newshane

I'm not baffled that there are collectors who will pay the premium. All I said was that I didn't personally understand it, and that it holds no allure for me. Besides, I admitted the irrelevance of the statement. That was the exact point I was trying to make. The buyer didn't ask for clarification because he was hoping to get a deal. Nothing wrong with that.

I get your point, but I doubt any 9.8 newsstand editions actually survived the spinner racks unscathed. In fact, the book probably tumbled in grade the moment the uncaring clerk at Krogers took it out of the box...then tumbled again the moment it hit the spinner rack...then again after kids thumbed through the pages with fingers freshly greased from the consumption of an order of McNuggets...then maybe again when the book was taken off the shelf...etc. Those books probably stayed in the box, no? And I agree with another poster - I'm just not a big fan of the barcode look. It won't stop me from buying a book, but I wouldn't go chasing after one either.

There is nothing wrong with what you did. I want to say that up front. But the way I see it, you were both playing a bit of a game. You didn't ask for clarity because you were hoping to snag a deal. He wasn't being clear because he was hoping to get away with it. In the end, it was a harmless gamble for you. He won't get stung too hard, other than the pain of dealing with a return. Like you said, there is a very good chance the seller knows exactly what he was going and will continue to use the bait. I understand how this can be frustrating for someone who collects newsstands.

I'm still baffled at the lure of "newsstand" editions, and I certainly don't understand the huge markups that some people are willing to pay. In the end, however, that's an irrelevant opinion. To each their own! I am glad you will be able to get your money back, but I'm still not certain why you didn't simply ask first. Seems like it would have saved you both a lot of trouble. Perhaps you were hoping for a deal and didn't get what you wanted? Not that there is anything wrong with that, just sayin'.

Did you not confirm with the seller beforehand? If not, looks like that's part of the chance you took. In a way, he's correct.The CGC only makes a distinction of the newsstand edition is truly different. For example. CGC makes a distinction for Spawn 9 newsstand because it's made of newsprint paper, unlike the direct edition. Other newsstand books may get the distinction because they were released without special inserts, cards, coupons, foil, etc. I'm sorry you didn't get what you wanted, but I'm puzzled as to why you didn't contact the seller first. I'm not sure it's "bait and switch" since you didn't confirm with the seller. That being said, the seller IS also at fault for not being absolutely clear about what you were getting...even though he/she did say that multiple copies with multiple certs would be involved in the auction. A little bit of clarity and inquiry would have went a long way.

this year is the last time you will see this set together. I've worked for years and this is the best I could do: CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY SPAWN SET Going all in for the modern age competition! Now or never.

I'm very, very sad they never used this.

EDIT: 165 always seemed to be super hot...ditto for 175 and 176, the famous "Gunslinger" issues. Looking back through the run, there are many that I remember giving me lots of trouble. Definitely can't go wrong scooping up anything (at least high grade) between 110-199 if you want to be real.

110 - 199, with things getting increasingly more difficult as the issue numbers rise. Issue 200 had lots of variants and a relatively high print run, then things start to get tough from 201 all the way through the homage covers. I'd say 151 through 184 are the most exotic. Some of those books are insane. Very tough in grade because of the grade-busting dark colors that were used. There are enough people now who realize the truth about those books and are privy to their value. People are paying way too much for the early issues and not enough for the later, TOUGH ones! Also, the registry points are long overdue for an overhaul! Only 20 points for #175? WTH? For six or seven years now I've been working on the entire run in 9.8 or higher. I'm five short of that goal and I've looked EVERYWHERE and offered tons and tons of cash. Nothing. Not a word. I have three of the missing five in 9.6, so that will have to do for now. But those books are super hard in top grade and are majorly slept on.

Yes. And VERY difficult to find in 9.8 grade.

If you hate the story of the first 12 issues of Spawn, you can blame at least a few of them on no-name guys like, well, Neil Gaiman (issue 9), Dave Sim (issue 10), Frank Miller (issue 11), and Alan Moore (issue 8). I think the main problem with Spawn has always been identity. In the early years, it seemed that Todd couldn't decide if he wanted to market the books to children, depressed teens, or horror fans. Also, the quality has waxed and waned throughout the years depending on the writer and art team. You see huge, sudden leaps in style...just look at the last 75 issues of Spawn, for example. We go from dark, gothic art (Kudranski) to the childish lines drawn by Erik Larsen (HURK) and now we are seeing more "dark" painted art again. Todd will leap in for a dozen or so issues in order to "save things", which has never done anything other than add to the mess. Spawn needs continuity, direction, stability, and purpose. The chances of commercial success go way down as Todd continues to struggle with what he wants to do with the character. And now, for the movie, he wants a "ghost-like" character that doesn't speak. I guess we'll have to see. Regarding the overall run, there have been some great issues and storylines (I actually like the supernatural character as written by Holguin), but as a whole, it's a fractured mess, despite the (mostly) awesome artwork. I just don't have much faith in Todd as a writer, let alone a director. The concept of Spawn has a great deal of potential, but it's been unrealized because Todd has been uncomfortable with letting a good team run with the character. Maybe the movie will take off and I can sell my slabbed run to someone with a lot of money.

Not sure about that. Vancouver, for example, is a junkie haven and has been for decades. It's no Detroit or Chicago, but I'd say there are still plenty of opportunities to make bad choices in spite of where someone lives.

Should be re-written in third person.

You should. It's mind-blowing.

The more I read his rules...wow...just wow...

I'm a YUGE fan of the multi-tiered restocking fee! Brilliant!

OMG...it IS him, isn't it?

instead, I decided to read the "fine print" on this auction... WE DO NOT LIST EVERY NICK AND MOLECULE... Advertised as 9.8... now look at the back cover.

I'd be happy if he simply established himself as an independent. But it looks like he is currently enjoying the media attention...

WOW!!!

Ironic, because Newton Rings have always been a problem, not just with the latest cases.

Your books will be fine as long as you fix the problem ASAP. A day or two shouldn't hurt. If you have a dehumidifier, place it in the same room as your comics.

I was mainly joking but... there are plenty of people who would absolutely throw it on eBay. That would be sad. I think it's amazing that Todd did such a thing for a true fan. I don't know about Todd, but I do know that many artists are weary of doing these sorts of things because the "fan" turns out to be someone who is in it for the money. This is why lots of artists are starting to charge exorbitant prices and establishing restrictive rules for sketches and signatures. I asked a facilitating company who used to handle most of Todd's work if it was possible to get a sketch. They said no, pretty much impossible. A few months later, they had one for sale on eBay for an insane price As the owner of nearly every Spawn comic in 9.8 or above (around 400 slabs), I think one would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated fan...but that made no difference to Todd's former "handlers." My advice for the OP is to keep it like it is! Leave it in a nice Mylar with backing board and enjoy your unique gift! The "Toddy" signature is very interesting and remarkable. I've NEVER seen one!

All I have to say is...Ric Flair for the win! Greatest of all time! Guy had coke boogers worth more than I pull in for the year.

Put it on eBay so he'll never do another one.