F For Fake

Also, I've been intending to share this, but keep forgetting. The OHMU Omni came back into stock at IST a few weeks ago. This had been OOP for at least a few months, and was selling for $175-$200 on eBay. So if you missed it the first time, you can't beat $67! https://www.instocktrades.com/products/sep200726/official-handbook-marvel-universe-dlx-ed-omnibus-hc-frenz-dm

Awesome! My copy showed up yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to crack it open yet. But if you're good, then hopefully I'm good as well! Great deal on this, and again, that Generations Omni at $18.75 is a steal, even if it is 90's era Byrne!

I will say that while I probably come off as a negative nancy, I'm rooting for CGC to get their act together. A strong CGC is good for the hobby, and I love the hobby. So what comes across as negativity is really just disappointment.

Maybe it's always been this way, but it really feels like an alarming number of creeps have figured out that the current graders at CGC just aren't very good at catching this stuff, and they're exploiting it any which way they can. There was a time when, whether it's true or not, CGC were seen as experts. So if you sent a book to them, THEY would be the ones who'd know if it was a reprint, repro, later printing, etc. Maybe it's always been this bad, but it FEELS like it's hitting epidemic level, with fans having to tell CGC what they're actually grading.

Yeah, honestly, at this point I'd rather they just ghost me entirely rather than give me the BS stories.

Add me to the list of folks who don't pay any attention to the sidebar. At this point I think my brain just blanks it out entirely. So, here's a chance to do something creative!

I'm way out of the market for the originals, but I was recently watching some reviews of the re-pop Godzilla's Go-Cart, and I think I'm going to have to buy one and build it! I used to have some of the Polar Lights repro kits, like Frankie's Flivver, but never got around to building them. I stopped by my hobby shop this weekend and saw the Frightning Lightning Vampirella kit, which is new to me. Looks like a bigger scale. Cool stuff, but pricey! Really enjoy this thread, and watching the collection grow!

The only reason I'd want a signature is as a memento of meeting someone. And even then, I would only get it done on a cheap, common book. Not a fan of defacing keys with scribbling, and also not a fan of Stan. So, no interest for me. If I'd had a chance to meet Kirby, I would have loved to have had his signature on the inside splash page, in the indicia. But I never got that chance, so now I'd just be buying someone else's memory if I bought a book he signed. Maybe a signed piece of art one day.

Sorry bud, I didn’t get any Twitter notifications so I’m assuming I didn’t get it either.

Yup, @Catgot it! These ultimates come with lots accessories that are references to semi-obscure cartoon moments. That’s really the appeal, to me. They even have a Tracks figure coming in the next wave for him to dunk over!

So, I’m aware of the complaints that folks have about the Super 7 ultimates figures (primarily price and quality control), but here’s one thing I do know: this Optimus Prime can palm a basketball, and ride a surfboard! So, that’s me sold. I did get him on Amazon for about $40, which made it a bit more palatable. He has a ton of accessories, a beautiful cartoon likeness, and is a nice big chunk of plastic. I really dig him.

He seems really excited, so that’s good news. Something like 120 all new pages. I’m excited!

Oh, and germane to the thread, here’s my first four, plus a few. I call it the “good enough” collection. Wish I’d been more proactive before prices got silly. Oh well.

Big news, Matt Wagner is re-doing Devil By the Deed, all new artwork and coloring in the now classic Red, White and Black scheme, to be released by DH in 2023. That’s pretty crazy. I know he’s never been thrilled with the early Grendel stuff, but going full George Lucas was not something I anticipated! With this news, and the Netflix series on the way, Grendel is getting more attention than ever. Prices spiked after the series announcement, but have since then drifted back down a bit. It’s nice to have the paperback omnis back in print, but I wish they’d do Library Editions of everything, at least through the end of the comic run + War Child.

Made a trip to the LCS for the first time in a month or two, and found some fun stuff, including a nice chunk of Dave books.

