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mzhammer

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Journal Entries posted by mzhammer

  1. mzhammer

    Wonder Woman #156

    By mzhammer,

    I combed through my Wonder Woman collection and found 6 books that all appeared to be VF/NM 9.0-ish & have confirmed I'm a terrible grader when it comes to older books.  Of the 6, one came back higher & fortunately for me, it is the one book I shelled out the most $ for, Wonder Woman #156.  
    The other books included #137 (6.0), 161 (4.0) 177 (7.0), 179 (6.5) & 204 (7.5) - I'll have to review the grader notes, especially on #161, as all of these books looked so much better than the results.
    The question I have for the community is...  When sending in books for grading and having some poor results, does 1 book make it all worth it?  When I look at this one, I have to say, it does!
     
     

  2. mzhammer

    HURRICANE HARVEY COMICS

    By mzhammer,

    I thought some of you might be curious about the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and it's effect on comic book collections and since I have one effected I figured I would share some details.  My wife & I had just bought a house, closing and moving in on August 21st, a Monday.  By Friday our new neighbors were preparing to  evacuate the neighborhood and after a few conversations we decided it would be best to do the same.  Mostly out of shock, all our survivalist skills were thrown out the window as we packed a couple of bags of clothes, a box of valuables like paperwork, jewels and documents and my priceless hand-built guitar.  I had sold off most of my comic book collection before moving to Texas and came out with a single short box which had grown into 3 over the past year, but before we left, I put my most valuable comics in one box and brought it along, just in case.  I had put the two remaining boxes on the top shelf in my closet thinking if the water comes in these should be fine at 6' up.  Well, I was wrong.  The house took on over 9' of water, everything we owned was destroyed including those 2 boxes.  This included a complete set of Wonder Woman New 52 with variants, (thankfully, not my #38 Finch variant) - Wonder Woman Rebirth set, an almost complete set of Wonder Woman Vol 2. & a Green Lantern set I had been recently working.  There's a handful of books I keep kicking myself over not grabbing on the way out, but thankfully the damage is limited to about $1000 bucks and my valuable box survived! 
     Attached are a few photos to check out, the house is our neighbors up the hill from us, we took on a couple more feet.
    Lastly, the good news is we have flood insurance, but the process is taking much longer than you can imagine and may take as long as 2 years.  I will note, the best lesson I can offer anyone is to be sure your most valuable books are in one place so you can quickly grab them if you need too.  




  3. mzhammer

    Action Comics 1

    By mzhammer,

    Superman!
    Did everyone see the Action Comics 1 CGC 9.0 White Pages on eBay?
     
    Pretty awesome! Thought I would share incase you missed it, well worth checking out. All I can really say is... WOW!
     
     
     
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/311050328393?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
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  4. mzhammer

    Adam Hughes

    By mzhammer,

    Wonder Woman
    I have a new addition to my collection.
    I think this one speaks for itself.
    Enjoy!

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  5. mzhammer
    CGC cases left side
    I just got an order back of 9 books as well as just wrote to CGC regarding.
    I found that 5 of the 9 books graded have the left side not sealed properly.
    if you squeeze the left center you'll feel it is not connected, like a little breathing room. I'm just curious how many of you are experiencing and if anyone has any details regarding this? I've noticed it a lot. MY previous order of 2 books, both were like this. I wouldn't think much of it, it's not like the case is really opened up, but since 4 of the 9 are completely sealed, it's just really odd to me. As well, I've found it in probably a 3rd of books over all that i have purchased or graded.
    any thoughts? understandings of?
    Thanks!
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  6. mzhammer

    Star Wars is Coming...

    By mzhammer,

    Thee Sketch Variant
    Just arrived & I'd like to give a shout out to CGC for putting an extreme rush on this book. After a few tangled issues that landed this book in a bizarre holding pattern, CGC blasted it through the process. Sad it didn't reach the 9.8, there's a slight bend mid center back that somehow appeared between leaving my finger tips and reaching grading central, but that is the name of game. (If only i could plant a camera on my book as it moves about the earth.)
    Now, i just have to figure out what to do with it?

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  7. mzhammer

    Avengers Assemble!

    By mzhammer,

    It's getting to be that time...
    So, for the past year I've been working on putting together some really nice Grails for my collection & I finally received Captain America today to fulfill my CGC frame! Haven't decided which book to get for the other characters, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, but maybe that will become my mission for the next year??!?!

