Sorry. Bad Gomer Pyle impression.

Warning!! This is a long journal!

In my last journal, I mentioned that I had a couple of stand-out signing experiences at Megacon and went on to tell of my Brent Spiner adventure. Well, here was the other exceptional event.

I have not said anything about this to anyone, including my good friend and fellow New Mutants collector Tnerb, because I just did not want to reveal it until I knew for sure how it would turn out. I mentioned in a previous journal that there was one surprise left from Megacon that I was waiting on before I wrote a journal on it, and this is it!

Apparently I got into CGC comics a little earlier than I at first thought, because I registered my 9.8 copy of Marvel Graphic Novel #4 on June 6th, 2009. So it has been in my possession now for almost four years!

The person I bought it from had just had his house flooded and was not even sure where it was and if it was ok or not. I took a big chance and paid $205 for it. When I got it, it appeared ok except for a small crack on the bottom left spine of the casing. You could not even see it in straight-on pictures.

I have wanted to send it in for a reholder but have waited until the opportunity to get it signed came up. The jet black cover makes me so nervous to do anything with it. These do not just show up every day either and when they do, they still go for over $200. I should know. Believe or not, I actually purchased a second 9.8 copy just so I would feel a little more comfortable about doing something with it!

I almost decided to get the newer copy signed, but needing the reholder on the old one decided it for me. After all, I thought, I could always get the other one signed down the road if this one didnt turn out for me.

Unfortunately, once I cracked this thing out of its casing, I was almost sure it was not going to retain its 9.8. But I soldiered on and prepped it and took it with me to Orlando with a specific mission in mind...

Having both Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod sign it!

I decided to have them do it in silver on the back cover since there was so much empty space there and it would not interfere with the cover art.

Claremont was first and he knew what it had to be even though he could only see blank, black space through the window I had cut out for the sigs.

He proceeded to sign it and for some reason decided to add 2013 inside the ending flourish of his signature. I have never seen a signature by him where he did this before and was a little surprised. I dont know why he did it unless he was wanting to draw reference to the fact that this was the first issue of these characters he created 31 years ago! Regardless, I am ultimately happy that he did it. It makes it a little more unique.

But the uniqueness didnt stop there!

When I went to Bob for his handiwork to be added, I was the only person at the table! I got to speak with him while he signed all the other issues that I had for his signature and mentioned to him that Cannonball was my all time favorite character.

When he came to the MGN, he asked if it was what he thought it was and I said yes. He also noticed and commented on Claremont having already signed it. Apparently my conversation had really struck him because what he did next FLOORED me!

He applied his signature and then proceeded to start a little sketch! I know I looked calm on the outside but inside I was a giggling, jibbering mess! I wanted to leap up and down as a small head sketch of Sam Guthrie himself appeared before me!

When he was done, I shook his hand, surprised that mine was not shaking uncontrollably. On the way back to the CGC table, the witnessor to this commented on how cool that was!

Since turning this baby in to CGC, I have been PRAYING for it to retain 9.8 but was almost certain it was not going to. So I have refrained from saying anything to anybody until I got it back.

To make matters worse, it was not listed under my CS number but under the Show number, so I have not been able to keep up with its grading progress online! I was gonna have to wait until it actually showed up on my doorstep. AARGH!

Well, its finally here and guess what?

9.8 WP SIGNED & SKETCH BY BOB MCLEOD & SIGNED BY CHRIS CLAREMONT ON 3-15-13 ON BACK COVER

That is what is noted under the title! I AM ECSTATIC!! This maintains my perfect record of 9.8 retainment when personally cracking, signing and regrading an issue! 32 and counting. I only hope it continues with the ten copies Surfer99 just had signed for me in Phoenix and one that Desert Winds is handling for me.

Even though this is the very same issue that was #4 on my PSL, the spot should now have SS x2 applied to it.

There are only two of these in SS 9.8 now and Tnerb has the other one. His is signed by Bob McLeod only, so I can say with absolute certainty that mine is now the only double signed with a sketch copy in the world! OAK TO THE MAX!!

I am not sure what I will do with the extra 9.8 copy yet. I might try for a sig on it later and then put it up for sell, or I may just hold onto it. Below is a close up of the sigs and sketch. Having my #47 signed and THIS were totally worth the entire trip!

ROCK ON CHRIS AND BOB!!! YOU RULE!

To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.