Randall Ries

I wonder if that book was resubbed if it would get a 9.9. There are visible flaws that can be seen in the scan. 9.6 would be my guess or maybe 9.8. What sayeth you all's?

I am currently selling a Supes #16 8.5 CGC OWP so I can get a decent copyof IH #181.

Here is an interesting caveat from a seller on ebay. Take it with a grain of salt. Makes some sense to me: HULK 181 IS ONE OF THE MOST RE SUBMITTED BOOKS FOR THIRD PARTY ENCAPSULATION ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. Submitter's attempt to turn their 9.2 books into 9.4's, 9.4's into 9.6's, etc. This has been occurring in greater and greater numbers. For Hulk 181, re-submissions have outnumbered actual new book submissions for some time now. The drive behind this is clear since the higher the grade, the more valuable the book. But its not just that...... There have been well documented grading standard disagreements across the genre' dating all the way back to the first third party grading services opening their doors. Some of these disagreements have led to the creation of competing third party grading companies, as well as top graders jumping ship to move to other grading houses. Another caveat and reminder is that third party grading service's (CCBS, CGC, PGX, ETC) census numbers reflect only gross submission numbers. It does not reflect the actual net existing population of the books at grade since re submitter's rarely self identify the prior registration and grade of the book. You can see this very disclaimer posted on the CGC website as a warning not to rely on census numbers for assumptions of rarity, Therefore, and possibly in even greater numbers, the re-submission process is also occurring across the different third party grading houses due to the very same reasons stated above. So how many Hulk 181 books 9.4 and above are there actually in existence? While Hulk 181 in 9.2 to 9.8 grade may not be a scarce book, the actual numbers of existing books in those grades may be fractional to the totals the census' depict. Do you really think there are hundreds and hundreds of 9.2 to 9.9 Hulk 181's in existence? Not a chance.... and here is the very simple reasoning why..... First, 1974 was one of the worst years for selling any comic book, regardless of title. You can see these reports anywhere on the internet. The early 70's nearly put some publishers out of business. That and, the rising prices of these books chased children from buying them (.12 cents to 25 cents in just a few years). THE INCREDIBLE HULK SERIES was never Marvel's most popular book. So the truth is Hulk 181's could not have been high grade cherry picked off the news stands (yes people...this is back when these books were on wire racks in candy stores). Much less cherry picked in large numbers. Then put away safely in larger numbers? And all this when the Hulk book was not super popular to begin with, and before anyone knew or cared who Wolverine was? This is why its not possible. Also, if you look at the CGC submission numbers for the Hulk 180 book, you see the numbers are fractional to the 181 census number.... Why would this be? The 180 book is valuable in high grade as well and is certainly being re-submitted as well...... As for the news stand numbers in 1974, why would anyone have bought more 181's vs 180's? In fact, as the seasons get closer to winter, fewer books tended to be sold. So if anything, there should be more 180's vs 181's in existence. There is no clear reason why CGC census numbers for the 1980 are so much less than the 181, other than the value of the book, and the greater amount of re-submissions for the 181 vs the 180..... Everybody wants that next 9.9 181.... What is also possible is that many collectors whom thought they themselves were pretty good graders, are arguably surprised and disappointed in what their book grades when it comes back from a third party grader. And with someone having paid $150k for a 9.9 Hulk 181, if you owned a 9.8, would you try and re-submit it? What if on average, every new owner of a 9.2 or higher grade Hulk 181 re- submitted it to any of the 3rd Party Graders? What would the census look like then? Many industry professionals could easily argue a 9.9 from a 9.8. The only aspects in consideration at those grades are centering, 1 bindery defect, and subjective color/gloss anyways. How many times would you re-submit a 9.8 if you thought you could possibly land another $150k 9.9? And how many different Third Party grading companies would you try before you gave up trying for that 9.9 grade? You see my point. The census on this book is completely and majorly over inflated. I believe the real CGC census number for the 181 are actually at or below the census numbers for the 180 and the 182 because those numbers also contain re-submissions within them. Now consider the fact that over inflated or not, the book continues to rise in price? That's because the reality is while you can find a 9.2-9.8 for sale most of the time, there are still more shoppers than there are sellers regardless of the census # being crazy.

Got this from CLINK last night. I have a fondness for B&B #113-#117 or so. Aparo's artwork was outstanding. His drawing at the time actually gave me the illusion of real movement. This one was a good story that was repeated in the Avengers as well, I believe. The Atom stimulates nerve centers in "dead" Batman to go find his killer. It's only an 8.5, but a stingy one IMO. I can't see ANY flaws to speak of.

