captainzombie

I received my Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 2 reprint the other day. So excited to finally get this as I was tempted a few times to buy it off eBay at the crazy prices, but glad that I held off. Crazy to think how limited this series has been with the Omnis considering how popular it was.

Now I need to get back on track to collecting the Spawn Origins HC Deluxes and Invincible Library Hardcovers as I have most of these, but need to continue on before we get anymore that go OOO even though they say these are now Evergreen.

I really do not plan to go in any certain order with the books that I post from my Spawn collection. I do need to get up some better pictures going forward, but I did get this one in today. I have bought several raw copies of Spawn #61 over the last several years in hopes that I get a 9.8 candidate, and I thought with the last collection that I had purchased, that I had finally hit the jackpot that this book would be a 9.8. There is a small issue where its borderline 9.6/9.8 and I didn't want to take a chance. This is a bit of a tougher book to get in a 9.8 due to the darn blacks on the bottom half of the front of the book and the back is a nightmare since the whole cover is black.

There are 127 directs and 6 newsstands on the CGC Census. There are a total of 59 books (direct) in a CGC 9.8, and for the age of the book and considering this is not an easy book to get in a 9.8, you have to wonder how many more are out there that still have not been sent in to be graded.

Spawn #61 is the first cameo appearance of Jessica Priest. Her first appearance is in Curse of the Spawn #12 which even has a less amount of books on the census. It appears like #61 is the more important book, but I would not discount Curse #12 either since it probably also has a lower print run overall. Of course, our new She-Spawn since issue #300 is Jessica Priest, whom is an awesome character overall. She leads The Scorched team and will soon be getting her own series.

On 5/23/2024 at 4:36 PM, newshane said:

TOP FIVE MOST DIFFICULT VARIANTS FROM THE MAIN SERIES (stopping with 275). 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. SPAWN 185 - MCFARLANE'S HEADLESS VARIANT 

 

I wouldn't feel bad ranking this book in second place. For a long time, it was considered one of the most difficult variants to acquire. Rightly so. In retrospect, however, I feel that a few other books are more deserving of the higher spots. 

Super cool book! It's my favorite of all the 185 variants.

Very, very few of these were released. Supposedly the second lowest print run of the 185 variants. That's what makes it hard to find. Also desirable because 185 is probably the second most important issue of the entire series from a story standpoint. 

None of the books on this list come cheap these days, at least not in NM/M condition! There is one on eBay right now for over 4K if you feel froggy enough to jump. 

 

 

I have always loved this variant cover. It is crazy expensive for sure.

I need to start posting some of my books this weekend in this thread, and what it took me find each book in a 9.8 quality candidate. There are some where I just gave up on keep trying to find a 9.8 candidate after several attempts and bought the 9.8.

On 5/15/2024 at 9:17 PM, newshane said:

I don't know if anyone cares, but I think I'll put together a list of books I most regret selling...

or maybe a list of books that I want to buy again...one day. 

I have some massive and expensive collecting goals before that happens, however. I may never get back around to Spawn but...

if I did...

Another idea is to rank the variants in some sort of order. I'll throw together something. I've been having posting withdrawals. 

Also doing a list of books you would buy again would be cool.

On 5/17/2024 at 10:41 AM, Stefan_W said:

5 days is not that long. If you look back in this discussion you will see that orders are hitting SFG 3 or more business days after they arrive. If there is a glut of submissions from a Con it can be a week or two. 

I would not be concerned at this point, but if it hits about 10 business days without being entered into the system I would call customer support to see what's up. 

That is why I have been trying to time my submissions before or a few weeks after a con. Hoping that way I can bypass some of the glut of submissions.

On 5/11/2024 at 10:58 PM, Chip Cataldo said:

I'll tell ya, I've never seen such an avalanche of lowball offers in my life. I listed 6 Planet of the Apes figures today, from the first of the newer batch of films. They're not that common, and as usual I priced them all the lowest currently on eBay. Nealy 40 offers have come in across the 6 figures with the highest being a whopping 50% off my listed price. One guy offered 70-90% off on each of 3 different figures.

I had to walk away from the computer and phone and go sit outside in the peaceful sunshine for a while just to calm myself.

What's wrong with people? Has mental capacity really declined that badly in this country? Do people really have THAT much time to waste and zero empathy toward wasting others' time?

Very frustrating. Thanks for reading my vent.

I get the same old garbage on both of my ebay stores and it is annoying as hell. People must think that we get all of our items for free and can give them whatever lowball offer they can throw our way. It is very annoying, and a lot of it is eBays fault for fostering this kind of behavior.

On 5/11/2024 at 1:41 PM, Lee Enterprises said:

Thanks! The good news is that there have been a lot of #1s in 9.8 up for auction and the prices have cooled quite a bit. I've seen at least three #2s in 9.8 up for auction recently so hopefully you can snag those two when the time is right.

Where have the prices been of late for #1 and #2 in the auctions?

