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Professor Pecora

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Journal Entries posted by Professor Pecora

  1. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #16 features the 1st Daredevil crossover + the 2nd appearance of the Ringmaster and the Circus of Crime!
    It’s September of 1964, and the legendary duo of Stan “The Man” Lee and Steve Ditko made history once again, by featuring Daredevil’s 1st crossover appearance into another title! This historical landmark issue can easily get overlooked due to the plethora of major 1st appearances featured in the previous fifteen issues, but make no mistake that ASM #16 is definitely a legendary issue within the iconic Amazing Spider-Man Silver Age run!
    For starters, the origin and 1st appearance of Daredevil (Matt Murdock) took place in April of 1964; merely five months prior to the release of ASM #16! You’ll notice that Daredevil is featured in a yellow suit, because he didn’t begin donning his modern red suit until April of 1965, when Daredevil #7 was published exactly one year later! It’s important to note that the Daredevil title was published bimonthly for the first 11 issues (1964-1965), and only started being published monthly with issue #12 in January of 1966. Therefore, this means that Amazing Spider-Man #16 features Daredevil’s “4th” overall appearance in the history of comics!
    This is MAJOR! We’re talking about two perennial Marvel superheroes facing off against each other for the very first time! In my personal opinion, ASM #16 is one of Steve Ditko’s most striking and appealing battle covers within his 38 issue run! For example, if you scan through the first fifteen issues and view the front covers, the most close-up depiction of Spider-Man is on ASM #10, which features the 1st appearance of the Big Man (Fred Foswell) and the Enforcers. However, Spider-Man is not in battle mode, but rather shown hanging on a web with the Enforcers standing in the background. In turn, ASM #16 presents the 1st issue in which we are presented with another close-up view of Spider-Man, but in the midst of battling Daredevil, who would later become one of Spider-Man’s greatest allies in fighting crime throughout NYC!
    Stan Lee and Steve Ditko were also marketing geniuses of their time! To commemorate Spider-Man and Daredevil’s future alliance and partnership, in May of 1966, Spider-Man was featured in his first Daredevil crossover in <i>Daredevil #16!</i> How cool is that! These early crossover appearances laid the foundation for what would later become a cohesive and multidimensional Marvel Universe!
    With the aforementioned information above, Amazing Spider-Man #16 is without a doubt a significant historical issue, and is definitely one of the top 25 most valuable ASM issues of the entire run!
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $2,150.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, March 23, 2021, out of a total of 1,738 Universal copies graded, only a mere 15 copies were graded in 9.6! This ratio represents a ridiculous rarity factor of only 0.9% of the total population! Furthermore, there are only 7 copies graded higher in Universal 9.8, which are extremely elusive and rarely offered for public sale. Therefore, owning a CGC 9.6 white-paged copy is virtually the very best any high-grade ASM collector can attain!
    This stunning copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! For a book published in September of 1964, the vibrant colors radiate brightly as if the book was printed yesterday! It’s definitely RARE to find copies this old that are not only PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED, but also contain MILK WHITE PAGES! I am honestly surprised that this copy did not receive the 9.8 grade! The spine is super tight and I don’t really see any color breaks! The corners are razor sharp and it’s truly an immaculate specimen!
    I won this pristine copy in Comic Link’s Focused Auction in December of 2020! This book goes down in history as my very 1st Stan Lee/Steve Ditko ASM acquisition, and since I am also a huge Daredevil fan and absolutely LOVE the Daredevil Netflix TV Series (2015-2018), this was the perfect early ASM issue to add to the Professor Pecora Collection! I want to give a special shout-out to Spencer of the Comic Link Billing Department for his excellent customer service skills, and to Colin Becker for providing the beautiful professional scans!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #16 CGC 9.6 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please FOLLOW my NEW Instagram (IG) Account----> @professor_pecora - LOTS of GREAT Content to come! :-)

     
  2. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #181 features the “death” of Elektra + the 10th cover appearance of Bullseye!
    Overstreet 2023 NM- 9.2 value = $65.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, August 22, 2023, out of a total of 5,984 Universal copies graded, only 1,459 copies were graded in 9.8 with ONLY 6 copies graded higher in 9.9!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents a RARITY FACTOR of 24.38% of the total population.
    However, this is the much RARER Newsstand Edition Variant, which means that you can estimate that ONLY 2-4% of all 9.8s are Newsstand Edition copies!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in April of 1982, the legendary Frank Miller (penciller) & Klaus Janson (inker) rendered a classic Bullseye Vs. Elektra battle cover!
    Frank Miller continued to push the envelope, as he decided to have Bullseye “kill” Elektra in this historic issue! In turn, this tragic event would add onto Bullseye’s resume of all the qualifications that make him Daredevil’s undisputed arch enemy!
    On that note, Daredevil #181 is an absolute MUST-HAVE for any Daredevil, Elektra, or Bullseye fan and/or collector!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I submitted this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED Newsstand Edition Variant copy to CGC Comics in May of 2023! I was ecstatic when I was informed that I landed the coveted CGC 9.8 NM/M grade! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #181 Newsstand Edition CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  3. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #172 features the 9th cover appearance of Bullseye + the 3rd appearance of the Kingpin within the Daredevil title!
    Overstreet 2023 NM- 9.2 value = $38.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, August 15, 2023, out of a total of 357 Universal copies graded, only 82 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents a RARITY FACTOR of 22.97% of the total population.
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in July of 1981, the legendary Frank Miller (penciller) & Klaus Janson (inker) rendered another dope Bullseye & Kingpin cover!
    In just his 9th cover appearance (12th appearance overall), Bullseye is featured leaping towards Daredevil in midair with a long multi-spiked blade!
    The Kingpin, who only makes his 3rd appearance in the Daredevil title, is portrayed dominantly in the background holding a lit cigarette, while he watches Daredevil take on the New York Mob & Bullseye!
    In addition, the beautiful dark and light blue background really brings out the white, yellow, and red colors to make this cover POP!
    On that note, Daredevil #172 is an absolute MUST-HAVE for any Daredevil, Kingpin, or Bullseye fan and/or collector!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy from the Shortboxed app in March of 2022! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #172 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  4. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #81 features the 1st meeting of Daredevil and the Black Widow + stories featuring the Black Widow begin!
    Overstreet 2023 NM- 9.2 value = $160.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, August 1, 2023, out of a total of 298 Universal copies graded, only 21 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive RARITY FACTOR of only 7.05% of the total population!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Here is a KEY Daredevil book you do not see every day! To be quite honest, I consider Daredevil #81 “under the radar” in terms of its historical significance and importance in the Daredevil run! As a result, it hasn’t experienced the buyer demand that it will one day command!
    DID YOU KNOW…
    •  Daredevil (in Daredevil #1) and the Black Widow (in Tales of Suspense #52) both made their comic book debuts in April of 1964?
    •  Daredevil 1st met the Black Widow in Daredevil #81 (although it’s not noted on the CGC label)?
    •  The Black Widow was featured in 44 consecutive issues spanning Daredevil #81—#124?
    •  The Daredevil title was actually renamed “Daredevil and the Black Widow” from issues #92—#107?
    With the aforementioned facts delineated above, it would have been super cool to have seen actor Charlie Cox (Daredevil) teamed up with actress Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff AKA the Black Widow). Unfortunately, that won’t occur, as Johansson’s Black Widow died in Avengers: Endgame (2019), after she sacrificed herself at Vormir to obtain the Soul Stone.
    However, since Marvel isn’t afraid of straying away from the comic book storylines to adapt to the MCU, there is a possibility that they could incorporate Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova (the current Black Widow) into the Daredevil series!
    Furthermore, the Gil Kane (penciler) & Frank Giacoia (inker) picture frame cover is absolutely stunning! The bright white background border coupled with the blue green water, golden sand, and Daredevil’s red suit with the Black Widow’s black and dark blue highlighted suit make this cover POP!
    In terms of the color coordination, the red Daredevil title matches Daredevil’s suit and the caption DEATH IS A BLACK WIDOW matches the Black Widow’s suit! Even “The Man Without Fear” matches the color of the sand! It’s definitely one of those covers that has exceptional eye appeal!
    In closing, I WON this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy in Comic Link’s Focused Auction in June of 2022! I’m super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #81 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Registry Set entitled, "FEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  5. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #169 features the 2nd appearance of Elektra + the 8th cover appearance of Bullseye!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $70.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, July 4, 2023, out of a total of 610 Universal copies graded, 149 copies were graded in 9.6 with only 53 copies graded higher in 9.8!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents a RARITY FACTOR of 24.43% of the total population.
    HOWEVER, this is the much RARER Newsstand Edition Variant, which means that you can estimate that ONLY about 2-4% of all 9.6s are Newsstand Edition copies!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in March of 1981, the legendary Frank Miller (penciller) & Klaus Janson (inker) rendered another phenomenal Bullseye cover!
    In just his 8th cover appearance (9th appearance overall), Bullseye is featured boldly in the center with a spotlight highlighting multiple victims laying on the ground wearing a Daredevil costume!
    Similar to Frank Miller’s Daredevil #160 cover, Bullseye has a psychotic facial expression with his bulging eyes starring upwards towards the viewer, coupled with a radiant red halo around his head, to show the menacing and murderous nature of Daredevil’s archenemy!
    To bring this scene to life, the caption on the lower right-hand corner reads:
    HIS NAME IS BULLSEYE…AND HE’LL KEEP KILLING ‘EM TILL THEY’RE ALL DEAD!
    Furthermore, the beautiful light blue background coordinates extremely well with the purple, pink, black and bright yellow colors—making this cover POP!
    Moreover, although she is not featured on the front cover, within the pages of this classic Frank Miller issue is the historical 2nd appearance of Elektra!
    On that note, Daredevil #169 is an absolute MUST-HAVE for any Daredevil, Elektra and Bullseye fan and/or collector!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    COOL FACT: I was the one who vetted the KEY comment—“2nd appearance of Elektra” to CGC President Matt Nelson and the team, which got approved on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, to be added to the CGC label!
    In closing, I submitted this NEAR PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED Newsstand Edition Variant copy to CGC Comics in May of 2023! Although I was really hoping to land the coveted CGC 9.8 NM/M grade; I am grateful that I at least received the CGC 9.6 NM+ grade. Nevertheless, I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #169 Newsstand Edition CGC 9.6 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  6. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #161 features the 7th cover appearance of Bullseye and his 8th appearance overall!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $60.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, June 20, 2023, out of a total of 629 Universal copies graded, only 117 copies were graded in 9.8 with ONLY 1 copy graded higher in 9.9!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents a RARITY FACTOR of 18.60% of the total population.
    HOWEVER, this is the much RARER Newsstand Edition Variant, which means that you can estimate that ONLY about 2-4% of all 9.8s are Newsstand Edition copies!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in November of 1979, the legendary Frank Miller (penciller) & Klaus Janson (inker) rendered another pulsating Bullseye cover!
    In just his 7th cover appearance (8th appearance overall), Bullseye is featured drop kicking Daredevil off the top of the historic Coney Island wooden roller coaster—known as the Cyclone, with the Black Widow tied in bondage along the tracks!
    Furthermore, Bullseye’s ruthless killer instinct coupled with his psychotic nature is displayed on this late Bronze Age cover; once again cementing his ongoing rivalry with ol’ “Hornhead!”
    On that note, Daredevil #161 is an absolute MUST-HAVE for any Daredevil and Bullseye fan and/or collector!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED Newsstand Edition Variant copy from My Comic Shop in October of 2022! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #161 Newsstand Edition CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  7. Professor Pecora

