Jaws1965

Thanks, CGC Mike!

I found this out last year...it had been a few years since I submitted, and I called them to ask what my balance was. She told me, "it's just the $150.00, there's no carryover from year to year. So, be sure to use your credit by the end of the year." With that in mind, I submitted about $150 of comics for re-holdering in early December, and they're still scheduled for grading. I'm going to be annoyed if my 2022 credit was wasted again because they're so backed up...

Wow, "show me the money!" Congrats

I hope you don't get too discouraged with your first experience. You could also check out the Overstreet's Guide to Grading comics --- although I don't find the pictures super helpful, the descriptions probably aren't too far off from CGC's internal grading criteria. There's always a little bit of a surprise factor when you finally see those grades. After 200+ submissions with a 50% batting average of grades coming back as I predicted or higher, I thought I had a beauty "in the bag, baby!" It was a really nice ASM #40 that I had purchased raw for $475 --- I thought I was stealing the book, and would easily get a 9.0, 9.2 most likely, remote possibility of 9.4. Spine was flawless...corners reasonably sharp for a 55 year old book...nice cover edges F and B...staples tight, not totally "shiny new" but still a nice pewter...no cover dings or dents, no cover wear...yeah the PQ wasn't the best, I knew I wouldn't get white or probably even OW/W, but I was soooo certain this was a KILLER. Came back an 8.5 (sob). Grader notes were typically terse, said "minor foxing back cover." And dang it, sure enough, there they were, little light brown spots. And referencing Overstreet grading, foxing caps a book no matter what the rest of it looks like. I just hadn't been used to looking for that as I had rarely submitted books where that could conceivably be a problem. Moral to the story --- they are trained professional graders...do they bat 1.000, no (I've sometimes been appalled at some slabbed books I bought on EBAY, studied pics intently, and when receiving book in hand, even under two layers of plastic, OMG the spine ticks on a 9.8!).......but they're better than most of us and do they do their work under what is basically laboratory conditions. Hang in there bud! And just remember if you buy a comic book for a few bucks thinking this is going to enable you to put your kid through college...always remember there are 50,000 other people that are thinking exactly the same thing. (After typing all this, I wonder if that is troll spoor I smell under yon bridge... ;-) )

Thanks so much for your reply! Very helpful

Hello, I'm preparing a fast track pressing/grading submission of 2014 Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (overstreet market value 9.2 = $325), and 1984 Marvel Team-Up #141 (overstreet market value 9.2 = $150). However, I'm pretty sure that after the CCS process, these two books will go to 9.6 or better, which (hopefully) would affect the final market value. To my eye, these books have few if any flaws (>60% of the ~200 BA, CA, and modern books I've submitted over the past several years come back at or higher than my prediction), Should I submit for modern tier (post 1975 <$400) or economy tier (anything up to $1,000)? Thanks!

Thanks for the advice! Do you recommend any good, reliable presser in particular? I've never used anyone but CCS. I just bought a book called "Comic Book CPR," and I'd love to give this KaptainMike my two books for pressing, but I didn't see that he offers a service (which is good I guess...i.e., he isn't selling anything but his pressing expertise with full process transparency!)

Hello, After being inactive in the hobby for a few years and noticing the spike in asking price for graded 9.8's for Edge of Spider-Verse #2 and Marvel Team-Up #141, I dug out my original copies with an eye toward submitting to CGC. Both appear to be good easy 9.6, no discernible defects--the MTU #141 is beautifully wrapped and centered--both look to be candidates for 9.8 to my somewhat seasoned eye (I have submitted about 200 comics to CGC, and 60% come back at my predicted grade or better). I've usually had these books pressed with CCS (whether modern, BA, or SA). Given the dramatic difference in asking price for a 9.8 vs. a 9.6, I have been reading up on the pros and cons of pressing, and I'm wondering if it's worth the risk. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for your time.

That looks pretty hideous up close! These probably won't cut it like this...