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  8. mzhammer
    Question for the collector's society....
    Working on a project and could use some help. I'm currently helping a friend with a short film project that includes a comic book. Trying to decide what book would best represent a Holy Grail find worth 5,000 bucks. TMNT #1 is the current choice, but thought I'd pose the question to the group here and see what others might come up with..... I won't be lending any grail books to shoot with, we'll need to create a mock one, but what other comics, title / issue might be worth around the same?
    Thanks all for the help!
    Hope everyone is having a great week!
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  9. mzhammer

    3 for Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Could not resist...
    With so many variants out of the new Star Wars series I knew I would end up getting at a least a couple of them, but once I saw the action figure variants, that was it! I can only see this getting way out of hand!

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  10. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    ...The Return of...
    It's been a wild ride the past several months, both in my personal & professional life. Nothing crazy or life threatening, just enjoying my early "forced" retirement and getting back from a nice long European vacation. Eventually, I'll have to get back to work or I'll never be able to afford my comic book addiction!
    It's been a while, so, today, I'm featuring 3 GREAT robots that forever changed my childhood. 1st up is the "Original" - Shogun Warriors #1. This comic was based on a toy, but "oh man" - This was the toy of all toys in the 70's! ...And though I never got one of the large ones, I did have myself one of the small metal cast toys. This was back when TV was just adding cable networks and I stumbled upon classics like, Space Giants, UltraMan & Spector Man. (If you are unfamiliar, daintily YouTube these) - This changed everything in my life. All I've ever wanted since is to drive a giant robot!
    Next up is ROM, Space Knight #1. My older cousin had a really nice comic collection that was left in our basement while he was in the Marines. I used to go down there and read through them and ROM was one that always caught my interest. (Though his run of X-Men also caught my attention... Yes, there was a #! just sitting at the top of the stack.... Where the hell did those go?!?!?)
    And finally, Transformers #1. Yep. This is the one that made it to the top of the pile after a few decades. ...However, I will admit, I was a Gobot guy before Transformers! What ever happened to the Gobots, anyways?!?!

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  11. mzhammer

    Swipe!

    By mzhammer,

    Ah, those classic covers breath new life...
    Just thought I'd drop a quick journal in the new year and sport some of my fancy cover wipe's. Hope to get the originals in the new year! Enjoy!

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  12. mzhammer

    Black Cat

    By mzhammer,

    An Amazing Spider-Man Appearance...
    After several years of eye-balling this book, I finally won one in an auction. I had hoped to hold out for a 9.8, but lately 9.4's have looked pretty good to me, (They are "Near Mint" after all...) so i went for it!
     
     
     
    Just over 200 bucks for this 1st appearance of Felicia Hardy (Black Cat) which features one of those really sharp black covers, ...this will go nicely into my collection. ...And... it's my first ASM in a long while, so its kinda got me thinking I might need a few more... hmmm....
     
     
     
    Anywas... enjoy!

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  13. mzhammer

    The Mantel

    By mzhammer,

    August 1972
    Thought I'd share my most recent finds, all classic covers from Marvel in 1972. All CGC 9.4 White Pages for you're viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

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  14. mzhammer

    A Sellers Hell....

    By mzhammer,

    how long will it take?
    The frustration this month has been killing me! I posted a journal several weeks ago that I had finally got my Marvel Preview 4 issues back from CGC and was very happy with the 9.6 on one and had planned to sell off the second copy which got a 9.0.
     
     
     
    It appears selling off this comic is becoming quite difficult. I've listed in a week long auction twice now. the first winner did not pay, so i opened a case, had to wait until they had time to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, then put it up for auciton again.
     
     
     
    Same thing, winning bidder never pays. In this case however, they did email me after recieing the invoice and asked for 3 days to pay. I replied, no problem. Here we are a week and half later... I do clearly state in my auciton listing, please pay within 48 hours or contact me if you need more time. and look, I'm a pretty reasonable guy, when people ask for more time, 3 days or a week or whatever, I am totally accommodating. I get what it's like when you wanna grab that book, but the funds are not quite all together. BUT, this is getting a bit ridiculous.
     
     
     
    The killer is that I'm not a really a salesman, I'm a collector. I buy books for me, but you know how it goes, tastes change, something else comes along that is more interesting and I'm off to sell some books. Sometimes i price them for sale, but often times i throw out books in auction, starting at .99 cents... Sometimes i make a little profit, sometimes i loose.
     
     
     
    So, i guess this time around I'll just list it on the chat boards and see if anyone wants it... Thanks for letting me vent! Figured I might be understood here. 8)
     
     
     
    So, for a little good news, i did recieved what is kinda my first real "holy Grail" of a book. Since I started collecting I have had a strong affinity for X-Men 50 and finally won out an auciton for one. check it out!

