Giant-Size X-Men #1
Purchased raw in 2014.

Not much of a story here.
Purchased raw from my LCS.
It was priced under market value.

It was stored in a Mylar with fullback inside a magazine top loader for a long time.
Eventually prices reached a point that it made sense to get the book graded regardless of condition.

Harley Quinn #0 signed and sketched by Jock
Purchased raw in 2015.

This book was originally submitted for a sketch opportunity at SDCC 2015.
DScott was the facilitator.
Jock did not complete all the submitted sketch submissions before the end of the convention / he had to return overseas.
Those that did not get their sketch completed were told we could get a refund or wait until the next sketch opportunity.
I rolled the dice and figured 'what the heck ?'.

More than a year later I got my book back....

This was envisioned as a counterpart to Jock's Detective Comics #880 cover.
I specifically requested Harley in her 'classic' costume.
My only qualm, especially after waiting over a year, is that there should be a splash of red used.
I really think that would make it [chef's kiss].

Since then Jock sketch opportunities have mentioned 'limited to Batman sketches only' (2021) or subject to artist discretion (2022).
It is interesting to see that his asking price for a sketch has risen from $500 to $925.
Inflation I guess...

House of Secrets #92 signed by Louise Simonson and Bernie Wrightson
Purchased raw in 2012

Fan Fact:
Louise Simonson (then Louise Jones) was the reference model for this cover.
(see photo #2)

One day in 2012 my friends and I visited a comic store that was having an indoor 'sidewalk' sale.
They placed a bunch of boxes of recently acquired comics and you could fill a short box for $25.
This book, House of Secrets #92, was mixed in with those various books.
Also purchased that day were approximately 20 copies of a local 'bathtub' variant for Hack / Slash #1.
(I should have held on to those as they have appreciated in value well over the past 10 years)
I honestly can not remember any other books that were also in the short box.

Knowing the condition of House of Secrets #92 would keep it from being overly desirable I decided to have it signed by Bernie Wrightson to 'plus up the value'.
Then, it just so happened, Louise Simonson was going to be at the same show.
So, I decided to get both signatures.
My logic being, 'the more signature...the more value...'

Not 100% sure I'd get Simonson's signature if I had the chance to do it all over again.

Image United #1 signed by Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino with remarques from Erik Larsen and Rob Liefeld
Purchased raw in 2011.

This book was primarily completed at Image Expo 2012 by Joel Elad.
McFarlane's signature was completed via Desert Wind Collectibles in 2013.

When Image Expo was announced I was excited with the extremely nerdy prospect of getting a book signed by all the Image partners / creators / leadership team.
(minus McFarlane who only signed for Desert Wind at the time)
This book came back with not only different marker colors used, but also bonus remarques.
It also came back a 9.6 Signature Series.

When Desert Wind had their next McFarlane signing I decided to send this book to them.
To my surprise it came back a 9.8
The power of the Toddfather...

Incredible Hulk #181
Purchased already graded in 2019.

I purchased this book and another (Fantastic Four #48) with monies from eBay sales.
Wolverine is my second favorite Marvel character after Spider-Man.
The goal was to pick up some low grade keys that would appreciate in value over time.

Incredible Hulk #340
Purchased graded (but not signed) in 2014.

As mentioned in my Amazing Spider-Man #300 post, Incredible Hulk #340 was my 2nd most desired book when I got back into collecting in 2010.
This copy was purchased as a 9.6 Universal via a VCC.
It was priced below market value.
I grabbed it even though I am not really a fan of newsstand copies.

As the years went on I realized I wanted a to submit it for a Todd McFarlane Signature Series opportunity.
Glad I finally got it done, but honestly upset the book came back a 9.4 afterward.
You win some, you lose some...

Marvel Milestone Edition: X-Men #1 - Top 10 Book
Purchased raw in 2012.

First things first, I understand that Jack Kirby's signature on the Dynamic Forces / QVC books is contested.
I choose to believe that it is authentic until proven otherwise.

