thecopperagekids

Best fit for modern books IMHO is: Standard Full back/Standard Mylite 2 bag combo.....then slid into a silver/gold Mylite 2 with a Silver/Gold Fullback. Example: Preacher 1, which I subbed to CGC at the Big Apple Con, this is a thicker modern book..... (Crease all Mylite2's before inserting comic) I placed the book on top of 2 standard fullback boards (slightly curved sided facing up, to cradle the spine).....book was slid into a Mylite 2 standard bag. I then slid in a BCW silver age (same size as full back standards, just thinner) to ensure a snug fit. Apply 2 small pieces of Scotch gift tape, as far away from the spine as possible.Seal the book tightly.Gift tape pops right off M2 bags, do not use regular scotch tape. I then placed the preacher 1 onto a silver/gold fullback, slid her into a silver/gold Mylite. For silver age books....go a size up.

I got a BA 12 in 9.8 from CGC today...... It'll be on my wall this Sunday at Carbo's Big Apple Comic Con.Along with a BA Annual 1 slabbed 9.8 and a raw BA 12 (lower grade French copy) I'm open to cash/trade offers on anything/everything I sell. Just sayin'.

Cap # 109 is selling at above Overstreet, raw, in any grade. Prices are scattered though but I think this book is a h'yuuuge sleeper, on the basis that it is Cap & Bucky's 1st fully detailed SA origin........with the last Cap movie hinting at Cap and the Winter Soldier's origin.....and the Winter Solidier starting to regain his memory, common sense indicates that the origin of cap/Bucky(Winter Solider) will be explored more in Civil War.....a bit of insight also reveals that this book will rise exponentially more, in relation to Avengers 4 and Cap 100, as the current sales on this book are muuuuuuch lower than Avengers 4 or Cap 100. ... ..here is a raw VG/FN that comics4less sold for $76 in December: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Captain-America-109-Origin-issue-VG-Fine-Cond-/141506936189?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item20f2787d7d I have a raw FN (pressed) copy up now , read the auction description (and the 10 or so shots of interior story art) which show how under appreciated this book still is, regarding its' "silver age key" status. Have a look at my description, I dare anyone to tell me I don't know how to artfully describe a book http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAPTAIN-AMERICA-109-1st-SILVER-AGE-FULL-ORIGIN-OF-CAP-BUCKY-FN-6-0-KEY-/201293453542?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ede0658e6

Who's policing anything? Just stating my opinion. You're still free to sling your BS. I'm still free to call you out on it. Ain't nobody here in handcuffs. a) Who's comparing it? b) No one's saying 'collecting' it is wrong. Are you listening? c) Marvel, Valiant, and DC take their hits daily for the nonsense they've tried to pass off as collectible. d) a sinner pointing at the devil and saying 'See! He does it!" isn't making a good case for himself. Collect it all you want. Have fun with it. Just know that when you try as hard as you do to convince people it's more valuable than it really is, someone's going to call you out on it. Here is where you miss the point completely. I am not concerned with value only facts. I have never once said that Agents 6, Capes 1, Rust 1, Omega Men 2, DC Comics Presents 26, any issue of Previews, any issue of Marvel Age etc. should ever be more valuable that what the market has deemed most valuable. All I have ever said is that if a character appears in print in any publication then that publication should be considered a first appearance and that those who matter in reporting accurate facts about comics have a duty to help correct the market. Is this Lady Death's first appearance? I though she appeared in issue 1? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Evil-Ernie-2-First-Appearance-of-Lady-Death-VERY-FINE-Comic-Book-VF-NICE-WOW-/301524681991?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4634458507 You are right, her first app was Evil Ernie # 1. EE # 2 is her 2nd app. (and her 1st cover app). See this auction for CGC's label notes on EE 1..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Evil-Ernie-1-Dec-1991-Malibu-CGC-9-4-Near-Mint-NM-First-Lady-Death-/161585875823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259f44cb6f

