Randall Dowling

Read the comics. Don't just buy them and collect them. Actually read them. And then buy more of the stories and art that you like. Don't be afraid to reach for books that you've been after. I've never regretted buying something once in 45 years but I have lots of regrets over the books I didn't reach for. It's okay to be someone who buys storylines, individual issues for covers that you like, and/or completes runs. Don't feel required to collect the way other people do. Never buy into the hype. That's selling time, not buying time. Check out all of the forums here (GA, SA, BA, etc.), look at what other board members are posting and don't be afraid to explore areas that you're interested in. There is an incredible knowledge base here and most members are glad to share their knowledge. Explore, explore, explore. I was a child of the 70s that grew up reading SA and BA comics. When I was 18, I started getting interested in GA and magazines. At this point, I've collected most genres of comics out there. Thank goodness I didn't just keep reading and collecting SA and BA comics (as awesome as they are). Don't get caught up in 9.8 fever. They're making new ones every day.

That's a great grab, SA!

I've never seen one before. Can you post a picture of what the insert looks like?

Likewise. As she was in the first season, Allison Pill is... unfortunate. There's something painful and cringeworthy in her presentation at times and it's really tough to get past. Some of it is probably direction, but I just don't think she's up to the task. Right now, she's like having a little bit of pee in your swimming pool.

Somebody should grab that Creepy 29. Lots of great books in here, Charlie! GLWTS!

If still available, I'll take these.

That's unfortunate. If I was buying it, I would want the grade to be a 7.0 so that's what I would sell it as. I have a Creepy 9 that's in pretty amazing shape but has a chunk off the same corner, but much larger. And I consider it to be a 5.0.

It's not for me but who knows? Others might be interested. I'm more of a "complete magazine" guy and that applies to Ladies Home Journals, Life Magazines, Saturday Evening Posts, etc. But there are a lot of people that chop those up and sell advertisements and covers as single pages. So maybe, could work. I'm still grumpy with anyone who cut out an MVS when they were a kid. Little bastards!

It's shocking how much that looks like @Stevemmg..

I've never even heard of such a thing. Sounds awesome.

Wow... that's an impressive haul, SA! Nice work!!

It was fun while it lasted...

I've always been a fan of the White Mountain collection. I've probably owned 3 or 4 ECs from it along with many magazines and 30 or 40 paperback books. All of them have this nice quality of freshness that is, for me, very desirable.

I know your sense of humor but others may not pick it up.

I wanted to give credit to @The Troll King for an excellent transaction and although this isn't his kudos thread, I wanted to share what he threw in. A very cool variant that I wanted when it came out but forgot about. Really awesome.

Nice solid copy, SA!!

Covid did a number on my experience shipping in general. For me, I stopped shipping to Canada initially for 3 reasons (2 already stated before): Standing in line and waiting to have it be accepted at the post office during Covid was messed up. Especially my local P.O. which is tiny inside. The cost of shipping to Canada was crazy expensive and I honestly felt bad charging customers for all the shipping cost so I paid part of it myself on a few occasions I had one package somehow get lost for a month at the border and then bounce back to me and had to pay for postage twice. Another I had disappear completely. The USPS really got messed up (as we all know). However, I've still been happy to ship to a few Canadian board members that I've always enjoyed working with. After reading this thread, I'm willing to change that policy now as things are a little better. Not looking to alienate my Canadian friends.

I've owned a couple books where somehow, the staple is broken though the cover and has a sharp edge, basically causing it to scratch/cut the inside of mylites and make me worried it will damage other bags in front of them. Bad books!

Generally, I agree with you on this with the exception of one person that works on books and a relatively small number of non-color breaking issues that it's obvious to me that having them straightened out is preferable (i.e. the book was folded in half and has a tough bend in it). Otherwise, like The Lion said, I usually like the looks of a book that hasn't been smashed into a wafer. But there are a small few people that work on books and don't squash them into submission. Probably less than 1% of all people claiming to be good at pressing. The books they work on actually do look better afterward. In answer to the OP, as stated before, yes, a lot of people who press comics can and do damage them. As to whether or not CGC downgrades for it, that's a different issue.

Touching from a Distance. (Am I having deja vu or just getting old and we've done this before?)

I've never seen this book before. It has a very progressive color scheme for 1930. Very cool!

I've always wanted to put together a nice set of these early Frazetta Lancer Conan books. I got this from fellow board member @The Lions Den and it's a keeper!

Those guys are bastards. One of the only parts of the game that you have to watch out for at upper levels. I agree with you guys, though. There's a point in Skyrim where it's ridiculously easy at higher levels and I actually started fighting with wooden swords and a hunting bow to make it a challenge. I would end up with these absurd troves of weapons and armors by level 45 and at that point, while still enjoyable, it's really just about exploring the different story quests. My favorite thing to do was to get the Savior's Hide and then dress up Serana with it. She really knew how to wear it.

Recap on the first page.

Hey Joey! Nice grabs, they're yours!