Hello, I've got five copies of this book, purchased back in the day and stored in archival materials since then. All of these books look to be 9.6-9.8 except for one pervasive aspect. The top left corners all have a 1/16" to 1/8" bindery tear (is that the right term?) due to the thickness of the book when folded. Does anyone know how CGC treats this pervasive aspect of this book? I've submitted about 200 books to CGC and most come back at my personal grade assessment or better. However, in all those books I don't have a good reference point for how they assess this production problem. And...are there any/many copies of this book without this problem??? I've never seen one despite seeing several dozen copies (sometimes it's at the top and bottom, mine are all only at the top). Thanks for any advice you can provide!!

I got the book in hand! It's nice, but has a few non-color breaking, but very noticeable spine dings that make me surprised it got a 9.8. Honestly I think one of my 9.6's is nicer. I may resubmit that one for something to look forward to!

Thanks for always looking out for me all this time @Jordysnordy and @Xenosmilus

I got it!!! Finally! There was no picture of the back cover but front looks nice so I had to go for it, all out. I had a massive pad on it, and good thing because some folks tried to snipe it in the last few seconds! Shot up from $160 to $250 in the blink of an eye. It might arrive Friday!

Congrats Xeno! I miss one day of checking, and this is what happens! Fortunately, there's another #17 9.8 WP up for bid today. Hopefully I'll get it. Was the 9.8 #17 you picked up a nice one? The bid copy is decent, but it looks like it has a bit of cover translucency...hard to tell from the picture when they didn't include a photo of the back cover. Oh well, I bid on it anyway, and hopefully in 6 days I will join you with the full 9.8 run, all WP! And my #24 is a beauty. Signed by Herb Trimpe, who I met and shook his hand 9 months before he passed away. (I bought my gold label #24 signed about a month before he passed...didn't have him sign it myself.) You all may appreciate this story. I met Mr. Trimpe at the Baltimore Comic Con in 2014. All I had for him to sign (and the only thing I *wanted* him to sign) was my single VG reader copy of Godzilla #9, which I had bought when I was 12 years old. We started swapping stories while a ton of people were waiting in line, and we discovered that we were both prior Air Force. He was enlisted, and I'm a retired officer, and he insisted on saluting me right then and there! He was such a gentleman, and his wife was wonderful. While he and I were chatting, even our wives hit it off! My wife took pics! I'll look for them and post. That wrinkled-up, well-read and loved, autographed copy of #9 means a lot to me. I have it framed. RIP Herb, the artist who got me into serious comic collecting with Godzilla #9.

I saw that one on eBay and laughed out loud as well! That being said, not all 9.8s are created equal---this issue is really bad for cover translucency. I'm still looking to improve my 9.8 WP, which after looking at it for the first time in a few years, left me underwhelmed.

Bought a beautiful copy of Godzilla (1977) #5, CGC 9.8 WP, well-centered, almost completing my Godzilla collection in 9.8 WP! I'm pleased to say my collection is second only to Jeff's, in part due to his help! And speaking of, a flawless transaction! Great price, perfectly packaged, lightning-fast shipping, even from Canada! Thanks Jeff!

I just bought a Godzilla #15 and #23 from Jeff, both 9.8 copies with White Pages, and received nice discounts from the going recent sales prices due to the damaged cases. As always, it's a pleasure doing business with Jeff!

Great seller, and a fellow Godzilla fan! Transaction was smooth, slab well-packaged, lightning-fast shipping, and he openly pointed out small scratches on case that a lot of people would not have bothered to mention. A++!