    Daredevil #160 CGC 9.8 WP: 6th cover appearance of Bullseye!

    By Professor Pecora,


    ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE! (Custom Registry Set)
    Daredevil #160 features the 6th cover appearance of Bullseye and his 7th appearance overall!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $60.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, June 20, 2023, out of a total of 622 Universal copies graded, only 107 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents a RARITY FACTOR of only 17.20% of the total population.
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in September of 1979, the legendary Frank Miller (penciller) & Klaus Janson (inker) rendered a strikingly controversial Bullseye cover!
    In just his 6th cover appearance (7th appearance overall), Bullseye is featured strangling the Black Widow with a hairdryer cord! As a result, the Black Widow is unconscious and collapsed to the floor, amidst a pile of smashed furniture turned upside down with Bullseye’s facial expression looking crazy as hell!
    For late 1979, this legendary Frank Miller cover can be considered controversial for the time, as it is just as savage as some of the unregulated pre-code horror covers! It certainly cemented Frank Miller’s style in steering the title into a darker and more mature direction!
    [IN THE HANDS OF BULLSEYE!]
    On that note, Daredevil #160 is an absolute MUST-HAVE for any Daredevil and Bullseye fan and/or collector!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy from Paradise Comics in February of 2023! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #160 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  8. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #159 features Frank Miller’s 2nd Daredevil cover + the 5th cover appearance of Bullseye (not in costume) and his 6th appearance overall!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $75.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, June 13, 2023, out of a total of 673 Universal copies graded, only 95 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents a RARITY FACTOR of only 14.12% of the total population.
    HOWEVER, this is the much RARER Newsstand Edition Variant, which means that you can estimate that ONLY about 2-4% of all 9.8s are Newsstand Edition copies!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in July of 1979, the legendary Frank Miller (penciller) & Klaus Janson (inker) rendered a stunning Daredevil Vs. Bullseye underwater battle cover!
    The green, blue, and red colors POP vibrantly on this particular copy, as if it were printed yesterday!
    SIDE NOTE: I do not think most collectors or casual observers are aware of this, but Daredevil #159 features the 1st and only cover appearance of Bullseye in which he is not in costume!
    Furthermore, in only Frank Miller’s 2nd Daredevil cover, he chose to bring Bullseye back into the mix, but took a different approach of having him fight Daredevil underwater wearing only jeans, boots, and a spiked metal wristband! The scene is intense, as Bullseye is grabbing Daredevil by the neck with one hand and attempting to stab him with a dagger!
    Hence, Frank Miller perfectly displayed his darker and raw approach to the title! This trend would continue throughout his run, with a wicked follow up on the cover of Daredevil #160—where Bullseye is strangling the Black Widow with a hairdryer cord!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this near perfectly wrapped & centered Newsstand Edition Variant copy from Mr. Nick Abbratozzato of Charm-City-Comics in October of 2022! I am super proud to own this vibrant copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #159 Newsstand Edition CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  9. Professor Pecora

    Daredevil #146 CGC 9.8 WP: 4th cover appearance of Bullseye!

    By Professor Pecora,


    ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE! (Custom Registry Set)
    Daredevil #146 features the 4th cover appearance of Bullseye and his 5th appearance overall!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $60.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, June 13, 2023, out of a total of 200 Universal copies graded, ONLY 18 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive RARITY FACTOR of only 9.00% of the total population!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in June of 1977, the legendary duo of Gil Kane & Dave Cockrum produced a stunning Bullseye cover! In just his 4th cover appearance (5th appearance overall), Bullseye made a televised threat, which lured ol’ “Hornhead” to a LIVE broadcast featuring him getting shot in the shoulder by the psychopathic assassin!
    To bring this scene to life, the comic dialogue bubbles read:
    WATCH CAREFULLY, HOME-VIEWERS! LIVE FROM NEW YORK, IT’S DAREDEVIL’S DEATH!
    —BROUGHT TO YOU IN GLORIOUS LIVING COLOR BY BULLSEYE!
    With the jet-black background bringing out the red, yellow, and blue colors on this eye appealing cover, it is an absolute MUST-HAVE for Daredevil and Bullseye fans and collectors!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy from premiumcomicsandcollectibles (via eBay) in November of 2022! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #146 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  10. Professor Pecora

    Daredevil #141 CGC 9.8 WP: 3rd appearance of Bullseye!

    By Professor Pecora,


    ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE! (Custom Registry Set)
    Daredevil #141 features the 3rd appearance of Bullseye!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $60.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, June 6, 2023, out of a total of 194 Universal copies graded, ONLY 14 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive RARITY FACTOR of only 7.22% of the total population!
    ___________________________________________________________
    Published in January of 1977, the legendary Dave Cockrum (penciller & inker) set off the new year by rendering a badass Bullseye cover! In only his 3rd appearance, Bullseye is firing a pistol at a catapult mechanism and sending Daredevil flying in bondage!
    To bring this scene to life, the comic dialogue bubble and captions read:
    YOU WANTED TO CHALLENGE BULLSEYE? NOW SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!
    ACTION IN THE MIGHTY MARVEL MANNER!
    …AND AWAY GOES DAREDEVIL!
    With the bright yellow background bringing out the red, brown, and blue colors on this eye appealing cover, it is an absolute MUST-HAVE for Daredevil and Bullseye fans and collectors!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy from joel9.8 (via eBay) in May of 2022! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #141 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  11. Professor Pecora

    Daredevil #132 CGC 9.8 WP: 2nd appearance of Bullseye!