Purchased raw from asteroid-comix via a sales thread.
They shipped this book to me separately from the other books so that I could submit it on time for an upcoming / next Stan Lee signing.
Desert Wind Comics handled the signing.

Determining this book's monetary value for insurance purposes has been a thorn in my side for years.
Not only are asking prices on eBay so high that the comic doesn't sell, BUT available copies are only qualified green & yellow labels.

I know, 'first world' problem.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 signed by John Beatty and Mike Zeck with a sketch by Mike Zeck
Purchased raw 1984 / 1985 by my Mom or Dad for me.

This is one of only a handful of original owner comics in my personal collection.
Words cannot explain how Spider-Man's black costume made my brain snap.
Regardless of how people may feel about it, it was amazing to behold.
To me it created a dividing line from 'old' Spidey to 'new cool' Spidey.

The signature opportunity was handled by Par2ch.
All credit must be given to them for coming up with the remarque idea.

Marvel's The Avengers #1 signed by Robert Downey Jr - Top 10 Book
Purchased via eBay in 2022.

So...after Avengers: Endgame, I felt it was important to get a Robert Downey Jr Signature Series book.
I began searching eBay every morning and night.
Scouring sites.
Sending messages to people that had posted their copies online.
No luck.

Then in 2021 CGC announced a RDJ signing event.
Well...I was caught off guard...I didn't expect that.
Otherwise I would have stocked up on 9.8 graded photo covers in anticipation.
Unfortunately, I was late to receive the email and those 9.8s that had previously languished in my search results for 'CGC downey' were scooped up.

With the total cost of the signing being what it was I did not want to take the chance sending a raw copy and receiving anything less than a 9.6
So, I waited for those that did submit books to get them back and post them on eBay.
It was a daily search again once the deadline passed.
More than once I reached out to CGC about the status of the signing so I could determine a rough timeline for the books to be available.

Then one night two books popped up.
I made an offer on one and didn't hear back until the morning.
The entire night I refreshed the listing hoping no one hit Buy It Now.
In the morning the seller sent a counteroffer that I agreed with.
That's it.

Marvel's Captain America: Civil War Prelude #3 signed by Chris Evans, Anthony Russo, and Joe Russo
Purchased via eBay in 2019 (immediately after seeing Avengers: Endgame).

Not much of a story.
After seeing Avengers: Endgame in the theater I realized I wanted to finally own a celebrity signature on a book so I bought one via eBay.
This one has the added bonus of having director signatures...

The Maxx #35 signed by Sam Kieth
Purchased raw in 1998.

This is the last of my original owner comics that are part of my personal collection.
I purchased The Maxx 'off the rack' via three or four LCSs throughout the five years it was published.
(None of them are still around today...)

If you haven't had a chance, it is worth your time to read this amazing series.

Milk & Cheese #1 signed by Evan Dorkin
Purchased via eBay in 2014.

(true) Story time...
I first became aware of Milk & Cheese in 1993 via my LCS as I was buying imported copies of Deadline magazine regularly.
One day the owner let me know there was a new Milk & Cheese strip.
He said "I love Milk & Cheese so much".
I had no idea what we was talking about so I replied "I prefer Wonderbread" as to appear hip.
He looked at me questioningly, then said "I mean the comic, Milk & Cheese..." whilst opening the issue to the new strip.
My eyes widened and the blood left my face.
That was my first introduction to them.

Included below are some rare Evan Dorkin related items in my collection.

BONUS ITEMS:
Milk & Cheese: Special Edition 9.8 signed by Evan Dorkin.
This is the lone Signature Series copy of this book.
It was an issue that had to be mail-ordered / paid for directly to Evan way back in 1997.
I ordered two. 
Not sure where my second copy ended up...

The Devil Puppet puppet.
This was purchased directly from Evan via the house of fun website back in 2009 / 2010.
Only a handful (pun intended) exist.
It is one of my most cherished comic related items.
It has been proudly placed in each home I've lived in over the years.

