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Lookin4Newsstands

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Journal Entries posted by Lookin4Newsstands

  1. Lookin4Newsstands
    To pay off some bills, I decided to part with a chunk of my collection. After an expedition to the storage facility, I gathered a bunch of high grade books, filled up many CGC boxes, and consigned for ComicLink’s April, May, and June auctions. Here are some of the highlights - many are either Single highest graded or one of the few highest graded on the CGC census:
    New Gods (1970) 2 CGC 9.8 (CVA Exceptional Sticker, John G. Fantucchio Pedigree) 1ST DARKSEID COVER. Jack Kirby story, cover, and art. 1 OF 9 HIGHEST GRADED!
    Marvel 1980’s Canadian Edition Price Variants - all CGC 9.8 WP (unless otherwise noted):
    Alpha Flight 1 (1st Puck and Marrina) Amazing Spider-Man 274 (Lieber and Romita cover) Daredevil 196 (Wolverine cover), 217 (Barry Windsor-Smith cover), 227 (1st 'Born Again') Marvel Super Hero Secret Wars 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12 (CGC 9.4-9.6) Secret Wars II COMPLETE SET 1-9 (CGC 9.4-9.8) Thor 338 (2nd Beta Ray Bill), 339 (1st Stormbreaker), 351, 363 (Algrim becomes Kurse)  Marvel Newsstand Editions - all CGC 9.8 WP:
    Guardians of the Galaxy (1990- 1st Taserface) Infinity Gauntlet 2 (Signature Series signed by George Perez) DC Newsstand Editions - all CGC 9.8 WP:
    DC Comics Presents 26 (1st New Teen Titans, Cyborg, Raven, Starfire) Detective Comics 535 (1st Jason Todd as new Robin in title) Batman Adventures 8 (From the Alfred Pennyworth Collection) CGC 10 Gem Mint:
    Red Sonja 0  (2005- Greg Land cover - 1 OF 2 HIGHEST GRADED) Superman 203 (2004- Michael Turner cover - 6-page Jim Lee sketchbook - 1 OF 6 HIGHEST GRADED) CGC 9.9 MINT:
    BATMAN: THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (2005 - Classic Joker cover - 1 OF 4 HIGHEST GRADED) Batman (2011) 21, 23.1, 23,2, 25, 30 Batman: The Dark Knight (2011) 23.2, 23.4 Batman and Robin (2011) 23.4 Dark Knight Strikes Again 1 (Frank Miller) Detective Comics (2011) 27 (75th Anniversary issue) JLA/Avengers 3  Justice League (2011) 15 (Jim Lee cover) Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do 4   Complete sets:   Dark Knight Strikes Again 1-3 (#2 Ranked CGC Registry Set) Dark Knight III: The Master Race (Complete Set of JIM LEE 1:500 Variant Covers for 1-9) Secret Wars II 1-9 Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do 1-6 (#1 Ranked CGC Registry Set), plus Marvel Comics 2002 #1 - Official Convention Preview Book to the series - Signature Series signed by Terry and Rachel Dodson   Other notable issues- all CGC 9.8 WP:   Amazing Spider-Man 317 (early Venom cover and appearance) Annihilation Conquest 6 (1st new Guardians of the Galaxy lineup as in MCU) Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) 1 Sketch Edition (Signature Series - Emma Frost sketch and signed by series artist Jim Cheung) Batman 612 Second Printing (Signature Series - signed by Jim Lee in black ink) Batman 641 (Red Hood reveals to Batman that he is Jason Todd) Batman (2011) 0, 1 (all 5 Printings), 2-13, and many later issues including Variants, rare later printings, 1:100 Sketch Covers, Combo-Packs, Convention Editions, and The Batman Exhibit #nn Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour promo) Batman '66 1, 2, 26 (some from The Alfred Pennyworth Collection) Batman Adventures (1992) 6, 7, 8, 9 (some from The Alfred Pennyworth Collection), also Batman & Superman Adventures: World's Finest #nn Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #nn (JIM LEE 1:500 Variant cover) Dark Knight III: The Master Race (Variant covers by Neal Adams, Bruce Timm, Adam Hughes, Howard Chaykin, and Jae Lee) Deadpool -1 (1997 Origin of Deadpool) Deadpool/Death '98 #nn (Origin of Deadpool) Detective Comics 1000 (Bedrock City Comics Edition- Jim Lee cover featuring Golden Age