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Lee K

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Journal Entries posted by Lee K

  1. Lee K
    Why not - maybe Harvey will reboot too...
    Unlike many of the boardies and some of my fellow journal writers, I enjoy reading current comics. And as my followers know by now, I read a couple of independents and DC.
    What many of you don't know, is that I'm not some company snob that won't read anything by Marvel - it's just that Marvel's big selling point to most collectors is continuity, which I really don't care about.
    From my perspective as a reader, what Marvel does do better than anyone else is write about two things: martial arts and Asgardian gods. When I read, or am tempted to read Marvel, you can be assured that Shang-Chi, Iron Fist, Thor, The Warriors Three or Stephen Strange is involved (I know Dr. Strange doesn't fit - but I like it).
    With all that having been said, I decided to try a single Marvel title with the new reboot, Thor: God of Thunder. I have to say that I am very much enjoying a fresh look at Thor, and also enjoying the writing that is focussing on Thor in three distinct ages of his existence - in the age of vikings, current day, and at the end of days when Thor is the last god of Asgard. A fascinating, threefold storyline is slowly coming together and I am excited to read issue 3 to see where everything is going.
    So - I have to say - if you don't read modern books much (or at all), or you wouldn't normally read a Marvel book, bive this first story arc a chance. You may loathe it - but you may very much enjoy it as well.
    And in the mean time - Merry Christmas - or for you readers of Thor - Happy Yule.
    Happy Hunting
    Lee
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  2. Lee K

    Graded

    By Lee K,

    (teaser)
    And now they have been graded for 23 business days. With the inclusion of Martin Luther King Jr. Day that is one day short of five weeks.
    I fail to grasp this as a business model.
    I thought maybe, as the only reasonable explanation, that books would move quicker from Graded to Shipped Safe if angry submitters were not calling and arguing their grades or asking for a review of their grade.
    But no - now it takes longer than ever for books to move from Graded to Shipped Safe.
    Obviously I am frustrated with the level of customer support available.
    Sincerely;
    Lee
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  3. Lee K

    What Marvel does for me...

    By Lee K,

    See - I don't only complain about turn around times...
    While I continue to be frustrated with how long CGC has held my books at 'graded' without shipping them, I was reminded last night by facebook conversation with Tnerb - that there are some books by Marvel that I do cherish and I do think that the writers at Marvel did/do better than anyone ever did at DC.
    The three big things that I have always felt made Marvel readable to me are: Martial Arts, Norse Gods, and Dr. Strange.
    I could care less about continuity - and I can easily grasp that a story in issue 150 happened before a story in issue 100; plus, when I was young - I didn't always have a quarter for my favorite book, so I missed many issues.
    But one thing I could count on was excellent martial arts story telling in Master of Kung Fu, and fun mystic martial arts in Iron Fist/Power Man. It didn't really matter how many issues I'd missed either - because they were isolated from mainstream Marvel titles. These guys didn't hang with the Avengers or FF and I didn't need to know what was going on in the Marvelverse to understand the story.
    The second thing I could always find enjoyment in was Thor. Particularly stories of Asgard and the Asgardian gods - how cool are the Warriors Three? Sif? and Thor's villains? Good storytelling unlike what I was reading at DC.
    Finally - and least often as a youth - Dr. Strange. I came to appreciate Dr. Strange latter in my youth, well into my teens in fact, and I was surprised by the depth of storytelling and the beauty of the artwork. I suppose if there was on Marvel title that I would collect in CGC Dr. Strange might very well be it.
    Some other time I will write about the joys of DC. The war books, the horror books and most important in my youth - the Justice League of America during the satellite years.
    For now - perhaps my books will be sent from CGC today as I prepare my current batch for signature and grading at ECCC and some time hanging out with and getting to know Ronnylama & Tnerb.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  4. Lee K

    Four Weeks...

