Professor Pecora

Thanks bro! I see you're repping the Boogie Down! I am also from New York; I actually lived in the BX for 7 years! I lived in two different locations; E. 180th & Tremont (2 & 5 Train) and Castle Hill & Westchester Ave (6 train). Keep it LIVE! :-) -Professor Pecora

What up Surfer! You know I never looked at miswraps from the perspective of "having it's own unique character." It's very interesting. I'm not sure if I could ever purchase miswrapped copies though (although I purchased some in my novice days of CGC collecting); for me personally, saying that a miswrap has it's own character would be my way to psychologically convince myself to be content and secure with my copy (when I know there is a better one out there)! () Being so OCD like this actually prevents me from bidding on every book that becomes available at auction that is on my want list; if it doesn't meet my personal presentation standards...I'll just sit back in the cut and wait until that perfect to near-perfect copy comes along! But hey, that's just "me" though :-) To each their own Hope life is treating you well on your end! It's good to hear from you! -Professor Pecora

Cool book Richard! It presents nicely in the new CGC holder. -Professor Pecora

Most auction houses will provide you with a high-resolution full back scan upon request, as I have done so on numerous occasions. However, although it would be nice to have front and back scans always posted in auctions, I don't think that is going to happen. It takes a long time as it is to scan hundreds of books and with 1-2 month turn-around times until the next auction begins (e.g., Comic Link), I don't foresee that happening. To be quite honest, they cannot even keep up with just the front scans as I receive numerous e-mails notifying me of books on my want list being available in upcoming auctions...and sometimes it takes weeks and sometimes up to days before the auction begins until a scan is posted! I've actually had to call directly to request for certain scans to be posted in auction previews so I could plan accordingly (if that book met my presentation standards). -Professor Pecora

Thanks Ronny! I appreciate you asking me about my music! I've actually written "8" new songs since this past July! I most recently wrote a love ballad entitled "Be Mine" that would be the perfect song to release on Valentine's Day (the women will LOVE it!), but there is just too much expenses to manage in order to get in professionally recorded, mixed and distributed on iTunes, etc. on time as well as paying for the graphic design and my personal website update. I just don't have the capital right now as January really hit me hard with a ton of bills including annual renewals on my web hosting and domain names. The good news is that I am writing the best and most powerful songs of my entire life now that I have once again been single and living in my own place for almost 1 year post divorce! I thought about selling off some of my books to generate the funds, but I am not quite ready to make that sacrifice yet, but I very well may have to do so in order to make my music career dream a reality. The other option is getting a second job (besides driving Uber - too much wear and tear on the car) just to dump the funds into recording and mixing costs, purchasing exclusive rights to tracks, marketing and promotion and distribution costs. We'll see...I will have to make a decision soon. I really do not want to sell off my books yet, because I also worked really hard in the last 2 years to assemble my current collection. I one day would like to build a custom CGC Comic Vault (as you described in your previous journal) in my future house! I own some of the finest copies of Key issues in the world, so if I can meet my music business costs without having to sell off my books...I won't sell them! I think a reasonable and more attainable goal is to at least have my song "Be Mine" recorded and mixed by February 14, 2017! That date is very symbolic as one year ago from that date will mark the day in which my now ex-wife gave me back her diamond engagement ring and wedding band! I woke up and it was placed in the box on my nightstand next to me...and she left for the day with her friends...so I think it would be awesome to have a brand new song freshly recorded by this Valentine's Day! How is your CGC Comic Vault coming along and your painting? -Professor Pecora

Thanks Brian! You know that's exactly what I said when I initially purchased the book; that it's so close to being 100% perfectly wrapped, but it was better than any copy I have come across in years so I had to grab it! However, when I looked at the book up close, it wasn't 100% centered in it's holder, so hence why I had it reholdered (which is what you see in the scan)! I still wasn't pleased with it, because it could be slightly turned so it will display perfectly - as it should! So I submitted it again to CGC for a reholder, but when I got it back it was positioned worse than the current scan I posted! So I actually have to send it back AGAIN...with a picture and specific notes so that hopefully the CGC encapsulators will reholder it precisely so that it will finally display as "that perfect copy!" I pray they get it right this 3rd time around! () -Professor Pecora

Thanks Richard! -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 Pecora Daredevil #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 Pecora See more journals by 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.