    By Professor Pecora,


    ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE! (Custom Registry Set)
    Daredevil #132 features the 2nd appearance of Bullseye!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $100.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, June 6, 2023, out of a total of 365 Universal copies graded, ONLY 10 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive RARITY FACTOR of ONLY 2.74% of the total population!
    ___________________________________________________________
    After making his murderous introduction in Daredevil #131, Bullseye does not disappoint in his sophomore appearance, as he continues his public assault against The Man Without Fear in an epic showdown in the circus!
    Published in April of 1976, exactly twelve years since Daredevil made his iconic debut, artist Rich Buckler rendered an entertaining circus cover, with the caption reading:
    DAREDEVIL AND BULLSEYE BATTLE BENEATH THE BIG TOP!
    In classic Bullseye fashion, his attack is a dramatic one, in which he blasts himself out of a cannon to accelerate a surprise superman punch—sending Daredevil flying backwards! With multiple witnesses staring up at the unexpected main attraction, Bullseye displays his psychotic disdain for Daredevil, which would evolve to his lust for making Daredevil’s suffering a public spectacle!
    To bring this scene to life, the comic dialogue bubbles read:
    THIS IS IT HORNHEAD!
    ONLY ONE OF US WILL LEAVE THIS CIRCUS ALIVE!
    SIDE NOTE: Notice that Hornhead was spelled correctly, whereas it was misspelled on Daredevil #131 as “Hornead!” In addition, there isn’t a UPC barcode printed on the front or the back of the book, which makes Daredevil #132 unique!
    Furthermore, high-grade copies are highly elusive, due to the jet-black color along the top portion of the cover, along with parts of the spine exposing the slightest of defects. Therefore, as Bullseye becomes reintroduced in the MCU and gains popularity, Daredevil #132 will soar to new heights in the marketplace!
    In my opinion, Bullseye is one of the most psychotic and deranged villains ever created by Marvel! As a result, Bullseye’s early cover appearances are some of the most violent, brutal, and entertaining in comics and are HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!
    ___________________________________________________________
    First 20 Bullseye Cover Appearances:
    01. Daredevil #131
    02. Daredevil #132
    03. Daredevil #141
    04. Daredevil #146
    05. Daredevil #159 (not in costume)
    06. Daredevil #160
    07. Daredevil #161
    08. Daredevil #169
    09. Daredevil #172
    10. Daredevil #181
    11. Daredevil #197
    12. Daredevil #200
    13. Captain America #373
    14. Captain America #374
    15. Captain America #376
    16. Captain America #377
    17. Daredevil #288
    18. Daredevil #289 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    19. Daredevil #290 (in Daredevil’s costume)
    20. Punisher #102
    ___________________________________________________________
    In closing, I purchased this NEAR PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy from mikeymoran (via eBay) in May of 2023! On the back cover, located on the upper left-hand section, you can see a really cool arrival date stamp of “JAN. 13 1976.” I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #132 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  12. Professor Pecora
    Daredevil #131 features the origin and 1st appearance of the new Bullseye + the 1st appearance of Jacob Conover!
    Overstreet 2022 NM- 9.2 value = $600.
     According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, May 30, 2023, out of a total of 3,843 Universal copies graded, only 104 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher!
    With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive RARITY FACTOR of ONLY 2.71% of the total population!
    HOWEVER, this particular copy is the EXTREMELY RARE “Mark Jewelers” Insert, which is the ONLY KNOWN CGC 9.8 “MJI” COPY IN THE WORLD!
    Furthermore, this RARE GEM also received the CVA Exceptional sticker, which certifies that it presents much better than your typical CGC 9.8!
    Therefore, it’s safe to say that you are viewing a 1 of 1, cream of the crop—ultimate Bullseye GRAIL!
    ___________________________________________________________
    All great superheroes have great arch enemies to challenge and build their character, which evolves with each confrontation to bring out the best version of themselves. For example, these perennial matchups consist of Superman vs. Lex Luthor, Batman vs. the Joker, Spider-Man vs. the Green Goblin and Wolverine vs. Sabretooth to name a few!
    With this in mind, it would take 130 issues or 11 years and 11 months after Daredevil made his comic book debut in April of 1964, before he was given an arch enemy of his own! Published in March of 1976, Daredevil #131 is a highly underrated MAJOR KEY within the run, as it ushers in the 1st appearance of the new Bullseye, who would become Daredevil’s psychopathic arch nemesis!
    Featured prominently on the Rich Buckler cover amidst a full moon dominating the sunset sky, Bullseye is standing in a commanding pose holding the tip of a dart over his shoulder, with the other hand reaching towards his ultimate target directly in front of him—The Man Without Fear! With a victim already dead on the floor, the comic dialogue bubble reads: YEAH, HORNEAD—I KILLED THAT CREEP, JUST LIKE I’M GONNA KILL YOU! Y’SEE—BULLSEYE NEVER MISSES!
    SIDE NOTE: Daredevil #131 was mass produced with a spelling error on the front cover; Hornhead was misspelled as “Hornead!”
    In turn, Daredevil is depicted in a vulnerable situation! Although he has fought plenty of villains previously, something was different about this one, as noted in Daredevil’s comic dialogue bubble: HE’S GOT THE DROP ON ME—AND THERE’S NO WAY I CAN SAVE MYSELF!
    DAREDEVIL VS. BULLSEYE WAS BORN!
    Moreover, Bullseye has been portrayed on the silver screen by actor Colin Farrell in Marvel’s Daredevil (2003). In more recent times, actor Wilson Bethel played the role of Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter in the 3rd and final season of the critically acclaimed Marvel Daredevil Netflix TV Series (2015-2018)!
    Unfortunately, due to the sudden cancelation, we never got a chance to witness Mr. Poindexter fully evolve into the costumed Bullseye in which we are familiar with in the comics! Hopefully, now that it has been confirmed that actor Charlie Cox will reprise his role as Daredevil in the MCU, it is more than likely that we will eventually see his arch nemesis—Bullseye, for some intense -kicking battle scenes!
    In closing, I purchased this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED & EXTREMELY RARE “Mark Jewelers” Insert copy from the Shortboxed app in July of 2022! I am super proud to own this immaculate copy and look forward to watching it appreciate each year!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ___________________________________________________________
    Daredevil #131 "Mark Jewelers" Insert CGC 9.8 WP CVA Exceptional is featured in Professor Pecora's CGC Custom Registry Set entitled, "ALL EYES ON BULLSEYE!"
    To view the full REVIEW VIDEO, please visit ---> Professor Pecora's YouTube Channel
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ---> @professor_pecora
    eBay Store Link ---> Professor Pecora
    2-Tone Eternal Music - Official Website: ---> 2nd Life Entertainment LLC (2-Tone Eternal)
    ___________________________________________________________


