the authority

Yeah, I’d mentioned early on that I’d like this thread to exclude variants. I’ve mentioned them throughout but don’t want them to be the focus. I think that would make for an excellent subject in its own thread. 👍

Next up is a twofer, as is 2 for your collection. Amazing Spider-Man #430 and #431 featuring Cosmic Carnage. I don’t remember if this book was hot right off the bat but I do remember thinking that the Silver Surfer was so overpowered compared to ASM and Carbage, that the cover didn’t make sense to me. Boy was I wrong. As you’ll see, me being wrong happens a lot and is an ongoing theme 😝 Anyway, I sold my copies WAY too early and I’ve never gone back to repurchase them. I always hold out hope that I’ll find them cheap... somewhere. I never do. I like both books. I love the covers. I’m not sure if they’ve plateaued or if they’re a long way from done. I have zero copies of either book. Ratings for both raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 5 out of 10

...and now, Batman #612. While #608 gets us a Batman with realistic looking soles on his boots, #612 treats us with Lee’s 1st angry Boy Scout. 😝 “...you don’t tug on Superman’s cape...you don’t spit into the wind...you don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger, and you do t mess around with Jim” ...Lee that is hahaha Back to the book. Batman looks absolutely helpless on this cover. It humanizes him. Lee makes absurdly strong looking characters but they are iconic images. This is one of the most memorable Superman covers ever. I’m high in this book too but looking through my collection, I can’t find any. Oh well, one more book to chase. Rating raw NM = 8 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 8 out of 10

Alrighty then, how about Batman #608 ? This is Jim Lee’s first Batman ( to the best of my knowledge ) and the beginning of the Hush storyline. There are many Batman artists that I collect and love their work. Adams, Aparro, Breyfogle, Miller, Capullo, and the list is mighty long. Jim Lee draws a very mean Batman. He looks like a guy that villains would fear. Sleek and powerful. I’m very high on this book. It’s a big deal. I own a VF and 2 NM copies along with a good number of duplicates in the entire run. Rating raw NM = 8 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 9 out of 10

You’re welcome and thank you. I love the people on this board. Even the ones who I’ve argued with from time to time. 😆 Reminds me of family. If you spend enough time together, there is going to be trouble every once in a while but in the end, we mostly help each other out and share war stories. Haha

Next is Y the Last Man #1. Brian K Vaughn...BKV...greatness. I remember buying this book new. Wednesday is my day off so I went home and read it. Drove back to the LCS and bought some more of them. It grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Great comics do that and this is that. The only concerns I have are that the series ended quite some time ago, it isn’t cheap, and there have been many talks about a TV show but still no TV show. I’ve patiently waited for this book to drop in price and never seems to do it. What to do. Probably going to keep going up and I’m probably going to cuss myself every time it does. 😆 I own zero copies. I want 100 and I’ve sold lots of them. Rating raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 6 out of 10

JLA #1 looks like everyone except Wonder Woman is holding their breath 😝

A lot of collectors complain about the 90s and for good reason to a degree. The 90s, like every other decade, had it’s bright spots. Take for example JLA #1 and JSA #1. The books were the beginnings of 2 of the best series I’ve had the please of reading. I first started reading and collecting in the 70s. I mostly bought my books from corner stars and later, the LCS. Justice League of America and All Star Comics featured stories that were bigger than life to me as a kid. So when they brought them back...not just brought them back but made them better than ever, I was in heaven as a young adult. Robinson and Johns on JSA and Morrison and Waid on JLA were absolutely amazing. From white martians, to angels, to a who’s who of villains, to Prometheus ( loved him ), to Ras Al Gil. JLA was rocking. JSA was just as well written and brought back heroes I didn’t even realize I was missing. These were my top of the pile reads. So, I don’t really understand why they’re cheaper now than 20 years ago. These are worth buying...in bunches. At some point, people will go back and want these in their collections. I own at least 10 copies of each and 2 CGC 9.8 of JLA #1 and 1 CGC of JSA #1. Ratings JLA #1 raw NM = 7 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 8 out of 10 JSA #1 raw NM = 6 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