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  15. mzhammer
    Those 1st Appearance Issues....
    It's been a while since I've wrote, but today was one of those days I just could not resist sharing my CGC delivery. I got my Strange Tales 180 back a couple of weeks ago and finally got back my Marvel Preview 4 (had sent in two copies of each) and was pleasantly surprised to find one reached a 9.6!
    Of the 2 Marvel Previews I anticipated a possible 9.4 and 9.6, well, one hit 9.0 and is now heading for eBay auciton tonight. The Strange Tales recieved a 9.6 and a 7.0 (both of which appeared to be around a 9.4. I guess that shows, you jsut never know what those graders are going to find. I'm saving the 9.6 for my collection of 1st appearances of the Guardians. 2 down, 3 to go...

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  16. mzhammer
    Part XXIX - Saga!!! (Or, as some would say, SAGAHHHH!!!!)
    This weeks CGC wall features 3 issues of Saga. #4, #7 Variant & #16. This is an awesome series and because of the recent break in publication, I've been able to add a few more issues and get closer to catching up on my collection. One of my top 5 favorite reads right now, this one is going to be a long wonderful run. They've done an amazing job on cover colors for this series and a combo of any 3 issues looks pretty wicked. I'll have to do a few more in the weeks to come.
    Other than that, there's a been a few changes in my collecting habits. I went to warehouse shop and found a couple of comics that sold well, so decided to try a second time without the wife in tow and dug through boxes upon boxes of comics for hours finding nothing very exciting, but did gra a few issues of the Incredible Hulk (A childhood favorite) and decided I'd see if I could put together a complete run. (Now that my Star Wars run is complete) - We'll see how that goes....
    Also went and saw ASM2 opening night which was a horrible idea, but the wife wanted me out of the house. I can say I preferred it to the first one, but was still somehow let down after reflection. It might just be the reboot is too close to the previous series... I find myself constantly comparing the two and though I do like some things better, (the first person swinging through the city) - other things just don't work for me.
    Everybody's a critic!

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  17. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXVIII - Original Sketches!
    I really wanted to get an AWESOME sketch for the Guardians of the Galaxy #1 and when this showed up on eBay not too long ago, I knew it was the one! I quickly threw out an offer and was pleasantly surprised when it was accepted. Tone Rodriguez knocked it out of the park here and I must say it looks even better in real life! I decided to bookend this "precious" with a couple of 9.8's from the 2008 series. Included are #19 and #17 which are pretty well AWESOME too!
    Enjoy!

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  18. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXVII - The Big Screen...
    I was able to go see Captain America Winter Solider last week and it was AWESOME!!! I typically make a long list every year of all the movies I want to see and circle a handful to watch on the big screen. This year there are quite a few... (Captain America, Spider-Man, Guardians, The Hobbit, X-Men, Apes, Godzilla, TMNT, Maleficent & Transformers) - But one of the things I've really enjoyed lately is 3D! A film like Captain America isn't really 3D specific, but that added depth really adds something to the experience and when I tried a new theatre this weekend, I found they had much more friendly 3D Glasses. Light weight, fits well, "CLEAN" - All the things that made the experience even better. Are you enjoying the 3D experience?
    So, this week's 34Thursday includes more guardians of the Galaxy, yep, it's probabaly gonna be like this all the way to August! I've included 2 9.8's from the 2013 series, the issue 4 variant and a wonderful variant from #1, Detroit Comics. (I especially like this one!) - & a 9.6 from the 2008 series, #20.
    enjoy!

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  19. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXVI - SDCC!
    Just got my email notice this morning that tickets are going on sale this Saturday for San Diego CC! I haven't been and am hoping to grab a couple and take my wife. Reminds of several years ago when I was down in SD and had a buddy with Spike TV at the Con. He was going to lend me his badge to check it out, but there was unfortunately, no cell service inside and I never got the chance... Funny thing was the security at the place was the most intense I'd ever seen. Would have been easier to hug the President.
    Anyway, this week I'm sporting a few more Guardians, all issue #1's with 2 from Mr. Quesada & a nice sketch cover of Mr. McNiven's cover. Though they produced less copies of the Quesada sketch, I'm really digging the colors popping on Rocket Raccoon!
    Enjoy!

