...because I want the best condition possible.

I want a Daredevil #1. You know the one with the cover where it looks like a blind man designed the outfit. By one price guide, not encapsulated, and in Near Mint condition fetches $3000.00. Other guides have other prices; then of course it also depends on what the seller wants to sell it for. I am going to have to budget better than I have ever done before to get it. This price is also before CGC gets their hands on it. My goal condition would be a 9.0 but I?d be happy with an 8.5, or even an 8.

My dilemma is this. Do I purchase a low graded reading copy and save up for an already graded copy. Do I purchase the highest uncertified copy I can afford and after reading it, send it off to CGC to grade? Or, do I purchase the best graded copy I can and destroy my record of reading every book I have. (this record has already been destroyed by bidding on an item (an apparent 9.4 DD#28) at a price I could not afford to pass up on. I will be buying a reading copy soon).

My first option bothers me because even an uncertified copy (let?s say graded around a 4.0) could still cost a couple hundred dollars. Purchasing a certified 9.0 of the same book would add a couple thousand onto the budget. I tried doing this already with a copy of #7 but have yet to purchase a higher grade then the one I originally bought.

My second option is with Wizard World 2010, a few months away I'll have the chance to deal on the price a little; purchase, read, and have CGC grade it on the spot. Of course no matter how careful I am I know I will have a slight (OK a great) fear of messing it up before having it graded. Then there?s the fact I?d be rushing to get it slabbed all in the same weekend I might overlook a flaw and get a slightly lower grade then what I?d be hoping for.

The third (and last appeasing) option of course destroys my record for reading every book I own (already gone?bye bye record. Yes this was written in advance and I believe I will not be doing that anymore with journals again?after my next one). The CGC books I do have don?t count since I have been only collecting books in graded condition that I already read. (Lies?..Lies. (Hey who wouldn't pick up an apparent 9.4 DD#28 for only $16.00? That?s what I thought.)) I did mention I was getting addicted didn't I?

Those are my three options and to me it seems my second option is the best (unless anyone would like to send me a fourth and better option, I?ll accept 5th and 6th possibilities as well.) I figure I could probably find an uncertified copy for about 1200 that I would be pleased with, even more so if I had it graded and received an 8.0 (is that too much to hope for). The following is what I hope for to complete a run of Daredevil?s:

Daredevil Vol. 2 all at 9.8 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 300-380 all at 9.6 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 250-299 all at 9.4 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 125-249 all at 9.2 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 75-124 all at 9.0 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 25-74 all at 8.5 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 10-24 all at 8.0 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: 2-8 all at 7.0 and up

Daredevil Vol. 1: #1 I would love at a 9.0 or better.

I figure if I am going to spend the money and make this endeavor I might as well have a standard or set of rules to get the books I want at the price I want so I can get the best condition possible.

Thanks for reading

Tnerb