Tnerb

Or, Would a Cedar Trunk Work? I do have comic books everywhere. They are either in boxes or stacked on shelves. The stacked ones however are in disarray. I purchased five half boxes to place them in, no bags; no boards. These are the books not worth grading, well maybe not without a press. I did get an Incredible Hulk #271 that was worthy after a press. But back to the subject matter at hand, are boxes necessary. When I first started collecting CGC graded comic books I didn't have any boxes dedicated to them. Any of the comic shops around me didn't carry them. My first box was purchased at the Philly Comic Con, others at Philadelphia Wizard World, and my last batch was from my lil' bro. They were filled up instantly. And now, they are stacked haphazardly on shelves. The past few days I've been putting things in storage, summer clothes, Star Wars items, and other miscellaneous objects. Eventually some of my comic books will make it there, but only after I box them up, you know without bags; without boards. I still have these magazine holders that I purchased for my first few CGC purchases, but don't you know, they have some magazines in them. Of course I could always splurge and get custom made furniture. What do you do when your cup tips over? Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or, 30 in 30 Season 4 November is fast approaching. What do I dare write about? Do I mention my ASM #129 yet again? Do I state that the next silver age book I crave in high grade is Daredevil #5? Or do I ramble on for thirty days about the books I want graded? What would you write about? At the moment I'm sitting in my living room with my cat next to me, my girlfriend sleeping, and the portable heater being turned on for the first time. My space is shrinking. Dare I say I'm running out of room. I even need more CGC boxes, then again who doesn't? Somehow I became disorganized. And then I don't feel so good. I know what I have to do and I know what I will do. I just hope I can meet somewhere in between. I have always liked being able to go to a comic book box and know exactly what was in it. Looks like it's time for an overhaul. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or, I might as well ask my father who his favorite child is. This year I attended six major conventions and one minor one, the minor one I attended multiple times. So which one is my favorite? I think it would be easier to discern which one was my least favorite. I'll start with my local mini-con first. Philadelphia Comic-Con A very small convention dedicated to comic books. I love this show because it gives me a chance to save up and purchase a rare gem. And since it is local with only a $3.00 admission charge, I can spend my money on comic books rather than walking through the door. If you live in Philadelphia or close by, it's worth the price of admission. http://www.philadelphiacomic-con.com Now, in order of attendance, here are the other conventions I attended. Megacon 2014: I don't know if I'll ever attend again, but that's not because it was a bad show, it wasn't, it was a very good show. Experiencing the show with my ill' bro made it all the more memorable. The flight and room charge make it more difficult for me to attend. If this were my local show I would attend every year. ECCC 2014. As enjoyable as Megacon 2014, ECCC is the show to travel to. I hope to make this show an annual event for me. It's not just a sell out crowd, amazing guests, and a horde of comic books to choose from, it's also because of RonnyLama. Anyone who collects CGC should follow this man's collection. It is rare in this world to find a man who is as kind and as generous as he is. This is not a disservice to Lee K., Surfer 99 (who I hope also will fly in again) and Shivabali. Without these friends, this show would still be spectacular, but less so. Is it my favorite? I'm not sure, but it's damn close. New York Special Edition 2014 This show is a much larger Philadelphia Comic-Con, or a much smaller Baltimore Comic Con. I can't compare its sister con, the NYCC, but it was great to attend. If even for only one day. I purchased a few books there this year at amazing prices, and in conditions I found worthy, including Wonder Woman #199. After a quick train ride between two major metropolitan cities, this convention is one I hope to attend next year even for the day, and would gladly trade a four day escapade attending Wizard World Philadelphia for a single day in New York. Philadelphia Wizard World 2014 Wizard World is egotistical. They tend to put their name before the city they hit with their pop cultural media event. If I was asked seven years ago what the best convention is, I would say this one, but it no longer is. I never would have attended if it wasn't for Small Basket Studios. Wizard World is currently over priced. And even though somehow 2014 was the best one in a long time, I think I may have to make it the last one that I attend. Two days I was able to work for Neal Adams. And let's face it, even though I had issues with him before, working for him was pretty cool. Almost akin to getting escorted to the front of the line for Stan Lee two years earlier. At the moment, even though it is my local convention, I don't plan on attending. Baltimore Comic Con 2014 If you live in Philadelphia and you are tired of going to Wizard World, this is the one I recommend you go to. Other than ECCC 2015, this is the only other one I plan on attending. The event is dedicated to comic books and now with CGC doing onsite grading, it's another reason why I don't have to attend Wizard World. Baltimore has a great vibe to it. The convention floor is roomy. The cosplay scene rivals any other convention I have ever been to. And I have found some great books in great condition at phenomenal prices. As much as I think it is worth it for anyone from the East Coast to travel to the West Coast for ECCC, I equally feel if you live on the West Coast. A trip to the Baltimore Comic Con should be on anyone's bucket list. New York Comic Con 2014 I wish I could have attended more than the one day. Last year this event was great, but when money runs out, it runs out. I was able to attain a bunch of signatures, and would have received more if I had more time. I have never been to San Diego, but here this is a distant second. If I do attend this show next year, I will attempt to go for three days, or at the very least, two days. This is NOT a one day convention, but it is a convention to go to. There you go, the conventions I went to in a shotgun review fashion. It might not answer which one was the best one I attended, but it does answer which one was the worst. Thanks for Reading. Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or, Is more Better? Conventions are great. It's the one event I have attended over the years where I feel no animosity. It's great to walk around looking through long boxes while someone next to you is doing the same. In essence, it's a comic book fans' Mecca. But, what if there is no convention in your city. As a teen Philadelphia had no major shows. There was New York and there was San Diego. That was until 1994. I remember a second show in 94' but none after. It wasn't until 2007 when I went back to the con. At the time Wizard World was still a comic book convention, not a pop cultural event. This year I attended six major conventions. I was lucky to attend the following: Megacon in Florida ECCC in Seattle Wizard World in Philadelphia NYSE in New York Baltimore Comic Con NYCC in New York I also attend the Philadelphia Comic Con a few times a year, but what am I buying? Why am I going? Can I go to a convention and enjoy one on only $40 a day? And will I be able to go to more next year? I am already hoping to attend two conventions next year, everything else will be a bonus? I would also love to attend a few conventions in cities I never been in before, maybe in 2016 I can do one convention in San Diego, but the simple truth is, the two that I'm attending next year aren't because of the comics but because who I'm hanging out with. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or a littke but if storage. My girlfriend and I finally got a storage area. One might think that leaves more space for comic books. It doesn't. This is just a band aid on what we want to get done, but either way this reminds me when I used to organize when I was younger. In the middle of straightening my items I would stop and read a few comic books. It was my reward for each hour. One hour = one comic book. It's been a long time since I sat and read the comic books from my youth. I desperately want to read a few right now, even though I'm stuck at work...yes I'm writing this journal at work. I'm trying to prepare for my thirty in thirty. And if I give up CGC books in 2015, how much money and space will I save? And will I do the smart thing and get that new car? Thanks for reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or another one year challenge??? What if I quit? Or a one year challenge. Somehow, someway I began collecting comic books, along with so many other things throughout the years. My father collected nothing at all. As an adult my collection grew while my father would throw anything out without hesitation, even birthday cards. One year, after giving him a card, he handed it back to me. "It's nice," he said. "Give it again to me next year." He never got it again next year. I probably filed it away on one of my comic book boxes or possibly the glove box in my car, but the following year I purchased another card. It was in the trash five minutes later. So why do I collect? I didn't start collecting with the mindset that they would be worth something one day. And I might not have the time to read a comic book more than once like I used to. Maybe, when I'm older I'll revisit the stories I read now, or maybe they might make their way into the trash pile. At times I wonder, what if I quit? Would I be able to? Could I give up my weekly soap operas? Is it possible one day I might leave these "childish" things behind. Could for one year, I never pick up a comic book, graded or otherwise? Could my collecting desires change to something a bit more practical, like money? The fact is, I can't quit. It's not so much as an addiction as it is a happy place. For five years I didn't pick up a comic book. I financially couldn't afford it. I don't plan on putting myself in that situation again, but for next year I hope I can curb my spending expenditures. So do I give up CGC? Or weekly books? But, only for one year. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or what the he## has gotten into me? Today, I got some bad news. Last week I was also told something I never wanted to hear. As for what the news is, I'm not sure I'll get into that here, for a few reasons, one it's not about CGC graded comic books, and two, the story is not completely mine to tell. If I get permission, I will share. After I was given the news, I was thinking about making a negative into a positive, but will you and CGC allow me. I have been writing on my blog, but it's not as infectious as writing here. I have over 600 journals and I would love to continue to set a record. I have been thinking of writing every day next year. That would be 365 journals in 365 days. Each journal would be a minimum of 3 paragraphs. The problem is can I share my life with you. Can I write about the new comic books I'm reading. Can I share the newly graded CGC books I acquired? Can I write about the worse news I received all year, and then a week later received some equally devastating news. Or should I just slip away for the year and look for the books I want graded. After I spent $20,000 in two years (2012 & 2013) I am sure I'll be able to attain my books from April of 72', that is if I want too. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or, At Lee K's request? I started to make my list of books to talk about. Two of them happen to be my Amazing Spider-Man #129 and my original New Mutants #15. Two books I have mentioned repeatedly. After much thought (ok, next to little thought), I decided to pick books I most likely never mentioned. I have a bit in my collection and even though I don't have something that all of you will reflexively gasp "Wow", I might have a couple that will emit a "cool". I already started to take pictures so I have a visual with my presentations, with one book in particular I am searching for. A book I have never seen in anyone's collection and when I first had them, they could not be found referenced anywhere, including a certain Overstreet's guide. So my thirty will start with this slight variation. I hope that others will add their comments and maybe a few of their own journals. I pray I can surprise Lee K a time or two, although I feel I might disappoint him as well, I fear I have no DC books worthy of his awe. But, in honor of Lee K, he is the reason I decided I had to try this thirty in thirty again, because it was after the first one our friendship sprung from. Thanks for Reading. Tnerb Ps. This journal doesn't mean I might not talk about a book I already mentioned in any of my previous journals. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or Some of my Favorite Things The past few years I have written every single day in November. In essence a thirty in thirty. I did it originally as a challenge to see if I could write with an imposed deadline. Do I dare try again, especially in light of not writing much as of late? This journal being numbered a measly 617. I think I will try again, going forward I feel I will fail, so instead of writing a fresh journal everyday I'm going to list thirty books in no particular order, along with why I like them, the catch being they have to be in my collection. The condition does not matter. I'm curious though, which books do you think they are? Some will be obvious. I'm sure many of you could list a third of what books they will be, but the other two thirds??? We have done top tens before but now that I'm close to five hundred encapsulated comic books, I might as well show off some that I'm selling, some that I'm keeping for life, and some that I'm just plain happy to have. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

