BassGMan

Hey, although Jim makes some great points, I'm still on the opposite side believing that ALL grades of BA DC horror has upwards price hikes ahead. Whether you are buying the raw 8.0s or the CGC 9.6s, you'll make money on these books in the years to come. At least I'm counting on it, but then again, I realize there are no guarantees.

Yeah, I'm not trying to scrutinize or look down upon any style of collecting, just voicing my opinion about what is important or not important to me. I see the whole high value for high grade thing as a double edged sword. Yes, I'm scouring the same ads and convention bins for the same flawless and desirable books, but that is as a dealer, not a collector. I LOVE the high grade guys, those are the ones that pay for my involvement in this hobby and are the reason I can buy my 7.0 to 9.0 books that I keep for myself. Sell the best, keep the rest. A few spine creases don't bother me at all. I absolutely hate those miscut white line on the spine books, but give me an 8.5 with nice QP and I'll be happy any day. You know, it's not just comics. I have a friend who has a 2003 large cherry red SUV of some sort. Every time he finds a little scratch on that thing (even a scratch you can't see unless it's pointed out to you) he takes it down to the autobody or detailing shop to get it re-painted or repaired. Thank god for the perfectionists, they keep alot of others employed.

OK, this is the thing. Why do you (or anyone really) care so much about a label that says "9.4" when there are only minute discrepancies between those and 9.0s? Since even CGC apparently cannot tell the difference, or they get strict, lighten up, get strict again, etc. 9.0 copies of BA books come by pretty cheaply, whether raw or graded for the most part. Personally I'd never spend 9.4 to 9.8 label prices on these books when I can get raw 9.0s for a couple bucks all over the place. I understand the desire for perfection, but I also understand the value of money and what it can buy (10-20 raw VF/NMs or one 9.6, for example). I know, it's just me, but that's how I see it.

Yes exactly. The covers and the artists are the key. Hey, I've always liked horror, but what made me stick to these books is not the stories or subject matter, heck, I don't even read 'em. It is flipping through the books and perusing the great art, but even more importantly the great covers. The art is what makes it stick. NOT "just because" they are bronze age horror. But put the horror element together with some of the best artists of the time, and you have very collectible books. Problem is, because of the scarcity (as compared to superhero titles) and lack of familiar characters, literally many collectors have not yet even been exposed to these books. All they need to be is exposed and Wrightson, Adams, etc. will take over. And as we can all see, these books are starting to get better exposure to the masses (being recognized a little in the Wizard price guide for example, plus websites and feature stories, etc.).

I agree completely. I am thinking the "push" so far has been from guys like me, dudes already interested in horror comics in general that has now (within the past year) focused on the DC horror. In otherwords, I was easy bait. But the masses are not here yet, or are at least starting to trickle in slowly. It is when the superhero collectors take notice the prices will really fly. This won't happen overnight, but it has started. Most of the hardcore fans, like those on this thread are already here. It's those Spidey, X-Men and Batman guys that will bring these prices up as they slowly come over to the darkside. Not that theyll give up on their precious superheroes, but you bet they'll expand and want to join our little club. The chatter and press has already started. Collectors have started to take notice and will continue for a good while (years) longer. Of course, IMO.

I'm betting there are more than a few sitting in collections that aren't going anywhere soon. Even HG copies. Genre collectors tend to keep their comics once acquired and aren't likely to feel a need to slab them. If prices continue to rise, and I'm of the belief large price increases on horror have topped off for now, you may see many more come out. But I'm guessing the rise would have to be higher than your normal price increase for genre collectors to let them go. Especially those with HG copies as the effort to get them was probably more difficult than your average superhero comic. Give it 5-10 years though when the cycle repeats itself and horror back issues re-ignite and you'll likely to see the Census numbers rise quickly. If a crash happens in the meantime though, all bets are off... Jim Jim, although I respect your opinion, and for all I know you could be right, BUT my opinion is the exact opposite. I agree that the horror genre is cyclical, but I also believe we are just about 1/3 (give or take) into it and that in this cycle we have yet to see continued huge price increases ahead. We are far from the top. I am more in the Doug Sulipa camp from his current report in the new Overstreet. Read his comments regarding DCs and see what you think. Like Doug, I'm still a BA DC Horror bull for years to come.