Batman and Catwoman) Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) 1 (1st new MCU team in title), 2, 5, 7, 24 (Return of Thanos), 25 (last issue) Justice League (2011) JIM LEE Signature Series for 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 including rare Sketch Covers and Variants, also 10 Combo-Pack (single highest graded) Jim Lee covers for 2016 Convention Editions including All Star Batman 8; Batman 1, 19; Superman 1; Wonder Woman 1 Marvels (1994) 1, 2, 3 (Alex Ross) Rise of Apocalypse 1 (Origin of Apocalypse) Star Wars (2013) 1 Second Printing (Alex Ross 'virgin' cover) Superior Spider-Man 1 J. Scott Campbell Variant cover Superman 204 (2004 Jim Lee Signature Series, first issue in his run) Superman: The Man of Steel 18 (Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth Printings - 1st appearance of Doomsday) Wonder Woman (1987) 7 (1st new Cheetah/ Dr. Barbara Ann Mierva, featured in WW '84 movie) Good luck if anyone decides to bid on any!
  2. Lookin4Newsstands
    I decided to part with 15 books in my Justice League (2011) set which has held the #1 spot on the Registry for many years.
    2 sold, the 13 currently available are all CGC 9.8; all but 1 contain Jim Lee art. Many are of the few highest graded Signature Series- those are signed by the respective cover artists which include David Finch, Greg Capullo, Ivan Reis, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and an ultra-cool colored cover by Alex Sinclair.
    The first 2 issues listed below sold in ComicLink’s March auction, the rest of the 13 issues are still available and listed in ComicLink’s April auction, ENDING TONIGHT - Tuesday, April 28:
    1. Justice League (2011) #1 Fifth Printing CGC 9.4 White Pages HAND-COLORED & SIGNED BY ALEX SINCLAIR, SIGNED BY JIM LEE & SCOTT WILLIAMS. This is amazing - all 7 characters (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Cyborg are all Hand-Colored by the original colorist of the issue, the one-and-only Alex Sinclair, on issue which was printed as the inked black and white version of the classic cover (penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams). Actual cover is shown in cover pic of this Journal entry.
    2. Justice League (2011) #15 Jim Lee Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages.
    3. Justice League (2011) #1 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages SIGNATURE SERIES (Signed by David Finch. HIGHEST GRADED).
    4. Justice League (2011) #1 Sketch Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages SIGNATURE SERIES (Signed by David Finch. HIGHEST GRADED).
    5. Justice League (2011) #1 Fourth Printing CGC 9.8 White Pages SIGNATURE SERIES (Signed by Ivan Reis. 1 of 9 HIGHEST GRADED).
    6. Justice League (2011) #1 Seventh Printing CGC 9.8 White Pages SIGNATURE SERIES (Signed by Ivan Reis. 1 of 6 HIGHEST GRADED).
    7. Justice League (2011) #2 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages SIGNATURE SERIES (Signed by Ivan Reis. HIGHEST GRADED). 
    8. Justice League (2011) #3 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages SIGNATURE SERIES (Signed by Greg Capullo. HIGHEST GRADED).
    9. Justice League (2011) #4 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages (Andy Kubert Cover. HIGHEST GRADED).
    10. Justice League (2011) #7 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages (1 of 13 HIGHEST GRADED).
    11. Justice League (2011) #8 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages (1 of 10 HIGHEST GRADED).
    12. Justice League (2011) #9 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages (1 of 5 HIGHEST GRADED).
    13. Justice League (2011) #10 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages (1 of 8 HIGHEST GRADED).
    14. Justice League (2011) #11 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages (1 of 7 HIGHEST GRADED).
    15. Justice League (2011) #18 Sketch Cover CGC 9.8 White Pages.
     
