Foolkiller

This weekend was the last hurrah for me buying back issues for quite some time as I gave them up for Lent (and then I am on trial through mid May, so will barely even know what's going on with comics), but last night a bid was accepted on one of my favorite Batman covers of all time!

Now that's some tight grading.

These are some awesome books -- somebody needs to start selling me some of them! I'm enjoying looking at them though.

I've been noticing increased competition for the DC 10 centers in high grade -- I think this thread may have contributed -- showing all these incredible books!

The Flash 123 is one of my all time favorite covers -- but even I'd go with the Bats #5 -- double cover on a GA Bats, a neat cover AND a 9.6... sweet!

I love this thread -- it inspired me to become a 10 cent DC collector!

Nice to see you back Ian.

Bought from Metropolis. I've really enjoyed going and meeting with Vinny and picking through their incredible stock. I've been digging out HG Mystery in Spaces, and it is a real challenge to get 8.0-9.0 copies of many of them.

The last of my recent faves: Showcase 22 1st GL

Another fave of mine... from the collection of Murphy Anderson -- sweet 8.5 and a copy held by a legendary artist.

Recently, I've found joy in buying 10 cent DCs and books that are a little bit more... well... fun and rare for me. I've lost the hang up on grade alone, and enjoyed the books for what they are. I've been buying up many books lately, but here's three of my faves: Superman 76, 1st Superman/Batman team up.

And as a follow up Mark, I will let this go now. You can have the last word -- (except on any GPA points)... I think my point is clear and there's no sense in beating a dead horse.

Brian, I made one generic comment in response. It was not defensive. It was a statement, plain and simple. Indeed, it was posed with a question for Bob to explain what he was talking about, which of course he didn't. In fact, he chose to respond to the question I directed at Josh rather than those directed specifically at him. You are the only one continuing the discussion on this aspect of Bob's comment. Since we agree it is irrelevant, we can move back to discussing why Bob was so hostile to GPA and providing it sales data especially in light of the fact he uses it to promote his books. Oh please. Of course it was defensive. It was not just a "simple statement". It would have made more sense to make your point about GPA and not bother with responding to anything Bob said that you now deem "irrelevant". I am continuing the discussion because you are characterizing Bob's comments as "misdirection" when you are a master of misdirection (I mean, we are lawyers so I guess we all do it at some point), and I'm just asking you to be fair. I'm also continuing it because you enjoy pointing out the problems with other people's arguments, and all I want you to do is recognize what your comments really are, and not allow you to just make indignant responses when they are really an accurate characterization (to some extent -- I'm sure you have had both successes and failures in comics). Look, it's double talk from you. You're saying it's irrelevant, and that I'm belaboring the point, but look how much time you've spent responding to me, and I'm the one agreeing with you it's irrelevant. People shouldn't comment on about your statements regarding things, but you should make comments about things you think are "irrelevant" and "you don't need to defend yourself about". That doesn't make sense. It's inconsisent. Bob has addressed your points many times. And I think his point concerning GPA has been made many, many times. I don't think it's "venom towards GPA" as you grossy mischaracterize it, but rather, it's a disagreement from customers saying, GPA is gospel. Why should Bob (or Koop, or Metropolis, or Gary Platt or Harley Yee or anyone else) feel that they "have" to provide data to GPA? They don't. If they want to consider it as a source, but use their own sales data first, who really cares? You as the buyer can always debate with them the price, and Bob has said he will consider GPA data as a source. I'm not sure how that's venom towards GPA.

And your problem with that is what exactly? I am very good at promoting the businesses I am involved in, whether that be comics or law. I don't shy away from that. Sorry you have a problem with it. But then again I share all my market data with GPA and yet it doesn't negatively impact my bottom line. Mark, although I wouldn't say that your post "bothered me" and I was a buyer of a couple of Hollywood Hills books -- Be fair, and don't go with the hyperbole about promoting businesses. The thread with the carnival barker intro got such a negative publicity that you basically stopped posting in it once the cover was blown (not by me) that the books were all on SoCal's website. So that thread was kind of a dismal failure by most boardies. In the end -- it really doesn't matter whether people liked or hated the thread -- but c'mon -- be fair about characterizing the success, because I think when you make statements like this, it's when people are like, was he reading the same thread everyone else was? Brian, I am honestly not clear on what issue you are trying to address. That one particular thread definitely wasn't the success I intended it to be, and I learned my lesson to avoid that type of format again on these boards. But the sales for the Hollywood Hills collection have been excellent. I have no complaints at all. In fact, we sold many books to Forumites such as yourself, as well as to dealers. The promotions through Scoop, GPA and our own websites also significantly contributed. In any event, I wasn't referring to that one specific thread as an illustration of my successful promotions. That was just one Bob referenced. Yes I know. But you're saying "I'm a successful promoter" of comics. The sales of Hollywood Hills have been successful, but not obviously not because of the style employed on the boards. Anyway, if you say "I'm successful" in response to the point Bob makes of the thread you posted here with the "carnival barker" I would think that a logical response to illustrate YOUR point is to post the examples where you were successful to rebut Bob's statement. Not just say "I'm successful". The books sold well by virtue of the fact that they were high grade. You could have put them anywhere, and frankly, they probably would have sold (especially the ones I've seen marked sold). If you have high grade, they will find you it seems like. Brian, what I am saying is that I do not follow what issue we are now discussing or debating. My sales demonstrate I am successful, at least on a level that I am totally comfortable with. Is that due to promotions I run or just because of the books themselves and people stumbling across them? I suppose we could debate this if anyone really wanted, but it has nothing to do with the discussion we were having about GPA. Bob was the one who raised, in his usual tone, the deflective comment about my self-promotion in response to a post that was not even directed at him. It was directed at Josh and I hope he answers it. But it had nothing to do with the topic at hand. I do not feel any need to defend whether I am a successful self-promoter or not. That is really irrelevant, don't you think? Yes, I agree it's irrelevant, so why respond at all then? If you don't feel the need to defend, then don't. As to GPA -- I love it as a tool, but it's just that: one tool. If dealers want to report their sales data great. And if not, fine too. From my side of the table, I just look at the book, look at Overstreet, look at GPA, think about what I've seen the book sell for, and then decide if I want it.