Dice, feel comfort in knowing that your experiences are shared by others. I've also been blown away on both the positive AND negative side of lot purchases. Overall though I'd say that buying the BA horror lots has been a very positive experience. I just recycle the trash (blow out as low grade lots) and keep the 7.0s and up.

Certainly Shiver. They just generalize most runs of 5-20 books only breaking out obvious standouts like Wrightson covers and 1st Frank Miller,etc. They make no differentiation of standard books that just have the best covers, which in my opinion is what makes a non-key breakout book. I'm curious as to what many of you consider to be the unlisted "breakout books". We've talked about hard to find in high grade before, many times. Are these the breakout books, or just the HTF books? I've been buying alot, but selling very little in this genre, I'm curious from you sellers out there what specific books (outside of the obvious) have the most demand, and your guess as to why.

I may have missed it but I don't remember anyone discussing new BA horror prices in the new Overstreet guide. I just got mine today. Some people really care about this stuff, some don't, but either way I thought I'd list some 9.2 comparison prices for select books. First price is 2004 and second price is 2005. HoM: 174 95.00, 115.00 178 75.00, 85.00 195 70.00, 80.00 200 48.00, 55.00 204 35.00, 38.00 224-229 55.00, 60.00 236 18.00, 20.00 260-289 9.00, 9.00 290 20.00, 24.00 HoS: 81 90.00, 115.00 92 800.00, 850.00 100 48.00, 55.00 121-133 12.00, 14.00 DC Super 100 #4 240.00, 260.00 Ghosts 1 170.00, 190.00 11-20 20.00, 22.00 Weird War Tales 1 320.00, 340.00 21-35 18.00, 20.00 64 20.00, 30.00 68 20.00, 22.00 Anyway, that's a few of them.

I don't know about you guys, but I have no problem with somebody reposting the same scans over and over again, or various people showing their copies of the same book. I've seen these scans before, several times, I don't know about you guys but I rarely ever backtrack or read previous pages. For the most part I read all the new posts and that's it. I'm not pulling my copies out of my boxes every day (rarely ever actually) so in seeing the same books pop up here and there in new posts is cool by me. You guys can scan in the same exact Wrightson/Adams covers every day and I'll still enjoy them every time I see them. Sometimes the comments and jokes get old, the covers of these bronze age beauties always look good to me.

Sterling, your collection ROCKS! Yeah, that book/scan looks so good that it is almost 3-D. That ghoul must be popping out of the painting and cover.

This is one of my very few war books. I just started getting into War. Now after reading a little about them from you guys, NOW I'm gonna have to get serious about them and buy ALOT more .....

Isn't THAT always the case. And right now there are dozens of Copper books that we could buy for cheapo that in 10-15 years we are gonna be saying the same thing about. That's the way it is when you look at things from the investment point of view. You never know what is gonna be hot or "go way up" in the future.

Adam, those are two nice copies.

Dort, welcome to the boards. You'll soon notice that Marvel horror gets very little airtime here. Marvel BA Horror is the Rodney Dangerfield of the genre as most guys consider it just Superheroes made to look like monsters. However I grew up on Tomb Of Dracula and Werewolf By Night and have been a fan of those books for 30 years. I had all but ignored the DCs until about a year or so ago when I discovered my CGC Forum Bronze Horror buddies and they turned me into another DC Bronze Horror droid. I still remember my Marvel roots back in the 70s though when buying the newest issue of TOD and WBN was the greatest day of the month. Dort, you may not have started yet with your DC Bronze horror, but hang around here for a while longer and you'll end up like Tom Cruise in The Firm. There is no way out. Might as well just give up and start buying your DCs now.

Unfortunately my Ghosts collection stops at #104 but I have almost every issue before that. Could someone post a scan of #105 and let me know why it is so violent? Thanks.

