his past albums with Bitcoin as a joke/fad. He forgot about it for years, then opened his Bitcoin account recently and realized he had like 10 Million in Bitcoin from a few album sales.

My opinion on the original question ... Before the internet, someone had to "tell you" that an item was collectible. Overstreet achieved national distribution starting 1976. Krause bought & re-launched Comics Buyers Guide in 1983. Beckett Publications (baseball card magazine) was launched in 1984. Wizard Magazine launched in 1991. So true hobbyists were "informed" in the early 1980's, but the general public didn't catch on until the early 1990's.

I listened to a Finance Guy recently say that people under 40 are disillusioned with traditional investments (like 401K's). They want to have an emotional attachment to the things they invest in. If the casual 38-year-old wanted to park some money until retirement, blue chip comics don't look like a bad option.

1st Agatha of WandaVision fame, so pulled this out of storage. Assuming everything is nice except that top-left corner. Ugh.

I'm sure this question has been asked 100x, but couldn't find the threads ... When the modern tier has a $200 max value, how is that determined? I have books that sell $150 raw in approximately 9.0-9.4, but seem to sell closer to $250 if no noticeable flaws. Currently the market is wild and fluctuating by the day. Is there any way to be confident in the Tier when submitting? Thanks!

Good day; Can anyone help identify the signature under Mark Bagley's? I tweeted Dan Jurgens, but he doesn't *thank* it's his. Thanks!

Well I call baloney; I refreshed Midtown all day waiting for next Wednesday's books (ENIAC) to populate. I know I was within 10 minute of them going on sale, but Midtown says 1st Prints are "sold out." -- I'm frustrated.

^ Those are great! My experience is that a couple artists contribute every year (because they love the charity), and others only draw once or twice ever. Tom King probably falls into that latter rarer category. Here's Bob Camp drawing Ren & Stimpy coasters ..

Hey y'all, I'm working on a blog post that includes a short history of original comic art on drink coasters. Please let me know if I'm forgetting something ... thanks! https://sketchcard.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/drink-and-draw-sketch-coasters/

Well ... we are wanting to sell our home, so my wife made me pack up a lot of my Man Cave, and put most of it into a storage unit so that people could view our home without clutter. The problem is that my storage unit is small (& temporary), so I decided to manufacture some simple shelves for short boxes. It ain't pretty, but I made it from recycled & scrap wood, so it was cheap. I'll decide later if they are worth painting & keeping in the new place:

^ Great input. Thanks, y'all. I ultimately wonder what kind of support & advice individual stores get from Corporate. I think the Fried Pie program (at 2nC) has slowed wayyy down. It seems like individual staff with expertise & quality managers make all the difference.

Six or eight years ago, my absolute favorite places to find back issue comic books were stores like "2nd & Charles" or "Half Price Books" because regular people could come in and get cash on the spot for their comics, which was very attractive for non-collectors or people who just wanted out quick. I would stop by more than once a week because they constantly had new stock and fast turnover. -- But recently, my local 2nC & HPB is a barren wasteland. If you don't know, 2nC has a date on their price-sticker that reflects the date they bought the book. I went to 2nC this week and couldn't find more than a handful of books with 2020 stickers. Here are my guesses: (#1.) When these buy-back stores were new/fresh, people quickly cleaned out their garages. Now there is simply not as many garage collections left to sell back. (#2.) These stores bought back so much, so fast, that they are now stuck with drek and have a buying freeze until they move more dead inventory. (#3.) Because of the caronavirus, these stores had to cut-back staff and expenses. Comics were cut first because of the low ROI. (#4.) People have moved online. Do you think these type of buy-back stores can bounce back after the pandemic? Or maybe it's just my local store, and it's all based on the manager & staff? Is yours doing good? Thanks!

I'm not trying to get too deep in the weeds, but have a few quick questions ... According to eBay’s tax policy, sellers are responsible for any taxes from the sales they make on eBay. If you’re a high volume seller who uses PayPal, you will receive a 1099-K form from PayPal provided that you: Made over $20,000 in unadjusted gross sales income in a year and had over 200 transactions. [Even if you don’t receive a 1099-K from PayPal, you should still report any income you earn on eBay to the IRS.] (#1.) At what minimum threshold does everyone suggest reporting? Even if you just sell $2000 worth in a year? (#2.) No sale is pure income because you had to initially buy the book. Do I need to be keeping track of every purchase for offsetting future sales? (#3.) I recently saw a kid pull a $65,000 basketball card from a pack and sell it on eBay. Is the IRS coming after a kid? Should I put all my comics in my child's name? (LOL, I'm just messing).

Everyone's known about Amazing Spider-Man 4 (1st SILK appearance) for a while, but it seems the book has gone nuclear recently. $142 for a base copy at auction. $280 once it's graded 9.8 $371 for a 1:10 Variant at auction. $696 once it's graded 9.8 ... I had been keeping a stash, but it might almost be time to divest myself of Cindy Moon and pick up some original art or a blue chip key.

"Nicolas Cage was actually born Nicolas Kim Coppola. When entering the Hollywood scene, Nicolas did not want to be associated with his famous uncle, director Francis Ford Coppola. He wished to make his own reputation and therefore took on a stage name: Nicolas Cage. The choice for this last name was not made randomly. Nicolas had always been a huge fan of superheroes and comic books, so he decided to take on the name of one of his favourites: Luke Cage, the superhero from Marvel Comics." I think that part of the story is that he married Elvis Presley's daughter, and he sold his collection at that point (at her request). When everything went for sale, I only bought 2 books ... very low grade Luke Cage comics, because I liked the fact that he must have personally read them 10x and changed his name based on this character.

For what it's worth, here's a story ... The comedian was selling the contents of his home this weekend ... It wasn't too far, so I went on opening day (Wednesday) about noon. A lot of stuff had already sold to the "garage sale sharks" that must have been in line at dawn. A lot of it was what you'd expect, including a whole table of signed books ... Then I came across this table ... it was original art. I compared the signatures to the signed books. Yup, it was Jeff's. Then, in the master bedroom (on the other side of the house) I found this: I decided to pick up a piece of art for $20. I fully expected to go back on Saturday (the last day of the sale) & pick up the rest at a discount. But Saturday was cancelled due to neighbor complaints, so Friday was actually the last day & I missed it. At least I have one piece of original Jeff Foxworthy for my collection.

Advance Discussion: What do y'all think about the BOOM! book: "BRZRKR" being written by Keanu Reeves for release in October? I want to like it; but I feel it's going to be weak ...

Because there is no SDCC ... I know that Jeff Smith (BONE Comics) is offering free sketches/remarks in his books bought from his BONEVILLE website this weekend. Who else has sketch deals? Thanks in advance!