Yes. The tv show was a blight on humanity. Why Adam West was never brought to justice and prosecuted for post war crimes is beyond me. I remember the tale a comic book store regaled me with. Back when Clayton Moore started suing people over the use of the Lone Ranger mask, Adam West started petitioning Tim Burton for the lead in the dreadful "Batman" movie. After West finished making a lot of noise, Burton finally conceded and offered him the part of Thomas Wayne. How...how WONDERFUL that would have been!

That's cool. I wasn't trying to reprogram anyone's taste. My taste runs more toward realism (Ross) than Boring (surrealism). Those giant trunks supported by baby legs. I wasn't a fan of Plastino, either. Although both Boring and Plastino had some great golden age covers and artwork. Borings style changed dramatically as well as Plastino's. Whoever was writing the stories also had to insert the word whisper "uh" in every sentence Superman uttered as well. I still don't get that. Check out Supergirl's (Kara Zor-El) 1st appearance: "Great Guns! A girl, FLYING! It -- uh -- must be an illusion!" Plus, there shouldn't be a comma after "a girl". An exclamation point or a period would have been correct. Why were sales slumping? Who can say? I thought I was supposed to be taking these comic books seriously. Superman was turned into Torgo mentally in the fifties. I believe that's why Neal Adams was so widely accepted as a Batman artist and to a lesser degree a Superman artist. The times were a changin' and cartoony almost killed the Batman character. I, for one, reveled in Detective #395, then Batman #232 when a good story coupled with awesome artwork graced the "funny" paper. Then we had Jim Aparo, who was the heir apparent for Adams. He did some really fine work, I thought. His drawings actually SEEMED to move! Then, his style changed and got really heavy. As far as resto, yeah I used to restore some of my books as a kid as well with no expectations. But, when I am expected to shell out tens of thousands for a Frankenbook, I draw the line. That is why I would like before and after pictures. So I would know what I'm getting into beforehand. There is/was a Batman #1 9.0 on Heritage Auctions site. Restored. Sold for $50k or something like that. I'm too lazy to go look. The only resto it had was "cover cleaned". Really? I would have bought that for $50k in a heartbeat. Whoever owns that is a lucky SOB. I still don't consider "cover cleaned" as resto and conversely believe that tape added IS resto. How can it be anything but? But, I wouldn't pay $75k for an extensively restored book. It's one thing if I'm restoring mine with no thought of resale. It's another when I can't see what went into a book to turn it from a .5 to a 9.2.

No. I'm sorry. He was horrible. See?: http://kumarx.com/2010/09/review-wayne-boring/

Well, true. The elderly aren't collecting music memorabilia so much. In fact, this is likely where the memorabilia is coming from. But younger music collectors between 25-50 are rabid. The typical records and what-not are not as popular or rare as say the original Sun 45's in fine shape. The stage costumes and the signature photos and paper memorabilia etc will always see an uptick in value. $35,000 for a pair of those aviator sunglasses he wore. Someone bought them. Music memorabilia collectors go through what comic book collectors go through. The elderly had these books, younger collectors have bought them and in turn direct the market according to availability.

I had a Batman #9 that I was pretty happy with and grateful someone "ignored" it. I want my books in great original shape because I am a perfectionist, not because I want to feel superior to another collector. I could argue that someone who likes their books ratty has low self esteem. A 70 year old book that is nm-m is a survivor IMO. It's amazing that it remained that way for so long. I hate resto as well. Maybe not slight ct or some sealing, but a book that is extensively restoed is no longer that book. I want before/after pictures. Any ext r book should come with those. Know what you are getting.

No it isn't.

Wayne Boring sucked. Big bloated Superman drawings and WHATS THE DEAL WITH DRAWING CLARK KENT'S GLASSES ENTIRELY ON ONE SIDE OF HIS FACE???

I collected all the Adams interiors 1st and am now working on the covers. To a degree. I keep getting distracted with other comic books I want.

'Fraid not. Yeah, there will be a run on recordings and memorabilia at 1st, but no way will the Beatles fade out. Elvis Presley is still a $150 million per year enterprise. The powers that be make sure they shake every dime out of the fans. The Beatles won't be any different. There are icons, then there are ICONS.

"As this happens, I would think even the Beatles' long-held magic lustre should fade somewhat." Gotta disagree with that one. They are second only to Elvis Presley in popularity. When the Paul and Ringo go to their just reward, the Beatles money making machine will go into overdrive.

Maybe it's because it includes a letter from Mike W. Barr! I don't get it either and yet the prices keep going up. Anything remoteley Beatles related gets attentio though.

The prices on this book are nosing up. Is this going to be the new Batman #227? I like this one because it includes the entire head stock of "John's" guitar.

They look amazing, yes. But they are virtually different books by this phase. I would pass.