    By Lee K,

    19 business days
    The IRS doesn't take that long...
    Arnold Schwartenegger didn't visit Mars for that long...
    But my books have been sitting at CGC graded for that long, but not shipped, so I still don't know my grades.
    *le sigh*
    Lee
  5. Lee K
    Yep
    Still no grades. It's now 15 business days since my books were graded, and I'm really excited to know my grades and add them to my sets...but they're not shipped, so no grades.
    Sadness follows me all of my days. (all 150 days that they have had these books).
    Oh well - ECCC is next month and I'm busy working on my budget. So many cool people and books to have signed: Claremont, Adams, ONeil, Grell, Bisley, Mack, and more...and more...
    I'm going to have to limit myself...but I have four in hand for Adams, and that's where my main con money is going...
    I just can't wait.
    Lee K
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  6. Lee K

    Arrival

    By Lee K,

    but...
    not my books - no my books are still 'graded' although today is Graded + 11 business days.
    But my nephew's books - the ones I mailed the day after my books were scheduled for grading just arrive. My books, on the other hand, I still don't know the grades on.
    Sadness.
    Lee K
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  7. Lee K

    Graded

    By Lee K,

    And they are getting faster
    At least those that are submitted on the 'slow boat from China' tier - which I use due to amazing cheapness on my part. Hey, money spent on CGC is money not spent on more comics to read.
    But my last submission was graded on business day 90, and this submission (mailed 21 days after the previous submission was mailed) was graded on business day 80. That my friends, is a 2 week improvement.
    Now to continue to wait for those grades to be available and to take my rightful place as #5 on the Strange Adventures list...
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  8. Lee K

    Graded...

    By Lee K,

    But still not available.
    So I posted when my books were graded - but what I didn't disclose is the day that my books were scheduled for grading my nephew had me drop his four coupon books at the post-office and sent them to Sarasota via priority mail.
    Now my books are graded - but my grades are still unknown - and his books are shipped safe and on their way back to the left coast.
    Granted, his grades were mostly half a grade lower than I expected - which isn't terrible - but based on the condition of the books he selected, I'm concerned about my grades.
    The only questions that remain are: Will my nephew's books arrive via UPS ground before my grades are known? and: Will I scream bloody murder when I see my grades, like someone did when he discovered his?
    Happy Hunting
    Lee
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  9. Lee K

    Graded

    By Lee K,

    But no grades
    On the other hand - it is only business day #90, so that is 20 business days faster than my last submission on the 40 day tier.
    Additionally - my other submission finally made it to Scheduled at only business day #71 - which is business days earlier than the previous submission.
    Things are improving - even if we are getting a little hammered on our grades.
    Good job CGC on improving turn around times - hopefully you can be close to 50-60 business days on the 40 day tiers before the season starts at Emerald City Comic Con.
    Because I know I'm going to have submissions there.
    I post grades when they show in a week or two.
    Or not - if they really suck.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  10. Lee K

    ECCC

    By Lee K,

    Trying to gear up...
    Last year there were no signatures at Emerald City that I was interested in - I ended up with one sig-series book from the convention and zero new books in my collection.
    This year Adams, Claremont, and Denny O'Neil (as well as Grell) will be there - and I have decisions to make. Probably I'll have Claremont sign X-men 94 (it's a 6.0) - and maybe if money permits I'll add a 140 & 141 in 9.2 or so; Probably I'll have Adams sign some Justice League of America issues 98, 138, & 139 - and maybe if I have money I'll get a Strange Adventures Deadman issue as well (but probally not). As for Denny? Either a Denny O'neil/Neal Adams book or a Denny O'Neil/Mike Grell book - and finally, I have a book from Mike Grell's personal collection that is inscribed to him from Neal Adams, that I will have Neal sign and then Mike sign...
    And I'd really like a copy of JLoA 122 in 9.2 or better for Grell to sign, but I don't seem to have one, and I'm not laying my hands on one easily.
    And then I'll be all out of money.
    I guess it is a good thing Perez won't be here too.
    Happy hunting!
    And Happy convention season!
    Lee K
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  12. Lee K
    what?
    OK - so when was this added to the 'order status' page?
    Really? CGC needs to build in another delay in an effort to get us all to use the more expensive expedited tier for our submissions, without actually eliminating the economy/standard/modern tiers?
    Next I predict the removal from the website the projected and actual turn-around times, so they don't have anything to be measured against.
    Happy waiting!
    Lee K
    Oh - current submission times:
    Submission #1: 101 days/72 bus. days
    Submission #2: 79 days/54 bus. days
    in another 80 to 85 days I should have submission #1 back in my hands.
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  13. Lee K

    two zero one three...