Next up The Sentey #1. The 1st appearance of the legendary hero from the 1960s that never really existed back then. The Artie Rosen book that...well, you get the idea. The Sentry reminds me of a What if ? You mixed a Miracleman comic and a Superman comic with the movie Fight Club. It came out around the time that Ultimate Spider-Man did if I recall correctly. It had Jae Lee ( a guy who’s Art I love ) art and was really well written. I see big things in the future for this character because he is so perfectly not perfect. The SDCC edition is the one to have but all covers are going to be just fine. I own 1 NM+ copy of this book. Rating raw NM = 6 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

* Edited to correct the mistake of 1st costume.* Next up, Captain Marvel #14 and #17. These are the 1st appearances in civilian form and first the Ms Marvel emblem of Kamala Khan. Isssue #14 has bothers me personally ever so slightly because of the way it was later revealed that “hey, this is Kamala Khan, but you’ll never know unless someone ask the writer about it..” thing. Still, that’s what they stated it so that’s how it is, just always struck me as both odd and convenient. Issue #17 is the other end of the spectrum. She appears in costume and its obvious that this is her. To me, this is her most undervalued book. I understand that issue #14 is her first appearance. I just think it probably will have slower longterm growth than #17. My ratings on these too definitely reflect the difference in current prices realized. I believe both books are worth owning but variants and 2nd prints will hold down their prices somewhat. This is why the Point One issue shines. I have 1 of each in NM. I’ve sold a TON of these including more than a couple on #17 2nd print...way too cheap. Rating #14 raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 6 out of 10 #17 raw NM = 6 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

On the subject of Black Hammer, the SDCC cover is the one to have. @Awax hooked me up when they came out. Amazingly, even after surging a con, my copies came back 9.8. Thanks Geoff 🙏

I don’t think we’ve touched a Dark horse book yet so Black Hammer #1 will be the 1st from that stable. Let me start with the fact that Jeff Lemire gets me. Don’t know what it is but I love his writing. The art on this comic perfectly catches the mood of the words. I won’t call it perfect but it’s pretty close to it. Old school storytelling is a lost art. The market isn’t saturated with copies of this one either. Finally, Dark Horse is hit and miss with me but when they hit, they hit it big. Sin City, Hellboy, and the like are great reads. This book holds it’s own in comparison. I own 2 of each cover to #1 though I prefer the A cover. Ratings raw NM = 7 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

Now for something fun. Spider-Man Deadpool #1. Talk about a totally underrated book, this one is it. These 2 characters are hilarious by themselves and completely out of context together. Some people may not see the value here but to me, it’s a no brained. Take 2 enormously popular characters and have them share the lead in book and this is what you get. When books are struggling in sales, Marvel just starts over and renumbers them. None of that here. This book is roughly 50 issues deep and just had a hot issue hit the stands. Love it. The last magazines that made me this happy were Todd The Ugliest Kid on Earth ( which would cost a fortune if it were a Marvel book ) and Twisted Toyfare Theatre. Excellent reading material. I own around 10 copies of #1 primary cover and a lot of variants. Most around NM though I have pulled and sold a couple of CGC 9.8s. ratings raw NM = 7 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 8 out of 10

One more Cap book for now. Captain America #34. This is the 1st appearance of Bucky as Captain America. Another intriguing replacement character filling the shoes of our WWII hero. This one has a cheap buy and great covers. I’m not sure which was the variant, and there are others, so I’m presenting both of them. I have a lot of all covers. Most in the NM to NM+ range. Ratings of both covers are raw NM = 6 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

Next Reposted elsewhere

Next we have Captain America #14. This features the Winter Soldier’s origin. Not quite as important as his 1st appearance but not too shabby either. Expect steady, if unspectacular, growth. I have 1 NM copy Ratings raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 5 out of 10

Next we have a few Captain America books. First up, Captain America #6. The 1st appearance of the Winter Soldier. To me, other than Spider-Gwen, this is the best use of a long gone character. He’s cool and man what a history he and Cap where with each other. This is a strong buy for me. As much as I like it, it will always lag behind the variant cover featuring the Winter Soldier. I have zero copies of this cover and 1 of the Winter Soldier variant in NM-. Sold my other copies and I’d like to rebuild that small collection. Rating raw NM = 7 of 10 CGC 9.8 = 8 out of 10

