World Devourer

Did I say I hated Jim Lee's art?

I'll never understand why people don't do their homework first. That issue in 9.8 is very common (fact). Jim Lee art is also very dated. Lee was always good at pin-up shots, but a whole story was another matter (if you are confused, muster the energy to ask an intelligent question and perhaps we can discuss...)

I always stayed clear as the demand was never there for PGX, and it never felt right. I'm glad I did.

I wonder if Roy Thomas, Len Wein and John Romita Snr thought the same?

Agreed. Things will improve eventually, but it can't be forced. For all the hype about the Modern Age, I still believe the Silver Age is where it's at - Marvel keys from this period have the aura of royalty. There is just no arguing with any of the issues that feature the debut of a future icon and mainstay in popular culture.

All good. I was just being facetious.

Long wait ahead!

If you can manage to hold on to the classic gems you will still win out eventually. It will just be a case of healthy profits as opposed to ridiculous COVID-time profits. I know I'd prefer my SA and BA assets to go to a good home as opposed to a disinterested profiteer.

Until the next cycle, and so it goes.

This is the best site for all things variant-related: https://recalledcomics.com/

Marvel tried to introduce the character into the broader universe, but it was just another case of one of those characters who didn't work.

I'd give an honourable mention to the creators from the 70s, who gave us the likes of Doctor Strange, Howard the Duck, the reimagined Captain Marvel and Warlock.

Kudos to Prince Namor for the information. I read early Marvel much, much later but always wondered why some issues were so much better than others (eg. the difference between the debut of the "Carbon Copy Man" and the Absorbing Man in JIM is considerable). While a shame to learn as an adult that Marvel was not the magical Camelot you believed it was when first reading as a child, this fact does not undo the happy memories.

I realize in terms of specifics it is apples and oranges, but both have the same dubious feel (at least to myself).

I view all of this as a repeat of the Chromium Age - a time in the 90s when companies were producing pseudo-flashy efforts in an attempt to cash in on what was manufactured rarity. Oversaturation and consumer exhaustion finally brought things to a halt. The current fascination with variants reminds of this era - both reek of the same tackiness.

Very true. I wouldn't mind so much if the variant cover was truly outstanding, but that is rarely the case (eg. the Thanos #13 Albuquerque cover with the black background is impressive, but to this day I cannot see the fascination with ASM#667 and many others).

I recently saw the cover of Avengers Annual #15, and remembered it featured a story by Danny Fingeroth that made no sense whatsoever. I'm surprised someone as savvy as Editor Mark Gruenwald didn't have an issue with it. Freedom Force - consisting of Mystique, Destiny, Spiral, Blob, Pyro, Avalanche and Spider-Woman - are somehow able to overcome the combined West/East Coast Avengers. The latter consists of: Captain America, Wasp, Captain Marvel, Hercules, Black Knight, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Tigra, Wonder Man, Iron Man and Henry Pym. It was a total nonsense - half the Annual is an irrelevant baseball game, then the Assemblers argue in comical fashion about the merits of going with Freedom Force and then just stand around do nothing when attacked. The latter also made no sense (eg. Spider-Woman could NOT knock Wonder Man out with a wooden pole! He has super-reflexes and could easily dodge, OR just stand there and let it break against his invulnerable skin. Not to mention the fact that Wonder Man wouldn't even feel Spider-Woman's blows, no matter how many she landed...) So, in addition to highlighting a weak story, here's a solution: The battle starts. Captain America, having trained both teams for group combat, just says "Plan S (Surprise!) Captain Marvel flares with a brilliant light and blinds their opponents, while Iron Man emits hypersonic frequencies to deafen them. Simultaneously, Hawkeye fires gas arrows as Hercules pounds the ground Hulk-style and knocks FF off their feet. Wasp ploughs through with bio-blasts, followed by Wonder Man, who can knock out most of the team with light taps. Henry Pym produces and expands steel nets, which Mockingbird, Tigra and Captain America throw over their foes with efficiency. Black Knight is on standby with his enchanted sword to deflect any attacks directed at the team, and waves it with intent at the Blob, stating if he attempts to rise the blade will cut him. All over in about 30 seconds flat. Anyone else care to highlight another story that was mishandled?

Read up about the Micronauts. The toy line - Micronauts - Wikipedia * Note that the first version of Baron Karza was released in Japan in 1975, 2 years BEFORE Star Wars. The comic - Micronauts (comics) - Wikipedia The series was essentially one saga, detailing the war between the Micronauts and adversary Karza. There was character development, Marvel guest stars, several deaths, new team-mates and a final victory that cost everything. The art, inking and colouring were often exceptional. I recommend it to anyone.

There was a set released in Australia in the 70's, and this was in fact the best sticker set I've ever seen. It featured all the heroes and villains in classic poses against a white background, with only the character's name in black text. What made the set a standout was the beautiful printing and colour - I remember Iron Man and Hawkeye looked amazing.

How about neither? The market is depressed at present, and you may be better served by saving your pennies and buying a lower-graded copy of a Silver classic.

We were talking about collecting vs. investing in CGC'ed issues, hence the examples.

Unfortunately, due to the CGC phenomenon, ours is a cover sport. The highest graded copies of first appearances and key events are the items that command the largest prices. Collecting favourite issues or runs is no problem - they just won't appreciate (ever) in the way those issues that are regarded as true assets do. For example, I have always liked the original Captain Marvel and have an interest in gems. Hence a fondness for Marvel Team-Up #16. Then there's my favourite super-hero team (the Avengers) and of course gems (Martinex), which made Avengers #167 a favourite as a child (the George Perez art helped!). Neither comic will ever set the world on fire, but they mean something special to me. And so it goes.

Amen Corona!

That's the reason I asked. For "garbage" they certainly seem to be selling well, especially the 1,000 copy run of the blue variety.

Now that a certain very circular argument has been capped, I'll try again. Any thoughts on this matter?