Joel Elad

CGC SIGNATURE SERIES OPPORTUNITY FOR A TRIPLE STRAY DOGS CREATOR SIGNING EVENT! Hey, Stray Dogs fans! Now that Dog Days #1 & #2 are in hand, it’s time to get the band together and offer a special TRIPLE signing for ALL your Stray Dogs comic books! We’ll get your comics signed by artists Tony Fleecs, Trish Forstner and Tone Rodriguez and submit them to CGC for Signature Series! This opp is currently one of the ONLY ways to get your triple signed books to CGC. Our witnesses are travelling to all the artists throughout the US in mid to late March 2022. Cost is $50 per book when put on your own account. (CGC will bill you for grading and return shipping costs, and pressing if you opt in for that.) If you want this going on my account, DM or e-mail us at straydogs.cgc@gmail.com for the price and quantity you wish to submit. KEY DETAILS: Books are due by Monday, March 7th, 2022. Payment can be made through PayPal Goods & Services at straydogs.cgc@gmail.com, or you can email us or DM me for payment info via Venmo or a check/money order included with the books. Send your books to: Stray Dogs Signing 1726 N. Hannah Circle Simi Valley, CA 93063 KEEP IN MIND: 1. *** Unfortunately, we are NOT taking in ANY Sketch or Remarque requests for this signing. If you send in a blank cover comic, you will simply receive three signatures on it. We are also not taking requests for only 1 or 2 of the artists offered. Every comic submitted will get triple signed.*** 2. Your comics need to be prepared in a window bag or there will be an extra fee per book to prepare it. Please consult YouTube videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0uVDnonCY, for instructions on how to prepare your comic(s) or use the CGC Signature Series window bag if you have them! 3. On the backing board for each comic, we need your name, e-mail address, and your CGC account number. 4. You can ask for specific pen color but due to the expected volume, we are not guaranteeing any specific pen color for this signing. We will do our best to accommodate these requests. THAT’S IT! If you’ve got any other questions, just let us know here or via e-mail at straydogs.cgc@gmail.com. We can’t wait to get your comics signed by these great creators and take them over to CGC for grading!