And it's not Received, Graded, Shipped. There are 3 aspects to CGC: the corporation, the employees, and most importantly, the fans. Occasionally when the fans get disgruntled, it's the employees that feel the backlash, not the corporation. I've seen some graders not only at work, but at play. They have no special powers. They are just like any of us. When CGC added a $5 invoice charge we balked, but we paid. When they added a fee for additional signatures, we paid. And when they added fast track charges that quickened the regular pace of our invoices, many of us chose to pay. Five years ago CGC was at the top of their game, and we all praised them. Roughly five years ago is when I started to collect CGC graded comic books. I did my best to overcome the number one ranked holder of the New Mutants set; finally passing him for the number one pole position. I knew once he decided to retake the position I would fall to number two. This happened after only a year. In those same five years CGC reached the milestone of having graded over a million comic books. They also graded comic books that sold over a million dollars apiece, most recently an Action Comics #1 for 3.2 million dollars. But over the years the company changed. While the graders continued to work diligently as book after book came in, the powers that be began charging more. Each tier was bumped up in dollars and slowly the corporation became a monster. The employee aspect of the company is what kept me coming back. It wasn't just those that I saw at conventions time and time again, it was those that graded my books too. These are the people that keep the company going (in my eyes anyway). The ones that know if it's a defect or something that happened from a pressing. The ones that can tell if a book was touched up or altered. These are the ones that I trusted, even with longer and longer turnaround times. There have only been two times in the years I've been collecting comic books graded by CGC that an employee left me with a feeling of unwantedness (I can make up words, it's my journal). However, It's the third aspect that is the most important part. The fans. Even the dealers wouldn't be around without us. Whether we are searching for a modern age title, a Stan Lee signature series book, or Homer the Happy Ghost. Now with the establishment of another third party grading company with some influence, CGC has started to do something amazing, and that's listen to the fans. I'm happy that they went back to 1975 for the modern age, even if it was only to compete with this new company. I won't necessarily be collecting much or any from that era, but I'm still glad to see them both listening and responding to the fans. So what's next? Will they throw away the $5 invoice charge? Will they also start having more comprehensive grader notes included, maybe even at no extra cost? Maybe start specials for each month which includes free photos? There is so much more that they could do for us, and not because of what we've done for them, but because they want to continue to do for us, the CGC fan. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or, you mean they are supposed to be read?!? It's no secret. At the onset, I hated CGC. Ok, maybe hate is a bit extreme. Comic books were meant to be read, weren't they? And what could a well read comic book ever hope to achieve? In my early collecting years I read the same books over and over again. It's not like I had a large supply to peruse through. The idea of encapsulating felt utterly ridiculous. Of course, my thought process has changed, and I have even been fortunate enough to see the process first hand. However, the one thought I still remain true to is this, comic books are meant to be read. I have recently been buying .5 copies of books I might never have purchased before. The majority of these copies are missing a page. Most do not affect the story, a few do. I won't crack them to read them, but I am purchasing a book I might not otherwise be able to afford, like the Brave and the Bold #57 for $10.50. Of course, I might not even have tried if it wasn't graded. But don't we all look for the best book possible, the books that CGC graders might even ooh and ahhh over when it crosses a desk? I have yet to purchase a CGC graded book to crack open and read, but I have sent some books in that I have read which attained that grade. My signed copies of East of West were all books I enjoyed. My New Mutants 99 achieved a 9.8, without a pressing, after surviving my teen years. And even my X-Men 109 was read, before turning it over after purchasing it raw at the Baltimore Comic Con 2012. Currently my collection is morphing and I have started to collect books from April of '72. This has slowed down my desire to get multiple signatures on my New Mutants books, a series my brother has passed me on. These "birth month" books are a bit more to get and harder to find. Did you ever look for a Young Romance before in a high grade? Not to mention, my grading skills in the Bronze Age is slightly lacking. I'll continue to collect the coveted grade, but I'm more inclined to read them first. Thanks for Reading Tnerb And then something extra... http://ashotofcomics.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-3rd-shot-of-reviews-10-1-2014.html To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or Learning all over again. I turned over a copy of Mister Miracle #7. I looked it over and graded it between a 9.2 and possibly getting a 9.4 at best. Originally I was going to press the book and have it graded but decided against the pressing. I figured doing this raw would help me discern what I will have to look for, after all if I can't see what is wrong, then what's the point of grading. I received the book back on Sunday and was shocked at the 9.0. What did I miss? Where did I go wrong? I looked the front and back over, seeing a stain I missed the first time. I knew there was one in the back, but how did I miss that one in the front? I'm still happy I have the book and will eventually upgrade, but what do I do now? I checked on eBay and a 9.6 could have been purchased for less than the book and the grading. As much as I gained on my first three birthday books in Philadelphia, I lost here. And yes, I am ok with that. I try to put my money where my mouth is. I'm pretty good at grading modern age books, but I'm horrendous with the Bronze Age. That's ok, I'm learning. Thanks for Reading. Tnerb. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

George Perez, Mister Miracle, and most recently, lost wallets. Day two had Bagofleas head straight to CGC and I went all the way to the back of the one of two signature areas. Our first goal was to get George Perez, to add his scrawl to Joe Rubinstein's and Jim Starlin's on a cracked 9.8 copy of Infinity Gauntlet #1. Once the artist arrived, I sent a text to Stephen to bring the book. I wasn't expecting "witness" Bob to bring it himself. It was a full hour before I got the signature and I would have still been in line if not for James. I recommend to anyone wanting to see George Perez to do so, but to do so first. Day two was a lot busier than day one, but then again, on Saturday it normally is. I expect CGC will still be busy today with submissions, even without being able to get it done onsite, not to mention everyone checking to see if they got their books back. I started collecting CGC books late in comparison to others. My first onsite submission I ever did was turned over and returned the same day. CGC has grown and I feel will continue to grow, especially with some friendly competition in the newly created company, CBCS. I wasn't able to turn over what I wanted to CGC. I could only submit one book. this is due to finances more than anything else. I must admit, even though I had major help attending the conventions I went to, I won't be able to do what I did this year again for next year. Five major conventions in a 180 day span might be a little too much and yet I am still thinking of going to the NYCC, if even for one day. As for the book I did submit, I graded it between a 9.2 and a 9.4 before handing it over. I now have to see if CGC will agree on my assessment of my copy of Mister Miracle #7. A press might have improved or solidified the near mint grade, but I need to know exactly what to look for on those 52 page books from April of 72'. Once I learn that, continuing to get CGC to grade 20 Marvel and 25 DC comic books that are just as old as I am will be a lot easier to get in my desired 9.4 grade or higher. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or how many is too many? I couldn't do much. In fact, I couldn't do anything at all. But I did have fun. I was able to get three Starlin signatures on three different Strange Tales...after waiting two hours in line for him to arrive, which was the same time the allotment of books received by CGC was just too much, so while I waited for the cosmic creator to arrive, onsite closed. I was four to five aisles away from CGC, maybe six and I kept watching as CGC employees carried box after box past me to their appointed grading room. Not to mention, as early as Bagofleas and I got there, as we waited in the opening line, CGC was arriving as well and already grading books. I plan on getting one book graded onsite, if they catch up and open onsite again. I don't know yet if they will, even after meeting some of the CGC crew helter skelter outside a restaurant after the show. I asked them about it with no answer forth coming. I have to imagine that seeing them so late at night has me thinking they were grading two hours after the show ended. CGC was busy, even with CBCS in attendance. Mike was there, as well as Molly and Bob, who personally is one of my favorites; sorry Molly, age before beauty. I also like that they are creating more of a social media presence. Checking my Facebook page, I noticed they enjoyed the same Orioles game that Bagofleas and I attended. I hope that maybe, just maybe they might start an Instagram page. Day two starts at 10 am. My lil' bro and I plan on being there very early, and I expect to see the CGC morning crew, coffee in hand, filing in. I am sure we will be there before James, Andrew, and Jason, a few fellow registry members that we had the honor and pleasure of dining with. Being able to meet and hang out with fellow members of our great collecting community is one of the big reasons why I fell in love with CGC. Of course, that doesn't excuse why an invoice of mine is still sitting in quality control ten business days after I called them and was verbally told that it was going to be shipped/safe tonight. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or Please Don't Delete Me CGC began doing business amongst massive scrutiny. In the beginning, it was a rare occurrence to have a retailer or collector accept them as a beneficial commodity to the industry, rather than a bane. I once discredited CGC myself on heresy alone. I felt comic books were meant to be read, not slabbed. CGC was initially started for the sole purpose of protecting the consumer. How many people have purchased a pristine looking comic book at a premium price only to discover that the book had been professionally altered to increase it's value, and in the process destroying it's worth. Most of the time, this was done without any sort of disclosure. Would an Action Comics #1 in 9.0 with a restored label ever reach the most recently recorded amount? The real test would be if a restored 9.2 copy was found and placed on eBay. CBCS entered the marketplace without the uphill battle that CGC had to fight tooth and nail through. The only thing that is the same is Steve Borock. His love for the hobby makes him an incredibly likable guy and without him, CGC wouldn't be the giant it is today. So my question to CGC themselves is, "how will you react?". As many know, I applied for a job at CGC in January. Paul Litch found me a place to stay, so I only had to buy the plane ticket. When I got there, we discussed comic books and afterwards, I had to answer one question. If I didn't answer to his liking, I might have been on the plane back home sooner than I planned. I answered correctly and the ensuing experience was great, but it was the wait afterwards that was gut wrenching. At the end of the day, I didn't get the job. I have no animosity against the company that helped me love collecting comic books again and I still turn over my comic books for grading and wait patiently for them. The length of the waiting however, is what's helping CBCS gain a stronger foothold. I put my money where my mouth was by applying for the job. Now I ask CGC to do the same. CGC has been deleting any posts praising CBCS. I hope they don't feel that this journal is one of those, but this is how I feel. CGC is hiding. PGX has always been mentioned in the past, but never feared. PGX always seemed to be content and happy with the overflow. I just hope CGC will listen to us, because soon they may be competing in a marketplace they primarily created. They need to create a new price point. Anything from 2000 and up should be easy to grade. Those books are also what I believe is slowing down the process, but people want the best possible copies. The "need" to have a 9.8 is increasingly desirable. If the copper age ends (arguably) around the beginning of Image comics, create a $14 price point for them. Then create a second price point beginning in '75, which is originally what CGC dubbed as Modern Age. This too should be lowered, if only going back to $17 apiece. CGC should also continue it's social media plan...if they even had a plan to begin with. I joined the Facebook page as soon as I found it. It was never utilized. In less than a few months, Steve Borock has surpassed CGC in the social media realm. Why is that? CGC should be so far ahead, even fan pages dedicated to CGC surpass CGC's own page. CGC should continue to be approachable. At conventions Mike Balent and his crew are always helpful and courteous. At times, when the booth becomes hectic, some answers might be short, but they more than make up for it by the end of the show. I am always offering to get them something, which they always decline. This might be considered as a gift, something I normally don't think about, something they are not allowed to accept. CGC also needs to hire more graders. I understand it isn't easy to do this, day in and day out. You have to have a love for it, dare I say an obsession. But they have to get back to getting the books graded in a timely manner. I am patient, but four months is a bit long. One of my invoices was changed without me being notified. I understand why they change an invoice but not why they wouldn't contact us about it. As a waiter I come back and check on your food. How easy would it be to hire five employees dedicated to emailing those with invoices, keeping us apprised of our comic books. CGC please listen to us. We are your main contributors. Not necessarily the retailers, but the collectors, because if we didn't collect these graded comic books, there would be no use of this service. CBCS is growing strong and if you delete any and all posts about them, it makes you look fearful or ignorant at best. I will continue to collect CGC graded comic books, although I might slow down since I will now be mainly searching for books from April of 1972 to bring to you. Not to mention I have to give Steve Borock a chance. The industry is large enough for all these third party grading companies, but how many can say they have the reputation you have. Please don't tarnish it. We love you so. Thanks for Reading Tnerb PS. I am not adding this to the chat boards since I do not want this to spiral out if control. If you have issues, message me and I'll write about it if I can.