On 5/11/2024 at 12:04 PM, Lee Enterprises said:

Just won this uniquely signed TWD #2 in 9.8. I had been looking for a SS of this book in 9.8 for a while. 

Congrats again! You are making me very jealous, all I am missing from my 9.8 run (mostly have all of the keys throughout the entire series + 3-11 in 9.8's) is #1 and #2.

I did get #4 and #5 9.8's off of a guy on eBay in a combo deal back in February for a very good price. I am shocked at the prices of #5 in a 9.8 alone as it seems to be one of the more scarce books in the run and hard to get that 9.8 in general.

I always have such wonderful luck with Amazon when it comes to Omnis. Bought 2 omnis the past week, one actually came without any damages. The second one, which is the Spawn deluxe hardcover vol 2, of course has dings on 2 of the corners of the slipcase. I just do not get it that they don't add a bit of protection around these books. Sure they want to cheapen out on shipping, but come on already.

I have to also check my Spawn #191. The one that I have, I thought was in really good shape and would be interesting to see if its even in a 9.8 candidate.

On 5/8/2024 at 2:31 PM, newshane said:

 

Just have to stress that there are no 9.8s. 

At least not at the moment. 

139 is a brutal book as well. 

Yes, you are right about no 9.8's or even 9.6's on the census. Now I remember you talking about it when posting about the book. That would be one hell of a book to get in a 9.8 if there is even a copy of it out there in 9.8 candidate quality.

I got very lucky with #139, I've had two of them hit 9.8. I was very scared sending both in when I did, even though there were no issues, you never know with the grader.

I have to agree with most of that list that you have provided. I think that #156 does top that list for getting it in a 9.8 is very difficult. I also want to add #201 as being even higher on that list. Everyone one of these that I have ever found have had some kind of issue on the spine. I had one I sent in a few months ago that was close to a 9.8, but just never did get it.

I'd like to add a few that are difficult to get in excellent shape due to the covers and I've had my fair share of problems getting graded:

• Spawn #7
• Spawn #61 - Cameo of Jessica Priest
• Spawn #119 - Cameo of Gunslinger Spawn
• Spawn #131
• Spawn #139 - NYX becomes She-Spawn
• Spawn #156 - 1st full Zera; this is one hell of a cover to get in a 9.8
• Spawn #179 - 1st War Spawn; I have had no good luck with this one.
• Spawn #185 - Capullo variant
• Spawn #201 - 1st Bludd; this one is my nightmare of a sub
• Spawn #230 - Batman #423 homage and these are difficult to find in a 9.8 worthy condition

On 4/30/2024 at 12:38 PM, F For Fake said:

Amazon really is a shoot. I haven't ordered any oversized books from them for years, but when I do, I only buy via Amazon themselves, and not the third party sellers, as I find their condition descriptions and packaging practices to be wildly inconsistent. I was burned way too many times on "new" books that arrived anything but.

I will sometimes still grab standard sized hardcovers from Amazon, as they sometimes beat the prices of the comic sites, and they generally arrive in decent shape. The lighter the books, the less chance of them damaging themselves. They just aren't taking the time/precautions to package those enormous tomes correctly.

So yeah, for me it's IST first (usually the best price, free shipping over $50, great packaging, and I usually have a 2% repeat customer discount running), CGN (good packaging, oftentimes still have stock on books that IST may have sold out of, but shipping is $7.99 so gotta factor that in), and on occasion have used OGN for books that are sold out at the other two. It's no knock on OGN, they pack VERY well, and are particular about the condition of their books to begin with, but the prices are usually a little bit higher than the other guys, so they're usually third choice for me. Oh, and MCS is actually a solid choice as well for collections, though their stock doesn't seem to be as deep as the other sellers who specialize in collected editions. But I've never been disappointed with price or packaging from MCS when they had what I wanted in stock. (For "regular" comics and slabs, MCS is still my top choice.)

Amazon and Target, if they have a sale going (B2G1) will sometimes get my money, but I'm always holding my breath when the package arrives.

It really is with Amazon. I've had omnibi come without an issue and then I've had ones with damage that could of been prevented. Usually if they are much cheaper than OPB and CGN, I will go with Amazon, but if the prices of the other two are close, I just pick one or the other. Agreed that the lighter the books, there is much less damage you will have to deal with.

On 4/30/2024 at 11:11 AM, CGC Mike said:

Is this still a problem?

Same here, appears to be working now. thanks

Is it down for anyone else, just keeps spinning as its trying to load the submissions?

@CGC Mike

I think I am done ordering Omnis from Amazon. Not only is the packaging (they toss the book in a box without any protectant around it) from Amazon subpar, but it is the same even with the 3rd party sellers that they have sending these books as brand new. I received SIKTC HC Vol. 1 and the clown placed the book in a polymailer that doesn't have any bubble wrap inside it. Couldn't even place it in a box, the top of the slipcase is damaged. I have to return this today.

