Shadow

I missed last year as I got busy with work and life... didn't check out the Boards for a few months.

To keep the topic "riled up"!

Show is a shadow of it's past self in regards to comic dealers. And having two shows this year depleted it even more. I'm going to go still... but I'm questioning how much longer. Used to be a 2nd tier show with some great dealers like Bob Storms, Dale Roberts...

Congratulations. I'm sure it took time to come to this decision. I'm not there yet in my journey. When/if that day arrives it will be a ton of anxiety... I'm too nostalgic.

Well, here's a drawing I did a few years back. Fits the theme and just watched Werewolf by Night last night...

I'm in! Got busy last year and missed it... not this year!

I bought a few books online about 15 years ago and learned my lesson. Not grades advertised (cover rip should be pretty easy to spot...) Live and learn.

Congratulations! I'm guessing it was a tough decision. I know it will be for me when that day comes. I need to get rid of more of my books from the mid-90's to when I stopped buying new in 2014. Then I second guess myself that they might be worth something someday.... Maybe when Charlton Heston finds them in a cave with Dr. Zaius...

I miss going to used book stores in the late 70's and discovering old comics... Most of the store owners were all about the hardcover and paperback books. Didn't know the value of the comics. My vivid memory is downtown Chicago circa 1980. For a whopping $1.75 I bought JLA #15 (still have it, probably a 7.0) and Captain America #101 (Where wakes the Sleeper? Got rid of it in 1986 during college) My 14 year old self wished he had more money and time to keep digging through the boxes. But mom and dad were not inclined to stay there that long...

So, this weekend I subscribed to GPA Analysis to get a better idea on some of my collection. I still love getting the OSPG and will continue. I started back in 1978 at the age of 12, took a break from 1984 - 1994 for college, marriage, starting a family. 1994 pulled me back in like Al Pacino. Started documenting my collection with Excel in 1994. JLA, X-Men, Conan, Avengers and team ups have always been core. Probably heavier DC than Marvel overall but not heavily skewed. Based on OSPG, DC is 57% vs 43% of overall value. Not the case for the top 76 books (out of 5395) which make up 51% of the overall value using GPA. 59% Marvel and 41% DC of those. OSPG says these books make up 27.6%. So I looked back in my Excel at 1993, 2000 and 2010 for my reference on how many of those 76 books I owned and what they represented as my collection (per OSPG). 1993: 12 books equaled 4.8% of my collection 2000: 34 books equaled 5.7% of my collection 2010: 55 books equaled 10.2% of my collection My wife always wonders why I bother because I won't sell them any time soon. But it's fun for me to look back. Here are some that I bought as a young man prior to college that made the list of 76: X-Men #4 at a 1982 comic show in Toledo for $5. Probably a 3.5. Boy it was a lot of money for this 16 year old to pay for one comic at the time. Captain America #100 (probably a 6.0) for $2 at the Comic Shop in Toledo. Owner had a sale so I bought it off the wall on impulse. Batman #234 and #251 both around VG. Bought at a small booth set up at Franklin Park Mall circa 1979. Maybe spent $3 total. Newstand: New Teen Titans #2, DC Comics Presents #26 and #47... (I don't count X-Men #129 as I didn't officially start collecting X-Men until #138 but my mom bought this one at the Comic Shop for me for Christmas that year. It's only a 9.0 now but she paid the princely sum of $1 for it. lol) Overall, there are 23 X-Men in the 76, followed by 10 JLA and 6 Brave and the Bold Thanks for letting me share. I think this is 18 years being a member here and I've learned so much about the hobby in that time. I've learned how to grade better, what to look for (I've been burned on a couple of touched up books in the past) and who are some rock solid dealers. It was fun to dig into GPA this weekend and work with it. (Wish I could figure how to log some of my books not graded but that would impact the algorithm) Reminded me I have a ton of filler... Now to kick the sentimental collector in me.