Did you watch the final seconds tick away as the ending bids kept increasing. What's a comic book worth anyway? I think with today's prices and inflation we forget how much a million dollars actually is. As a young kid, my sister tried to teach me how much $1 million dollars actually was. The main difficulty she had teaching this to me was that I had no idea of the value of a single dollar, let alone one million of them. We were in the kitchen discussing the vastness of it. She explained to me over and over again, a million dollars in single dollar denominations would overflow the kitchen. It seemed impossible, as impossible as a 1938 comic book selling for $3,207,852. That's Three Million Two Hundred Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars and Zero Cents. That is more pages than my entire comic book collection compiled together...ten times over. I watched the bidding, almost from the beginning. The first bid I was able to see was 1.6 million dollars and although it started at .99 cents, it was just two hours later that the bidding was already way past what I could afford. From there, I continued to watch and estimated that the finished price would be 3.1 million. When the CGC graded comic reached over 2 million and paused, I worried I was going to be wrong. Then on the final day, it reached 2,402,000 and with slightly over a minute left, it jumped to 2.6, and then 2.7 million just before it's final bid. At this point, not only was it about who wanted it more, it was also about who could afford it, pre-authorization or not. Was the second bidder fumbling with the keyboard? Was he rushing to enter 3.5 million? Did the winner acquire a sudden sense of buyers remorse? And at $2.83 an hour, why was my pre-authorization request denied? Facebook and Instagram, the two social media outlets I follow most, lit up with multiple comic book news feeds, all with the same story: Record Setting comic book sells for $3,207,852. I almost wish the .38 cents would have accompanied the final bid, as it had lingered on earlier in the bidding. After 48 bids, the book was sold and I still had two hours left at work to compile my thoughts. I thought about being the first one to write an article and post it seconds after the bidding was over. I was going to have it written days before, so that the only thing I would need to finish was the final bid. Instead, I waited. I wanted it to sink in. I think of all the stories I hear from my older customers about all the comic books they threw away, because they were never going to be worth anything anyway. However, if they didn't throw them away, and if the US government didn't have paper drives, or if the comic book burnings brought about by the senate hearings caused by Frederick Wertham's "Seduction of the Innocent" had never occurred, then many mothers and grandmothers would have been right about them not being worth anything. This book, however, definitely was. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

If I can't afford Action Comics #1, isn't this the next best thing? I look, once my invoice is marked shipped/safe, I look. I can't seem to help it. Recently Surfer 99 had one of his invoices marked shipped/safe. I told him to look. I demanded he do so, I begged, pleaded, and beseeched. He did not. He likes the toy surprise inside the Cracker Jack Box. My ill' bro Bagofleas had an invoice also marked shipped/safe. He said he refused to look. I twisted his arm. He looked. I have an invoice currently marked graded. By the 22 of August it should be marked shipped/safe (it wasn't) if CGC is true to their turnaround times. But, will I look? This book is a Marvel Graphic Novel #4. I had Bob McLeod doodle on the back. Bagofleas gave me the idea. I thought it looked great and happily paid Bob what he asked for. However, I noticed that he left his fingerprints behind. As a grade conscious collector, I was devastated and as a fan, I was overjoyed. I am hoping that after going through CCS for their non restorative techniques, the book will retain the 9.8 it started out with. If it doesn't, I will most likely sell it, but if it does I will be overjoyed thanking the grading gods above. The question that remains to be asked, will this one invoice be the invoice I don't look at, or will it be like all the others and have me shouting with joy, or upset with disappointment before the UPS man ever gets to my door. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

When a Million Dollars is not Enough Austin Powers had Dr. Evil hold the earth ransom for 1 million dollars. He was corrected by one of his henchmen, it wasn't enough. One of the greatest financial decisions you could make is when you finance a car or a house, but now you can add buying a comic book to the list. With 6 days left the highest graded copy of Action Comics #1 has already surpassed 1.75 million, $550,000 more than what I told my coworkers I bid. Of course, this is a book I could never afford, and I'm ok with that. I do find the quality of such an old book to be amazing. I can almost imagine Paul calling out to his peers, "Guys, you have to see this". The oohs and aahs would begin. Was it passed around, or was it limited to the rule if three. I even see upper management joining in the historic event, because grading a very fine to near mint book from 1938 is something worth bragging about, and CGC graded two. The issue is iconic. A book that, if never created, could have stunted the comic books we know and love today. The two oldest comic books I had the luxury of being so close to was while I was at CGC. And I will remember them, but the room did not jump in excitement, as much as I think they did with this one. As I mentioned, I will never own one, but I will get caught up in the excitement of knowing something this great is up for bid. Even Matt Nelson expressed his exuberance over it. He even mentions how it came across his desk which makes me wonder, was it pressed? I'm guessing the book will hit 3.1 million. Which means I'm $3,099,999 shy. Of course I would love a Detective 27 to be found in the same grade, to give this Action Comics book a run for its money. Thanks for Reading To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Does CGC take CBCS as a serious threat to their business model. While my modern tier submission seemed to quicken, my fast track submission lingered. Since CBCS was announced to the collecting masses, I have noticed CGC changed a few things. First, they changed the way they graded restored books. So far, this did not affect me. The other thing that occurred is that CGC started to utilize their Facebook page; something that was rarely done. I like seeing new books, and what better place than CGC themselves. CBCS immediately shared books they acquired to grade. I hope CGC will do more of this, especially since I know they get in amazing books. My one modern invoice I had at CGC also seemed to pick up speed, and then