Winning Bid on the ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP on Comic Link as of 9/6/16 at 9:50 PM EST = $9,500 with a total of 48 bids! The book continues to soar to new heights and is closing the gap in overall market value to Incredible Hulk #181! For example, a copy of IH #181 CGC 9.8 WP sold in the same Comic Link Auction on 9/7/2016 for 13K. That's only a 3.5K difference in market value price realized when compared to the ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP that sold for 9.5K! Just a year or two ago, the difference between ASM #129 and IH #181 in CGC 9.8 would be anywhere from 5K-10K! Therefore, ASM #129 has come a long way and is finally getting the $$$ value to match up to the book's significance! After all, it predates IH #181 by 9 months (almost 1 year) and the Punisher actually opened up the doors to more violent material way before Wolverine started taking momentum in the Bronze Age X-Men run! I love the 20 Cent cover value too! Just a really dope book to own! -Professor Pecora

Great copy brother! I agree. Perfect copy! Check out mine when you get a chance. They look almost identical. Hey STORMSHADOW_80! Yes...you also have a killer copy!! Where did you purchase yours from? Was it originally a CGC 9.8 or did you have it pressed from a CGC 9.6 to a 9.8? Thanks man! I bought my copy off of ebay a couple years ago as a 9.6. I searched for awhile for the best copy I could find in that grade. I always thought it looked like a 9.8. I thought about getting it pressed for a while but really couldn't find any defects that needed to be pressed. Finally I mustered up the courage and just resubmitted it without pressing. I was ecstatic when I found out it bumped up to a 9.8! CONGRATS!! You just made a guaranteed high return on investment with the grade bump! As you are probably aware, a recent 9.8 WP copy sold for $10,600 on Comic Connect a few months ago! Also, there is another 9.8 copy with White Pages currently in a Comic Link auction with a current bid of $7,600 as of 8/31/2016 @ 11:00 pm EST with "5 +" days left until the auction closes!! Here is the link ---> ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP - Comic Link Auction

Great copy brother! I agree. Perfect copy! Check out mine when you get a chance. They look almost identical. Hey STORMSHADOW_80! Yes...you also have a killer copy!! Where did you purchase yours from? Was it originally a CGC 9.8 or did you have it pressed from a CGC 9.6 to a 9.8?

Behold the Professor Pecora copy!!! Professor Pecora's ASM #129 CGC 9.8 WP!! Enjoy! -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 To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Congrats on your raw-to-high grade CGC Silver Age acquisition! Looks great in the new holder!

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.

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.

I appreciate you sharing Stan's Soapbox documented in Fantastic Four #81. I have always had a great deal of respect for Stan "The Man" Lee. He is a survivor and warrior; I remember reading some journal article years ago that described all of the hardships he had to overcome to create and make Marvel Comics to what is has become today. Just think, he was born on December 28, 1922, which means he was born approximately 4 years after the first World War ended on November 11, 1918. Furthermore, he lived through both World War 2 and the African-American Civil Rights Movement from 1954-1968. What Stan shared in his soapbox in Fantastic Four #81 published in December of 1968, was a result of the changing times and his admiration and support for the late Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assasinated on April 4, 1968, only 8 months prior to Stan's introspective view on bigotry and racism. Stan used his influence in the comics world to attempt to shed light on a touchy subject that probably would have otherwise been ignored or repressed for that matter. Granted, maybe the large majority of readers just skipped Stan's Soapbox for being too lengthy (as Tnerb noted) or just not interested for whatever reasons. However, it was Stan's honest opinion on the matter and his willingness and effort to publish his internal thoughts on a sensitive topic regardless of what others would think of him, which made him truly THE MAN! Thanks again for sharing this info with us surfer99! -Professor Pecora