I reached out to Evan Dorkin about my idea to post about The Devil Puppet puppet.
He replied about his devil puppet that ended up being the inspiration of the The Devil Puppet character.

"I don't remember any direct information on the devil puppet I have, which someone sent me back in the day.
I don't even know if I ever had any direct information on it, I might have tried looking it up online at some point but honestly can't remember details.
There's no manufacturing information on it, I have no idea where it came from offhand or anything else about it -- other than it's one of many versions of the devil that you will see in hand puppet form.
I don't know if this relates to Punch and Judy, or Kasperltheater versions, or more modern religious-themed puppet sets.
Sorry I don't have anything substantial to provide.
He's a mysterious puppet someone sent me that I based a character on for reasons I don't even remember.
I couldn't even tell you where the idea originated for his shtick of knowing the stories behind (fictional) pop culture developments. 
Maybe I was possessed.
best,
evan"

Miracleman #1 signed by Gary Leach
Purchased already signed / graded in 2022.

This is the third book in the Alan Moore mini-collection within my personal collection.
A collect-ception if you will.

I'll see myself out...

New Mutants #98
Purchased raw in 2011.

This book and one other (Wolverine #102.5) were part of a large collection I purchased in 2011.
The story isn't exciting beyond that it was a great deal, the guy wanted cash, and he needed it fast.
He was getting a divorce and wanted to sell the entire thing in one shot versus have to split everything.
I was the first to respond and he held the books until my next day off from work.
That's it.

I have owned multiple copies of this book throughout the years.
My first copy was purchased at Bam! Comics in North Miami for cover price shortly after X-Force #1 was released.
The reason?
I was hunting down Liefeld Cable books.
I took the books to the counter and what occurred was not good.
Typical comic store employees start dumping on Liefeld for his art skill and me for liking his style.
(Yes, I am in the future and realize they were right...but you don't do that to a young kid / customer)

That copy ended up being thrown out all (but one short box of) comics in 2002.
Why?
Because I wanted room to put up a DVD stand.
Yes, I threw out two long boxes of comics to put a DVD stand up.
Flash forward 15 years and those DVDs ended up at Goodwill.
The circle of media...

That's my New Mutants #98 story.

Parker: A Portfolio of Words and Pictures #2 signed by Darwyn Cooke
Purchased raw in 2012.

First and foremost, Darwyn Cooke was a master of his craft.
His life was cut tragically short by cancer.

I chose this book to be signed by him because I felt with the Parker series he was allowed to push the medium further than his D.C. Comics work.
This is the only signed copy of this book.

Princess Leia #1 signed by Carrie Fisher and Mark Brooks
Purchased already signed / graded in 2021.

Not much of a story here.
I wanted to work on a Signature Series Star Wars mini-collection within my overall collection.
Truthfully, I jumped at the first copy I could afford.
Now that I have owned it for a while the fact that the Carrie Fisher signature is in black sharpie over a dark image bothers me.
A lot.

Saga #1 Diamond Retailer Representative Program (RRP) Variant signed by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples - Top 10 Book
Sketches on back by Fiona Staples
Purchased already signed / graded in 2020.

At one point in time I owned (2) 9.8 Signature Series (BKV only) copies of this book.
Both copies were purchased for $75 raw via eBay the weekend they were given away.
Eventually, I sold both 9.8s to make ends meet.
I know one was sold to buy a gift for someone.

Due to the cost, I swore to myself that if I ever replaced one then it would have to have sketches as well as dual signatures.
This copy eventually popped up on eBay.

I was SO in to Saga at the beginning.
Somewhere along the line I stopped reading it.
I think I'll try to go back once it is all wrapped up...

Sandman #1 Signed and Sketched by Neil Gaiman - Top 10 Book
Purchased already signed / graded in 2014.