Greetings! I've completed two transactions with fellow CGCers in the past few months, and one seller recommended I establish a kudos thread to bolster confidence in my reliability! So...here it is! I appreciate any and all feedback. Happy hunting! Tom aka Jaws1965

A trip down memory lane...growing up with comics. Hello, comic collectors! Welcome to my first journal posting. At 49 years young, I've had some time to reflect on how my love for comics--and the hobby of collecting them--has evolved over time. With that in mind, I hope this recap of my journey brings back some good memories, and it gives you pause to reflect as well on just how many ways there are to enjoy and appreciate comics. I've loved comics since I was about five years old, starting out on Gold Key and Harvey comics circa 1970. I literally developed my love of reading on Turok Son of Stone, Magnus Robot Fighter, Star Trek, Space Family Robinson, Richie Rich, Hot Stuff, Little Dot, Casper, Uncle Scrooge, Boris Karloff, Twilight Zone, Dark Shadows, Gyro Gearloose, Walt Disney Comics and Stories, and so on. My dad, who was an Air Force G.I. in Germany, would come home with a small pile for me on paydays. My dad read Marvel Superhero comics, and I liked the characters, but I didn't really understand them. So, my main memory of superheroes during that era is limited to wrestling with my dad. I was always the Hulk, and he was the Silver Surfer. For some reason, the Silver Surfer always won. As I got older and more independent (all of 8-10 years old), I began to buy comics on my own. I'd pedal my bike two miles to Magic Mart or 7-11 through the Arkansas summer heat, and I'd plop down my allowance money for a handful of comics and candy. With booty in hand, I'd excitedly ride back home, or to the park, with those comics tucked under my sweaty arm , or even gripped tightly around my handlebars. I remember my last nickel was often good enough for a package of Now and Laters, or one of those long, flat Jolly Rancher Stix that only came in Fire, Green Apple, and Watermelon. On family vacations, we'd stop at Stuckey's, and that was a gold mine, because they always had comics, and usually in three-packs! (the old Whitman reprints). I'd read happily for hours in the back seat, while my sister played with her etch-a-sketch, and my parents drove and smoked up front...those were the days, haha! Despite enjoying those types of comics immensely, then a brief foray into The Flash (cary bates era) and Action Comics (curt swan), I'd say I became a *real* collector (i.e., wanting to collect a complete series) in 1977 when I discovered Marvel's 24-issue Moench/Trimpe Godzilla run, as well as the Shogun Warriors run from the same era. I was 12 years old when I bought Godzilla #9 (he trashes the Hoover Dam, then moves on to Las Vegas) at my local Quik Shop, and I still have that well-loved copy (probably a 4.0, haha!) Ah, those days...Godzilla, Shogun Warriors, ROM, Micronauts, Battlestar Galactica. By then, I had learned to appreciate more complex stories that didn't start and end in a single issue, and superhero stories were the next step. I started with Fantastic Four and Spider-man. I focused primarily on Marvel, with a smattering of DC interests. At the end of the 1970's, I, along with everyone else had absolutely fallen in love with the immortal Claremont/Byrne X-Men. I also loved Spider-man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, as well as the classic Wolfman/Perez New Teen Titans. It was in the 1978-1980 timeframe when I became much more condition conscious with my books, although I still had a lot to learn. I collected avidly for about nine years (1977-1986), which was from age 12-21 or so. In 1986, my junior year in college, I abruptly and completely quit buying new comics due to a feeling of burnout (a malaise that I've since learned is not unique). I still remember what triggered it. It was early 1986, Secret Wars II crossover and the return of Jean Grey. I was collecting at least 2/3 of the Marvel titles. The continuing proliferation (by Marvel and DC) of 4-issue mini-series, crossovers, etc. was just overwhelming, and I found it too difficult to keep up. The cost in terms of time and expense of reading, bagging and inventorying began to outweigh my enjoyment of the content. Simply, the hobby had become a chore. A few other straws broke the camel's back. I was a huge X-Men fan back then (and one of the few Cyclops fans in my circle of fans). When a powerless Storm defeated Cyclops in hand-to-hand combat in issue #201, I was disgusted. Then, when Jean Grey returned, I pulled out my bright yellow BS flag and said "enough!" Fortunately, I missed the '90's glut and meltdown. Alas, I also missed NM #98 and ASM #300, though... Nowadays, I'm 49 years old and a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. I returned to the hobby in 2012 after a 27-year hiatus (although I kept all my old books during that time). I've got about 3,500 comics (I didn't shed a single book during the hiatus). Latter bronze age, as well as copper age Marvel dominates my collection, with a smattering of early bronze and silver age stuff I picked up back then as back issues. I've also picked up quite a few modern books starting in around 2000. I do have a handful of GA books, but nothing significant or noteworthy. These days, I'm working to complete my run of new X-men #94-143, filling in some gaps in Amazing Spider-man 100-200, a few Conan books, and upgrading my Godzilla collection (check it out here!) For modern titles, I've really enjoyed Walking Dead, Superior Spider-man, Thief of Thieves, Saga, Alex and Ada, The Massive, and Uber. One of the true joys I discovered upon my return to comics (i.e., reading new issues) is Ultimate Spiderman. In my humble opinion, the Bendis/Bagley run is a high-water mark of the past 15 years. Enough about me...thanks for checking out my collection! To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