Is there any comic book in which the cameo 1st appearance of a character is worth much more than the character's 1st full appearance? It's been a while since I wrote a journal post, but this is one of the topics that I have wanted to write about for some time now. I primarily collect Marvel Comics with a focus on Bronze and Copper Keys, so for any DC fans or collectors reading this journal, I welcome your feedback and your DC perspective on the topic. :-) To begin the discussion, I would like to start by mentioning probably the most famous brief cameo appearance in Marvel Comic's history, which is none other than the 1st appearance of Wolverine, featured in the Incredible Hulk #180, published in October of 1974. I remember when I purchased arguably the finest copy of Incredible Hulk #180 CGC 9.8 WP, which was one of the two Suscha News Pedigrees, for $4,500 from Darren Adams of Pristine Comics back in March of 2013. A year prior to making my purchase, Darren sold a Suscha News Pedigree of Incredible Hulk #181 CGC 9.8 WP; Wolverine's 1st full appearance...for $15,000! That is more than 3 times the amount of Wolverine's 1st true (but very brief) single-panel cameo appearance! Why is this so? If Incredible Hulk #180 documents the very 1st time Wolverine was brought into existence, then why does this issue continue to be undervalued? I came up with three very important factors to consider: 1) There isn't much of the character being offered in a cameo 1st appearance; sometimes the character is just there and not involved in much of the action. A good example is the 1st appearance of Gambit (in a cameo) in X-Men Annual #14, published in 1990. Gambit is featured in several panels, but is really not doing much in comparison to his 1st full appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266, in which he plays an intricate role in aiding Storm. 2) The character is not featured on the front cover, like most 1st full appearance issues display. Think Incredible Hulk #181 (1st full appearance of Wolverine), X-Men #101 (Origin and 1st appearance of Phoenix), Daredevil #111 (1st appearance of the Silver Samurai), Daredevil #131 (Origin and 1st appearance of the new Bullseye), and Iron Fist #14 (1st appearance of Sabretooth). 3) The first full appearance is widely considered the acceptable "rite of passage" in the comic book collecting industry, in order for a new character to become "official." Therefore, demand for a character's 1st full appearance will in most cases command more cash than the character's prior cameo appearance (if applicable). So let's look at some Bronze and Copper cameo 1st appearances VS their 1st full appearance counterparts. I typically purchase and collect CGC 9.8 books, so I will be comparing current fair market values (as of July 23, 2015) at the CGC 9.8 Universal Grade. Character: Wolverine Incredible Hulk #180 (cameo) VS Incredible Hulk #181 (full) $2,500-$3,000 VS $9,000-$12,000 Character: Mystique Ms. Marvel #16 (cameo) VS Ms. Marvel #18 (full) $350-$500 VS $900-$1,200 Character: Gambit X-Men Annual #14 (cameo) VS Uncanny X-Men #266 (full) $120-$175 VS $350-$475 Character: Apocalypse X-Factor #5 (cameo) VS X-Factor #6 (full) $100-$150 VS $300-$450 Character: Venom Amazing Spider-Man #299 (cameo) VS Amazing Spider-Man #300 (full) $200-$275 VS $1,000-$1,300 Characters: Starjammers X-Men #104 (cameo) VS X-Men #107 (full) $450-$600 VS $800-$1300 As you can see from the list above, the numbers don't lie! Every character's 1st full appearance is valued more than its predated cameo appearance. With the exception of Mystique (Ms. Marvel #18) and Venom (Amazing Spider-Man #300), every character is featured on the front cover in their 1st full appearance. In terms of Amazing Spider-Man #300, Todd McFarlane's cover art is a certified "classic," as this issue also illustrates the last time Spider-Man would wear the black costume. In addition, the black costume is symbolic to Venom (which is also identifiable to his physical appearance), and I believe most collectors just find the cover really cool to collect (even if they're not a Venom or Amazing Spider-Man fan). These are some of the reasons why I believe this Copper Key continues to soar in value, along with the hordes of Amazing Spider-Man collectors seeking out the best copies for their prized collections. On the other hand, the 1st full appearance of Mystique in Ms. Marvel #18 does not feature Mystique on the front cover; but rather Marvel Girl enlarged in the center with some of the Avengers in the background and subtitled at the bottom, "Even Avengers Can Die!" Mystique is a HUGE X-Men character; a super-villainess who has appeared in ALL of the major blockbuster X-Men films and has even led the brotherhood of evil mutants. Therefore, Ms. Marvel #18 is by far undervalued in our current market. However, I truly believe that if Mystique was drawn on the front cover and had a headline like, "Now Behold the Mysterious Mystique," I bet the prices would be at least double than what they are currently selling for! This is also the same scenario with the 1st appearance of Rogue in Avengers Annual #10; CGC 9.8 copies are only going for $200-$400 at best, and if it wasn't noted on the CGC label, you would have no idea that this issue featured her 1st appearance. What does this reveal? That a character featured on the front cover in their 1st appearance helps increase overall collector demand and value. Now take a moment to analyze the following comparisons: Character: Bishop Uncanny X-Men #282 (cameo) VS Uncanny X-Men #283 (full) $100-$150 VS $75-$100 Characters: Alpha Flight X-Men #120 (cameo) VS X-Men #121 (full) $1,000-$1,400 VS $350-$475 What do you notice? Or did I make a mistake in current CGC 9.8 market values and need to reverse the numbers? Nope! That's right! These books represent a few examples in which the cameo appearance is consistently selling more than its 1st full appearance counterpart! What's different with these issues? Well as one of my 3 initial points, you will notice that Bishop and Alpha Flight are featured on the front cover in their 1st cameo appearance, unlike any of the other cameo 1st appearance issues mentioned above! I am pretty confident that the X-Men film, "Days of Future Past," has helped to increase the value of Uncanny X-Men #282, as it was the first time an actor portrayed Bishop on the big screen. However, if you look at the front cover of Uncanny X-Men #282, you will see Bishop standing directly in the center with plasma balls emitting from his hands, with a catchy title reading..."His Name Is Bishop!" Of course you want to grab you a copy of his 1st true appearance because he's featured on the front cover and represented very well! Similarly, X-Men #120 features the 1st cameo appearance of Alpha Flight, but artists Bob Budiansky and Terry Austin decided to depict them on the front cover in a silhouette, as they look upon the X-Men from a distance while they are fleeing for safety! Again, Alpha Flight is featured on the front cover in their 1st true cameo appearance, which means more intere To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Congratulations Surfer99! You acquired some greats books without overspending and you definitely hit BIG with your ASM 300! I know it's been a while, but I am back around now brother! I just recently began collecting again this year. Looking forward to hearing from you again! -Professor Pecora

