oldmilwaukee6er

We have all these terms we use in the hobby First appearance Cameo Classic cover or story #1 issue Scarce, rare, HTF, low census High grade Ties / connected to MCU Variant Use those terms to describe your books. They are more objective. Super mega ultra maya maya uber eschelon key or indeed KEY is too subjective. An Avengers #1 is not a key. It's just a #1. Key is just a marketing term. ~Om, who recognizes he is gateKEYping

I thought the initial discussion over the term was that there is no such thing as a mega key. It's just key. And that key, like grail, is overused in today's hobby to describe rando $50 books, app clickbait, or individual agenda books.

For me, a full 1st appearance is threefold The character is shown in full The character is named The character is part of the storyline (e.g. the Hulk 180 vs 181 debate) If all three are not met, then it falls to a cameo.

3-5x Overstreet NM- ? 10x Overstreet NM- ? Top copies can be tough to price.

This. It's the best way. This is what hygraders do. IF... we assume that the stack of 10 copies averages NM 9.4, you will be immediately able to train your eye as to what is better than 9.4. No small corner flecks that appear on 1/2 the books, less normal white spine break than other copies, no small NCB creases that appear on 1/3 of the books, oh and be sure to check the back cover (no fingerprints or light scuffing). It gives you the ability to learn and recognize what might be a 'normal manufacturing defect' for that issue (and hence what CGC allows and you might accept as high grade). IF... you can't do that, then you have to consider going online. Currently, I am using Things from Another World. They hold my books until it's a months worth and then ship them at once. They recently switched to DHL shipping, so that may be a good? thing given you're overseas? Not sure... but I have been pleased with the condition my copies (ave NM+ 9.6) even if I have to wait.

You know... I started doing this a little this year. And after 35+ years collecting I can't really explain why. Historically, I stored traditionally. Never really saw any issues. Indeed, proper storage can contribute a passive 'pressing' of your books that can remove normal distribution / shelf waviness or minor spine roll from reading. But the last few years... I've noticed, given the humidity of my location, given the way modern books are produced? The spines are larger/wider? More fluff from the elements? Modern covers are often wavy... After 1/2 a short box, my comics are no longer flush. They are creeping diagonal, sliding. Spines stacking on spines. So, yeah... I'm currently employing this on my Usagi Yojimbo and Spawn runs. But in theory... there are risks associated with l/term storage of books cover to cover if they are not properly aligned.

It's still as desirable and 'rare' as you remember

Best... the lady and I refer to this as 'our marriage certificate.' LSS... we shared a fondness for X-Men while dating and the third time was the charm for finding / buying this book. Fave... Zap Comix #0- the cover that I saw c. 2000 that sent me on a 15yr love affair with underground comix. But particularly this old label, untrimmed copy (bought from Comicwiz back when)

Some cool chit!

Lean in. Buy fun cheaper toys, or don't. Let things marinate, sell... Follow the kids. Collecting ebbs and flows. Life gets in the way and it's healthy to think about an exit strategy. I knew you as an underground comix guy before I ever learned about your passion for Star Wars or preproduction figures. And it is an end of an era for SW... 42 years is a long time. I know I'm ready. But also... You're a collector. Justin

Yeaahhh. You gotta be careful with that

I recently discovered the Cartoonist Kayfabe Youtube channel (Ed Piskor & Jim Rugg)... here's a quick one:

I don't normally pick up these GM variants, but last issue of Vol.1 I figured this one will be HTF someday. I believe this to be a 1:25. Another series I do not collect... The shop couldn't confirm Dr Aphra cover but I trusted my instinct and glad I did.

4 copies I ordered 2x from Midtown over the holidays and fullfillment took so long that I forgot and ordered from TFAW

Scanning and filing some recent-ish moderns (got a little sloppy at the end of the year w/ doubles)...

Take care of you!! ✌️ Justin

Safe.

Received this today- 1-303+ now complete (sans most incentive$). Waited / watched for a year for the right copy right time.

Have you seen the drawer-type comic boxes that are stackable? http://www.collectiondrawer.com/ https://comicbase.com/Reviews/Collection_Drawers.asp

Mylar is likely the best choice. It is more resistant to gas exchange by orders of magnitude.... https://www.egerber.com/aboutpreservation.htm I once saw collectors post about how to remove orders from a comic (a process of placing the book in a sealed bin with baking soda or cat litter)

Collectors are both simultaneously trying to best the last sale in GPAnalysis when buying and selling. Sellers try and push the market ever forward and buyers try and get a deal. Arm yourself with the knowledge you have, a fistful of cash and hit a nice local / regional show. I'll wager you can beat GPA with a cash offer to the right seller every time.

My latest collectibles are sneakers. Since tearing my ACL in July ... I've bought 5 pairs of new kicks - mostly Giannis Zoom Freak 1s and the new Jordans. I just popped on a CGC 9.8 slab and lamented that I'd have to wait a while to buy more shoes

Comic Vine is another source I use to search artists and try and figure out which books they did on a particular title... https://comicvine.gamespot.com/batgirl/4050-92542/object-appearances/4040-9844/ Maybe Key Collector app too. Lots of collectors and speculators use this site to keep track of hawt books and industry scuttlebutt. I have not used this app, but it seems requisite for hawt variants. Yes. Interiors would be the same for the type of variants that you mentioned (often, with Lau or Middleton, they are termed non-ratio variants and can be ordered from the distributor versus earned via ordering ratios / incentives). In some cases, retailer exclusive variants, which are ordered directly from a shop / retailer, are labeled 2nd printings (e.g. Spawn 301 Ross or Crain). Yes and no on the last question. These hot artists can switch titles (e.g. Middleton went from Aquaman to Batgirl?), miss the odd issue, etc. Lau (artgerm) has been pretty consistent with Supergirl. Hughes can pretty much do whatever he wants; he's one of those artists just printing money.