What do folks think of these CGC bags? http://stores.ebay.com/CGC-Mylars/10-CGC-Resealable-Mylar-Bags-/_i.html?_fsub=4578802014&_sid=5071234&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 I really like them, they are crystal-clear and not as stiff as the CGC M2s, and won't bow out a standard CGC box, yet not super thin and crinkly like the BCE 1mil bags, . Just curious if others use these!!

Wow, I just spent the last 90 minutes reading all 37 pages of this thread. Fantastic information. I wish I could rewind the 30 years I had all 2,000 of my bronze age marvels sealed in 1 mil mylites with NO board at all. They were stored in completely buffered acid-free flip-top boxes (the kind that hold about 50 books each), but back then I didn't like not being able to see the back cover, so I only put the heavy-gauge gerber boards in with my most treasured few comics. As standard practice, I actually used the heavy-gauge boards much as people use plastic dividers today, as spacers in between every 10th comic or so, with the direction of the next 10 comics flipped to keep the number of staples relatively even on each side of the box. Upon recent review of the many books stored this way, untouched for 20+ years, few books have those pristine snow white interior pages any longer. They're offwhite to slightly yellowed, but there's no tanning "halo" effect like you see on a lot of silver age stuff. Still, they are perceptibly, uniformly, and disappointingly to me dimmer than "new" newsprint. I have some of those books in with CGC and am eager to see how CGC characterizes their page quality. I hope these all qualify as OW/W still. That being said, covers are still very nice, only the slightest noticeable degradation from newstand fresh whiteness. I suspect an overriding factor is that the storage temperature was unavoidably a little higher than I liked, probably 65 degrees in winter, and perhaps as high as 80 in summer. (The bottom of an upstairs closet in my mom's home in Arkansas, which although air conditioned, did indeed get pretty warm in summer.) When it was 105 outside with 95% humidity, it was pretty warm upstairs, even with AC going full blast and downstairs feeling like a meat locker. I think there was even a summer when the AC unit died, and they basked in full, glorious Arkansas heat for at least a week. Even in the late 80's I used to beg my mom to turn down the air conditioning because I could hear the dying screams of my comics. She refused to let me keep them anywhere downstairs, and for my entire military career, I never had enough room to take them with me, alas. Good thing though, this method did physically protect the books from a toilet backup once, as well as some silverfish invasion. Warped and gnawed boxes, but books were good to go! Lesson for readers: In all this discussion, PLEASE REMEMBER that temperature and RH are incredibly important as well! So...the higher than optimal temperature coupled with the lack of an alkaline reserve has hurt my babies. But thanks to this thread, all is not lost, and I still have some nice stuff worth protecting. It's interesting that the degree of aging is not uniform, even in the same box, and there's no apparent pattern to it. Some 1975 books are whiter than 1982 books, both bought right off the rack/shelf. Anyway, I am shifting to this storage mode: 2 mil mylites, halfbacks/thin-extenders, and 2-per MCP. It's all I can afford. Fortunately, the 2 mil bags afford some inherent rigidity, so I can forego the fullbacks.