CorndogBurglar

Haha. I can't. It's in my blood. I'm like the hamburglar, but with corndogs. I must have all the corndogs!

I'm new to submitting comics for grading and was wondering if we have to use the CGC Packaging Kits? I want to use them but they have been sold out and on back order for a long time. Any ideas for when these will be available to purchase? And if we can package them without the kits, are there any specific tips outside of what is already mentioned in the guide? Thank you

I love this idea! So sit back, while I weave ye a tale of triumph most glorious and tragedy most foul! Back when the first Civil War comic series was taking place I was having a discussion with my LCS owner (who is also a friend of mine outside of his shop) about how Civil War was going to end. I explained to him that I thought it could only end with either the death of Iron Man or Captain America. I thought that because they did a good job if showing that neither Cap or Iron Man were 100% in the right, one of them would need to die and the other would be left feeling responsible for the death of one of their best friends, due to their actions. I told him because they had been somewhat villainizing Iron Man throughout the story (at least more than Cap) that I think it will be Cap that buys the farm. Cap would become a martyr and Iron Man will feel guilty and realize the errors of his actions. My buddy didn't believe it and said something along the lines of "Nah! They won't kill Cap." So the conversation ended there......for the moment. Fast forward to the final issue of Civil War. Neither Cap nor Iron Man died. My buddy laughed and told me how wrong I was, and I told him, "Wait. It's not over yet. The issue ended with Cap surrendering, being placed in handcuffs, and taken into custody. There's more coming." He was kind of still laughing because he felt like that was it. That was the end of the story. And I told him that was no way to end it. So I made a bet with him. Order 10 extra copies of the next issue of Captain America (#25). If he doesn't die in that issue, then I will pay for all the books. If he does die, then I get the 10 copies for free. He was real quick to jump on that bet because he was convinced Cap wasn't dying. Fast forward again to the day Captain America #25 released. I walk in his shop to pick up my books around noon. He looks at me and starts shaking his head. I had no idea what he was doing and honestly forgot about our bet. He said, "You haven't heard anything? It was on the news this morning and I heard them talking about it on the radio. You really haven't heard?" I was like, "No, what are you talking about?". He then pulls out a stack of comics and sets them on the counter. On the cover is Captain America's red glove with handcuffs around the wrist, and blood spattered all around the cover with a newspaper in the background reading "Captain America. Death of the dream.". I started laughing hysterically, because quite honestly, I had started doubting they would kill him off also. But there it was. My buddy was so mad because people had been coming in all morning to buy that book. He had already burned through all his stock and was calling other local stores to see if he could buy any extra copies off of them, but they had sold out also. So I told him to give me my copy and he could keep the other 9 to sell. He was hesitant because he didn't want to back out on our bet. So he told me that he'll give me in store credit for the cost of the books and I can use it whenever want. I ended up cashing in a few months later when Wolverine #55 (The death of Sabretooth) came out. I wanted this Greg Land homage cover soooooo bad, so my buddy gave it to me for free to cover the bet. Granted, the cost of the 9 Cap comics was more valuable than this one variant issue, but I told him this made us even. Great memories haha.

Yeah I've been re-watching the show too! It's good stuff. I'm excited for X-Men '97.

Hello everyone. I'm relatively new and just started commenting on the boards. I'm a 41 year old comic collector and I've been reading comics since I was able to read. I'm a huge fan of X-Men and The Punisher. I'll collect anything I think is cool, but X-Men is my bread and butter.

And there's nothing wrong with that at all. But I want to ensure that I have it protected. My mother is ghe entire reason I ever got into comics to begin with. She used them as a way to get me interested in reading in general, which was a very smart move on her part. She was always very supportive of my hobby because I was 6 year old kid that actually WANTED to read! But regardless, it's an important part of my childhood and will always remind me of my mother. So I want it protected and looking special. Because it is special to me.

I've found with mystery boxes/bags that it's usually better to just go buy the stuff you want. In mystery bags you will almost always get some things you don't care about. And sometimes you might get something you think is really cool. But rarely will you like everything I'm it. And most times the best thing in the bag will probably not be all that exciting, while also not sucking completely. You also have to remember that shops do mystery bags because they have extra stock of things that aren't being bought and it's an easy way to move items while still getting some money for them. You won't usually find anything of great value in a mystery bag where each issue comes out to about $6.25. Anything worth good money would have already sold, and the owners certainly aren't going to put a high value key issue in a mystery bag.

The only thing I can think that makes sense is sentimental reasons. I have a few books that aren't really worth much or, at best would be considered extra-minor keys (like Wolverine #50, with the yellow die-cut cover). It isn't worth much raw, but it reminds me of my childhood and how much I love that issue. I also have an Uncanny X-Men issue that's not worth anything, but it's the first comicbook my mom ever bought for me. So there are definitely personal reasons people would slab worthless books. This hobby isn't always about flipping books for money. Sometimes it's all about collecting and solidifying memories for yourself.