  13. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #161 features the 1st Nightcrawler crossover!
    What you’re looking at here is a highly undervalued historical KEY issue! With that said, let’s delve right into it!
    In the Summer of 1975, the new X-Men made their 1st appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1, which consisted of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, & Thunderbird! After a powerful debut, they made their 2nd appearance in X-Men #94 in August of 1975, which relaunched the title after 4+ years of bi-monthly reprint issues that span from #67-#93!
    Carrying on with the bi-monthly publishing format, the new X-Men would continue to make appearances every two months until X-Men #113, when Marvel decided to start publishing the title monthly. Considering this background information, both Amazing Spider-Man #161 and X-Men #101 were published in October of 1976, which ties for Nightcrawler’s 9th appearance in the history of comics!
    More importantly, ASM #161 features the 1st time Nightcrawler crossed over into another title, which is also the 1st time his name was written on a cover and the 1st time in which a story was dedicated to him: “...And the Nightcrawler Came Prowling, Prowling!”
    Furthermore, even though CGC did not include this important historical information on the CGC label, rest assured that ASM #161 has the potential to SPIKE in value, as it appeals to both Amazing Spider-Man & X-Men collectors—two of the most collected titles in the hobby! With an awesome Gil Kane & John Romita Spider-Man vs. Nightcrawler battle cover to boot, I predict that it’s only a matter of time until we see high-grade copies appreciate exponentially!
    Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $65.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, August 17, 2021, out of a total of 722 Universal copies graded, only 105 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher! With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive rarity factor of only 14.54% of the total population!
    This stunning copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! It’s PERFECTLY WRAPPED and CENTERED and contains PERFECT WHITE PAGES! I have honestly not seen a nicer looking copy! This blazer has a super tight spine with no visible stresses or color breaks, deep color saturation that looks like it was printed yesterday and perfectly inserted staples! This copy truly looks MINT!
    In closing, I won this pristine beauty during a Heritage Sunday & Monday Comic Books Weekly Select Auction in June of 2021! I was ecstatic when I was notified as the winning bidder and I’m proud to showcase this immaculate copy in Arachnophobia!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #161 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  14. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #124 features the 1st appearance of the Man-Wolf!
    As the front cover depicts, the Man-Wolf is actually John Jonah Jameson III, the son of J. Jonah Jameson, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle. He originally made his 1st appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #1, published in March of 1963, and was created by legendary writer Stan “The Man” Lee and his artistic counterpart Steve Ditko.
    However, it was writer Gerry Conway who decided to turn John Jameson into the ferocious Man-Wolf in this 1973 September issue, in collaboration with John Romita Sr. providing the stunning visuals!
    On the front cover, amidst a full moon triggering his powers, we see a raging Man-Wolf shattering the windows as he leaps through with his razor sharp claws ready to attack his father and Spider-Man!
    In terms of color contrast, notice that the majority of Man-Wolf’s suit is yellow with green trimming; whereas J. Jonah Jameson’s suit is the same color green over a yellow shirt, which is very clever of John Romita Sr. to symbolize their father-and-son relationship! In addition, the Amazing Spider-Man title is also yellow with red trimming, which pops nicely above the light blue sky and Spider-Man’s red and blue suit! On the bottom left-hand corner, we see a light blue banner with the words presented in yellow font with red trimming that reads: “THE MARK OF THE MAN-WOLF!” What a beautiful cover!
    The Man-Wolf is a very intriguing and unique character. Although his origin story takes place in the following issue—Amazing Spider-Man #125, John Jameson is an astronaut who acquired the mystical Godstone, an interdimensional ruby that eventually grafted itself into his throat after wearing it as a pendant! John Jameson had already received superhuman powers on a previous space mission that strained his mind and body, after radioactive spores invaded his space suit and hence why he had to wear a state-of-the-art, strength-restraining Jupiter suit to harness and control his enhanced power. As a result, John Jameson referred to himself as Colonel Jupiter, and you can see a beautiful John Romita Sr. depiction of him battling Spider-Man on the front cover of Amazing Spider-Man #42!
    Now, after the Godstone activated under a full moon and turned John AKA Colonel Jupiter into the Man-Wolf, his strength, agility and senses increased yet again, although he was unable to speak and retain his human intelligence. Therefore, the Man-Wolf would attack anyone in his path with his bestial behavior!
    Furthermore, his character gets more complex and interesting when the radioactive Godstone transports Man-Wolf to another dimension, where he becomes known as Stargod! In this realm, known as the Other Realm, John can fully transform into the Man-Wolf while retaining his speech and human intelligence; he also possesses new powers such as telepathy and energy manipulation! As Stargod, he is also highly skilled in using weaponry such as the broadsword, dagger and longbow!
    With all that being said, I truly believe that high-grade copies of Amazing Spider-Man #124 are going to significantly increase in value, especially because there is a possibility that the Man-Wolf will be incorporated in an upcoming Morbius film! If this actually takes place, it would make sense because according to the comics, Morbius uses Man-Wolf as a pawn to distract Spider-Man as he searches for a cure for his vampire condition. Plus, having a vampire coupled with a werewolf is complimentary of the horror villain theme, which would make for an interesting twist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $200.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, April 13, 2021, out of a total of 801 Universal copies graded, only a mere 27 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher! This represents an impressive rarity factor of only 3.4% of the total population!
    This stunning copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! Published in September of 1973, it predates Amazing Spider-Man #129 (1st appearance of the Punisher) by 5 months! Due to the bordering black and brown colors on the front cover that expose the slightest of defects, high-grade copies like this gem will be difficult to acquire. Moreover, it’s also very RARE to find a PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy, as this beautiful specimen exhibits! In addition, the corners are razor sharp and the colors are super bright with internal MILK WHITE PAGES!
    (SIDE NOTE: The scans captured multiple glares due to the inner well containing multiple ripples; it will eventually be re-encapsulated into the latest generation CGC Holder!)  
    I won this pristine copy in Comic Link’s Focused Auction in June of 2020! I was ecstatic when I was notified as the winning bidder and I’m proud to showcase this immaculate copy in Arachnophobia!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #124 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  15. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #125 features the origin and 2nd appearance of the Man-Wolf!
    I feel like you can’t just own Amazing Spider-Man #124—1st appearance of the Man-Wolf, without owning the follow-up issue, as it features his origin story!
    To complement the previous issue, John Romita Sr. created another dynamic classic cover that embodies so much superb movement within a single image, that it plays out like a scene in a movie!
    After Spider-Man connected the dots and realized that John Jameson was indeed the Man-Wolf, he went to pay him a visit at his apartment around the same time John’s girlfriend Kristine was on her way over for a date. However, by the time both Spider-Man and Kristine arrived, John had already morphed back into the Man-Wolf and grabbed Kristine as hostage!
    Feeling guilty for the tragic death of Gwen Stacy that occurred just four issues previously in Amazing Spider-Man #121, Spider-Man frantically yells “NO! NO! I WON’T LET YOU DIE—NOT LIKE GWEN!” As Spider-Man leaps towards the Man-Wolf to protect Kristine from being harmed on a moving vehicle, the Man-Wolf violently back fists Spider-Man in the head, sending him flying backwards in midair as he cries out “NOT LIKE GWENNN!”
    A few frightened pedestrians in the background are seen fleeing the scene as they witness the vicious attack, and the vulnerable Kristine, feeling as if she is destined to be the Man-Wolf’s lunch, yells out “SPIDER-MAN—STAY BACK! YOU CAN’T SAVE ME!”
    All of this action is captured on this phenomenal John Romita Sr. cover that pops nicely against the bright yellow, red and blue color hues! The movement and attention to detail is precise and realistic, captivating both Amazing Spider-Man readers and unfamiliar viewers to take notice that: “THE MAN-WOLF STRIKES AGAIN!”
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $110.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, April 27, 2021, out of a total of 895 Universal copies graded, only 73 copies were graded in 9.8 with only 1 copy graded higher in 9.9! This represents a rarity factor of only 8.16% of the total population!
    This stunning copy is definitely WORLD CLASS! It’s extremely difficult to locate a copy that doesn’t show a slight overlap of the front or back cover appearing on the opposite side. With that being said, this beautiful 1973 specimen is 99.9% PERFECTLY WRAPPED and CENTERED and contains PERFECT WHITE PAGES!
    (SIDE NOTE: The scans captured multiple glares due to the inner well containing multiple ripples; it will eventually be re-encapsulated into the latest generation CGC Holder!)  
    In closing, I won this pristine copy in Comic Link’s Focused Auction in January of 2021! I was ecstatic when I was notified as the winning bidder and I’m proud to showcase this immaculate copy in Arachnophobia!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #125 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  16. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #129 features the 1st appearance of the Punisher (Frank Castle) and the Jackal!
    The Punisher was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru, with publisher Stan Lee providing the name.
    The classic cover art displaying the “Different and Deadly” Punisher was drawn by legendary artists Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. The most lethal hired assassin is featured in his iconic skull-imprinted black suit with an arsenal of weaponry, including an automatic assault rifle in which he is unloading a full clip of ammunition directly at Spider-Man.
    The close up view of the Punisher’s sniper scope depicts a defenseless and aerial bound Spider-Man avoiding bullets exploding against the surrounding brick buildings, with cross hairs aimed precisely at his heart! Couple this action on a commanding bright yellow cover, and you have one of the most sought-after and treasured comics in the history of the Amazing Spider-Man title!
    As a matter of fact, Amazing Spider-Man #129 is currently ranked #10 on Overstreet's Top 25 Bronze Age Comics list.
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $1,900.
    In terms of the Amazing Spider-Man title, ASM #129 is “The” most valuable and expensive issue of the entire Bronze Age (1970-1979)! For example, on May 2, 2021, a copy of ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP sold on Heritage Auctions for a record-breaking $33,600!
    Moreover, what made the Punisher truly unique is that although he was originally created as a villain; he was gradually developed into a crime-fighting antihero. It was characters like the Punisher and Ghost Rider (1st introduced in Marvel Spotlight #5 in August of 1972), that would influence the industry in creating more violent and grittier material.
    Since the Punisher’s inception in February of 1974, he has starred in 3 feature films. The first Punisher movie premiered in the USA on July 8, 1990 at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, and was characterized by actor Dolph Lundgren.
    It wasn’t until 14 years later; on April 16, 2004, in which The Punisher had a reboot and was played by actor Thomas Jane with John Travolta playing the antagonistic character Howard Saint. The setting took place in Florida, which was not true to the comics as Frank Castle’s origins take place in Queens, New York.
    The most recent installment, Punisher: War Zone, released on December 5, 2008, was played by actor Ray Stevenson. In addition, actor Dominic West played the Punisher’s arch enemy Jigsaw (William “Billy” Russo), which is true to the comics as Jigsaw was introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #162 and plays a significant and enduring role throughout the Punisher’s storyline.
    Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned Punisher films were able to cement the character’s image and brand to the likes of Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine. There were a number of reasons why none of the films gave the Punisher’s character justice; they ranged from inconsistencies in the comics to corny representations of the characters to not finding the “right” actor to emulate and embody the Punisher to perfection.
    Fortunately, after decades of failed attempts to portray the character and build a successful franchise, in March of 2016, the Punisher was played by The Walking Dead alum Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh) in season 2 of the critically acclaimed Daredevil Netflix TV series! Prior to his big screen debut and adding fuel to the hype, Marvel Head of Television Jeph Loeb said in the initial announcement on Marvel.com: “Jon Bernthal brings an unmatched intensity to every role he takes on, with a potent blend of power, motivation and vulnerability that will connect with audiences. Castle's appearance will bring dramatic changes to the world of Matt Murdock and nothing will be the same.”
    Since then, the Punisher has been kicking and captivating the audience into his psyche that depicts pain and vengeance amidst his fragmented memories of being a former loving husband and father of two, before they were tragically killed by the mob. Furthermore, on November 17, 2017, the Punisher made his highly successful debut in his self-titled series on Netflix!
    Finally, it looks like the Punisher is getting justice on the silver screen! In turn, this has translated into increased demand for high-grade copies of Amazing Spider-Man #129, as the Punisher’s stock has surged!
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, May 4, 2021, out of a whopping total of 11,635 Universal copies graded, only a mere 143 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher! With these statistics in mind, this represents an amazing rarity factor of only 1.23% of the total population! That’s pretty rare! Considering the vast number of copies that have already been professionally graded and the fact that many 9.8 copies are stashed away in private collections, it is going to become increasingly difficult to locate pristine 9.8 examples like this gem!
    Furthermore, a significant percentage (I would say over 80%) of ASM #129 copies were wrapped at an angle in which you can see part of the white back cover from the front, which is the culprit of most copies displaying the classic Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. cover off-centered. In contrast, there are many copies that do not display any part of the back cover from the front, but if you view the back cover, you’ll notice part of the edge of the front cover on the back. This “miswrap” often displays the “S” in Spider-Man (green font) located on the bottom left-hand corner to be obscured, as well as a part of Spider-Man’s boot near the upper left-hand corner. In addition, there are lots of copies that have a black ink smudge where it reads “The Punisher,” which also takes away from the aesthetic appeal of such a beautiful cover. If you are interested, just browse through all of the current lots and past sales of ASM #129 on eBay and on other various auction houses; you’ll see for yourself that it is very RARE to locate a copy that doesn’t exhibit these manufacturing flaws.
    With that in mind, this particular CGC 9.8 copy sports PERFECT COVER WRAP, PERFECT CENTERING, and PERFECT WHITE PAGE QUALITY along with being PERFECTLY CUT! The color saturation is deep and bright and the corners are razor sharp!
    On the back cover, there is an arrival date of “11-4” written in blue pen on the upper right-hand corner. Although it’s very minute and unobtrusive, I actually appreciate it because it gives the book “character” and differentiates the “Professor Pecora” copy from any other CGC 9.8! It’s definitely an “exceptional” copy that perfectly represents one of my favorite covers in all of comics! I will cherish it for a long time to come!
    In closing, I won this pristine beauty during a Pedigree Comics Grand Auction in April of 2020! I was very blessed to end up with the winning bid and I’m looking forward to watching it appreciate in value each year! 
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  17. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #134 features the 1st appearance of the Tarantula & the 2nd appearance of the Punisher in cameo on last page!
    In July of 1974, writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru introduced us to a new animal-themed supervillain known as the Tarantula! Inspired by the political events that were taking place in South America (especially in Chile) during the early 1970’s, Mr. Antonio "Anton" Miguel Rodriguez served as a revolutionary against dictatorship in the fictional Republic of Delvadia. However, Anton became desensitized to committing homicides and was forced to resign.
    As a way to get back at the republic, he became a bounty hunter and joined forces with those he initially fought against. During this time, he developed a battle suit with retractable steel claws in his gloves and spikes in his boots that could smash through hard surfaces and eject poison into his opponents. He called himself the Tarantula and donned a huge black tarantula logo in the middle of his chest to mimic Spider-Man’s suit, but with his ultimate goal of capturing him!
    At this point, the Tarantula became obsessed with killing as if it were a hobby, which he ended up assassinating a fellow officer and was banned from the country. He decided to flee South America and made his way to New York City to begin his criminal career, where he encountered both Spider-Man and the Punisher.
    Although the Tarantula demonstrated exceptional acrobatic and combative skills in which he even stabbed Spider-Man with his spiked boot, he was ultimately defeated and sentenced to jail. In an attempt to use the Tarantula as a pawn to get back at Spider-Man, the Jackal broke him out of prison, which would eventually lead into The Original Clone Saga in issues #139-#150.
    Overall, the original Tarantula appeared in the following ASM issues: #134-#135, #147-#148 and #233-#236. In December of 1976, he was also the villain featured on the historic front cover of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #1!
    Unfortunately, after injecting himself with the Brand Corporation's mutagenic serum, he developed superhuman powers stronger than Spider-Man’s, but became unstable to the point in which his limbs could not support weight. As a result, in ASM #236, after mutating into a giant-sized tarantula with his mental stability impaired, he committed suicide by jumping off a building and landing onto the street and begging a bunch of police officers to shoot him, which resulted in the Tarantula being gunned down to his untimely death.
    Since then, there have been several characters who have taken on the Tarantula identity, which include: Luis Álvarez, Jacinda Rodríguez, María Vásquez and Kaine Parker.
    The Tarantula is often considered a Forgotten Spider-Man Rogue, due to his short life span and not having a significant appeal with the readers. However, you never know what can happen if the Tarantula is one day brought to life on the silver screen within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)!
    In terms of the cover art—I absolutely LOVE IT! As I mentioned in my Arachnophobia set description, John Romita Sr. is my favorite Amazing Spider-Man cover artist, and this bright and appealing 1974 battle cover between Spider-Man and the Tarantula does not disappoint! The yellow background with deep reds and contrasting black and blue highlights really POP together nicely! I also love how the two characters are battling on a cargo ship with the Hudson River in the background. The movement captured is superb; Spider-Man is blocking the Tarantula’s arm as he misses his target with his ejected spiked boot shredding into the steel ship! In addition, instead of Spider-Man’s shadow being casted underneath him, you see a shadow of a tarantula, which John Romita drew to emphasize the caption on the lower right-hand corner, “DANGER IS A MAN CALLED TARANTULA!”
    UNDER VALUE ALERT! Although most collectors and investors are familiar with the Punisher’s 2nd “full” appearance in the history of comics in ASM #135; his true “2nd appearance” is contained within the last page of ASM #134! 
    When I think about the reasons why this book has been slept on, it starts to make sense. For starters, the CGC label only notes “Punisher cameo on last page,” without making any reference that it is indeed his “2nd appearance.” In addition, the Punisher is not featured on the front cover, as he is on ASM #135. Therefore, when you combine not having the proper label credit with the character not appearing on the front cover, you can easily understand how this book has gone under the radar!
    However, on the front cover, there is a special caption located on the lower left-hand corner that reads: “EXTRA! Don’t miss the shocking return of a SURPRISE super-villain – in this issue’s STARTLING Last Panel!” Furthermore, this caption serves as “code language” that translates to: “The Punisher Returns,” which is actually printed on the cover of ASM #135, although he first returned in ASM #134!
    On that note, I believe that it’s only a matter of time until collectors and investors start catching on and placing higher demand to acquire this issue, which will cause its value to SPIKE dramatically! I view ASM #134 having a similar market growth as Incredible Hulk #180, which contains the 1st appearance of Wolverine in a cameo on the last page! For decades, IH #180 was overlooked because like ASM #134, there is no image or mention of Wolverine on the front cover. Moreover, IH #180 was constantly cast in the shadow by the follow-up issue, which contains Wolverine’s 1st “full” appearance in a famous battle against the Incredible Hulk! (Are you seeing the parallels now?)
    Over the years, more and more collectors and investors realized the historical value of Wolverine’s 1st true appearance and CGC 9.8 copies went from selling around 6K to 15K almost overnight! Now, IH #180 is considered a highly valued Bronze Age Key and you will have to pay a lofty penny to acquire a high-grade copy!
    With that being said, let’s put all of this into perspective; on May 2, 2021, a copy of ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP sold on Heritage Auctions for a record-breaking $33,600! In turn, on May 12, 2021, a copy of ASM #134 CGC 9.8 WP sold on Pedigree Comics for a record-breaking $5,101! Since ASM #134 contains the Punisher’s 2nd appearance in the history of comics, the question is…how long do you think it’s going to take until ASM #134 skyrockets in value?
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $120.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, May 11, 2021, out of a total of 805 Universal copies graded, only 39 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher! With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive rarity factor of only 4.84% of the total population!
    This stunning copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! It’s PERFECTLY WRAPPED and CENTERED and contains PERFECT WHITE PAGES! I have honestly not seen a nicer looking copy! This blazer has a super tight spine with no visible stresses or color breaks, deep color saturation that looks like it was printed yesterday and perfectly inserted staples! This copy truly looks MINT!
    Furthermore, due to portions of the spine containing jet black ink (i.e., the Marvel Comics Strip, the circle behind the Spider-Man logo and on the bottom left-hand corner), which exposes the slightest of defects, finding high-grade copies like this gem will be difficult to acquire.
    (SIDE NOTE: The scans captured multiple glares due to the inner well containing multiple ripples; it will eventually be re-encapsulated into the latest generation CGC Holder!)  
    In closing, I purchased this pristine beauty from monk215 (via eBay) in February of 2021! The transaction and communication went extremely well and I’m proud to showcase this immaculate copy in Arachnophobia!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #134 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  18. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #149 features the 1st appearance of the Spider-Man clone + the origin & “death” of the Jackal!
    The original Spider-Man Clone Saga is one of the most CLASSIC storylines within the Amazing Spider-Man title! It collects Amazing Spider-Man #139-#150; Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #25-#31, #149, #162-#163 & Annual #8!
    Therefore, it’s only a matter of time until the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produces a film to showcase this exciting content on the silver screen! Once the Spider-Man clone makes his MCU debut, exceptional looking copies like this gem are going to skyrocket in value!
    Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $225.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, August 17, 2021, out of a total of 1,155 Universal copies graded, only 35 copies were graded in 9.8 with 0 copies graded higher! With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive rarity factor of only 3.03% of the total population!
    This stunning copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! It’s PERFECTLY WRAPPED and CENTERED and contains PERFECT WHITE PAGES! I have honestly not seen a nicer looking copy! This blazer has a super tight spine with no visible stresses or color breaks, deep color saturation that looks like it was printed yesterday and perfectly inserted staples! This copy truly looks MINT!
    In closing, I won this pristine beauty during a Pedigree Comics Grand Auction in May of 2021! I was ecstatic when I was notified as the winning bidder and I’m proud to showcase this immaculate copy in Arachnophobia!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #149 CGC 9.8 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  19. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #50 features the 1st appearance of the Kingpin (Wilson Fisk)! 
    The Kingpin was created by writer Stan “The Man” Lee along with cover and interior artist John Romita Sr. The famous cover has been paid homage to many times over the years, making it a certified classic, which depicts Peter Parker in an unusual and highly vulnerable state of being. With his head casting down into his shadow and his body hunched forward as he walks alone in despair, we see a discouraged Peter Parker abandoning his superhero duty as the large caption reads, “Spider-Man No More!”
    What? No more Spider-Man? How could the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man just decide to call it quits? This cover imagery is a lasting one not only in the Amazing Spider-Man title, but in all of comics as it shows that superheroes, like every day human civilians, experience bad days and can even battle with internal issues such as self-doubt and depression.
    Although Peter Parker was frustrated with his dual life and decided to resign from his Spider-Man duties, criminal activity increased throughout NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen, and a new threat emerged that would motivate and compel Spider-Man to come out of his early retirement.
    After assassinating his former gangster boss Don Rigoletto, the man known as Wilson Fisk took over his criminal empire and became the biggest and most feared crime lord throughout the city—the Kingpin was born!
    The Kingpin’s initial story arch would continue into the next two issues, with Amazing Spider-Man #51 featuring his 1st cover appearance. In addition, the Kingpin would not only plague Spider-Man as a recurring adversary throughout the years, but would also become known as the archenemy to Daredevil and a formidable foe to the Punisher.
    Speaking of such, Wilson Fisk has been portrayed on the silver screen by actors John Rhys-Davies in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) and Michael Clarke Duncan in Daredevil (2003). However, it wasn’t until actor Vincent D'Onofrio embodied the Kingpin to perfection in the critically acclaimed Daredevil Netflix TV series (2015-2018), that left viewers with the chills after witnessing his twisted and dark childhood upbringing that influenced his cold-hearted and homicidal nature!
    If you have watched Daredevil on Netflix, you know exactly what I am talking about! We get to experience an adolescent Wilson Fisk who is exhausted and tormented from hearing his alcoholic father verbally and physically abuse his mother in a separate room, grab a hammer and smash his father’s skull to a pulp! As a grown man, after a Russian crime associate named Anatoly interrupted a dinner date with his future wife Vanessa, he had his right-hand man James Wesley pull over the SUV on a dark quiet street, where Wilson Fisk gave him a brutal beating followed by repeatedly smashing his head in between the car door and ultimately beheading him! The Kingpin is no joke!
    Published in July of 1967, Amazing Spider-Man #50 is not only one of the most valuable ASM Silver Age (1956-1969) Keys, but it is “The” most valuable issue in the post Steve Ditko era! We can even take it a step further and argue that ASM #50 is one of the top 15 most valuable issues of the entire 700-issue Amazing Spider-Man run! For instance, on April 30, 2020, Heritage Auctions sold a CGC 9.8 WP copy of ASM #50 (1 of 7 in CGC 9.8) for a record breaking $55,200! In that same auction, a CGC 9.8 OW-WP copy of ASM #12 (3rd appearance of Doctor Octopus) and only 1 of 4 in CGC 9.8, sold for $19,200! Therefore, ASM #50 can definitely compete with some of the early ASM issues in top grade!
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $3,000.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, April 6, 2021, out of a total of 3,963 Universal copies graded, only a mere 53 copies were graded in 9.4! With these statistics in mind, this represents an impressive rarity factor of only 1.3% of the total population! Furthermore, there aren’t many copies graded higher; only 22 to be exact! For instance, there are currently only 15 Universal 9.6 copies and only 7 Universal 9.8 copies graded, which makes Amazing Spider-Man #50 a highly sought-after and coveted comic book!
    I noticed this particular copy was special at first glance, but it was confirmation after reading the lot description: “An original-owner copy of the key first appearance of the Kingpin. You'll have to look very hard to find something to criticize on this very sharp example!” From this description, I knew that this copy was an “exceptional” CGC 9.4 WP example, so I had to bid aggressively during Heritage Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction #7224 in March of 2020 to acquire this pristine beauty!
    On that note, this PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! It is by far one of the cleanest and brightest examples in existence! Just look at how vibrant the colors pop on the front cover! Take a good look at the milk white background of the “Marvel Comics Group” section, “The Amazing Spider-Man” title, the background of the “Spider-Man No More!” caption and the “Comics Code Authority” stamp; they are super WHITE as if the book was perfectly preserved since July of 1967! The back cover looks MINT! It’s very RARE to find copies that radiate colors as beautifully as this gem!
    In closing, although I would love to eventually upgrade to a perfectly wrapped and centered CGC 9.6 WP copy, I have been reluctant to pull the trigger, because I still have not seen a 9.6 copy at auction that looks more exceptional! With that being said, I’m very thankful and blessed to proudly showcase this immaculate 9.4 WP copy in Arachnophobia!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #50 CGC 9.4 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram ----> @professor_pecora