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  20. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXV - Even on a Saturday...
    I know, I know... It's already Saturday and I'm so late. Unfortunately, my job gets hectic at times & this week was no exception. Is 3,000 emails a week too many? Can I just make a few suggestions, please? First, Let's try testing these upgrades before we launch them? Second, wouldn't it be better to hire a designer, instead of letting the user community work directly with the engineer team? Third, if you're not going to train the support staff, what's the point of a support staff? And finally, all of the old people have been laid off. That's, basically, how things are run where I work & let me tell you... it sucks!
    So, included in this weeks shot are three generations of Guardians Of The Galaxy. Issue #33 from vol. 1, Issue #2 from Vol. 2 & an Issue #1 variant from Vol. 3. All are 9.8's and that last one has a nice yellow label for Humberto Ramos' signature. (Yeah, that's an X-Men #141 cover swipe. Looks good with Thanos!)
    I've got to admit something, I'm typically pretty harsh on some of the older era of comic book writers. Complaints like, "is that a thought bubble?" or "This much narrative is driving me crazy" are common in a deep conversation regarding comics with myself... but, I was pretty damn impressed with the Star-Lord story in Marvel Preview #4 I read the other night. I think it's the kind of thing I've been waiting for since diving backwards in time. I'm just glad I finally found one!
    BTW: Included in the photo background is Marvel Preview #15 CGC 9.6, some HeroClix of the Guardians, Fionna, Cake & LemonGrab Pop characters, and... can anyone guess who that other guy is down there on bottom right? (I should probably send a prize to anyone who might be able to guess....)

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  21. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXIII - Guardians Vol. 3 Set Available!
    And to celebrate, I've included, you guessed it, more Guardians Of The Galaxy Issues from the new series. Here we have the LEGO Movie Variants, one in color and one in Black & White, and centered is the Skottie Young Cover for issue 7. All 9.8's!
    I'm still waiting to see when Skottie Young will be doing a Saturday Morning, "Baby" version of the Marvel Universe. Something like Muppet Babies, maybe?!?! At this point, it would only seem strange if it doesn't happen.

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  22. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXIII - Guardians Trailer is Out!
    What better way to celebrate than show off a few fancy variant covers! Here are the 3 Paolo Rivera variants from the new series which show a classy retro cover. Remember that rocket on the spine side from Incredible Science Fiction? Oh yeah, I could not resist. Was a bit bummed one came back from CGC a 9.6. Might have to upgrade, but that's gonna be awhile considering I've already sent of 2 packages, one to CGC and the other to CCS - my first pressings... Included with those being pressed is a really nice copy of TMNT 3 and my Incredible Science Fiction 33. Fingers crossed, we'll see how it all goes.

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  23. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXII - It's Thursday somewhere...
    It's good to be back! If I were to ever share some words of wisdom here, it is to be very careful and proof read anything you write. From mind to ink does not always translate well for some.
    Anyways, This week I'm featuring more Guardians Of The Galaxy! Just read the latest issue, number 11, last night, and it just makes me want more and more! All 1st print issues here, with an AMAZING Angela cover front and center! So glad she's joined the team, if only it will last long enough. Enjoy!

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  24. mzhammer

    Funny Thing Happened...

    By mzhammer,

    ...While I was at the comic con this weekend.
    So, I went to the little CalComicCon in Yorba Linda yesterday with my wife and made the rounds looking at some many awesome books! There were copies so many of New Mutants 87 and 98, Incredible Hulk 271, X-Men 1, Iron Man 1, Strange Tales 180, the list goes on and on... If it's hot it was right there on the wall, over priced, but just staring right at you. All the books you could ever want. And there were even a lot of odd or raw books too. One vendor brought everything I've never heard of with him, even a really nice Space Family Robinson number 1 in super shape, but, I couldn't buy them all... So I bought a stack of some cheaper comics like Star Wars and akira and Rachel Rising and The Activity. Just trying to finish off some runs, but I did want to leave with one special book and so... Here it is... Another Wally Wood cover... See pic.
    But a funny thing happened to me. I got into a conversation with one vendor, really nice guy and we chatted about what we're reading and then we started talking about Thief of Thieves. I told him I just plowed through the series and LOVED it. Could not put it down... and it just so happens we were bidding on the same issue one variant last weekend. Never ran into someone I was in a bidding war with at a ComicCon, but regardless we both lost out, me by about 30 bucks and him by a 2 dollars.

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  25. mzhammer

    Three 4 Thursday!

    By mzhammer,

    Part XXI - Zero Point One
    This week my wall features the three covers from Guardians of the Galaxy 0.1. If you haven't already sunk your teeth into this series, this is the book that started it all for me not too long ago. This introductory story features the roots of a man who formed the band that keeps our galaxy safe, Star-Lord!
    The center cover features a really nice McGuinness Variant, bookended with the 1st print and sketch version. (Gonna have to upgrade that sketch one of these days....)
    In other news, I have been slowly been catching up on various Image titles including, Rachael Rising, which I just finished moments ago. I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised! I had initially read the first 5 issues and then forgot all it about for months, thus I picked it up again and plowed through once more. I believe this title was picked up for television and the 1st print of the 1st issue has skyrocketed. I, unfortunately, never grabbed one, but can honestly say this is a worthy read and holds a nice quick pace which is reminiscent of The Walking Dead.

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