    By Lee K,

    Mayans, Horses, Mike Grell, and me...
    If the end of the world does not come to pass as the week comes to a close, then I shall enjoy my Friday and weekend at the quiet retreat that is Mike's house, and ranch. Weather permitting, I may even go for a ride upon one of the many fine horses - of course if the world does come to an end, I intend to be there for the ample food (elk, yum!), spring water, and friends backing up to the Olympic National Forest...and the horses will get ridden as part of our continuing survival.
    After that, as 2013 dawns, I guess I'd better get prepared for the 2013 collecting goals - although they will continue to be an extension of my 2012 goals. More DC science fiction - focused on Strange Adventures and early Mystery in Space issues. More go-go checks - just because they are pretty. And maybe, just maybe some more 50's Batman, Wonder Woman or Superman - but probably not - just for budget reasons.
    I have concluded that my budget just isn't going to support really high grade copies of 50's Strange Adventures if I am going to be a completionist - so it looks like 7.5 & 8.0 may just be my best friends there.
    I do think I will pursue a couple more signature series books - partly because Neil Adams, Chris Claremont & Denny O'Neil will be at EMCC - and those are signatures I would be happy to have.
    Oh - and most importantly - I plan to read a lot of journals, so please keep writing.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  14. Lee K

    Hunting time

    By Lee K,

    My LCS passed on
    a collection of comics that came in, refusing even to make an honest offer on the first batch of books the seller brought in - fortunately they seller took them down the road to a store that specializes in toys.
    AND..
    There's about 30 issues of Strange Adventures that I am missing from my collection in mid-high grade -call them 7.0 to 9.0- with a couple of gems and THE key issue in VF - I may not need all 30, and I certainly can not afford to pick them all up in one fell swoop, but I can start filling some holes in my collection...
    BTW that seller has now taken several boxes of books to the toy store, and the toy store is getting a fairly large number of mid-high grade early silver age DCs, Marvels, and Charltons....and my LCS? They bought a box of Poor to Very Good copies of Archie Books.
    And three long boxes of Poor to Good 70s DC horror books. Did they make money on them, sure. did they serve me, no.
    Ah well - Hunting Party on Tuesday!
    Lee K
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  15. Lee K

    Business Day 55

    By Lee K,

    Or as I like to call it:
    Halfway to graded on the 40 day tier. Give or take.
    Happy last day of November all you collectors.
    Lee K
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  16. Lee K
    sort of...
    Last week I received a FB invite to have after-Thanksgiving dinner with my friends at Mike Grell's home, and for some unknown reason, I accepted.
    Mike & his wife were welcoming as always - the turkey was incredible, as were the sides - many of which came from the garden and orchards on-site.
    Mike was an excellent host and kind enough to say grace (even though no-one at the table shares identical beliefs) from the head of the table.
    We ate, we drank (a little), and Mike passed around copies of the variant cover of Arrow #1 for all to take home.
    In walking through the house to the restroom I even saw a stack of three variations for the sketch that the police are using as the 'police sketch' for Arrow - each with slightly different shading - sitting by the scanner and numbered (1, 2, 3) presumably to give the studio an option of which they would prefer to use.
    I hope everyone else had a excellent Thanksgiving weekend as well.
    Happy Hunting
    Lee K
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  17. Lee K
    2012 has been an odd one
    So my collecting year hasn't passed as I intended in 2012. I have made a couple of good additions to the go-go check collection passing the 20% complete threshold, and I have continued to add and slab books in my Strange Adventures set - finally reaching 5th place on the registry, just ahead of the 420kid...but although 2nd through 4th are reasonably attainable, I doubt I will ever be 1st - at least not as I am going. Perhaps, some day.
    Money has been the big bugaboo this year. I only sold two paintings this year, and more money had to go toward my MG than toward my comic addiction, and then I overextended myself this last spring to get myself gallery representation in New Orleans (which will pay for itself eventually - I know it will). I know it is better to overextend myself to promote myself, than to feed my comic addiction - but when I look back at my acquisitions for 2012, I can't help but wonder if there was something better I could have done with my extra cash.
    With some luck, someone, somewhere, might just buy me a single book to add to my addiction for the holiday - but I find that unlikely. Not impossible - but unlikely. We'll see.
    To each of you - I wish you the best in your collecting goals for 2013 and beyond, and I hope that 2012 was everything you expected it to be.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  18. Lee K
    Books...
    So I already journaled about my grades - and I am happy with my Strange Adventures issues - an 8 & a 7.5 for Science Fiction issues from the 50's is respectable and I didn't expect any better (ok - I thought the 7.5 was an 8).
    But how did CGC do? I mean this was my 4th coupon submission...and turn-around times are an issue with me (and have been for some time - particularly since I am paying more per invoice than I was four years ago)...
    My books were shipped via USPS Priority Mail on the 2nd of October, received by CGC on the 5th (pursuant to USPS) and I was given an invoice date (received status) by CGC on the 8th.
    On October 30th my books were graded
    On November 2nd they were shipped safe with UPS (I do like UPS - but I have books shipped to my office, in the downtown office district, so I have a top-notch, experience delivery guy)
    On November 9th I received my books in hand.
     