It was due to getting convinced to go to this show in 1994 that I got back into collecting comics after a 10 year hiatus. I thought I also remembered this being a big show back in the day. Maybe a 2nd tier? Used to be much larger relating to comics. But it also used to be much smaller for guests and other products. So maybe a sign of the changing times? For me there's still a thrill of the hunt and perusing through long boxes for the deal or the small book that completes a run. Add in immediate gratification. Don't get that from online as easy. That said, if I know people like Bob Storms or Dale Roberts are coming, I check out their websites and ask if they can bring some books. Combo meal I guess. I'm sure I'll go again in October...

6.0 on high end. I'm thinking more like a 5.0 with the issues on bottom spine

I went on Saturday. It's a shadow of it's past at least regarding comic books. I still bought and was thankful that Harley Yee, Lange and Reece were there. My collection tastes are S/A and B/A so hunt might get harder in the coming years. Not the same show without Bob Storms or Dale Roberts to name a few. That said, I got some books to fill holes in the collection.

For me, he’s in the Top 3 artists easy. While I started collecting in 1978, I could see how different his style was to others of his era. RIP

I started in 1978 also and your list is just like mine!

Amen

Lange Sports & Comics were there with a small booth. (If that's who you were referring to. ) They have a store in Muskegon. Usually find some good deals there.

Guess I was wrong. Won't upgrade for that.

Yes. Example of a non-major key: I’ve been looking to upgrade my X-Men 102. It’s $135 as a 9.2 in OSPG. I know that’s not always reliable. Saw a CGC 9.4. Thought maybe $200? Guy had it for $450. I politely handed it back and kept moving.

Drove an hour up to Macomb County for the Great Lakes Comic Con today. I have to say it's a very good smaller show. I go in with lower expectations than a C2E2 or Motor City and was pleasantly surprised. Naturally, there's a mix there. Some dealers charging crazy prices and some who couldn't grade if their life depended on it. But I found plenty of nice books and deals. Well represented with a small Artist Alley as well. (I have zero interest in most guests so hard for me to judge). Only one thing a "dealer" had bothered me. He had a $75 Avengers #103 book. Black picture frame cover. At first glance it looked pretty nice but I noticed there were spine creases that gave off a purplish-black coloration and different sheen. Warning flags told me it was touched up with a Sharpie. I asked if I could see the book in hand and if he wanted to take it out. His response was no, if I bought it, I could examine it. I politely told him it appeared someone had touched up the cover and he muttered that he uses a UV scanner to examine his books. Immediately walked away and made the mental note to avoid his booth if I were to ever see him in the future. I got burned by that when I was younger and this site has educated me! But someone is going to fall for that... All in all, well run Show and got some books I needed as well as just "buying" some in $5 bins.

I usually skip the $1 boxes. I do check the $5 boxes but if they look beat up and unorganized, I move on. Sometimes you just pick up a vibe...

I always liked his art and he was in his prime in my youth with NTT. As an artist, I found him consistent like Swan but could do dynamic art better. He could do the big battle scenes with multiple characters. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice. First time was before huge artists lines at the Cons. Walked right up at a Motor City show with no line. Told him how appreciative I was of his work and he signed my Crisis TPB. Last time was in Chicago a few years ago and so grateful that he signed a NTT #1 poster and a Crisis cover print on a wood placard (I think from Hobby Lobby years before). Always pleasant and friendly when I saw him.

I'm in the "upgrade" camp and don't really have any big dollar books as duplicates. (over $100) Mostly upgrading stuff I bought as a kid or when my grading experience wasn't as good as it is now since I joined the Boards 18 years ago. I've learned a lot being a member here. I have bought books I forgot to check off my Want List over again.

Huge shout out to Shadroch! The Omnibus alone was extremely generous. But to get a Steranko Cap, 1st Prowler in Spidey, some signed books, etc. Wow!

Thank you for another well done Holiday Raffle and all the hard work you put in!