mintcollector

Interesting It is funny you say critics are turning on the show. I've actually been surprised by all the praise the show has received lately. Right now Metacritic has it at an 80: http://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-walking-dead/season-5 Entertainment Weekly says best season so far: http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/11/walking-dead-best-season-ever/ Vox.com (never heard of them) had this to say: "I can't believe I'm writing this, but The Walking Dead is one of the best shows of 2014" http://www.vox.com/2014/12/1/7314439/walking-dead-finale This reviewer even mentions he disliked season 4 but now is enjoying season 5: "In contrast to his predecessors, Scott M. Gimple, the showrunner since Season 4, is getting nothing but praise. And deservedly so. I stand by everything I wrote a few weeks back: The Walking Dead has been shockingly good so far this year." http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/walking-dead-2014-midseason-finale-recap/ Most of the reviews I'm reading of the season are praising the success of the show. It is curious that your review choices were more from the niche market that would probably include more comic fans than the ones I linked. Personally, I feel the show has huge peaks and valleys. I hate the way they split the show off and tell other stories. I'm truly only interested in Rick and I feel the split focus just doesn't work. It was what drove me crazy about last season. However, I think a lot of my criticism of the show is because of my love for the book. Talking to none comic readers, they love it! My wife loves the show. I have coworkers that love the show. Clearly from the ratings, people love the show. I'm not sure I'd say it is losing steam by any stretch of the imagination. And this is your opinion. So let me ask you something. How come you are entitled to your opinion, but when I present mine "I am talking out my ***?" Interesting how your mind works.

***American Horror Story Spoiler Alert!*** I find American Horror Story completely disgusting this season. The first three seasons were great. This season it is almost like the producers went out of their way to offend me in every manner possible. The scene were Jessica Lange's character loses her legs made me lose all faith in humanity. If that wasn't enough I was later 'treated" (sarcasm implied) to watching a father mutilate his daughter all because he didn't like her choice in men. I am all for horror just like the next guy (the Saw movies are some of my favorites), but I shouldn't feel like I need a shower after watching a show because the producers think that I want watch the most horrid acts against humanity done each and every week. As such I can no longer approve of the show...at least for this season. Judging by the critics I am not alone.

I would strongly suggest you take a course in reading comprehension. Where did I say anything about the ratings? I was referring to the story and it appears a lot of people and critics agree with me; starting with its downfall several years ago. If you like it you are welcome to disagree. See these links to your one: http://spectator.org/blog/56454/declining-walking-dead (The Declining Walking Dead) http://www.contactmusic.com/opinion/amc-the-walking-dead-review-season-4-episode-9-criticism_4062479 (Disappointment in season 4) http://www.gamespot.com/forums/offtopic-discussion-314159273/walking-dead-is-highly-overrated-31611142/ (Walking Dead is highly overrated) When responding try to understand that not everyone has an agenda. I had high hopes for this season, but sadly I no longer watch. I can say the same about this season of American Horror Story. Would you like to attack me on that subject as well?

It was overvalued to begin with. The show is losing steam as well. Still one sale is not enough to measure the true validity of the market.

I get asked this question all the time. I will assume you are asking solely about comic book collections. I am at several hundred thousand dollars. Ironically I refuse to pay more than $3,000 for one book and I only collect 9.2 or higher CGC graded books. I used to have a $2,000 per book cap, but had to increase it to finish the collection. Almost done!

Why wouldn't you want it because someone has 500 copies? It's not an expensive book and the black cover makes it tough in high grade. While I cannot answer for the individual to whom this question was posed, here is one (of many) answers to your question: A lot of collectors are attracted to the mystique of owning something that is thought to be important, valuable, and difficult to find. Once an item is shown to be in great supply (especially in the hands of just one other collector) the item's luster is somewhat diminished. This has always been my theory as to why so few speculators use the census regularly. When you start to show someone just how many (or even how few in some cases) of something there are it vastly changes how they personally perceive the item in question.

In which universe? Our Universe? From the CGC census: MTU 1 604 total CGC graded copies 3 @ 9.8 8 @ 9.6 59 @ 9.4 11.5% of the graded copies of MTU 1 are NM or better. 1/2 of one percent are 9.8 New Mutants 98 5821 total CGC graded copies 1 @ 10 8 @ 9.9 1432 @ 9.8 1622 @ 9.6 848 @ 9.4 Not only are the almost 10x more CGC graded NM 98 than MTU 1, 67% of the graded NM 98's are 9.4 or better. 25% are 9.8 or better. I think that counts as MTU 1 being extremely rare compared to NM 98 (thumbs u

I don't understand why this continues to shock some people. You don't think there is this amount of books like Ms. Marvel 1 and other speculative books out there? This is commonplace. A large number of books from 1968 and later were hoarded en masse. Most of these books are sitting in NM and above ungraded.