So what has The Professor been up to since his last journal post on November 6, 2013...? First, after I decided to liquidate my entire CGC collection due to personal and financial reasons back in November of 2013, I made some major life changes. With that said, I know many of you have been wondering what happened with me or just wondering what I've been up to in the last 6 months? Well, I will keep this short and sweet! I used some of the proceeds from my last CGC auction to begin my own record label in Atlanta, which is 2nd Life Entertainment, LLC. I also began the process of recording many of my songs that will be featured on my debut album entitled "2 Sides to Everything." On March 20, 2014, I released my first single under my label entitled Organic Flow! It is currently available for purchase through iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon MP3. I have always loved Hip-Hop since a young adolescent, just as I have loved collecting comic books. However, writing songs and performing has always been the more powerful constant in my life, to the point of it being a true-calling! With that said, I am now embarking on that journey and starting my own empire from the ground up! I would love for all of you reading my update to please follow and support me. I have currently submitted Organic Flow to be featured on the next Coast 2 Coast Mixtape, which boasts the most downloaded Mixtapes "Worldwide!" However, only the Top 5 songs that receive the most VOTES will actually be featured on the upcoming Mixtape! I am currently holding down the #6 spot, and I'm only about 10 votes away from moving into the #5 spot! Therefore, I could use the support of all of my CGC family to help boost my overall votes! To cast your vote for my song, you will either need a Facebook account or a Twitter account. Here is the info: ALL VOTES must be submitted by Friday, May 2, 11:59 pm EST Directions: Click on the link BELOW (or copy and paste into your web browser), then click on the VOTE NOW button, then WAIT for the 10 second video promo ad to count down to zero, then click on "Vote with Facebook" or "Vote with Twitter" - whatever you prefer. At this point your vote should be submitted successfully and I will receive an instant e-mail confirmation with your name on the ballot! Here is the website to cast your vote: http://coast2coastmixtapes.com/audiodetail.aspx?audioid=330455 In addition, please feel free to visit my official website at: www.2ndlifeentertainment.com The full website design will be completed soon, but my active Splash Page contains all of the links to my social media and online music stores. Please reach out to me directly if you have any further questions, etc. I am looking forward to hearing back from some of you, as it has been a while since we last chatted! Wishing you well, Professor Pecora, AKA Thomas 2-T.O.N.E. Pecora To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