And your problem with that is what exactly? I am very good at promoting the businesses I am involved in, whether that be comics or law. I don't shy away from that. Sorry you have a problem with it. But then again I share all my market data with GPA and yet it doesn't negatively impact my bottom line. Mark, although I wouldn't say that your post "bothered me" and I was a buyer of a couple of Hollywood Hills books -- Be fair, and don't go with the hyperbole about promoting businesses. The thread with the carnival barker intro got such a negative publicity that you basically stopped posting in it once the cover was blown (not by me) that the books were all on SoCal's website. So that thread was kind of a dismal failure by most boardies. In the end -- it really doesn't matter whether people liked or hated the thread -- but c'mon -- be fair about characterizing the success, because I think when you make statements like this, it's when people are like, was he reading the same thread everyone else was? Brian, I am honestly not clear on what issue you are trying to address. That one particular thread definitely wasn't the success I intended it to be, and I learned my lesson to avoid that type of format again on these boards. But the sales for the Hollywood Hills collection have been excellent. I have no complaints at all. In fact, we sold many books to Forumites such as yourself, as well as to dealers. The promotions through Scoop, GPA and our own websites also significantly contributed. In any event, I wasn't referring to that one specific thread as an illustration of my successful promotions. That was just one Bob referenced. Yes I know. But you're saying "I'm a successful promoter" of comics. The sales of Hollywood Hills have been successful, but not obviously not because of the style employed on the boards. Anyway, if you say "I'm successful" in response to the point Bob makes of the thread you posted here with the "carnival barker" I would think that a logical response to illustrate YOUR point is to post the examples where you were successful to rebut Bob's statement. Not just say "I'm successful". The books sold well by virtue of the fact that they were high grade. You could have put them anywhere, and frankly, they probably would have sold (especially the ones I've seen marked sold). If you have high grade, they will find you it seems like.

And your problem with that is what exactly? I am very good at promoting the businesses I am involved in, whether that be comics or law. I don't shy away from that. Sorry you have a problem with it. But then again I share all my market data with GPA and yet it doesn't negatively impact my bottom line. Mark, although I wouldn't say that your post "bothered me" and I was a buyer of a couple of Hollywood Hills books -- Be fair, and don't go with the hyperbole about promoting businesses. The thread with the carnival barker intro got such a negative publicity that you basically stopped posting in it once the cover was blown (not by me) that the books were all on SoCal's website. So that thread was kind of a dismal failure by most boardies. In the end -- it really doesn't matter whether people liked or hated the thread -- but c'mon -- be fair about characterizing the success, because I think when you make statements like this, it's when people are like, was he reading the same thread everyone else was?

example! Paid OVER $1500 for a JIM #89 in 8.5. Foolkiller picked it up for me from Harry last year at the Javitts when last GP was about $600+ Sorry. make that 2.5 times GPA. OK, close enough to 3 times GPA. R. and you want one in 9.0 or better good example. I dont think anyone is talking about a J.I.M. 89 or a Hulk 1. they are talking about the common stuff. Books that routinely sell for 50-60.00 on Ebay that are priced at 125.00. The JIM 89 is a prime example of what someone is willing to pay for a specific book that is rare and thats where sites like comiclink,Pedigree, Highgrade and Metro come into play. No one complains about that. You know you are going to pay more for those books. Now if that JIM 89 was on Ebay he may have paid less because as I recall the next highest bid was several hundred lower than Roys. The next highest bid at the Javitz show? I barely outbid the underbidder on behalf of Roy.

Thank God.

Nice haul. Especially that WBN 32 and GL 76.

funny thing is, I think I've touched your 9.6, your 9.4 and now own your 9.2! Are we the only people buying Cap 110s!?!

I have your Boston 9.2 copy. Likewise I had your Pac Coast 110. They all come back to Nik eventually.

Thanks fellas The 113 has no where near the copies graded as the surrounding issues. Seems to be a little tougher to get in HG. Plus the centering on this one is primo. Looks familiar. Kinda like most of the Caps in my collection! That Cap 113 was a real beauty... and you're right, for wahtever reason -- it doesn't pop up as much in HG.

Thanks fellas The 113 has no where near the copies graded as the surrounding issues. Seems to be a little tougher to get in HG. Plus the centering on this one is primo. Looks familiar.

ped Thors....

hnnnnh.... they look familiar. Sweet! Glad the GL 76 came back as predicted...