Not much of a story.
Bid on this book at the last second on eBay.
At the time this was my most expensive comic purchase ($500 shipped).
My mind was blown when I opened the package, as the original listing did not have a sketch in the photo.
I reached out to the seller about whether they wanted it back.
They said to keep and enjoy it.

I tried getting my Sandman #8 9.6 signed at one point, but gave up.
Eventually I sold it (along with all other Sandman items besides my #1) when the Sandman TV show came out...

I wasn't a fan of the show as it looked 'too plastic' / 'shot on video'.

Scott Pilgrim: Full-Colour Odds & Ends signed by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Purchased raw in 2014.

Scott Pilgrim meant a lot to me during the time period that I wasn't actively collecting comics.
It was very much a product of its time whilst being retro.
It was a post-modern comic for late Gen-X / older millennials.
It also has its flaws that I would love to see addressed many years later (in aging the main characters up) if they was ever a follow-up series.
Scott was 23 years old in the first volume (2004), so it would be nice to see what middle-age looked like.

Scott Pilgrim - Fifteen Years Later...

This is my second copy of this book.
My first copy was completed at SDCC 2014 and is graded a 9.6
I rolled the dice on another copy at NYCC 2014 and this one scored a 9.8

Bonus:
A original page from Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour (Volume 6)
and
A sketch of Ramona Flowers from Bryan Lee O'Malley signed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Star Wars #1 Signed by George Lucas - Top 10 Book
Purchased already signed / graded in 2018.

This (and the next) post will be treading into topics that don't often get addressed in the comics space.
I may come back to them from time to time to add more context.
Sometimes, in the moment of typing, it doesn't flow the way you intend it to.

Star Wars was the first movie I was ever taken to the theater to see.
I was a baby.
My age could still be counted by months.
I was taken to see it by my Dad.

My Dad died in October of 2018.
He suffered through early onset dementia (he was 60 when diagnosed) that segued into Alzheimer's.
We didn't have the greatest of relationships.
There is lot to unpack about fathers & sons and the generational trauma that is often created.
From my grandfather to my Dad and my Uncle then onto each of their children.
Each being former military men, prone to alcoholism, and all ended up suffering from dementia.

A journal entry about generational and genetic trauma?
Oh boy!

That is all prelude to this...
My Dad instilled in me a love of comics, sci-fi, and horror movies.
He took me to numerous conventions, watched Star Trek: The Next Generation with me, bought me Fangoria magazine, and let me know that it was okay to be different.
He wrote a story that was featured in Pep #184 when we has 13 years-old.
(see second photo below)

I am choosing to remember him as someone that supported a little nerd.
Perhaps because he hadn't been; I will never know.
None of this excuses things he did, but I wanted to provide full context.

Life is complicated.

After he passed away and his debts were settled I used my inherited monies to pay off all my debt.
It was the best gift he could have given me.
With the little I had left I decided to search out a whale of a book that could mark the occasion.
Fortunately, this copy of Star Wars #1 signed by Papa G was available.
It made SO much sense that this would be the final gift my Dad 'gave' me and could also be one to 'remember' him by.

I get teary-eyed thinking about it.
I know I was an angry teenager / young adult for what he did when I was young.
I have every right to be.
I also have the right to miss him. 

Life is complicated.

The last good memory I have of him, while he was still 'verbal', before he was lost within the symptoms of dementia was -
My sister and I were watching 'The Force Awakens' with him at his house and the scene of Han Solo and Chewbacca entering the Millennium Falcon made him laugh aloud and then turnaround to us to point to the TV.
He was still in there.
That kid that loved comics growing up.
That loved sci-fi as a young adult.
That supported his son's love of all things nerdy.
That's the final moment I choose to remember him by.

Tank Girl #1 Signed by Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin - Top 10 Book
Purchased raw between 2013 - 2014.

First and foremost, I must give credit to Branget for facilitating this.
They were the one that reached out to me regarding my post in the Signature Room.
(see second photo below)
Without them this book (and its twin) would not exist.
As it stands, the two completed for this Signature Series opportunity are the only two copies signed by the creators.