After investing countless hours, finances and quality time buying and selling CGC comics to build a World Class CGC Collection...how difficult would it be for you to just let go of your entire collection? This is the question I have been wrestling with for the past 3 months... However, after tossing back and forth many nights (due to increased anxiety) while trying to get some rest, and after reevaluating what is most important in my life, I made the extremely difficult decision to auction off my entire collection in order to repair my relationship with my wife and to begin digging myself out of credit card debt! I have been intentionally avoiding having to write this journal, as it is still quite difficult to witness my prized books being auctioned off, knowing how hard I worked to assemble my present day collection. However, at the end of the day, I do feel at peace with my decision because I know I did what was right for my family and I. So here is "my" personal story of my CGC Collecting Career... As I reflect back on how I began collecting CGC Graded Comics, I realized that I ventured into the hobby with the wrong mindset. It was in late November of 2011, when I moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado; a suburb outlining the city of Denver. This was a MAJOR transition for me, as I previously lived in the Bronx, NY for 7 years and primarily lived the majority of my life in other North East boroughs and cities such as Manhattan, Northern New Jersey and Rochester, NY. I was there because my wife's company offered her a temporary leadership position that would significantly boost both her pay and her resume credentials. Prior to relocating to Highlands Ranch, I never thought that I would experience "culture shock," let alone the effects it would later have on me. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened...although I didn't realize it during the time. I was fortunate to have funds in my bank account due to receiving my summer pay checks, as many of you know that I am a real-life teacher/professor. Therefore, I didn't feel pressed to immediately search for a position in higher education or within one of the local school districts. As long as I was able to pay all of my bills without placing that burden onto my wife, I felt like I was okay. So I waited...and took my time...all the while looking around my environment and feeling totally out-of-place-like a misfit! As I drove through my neighborhood, I witnessed the cookie cutter constructed houses and the "Edward Scissorhand" perfectly manicured lawns...this was getting really weird for me! Then, no diversity...and just surrounded by a horde of suburban Caucasian folk in which I felt I could not relate to, especially the ones who were trying to emulate people living in city environments and fabricating a fake "hard-core" lifestyle! After all, I was born and raised in the inner city of Rochester, NY and went to an all-black middle school, and actually lived through major opposition and trials in which I could have died on several occasions. Further, I later experienced a ton of diversity after moving to NYC back in 2001. Therefore, I was now used to street lights, subway trains and people walking around and talking at all hours of the night...this was "my" norm. I was also used to simply walking outside of my building to eat at various restaurants from all types of cultures, and could pretty much buy groceries and get anything I needed within a ten block radius! "Who is that...? Is that a...black woman...?" This was the look and strange facial impressions that one of our neighbors had on her face when she saw my wife pull up in our driveway in her shiny Jaguar! She actually walked out of her house and into the middle of the street in order to peer over into our driveway to get a better look at my wife, as if this was the first time seeing a black woman in the neighborhood-let alone driving a Jag! Now this was getting really uncomfortable! We were now surrounded by a bunch of nosy neighbors and felt like we had little privacy, which also includes having really needy and annoying landlords who would always call and stop by the house we were renting! Not good! As time passed by, I slipped into a depression without realizing it. After visiting my brother for Thanksgiving in Rochester, NY in November of 2011 and pulling out all of my old Wolverine, X-Men and Amazing Spider-Man comics from the attic, I fell in love with my books like when I was 12 years old and felt an instant desire to collect again, after not purchasing a single comic since the age of sixteen (1994 to be exact)! When I arrived back to Highlands Ranch, CO, I looked up Mile High Comics online, and literally purchased an entire run of Wolverine (1988)! Then, I researched the CGC, and sent about 30 books to be graded in December of 2011, without having any knowledge of grading criteria and standards. I received my first batch of graded comics in March of 2012; the grades weren't so hot, but I did land 9.8 copies of Wolverine #41 Second Printing and Wolverine #155 (Deadpool Cover). Anyhow, in the interim while waiting for that initial submission to arrive, I kept myself glued to the computer screen and learned all about CGC grading criteria, the CGC census, and took note of all the major KEY Silver, Bronze and Copper Age books. I researched pricing trends and compared past sales with the current market value, and began winning books off of eBay. As a direct result, I became a CGC Registry member in January of 2012 and began assembling a Wolverine (1988) Set, "Against All Odds," which would eventually become the #5 CGC Ranked Set in the world, the first to showcase 15+ consecutive issues in CGC SS 9.8 or higher, and the first to receive the Best Presented Set (2012) for that Set Type! It was on now! I studied the CGC comic book market like the stock exchange and began flipping books on eBay and using the profits to reinvest into more books to complete my sets! Unfortunately, I started to view my CGC Collecting "hobby" as a full-time "job!" I was so into my collecting, that I started to loose my connection with my wife, as she worked all-day while I was networking with CGC dealers all across the country and building up my sets. Our communication gradually became impersonal and limited, as all I had on my mind was my next deal and acquisition, which of course I couldn't share with her because it was selfish, and I didn't want to hear "the truth" from her that I needed to spend my energy in finding a real job! What was really messed up, is that I became so intent in wanting to take over a #1 spot in a set type, that I literally spent thousands of more dollars on my credit cards, while still unemployed and already in credit card debt, without telling my wife a thing! It was my little secret, after all, it was my money...wasn't it? So "The Inaugural Slashing" was birthed, and became the #1 CGC Ranked Wolverine Limited Series (1982) Set in the world for both 2012 and 2013! I was so ecstatic to have taken out World's Best Comics, who previously held that title for "5" consecutive years! I now had "2" world class Wolverine sets and continuing to acquire more precious gems, like my Incredible Hulk #182 CGC 9.8 WP, that I only paid $100 in exchange for two copies of ASM #129; one in CGC 6.0 and the other in CGC 8.5-a very nice flip! I was getting really good at this! I began moving from collecting primari To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