This seems to be the way to go and if I was the OP I would take this generous forum member up on their offer. Magic the Gathering is a niche collectible, but one that is sustainable at least for now. I would never recommend anyone try to invest in MTG cards simply due to the fact that way too many cards come in and out of flavor much too often. This is not something I would recommend holding for the long term. However I know a lot of people who make good money flipping cards for the short term.

This is not always true. Not all books continue to stay at post speculative highs after the release of a subsequent movie or television show. To make this conclusion is not only dangerous, but also false.

There's a club owner in Toronto that I promised a NM 98 to as a gift the next time I see him. I promised to get him a copy 3 months ago. He tells me he's wanted a copy his entire life. I think he's about 35. He no longer actively collects (he holds what he has), he certainly doesn't speculate. He just wants a copy. There's going to be a lot of people like that. He should have bought a copy when nobody cared about the character. Or wait a few years after the hype dies down and pick up a copy. Buying a copy right now isn't the most financially sound decision to make. People want things when they start to command a premium price. It`s the nature of the beast. Did anybody want Marvel Preview 4 or Sunfire and Big Hero 6 #1 a few years ago when they could have been pulled out of dollar boxes? Soon as they started hitting a high price that`s when they became desired. And I don't dispute that. However, this is exactly why these same speculators will always lose. They are chasing trends and false returns, not books. Had they worked on building a true collection without the hype, they may have actually bought some incredible books at fair prices. These same speculators usually don't even know how to properly analyze the market and use the census to their advantage. u sound like a jaded vet.. have you stopped to think for a moment that prices on New Mutants 98 are high because most of them are going to readers and fans of deadpool ?? $750 shipped (about where NM98 has currently been) for a 9.8 cgc first appearance of a popular top tier Marvel character isn't really a lot of money.. especially in GBP... thats like 300-400 quid.. nothing... I know Batman and X-men are huge overseas. when i watch the current crop of youtube collectors and the passionate readers comic hauls, Deadpool is pretty much one of their favorite collections and characters... and most of these vids predate the current hype by about a year or 2. so like hulk 181 AF15 Daredevil 1 Batman Adventures 12 ASM 129 ASM 300 GSX 1 (all high census numbers) maybe NM 98 is just a really popular book folks around the world want in high grade? (regardless of how many are in the census) A lot of folks have stock in Disney and are pushing their own agenda.. Im starting to see it now.. Did read what you originally wrote? There are several noted flaws in your analysis. First, I have a massive collection of antiques and collectibles that spans most popular categories. As a result I own most of the books you mention in high grade (9.2-9.8); all CGC graded. Second why would I be jaded? I actually recently turned down an opportunity to own a NM 98 in CGC 9.8 at a recent local convention offering the seller some advise instead; that he can get a lot more. The cost was only $500 for the book! When I posted about this on these very forums I was told I should have bought the book instead. The fact remains that NM 98 just started to spike in price because of the recent movie news. This book went from $400 to more than $1,000 (in CGC 9.8) in a matter of days if not weeks. This is not sustainable and the price validity shows that the book's performance is readily based on speculation and hype. It is truly amazing that you choose to look at my statements like I am a mere onlooker who has no vested interest in high grade comic books or the current speculation frenzy we are now seeing. I hold a lot of the same high grade keys you mention below. The difference is I am NOT banking on their financial return. I have often cautioned people about the dangers of speculation and as you will eventually see that even with NM 98 this too will take its course. Right now antique bottle collecting is extremely popular with prices bordering on insanity. In fact several months ago it was recently named the number one most popular collecting field in America. As a collector of antique bottles I recently cautioned someone about trying to invest in this market. I wasn't accused of being a holder of Alcoa stock whose sole purpose was to ensure that aluminum prices rise instead and that collectors should flock to collecting aluminum cans; thus ensuring a I get hefty dividend thanks to these new found buyers. Speculation is speculation. It doesn't matter my position in the market as my opinions are the same regardless of the collectible involved.

There's a club owner in Toronto that I promised a NM 98 to as a gift the next time I see him. I promised to get him a copy 3 months ago. He tells me he's wanted a copy his entire life. I think he's about 35. He no longer actively collects (he holds what he has), he certainly doesn't speculate. He just wants a copy. There's going to be a lot of people like that. He should have bought a copy when nobody cared about the character. Or wait a few years after the hype dies down and pick up a copy. Buying a copy right now isn't the most financially sound decision to make. People want things when they start to command a premium price. It`s the nature of the beast. Did anybody want Marvel Preview 4 or Sunfire and Big Hero 6 #1 a few years ago when they could have been pulled out of dollar boxes? Soon as they started hitting a high price that`s when they became desired. And I don't dispute that. However, this is exactly why these same speculators will always lose. They are chasing trends and false returns, not books. Had they worked on building a true collection without the hype, they may have actually bought some incredible books at fair prices. These same speculators usually don't even know how to properly analyze the market and use the census to their advantage.

