n2wdw Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 2 hours ago, jimjum12 said: It's a beautiful book..... but for me, grades of 9.8 and up weigh too heavily on semantics and human perception to be totally valid. Unless they're spending an hour going over the book, which wouldn't be cost effective, those miniscule differences that would separate those tiers are a bit too nebulous to satisfy me. I'm not sure a human being, without the aid of delicate technology, is even capable of distinguishing a 10.0 from something less. That being said, I've seen some sharp 9.8's and I've also seen some real head scratchers. GOD BLESS... -jimbo(a friend of jesus) I agree with you. I have 9.8s in my collection where I see defects, usually along the spine. Then I've submitted books that look perfect that get 9.6 or lower. It's definitely subjective and also subject to evolving standards. For example, at the moment, I think CGC is tougher on modern books than they were a few years ago. jimjum12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjum12 Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 35 minutes ago, n2wdw said: I agree with you. I have 9.8s in my collection where I see defects, usually along the spine. Then I've submitted books that look perfect that get 9.6 or lower. It's definitely subjective and also subject to evolving standards. For example, at the moment, I think CGC is tougher on modern books than they were a few years ago. I would imagine it's not an easy job …. if done correctly. Striking a balance between structure and eye appeal makes objectivity almost impossible. I tune into the grading threads from time to time and run across the catch phrases often … for example, "the golden age bump" …. which does not refer to nursing home pornography.... and it makes me realize how complicated the job SHOULD be, A modern comic and a golden age comic are barely even the same thing outside of there similarities in format. A "perfect" golden age book will never look as sharp as a "perfect " modern age book …. It 's like comparing a bone knife to a Samurai sword …. they probably should be tougher on Moderns.... but not by arbitrarily assigning 9.6's to textbook 9.8's in an effort to create some semblance of scarcity in perception. GOD BLESS.... -jimbo(a friend of jesus) 1950's war comics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sqeggs Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 On 11/25/2018 at 11:28 AM, jimjum12 said: I certainly don't fault you for it, brother ….. and a book in 9.4 and up is something I'd be uncomfortable owning raw ….. I think it's pretty cool of you to take the time to share your experiences in this regard.... My slabbing experiences are few.... but I experienced some major disappointments(… as a buyer) with CBCS's grading in the beginning..... they seemed like they were trying to capitalize on their previous reputation and drum up business by handing out gift grades... which was the absolute worse thing they could have done. Things would have played out much differently had they graded tightly out of the gate. Trust me, I think VERY highly about Steve and West.... but what could have been an easy birdie has turned into one hell of a sand trap now. Personally, I'm confused about the psychology behind CGC's crossover program.... and believe me, it is there...… I guess for now, ignorance will have to be bliss for me. GOD BLESS... -jimbo(a friend of jesus) Yeah, I particularly agree with the part in bold above. Unfortunately, those of us who trusted their grading at the beginning have taken some significant hits. I'm willing to accept the view that they've since tightened up, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from how things were in the beginning. With respect to the crossover program, my guess is that CGC probably figures that the more CBCS graded books they remove from the market, the less likely CBCS is to gain a foothold. 1950's war comics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted November 27, 2018 Author Share Posted November 27, 2018 On 11/25/2018 at 11:28 AM, jimjum12 said: Personally, I'm confused about the psychology behind CGC's crossover program.... and believe me, it is there...… I guess for now, ignorance will have to be bliss for me. GOD BLESS... -jimbo(a friend of jesus) Since (in my secret identity) I'm a lawyer, I can see cut throat behavior, so I know exactly what CGC is doing through its crossover program -- they're going for CBCS's jugular! (I suspect you do too but you're being polite ) But you never know what's going on behind the scenes. Maybe CBCS is doing well so CGC needs to do this for market share. I kind of doubt this, though, because at cons I never see people at the CBCS booth. I'm a CGC loyalist and I don't have any personal ties at CBCS -- but in any case, I'm enjoying watching this play out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted November 27, 2018 Author Share Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) On 11/25/2018 at 9:55 AM, jimjum12 said: Oh.... I almost forgot to mention..... I'm mad at you now. Because of you, I've started liking Lady Mechanica … as if I can afford to like something new I know how busy you are, but if you get a second, I would love any