Just in Time for Christmas... A New Welcome Arrival!

The first graded comic I ever purchased was a CGC 9.2 of Swamp Thing Volume 1, Number 1. I purchased it from an eBay seller back in 2006. I remember I was estatic when I received it. I beheld it, firmly held between my outstretched hands... raised high and into the light... enchanted by the radiance of its purple cover and the iconic image of the Swamp Thing rising from the bog as can only be illustrated by the master: Bernie Wrightson. My heart raced with lust for this new-found-love.

Another part of me was slightly saddened at the very notion of being unable to read the comic... to caress its crisp pages and allow my fingertips to soak in the ink... to feel its warm and inviting history under the intoxicating perfume of oxidation... to gaze upon its glossy cover and admire it from beyond the confines of the plastic well.

But logic eventually prevailed, and I rationlized that this comic needed to be protected... kept safe from the hands of prying strangers and rogues of the night.

I eventually went on to register it on the CGC, and discovered a point and ranking system where other collectors could share their proud collections with a fraternal order of comic lovers. My mouth dropped at the sheer numbers of members, not to mention their brilliant collections. A part of me was in deep awe... the other: jealous and envious.

Over the years, I slowly purchased more and more CGC slabs, building my collection dilligently and methodically, and noticing my rise in the rankings with a great sense of pride.

Today, I welcome the very latest acquisition... the newest arrival to the fold... the Fantastic Four Volume 1, Number 66, an important key to me. It has given me a boost in the rankings by generously providing 690 points. I now have a total of 9,120 points.

It's nearly 2013, or seven years since my first purchase. I feel like I've come a long way since then. Before the end of 2012, I am expecting a few more arrivals, and with that, I may reach the 10,000 milestone.

If not, whenever my 44 comics in the hands of the CGC finally make it to grade, I should easily catapult through that milestone and then some.

I'll make this journal shorter than my usual entries and conclude by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

SW3D

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