when my CCS invoice transferred, I expected that to overcome my modern invoice since it was fast tracked. This was not the case. Even though my original MGN was encapsulated and shipped off with expedited speed, my fast track is anything but. I have one more single-book invoice currently at CCS. This is a book from the seventies that I turned over at Philadelphia Wizard World. I don't expect the book back until October. I wrote this on my invoice as a reminder, but seeing how slow my fast track is going, I might push the expectation date back until November. That would make it six months. The staff at CGC has always been helpful and courteous, especially at the conventions. When I was at the offices, they treated me as one of their own. I will always enjoy collecting CGC graded comic books, but if they continue to be tardy, do I really need to send my books in? I can skip the 3-6 month wait, I can skip the additional five dollar per invoice fee, and I can pass on the additional signatures by simply waiting to see what shows up on eBay. I am 12 days in on my fast track submission. It went from received to verified on the same day, I was happy about this. They state the current turn around time is 15 business days. This gives CGC three days to get the projected turnaround time to the shipped/safe status I desire to see. Will CGC improve their turn around times? Will they one day feel that CBCS is a true threat? And will I get my single-book invoice graded by CBCS before my fast track modern from CGC? Thanks for reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or, what I saw at CGC. In January I was at the CGC offices, grading comic books. One of the books that came through was a commissioned piece by Natalie Sanders, which had been purchased by a friend. I drooled, salivated, and turned slightly green with a tinge of envy. However, I had to put it into the back of my mind, because I had a job to do. Before I left the offices, I asked Bradley to let me know if he ever saw an opportunity arise again for such an opportunity to get a commissioned piece from her. About two weeks later he sent me a message. A second occurrence was opening. There were twelve open spots and I was nervous I wouldn't get one, but a few minutes before the scheduled opening, I excused myself to get in on the ground floor. I was worried I wouldn't make it, but after one minute passed, I was third. I knew what I wanted and with communicational ease, Hank Pym helped me through the process with what he would need compared to what I wanted and then how much. He was even nice enough to provide a sketch variant, for which he only added a nominal charge. I had three sketch variants, and couldn't find where they were. He was making the desire to own one of these beautiful pieces easier and easier. I was able to see what it looked like months ago, and although it looked great, I felt a twinge of disappointment. It wasn't as good as some of the others to me, but everyone who saw it gawked at its beauty. And yet I looked at it and shared it on social media sites. I began to think about the grade and realized I couldn't care about such a thing. After all, this was a one of a kind piece. Today, as I was outside with my girlfriend, the mailman almost walks by me with a package in his parcel bag. He stops, looks at me and says, "apartment 4?". I said yes and he hands me the package, I sign for it wondering who it was from. I won a few things on eBay, but they were sent to my father's house. I stared and stared at the name on the label before it finally occurred to me what it was. My girlfriend says, "go ahead", knowing how excited I was and after tearing the box to pieces, I was in my glory. Any regret or feeling of why was gone. This truly is a beautiful piece. And the people I have to thank are Bradley Bradley, Curt "Hank Pym" Krueger, and the woman herself, Natalie Sanders. You will always have a fan. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Will they or won't they??? The Mile High SDCC drama unfolds. I can not say I have never bought a variant. In the nineties I was guilty of wanting the gold variants from Valiant. However, when it came to the first variant I can remember buying, it was the Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21. I picked my favorite between the two covers available. This is something I still do, with a few exceptions. If a variant is priced higher than the cover price, case in point 1:200, I tend to pick the cover price, after all I want to read it. I am reminded of the saying you can not judge a book by its cover. And some of these comics have amazing covers. With all the variants that are flooding the market, it makes the nineties look like a drop in the bucket. Most recently I purchased a 3-D Sandman, and Hacktivist which both were graded by CGC as a 9.9. One was purchased off the internet, the other off of a dealer at a convention in New York. At these conventions I love to purchase the harder to find commodity, but I have been able to get deals on these variants, which is the only reason I have bought them. However, if push came to shove and I had a choice between getting a 1:200 book with an asking price of $200; even with an awesome cover by the artist of the week, I think I would rather choose a marvel premiere #1, Action Comics #411, and/or a Ghost Stories #32. I need conventions to find these older books since my choice of LCS's do not have a quick turn around time on back issues. Over the years Wizard World has changed from a Comic Book convention to a Pop Culture Media Event. What does this mean? It means that I have become disappointed at my home convention in Philadelphia which had the Major Comic Book Companies along with retailers that sold their books promote themselves elsewhere. As WW added more actors and actresses along with other pop culture personalities the convention changed. The change that bothered me the most was the convention hosted a lot less dealers. If CGC wasn't at Philadelphia Wizard World for on-site grading I wouldn't have attended. The other conventions I have travelled to over the past few years are ECCC, MegaCon, Baltimore Comic Con, NYCC, NYSE, and the small local Philadelphia Comic Con. I have made it my mission to visit a few different conventions outside my home state, and of course the SDCC is one of those that I hope one day to attend. Mile High Comics, meaning Chuck Rozanski has recently claimed, this will be the last year he attends. At a $10,000 loss I couldn't imagine him wanting to be back and quietly wonder, would Philadelphia Wizard World be better if he set up booths there? The claim that Chuck has made is that the variants take a big part of the convention goers extra pocket money. Many of these variants are sold exclusively through the company never giving the retailers the chance to sell their own product. The Alex Ross sketch variant of ASM #1 was selling for over $250. I even heard one dealer