Sorry, let me clarify. Yes, I agree he's been popular for a long time...consistently popular. I was a big fan when the issue originally hit the shelves. But "blew up"...$400 to $1,000, a new post about NM98 popping up every other day, comparing NM98 to IH 181, etc....all within the past few months. This is not a valid comparison. Look at the census numbers for NM 98. Almost a little over HALF of all submitted are in 9.6 or better. These prices have to be unsustainable over the long term. I could be wrong, but I hope not as this does not paint a healthy picture for the vinatge comic book market as a whole. There is nothing wrong with steadily increasing prices, but here is the issue: there is a direct coorelation between movie announcements and speculation. It has never been this bad before. There is also a direct correlation between the number of copies that exist and the number of people who own those copies who will tell newbies it is valuable, (thumbs u Speculation at its finest. Then when the book falls in price and these speculators have moved on to their next loss...er, 'golden conquest' (at least in their eyes); these same individuals will be here telling these people that "you should buy books you enjoy and not for investment purposes." Ironically if they did that from the start they would have an AWESOME collection and would NOT be paying four figures for a common as day 90's key.

Sorry, let me clarify. Yes, I agree he's been popular for a long time...consistently popular. I was a big fan when the issue originally hit the shelves. But "blew up"...$400 to $1,000, a new post about NM98 popping up every other day, comparing NM98 to IH 181, etc....all within the past few months. This is not a valid comparison. Look at the census numbers for NM 98. Almost a little over HALF of all submitted are in 9.6 or better. These prices have to be unsustainable over the long term. I could be wrong, but I hope not as this does not paint a healthy picture for the vinatge comic book market as a whole. There is nothing wrong with steadily increasing prices, but here is the issue: there is a direct coorelation between movie announcements and speculation. It has never been this bad before.

I agree. I would have to say TWD has brought in more new comic book readers and brought back more old time comic book readers, then any of the big blockbuster superhero movies ever did. Proof? Even though Iron Man and the Avengers movies did over 2 billion at the box office their comic books can`t even sell 35,000 copies a month,while the Walking Dead has sold over 100,000 copies and dominated the graphic novels chart. It's a little too soon to declare that there is no speculative bubble surrounding The Walking Dead. As stated many, many times the true test of this book will come a few years after the television show is cancelled.

1,666 total in universal grade with 617 in 9.8 and 17 in 9.9! Now to be fair this book came out in 2003 so as expected more will be kept in high grade just due to pure speculation and the fact that comics are viewed as an 'investment' in this day and age. That being said I will say something that will surprise most people on this forum. While I feel that this book is overvalued and due for a modest correction a few years after the show is cancelled (it will most likely always be a $1,000+ book in 9.8); I would much rather buy this than NM 98. Still, it is hard to believe that there are 17 copies in 9.9!

Can someone please sell me a Cerebus #1 in CGC 9.2 so we can put ths thread to bed? For the record I don't want a SS one other, I just want one that has off white or better page quality; fair enough? And yes I will gladly pay more than the yearly GPA average price of a Hulk 181 in CGC 9.2. Note I said average. Fluke prices paid by speculators and uneducated buyers never did motivate me as I don't buy out of emotion.

Sorry to say, but I think the show was already cancelled.

I have this show on my DVR. I too thought that was a little suspect especially after hearing he paid $15,000 for it. How can you pay $15,000 for something and not know how much it is worth??? I also thought it was interesting that he had a AF #15 that they completely ignored. I like the show, but as someone who does appraisals I would not want to appraise those kinds of collections. Could you imagine having to estimate the value of all those loose action figures? Or even having to go through and look for rare variants? I also think the show gives people the wrong idea about collecting. The show shows it from an 'investment angle.' Look how much you paid for your collection and how much it is now worth. Unfortunately after you factor in transaction costs that range from 20-25% upon selling some of these items and maintenance and insurance costs those prices are not accurate. Add in taxes on any gains and it is just not realistic at all. All these shows do is continue to enforce the false notion that antiques and collectibles should serve as some kind of alternate asset for the AVERAGE person when in fact only those knowledgeable enough in their chosen fields should be attempting such a feat. I truly believe that certain aspects of antiques and collectibles market are currently in a speculative bubble that will eventually experience a correction.