SABRETOOTH SAVAGERY! Here it is! The most in-demand comic book of the late 70's and one of my personal favorites! I acquired this gem back in February of 2013 in a hard-fought online bidding war on eBay! :-) Even though I paid a little more than I originally intended, I was pretty content with the outcome for the simple fact that this example looks like it should have been graded as a CGC 9.9! The book looks that superb! Further, if you visit my Iron Fist #1-#15 CGC Registry Set, "Sabretooth Savagery," you can also view the full high-resolution back cover scan, which will blow you away! It's utterly amazing how this book is 1.17 years older than I am, but yet looks like it was printed yesterday! The corners are razor sharp; the spine is super tight and impeccable; the colors will blind you; the white pages are incredible; the book is perfectly wrapped and centered and the staples are fresh and perfectly inserted! You couldn't ask for a finer-looking specimen, and since I was out to acquire the best-of-the-best of the KEY Bronze Age books in the industry, once I saw this book being auctioned-I was ON IT! With that said, thank God I placed my final bid during the 2012 Tax Return Season! I think it's also significant that I acquired this book while I was living in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, in the midst of the "Winter" season where I also had spectacular views of the snow-packed Colorado Rocky "Mountains!" Therefore, the cover of Iron Fist #14 truly takes me back to my short time living and working in Denver, and has already brought back nostalgic feelings from having only been living in Atlanta, Georgia for a little over 2 months now! (As of this writing - 10/29/13 :-) On that note, please enjoy the following scan and commentary of my Iron Fist #14 CGC 9.8 WP! Peace & God Bless! -Professor Pecora _________________________________________________________________ Iron Fist #14 showcases the 1st appearance of the super-villain known as...Sabretooth! Although Sabretooth gets badly beaten by Iron Fist, he would venture on to become the most menacing foe that Wolverine has ever encountered! With that said, Wolverine and Sabretooth have a long and dark history together. For starters, they were both a part of the Cold War super soldier program Weapon X, where they not only received enhanced superhuman abilities, but also lost accounts of their past, as their memories were tampered with! As a direct result, both Sabretooth (Victor Creed) & Wolverine (Logan) have clouded accounts of their past life, and often receive blurred visions of what may or may not have happened to them. It was during this program, where Sabretooth viewed Wolverine as competition, and wanted to challenge him in a death match! From this point on, they battled each other on numerous occasions, beginning in X-Men #212, #213, and #222! They would continue to meet religiously, as in Wolverine (1988) #10, and would create a track record of historic battles of epic proportions! Moreover, due to Sabretooth hunting down & locating Wolverine every year on his birthday to fight him (with nearly killing him on occasions), solidifies Sabretooth's legacy as being Wolverine's life-long arch nemesis! On another note, Sabretooth was created by writer Chris Claremont, along with artist/co-writer John Byrne, who collaborated with Mr. Dan Green on the interior artwork! In addition, the classic cover art was drawn by Mr. Al Milgrom! In closing, I want to thank Brian of A-1 Comics for selling me this pristine gem! Written By: Professor Pecora To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Wolverine's 3rd overall appearance in top CGC grade! Since my previous two journals reflected on my CGC 9.8 WP copies of Incredible Hulk #180 and #181, I figured that it would only be appropriate to follow-up with a reflection on my Incredible Hulk #182 CGC 9.8 WP! So as always, please enjoy the following scan and commentary! Moreover, please check out my current #2 CGC Ranked Incredible Hulk #180-#182 Wolverine Set entitled, "Enter Wolverine!" In doing so, you can view the back cover scan to this pristine beauty! The corners are razor sharp, the staples are perfectly inserted and the back cover is SNOW WHITE! :-) Enjoy!! -Professor Pecora [bETWEEN HAMMER AND ANVIL!] Incredible Hulk #182 showcases the "3rd" appearance of Wolverine, who is featured in a three-panel cameo on the first page! In addition, we also have the 1st appearance of Hammer & Anvil! As if this issue did not contain enough substance to be classified as a Bronze Age "Key" already, we also have the very 1st appearance & "death" of Crackajack Jackson! As with Incredible Hulk #180 and #181, the classic cover & art was drawn by the legendary Herb Trimpe, and the story was written by the original creator of Wolverine ... Mr. Len Wein! According to the CGC Census Report, as of 9/27/13, there are zero (0) copies graded as either a 10.0 or a 9.9. Further, there is only one (1) copy graded as a Qualified 9.8 and only one (1) copy graded as a Signature Series 9.8. Moreover, there are only a mere total of seventeen (17) copies (including my copy) graded as a Universal 9.8. Based on these statistics, coupled with perfect "white page" preservation, makes this Incredible Hulk #182 one of the finest copies in the world! To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