These have been great! I may have to start picking these up myself. I’ve managed to track down most of the living cast at shows over the years, but there are several (like Colette Hiller here) who have eluded me.

My purchases from the clearance have started to roll in, and I gotta tell you folks, this Absolute WW is a steal at $37. If you’re interested in this run in the slightest, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. It’s a beauty. DC’s future being what it is (along with apparent poor sales of this volume) make me fear that we won’t see more from this run, but really, you should pick it up all the same. Beautiful book for the price.

And that's the ballgame, right there: not having to go to Walmart. Worth a premium in and of itself!

BRENTISANGRY

Love it! I'm still hoping to find him on the pegs at some point, but I'm starting to think that may not happen. He looks terrific!

No problem, hope it works out for you! Seems the least I could do to help a boardie out.

DONE! May Splinter smile upon both of us.

@LudaTokethanks again so much for the recommendation! I emailed Customer Service, and after a day of back and forth attempts with various accounts, emails and user names, I was able to recover my collection. I have to say, the Customer Support folks I was working with were EXTREMELY kind, polite and patient. I am very impressed. Ok, now to see what I have in here! This is fun. Thanks again for reintroducing me to all of this!

Thanks, I was just about to come post the same thing! They've actually quietly cut prices on a bunch of books. Some really good deals to be had, especially if you have your repeat customer discount for another 2%. A handful of MMW for around $25 (less with discount) Spec Spidey 290/3 $22.50 (they also had Vol 4 at the same price, but looks like it sold out) https://www.instocktrades.com/products/nov190950/mmw-spectacular-spider-man-hc-vol-03-dm-var-ed-290 Thor 322/21 $26.25 https://www.instocktrades.com/products/sep211052/mmw-mighty-thor-hc-vol-21-dm-var-ed-322 Both the regular variant and "300" variant Howard the Duck Vol 1 for $26.25 https://www.instocktrades.com/products/aug200739/mmw-howard-the-duck-hc-vol-01-dm-var-exclusive-ed-300 https://www.instocktrades.com/products/aug200738/mmw-howard-the-duck-hc-vol-01-dm-var-ed-300 MMW Defenders 321/8 $26.25 https://www.instocktrades.com/products/sep211050/mmw-defenders-hc-vol-08-dm-var-ed-321 Also, in addition to the Surfer Omni, a few other good deals on omnis Superman/Batman Generations by Byrne is down to $18.75! From $75! https://www.instocktrades.com/products/oct207155/superman-batman-generations-omnibus-hc LoSH SA vol 3 is down to $24.99 (75% off) X-Men Inferno Prologue down to $35 (65% off) https://www.instocktrades.com/products/mar210697/x-men-inferno-prologue-omnibus-hc-adams-dm-var-new-ptg https://www.instocktrades.com/products/mar210696/x-men-inferno-prologue-omnibus-hc-silvestri-cvr-new-ptg Incredible Hulk Omibus has dropped to $40 (both Ross and Kirby covers) https://www.instocktrades.com/products/aug211285/incredible-hulk-omnibus-hc-vol-01-ross-cvr-new-ptg https://www.instocktrades.com/products/aug211286/incredible-hulk-omnibus-hc-vol-01-kirby-dm-var-new-ptg Captain Britain, Aliens 2, What If 2 (variant) all down to $50 https://www.instocktrades.com/products/may210694/captain-britain-omnibus-hc-davis-cvr https://www.instocktrades.com/products/may210695/captain-britain-omnibus-hc-wilson-dm-var Absolute Wonder Woman by Perez Vol 1 is down to $37.50 https://www.instocktrades.com/products/dec207088/absolute-wonder-woman-gods-and-mortals-hc There are a lot of other volumes which have quietly dropped in price, but these seem like the screaming good deals to me. I've cleared several things off of my wish list, have three boxes coming from IST just from the last couple of days. Happy Hunting!