    Good luck if you decide to bid!
  3. Lookin4Newsstands
    The most iconic cover from each decade
    Being that its Batman's 75th anniversary, I'm going to post what I think are the most iconic Batman related comic covers, one from each decade.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    To start with, the best of the 1930's (a no-brainer), Detective Comics #27, the first appearance (and cover appearance) of Batman, by Bob Kane:

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  4. Lookin4Newsstands
    (Another no-brainier)
    Continuing my mini-series of most iconic Batman related comic covers from each decade, here's what I think is the most iconic cover from the 40's (another no-brainer). Batman #1 features Batman in his own title for the first time, as well as the 1st appearance of The Joker and Catwoman. Classic Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson!

  5. Lookin4Newsstands
    'Can You Outguess Batman and Robin and Name...
     
     
     
    The Man Behind The Red Hood?'Continuing my mini-series of the most iconic Batman covers from each decade, the 50's showed a bit of a slump for our hero. However, in this 1951 issue written by Bill Finger, with an iconic cover by Lew Sayre Schwartz, there is a bit of a surprise: The Origin of Batman's #1 nemesis: The Joker!Detective Comics # 168:To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  6. Lookin4Newsstands
    'Is She Heroine or Villainess?'
    'What Is Her Startling Secret Identity?'Thanks to master journalist Tnerb on input!In previous and future entries, I'm posting the most iconic Batman related cover from each decade (in my opinion).Note: Runners up for the 40's would have to be:Detective Comics #38 (1st appearance of Robin, cover by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson) and:Detective Comics #140 (1st appearance of the Riddler, cover by Win Mortimer).For the 60's, my choice for runner up would have to be:Batman #181 (1st appearance of Poison Ivy), but the top spot for this groovy decade goes to one of my favorite comic covers of all-time, also by the team of Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson: The 1st appearance of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl.Featuring all 3 heroes (Batman, Robin, and Batgirl), this comic was the inspiration for Yvonne Craig's Batgirl for the 3rd season of the Batman '66 TV show, soon after. Here's the colorful 'Million Dollar Debut of a Batgirl!':To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  7. Lookin4Newsstands
    Dig that Joker.
    The writer/artist team of Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams revamped Green Lantern/ Green Arrow, but also returned Batman to his darker roots from the Golden Age. There are a number of Neal Adams' classics from this decade, such as the 1st appearance of Man-Bat in Detective #400, 1st appearance of Ra's Al Ghul in Batman #232, 1st Silver Age Two Face in Batman # 234. However, this one sticks out to me as being the most iconic (I vaguely remember having a school folder with this cover). Here's Neal Adams' Batman #251 (classic Joker cover from 1973):

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  8. Lookin4Newsstands
    'Im the @&$*#£:;- Batman'
    Shortly before Alan Moore and Brian Bolland elaborated on The Joker's origin story in the graphic novel 'Batman: The Killing Joke', before Mike Mignola drew the covers for 'A Death in The Family' by Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo, and before his own 'Batman: Year One' storyline with art by David Mazzucchelli, Frank Miller did his most groundbreaking work on The Dark Knight. Miler gained popularity in the early part of the decade with his work on Marvel's Daredevil and Wolverine, later created 'Sin City' and '300'. But what he is perhaps most well known for is his story/art on 1986's mini-series 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns', a politically oriented alternate future story about an older, grittier Dark Knight, who faces off against The Man of Steel. Miller's tone inspired 1989's Batman film (starring Michael Keaton) and Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.
     
     
     
    In 2011, I met Michael Uslan (enthusiastic Batman fan, author of 'The Boy Who Loved 'Batman' and producer of Batman flick since 1989) at a book signing. He had originally pitched the idea for a movie to WB in the early 80's, but with the release and critical acclaim of 'The Dark Knight Returns', Tim Burton's movie became a reality. He got the idea of Jack Nicholson to play The Joker from seeing a newspaper photo of him in 'The Shining', and colored it with white chalk. Shortly after 'The Dark Knight Rises' was released in 2012, I randomly bumped into him again in a Starbucks, and asked him what's next for Batman. He said 'mums the word', but he had recently had a meeting with DC and Frank Miller on Batman's next film. At SDCC 2013, it was revealed to be 2016's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, to be partly based on Miller's book, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Here's the iconic cover of the first issue:

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  9. Lookin4Newsstands
    'I am Gotham's reckoning'
    In the early 90's, fangirl favorite Harley Quinn was introduced (with a strong Brooklyn accent) in animator Bruce Timm's 'Batman the Animated Series' (Mark Hamill voiced The Joker, Melissa Gilbert voiced Batgirl). A year later she appeared in the comics based on the TV series, and later in the regular DC continuity.
     