Re: DC Currents 85, the 2 copies that were sold (you linked to) were both low/midgrade. One was graded by the seller as a VG+ for $14.99 (plus shipping) and the second copy was graded by the seller as a GD for $14.99 w/free shipping I won and paid for the copy at 14.99 (free shipping). The copy I paid for was described , and I qoute, as: “This comic is in (G) Good condition” The picture looked waaaay better and I figured with a press and a dry clean, it would be VF to NM.I was somewhat mistaken.Dry cleaning and pressing bumped up the grade considerably, but it has several spots of discoloration due to aging/improper storage.....which I think would be a common defect for this book.One would have to think most copies of this book will be around VG as I can't imagine there was a lot of collectors rushing home tand putting their freebie issue of Direct Currents into Mylar 2 bags and Gerber full backs, in the 90's. Last year I lucked out (for once) and found a copy that has white pages on the cheap and after I dry clean and press it, it may be in the 9.6 to 9.8 candidate area.It is in a box of books which I need to press and dry clean, before either putting them up for sale raw at shows and/or subbing them for grading. Do I think a slabbed 9.8 copy of Direct Currents 85 should rival the value of a slabbed 9.8 copy of Preacher 1? No......Not by a long shot. I also think that a slabbed 9.8 copy of the Preacher # 1 Preview (6 page black and white preview) selling for $900 a couple months back via BIN (at that time, 9.8 Preacher 1 slabs were selling for around $200-$300 less than $900) is relatively outlandish. Neither the Preacher 6 page preview,Sandman 67,DC 85,Sandman Gallery of Dreams & Nightmares should be selling at anywhere near Preacher 1. The Preacher 6 page preview is not considered by CGC/CBCS as a first full appearance as it is clearly NOT.I do think it is the most signifigant/valuable of the preview books as it has a Preacher 1 cover and 6 story pages from # 1.And like the other preview books, was likely not as well cared for as Preacher 1 was. Preacher 1 was a $50 -$100 book at shows and at cons,within a year of it being put out by DC.Right there, you know a lot of collectors took care of their Preacher 1's.All of the preview books were not worth anything, as far as I can remember, and likely treated as such.Alright then, there is that to consider, as far as weighing the true value of these preview books.Lower print runs as well, but these 2 factors can only go so far when making an evaluation. The following needs to be strongly considered As *PREVIEWS*, they can be viewed for what they *ARE* and as such, they have *SOME* collectible value.In my eyes, they have a modicum of the value of the FIRST APPEARANCE of said character in FULL LENGTH COMIC BOOK FORM i.e. Preacher # 1. For these books to be touted as "first appearance" is just outright market manipulation by sellers who could care less about the hobby and are out for a quick buck, with no concern for developing long term relationships with their customers. The whole practice reeks of moral bankruptcy. It is also a clear lack of decent business ethics, as well.You are not going to build strong, long lasting relationships with your customer if you are duping him out of his money. I have been in this hobby for the better part of 30 years, and have been a dealer(as well as a collector) for the last 20 years.As such, I recognize what is good for the long term health/growth of the hobby, as well as the market.None of his preview mess is doing anyone a good turn. That said, I have no love for short sighted sellers, who are motivated only by greed and capitalize at every chance they have on duping collectors. That is all I am going to say on the matter. DC Direct Currents, hahaha, no way...wait, what were we talking about? DC Direct Currents What it's actually sold for is a little more relevant: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?rmvSB=true&_from=R40%7CR40&_nkw=dc+direct+currents+preacher&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&_salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=100&LH_Complete=1

Sweet....daddy likes that book. Especially with a Gaiman signature on the inside cover............I have read that he will not sign any of his Sandman works any longer, so having Gaiman's sig on it is doubly sweet. It looks to be in the NM range, to me.While it's hard to judge with the smaller pics, it is much better than VF. Nah, that's not true at all - Gaiman will happily sign anything from his back catalogue, including Sandman. The problem is that he's said he's not going to do any more book signing tours due to the 50,000+ books he signed on the last one, so it's gotten to be fairly difficult to get anything signed by him period. Alright, I was off but I was right about the bottom line.The chances of Gaiman signing any Sandman books are pretty much nil.

