And for my last journal of the year...

At first I was only going to write about not writing one. Then I thought of doing a different type of top ten list. Lee K. beat me to this, but I already made it known I wanted to go after my birthday books. So what sort of top ten should I come up with? Perhaps a top ten list of comic books to read in the bathroom, a top ten list of comic books to use as wrapping paper, or even a top ten list of comics that would be better if they never even existed. Does anyone remember me making fun of The Human Fly? Instead I opted to create a top ten list of CGC graded comic books to get rid of, and when I say get rid of I mean sell, in 2015.

10.

Ka-Zar the Savage 9.8

Right of the bat for spit number ten I'm going to cheat. I have 23 of the 34 to complete the set. I purchased them at a time when I wanted to collect something new. They were cheap, the points per book would help me get higher in the ratings, and I liked the character for some unknown reason. Ok the reason might be because he reminded me of Tarzan, and I can vaguely remember sitting next to my Dad watching the old Tarzan movies. I know I can sell one of the books rather quickly, but then what about the rest?

9.

Amazing Spider-Man #128 9.2 SS

I purchased this book my first year at ECCC. I was hoping for a 9.6 so when I had it rushed along to get graded after Gerry. Conway signed it, I was disappointed with the 9.2. My issues 129 and 127, both copies I purchased at my LCS reached the lofty 9.6 and I was hoping to get a copy worthy to accompany them. Even though I consider this one of my learning books, I learned my lesson and it is time to move on.

8.

Batman #21 Sketch Edition 9.6 2xSS

I purchased this because someone was looking for it. I knew it wouldn't go above a 9.6, but when he guaranteed me that he was interested in it, I told him I could get it signed by both Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo and he said go ahead. Before it came back, he disappeared off the face of the Earth. Between the cost of grading and the book itself, a 9.6 kills the resell value and I hate to sell a book for less than what I put into it. I'd rather keep it, and that's what I have been doing. Issue #1 sold right away, of course.

7.

Grimm Fairy Tales #59 Philadelphia ComiCon Edition

I purchased two of these for the speculation of being able to sell them. Others did the same. I didn't get them back quick enough so have been sitting on two copies for a very long time. As the books were handed to me, rather brutishly, I never thought they would get the 9.8. I would have had them pressed if I knew then what I know now, but luckily I didn't need to.

6.

Aquaman #6 Sketch Cover

DC was releasing a great many wraparound sketch covers. Six months in, I was collecting four titles from the vaunted New 52. Aquaman was a surprising hit. This particular issue caught my eye as I was never a fan of the colorless cover. I didn't see the point of paying more for getting less. This book escaped all pre conceived notions of never buying one. I bought it with the 100% intention to send to CGC, as it was easily a 9.8. CGC agreed with me. So why does it have to go? Because, like Lays potato chips I'm afraid I might not be able to stop at just one.

5.

Sub-Mariner #38 9.4 Restored.

One of my first submissions to CGC that was purchased solely for the purposes of getting a high grade was a comic book I remember reading from before I collected comic books. The book looked beautiful, but I didn't notice that it was trimmed, nor the slight color touch. So slight in fact, that I have no idea where it is. I eventually did get this in a 9.8, although I missed out on the Suscha News copy.

4.

Avengers #57 5.5 SS

I purchased this for the price I wanted, but I didn't know much about grading Silver Age books at the time. It was too damaged to get higher than a 5.5. This book was one of the first four books I ever sent in for a Stan Lee signature and it probably has the best placement of any signature series comic I have. I could argue that my New Mutants Annual #1 has great signature placement, but it dropped to a 9.6. Either way with the next Avengers movie due out, 2015 might be the year for it to go. Of course, getting a higher graded copy will now be a bit more expensive.

3.

X-Men #10 7.0 SS

Another book I was hoping to get higher than it is. This is another one of my Stan Lee signature books that I am willing to release back into the wild. I just don't know if I would use those funds to purchase another issue ten, or continue with my Daredevil run. I did get it at FMV, but with the signature and grading, will I get what I think is the FMV? Or maybe I can just give it to my Dad as a gift. Ah, who am I kidding? He would probably just say "That isn't Tarzan."

2.

Thanos Quest #1 1st and 2nd printing

One is an issue I upgraded, while the other is a book I bought from a collection that I decided to see if it could get a 9.8. I did have it pressed while the other one I cracked a 9.8. With Thanos becoming a hit from the movies, I should be able to get some money to get something else, like the one in missing,

1.

Secret War #2 9.8

This was one of two of my first CGC graded comic books I ever purchased. I bought it as a novelty. The cheap price was what motivated me. I tried selling it before and no one wanted to pay higher than $35, but now it's a first appearance of a character that just became popular on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.! I got a few offers, so I figured this would be a good time to sell, and it only made it on my list as number one, because as I was writing this journal, it sold. By the way, I never would have graded this at 9.8

These are the ten I-hope-to-sell in 2015, let's see what I buy in 365.

Thanks for Reading

Have a great New Year

Tnerb

Ps. I don't blame Bagofleas, I still blame Surfer

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