Mad Cop

Ok it's not that bad. I will never forget the reaction my local comic shop owner gave me when I first asked to see his collection of golden age Batman and Detective Comics he had for sale. He looked at me as if I had just landed a UFO on his front yard. He proceeded to explain that he had not a one and hadn't had any for quite some time. I asked if he could take my phone number down and call me if he came across any. This was 8 years ago. I have not received a call. Over the years, the internet has made it easier to find these elusive comics, but the fact remains, there are just not that many out there. The set I spend the most time searching for is my Detective Comics 27 - 200. Currently I have 67 issues. A good start, but it is becoming increasingly harder and harder to fill holes from missing comics. Obviously some of the issues carry a heavy price tag, but others just are never for sale. According to the census, some issues have only single digit numbers certified. As rewarding as collecting is, it is also equally frustrating when I am able and willing to spend money but can't find anyone who will part with a piece of their collection. Oh well. The hunt is still the most exciting part. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Only my humble opinion of course. At a recent holiday gathering, I was asked why I chose to collect the comics I do. I have never been asked that question. Sure people have asked me general questions about collecting but nothing so specific. I did not give a very good answer at that moment but after having time to think I felt it was a good journal topic. The comics he was referring to is my early Detective Comics, part of the set of numbers 27-200 of that title, or "the greatest set". My reasons for this distinction are somewhat obvious for anyone who participates in this hobby. First off it has a major character first appearance; Batman. It has a major sidekick first appearance; Robin. It has major villains first appearances; Penguin, Two Face, Riddler. It has major characters first cover appearances; Joker, Scarecrow, Catwoman. It has many classic/iconic covers; numbers 31, 35, and 69. The set also has rarity on its side. Some issues have less than 10 certified universal copies on the CGC census. It is almost like trying to acquire the impossible sometimes. The registry point per dollar ratio on this site for this set is horrible. Some comics ,like X-Men, you can get 4 to 1 on a 9.6 that there are 40 of on the census. Yet in this set, you get 1 to 3 on a 6.0 that there are only 4 comics graded higher. The ratio is even worse on keys in mid grades where you have to spend a fortune and see your point total raise slightly. All of these factors make me love Detective Comics 27 thru 200. Eventually I will show that relative this article to better explain the answer I gave on such short notice, "ahhh, I like Batman?". Oh well. An honorable mention would be Amazing Spiderman 1 to 100 but I'm sure others would be stated if we took a poll of the registry members. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Trying to make your collection stand out. With the deadline fast approaching for the submission of sets for the Registry Awards, I've been thinking of ways a member may help his/her set stand out in the crowd. Of course, registry points are a major factor and the more you have the better your set looks in the eyes of the judges. We all know these values are very arbitrary and do not completely reflect on the quality of a collection. However, registry points take the hobby of collecting comics and turn it into a competitive sport, which I find very addictive. What it my current ranking? How many views do I have on my favorite set? How many more points until I move up on the set rankings? are all questions members are asking. That's what makes it fun. That being said, the Signature Series is a great way to increase the "value" of your set, with the 10% increase in points. But if your focus is on the Golden Age, this is usually not an option. Last I checked, Bob Kane and Craig Flessel were not making any appearances at the upcoming comic cons. This is were pedigrees come into play. Why not award the 10% increase in registry points to comics from a famous collection? If there are 2 9.4 NM comics that tie for top spot on a GA issue, shouldn't the copy with provenance be given a higher score? I think this would be simple to do, pedigrees are already marked when registered, and would like to see this happen. Thanks for reading. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Am I in this transition? I recently sold something very near and dear to my heart; my 1998 Corvette coupe. It was a college graduation gift I bought myself back in 2000. I had many good times with it, but I'm at a point where it doesn't make sense to have it. My wife hates it and my son is 3 and can't ride in it for another 10 years. So I sold it to someone who is in a point in his life that he can get maximum value out of a cool car, ie no family. Which gets me back to my original question, where do you go from veteran young guy to rookie old guy? Is it a certain age? Is it how you feel or decisions you make? I'm not yet 40 and don't feel old but does young guy sell the car when he doesn't need the money? I don't know. Now how does all this relate to the society? Well I've spent some of the proceeds on upgrading my sets, most notably my Detective 27-200 set, which has helped me reach and surpass the 50,000 total points mark. So I guess at this moment, comics are cooler than Corvettes and that makes me feel older. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.