Signatures, Cons and the like...

It seems like Ive been becoming more obsessed with comics lately. Thankfully I havent gone on a crazy spending spree or anything, but I do find myself checking eBay and the other auction sites more and more frequently. What am I hoping to find? Books that will enhance my collection mostly. A lot of the books I want though are very tough to find in high grade or they are priced out of reach. Despite my increased searches, there are a couple that I let get away from me...thinking surely someone else would bid more than I did. Yeah, I really need to learn to be more aggressive, go with my max bid and let the chips fall where they may.

With all this talk lately of who will get what signed by who and when, Ive also been trying to find things for signature series. My plan is to make it to ECCC next year and Id like to take at least a few books with me. The problem so far has been that most all of the guests Ive seen are creators of Modern Age books and Im a fan of Silver and Bronze. I did make an exception at the Phoenix Con this year and had a few Modern books signed by Peter David...Hulk 337, 338 and 340, because I really like those books. Sure, I could find other Modern books to have signed just for the sake of getting them signed, but I would rather spend my time and money finding and slabbing books I really want...signature or no signature.

My favorite writer is Steve Englehart...he, more than any other, kept the Xmen alive after their own title entered reprint mode with issue 67. Steve had the Xmen making guest appearances in numerous other titles which, I believe, kept reader interest in these heroes and ultimately led to the creation of a new Xmen team with issue 94. Steve tells me he will be at the Albuquerque Con in January which is only about a 6 hour drive for me, and an even shorter flight. My plan is to attend so I can meet the man and have him sign a few books...that is unless ECCC extends him an invite and he accepts, in which case I will just wait til March and see him there.

Back to my initial ramblings...most of the books Im looking for are related to Xmen. Lately though Ive been losing my collecting focus a little and searching for any high grade books within the titles I like to collect. The latest is pictured below...Captain America 151. I found this at my LCS yesterday and thought with a pressing it has a great chance at a 9.4...not a bad grade with that black cover, and I like that it features a crossover of sorts with an appearance by the Scorpion and Mr. Hyde. Hey, for only 15 bucks I couldnt pass it up...and I could always sell it later if I want so its a win win.

Til next time...

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