Then I ordered Invincible Library Vol. 2, this guy places is in a homemade gemini mailer. It gets here without any damage, but after I asked their support at GoodReads (where I bought it from on Amazon) if this was the 2024 2nd printing, they tell me yes it is. I get it and this thing is the first printing, doesn't even match Vol. 1.

I just went back to organic priced books and ordered from there. Guess I should just stick with them or cheap graphic novels, at least they package these books like a tank.

Just very annoying that these sellers do not ship these books out properly.

On 4/27/2024 at 2:39 PM, Lee Enterprises said:

Picked up this double signed beauty. 

Congrats on the pickup. I am still hoping to get TWD#1 in a 9.8 here within the next year.

I’m going to C2E2 on Friday and Saturday, then will be setup as a vendor at the Chicago Toy Show on Sunday. I’ll be bringing comic books primarily but will also have pops and Transformers for the Toys due to it being more of a toy focused show.

On 4/25/2024 at 11:34 AM, Stefan_W said:

12 book Vintage Submission:

Mar 14 - Shipped from Canada 

Mar 19 - Arrived at CGC

Mar 20 - Box opened and SFG

Mar 20 - Credit card charged

Apr 17 - G/E/I

Apr 25 - Q/C

Apr 25 - Shipped

Kudos the the CGC team for working through this way ahead of schedule!

In terms of how I did, I had 3 books a bit below what I was hoping for (none were shocking) and 4 books a bit above so happy with the results. All 6 of the horror books I figured were a 9 or better came back in the 9 range, including one 9.8. So very pleased with both the results and the turn around time  

Congrats! Mine finally shipped.

On 4/25/2024 at 10:21 AM, Stefan_W said:

12 book Vintage Submission:

Mar 14 - Shipped from Canada 

Mar 19 - Arrived at CGC

Mar 20 - Box opened and SFG

Mar 20 - Credit card charged

Apr 17 - G/E/I

Apr 25 - Q/C

This is a very pleasant surprise - I figured it would be stuck at G/E/I for another week or so.  

My UV went from GEI to G/QC in matter of hours yesterday. Now I've been stuck in G/QC hell and on day 4 since the UV was opened up, past the 2 days TAT. There has to be a backup in encapsulation is my guess, but the last 2 weeks I have seen the backup when in G/QC, so is something that caused a backup in QC?

On 4/24/2024 at 8:27 AM, Dayofthedead204 said:

Mine still hasn't!  Arg!  Still in GEI more than 2 weeks and counting.

There has to be a kink somewhere in the line. CGC should really be updating their dates on the site and then we also have C2E2 this weekend, it will only screw up our subs even more. I bet there will be submissions from C2E2 that get graded and out the door before some of these do.

On 4/23/2024 at 7:15 PM, newshane said:

I'm so happy to hear this! 

Where can we go from here? 

I've made a list of the top ten most difficult books, in my experience. I just have to sort them. I'll start with #10 and proceed at a daily pace until we arrive at the most difficult book. 

More AI fun...

 

I have an idea I'd like to throw out there. Not sure if you'd be up for it as its kind of intruding on your thread, but how about if those of us that still have Spawn slabs, could maybe toss up one of ours each day and tell a story of what it took us to get that book to the grade it received, while you are also posting your lists, etc.?

On 4/23/2024 at 1:26 PM, Hulksdaddy1 said:

Clearly, something is going on in encapsulation.

Yup, my UV that was received by CGC last week was opened up yesterday and went to SFG. I guess that won't be hitting the advertised 2 day TAT.

On 4/22/2024 at 6:02 PM, newshane said:

If I'm not mistaken, the CGC only started cranking out 9.8s of Wolvie 35 after they acknowledged the production defect. Of course, I haven't been privy to the problems with that book in quite some time. 

Yes. There has got to be a 9.8 copy of Spawn 156 somewhere. The question is...where the  is "somewhere?" I certainly turned the world upside down looking for one, I guarantee you that. 

But there is another possibility...

a 9.8 copy will never be found. 

Get to looking fellas! Let me know! 

Spawn 156 and 201 are the death of me. I have sent in so many of both, especially 201 and I get nothing but 9.6's. LOL! It is these stupid black covers. Ugh

Again thanks for posting all of the books that you have had from the Spawn universe. It was quite the fun ride and hope you can continue or somehow we can continue this thread as it has been a blast.

On 4/21/2024 at 3:09 PM, Stefan_W said:

I don't have any listings right now - I shut down selling on Ebay until next year. I have a set amount that I am willing to sell there each year, and after that I refuse to give that site more of my money. I use it mostly to offload smaller comics (100-250 price range). 

Here is my account: https://www.ebay.ca/str/thecomicdoghouse  

I don't blame you. eBay does irritate me too and by a lot as we do run our business on there, their rules do suck. I can write a novel about them, but won't. LOL!

Too bad another really good site that is similar has not come along.

How has Shortboxed been for you guys, have you tried them at all?