AND NOW...THE WOLVERINE! For those of you who read my previous journal entry entitled, "Mile High Providence," with this acquisition, you can now fully understand the significance of having discovered that my X-Men #94 CGC 9.8 is also a Mile High II Pedigree! With that said, I am now a proud owner of the two most valuable Marvel Bronze Age Grails in CGC 9.8, in which both originate from the Mile High II Collection! Furthermore, I encourage you all to visit my CGC Competitive Set, "Enter Wolverine," listed under the Incredible Hulk #180-#182 Wolverine Set Type, so that you can get the full experience of my presentation! In the meantime, like I would normally say, please enjoy the following scan and commentary, as I proudly document my acquisition on the #1 Grail of the entire Bronze Age! -Professor Pecora _________________________________________________________________ [AND NOW...THE WOLVERINE!] Incredible Hulk #181 showcases the "1st full" appearance of Wolverine, as well as his "2nd" overall appearance in the historical record! 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, and Incredible Hulk #181 is one of those exceptions! If you were to think of a single 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; Amazing Fantasy #15 of the Silver Age; and Incredible Hulk #181 of the Bronze Age! In other words, the first 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 would later become a major addition to the new X-Men team, who would eventually become the most popular character on the X-Men roster! From this success, Marvel featured Wolverine in his first solo comic; in a classic 4-part mini-series, which was published in September 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 nearly 40 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! For any hard-core Wolverine fan or collector, acquiring a high-grade example of Incredible Hulk #181 is a special event! When I first opened up the package and unveiled my beautiful CGC 9.8 WP copy...I was speechless! I finally became a proud owner of my favorite character's 1st full appearance in history! This particular copy originates from the Mile High II Pedigree collection. However, the CGC will not recognize "Mile High II" on the actual CGC label, because the books from the Mile High II find were not a part of an original owner's collection, such as the famed Edgar Church find in 1977, which was discovered and purchased by the legendary Chuck Rozanski, the president of Mile High Comics. Therefore, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) were issued for every Mile High II comic, to document the book's origins to its original warehouse find and to identify it as being one of the finest copies in existence. On the back of the COA, which cannot be seen from the scan, the following is written: "The second Mile High collection was located in a long-forgotten warehouse in New York by Mile High Comics in early 1985. In total it contained 1,700,000 comics from 1965 to 1979 that had never been sold to the public. While most of the comics were in excellent condition, only the finest were selected for the designation of quality expected from a "Mile High" comic. Please respect the unique quality of the comic you have purchased by keeping it out of light, heat, and high humidity. Also, maintain your certificate of authenticity with it at all times as no replacement certificates will be issued. For your protection, be sure that the corporate seal is embossed on this certificate. Only embossed certificates are genuine." From this background information, I definitely agree with the COA statement in regards to the premium quality of a Mile High II comic. This copy is one of the most perfectly-wrapped and centered examples I have seen on the market! In addition, the colors are brilliant, the staple placement is impeccable and the corners are razor-sharp! This pristine gem truly rivals the lone CGC 9.9 out there! In closing, I would like to thank Mr. Doug Schmell of Pedigree Comics for selling me this Bronze Age Grail! To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.