FineCollector

Only Geoff Johns ever cared about the Hawks, so if he wrote it, you'll be happy with it.  The return of Hawkman is in the #20s of 1999 JSA, which is a great title.  Go back to the beginning of his Hawkman run, which was solid, and will cost you pennies.  Hawkgirl was still just a girl Carter was trying to convince was his long lost love, but she's not having it.

I cant think of any other Hawkman/Hawkworld title that moves the needle for me.

4 hours ago, RockMyAmadeus said:

And extremely hard to get in high grade...illustrated by their copies:

 

Thank you for the screen shot.  I thought I saw some texture in those books.  Someone should tell him that you can't toss around a comic in a bag and board the same way you can handle a card in a topload.

The sell sheet lists "Hae Lee" as one of the creator autographs you might pull.

This autograph nonsense is too much now.  I genuinely worry that in a few years, when these inexperienced collectors drop comics and the fad they created, we're going to be stuck with piles of signed books no one will want.

I'm more interested if anyone has opinions on 90s Doctor Strange.  There was an ongoing story of his brother turning into a new Baron Blood, but I've never had enough issues in a row to get a bead on the title.

Mine would be Captain America 122.  Bought it as a youngster from a used bookstore, and fell in love with Gene Colan's art.  Unfortunately, I'm not one of those sentimental types who kept the beat up old reader, I upgraded.

I have 2, 3, 4.  Turned down a 1 some years ago at a convention because I wasn't happy with the staples.  Should've just taken it...

5 hours ago, spreads said:

How often do you go to a show and see a comic book with a 'free' sticker?

Everyone had a good laugh about that, but shrugged and admitted it was a novel idea.  I had runs of books, and one book in the run would have a popped staple, or was just plain rough.  The best book like that was a Captain America in the 120s missing a centerfold, so they weren't expensive books, most of it was late 70s or 80s material.  I didn't want to break the run, but I also didn't want to charge a dollar for it if it wasn't worth that, so I just stickered it "free".  One of the dealer's minions mopped up a bunch of them before the show started, but they were meant to go, and they did.

One failed idea was to bring along a few pieces of masonite that I got with Heritage Auction shipments.  I didn't have any free table space, so I figured people would either want something flat under their stack of books, or they might use it as a flat surface to open a bag.  People just tossed them aside.

The boxes have a little bit of life left, but I was never planning on doing a second show.  I'll keep adding to them again until they seem ready for another blowout.  A good experience all around, and happy to be back on the other side of the table.

On 4/4/2019 at 12:54 PM, Bird said:

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER C-24    5.0  $14

RUDOLPH'S SUMMER FUN  (aka All-New Collectors Edition c-60)   5.0   $15

 

My only concern is vendors posting a bare minimum of books at VCC, and using it as advertising to their eBay store or other online presence.  I like knowing there are more books to bundle with my purchase, but I want people to put some effort into their display on the boards.  If so, I'd be happy to peruse your site for more stuff.

5 minutes ago, nyanmaung said:

Clean and press 8.5

Disagree, all the damage is color breaking (spine break, flaking on top, busted bottom corner). Dont spend the money, enjoy it

Pre-internet days, I would've collected them just for the power ratings and stats if I hadn't already been turned off of random packs by Panini hockey stickers and the like.  One of the biggest things that appealed to me about comics was no randomness, just buy whatever you want.  Sets already ordered in binders are going to be more interesting than a stack in a box: not a lot of crossover anymore between cards and comics, so many comic guys won't know how to handle cards properly.

1 hour ago, Key Largo Comics said:

So I am probably just completely clueless, but what do you/did they mean by "card collector" mentality invading our hobby?

Their sins are many, but their market is dependant on artificial rarity.  Most collectors dont build sets, they only want the rookie cards (usually short printed) and "special" ones (signed, numbered, piece of jersey, color variants, and combinations therein).  It's not uncommon to see someone open packs, put the special cards in top loads, and throw out the rest.  Every company makes multiple sets, and each set has it's own batch of special cards, so to make them more special, they number them to make them rarer. It's to the point where there are sets where every card is a special, and you pay hundreds of dollars per pack.  Obviously, the common specials become worthless, and people chase after the really special specials.

19 hours ago, F For Fake said:

I tend to believe (and agree with those who've stated the same) that the market sorts itself out. If people come in asking sky high prices, and no one bites, they'll adjust. If they sell, then they'll feel justified in asking the high price. I don't have a problem with anyone asking whatever they want. I don't have to buy. But i do reserve the right to make strange noises and funny faces at really ridiculous asks.