These were very 'unique' toys. I saw them on an episode of Toy Hunter as I do not personally own them. I was surprised that they have some collector value as they seem pretty ridiculous to me. I miss Air Raiders, Starcom, MASK, and Supernaturals. All of which I owned back in the day. I have several MASK toys AFA graded, as well some Starcom toys, but I can't find any graded Supernaturals or Air Raiders. Obscure lines are always the hardest to find in near mint condition!

Awesome! Now this is something I can really get into!

Number one, the true test will occur after the show ends. Long term investors are not concerned with a short term impact of a television show. Television shows end. For this to be considered an 'investment' it's going to have to have long term staying power; meaning more than one generation. It will always be a modern age key (until we redefine what 'age' 2001 fits into). Unfortunately, this alone does not always equate continued growth and demand. Number two, bidders on ebay generally try to inflate prices so they can justify charging such prices for their own items. This is why it is very dangerous to go by completed auction sales to determine the current market value of any collectible. Unfortunately, a lot of people do. Want proof? Just look at past threads that showcase what a proposed item is or has sold for. An item's price only matters if the buyer paid.

This used to be a $1,000 book in 9.8. Now what is it at? I don't think it is ever coming back to those insane levels again. Transformers was a successful toy line created by Hasbro first and foremost; The Walking Dead is not. It was not created as a comic book first and then became a television series. Again, much like the Star Trek analogy you used earlier I don't think it can compare. It is like comparing apples to oranges and hoping the analogy fits because of the emotional attachment involved. You have expressed a lot of emotional attachment towards The Walking Dead in the past and I respect this. Unfortunately from an investment standpoint this is where things can quickly fall out of focus and become an issue. As a result, there is nothing I or anyone else on this forum can say to convince you otherwise and I say this with full respect (I mean this in general terms towards anyone who has an emotional attachment to something). For instance, I know an acquaintance who collects United States postage stamps. Personally I hate stamps as I would never collect something that was intended to be licked. However, for the last decade or so he has been saying how stamp collecting is going to make a successful comeback and how it a an 'undervalued' and underappreciated' hobby. Unfortunately, I think since we have started to long recover from the Great Recession and stamp prices have still remained stagnant overall he is learning that this is not the case. Does this analogy apply to The Walking Dead? Absolutely not. The point of the analogy was just to show how emotional attachment can cloud one's thinking. Truth be told I think you would be better off with some vintage factory sealed Star Wars toys...but then again maybe that is my nostalgia clouding my judgment. I never said I wasn't immune either! If the Walking Dead "bubble" does burst (which it won't by the way, because it is not in one), we should all be concerned with the health of the overall modern age comic market as a whole, since the Walking Dead series is one of the major underpinnings of it. -J. So we are now claiming that The Walking Dead is equivalent to the health of the modern age comic book market as a whole? I believe by that logic we just changed the question from 'When will/will the Walking Dead bubble burst?' to 'Is the modern age of comic books based solely on speculation?'

This used to be a $1,000 book in 9.8. Now what is it at? I don't think it is ever coming back to those insane levels again. Transformers was a successful toy line created by Hasbro first and foremost; The Walking Dead is not. It was not created as a comic book first and then became a television series. Again, much like the Star Trek analogy you used earlier I don't think it can compare. It is like comparing apples to oranges and hoping the analogy fits because of the emotional attachment involved. You have expressed a lot of emotional attachment towards The Walking Dead in the past and I respect this. Unfortunately from an investment standpoint this is where things can quickly fall out of focus and become an issue. As a result, there is nothing I or anyone else on this forum can say to convince you otherwise and I say this with full respect (I mean this in general terms towards anyone who has an emotional attachment to something). For instance, I know an acquaintance who collects United States postage stamps. Personally I hate stamps as I would never collect something that was intended to be licked. However, for the last decade or so he has been saying how stamp collecting is going to make a successful comeback and how it a an 'undervalued' and underappreciated' hobby. Unfortunately, I think since we have started to long recover from the Great Recession and stamp prices have still remained stagnant overall he is learning that this is not the case. Does this analogy apply to The Walking Dead? Absolutely not. The point of the analogy was just to show how emotional attachment can cloud one's thinking. Truth be told I think you would be better off with some vintage factory sealed Star Wars toys...but then again maybe that is my nostalgia clouding my judgment. I never said I wasn't immune either!

Maybe he found somone who wanted to get rid of lots of comics and didn't care about price. I has a garage sale this past weekend and sold quite a few comics at low low prices. Question is would you sell this book for $2.00? Most likely the seller didn't know the value, but it could have been that he or she didn't care as well. I had a flea market seller just sell me a lot of books he got at auction for very little money. He was happy with the quick flip. Thus far I have not had time to go through them as comic books are a hobby and not my primary business in the antiques and collectibles realm. I can state however that I have been getting a lot of great deals on comic books this year already and the season just started. Bronze and copper age keys seem to be very easy to find in Pennsylvania.