What happens and how does it feel when you acquire a unicorn grail?

What do I consider a 'unicorn' grail?
Something that you want / dream about / desire more than anything else BUT it may never actually happen.
It doesn't come down to just having the money to buy it, but also 'the stars aligning'.

It is hard to describe what this book means to me to other people.
I dreamt about owning a signed copy of Tank Girl #1 for decades before it became a possibility / reality.

What I wasn't prepared for was that it made all other comics not matter anymore.
It is a strange feeling to not care or feel joy connected with to one's passion after such a massive 'win'.
Additionally, no level of joy or happiness outside of comics can / has matched the joy from acquiring this comic.
(I can feel happiness, but not joy)

Eventually, I started visiting the boards less and less which  lead a lapse of 2 years of visiting / posting here between 2016 - 2018.
It was good to reconnect to life, discover new passions, and determine what matters.
In total it took about four years after receiving this book to realize that I needed to establish a new collecting goals.

Addendum -
In recent years I have decided that upon my death I want to be cremated.
I'd like a bonfire held.
Then I want this book and a few others (after cracked out of their cases) thrown into the bonfire.
Then my ashes tossed in too.
All so that my ashes, the comics, and the fire could join together to create new energy for the universe.
No one will ever love this book more than I do....

Ultimate Fallout #4
Purchased already graded in 2019.

I was late to the party regarding Miles Morales.
Initially, I believed he and Spider-Gwen (aka Ghost Spider) to be cheap ploys at inclusivity.
I ignored all the posts on the boards regarding picking up copies.
Even ignored it when the 1:25 variants started popping up in various bundles.
Again, it wasn't my thing.

Then Into The Spider-Verse came out and I was blown away.
I was wrong.
They weren't trying to replace Peter Parker.
Just expand the Spider-Verse.

Luckily, I purchased my copy before the book truly exploded.
It was fueled by a new PlayStation game, speculation Miles would be in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Into the Spider-Verse sequels.
The price shot up and has settled back down.

V for Vendetta #1 signed and remarqued by David Lloyd
Purchased raw in 2014.

First and foremost, this book would not have been possible without Rich Henn.
He shared a booth / table with David Lloyd which helped in facilitating the remarque.

As shared previously shared, I have curated a mini Alan Moore collection within my overall collection.
This is the next to last piece of it.
Currently...
I realized the other day I have another one I want to add.

The Walking Dead #48 signed by Charlie Adlard and Robert Kirkman
'Lori' remarque by Charlie Adlard
Purchased raw 2011 - 2012

The Walking Dead got me back into comics.
I watched a video on G4 of their Comic-Con coverage where they spoke to Robert Kirkman about the series and this issue.
So I downloaded all the CBRs I could and tore through them.
This issue was...surprising.

That being said, I quit The Walking Dead at issue #100.
I had every issue (except #1) and variant (including the #35 error variant in 9.8) up to issue 99.
Why did I stop (and sell everything except this one)?
Because of Negan killing Glenn in #100.
I would have been fine if it had been done in #99 or #101.
But to create such a frenzy over #100 to have it be the death of a beloved character was *messed* up.

This comic was a part of a series I had prearranged with Charlie Adlard prior to his appearance at Florida Supercon in 2011.
The others he completed that day were of: Judith, Hershel, and Tyrese.
My thought being that I would build this sketch collection out to include everyone had to bury along the way.
Issue #100 put a stop to that plan...

I've kept this book as a reminder of how any one thing could reignite a dormant passion.

Watchmen #1 signed by Dave Gibbons
Purchased already signed / graded in 2021.

This is (currently) the last book in my Alan Moore collection my overall collection.
I've got my eyes on one more, but it isn't prudent.

There's nothing I can add to the conversation about this series that hasn't been shared before.
It is a masterpiece.