After reading 7 pages of this back and forth, I was hesitant to jump into the fray given the nature of replies. However, since I actually have the facts and don't need conjecture, let me provide everyone with some information that you can take or ignore... First, some background info that has been repeated in responses but I want to repeat here: Knowing the initial order number and then dividing it by the incentive amount (620,000/1,000) does NOT give you the print run number. It only gives you the THEORETICAL MAXIMUM NUMBER of copies that the publisher would need to print to cover the promised incentive. Many stores did not order anywhere NEAR 1,000 copies. Some stores ordered more than 1,000 copies, but given the amount of Diamond accounts and the number of people that qualified, you will RARELY get the theoretical maximum. It is also STANDARD PRACTICE for a publisher to print more than the "needed amount" in case of damages. Publishers also have contracts with their creative talent, and their publishing partners, etc, and many times those contracts will include a clause where complimentary (aka "comp") copies are to be provided to said parties. Let me state clearly: I AM NOT AN EMPLOYEE OF BOOM! STUDIOS. I HAVE NO INSIDE KNOWLEDGE INTO THE TOTAL PRINT RUN OR ANY OTHER CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION REGARDING COPIES OF THIS BOOK, COMP COPIES, ETC. That said, here are the facts: 1. Retailers were contacted by BOOM about whether they wanted raw copies or if they wanted to get their copy(ies) graded by CGC. While I know at least one boardie will be SHOCKED by this response, not every retailer actively chose to get their copy(ies) CGC graded. In some cases, the retailer wanted to keep the copy for their personal collection and they don't necessarily like CGC grading. In some cases, a customer pre-ordered the incentive from the retailer and the customer decided NOT to get it graded, due to the extra cost and/or their desire to own the book raw as well. There are other reasons as well, and in some cases, retailers did not properly notify BOOM in the timeframe given and received raw copies instead of getting it graded. I am not interested in writing paragraphs about all the different scenarios out there. 2. Retailers who elected to get their copy(ies) graded by CGC worked with me to pick a grading level, return shipping method, etc, to get their books graded. Since I do believe the CGC census will provide a mostly accurate count, I am happy to share the fact that I transported 381 signed copies to CGC on behalf of retailers in the US and abroad to get Keanu Reeves Signature Series grading. Jonboy Meyers has received his comp copies which, as the article states, he is selling for charity and he has worked out a deal with CGC that those copies will qualify as a Direct Artist Submission, so expect up to 10 additional copies that will be in the Signature Series category but will only have Jonboy's signature. Now, to be clear, there are other copies out there, and that number may grow, but understand that there are a NUMBER of people who can sign this comic, including Matt Kindt, Ron Garney, inker, colorist, letterer, editor, Jonboy, or anyone associated with this franchise. 3. The observation regarding the 9.4 Signature Series comic on eBay from late March has, IN MY OPINION, been misinterpreted. The seller, not knowing what grade he would end up getting, was simply offering a MINIMUM of 9.4 for the winner of the item. Since that seller listed 10 copies eventually, I think it's safe to say that he got more than 1 copy graded, meaning he ordered more than 1,000 copies. This seller assumed (or took the risk) that his copies would come back 9.4 or higher so he could fulfill the presale at his stated terms. He wasn't automatically selling a 9.4 copy. I hope this explanation makes sense. (To be fair, I'm not watching eBay like a hawk. If you were referring to an eBay auction that had an actual photo of the graded copy and it showed the 9.4 grade, then my apologies. I am referring to an eBay listing I saw where the seller was 'preselling' at least a 9.4 copy or better.) 4. Some of the raw copies being sold by retailers on eBay are copies that the retailer thought were pre-sold to a customer, only to find out when the book arrived, the customer backed out of the deal, so they went ahead and put it on eBay to recoup costs. Some copies are being sold raw because the store didn't or wasn't able to elect for CGC grading in time. And, I know this is a shock, but I personally spoke to at least 1 retailer who simply didn't want CGC touching their book. I know it's hard to believe, but there are some people out there with negative experiences of CGC that cause them to avoid CGC, even if it's "an easy flip for 100% more." Everyone is free to their opinions and conjecture, but this paragraph contains only a few examples of the ACTUAL COMMUNICATION I have had with retailers around the world. I am not interested in divulging actual names and examples, so as I said earlier, take this info or ignore/argue against it, it's your choice. 5. As far as the process went, I met with BOOM's witness directly in Los Angeles to take possession of the books to minimize any potential shipping damage. Given the high value of this merchandise, I elected to drive the books cross-country to CGC's facility in Sarasota, Florida, to help make sure every copy got the highest grade possible. For four days, the books never left their short boxes, were always guarded and well protected to avoid damage. I can also tell you that every copy was window bagged before Keanu signed them, and Keanu was careful with them. (I was not there, but heard that from the witness.) They were transferred to regular bags/boards, I took possession of the copies bound for CGC, and those copies didn't leave their bags/boards until CGC started to grade them. Given the high number of 9.8 copies, I am happy all these extra precautions were taken so most retailers can receive a 9.8 copy to keep or sell. As mentioned before, there are still copies to complete the grading process, but I am eagerly watching the grades like everyone else. I cannot guarantee that I will keep an eye on this thread to answer future questions, and if it's anyone's goal to argue with me or nit-pick or anything like that, I have zero interest to indulge you. I am simply interested in providing some facts for the interested parties out there. If you're waiting for your copy, good luck, I hope that you'll get a 9.8 and will love and treasure your copy for all time! Oh, one final thing: As for the OP, yeah if Keanu agrees to a paid private signing, I think the value of these 1:1000 signed books could go down, as people will probably choose to get John Wick photo covers, Bill & Ted, or other comics to get signed. Then again, if the movie and/or anime series is a hit, this book could go UP in value, as there's only 400-ish copies of this book, vs hundreds of thousands of regular copies available. In the end, everyone can theorize, but it's truly hard to say. Joel