say to a prospective buyer "it was the book to buy". The customer asked if it would retain the value, he was told most assuredly. I shuddered. I walked away after hearing this, I couldn't stomach the speculation of a book voiced as fact. I remember thinking my W.I.L.D. Cats gold embossed cover would never drop in value. I purchased it for two reasons, one it would be worth thousands when I'm older and it was a really cool cover. One out if two is still true. We the fans make the market, even if speculators try to lead the way. As an example, prices recently on Strange Tales #110 are beginning to spike. So if I buy a variant it is because I enjoy the cover. But, the various variants have changed not only by cover but by the stores that offering them. Now comic books shops like Comics To Astonish, Midtown Comics, or Mile High Comics have their own "must buy here copies". How did the variant market get so hot that even LCS's needed their own covers? So why is Chuck upset that variants are taking a chunk of his profits when his company has his own variant? Is this just a case of sour grapes or will the comic market implode once again as it did twenty years ago? And how will comic book conventions survive if the dealers decided to stop selling at them? Thanks for Reading Ps. Update: Mile High Comics has decided to go to SDCC 2015 after all. There is still hope. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Is this worth a new #1 or #100 It isn't breaking news, it's everywhere and it started on the Colbert Report. The Falcon has been announced as the next Captain America. He isn't the first to take the mantle over and I'm sure Steve Rogers will be back. After all, the Winter Soldier more recently accepted the shield after the "death" of Rogers, and in the eighties when Steve was "fired", the US Agent had the title and the shield and yet Steve still returned, but what makes Sam Wilson worthy this time around? The Falcon was first introduced in Captain America #117 (Sept. of 69'), which makes him slightly older than me, becoming the first (Marvel) black "American Super Hero" (remember the Black Panther is African). It wasn't until the following issue that we found out The Falcon was Sam Wilson. Throughout the years Sam was a trusted partner of Steve Rogers, and his portrayal by Anthony Mackie was nothing short of phenomenal in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The Falcon wasn't some sidekick. He was a partner and a friend, which makes me wonder, was this the reasoning behind Marvel's recent decision to update their Golden Age creation? In the eighties, Marvel tested the waters with a mini-series by Jim Owsley starring Captain America's most trusted sidekick. This was originally their way to get feedback on whether a regular series should start. If the four-issue limited sold out then the Falcon would fly solo. This never happened and the Falcon continued to be a B-list hero. Sam has proven over and over again that he is true and loyal. Not since Bucky in World War II did someone have Steve Rogers back as well as Sam did. In the Ultimate Universe his credentials rival the smartest of Marvel's characters, but back in the 616 universe, Marvel Now started Captain America all over again with new creative teams; beginning with issue one. I tried collecting the title after this new beginning and I quit reading after issue #2. I felt uninspired to continue reading. And now, a few years later, we have Captain America, a 70+ year iconic creation that needs new life. I can not think of any character other than Sam Wilson more worthy of the mantle, but I question how able he is. No one can throw a shield better than Steve and catch it after knocking out his enemy. There's a certain Je' ne sais quoi about reverberating an adamantium shield off of someone's skull and having it return to sender. Of course, some questions remain. Why is Marvel changing the guard? Are they so desperate for new readers that they hope changing Thor into being a woman will garnish more new readers than alienate old ones? Do they think throngs of little girls will decide to pick up a comic book? With Sam Wilson becoming Captain America, will a larger black audience walk into comic shops asking to read the latest adventures? And now I'm waiting for Jean Paul from Alpha Flight to join the pages of Iron Man so we can find out Tony is bisexual for a larger gay audience. My biggest beef with Marvel is not the changing of iconic characters. I'm ok with that. I'm even looking forward to seeing them move in this direction, provided each title is story driven. What I don't like is that even though Sam Wilson is taking over as Captain America, he's not taking over the title. We will have to wait until November 2014 before the "All New Captain America" #1 is released, which is way different than when Tales of Suspense was changed to Captain America with issue #100 instead of issue #1 way back in 1968. I don't plan on asking how Sam Wilson is worthy of being Captain America because I can't think of any other character who is. But I will ask this.... Who is worthy of being The Falcon? Thanks for Reading The above was originally presented on two different blogs, my own and on the Next Issue Outpost http://www.ashotofcomics.blogspot.com/#!http://ashotofcomics.blogspot.com/2014/07/soaring-as-captain-america.html To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

...or Meeting Neal Adams...again Two years ago, while attending Philadelphia Wizard World 2012, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Stan Lee. Anyone who has seen Stan in the past few years knows a meeting with him only lasts a few seconds. The amazing part about it was how I met him the first time. On the first day he attended the con, during his first signing I was escorted to the front of the line. How could it get better than that? Let's flash forward to NYCC 2013. I was getting signatures for CGC to witness. The one I chose for Neal Adams to sign was Superman Unchained #1 by Scott Snyder, the Neal Adams Variant. He charged $20. I also wanted a signature in a sketch book I was currently filling and didn't mind paying the additional $20 to have it done. It's what he said while doing it that had me disappointed and trepidatious about meeting this living legend a second time. Flash forward again, this time to Wizard World 2014. I was able to walk around the convention hall much earlier than anyone who purchased tickets courtesy of Small Basket Studios. During my stroll of the floor I saw Neal Adams and felt that maybe the third time would be the charm. His table was four booths long. A quick conversation had him notify me that he needed some help for Thursday and Friday. He already had a young lady; he just needed one more worker. I felt, why not, even before I found out I was to get paid. During this short time I met his wife (a wonderful woman) and Buzz (dare I say his protégé). I paid attention to the job