  20. Professor Pecora
    Amazing Spider-Man #41 features the 1st appearance of the Rhino (Aleksei Sytsevich)!
    When you think of the Amazing Spider-Man title and the various reasons that make it one of the most collected titles in all of comics, you can’t help but to think of the rogues’ gallery of Spider-Man, which is considered by many comic book connoisseurs to be the greatest of all time!
    With that being said, most of Spider-Man’s A-list super-villains 1st appeared within the classic Stan Lee/Steve Ditko run, which spanned from issues #1-#38, with the majority of them appearing within the first fifteen issues. However, after John Romita Sr. took over artistic duties beginning with issue #39, and just into his 3rd contribution to the title, he collaborated with writer Stan “The Man” Lee and created a new A-list Spider-Man villain-the riotous Rhino!
    Depicted on the front cover smashing through solid stone with his brutish force, the Rhino’s colossal size coupled with his speed and nearly indestructible rhinoceros suit, make him one of Spider-Man’s strongest opponents!
    Although the Rhino’s origin story isn’t disclosed until Amazing Spider-Man #43, his personal background is very compelling and deserves to be translated properly on the silver screen. For instance, on May 2, 2014, the Rhino (played by actor Paul Giamatti) made his debut appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. However, after viewing the film, I was personally disappointed because it was like they just casually threw the Rhino into the mix to make the movie more interesting, from having Spider-Man battle multiple villains.
    In my honest opinion, although I like the idea of watching Spider-Man defend humanity from more than 1 villain simultaneously, I am also a strong believer in sound character development that builds up intrigue in that particular character. Therefore, as a result of his initial portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I believe the majority of the viewers perceived the Rhino as an insignificant Spider-Man villain with little substance, which is far from the truth.
    In fact, according to the comic books, the original Rhino was created after two Russian scientists convinced Aleksei to undergo experimental chemical and gamma ray treatments, in which they fused a molecular rhinoceros adhesive to his body. In exchange for transforming him into the Rhino, Sytsevich agreed to work for the two scientists and their criminal spy network. This was a huge career advancement for Sytsevich, as he was previously a simple street thug executing dirty jobs for the Russian mafia and receiving minimal pay. However, after a series of events, the Rhino realized that he could work for himself and attacked the two scientists in their lab facility. The Rhino continued his life of crime and became a regular foe to Spider-Man, the Hulk and many others. He also became members of various crime organizations such as the Sinister Syndicate.
    With the aforementioned background information on Aleksei Sytsevich that only scratches the surface in regards to his complete origin; the original Rhino clearly was NOT represented in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 film. Instead, the newer Rhino (controlled within a mechanical suit) was featured in the movie, which according to the comics, gets destroyed fairly quickly in a devastating one-on-one battle with Aleksei Sytsevich—the original Rhino!
    Maybe one day we’ll get to see the original Rhino featured as a main villain in a future Amazing Spider-Man film? In the meantime, I’m very optimistic that prices for high-grade copies of Amazing Spider-Man #41 will continue to appreciate to new heights! 
    Overstreet 2020 NM- 9.2 value = $1,500.
    According to the CGC Census Report as of Tuesday, March 30, 2021, out of a total of 2,280 Universal copies graded, only a mere 20 copies were graded in 9.6! This ratio represents a ridiculous rarity factor of only 0.9% of the total population! Furthermore, there are only 3 copies graded higher in Universal 9.8, which are so elusive that only a single copy has surfaced for sale in the public market since January of 2006! Therefore, owning a CGC 9.6 white-paged copy is virtually the very best any high-grade ASM collector can attain!
    This particular copy is WORLD CLASS in every way! For a book published in October of 1966, the staples are perfectly inserted and the colors are super bright! Structurally, this copy is PERFECTLY WRAPPED & CENTERED, which is another RARE aesthetic quality that you don’t see often.
    I won this stunning original owner copy in Heritage Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction #7229 in May of 2020! It’s from The Variety Store Collection! Here is what Heritage Auctions had to say about this immaculate original owner collection:
    “The Variety Store Collection originated in a small Midwest convenience store during the 1960s. The store’s owner, a second-generation immigrant, became interested in the comics that were circulating through his business. He was a lifelong coin collector who appreciated art, and that influenced him to begin collecting comics. He saved the nicest copies from his stock issues, many times multiple copies of the same issue, and stored them away, taking care to keep them in the excellent condition they are still in today. He did this until the mid-1970s when the store was downsized into a more manageable hardware-based business that no longer carried comics. In the early 1980s he began collecting again with his only grandson, and together they attempted to complete the different series runs. Time has passed now, as has the original owner, and his family has decided to offer this wonderful collection to others. Heritage is proud to present The Variety Store Collection for your consideration.”
    I must admit that I almost folded during the final bidding battle, because the price already went up a few thousand dollars beyond my initial budget! However, with the pristine condition and rarity factor for this Silver Age ASM KEY within reach, I held in there and placed a few more bids and ended up the winner! I’m definitely honored to be the proud new owner of this gem! Thank God for payment plans!
    Happy Collecting & Enjoy the Hunt!
    -Professor Pecora
    ASM #41 CGC 9.6 WP is featured in Professor Pecora's ASM CGC Registry Set entitled "Arachnophobia!"
    Please also FOLLOW on Instagram: ----> @professor_pecora