Keith, sounds like you really like reading horror. I wish I got that same kind of kick out of it, but I don't. I don't read anything for enjoyment, only for information. Other than movies (which are certainly entertainment for me) I am more of a visual horror fan. I love the art. Simple as that. I did read some Werewolf By Night as a kid, when all I had to do was go to school, watch cartoons and occasionally pick weeds or do my chores, so at least I did have some exposure to these Bronze horror stories. Later tried some ECs and liked those, tried a little bit of BA DC but that didn't do much for me at all. So I just do art now. Hell, it may sound strange but I'd rather read about what you guys think about the stories you read rather than read them myself.

That made me think of something. Just what IS the main reason that you guys collect or favor Bronze horror? Is it because you feel that the stories within are the best reading out there? Is it because you just love horror in general? Just like the covers? This is an affordable genre to collect although you enjoy the pre-codes just as much? Nostalgic? Speculation/investment potential? Maybe each of you guys could just explain why you have chosen this genre as THE genre of choice, or at least one of your favorites if you have other areas you enjoy just as much. My reasons: Nostalgic as I was a kid (age 7-17) in the 70s ---Main Reason I just love monsters and scary stuff and these covers are great --- Main reason Speculation ---Secondary reason Affordability ----Secondary reason Not a factor at all: Story quality

Point, you sound exactly like me. I don't read these books for the most part, and for the few that I have they do not even compare to the EC books that I have read. I'm into these books pure and simple for the subject matter and covers. I also am not a completist. I buy the best covers, and many multiples of each, and have no interest at all in owning even one copy of the unappealing covers (current favorite HoM #200). I've been a Wrightson fan for years but just recently became a huge Adams fan. With Kaluta, it's hit and miss for me. I tie the Batman/Detective Bronze books with Adams covers into my other Bronze horror books as a nice accompanying piece. Hey, welcome to the club.

Although this thread may have had an impact of those of us here (including myself) that have read it, I really doubt that the small CGC message boards world is but more than a tiny slice of the entire comic book collecting community. Overall these books have just started getting more attention over the last few years, and as I have said before, it is just starting. There is still a huge amount of collectors out there, ones that I believe would be interested in the genre if exposed to it, that will be joining us over the next year or two. Big price increases bring more attention. I still believe these books have a lot of price movement upwards yet to come. Yes, even in the upper midgrades where new fans that don't want to spend the big bucks for high grades can still buy a decent copy. The ride has been fun, and the ride shall continue........

Thanks to Sterling for a great big lot of upper-mid grade DC Bronze horror books (what else?). Packed and graded tight, beautiful books for a great price. -----Sid

Sterl, you'll get alot of drooling over those two books. Congrats!

And speaking of.... I bought this book from Redbeard for a measly $4.75. Certainly no high grade, far, far from it. But after buying it I marched over and stood in the short line to have the master sign it.

Criminy, we are starting to sound like stock market analysts on CNBC. Each analyst either being a bear, neutral or a bull on various items. Hey, no problem by me, I like discussions about market conditions whether it be stocks OR comics. Oh, and Jim, I agree about the Adams covers. At Wondercon last week I was specifically looking for Bronze Adams covers and would most certainly pay more for them than other similar but non-Adams covers. I really like those things.

Keith, thanks for the pre-code history lesson, I was unaware of all that. I'm not expecting these BA horror books to become little gold mines. However I do feel as if they deserve more recognition and that the prices should reflect that at reasonable levels. I think that is already happening, and justifiably so. I've seen what you are referring to regarding all books in a given genre being speculated on when only few are really worthy. I think that often happens across the board. For example when a new superhero movie is announced, all of a sudden some dealers think all that character's titles and issues will go through the roof when only a select few are really meaningful. As far as I'm concerned BA horror is the same way. I don't even want much of it. Although I know late '70s horror is hard to come by in HG, there is not much of it that I'd really even want anyway. Although there are exceptions, like Kaluta covers for example, it appears as if by '77 or so the quality really went downhill regarding cover and interior art. Personally, my preference for Bronze horror is from '69-'76.