     
     
    'The Death of Superman' was a newsworthy event, and there was also some major news for Batman. The 19-part 'Knightfall' storyline led up to the 500th issue of the Batman title. In a Doug Moench story, with art by Jim Aparo and Giordano art, the menace Bane breaks The Bat. This storyline was the basis for the film 'The Dark Knight Rises'. Here's the full cover for 1993's Batman #497, by Kelley Jones:

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  10. Lookin4Newsstands
    Identity revealed to the Feline fatale.
    Jim Lee had been a superstar at Marvel, with his success of his rendition of the already popular X-Men. #1 of the Volume 2 spinoff in 1991 was supposedly the biggest selling comic book of all-time, up to that point. He later moved to DC, and is now the co-publisher. In 2002, he drew the covers and art for the year-long 'Hush' storyline by Jeph Loeb. Hush was a detective story involving most of his Rogue's gallery of villains, and Batman revealed his identity to Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman. Lee is considered by many (including myself) to be the definitive Batman artist of the 00's. His version of the Batsuit is said to be used in the upcoming 'Batman V Superman' film. There were multiple covers of the first issue of his first issue #608, but I think the 2nd printing is the most iconic cover of the decade, featuring the hero overlooking Gotham City:

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  11. Lookin4Newsstands
    Reboot in The New 52
    In 2011, DC rebooted their franchise with the New 52 (lot of titles). Co-publisher Jim Lee started off the new Justice League series, which included Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The most enduring creative team of DC's reboot so far has been writer Scott Snyder Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, who have been working on Batman since the reboot began, with their contemporary portrayal of the character. Here's Capullo's cover to first issue:

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  12. Lookin4Newsstands
    Holy revival, Batman!
    The Classic Batman '66 TV series brought back popularity to the character after the slump of the previous decade. With its campiness, it spawned many types of memorabilia, a movie, one of the coolest TV theme songs of all-time, and syndicated reruns which still air to this day!
    Starring Adam West as The Caped Crusader, Burt Ward as Robin The Boy Wonder, Yvonne Craig as Batgirl, and many stars for the 2-part episodes (which had a cliff-hanger at the end of the first, and advised you to tune in to 'Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel' for the second). Guests included Caesar Romero as The Joker, Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Burgess Meredith as The Penguin, Frank Gorshin as The Riddler, and many more.
    Due to issues with rights involving creators of the show, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, etc, the show never officially got released on VHS, DVD or any other format! Until...this past week! Conan O'Brian had let the news slip earlier this year. It may be the most anticipated video release ever, partly because of it's many fans, but also because practically everything else has already been released
    Last year the rights issue got resolved, and this led to some products inspired by the series, including the monthly publication Batman '66. This year, I met the husband-wife artist team of Mike and Laura Allred, who worked on perhaps the most colorful cover of the series so far, depicting the show's characters:

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  13. Lookin4Newsstands
    Sorry I deleted Journal by mistake- just reposted-
    Thanks to the CGC staff for all of their help at NYCC Special Edition!
    Had a really cool sketch done on a comic, which was submitted for Signature Series (will be posting more about that in my next journal), but also got a chance to meet Klaus Janson, inker for Frank Miller's run on DD and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. I've been a fan since the DD run, so I choose to get an Elektra head sketch in my Artist Edition book. Here it is:

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  14. Lookin4Newsstands
    Batgirl!
    In Batman Confidential issues #17-21, Batgirl is the main character in 'The Bat and The Cat' storyline, one of my modern favorites. Before teaming up with Catwoman, the two clash, winding up with a semi-'revealing' costume for Barbara Gordon.
    I met the artist Kevin Maguire a year ago, and mentioned how I loved his art from those books (he also did an ASM #1 variant cover last year, which I thought was the best of the bunch that came out). Was thinking at that time a Batgirl art piece would be really cool. Finally met him again at NYCC Special Edition last weekend, and asked him to do a recreation of Batgirl on a comic!
    Being an artist myself, I had a couple minor requests regarding color highlights, and Kevin was kind enough to do it. What great art! Looks a little more 3-D than the printed comic version .
    Here's a pic before he signed it, and before it went off for grading-
    My 1st colored sketch cover.
    Enjoy!

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  15. Lookin4Newsstands
    And it's the single highest graded!
    A few years ago I went to one of my storage facilities out of state, to try and locate my comics which sat there for over 20 yrs. I finally found them, one of the top 2 was Incredible Hulk 181. After submitting for grading, it came back a 9.2.
    Since I needed the cash, had to sell it.
    Nonetheless, I did pick up a reprint of Hulk 181 around that time, submitted it for grading, and just got it back. Although it's about a quarter of the size of the original (and about a zillion times less valuable than the original, ), this one came back a 9.8, and it's the single highest graded!
    Cover is an early version of Hulk 181.
    And Now...The Wolverine!

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  16. Lookin4Newsstands
    Should these be technically considered 'International Comics'?
    Question for collectors:
    Should 'Fan Expo Canada Variant Editions' (variant covers exclusive to the Fan Expo Canada Convention) technically be considered 'International Comics', which are typically comic books published outside the U.S?
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