I apologize for my lateness to this thread, as I abandoned these boards years ago in search of sanity... However, allow me to set the record STRAIGHT since I'm the facilitator that BOOM! hired to get the Keanu signed copies to CGC on behalf of qualifying retailers who wanted CGC. A longer response is coming next, but wanted to state a few facts here for recent comments: Retailers who didn't have a CGC account (or didn't want to use their account) were offered 3 tier options: Fast Track Modern for $90, Standard for $130, or Express for $170. (includes Domestic US return shipping, grading fee, invoice fee and facilitator/handling fee. For Standard and Express, I heavily suggested USPS Registered Mail to protect their full insurance value of either $1000 or $3000) If a retailer had their own CGC account, I placed the book on their account, but steered them towards one of those 3 grading levels. A handful of retailers picked different levels, and an unspecified number of retailers also chose to add CCS pressing to their book(s). Unlike what was stated above, retailers did not all choose the cheapest option, which is why 188+ copies are already on the census. Express customers got their copies back, then Standard, and now the Fast Track Modern customers are starting to get shipping notices and their books. More to come in my next post.

I've seen an interior Frazetta signature on a comic book, and it looks like the one you have. Congrats!

One of the stipulations that DC gave HERO Initiative, for both the JLA covers and now these covers, is that they do not want to have the originals auctioned off on eBay. I am unsure as to why they said that, but this is a request from DC. It's why those books are auctioned off locally and not on eBay.

I won the Bill Morrison, Grace Allison, and 2 others. I wanna say Rich Ellis and Dennis Culver.

Yes, even the Wonder Woman HERO books will qualify for CGC Signature Series, but you have to specify you want CGC SS Grading the moment you win and pay for the book. I've got a few going in myself from last Saturday's event.

Paid for my table, getting books ready. I've been holding some GA acquisitions to premiere at this show! Can't wait!

My post is long overdue as Joe has worked MIRACLES on several batches of books for me, and I gotta say, he does an AMAZING job every single time! It's a labor of love for him, as he studies and treats every book with care and attention. I'm only sad that I didn't take pictures of before/after to demonstrate his prowess. I had a slabbed Star Wars 107 in 9.4. Joe worked his magic, it got signed by SIX different cast members of Star Wars, some of whom were not as gentle as they could've been, and the book came back a 9.8! He took a raw Saga of the Swamp Thing 37, estimated at 9.2-9.4, pressed the heck out of it, three signatures and 2 head sketches later, a 9.8. He took 2 copies of Star Wars 1, raw Vf+ and NM-, and even after 5 cast signatures, I got 9.2 and 9.6. The list goes on and on. My books come back gorgeous and he can show me everything in precise detail. Zero complaints, I just wish he could clone himself so we could have more RMA pressing. Two thumbs way up, Joe! Thank you SO much!

Glad you enjoy it, Darrell! Sean, maybe I'll get lucky again one day.

eBay bidder hollijth-36zcliw2u made me a $179.99 offer on that X-Men #94, I accepted it, and so far, that person hasn't paid. I don't know why the bidder would send you an e-mail about it. I guess I should open up an Unpaid Item report, are you saying it's a fake bidder? Thanks for the heads up.

Sorry you feel that way, and again, sorry that you didn't have a good transaction. I was upset, your feedback led to lower sales and cost me money. Actually, that transaction led me to really make sure everything gets bagged and boarded separately for my eBay transactions, so you did make a difference. Thanks.

Once again, you are grossly misstating what happened, or you are interpreting it as badly as possible. This is the word-for-word response I gave you when you slammed me with two bad feedbacks and then asked me to leave you feedback (which, as a seller, only can be positive feedback): Thank you again for trying to ruin my sales, you are a trooper!

Yeah, I don't know what you are talking about, but "lifeiswhatyoumakeit2012" is NOT my eBay account. I have the one account, joel.elad, that I've had since 1996. I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but it's incorrect. My original eBay id was elad@best.com, then elad_best_com (when eBay said e-mail addresses weren't allowed anymore), then joel.elad.

I was thinking about coming down there for this too didn't think anybody was going to get anything signed Well, we had zero idea anything would get signed until the event was over. Thankfully he was in a willing mood and the organizers were cool with it. (Plus the other fans didn't get out of hand) We can never advertise something like this because of the lack of guarantee of getting anything done.