  21. Professor Pecora
    I finally completed my write-up for my newly acquired world class copy of Incredible Hulk #181 CGC 9.8 W for my CGC Registry Set entitled, "Enter Wolverine!" Just wanted to share with the larger CGC Comic Collecting Community! Enjoy!! -Professor Pecora
    [AND NOW...THE WOLVERINE!]
    Incredible Hulk #181 showcases the 1st full appearance of Wolverine and his 2nd overall appearance in the history of comics!
     
    Moreover, there are only a handful of comic books that have literally stood the test of time and have reigned over any other book of its era; Incredible Hulk #181 is one of those exceptions!
     
    If you were to think of a single comic book to represent the most sought-after, most valuable and most significant issue of an entire age, it would be Action Comics #1 of the Golden Age (1938-1955); Amazing Fantasy #15 of the Silver Age (1956-1969); and Incredible Hulk #181 of the Bronze Age (1970-1984). In other words, the 1st appearances of Superman, Spider-Man and Wolverine have superseded the importance of any other character of their respective time periods!
     
    With that said, the world was introduced to the claw-slashing, berserker-raged mutant Wolverine, who made a long-lasting first impression during his debut in November of 1974, as he battled the most powerful character in the Marvel Universe—the Incredible Hulk! However, Wolverine wasn’t anything like the major superheroes before him; instead, he was ill-mannered, hot-tempered and walked the earth with a tortured soul, as he would later struggle with his origins and the purpose of his creation. He was a government experiment—the perfect weapon—Weapon X! As a direct result, the “anti-hero” was born!
     
    Wolverine was originally created by writer Len Wein and designed by Marvel Art Director, John Romita, Sr. However, in October of 1974; it was the late Herb Trimpe (May 26, 1939 – April 13, 2015) who first drew the character for publication in a last panel cameo featured in the Incredible Hulk #180. The following month, Wolverine was depicted on the front cover lunging in midair and slashing through heavy chains to attack the Goliath Green Machine! In my personal opinion, this is by far the most badass 1st appearance entrance in the history of comics! Wolverine battled the most powerful being in the Marvel Universe head on, so the story title, “AND NOW…the WOLVERINE!” served as an impact statement as if to say, “move over Hulk…another badass is in town to take on all challengers!” With that being said, Herb Trimpe’s classic cover of Incredible Hulk #181 forever remains etched in the hearts and minds of all Wolverine fans and collectors, and is easily recognized and revered worldwide by any comic book collector or connoisseur!
     