I think with the announcement of Viola Davis being in final contractual stages for signing on for a 5 movie deal to reprise her role as Amanda Waller, in 5 movies beyond the introductory Suicide Squad film, we are looking at a considerable push towards a new franchise of movies based on the Suicide Squad. That said, I do not think that BA 12 will experience a lull after the Suicide Squad movie is released in 2016. Also, there are considerably more HG copies of NM 98 than BA 12 so that is another reason the book will not experience a drop in value. Re: NM 98, prices have dropped a bit since the Deadpool movie announcement was made but it'll pick back up to moving briskly at over a g-ball in 9.8, once the movie gets closer.

That was a typo....the books (1st prints in VF) sold for $16.99 each (plus $4 shipping), not $16.99 for the lot. Anyway, with Suicide Squad # 1 (New 52 1st print) selling for around $300 in 9.8, I think The New Suicide Squad # 1 (1st print) is a sleeper book.

Sweet....daddy likes that book. Especially with a Gaiman signature on the inside cover............I have read that he will not sign any of his Sandman works any longer, so having Gaiman's sig on it is doubly sweet. It looks to be in the NM range, to me.While it's hard to judge with the smaller pics, it is much better than VF. Personally, I would send the book to CBCS to have the book slabbed under their authenticated signature program.If you send it into CGC, you'll get a qualified grade.

As far as keys go, Epic Illustrated # 3 is the book to get as it is the 1st app of Dreadstar. Slabbed copies of # 3 aren't going as high as they were when the movie was announced but when the cast crew, release date are announced, I thinkslabbed 9.8's will sell at higher prices than were previously realized. Starlin apparently has taken a proactive role in the movie's development, as well..... “Dreadstar is one of the most important comics on the 1980s, paving the way for creators to control their own creations,” said co-producer Ford Lytle Gilmore. “After decades of Jim exercising that control and turning away countless Hollywood suitors, I'm excited he's trusting me and J.C. to do it right." http://comicbook.com/blog/2014/04/04/dreadstar-movie-in-the-works/

New Suicide Squad 1 is picking up. Here's a dutch auction with 6 copies (described as VF). All 6 copies were sold for $16.99 + $4 shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Suicide-Squad-1-Comic-2014-First-Printing-VF-DC-New52-/201277366789?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2edd10e205 So it looks like this book is worth around $25, raw NM. I'd bet slabbed 9.8 copies would move easily at around a $100, if not more.

I struck a deal with Paul for a Astonishing Tales # 1 CGC 9.6 Twin Cities pedigree ecently. Paul paid promptly and was quite friendly and courteous as well.

It will, once $2K becomes the norm for realized sale prices of BA 12 (which all evidence points toward this happening) in 9.8, I believe that the secondary key rule will tumble into place with Mad Love 9.8's catching up strongly. I am sure that by the time the Suicide Squad movie rolls around in 2016, sellers will be touting Mad Love as "HQ's 1st solo app/book and origin". That is what I'd do, if I had any Mad Love's. . I actually *gave* away a VF+ ish copy of Mad Love (about a year ago) away to a dealer I know, after he paid me $250 for a raw copy of BA 12 in 9.6....because I felt bad that he paid me the current GPA for the BA 12.

I already pressed my 9.4 raw copy earlier today, took it out half an hour ago and it is a solid 9.8 candidate. I grabbed a standard full back, standard mylite 2 and 4 BCW silver boards(I support all of my books with extra boards so they don't get jacked up at shows)............ then I labeled the book and filed it into my $10 convention stock. I think a 9.8 copy of the book would catch $100 or so, via a BIN listing.Depends how quickly you want to sell it, I'd imagine you'd get a quicker sale at $75 (plus shipping) via BIN, than $100 (plus shipping).A lot of Marvel copper collectors that I've talked to are 25th anniversary completionists and if one does the research on the 25th anniversary covers, it is plain to see that collectors pay a premium for them.Newsstand or not. I could submit it and make a decent profit on it but I also sell raw comics at shows so I can't submit everything I can make a buck on.It's good to have raw, high grade copper books in my convention inventory.So, I don't mind giving someone a good deal on the book, that is how I do things.Greedy bastards do not get repeat customers;) Furthermore, I've already got about a 100 books which I will be submitting to CGC at the Big Apple Con on March 7th.They're mostly moderns,a few silvers and a few magazines.With grading fees (economy tier plus $8 fast track on most), I'm looking at around a $2500 bill from CGC.That's with a 10% CGC membership discount......that's a signifigant kick in the nuts.