Next up, Thanos #13. The 1st appearance of Cosmic Ghost Rider. So I was originally a doubter. I was buying Thanos in a run and really enjoyed it. I liked this book but thought it more flash in the pan than a long term book. I was wrong and the price it’s reaching tells me so. Donny Cates seems like a can’t miss writer. God Country, Venom, and this one have all held strong and consistent value. I’m sold on potential long term buys but I see slow grow on these unless we get some kind of movie news. I’d suspect that would well down the road if at all.Either way, the comic has a following and so does the writer. I have zero copies. Sold mine way too early. Rating raw NM = 6 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

Moving along, let’s talk X-Man #15 and X-men #53. The 1st appearance and 1st full appearance of Onslaught. I keep reading discussions about who might be the next big Marvel villain. This one may be a longshot but a very powerful one. Combine the consciousness of Professor X with that of Magneto and BAM ! Hello hero problems. Lol There May be some debate over the better book. They’re cheap enough to buy both and still be fine in my opinion. I own 1 X-man #15 and 3 X-men #53 in the NM range. Ratings both books raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 5 out of 10

Good morning ! The next book is a personal favorite. It’s Fables #1. Bill Willingham outdid himself with this book. What happens when you make Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, little Red Riding Hood, and Jack of fables real people and not just fairy tale heroes and villains ? You get a suspense filled, exciting, and super well written series. This book was heading into legendary status as there was talk of a TV show. Then a show called Once Upon a Time came out. Minor changes were made and the heat turned cold. The series, while not quite on the level of Sandman, wasn’t too far off that series when it comes to creativity. Issue #1 and the series will always have a following but I’m not sure what it would take to have a resurgence. That said, the quality is so high, there is a chance that it could blow up in a big way. Read it and I think you’ll agree. I own 1 NM copy. Rating raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 5 out of 10

Completely agree with you. The demand is rising for newsstand copies. It’s amazing that no matter how long we’ve been collecting, there is always something new for us to learn. Thanks for sharing 👍

That’s it for tonight. This is going to be a long and hopefully fun thread. See you guys tomorrow 😊

Next is Venom #3 which is regularly sold as the 1st appearance of Knull. Thor God of Thunder #6 is also being touted as the Symbiote god’s 1st appearance. So tread with caution. Still, this book has been hot since day one and shows no signs of letting up long term. The book is written by Donny Cates. Get used to that name, you’re apt to be hearing him brought up a lot. Cates fans ( I’m one of them ) wholeheartedly support him and his books. This one is no different. He is a very good writer and may move into being an all time great. Far too early to say for certain but the potential is there for it. Venom is special too and nearly all things Venom have potential to explode in popularity. I own 3 copies in what I’m hoping to someday be CGC 9.8s. I’ll let you know when I find out. rating raw NM = 7 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 7 out of 10

Next up, a Grant Morrison entry, an there will be several of those. New X-men #114. This is a book I really couldn’t stand the day it came out. I loved the X-men and Morrison’s writing but what the heck was this ? X-men was one of my favorite books as a kid because it had vibrant colors and diversity. These new X-men had a singular style and look. What can I say ? It grew on me. In fact, this was an exceptionally well written book and the series became a personal all time favorite. That isn’t why the book is here though. The reason I put it on the list is because the look these X-men had became the look of the X-men in the movies. The casting for the movies was mostly outstanding to boot. So I think this will always be at least a semi-important piece of Marvel history. Then there is the Frank Quitely Art. He is a love/hate artist but those of us who love him will pay a little extra for his work. This book has been as cheap as $1 to $3. Seems too cheap to me. I have 5 copies in NM to NM+. I look for this in $1 to $2 bins. Rating Raw NM = 5 out of 10 CGC 9.8 = 5 out of 10

Made the changes to be more accurate in the description in my original post. Thanks for the help. 👍