That's the thing, there's nothing stopping someone from clogging up the sales thread with overpriced junk.   We're not allowed to say anything, or it just looks like threadkrapping.  At least on Facebook, you can tag the post with a  emoji to tell the guy he's taken a knock to the head.

I'll fiddle with tape to see if it will come off before I buy a book.  I once had an Amazing Spider-Man 25 with cellophane tape inside that lifted off with little effort because it was so dry.  Otherwise, no, it's just another book I'll have to upgrade.  Nothing I collect is rare enough that I can't wait.

Is there still stupid money being thrown around for Spidey 101?  Don't think I saw anyone pick one, but $6 isn't terrible, considering what people are paying for beater copies these days.

On 1/11/2019 at 10:09 PM, Readcomix said:

Throughout the mid-200's of the Avengers run, the character was actually well fleshed-out and a significant member, so there's good precedent for him as a solid avenger. (The lineup was him, Cap, Hercules, Starfox, Capt Marvel as the core for a while, morphing later to him, Sersi, Herc, Vision and Crystal. I should flip through the long box, but I remember it as a very readable era and Dane Whitman as a three-dimensional member for the first time in Avengers lore.)

I think the character can possibly surprise a lot of people.

The 90's Avengers run was fantastic, even though a lot of people dump on it.  Palmer and Epting's art was a feast for the eyes, and the Crossing storyline was serious business.

I'm a fan of Black Knight.  Sir Percy in Atlas Black Knight 1-5, Nathan Garrett in TTA and Kirby Avengers, Dane Whitman in John Buscema Avengers, Sal's Defenders, the 4 part mini, Marvel Fanfare, 80's and 90s Avengers, Ultraforce, New Excalibur... I'm completing all of it, and I've gotta say, all of the people suddenly looking for copies of Atlas Black Knight 1 and Avengers 48 without knowing anything about the character pisses me the F off.

Happy collecting!

JSA was good for a really long time, thanks to Geoff Johns.  Start with JSA #1 in 1999 and keep going.  The title sags when he leaves during that stretch of Alex Ross covers, but he starts the new volume at #1, and goes until #26.  Whoever harshes on Johns hasn't read this stuff, and it pains me to see these in dollar bins.

22 minutes ago, kav said:

A1 has good luck with this and has a lot of hi dollar books that I'm sure walked in-but it is a large well known store with several locations.  Small store that mostly sells Magic and new comics and GN's and doesnt have wall books sees mostly garbage come in.

Your customers are your best suppliers.  If you dont cater to the back issue buyer, why would one sell you his doubles?

On 3/12/2019 at 7:55 PM, Rip said:

Thanks. I love those crazy pulp covers. Strange Detective Mysteries had a couple great ones.

I'll be back again tonight with some Police Comics and a few other titles.

2 hours ago, sfcityduck said:

Does this "new class of comic 101" collectors really exist?  Another local store just closed in SF.  Most comic stores I walk into are more book shops than back issue shops.  And I read many posts about folks "stocking up" on hot issues like IH 181.  So is the market for this book at starting prices of what? $1,500 in 3.0? really made up of the "new class of comic 101" collectors, or is it longer term collectors/speculators?  I ask this question seriously, because I just do not know.  Dealers on this site should know and I'm curious what they have to say. 

Not a dealer, but I do agree that the new guys are willing to spend.  $100 seems to be their comfort level, because modern "keys" like Batman Damned or Immortal Hulk have been getting there quickly.  Watch some of those Facebook live auctions, and people are spending well over top dollar to get in on the fun.  It's an entirely different population of comic buyers than what we have here.  They don't seem to know how common things are, they just want stuff.  Hulk 181 might be out of their range, though.  I think flippers and dealers are slowing inching up the price by selling to each other until they hit the ceiling.

Having trouble picturing a foe that it takes Namor and Strange to fight.  Serpent crown?

*plants the seed and runs away*

Look at the cover of #1: pastel pink, with a teenager holding a pacifier in her mouth.  Everyone looked at that in Previews and said, "yeah, no thanks."  That's why.  If she first appeared in Uncanny X-Men, it'd be a $40 book, tops.

I thought this was all talked out on Facebook.  Someone's fishing for a buyer...

On 3/10/2019 at 11:09 PM, Rip said:

Captain Marvel 91 Fine $60

Got any more?