    So from the time my books left my hand, till I received them back (the only REAL measurement of time) - 37 calendar days have passed - or 30 'business' days, that would be days that I have to go to work or use a vacation day.
    From the day my books were identified as received till they were shipped safe - 20 'business' days passed, and 26 calendar days passed.
    Given that my first coupon submission was a 20 day submission and it was shipped safe on the 18th day - this represents a substantial slip in customer service.
    As always
    Happy Hunting
    Lee K
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  19. Lee K

    What is it...

    By Lee K,

    About issue 1?
    It doesn't matter how well I pre-screen my books; and it doesn't matter how they compare to the other books I send in (even in the same submission)...whenever I submit a #1 my grade is hammered.
    This time I submitted four books (coupon) which I determined where all a strong 8.0 - although I thought, maybe, one of them was a little nicer than the others (it was graded highest).
    I got back a 7.0, a 7.5, an 8, and an 8.5 - and sure enough, the lowest grade was the book worth the most if the grade had been better...the issue #1.
    Was my grading all that bad? No - I don't think so half a grade is an opinion. But, why oh why is it always the issue 1 that gets hammered? Yes, every time, my issue 1 comes back grades lower than the rest of my submission - almost as if there were 'special grading criteria' for issue 1...
    Oh - my books & grades?
    Weird War 1: 7.0 - OW
    Weird War 3: 8.5 - OW/W
    Strange Adventures 73: 8.0 - OW/W Highest Graded (only other in census is a 5.5)
    Strange Adventures 76: 7.5 - C/OW (?) 2nd Highest Graded (one higher at 8.0, one lower at 6.5)
    Shortly I should be able to get these bad boys up in my registry.
    Happy Hunting
    Lee K
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  21. Lee K

    14 business days...

    By Lee K,

    And my coupon books are still 'verified'
    Yeah - so I am really, really excited for tomorrow. As always, my personal grading most often is questionable at best, and I've missed restoration as well (I'm no expert, that's for certain)...but I feel pretty good about my 4 books.
    I sent it two 50's copies of Strange Adventures, and two early issues of Weird War (1 & 3) and I figure all 4 books to be VF(ish)...Now to hold my breath and see if that pans out.
    I have to admit that I didn't realize how much the books I had selected had in common until just now when I wrote the above paragraph. But Strange Adventures and the early issues of Weird War were both built on there being multiple stories in each issue - certainly there was a 'headline' story - but there were back stories too (B-sides if you will). Plus both series often had informational pages and 1 page stories. Strange Adventures often had text only stories (which I dig)...
    Well - I don't know - I just wanted to ramble for a bit.
    Good luck & Happy hunting
    Lee K
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  22. Lee K
    and the days just flash by
    Welcome to calendar day 191. My books arrived today (UPS - not USPS) - on the 40 business day tier.
    I think today is business day 132 - but I may have missed a day or two or added a day or two, somewere in there, but it is definately outside of the 100 days I was told when I dropped them off on April 1st. (perhaps that was the problem, some sort of April Fool's thing...? nah.)
    The excellent news is: Today is a business day - my most recent shipment was received and verified today - so CGC is hard at work on your books and my books today.
    While we wait, I would like to reflect on my favorite 'spaceship' covers...
    Batman 59 (have a copy)
    Famous Funnies 214 (need a copy)
    and
    Strange Adventures 46 (totally need a copy).
    Happy Hunting
    Lee K
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  23. Lee K

    Ask, and...