    Roughly 8 months later in the Summer of 1975, Wolverine made his 2nd “full” appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1 and became a major addition to the new X-Men team. While Wolverine was kicking a** and talking trash in the process, he became increasingly popular with avid X-Men readers and became the most popular character on the X-Men roster! From this success, Marvel would later feature Wolverine in his 1st solo comic; in a classic four-part miniseries, which was published from September – December of 1982. Fast forward a little over six years ahead, and Marvel finally catapulted Wolverine into his own monthly series in November of 1988! Furthermore, in the 43 years of his existence, Wolverine has become the most popular character in the entire Marvel Universe, next to the franchise’s marquee character—the Amazing Spider-Man!
     
    In the Marvel cinematic world, Wolverine has been characterized on the silver screen by famed actor Hugh Jackman for an astonishing 17 consecutive years in a total of 9 films! With the start of the new millennium in the year 2000 up until the year 2017, Hugh Jackman (as Wolverine) has been featured in the following Marvel films: X-Men (2000); X2: X-Men United (2003); X-Men: The Last Stand (2006); X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009); X-Men: First Class (2011); The Wolverine (2013); X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014); X-Men: Apocalypse (2016); and Logan (2017).
     
    To say that Hugh Jackman has had success towards making Wolverine and the X-Men a viable movie franchise would be a gross understatement! Rather, he has ventured into “legendary status,” with almost 2 decades of filmmaking and helping to contribute a Worldwide Box Office Total of OVER 5 BILLION DOLLARS! As a direct result, copies of Incredible Hulk #181 will only continue to appreciate and rise in value annually, making it not only the most coveted book of the Bronze Age to collect and showcase, but one of the most secure long-term investments!
     
    According to the CGC Census Report as of December 12, 2017, out of an impressive total of 9,989 copies graded, only one (1) freak of nature was graded (WAY BACK in April of 2001) as a Universal MINT 9.9, which sold for $150,000 on Comic Link back in February of 2011! Furthermore, only one hundred four (104) copies (including my copy) were graded as a Universal 9.8 and only ten (10) copies were graded as a Signature Series 9.8. With these statistics in mind, the rarity factor for a CGC Universal IH #181 in 9.8 is only 1.04% of the total population! That’s extremely rare! Considering the vast number of copies that have already been professionally graded and the fact that many 9.8 copies are stashed away in private collections, it is going to become increasingly difficult to locate any 9.8 examples; raw or professionally graded!
     
    On that note, this particular CGC 9.8 copy sports PERFECT COVER WRAP, PERFECT CENTERING, and PERFECT WHITE PAGE QUALITY along with being PERFECTLY cut! (okay, if you want to be a snob...99.9% perfect! ) The color saturation is deep and bright and the corners are razor sharp! Of MAJOR significance is the absolutely PERFECT CENTERING & REGISTRATION ALONG THE SPINE! It is extremely RARE even in the 9.8 grade to find a copy in this immaculate condition, which makes the Professor Pecora Copy of Incredible Hulk #181 one of the finest and most valuable copies in the world!
     
    I purchased this PRISTINE GEM in March of 2017 from the same auction house where the single CGC 9.9 MINT copy last exchanged hands—Comic Link! I had to bid very aggressively in the final seconds of the auction to secure it, along with auctioning off the majority of my CGC 9.8 Bronze Age Marvel Key Collection in the Pedigree Comic’s April 2017 Grand Auction to pay for it, but at the end of the day...it was all WORTH IT!
     
    In closing, I would like to thank Mr. Doug Schmell of Pedigree Comics for helping me to acquire this MEGA Bronze Age Key!
     
    -Professor Pecora


  22. Professor Pecora
    In celebration of Frank Miller's milestone 60th Birthday today (1/27/2017), and in honor of one of our living legendary comics creators, please enjoy the write-up on my copy of Daredevil #158 CGC 9.8 WP, which is featured in my Daredevil #1-#310 CGC Registry set entitled, "See No Evil, Fear No Evil!"
     
    -Professor PecoraDaredevil #158 showcases the 1st Frank Miller Daredevil + the origin and "death" of Death-Stalker!Published in May of 1979, this landmark issue is widely coveted by both Bronze Age and Daredevil collectors alike, as the legendary Frank Miller made his artistic debut for the Daredevil title!This classic cover depicts Daredevil standing in the middle of a graveyard in front of his prearranged burial location with the ground hollowed out six feet deep! With an eerie full moon shining brightly against the night sky and with the words "Rest In Peace Daredevil" carved into his tombstone, Miller solidified this chilling image by drawing Death-Stalker teleporting from a stone structure and descending on Daredevil from behind!In addition, with Daredevil's bright red suit, the Daredevil logo outlined in red and with the midnight sky depicted in contrasting purple hues; the colors really pop and make this classic cover very appealing to the eye thanks to a collaborative effort with famed inker Joe Rubinstein!Shortly after issue #158, Frank Miller became one of Marvel's rising stars as he began the process of revitalizing a title that was rumored to be canceled. In fact, beginning with issue #148 in September of 1977, Marvel decided to start publishing the title bimonthly due to lackluster appeal and disappointing sales.However, Frank Miller's success came with some challenges. For instance, he did not get along with former writer Roger McKenzie and even considered quitting the series because he disliked his scripts. After being impressed with a backup story Miller wrote and sensing his unhappiness from a lack of chemistry, newly hired editor Denny O'Neil fired McKenzie and gave Miller a chance to take over both roles as writer and penciler.Enter issue #168 published in January of 1981; not only was this issue Miller's 1st Daredevil issue in which he drew all the artwork and wrote the story, but he also created and introduced a major character named Elektra, who would dramatically change the Daredevil storylines and ignite the title to surging demands! As a direct result of instantly attracting a larger audience, Marvel decided to once again start publishing the title monthly, beginning with issue #171 in June of 1981!After nearly 4 years of Daredevil being published bimonthly and at risk of being discontinued, Frank Miller breathed new life into the title with his multitalented skills and evolved it into one of Marvel's best-selling titles. His cover art is considered some of the best in the title's history and his dark themes and storylines kept the fans craving for more! In addition to creating the enigmatic ninja assassin Elektra, Frank Miller also created and introduced Stick, the Chaste and the Hand during his tenure, all of which are integral characters portrayed in the hit Daredevil series on Netflix.Frank Miller's legendary Daredevil run concluded with issue #191 in February of 1983, for a total of 33 issues! With all that Frank Miller accomplished during his nearly four year run, it's no wonder why collectors will always view Daredevil #158 as a major Daredevil and late Bronze Age Key!In closing, I purchased this immaculate copy from eBay in February of 2016 and was very excited to add this gem to my collection! This 9.8 white-paged beauty is the best-looking copy I have ever seen! It sports PERFECT cover wrap, PERFECT centering and is PERFECTLY cut! The edges are sharp, the spine is drum-tight and the colors are rich and bright!Most copies that have been offered for sale in the market were angled miswraps or you could see parts of the back cover from the front. However, this unique specimen outshines them all and stands in a class of its own!A special shout-out goes to Donna of "outoftheboxcomics2013" on eBay for selling me this bad boy!Happy Collecting!-Professor PecoraTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  23. Professor Pecora
    "Then Came Number Thirteen!"
    Wolverine #1 showcases the 1st Wolverine as Patch!
    After a successful four part miniseries published from September-December of 1982, it took a little over 6 years before Wolverine was honored with his ongoing solo title apart from the X-Men!
    Published in November of 1988, right around the time of Halloween, not only does the dark imagery perfectly display the raw savagery of Wolverine, but it was very fitting that the Wolverine logo was inked in orange for superior marketing.
    The cover art drawn by the late John Buscema is a certified classic! A victorious Wolverine is featured standing on a pile of dead bodies with his shirt torn off his muscular physique and his pants slashed open, while his razor sharp claws are being ejected from his forearms with a full moon lighting up the midnight sky! In addition, the full-length Wolverine back cover pin-up drawn by John Byrne is awesome!
    After selling my former Wolverine #1 CGC SS 9.9 (Stan Lee) in which fellow CGC Registry member frostking70 now owns, I never thought I would ever own another CGC 9.9 example. The reasons for thinking this were simple; I have not seen a copy show up at auction in about 4 years and the known 12 Universal CGC 9.9 copies were all locked up in private collections. However, fate would have it otherwise!
    This particular copy was a personal submission and makes history as the 1st book I submitted to the CGC that was graded as a MINT 9.9! Officially graded in June of 2016, my copy became the "13th" Universal 9.9 in existence!
    This is a MAJOR accomplishment; as I can recall back in early 2012 the total number of Wolverine #1 Universal CGC 9.9 copies totaling to a mere 11 or 12! That means that in four consecutive years of submissions, only 1 copy (possibly 2) was graded as a CGC 9.9 due to the unforgiving dark cover!
    So just how rare is this book? Well according to the CGC Census Report as of August 13, 2016, there are a whopping total of 6,838 copies graded to date! Out of those 6,838 copies, only 13 were blessed with the Universal 9.9 grade (with only 1 copy graded higher), which means that this copy represents 1/10 of 1% or 0.001 (one thousandth) of the total population! Now that's RARE!
    The next question one might ask is..."how much is it worth?" To put this in perspective, on June 10, 2016, the single highest graded Wolverine #1 CGC Gem Mint 10.0 sold for an astonishing $17,644 on Comic Connect! With nearly 7,000 copies already professionally graded and being a dark cover in which the smallest of defects are detectable, it's highly unlikely that another 10.0 copy will emerge, let alone another 9.9 anytime soon! Therefore, this book will definitely command a pretty penny if it were ever to be sold!
    As a matter of fact, this CGC 9.9 white paged specimen may very well be the finest known 9.9 copy in existence! It is PERFECTLY wrapped, cut and centered with perfectly inserted staples and a drum tight spine! The color saturation is deep and vivid and looks like it was printed yesterday! Not even the single 10.0 copy is perfectly cut and wrapped like this pristine beauty! Furthermore, if you compare this copy to other CGC 9.9 examples, you will see that it is more perfectly wrapped and centered and displays superior aesthetic qualities!
    In closing, I want to give a special shout-out to Matt Nelson of CCS for prescreening and lightly pressing my book prior to submitting to the CGC for grading! I am truly grateful for your services! Last but not least, I want to thank God for blessing me with this awesome acquisition and for resurrecting and breathing new life into my Against All Odds Wolverine (1988) Set!
    The odds were truly against me...but then came number thirteen (13)!
    -Professor Pecora

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  24. Professor Pecora
    With only 6 days away from the release of Daredevil Season 2 on Netflix (March 18, 2016), another major character will make their debut in the series along with the Punisher, in which Daredevil's former lover will evolve into his "most deadly enemy!"
     
