thunsicker

How I voted and my first thoughts on the first 50 or so respondents: Newsstand Vs Direct - It makes no difference to me. Back when I had my store (late 80's) the preference was for Direct editions, at least where I was. The thought being that comics sold through a comic store were more likely to be higher condition. These days with third party grading it makes sense that the rarer comics (whether newsstand or direct dependant on age) would be more valuable. Page Quality - I would pay more for better Page Quality I'm a bit surprised that fewer than half would actually pay more for w than cr/ow. Though part of that may be how comics frequently change page color on resubmission. Even more than grade changes. Price Variants - I wouldn't pay more for Price Variants/I would pay less for one or more types of Price Variants The number that surprises me the most is how many people would pay more for traditional price variants. That's an area that I think has moved out of the fringe and in firmly planted in the collecting community now. Quality of Production - I would pay more for a comic with proper registration I'm a bit surprised at how many people dislike off center comics, but more surprised by how many will give comics with bad registration a pass. Pedigreed Comics - I would only pay more for certain Pedigrees (e.g. Church/Okajima) Whereas in the late 80's a pedigree could stand in for certain qualities and thus bring a premium against one that may or may not have those qualities I now will take any non-pedigree for the same price as a pedigree if the qualities are the same. With the exception of the Okajima pedigree which I believe has such a strong story around it that I would be willing to pay more for one of those. What results surprised you the most?

I made it multi select. You could choose all if you so wanted.

Damn it. I knew it was quality of something...

A conversation in another thread about Newsstand vs. Direct comics got me wondering about all you collectors. What are you willing to pay more for when it comes to comics. Do you prefer newsstand comics? Ones with good presentation? Pedigrees? Price Variants? For this exercise imagine everything else is the same for two comics except for the thing noted. So, for instance imagine that you are comparing a Mile High with another comic with the same grade, freshness, smell, etc. Or for the Quality of Production question it's a question of a 9.8 with wonky staples and a 9.8 with perfect staples but minor spine tick that keeps it out of higher grade. Also I'm mostly interest in what you want for your personal collection. Don't tell me you would pay more for a Canadian Priced comic because you feel you could sell it for more.

I came here to say something similar. It reminds me of the Jaybuck arguments over whether white pages bring a premium. If some people are willing to pay more and some aren't there will be a premium on the ones that some people are willing to pay more for. The barcode makes no difference to me, but the fact that it makes a difference to some people means it will add cost (value) to that comic. And what everyone is missing is this is good for everyone if some people want them with bar codes and some don't care. If everyone wanted them with bar codes they would be even more expensive so the people for whom it makes a difference would have to spend more on their collectibles. And if no one cared then the ones without the bar codes would cost more so those who don't care would be spending more on their comics without bar codes. OP here are some things that some people put value on and some don't: Newsstand Versions Higher Page Quality Price Variants (Traditional price variants. Canadian Priced comics is a bit of an odd puppy since some people specifically don't want Canadian priced comics and some search them out) Pedigrees So if you can find a Newsstand, White Paged, Pedigreed, Price Variant Incredible Hulk 449 you should be able to tick all the boxes.

It took me a while to realize that is Gary Oldman. I kept wondering why they would focus on Sam Rockwell and Dennis Hopper on the cover but put Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper's names above them.

I was just mentioning in @Buzzetta's Journal that I need to get more in the game, so it might be a good point to say IBTL...

If the question is who is making the more wise investment someone who is buying the Marvel Keys in whatever grade they can afford or someone who is buying some GA comics they actually appreciate it's hard to say. The Marvel keys have had a pretty good run, and as much as I love my GA comics more than I love my Marvel Keys there is no question which has appreciated more. If the question is should you spend money on Marvel keys or on GA comics it would totally depend on which you prefer. Really, buy whatever comics interest you and don't expect great returns, but enjoy the hunt, enjoy the reading, enjoy the collection. Your collection won't make as much as your friend's, but that isn't always the point of a comic book collection. (And if you say "Well I don't want to LOSE money" then go back to the first paragraph).

If those are the options I'm going to go with dying. I know, sure as heck, that they aren't dead.

Yeah, I'm sure there have been a lot of people showing us how King Shark is Groot, Peacemaker is Drax, Rick Flag is Peter Quill, Polkadot Man is Rocket, etc. Throw in some 70's Tunes...

Yeah, the best predictor for net worth in the U.S. is still your parent's net worth.

Yeah, but for each Silvers there is a @CAP Freak or a @GIJOEISAWESOME-migration or a @dylanthekid

The thing I've always wondered (and maybe you've answered it elsewhere), is where did you get $1800 as an 18 year old in 1973?

Man I really have to get my game going.

Not in the first draft, but it was one of the things that Casablanca records asked for at one point.

Actually haven't changed that sig line for at least 4 or 5 years. Probably time to do that some day.

You'll always be my hero, Jimmers.

If I were running a grading contest I'd try to send some that fit into each grading area (Good, Fine, Near Mint). Or if there are some of the comics you have in the modern area that you think are 9.6/9.8 include some of them, if there are some in the modern that you think are 8.5/9.0/9.2 include them. For the older comics again try to get a spread of conditions. The main thing is to try to get a variety of grades so it's not just who can tell a 9.6 from a 9.8 contest.

@jharvey for the win.

Both if I’m being honest with myself. Like I said, fav character if I had to pick one and I like the first appearance. I wouldn’t call it a feeling. I tend to want the best within reason from the get go of whatever I am doing. Good quality products will serve you better over time. It also bothers me when stuff isn’t taken care of. If I get something where the wear is obvious, it would bother me. I appreciate the value. Put it this way, if 9.8s were only worth $50, I’d be just as excited to get it. I assume the reason he's asking is that if you are just interested in it for collecting purposes the difference between a 9.6 and a 9.8 are negligible. If you are interested in it for investment purposes they are of the utmost importance. As I have no interest in investing in comics the difference is not one I want or need to pay for.

What book is it? Enquiring minds want to know. Yeah, we can't tell you if it's rust without seeing a full picture of the front cover.

While I think it would be a good idea to do this it wouldn't be simple. You would need all kinds of sizes for modules, box sets, books, etc. It isn't as simple as comics or cards. Plus is there a standardized grading scale/system for this stuff right now? Or would they need to create it from whole cloth?

Mine has a gelatinous hyper-cube.

Very cool space. Does the mother in law appreciate comics? And does she know not to open the blinds?