recommendations on hardcover collections that are especially seminal. GOD BLESS... -jimbo(a friend of jesus) Jim! Holy cow, I feel like I've pulled you over to the dark side, or convinced you to take a red pill. But Lady Mechanika does kind of draw you in. As far as I know, Benitez has not released any hardcover collections. So far he's only released trades, and they are collector's items. Which makes no sense. He should release a low cost omnibus collection to draw in new readers. Anyway, here are the collections I've been able to get. I'm sure I've missed some. Let me know if you need any individual issues. You've given me so many great deals in the past, I've got a bunch of reading copies I'd be happy to send to you. Edited November 28, 2018 by n2wdw jimjum12 and STORMSHADOW_80 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjum12 Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 13 hours ago, n2wdw said: Jim! Holy cow, I feel like I've pulled you over to the dark side, or convinced you to take a red pill. But Lady Mechanika does kind of draw you in. As far as I know, Benitez has not released any hardcover collections. So far he's only released trades, and they are collector's items. Which makes no sense. He should release a low cost omnibus collection to draw in new readers. Anyway, here are the collections I've been able to get. I'm sure I've missed some. Let me know if you need any individual issues. You've given me so many great deals in the past, I've got a bunch of reading copies I'd be happy to send to you. … I would love anything you would recommend..... based on your enthusiasm, I snagged an issue offered on "Free Comic Day" …. that's all I have at this point. If you'd like to PM me we could work something out.... maybe some credit on a thread or something.... GOD BLESS.... jimbo(a friend of jesus) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post n2wdw Posted November 28, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2018 Results of Latest CGC Invoice Yesterday I got my latest invoice back from CGC. Here's what I got. First up are a couple of Matt Baker books, Midget #1 and the Tiny Tales Cinderella book. I'm always debating with myself which Baker books to send in to grade. Lately, I've been focusing on (1) higher grade copies I've been able to buy, and (2) rarer comics. Both these comics fall into the latter category. Cinderella is rare; my copy is the only graded copy. Although recently @Ricksneatstuff offered a copy that I was tempted to buy to go along with my (now) graded copy. Midget isn't super rare. There are 7 graded copies and 1 restored copy. (In addition to my 3.5 blue, I own the graded copy too, shown below). So anyway -- I go back and forth whether it was worthwhile to send these comics in for grading. But whatever, I've got them now. I feel better about the other 3 comics I got back in this invoice. First is Jungle 86. This fits my "dastardly GGA" category and it's a pretty copy. I'm not crazy about the misprint right edge. For that reason, I recently saw another nice copy on eBay and I was tempted to buy it. But my want list is long and my budget limited. It doesn't make sense for me to upgrade when there are so many other comics I want to add to the collection. So I decided to just go with the copy I had, even with its (somewhat) unsightly right edge. I'm glad it came back at the relatively high 6.0. Next is Rangers 32. Rangers is probably my favorite Fiction House title, and #32 is in my top 10 of favorite Rangers covers. I'm really happy it came back 7.0. The last comic from this invoice is my favorite, Reggie #9. It's really amazing how many great golden age Betty and Veronica covers there are. And I'm not even talking about the classics, like Archie 50 or B&V 40. If you want to see some examples, see @Chuck Gower wonderful blog: http://undercoverarchie.blogspot.com/ Reggie 9 is a great, under-appreciated (IMHO) Veronica cover. No, it's not a classic GGA cover, like Torchy 5, Spirit 22 or Cindy 37. It's not a touch below classic, like Junie 5. It's not a "the price is going through the roof so get your copy now before it's too late" like Underworld Crime 7 or Ghost 6. Reggie 9 is below all of those. But still it's still a great cover. Thanks for reading. \ Hutch88, Ricksneatstuff, STORMSHADOW_80 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricksneatstuff Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 I agree about Reggie 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot6 Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 1 hour ago, n2wdw said: Nice copy!! I was always curious about Ronnie's 'SinBad' belt??? A lot of the Archie spin off series from the time period have great art and a re very under appreciated. Jughead, the title, has great covers and art and they are, in my opinion, just as undervalued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 On 11/27/2018 at 10:55 PM, Patriot6 said: Nice copy!! I was always curious about Ronnie's 'SinBad' belt??? A lot of the Archie spin off series from the time period have great art and a re very under appreciated. Jughead, the title, has great covers and art and they are, in my opinion, just as undervalued. That's something I like about the cover. Betty's belt, the pearls, the edging along the collar. Also Archie's polka dot bow tie and the yellow stripes across Reggie's sweater. You've got the love triangle going on, with Veronica making eyes at Reggie, and Archie throwing shade at his rival. So much going on in this cover! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot6 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 5 minutes ago, n2wdw said: That's something I like about the cover. Betty's belt, the pearls, the edging along the collar. Also Archie's polka dot bow tie and the yellow stripes across Reggie's sweater. You've got the love triangle going on, with Veronica making eyes at Reggie, and Archie throwing shade at his rival. So much going on in this cover! The only thing missing is Jug beneath the tree ramming burgers down his throat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 (edited) Here are some other under-appreciated but great Betty and Veronica covers I've been looking for a nice copy of B&V 42 for a few years now. It's impossible to find a copy where Betty's back bow is all black; instead you always see it with the white sprinkles. I've always through B&V Annual 7 is similar to the B&V 41. Which, by the way, I like better than B&V 40 (40 certainly isn't under-appreciated, it's one of the Archie classics, but I include it here for comparison). Edited November 29, 2018 by n2wdw Mr. Lodge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot6 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 6 minutes ago, n2wdw said: Here are some other under-appreciated but great Betty and Veronica covers I've been looking for a nice copy of B&V 42 for a few years now. It's impossible to find a copy where Betty's back bow is all black; instead you always see it with the white sprinkles. I've always through B&V Annual 7 is similar to the B&V 41. Which, by the way, I like better than B&V 40 (40 certainly isn't under-appreciated, it's one of the Archie classics, but I include it here for comparison). Very nice books. I'm a sucker for the Christmas Stocking issues. Tough to find the early ones in decent shape. That B&V 40 is great. I know most people think the opposite, but personally I'm not a big 40 fan, I like the 41 better. I see what you mean about the annual, I am going to have to pull my B&V box now and see what I have in there! I'm a Ronnie fan.... One thing I've also always loved about the Archie titles which ties in with GGA art, is the girls that always appear in the background. It isn't always just B&V!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 5 minutes ago, Patriot6 said: I'm a Ronnie fan.... Do you mean Jugs? I assume you've seen the new Archie TV series? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot6 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 19 minutes ago, n2wdw said: I've been looking for a nice copy of B&V 42 for a few years now. Youl'' find that there are certain issues, odd issues you wouldn't expect, in Archie world that will elude you forever and ever. Case and point: Have been looking for a long time for one that tops this. I've seen some that have been close, but dull in colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot6 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 1 minute ago, n2wdw said: I assume you've seen the new Archie TV series? Yes, I watch it with the wife. I get a little upset sometimes on how they twist the characters, but it's good television! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot6 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 23 minutes ago, n2wdw said: If I don't already have this, I want it now archiecomicscollector 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted November 30, 2018 Author Share Posted November 30, 2018 ComicLink November 2018 I really wanted this Spirit section last night. But it closed at $1827! Wow! My high bid was only $600 so I greatly undervalued this. This certainly shows you the multiplier effect of a high grade. I did have one win last night, Venus 3. I got it for $425. I was also bidding for Venus 8 CGC 7.0. It closed strong at $1100, more than double my max bid (again showing the power of a higher grade). I have no regrets over missing out on 8, though, as I like the cover of 3 better. bc, STORMSHADOW_80, jimjum12 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share Posted December 1, 2018 (edited) Big football weekend! And it's raining outside so I have no excuse but to sit on the sofa and watch TV. I've got something good going in the crook pot so food is just steps away. And I've got a lot of auctions closing this weekend. On top of that, VCC is going on. So it'll be a couch potato weekend of football and comics. The weekend started out right when I won this on eBay a few minutes ago: Edited December 1, 2018 by n2wdw bc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share Posted December 1, 2018 Earlier this week I smoked a big slab of prime rib for dinner. I used the leftovers in the crook pot, with some beans I soaked in water overnight. I love throwing stuff in the crock pot and seeing what happens after a few hours. That's probably why I love smoking meat so much. You go low and slow all day and then you see what happens. jimjum12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...