Naysayer, much? For a guy who posts in the copper subforum, you don't seem to have a love for copper books.Just sayin'. Correct, $63 + $15 shipping isn't a lot of money but in the context of this book specifically, it is on the higher side.The buyer is paying $78 for a "run" copy of an 80's book.The signifigance of this issue is that it's a 25th anniversary cover. I'm not going to bother debating newsstands vs. direct copies in NM/MT as that's a waste of time.I'm not suggesting the premium realized on newsstands is all that high.Personally, I'll pay a bit more, just because I prefer to own newsstand copies. The point is, there was a lot of interest in the book, and that there are guys who collect Marvel 25th anniversary covers.They collect all 25th anniversary covers, across the board.As such, these particular covers are heating up, *across the board*.Regardless of wether a collector is into Iron Man, he will buy that month's Iron Man for the sake of collecting all of the 25th anniversary covers.Try to find a lower printed book like the 25th anniversary issue of Peter Porker in slabbed 9.8.That book is a mother effer, one of the hardest 25th anniversary covers in 9.8 to get.Look up the GPA on 25th anniversary covers, then look up the GPA on the issue preceding and following the 25th anniversary issue and you'll see what I'm getting at. If the seller sat on the Thor instead of auctioning it, I think he could have sold it for a $100 BIN or thereabouts. As far as the book formerly selling at $26 via auction and the high bidder not following through, that means nothing. About 99% of the time, when a book is relisted after an auction bidder does not pay, it sells for more than it did the first tie around because it gets more attention. Just last week I sold a Preacher # 1 CBCS 9.6 (with an Ennis Authenticated Signature) for $521 via auction.The buyer paid immediately. 2.5 weeks ago, I listed ithe very same slab at a starting bid of $499.99, under a 7 day auction and after 7 days, it went unsold. I relisted it at a no reserve penny opener, auction style and it shot up to $510 overnight.Another bidder placed a bid on the last day , leaving the highest bid at $521 As I said, the second time around....you'll almost always get more action on a book.

Here's one that's flying under the radar, or has been before but is catching on. I had 3 guys come up to my booth at the last Baltimore Comic Con who were specifically looking for any/all of the Marvel 25th anniversary covers. Further evidence of this new collecting trend , here's a Thor 373 9.8 with ******46 bids******, which closed at $62.77 plus $15 for shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/THOR-373-CGC-9-8-/121553623960?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item1c4d291b98 I have a raw 9.4 copy, in my press right now...and it's a newsstand. Slobber, slobber...newsstand 9.8 candidate?! Methinks so. ...(sorry, now back to restraining myself).... Couple non color breaks on the back cover (which is totally white), it should press out as a 9.8 candidate. Perchance, if ye doth want it verily so, I say that thee are truly welcome to my offering at a paltry fee. Ummm, yeah....come to my booth at Carbo's NY con on March 7th and you can have it for a song.I should probably have it graded and sticker a $100+ BIN on it, but to hedge my bets at the show (I'm into the con for upwards of $800+ with 2 tables and traveling expenses), by increasing foot traffic to my table , I'll chalk it up as being part of my $10 inventory boxes and let her go for ten bucks....just take a look at my table and wall books when you pick it up.... Making money and making friends, that's what it's all about

It's a 70's Marvel, with a fairly big press run, I'd have to imagine. More raw copies will get graded at 9.8 then are on the senseless/census , soon enough. There is no possible way a Star Wars 1 is a rare book, in 9.8. The big thing to consider is that Star wars comics have been more widely consumed then they were, when the last 3 movies came out.Star Wars was all about the toys, then. So, it makes sense that the first Star Wars comic blows up to over a $1000 as the movie hype ensues. The guy was smart enough to tout it as the only 9.8 on ebay, and I think having collectors lose their cool over an auction style listing, certainly helps feed into the fire.