    By Lee K,

    Ye shall receive.
    So last spring (2011) I was out at Mike Grell's place helping him shuffle some stuff around in the garage when I happened upon a box of comics (weird, huh?) - only unlike the other 100 boxes of books, these weren't written or drawn by Mike. They were, in fact, his reference books.
    Later last summer, I went back out just about on my birthday to enjoy the peace & quiet on his ranch and to just generally hang out; but I also had an agenda for one afternoon. I brought a long box 300 bags & 300 boards and I put his books away for him properly and I had a chance to look at them as I did. Contents: a damn lot of Tarzans (pre-DC), a bunch of Adams Green Arrows & Detectives, and a run of Miller Daredevils - with condition running from poor to very fine (or better...)
    But, hidden in there was an oddity - a first issue of 1,000,000 BC - signed & inscribed. "To Mike, Mi Compadre...blah, blah, blah ~Neal"
    So - with Neal coming to the west coast for EMCC, and oddly enough with Mike attending (or intending to) for the first time in some years - I asked. Mike, may I have this book from your collection? Mind you, I've never asked Mike for a book or sketch or anything of that sort before - we're both working artists and I feel it would be rude. I have purchased a splash page from him, I've eaten his food, and I have gifted him a print of one of my paintings - but I've never asked for anything.
    And...
    He said 'sure'...
    So now...I intend to have Neal sign it again at EMCC, the only question is - do I have Mike sign and inscribe it to me as well?
    I love a book with a story.
    BTW - the book isn't in great condition...if memory serves, it's probably about a 6.0
    Happy Hunting
    Lee K
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  24. Lee K

    Science Fiction

    By Lee K,

    So much more fun in the 50's and early 60's
    In the days when we truely knew nothing about the moon, the other planets in our solar system (remember Pluto?), or the bottom of the sea - I find those science fiction comics fun, or more fun than the current batch of sci-fi anyway.
    I'm really pleased with my recent acquisitions and the books I have at CGC or on their way back from CGC at the moment.
    My House of Mystery 133, is coming back as a 9.0 white.
    I just added a bunch of Strange Adventures that are off to CGC now: 71, 72, 73, 76, 159 & 186 (I totally read them first!). Plus a great number more that are not worth slabbing - but are great to read.
    And then - I was just in my LCS and saw that they had added some house books - including House of Secrets 11, 46 & 46 - which I may go back and negotiate for - particularly the 11 which appeared to be a solid, mid-grade book.
    I'm still working away on my go-go check books - enough so that I may soon ask Gemma for a set for them - but I got a little side-tracked when I picked up the go-go check Strange Adventures and Sea Devils and I remembered how much I loved those stories.
     
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
  25. Lee K

    Over/Under

    By Lee K,

    is now at 1/2 calendar year...
    That's right, that's right - the over/under on how long it will be before I have my books back from CGC is 1/2 year, 6 months, 182.5 days...weigh in where you will.
    I sent a small package (all I can afford) on Friday - as soon as it is marked received, I will start the clock. When the books are back in my hands, I will stop the clock...it's a race against time, and the other contestant is the earth revolving around the sun (1/2 way).
    Now, before you consider whether you are in on the over or the under - you should be aware of the most current data that I have. My package (same size, same tier) dropped off on April 1st, is graded, but not verified and (obviously) not shipped. Today is calendar day 170...that means there is only 12.5 days left for my existing package to get back to me on the under - since I dropped them off at a few minutes of noon, I'll give them till midnight to get here (although UPS gets here at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM).
    C'mon, play along...which is faster, CGC or the earth revolving around the sun (halfway)?
     
    And for tonight - off to look at a short box of 1960 - 1965 Strange Adventures...plus some other early 60's DCs...
    Happy Hunting
    Lee K
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