I was assigned, but every chance I had, I listened to his conversation with the fans. He told stories, he listened to stories, and he signed comic books and sketched the magic he does so well. I learned a little more about Neal those two days. It was the third day when I talked to Buzz, I learned so much more. Continuity Studios, originally known by the name Continuity Graphics Associates, was the creator-formed company by Neal Adams and Giordano. This company has served as an art packager for Charlton Comics, Marvel Comics, and Neal Adams' own Continuity. Continuity Studios is still around today. They are a full service, editorial facility, which means they do more than just help get your comic books out there. Neal Adams travels the convention circuit for a myriad of reasons, one major one being that a surprising amount of people count on him. Stan Lee's signature is between $65 and $80, his catch phrases considerably more. Neal Adams' charges twenty for a signature for anything you bring to him, but if you buy a print he will sign it for free, even personalize it. A picture with the legend will also cost $20, but before you think he is whoring out his name, let me assure you he is not. We all have our expenses, Neal is no different, but the one thing I did find out was incredibly honorable and respectable, and now less than a year later after seeing him at the NYCC 2013, I might still not like what he said, but I understand and respect it. Continuity Studios would not be around if not for Neal, and I don't mean his part in creating it. I mean that it is his generosity that bankrolls the business. In today's world, most businesses would close, but not with Neal at the helm. The storm has approached and instead of giving up, he tirelessly travels from city to city, convention to convention, and store to store, not asking for money from his fans, but willing to trade his artwork and name for our hard earned cash. The initial feeling I had from him left me feeling cheated, but not after two days of working with the legend and understanding a bit more, not to mention learning how influential he was. I did finish my con experience by purchasing a book that fit in with my newly acquired desire to get any book from April of '72. It happened to be a book he inked the cover on, and I happily handed over my $20 in front of a CGC witness, especially since I know it's going to someplace worthy. Thanks for Reading To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

This isn't the 181 you're looking for I still possess the first three books I ever had graded. Recently I cracked one to press, had it signed, and graded again. I'll write about that later. One of my first ten graded by CGC was an Incredible Hulk 181. Unfortunately, an old roommate decided to switch his copy with mine. My copy was equivalent to what my ASM 129 graded the first time. The copy he switched with mine received a 3.5, and I have since lost the desire to ever own one again. But, as fate would have it, I decided to start collecting something new. I wanted to get books that came out the same month I did. I attended the New York Special Edition looking for some of those comics published in the early seventies. I found four books that at first glance looked worthy. The first one was Young Love #94, but after pulling it from the bag I decided not to spend the $110 for the pressing and grading. I would stick with the $10 I spent on the book and search again. The next book was one of the easiest to find, but the most expensive. I couldn't find a copy of Wonder Woman #199 for anything cheaper than $225. The grade just didn't seem worthy for the price, until I found one nice enough for a shot at $55. I looked it over, though my experience in grading a book from the seventies is next to nil, especially those that are 52 pages long. As with many of my CGC stories, I have placed my money where my mouth is. This is no different. I purchased the book for grading the following week. I personally graded the book at 8.5 after what I thought pressing would do for it. The third book I picked up was a copy of Avengers #98. This was a bit easier to grade than the others. However, I couldn't discern between flaws and manufacturing defects. I know books from the silver age better than the copper age, so I hoped in my wildest dreams it would achieve a 9.4. My financial tally so far between the three books and the two encapsulation charges bring me to a total of $335. The fourth book was my coveted 181... my holy grail. Every time I saw a copy of the d@mn thing, it was no better than a (perceivable) 4.0 and no cheaper than $40. Yes that's right, my holy grail was a copy of Young Romance #181. This book is nearly impossible to find in high grade. To date, only one has been graded (besides mine) and it is an 8.5. The book cost me $10 with another $110 to press and grade. My new total was $455, but what were the results? And was it worth it? Young Love #94: passed Wonder Woman #199: 9.4 Avengers #98: 9.8 And my 181... Young Romance #181: 8.0 Not bad. Thanks for Reading, Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Or...this is the end... The main reason I go to Wizard World is because of CGC. If they weren't there I wouldn't bother going. I collect comic books not pictures of movie stars, although I must admit the thought of Karen Gillian is very appealing to me. Last week I took a day to go to the New York Special Edition. I found some books I was looking for and happily brought them home with me. I could have turned them over there, but then I'd have to wait a few months, especially since they are older. You know, as in my age. I was able to enter the floor early. In fact, I am happy to say I had a floor badge so I had all my books turned over before the floor opened on Thursday. My only signature series books I did were for Bagofleas and Greg Horn signed them for me as he was setting up his booth. I love his work and he is a great guy. I checked the CGC booth once, but I was busy working a booth. Both Thursday and Friday had me working for Neal Adams, which is, let's face it, pretty "fr...in" awesome! I have had an issue with Neal saying something to me when I asked for some signatures during this past NYCC, and I didn't like it. But after working for him for two days and watching him interact I understand, he is a business man after all. As I was over helping Neal, I watched as the witnesses stopped on by. In between those times I was told my books were ready. At 6:30 I picked up my three moderns and two for my lil bro. For his books I will allow him to tell it. As for my three modern books, my Alex Ross Amazing Spider-Man 1 and Hacktivist White cover were both graded a 9.8. My Sandman Overture Lenticular cover hit a 9.9, my second 9.9 submission, now all I have to do is wonder what CCS will do for my 181 before CGC grades it. Thanks for Reading Tnerb To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.