    Yes folks, we are talking about "Elektra!" Please enjoy the scan and commentary taken directly from my Daredevil #1-#310 Set entitled, "See No Evil, Fear No Evil!"
     
    -Professor PecoraDaredevil #168 showcases the origin and 1st appearance of Elektra!The debut of the female ninja assassin took place in January of 1981, during the late Bronze Age; a time in which women were still oppressed in the workforce and were not seen in positions of power. Most men held the traditional ideology that women should stay home and maintain daily housecleaning, take care of the kids and rely solely on their husbands for all of their financial and materialistic needs. However, not all men shared this view; some men actually provided women with opportunities to excel in professional fields not typically offered to them. These men honored the strength women exhibit and saw them as an asset.With that being said, although the comics industry was and continues to be dominated by males, there were several visionaries who created female characters who would lead, fight and symbolize power like their male superhero counterparts, while simultaneously maintaining their womanhood. Some examples include the introduction of Wonder Woman in 1941, Phoenix in 1976, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) in 1977, Mystique in 1978 and Kitty Pryde in 1980.The legendary Frank Miller added to this roster by creating Elektra--the beautiful but deadly ninja assassin who would eventually serve as hero. Elektra is featured on the front cover as a very attractive female warrior lunging in midair, wielding her iconic sai weaponry and directing a flying side kick towards Daredevil. Elektra's face is not shown and is shrouded in the midnight darkness; only a silhouette of her body is captured during a lightning strike, which is symbolic of her mysterious character. In addition, the lightning imagery represents the physical embodiment and creative translation of her name. For instance, the lightning bolt = "Elektra," which implies "electricity" (for speed and power) and "electrifying" (for being dynamic and exciting)!On a side note, it's important to highlight that Elektra's name was misspelled on the front cover as "Elecktra." A similar error occurred on Daredevil #131 in which horn head was misspelled as "hornead."Since her creation, Elektra branched out from the "Daredevil" series to headline many of her own comics, including the acclaimed "Elektra: Assassin" miniseries and the "Elektra Lives Again" graphic novel. In addition, Elektra has starred in two feature films: "Daredevil," released on February 14, 2003 and the self-titled "Elektra," which was released on January 14, 2005. Actress Jennifer Garner portrayed Elektra in both films.Although the films weren't a huge success, Elektra's character is about to be revitalized by actress Elodie Yung, as she will play Elektra Natchios in season 2 of the critically acclaimed Netflix Daredevil series! Here's what Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television said in Marvel's announcement:"After a worldwide search, we found in Élodie the perfect actress to embody both Elektra's impressive and deadly physicality, as well as her psychological complexity. Paired with Charlie as Matt Murdock, the two will bring one of the most beloved and tumultuous comic book relationships to life with all the accompanying sparks and spectacular action sequences the show is known for."From Jeph Loeb's commentary, the new Elektra sounds like a very promising addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe! In turn, demands for high-grade copies of Daredevil #168 are going to increase significantly. The importance of this issue cannot be ignored; it is one of the most valuable issues in the entire Daredevil run, one of the top 3 most valuable Bronze Age Daredevil Keys, and there isn't a single Daredevil book more valuable after this issue!I purchased this immaculate copy from a fellow collector on eBay in June of 2015. It's the highest certified copy and flaunts superb color saturation and perfect white page quality! It is also perfectly wrapped and centered and near perfectly cut, which is extremely difficult to find for this issue.For instance, most copies are cut at drastic angles across the top and are often miswrapped so that you see disproportionate parts of the back of the book from the front. In addition, sometimes the book is miscut so poorly along the edge that the "Comics Code Authority" stamp is partially cut off.With that said, I waited a long time to find that perfect to near-perfect copy before purchasing this gem!In closing, I'm eagerly anticipating the release of Daredevil Season 2 on Netflix on March 18, 2016! Elektra is going to "electrify" the audience and raise Daredevil #168 stocks!-Professor PecoraTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  25. Professor Pecora
    In anticipation of the release of Daredevil Season 2 on Netflix on March 18, 2016, I have decided to share my recent acquisitions and commentary specific to the new characters who will be featured in what I consider in my opinion, "the best comic book movie adaptation ever created!"
     
    The scans and write-ups are taken directly from my CGC Registry Sets; this one hails from my newly assembled "Arachnophobia" ASM Complete with Variants Set!
     
    Next week, you can look forward to reading about Daredevil #168; the origin and 1st appearance of Elektra!
     
    I hope you enjoy the scan and the read! Have a great weekend and try to enjoy the "small moments" leading up to the hunt!
     
    -Professor PecoraAmazing Spider-Man #129 showcases the 1st appearance of the Punisher (Frank Castle) and the Jackal!The Punisher was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru, with publisher Stan Lee providing the name.The classic cover art displaying the "Different and Deadly" Punisher was drawn by legendary artists Gil Kane and John Romita. The most "lethal hired assassin" is featured in his iconic skull-imprinted black suit with an arsenal of weaponry, including an automatic assault rifle in which he is unloading a full clip of ammunition directly at Spider-Man. The close up view of the Punisher's sniper scope depicts a defenseless and aerial bound Spider-Man avoiding bullets exploding against the surrounding brick buildings, with cross hairs aimed precisely at his heart! Couple this action on a commanding bright yellow cover, and you have one of the most sought-after and treasured comics in the history of the Amazing Spider-Man title!As a matter of fact, ASM #129 is considered one of the top 10 most valuable Bronze Age (1970-1984) comic books of all-time and remains a contender for one of the top 5 most valuable Bronze Age Marvel Keys! For instance, sales for ASM #129 in CGC 9.6 and 9.8 have already begun surpassing that of what Giant-Size X-Men has been selling for in grade. In terms of the Amazing Spider-Man title, ASM #129 is THE most valuable and expensive issue of the entire Bronze Age!Moreover, what made the Punisher truly unique is that although he was originally created as a villain; he was gradually developed into a crime-fighting antihero. It was characters like the Punisher and Ghost Rider (1st introduced in Marvel Spotlight #5 in August of 1972), that would influence the industry in creating more violent and grittier material.Since the Punisher's inception in February of 1974, he has starred in 3 feature films. The first Punisher movie premiered in the USA on July 8, 1990 at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, and was characterized by actor Dolph Lundgren.It wasn't until 14 years later; on April 16, 2004, in which The Punisher had a reboot and was played by actor Thomas Jane with John Travolta playing the antagonistic character Howard Saint. The setting took place in Florida, which was not true to the comics as Frank Castle's origins take place in Queens, New York.The most recent installment, Punisher: War Zone, released on December 5, 2008, was played by actor Ray Stevenson. In addition, actor Dominic West played the Punisher's arch enemy Jigsaw (William "Billy" Russo), which is true to the comics as Jigsaw was introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #162 and plays a significant and enduring role throughout the Punisher's storyline.Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned Punisher films were successful. There were a number of reasons why none of the films gave the Punisher's character justice; they ranged from inconsistencies in the comics to corny representations of the characters to not finding the "right" actor to emulate and embody the Punisher to perfection.Fortunately, after decades of failed attempts to portray the character and build a successful franchise, in March of 2016, the Punisher will be played by "The Walking Dead" alum Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh) in the upcoming season 2 of the critically acclaimed Netflix Daredevil series! Furthermore, this also means that the Punisher will officially be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On that note, Marvel Head of Television Jeph Loeb said in the announcement on Marvel.com, "Jon Bernthal brings an unmatched intensity to every role he takes on, with a potent blend of power, motivation and vulnerability that will connect with audiences. Castle's appearance will bring dramatic changes to the world of Matt Murdock and nothing will be the same."Finally, it looks like the Punisher is going to get justice on the silver screen! In turn, this will also translate into increased demand for high-grade copies of Amazing Spider-Man #129, which means the market value is going to surge significantly! Actually...it has already begun!In closing, I won this pristine beauty at auction on Pedigree Comics in September of 2015! The bidding became ferocious during the final minutes, but I was blessed to end up with the winning bid!This particular copy sports perfect cover wrap, perfect centering, and perfect white page quality along with being perfectly cut! The color saturation is deep and bright and the corners are razor sharp! The only visible blemish is a small ink smudge located on the right-hand side of "The Punisher" text box; however, this is a common printing defect for this issue as some of the black ink would smear during the printing process. Nevertheless, this rare specimen is without a doubt one of the top 5 copies in the world and is currently the prized centerpiece of Arachnophobia!A big shout-out goes to Doug Schmell of Pedigree Comics for helping me to acquire this gem!Thanks for reading and Happy Collecting! :-)-Professor PecoraTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.