Right. I'd also contend that the underlying reason that the 1 to 4 ratio of 9.8's to 9.6''s exists is largely due to the problems that plague black, embossed covers.

I think the price gap is largely due to the effect of: "Wow! An embossed black cover in 9.8? That must be very hard to find so I'll pay a few hundred for it.I'm sure there are plenty of copies with more than just a lone, subtle imperfection that grade out as 9.6's but a black cover book in NM/MT, I'll pay a healthy premium for that." No to say that is not entirely true but I think the black cover makes the book fall into the "tough copper key book in super high grade" marketplace, which may or may not be an accurate assessment of the book's actual rarity in NM/MT.Nevertheless, that is reasonable justification for the pricing structure. All black covers have always commanded a premium e.g. Amazing Spiderman # 28 (1st Molten Man,silver age). Nobody gives a flying fiddlestick about Molten Man.It's the black cover in grade that heightens the price so drastically. I'm not directly comparing the structural integrity of paper in a silver book to a copper book, just using this as a point of reference. Be careful. This may be categorized as 'discussion' on a discussion forum. I think you are right, in that a 9.8 or better of a totally black and embossed cover is so rare to find, a premium probably comes naturally. But I've seen some gorgeous 9.6's go for $28-$38 that are just crazy prices for that book. Add to this it is a 1st appearance of a primary Valiant character, and you would think it would do much better. Haha,right... just didn't want to get tangled up in semantics as far as 'discussion" is concerned I also agree that the book is a solid valiant key, no doubt....and as such, one would think (with good reason) that it should be selling for more than $50 or so in 9.6. Buuuuuut, I think the very reason that the book doesn't do better in 9.6 is because the book is viewed as an attainable Holy grail, for valiant collectors, in 9.8 so anything less than NM/MT 9.8 is viewed as "meh, I can do better".So, a slabbed 9.6 is viewed as more of a filler copy than a 9.6 otherwise (would normally) would be viewed. If the price point continues to drive up for 9.8's (which I don't see why it would not as newer Vailiant readers become collectors, seek out the keys and so on) . I think the pricing disparity between 9.6's and 9.8's will decrease somewhat but it will still be signifigant.

I think the price gap is largely due to the effect of: "Wow! An embossed black cover in 9.8? That must be very hard to find so I'll pay a few hundred for it.I'm sure there are plenty of copies with more than just a lone, subtle imperfection that grade out as 9.6's but a black cover book in NM/MT, I'll pay a healthy premium for that." No to say that is not entirely true but I think the black cover makes the book fall into the "tough copper key book in super high grade" marketplace, which may or may not be an accurate assessment of the book's actual rarity in NM/MT.Nevertheless, that is reasonable justification for the pricing structure. All black covers have always commanded a premium e.g. Amazing Spiderman # 28 (1st Molten Man,silver age). Nobody gives a flying fiddlestick about Molten Man.It's the black cover in grade that heightens the price so drastically. I'm not directly comparing the structural integrity of paper in a silver book to a copper book, just using this as a point of reference.

Cool. As long as they opt out of going the special effects route and focus more on a gothic/dark feel and lightly play up the ironic nature of the plot (think Breaking Bad humor) , it could be a good show. What would suck balls is opting for a more mainstreamed approach with watering down another Vertigo character i.e.like NBC's Constantine with overacting and "cute" jokes. I think the movie also has a lot of potential, it looks like Gaiman is being proactive with giving his casting nod the dude who played Loki in the Thor movies the role of Morpheus, whom I think is the better choice for the role than J.G.Levitt. By the way, if anyone in the NY area is looking for Lucifer issues, I'll have raw NM copies, (got 50 or so scattered issues) in my $3 boxes at Carbo's show on March 7th. If not, stop by my tables and introduce yourself anyway, it'd be cool to meet some of the boardies in person.

