Shadow

If picking live, you'll need to spell out what you picked. 

I'm planning on picking live though I do have my list in. May change at last moment... I'm insured either way...

On 12/25/2023 at 10:40 PM, Turtle said:

I've got to sing the praises of @Shadow, who was my Secret Santa this year.  I asked for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles anything.  He got me a best-of Splinter book along with a good mix of other 80's books right in the same vein as the TMNT from the same era, most of which I've never heard of.  I'm looking forward to reading them.    He also got me a Splinter from the 80's Playmates toyline, which is a real blast from the past.  I had one many years ago, but it was played-with so much that it didn't look nearly as good as this one.  The weapons are still on the rack...it's practically new!

To me, the best thing of all was the card.  He put what looks to be a TON of work into the artwork in the card.  It looks absolutely terrific and I'll definitely be keeping it in my art portfolios.  I'm floored by the talent (and generosity) around here. 

 

Thank you so much @Shadow !    You've made this a very Merry Christmas for me. 

I'm happy you enjoyed them! I usually try and personalize the cards, some better than others...  Merry Christmas!

On 12/24/2023 at 12:37 PM, Senormac said:

58?!!  There is still hope.  I only need 57 of you to pick something besides Greggy's mystery box.  It could happen  

The power of positive thinking!

#7 it appears!

Didn't see this until I got home. Get better soon!

On 5/5/2023 at 11:03 PM, MAR1979 said:

Self-Submitted a long time ago...

One of my early purchases at the drugstore. Loved it and brings back fond memories. (Had to buy an upgraded copy later as my 13 year old self/collector read it too many times...)

One week until Christmas Eve. 8 days until all the reveals!

Then let the Raffle Experience begin!

On 12/15/2023 at 9:48 PM, The Sledder said:

I'd say this doesn't help, but I guess I don't remember who has been first pick each year.  Maybe they did plead. 

Let's look at 1st picks:

2022 - @THE_BEYONDER

2021 - @greggy (Legend has it he was tempted to pick his own box as a prize but when everyone thought he was going to Zig, he Zagged.  @Ryan. picked up the scraps in the #2 spot)

2020 - @Barth

2019 - @WEBHEAD

2018 - @Shadow Images

2017 - @loboagain

2016 - @Turtle

Did any of you make any under-the-table deals with the elves? 

2015 - Me! And the magical, mystical Greggy Mystery Box! Step right this way...

Very sad. I won one of his Raffle prizes a few years back. We communicated a bit about that. RIP

I think I stopped buying X-Men in the 170's when I was younger. When I started collecting again in 1994, X-Men seemed to daunting to collect as they were all over the place with multiple titles, etc. I ended up buying up to the 300's for the heck of it. 

I got hooked on X-Men before the hype started. I think it was issue #107 that a friend of mine had. Followed by the Claremont/Byrne run. (I liked Wolverine before Wolverine was cool.  - sound like the old guy...) 

On 11/22/2023 at 2:00 PM, davidpg said:

With having all the books I really want, I'm toying with the idea of picking an arbitraty run or two to collect out of bins locally and cons, just for fun.  A couple of good ideas here!

 

I've done that at times with small batches. Case in point: DC Superstars, Superteam Family, Champions, etc. Just decided to get the rest. Usually it's Bronze Age for me. 

On 11/22/2023 at 10:31 AM, Readcomix said:

Absolutely; I’d count 94-143 as a complete set!

I should clarify: I think you can make a legit argument that it’s a “complete” vol. 1 in the sense of it’s the complete first iteration of the new X-Men; the Claremont/Cockrum kickoff and the complete Claremont/Byrne effort.  It’s the foundation (including GSX1 too, of course).

I was fortunate to get a GS X-Men #1 from October before the COVID lift off in prices. Funny I used to think the reprints before #94 wouldn't be worth anything... Haven't put them on my list because they don't really register with me. I have about 15 of the Silver Age (prior to #65) still on my list. Grade is what holds me back.  I remember Bob Storms telling me to only get the ones from the 20's on up in at least 9.2. 

I'm in. I'll have to see what I have. 

On 11/21/2023 at 10:03 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

I will say as nearing completion comes, it would seem easy (for me) to chicken out and waste away that I was determined to begin with. Almost morbidly I know. Not for lack of passion, but finally doing the tally of cost, and or cost of the last bit needed to complete. Kind of a chickens before they hatch but Lord! So many chickens! 

Glad you kept the passion!

Are they cgc or in the registry at all?

Only a handful are graded. Vast majority are just bagged and boarded. Most are 9.2 or better in my estimation. I culled any less than 9.0 on the journey. (I learned how to grade better in my 19 years here... ) The journey is the best part. May seem frustrating at times but once it's done, you're kind of like "what next?"

Maybe when I get old and it will be time to sell someone may value having the complete sets?

It’s funny how the time goes by. I never thought it was 25 years. As a kid, I loved the Spider-Man treasury that reprinted some of those MTU issues. Loved the Band on the Run homage cover and X-Men in it. And that started the inspiration roots I guess.

Where's that Time Machine when you need it...

I'm in! A great tradition here where we can share our enjoyment of the hobby!

On 9/12/2023 at 9:43 AM, AJD said:

CGC should do away with 9.2, 9.4, 9.6 and 9.8 grades. Anything currently 9.2 becomes 9.0, while 9.4 and 9.6 become 9.5. All 9.8 and higher are 10.0

(I know that's really not in their interest, so it will never happen.)

I think this is pretty interesting. There are no 8.2's etc. Some of the differences between the .2's is very hard to find IMO. But what do I know...

Life well lived. I always found his art work solid, reliable, good with drawing people. I can’t think of any of his work that was less than very good to great, no “mail in’s” I can recall. His character designs quietly set the future table at Marvel.