Mad Love as it was her 2nd app. and first origin. Third place tie goes to: 3rd is Batman Adventures Annual # 1 (3rd app. Harley and 1st app. Roxy Rocket) and Harley Quinn prestige format 1 shot (1st HQ in DC continuity......... with a slight lead to BA Ann 1. .....I think the former is a sleeper.It is also is the 1st app of Roxy Rocket and she has a growing fan base.I sell Detective 822 (Roxy's 1st app in DC continuity) out of my $10 boxes, every time I do a show.Raw 9.2 to 9.8 candidates.Every comic shop I go to,it's sold out of their regularly priced back issue bins. CGC and CBCS's labels do not note that BA Ann 1 book is Roxy's 1st app yet so I think once they start doing so (in tandem with Harley heating up), this book is a winnah on 2 fronts. Then Batman Adventures # 28 but I'll stop there.

I don't know why they bother calling a 1.0 restored for a tiny bit of glue on the spine. Just add it to the (long) list of defects allowable in the grade, basically like a stain, and let it go. There is a point where such a minor issue just doesn't matter. It looks like a good portion of the cover's spine is split and has been reattached to the book with glue.Look closely at the top of Loki's head, that is where you can see the seperation best.If not for the glue, there would be next to *nothing* holding the cover to the book. It's a nice book and presents well for a 1.0 but just because there wasn't a lot of glue used, and there is a chunk of other defects, does not mean that restoration should not be noted.

What's the ratio on the ASM 678 MJ Venom variant?

What do you think happened to the books they had as kids? They probably still have them. Most of the people who don't still have the comics they had as kids in the 80s and 90s probably no longer care about comics. People move, go to college, etc...if they can't store them at their parents place they probably sold them online or at a garage sale. Now they want some of them back. We're talking about Copper Age collectors here, not the entire history of collecting. Collections were not thrown out by parents en masse like they were in previous generations and there was little financial incentive to sell a collection that didn't contain the absolute best books. Also, we can't ignore the increase in the average age of collectors. Of course there are exceptions, but that is exactly what they are - exceptions. It is far more likely that the average Copper Age collector who actually grew up with Copper Age books is buying what they were unable to acquire (for whatever reason) or what didn't interest them when they were younger. Broad and generalized statements are only "incorrect" when presented as absolutes or applied to individual cases without consideration of specific facts and individuality. Or when they're complete B.S. not based on reality, obviously. A lot of guys who collected as kids in the 80's, did not continue to collect as they grew older, into their teens and so on.....andin one way or another, their collections were disregarded, poorly stored , given away to a younger cousin etc., or unloaded. I collected , as in going to comic shows, hanging out at my local comic shop with my childhood best friend, for a couple of years.I was around 10 when I really got into the joy of collecting. By the time I hit 13, all that mess went out the window for me.The opposite sex,getting into music and skateboarding were the prime things that captured my interests. Subsequently, I put my comics in a box, in a closet and forgot about them til I was old enough to legally drink.Started selling on ebay/at shows around that time for extra money and my collection was part of what was sold, gradually.The books that I had weren't worth much anyway, I had no keys and had collecting to read.I never paid "hot book" prices as a kid. I had about 10 silver age books, the best of them was an Fantastic Four 67 and an Avengers 15 in around GD/VG. This may not have been the 1950''s/1960's era when comics were thrown out by parents en masse but a lot of us simply outgrew collecting comics and as we have gotten older, nostaligia and outgrowing adolescent hobbies , drew us back into collecting. ....and there are plenty of variables to the "what happened to my 80's childhood collection, as well. My personal collection is largely 80's Amazing Spiderman's and Daredevil's raw newwstand copies in VF/NM to NM+.Other than that, I have a collection of around 75 pre-code crime and horror books (only in FR to GD) just because I love those genres and cannot justify having more than a $100 into a single book.Same reason I won't pay $100 for a slabbed Miller Daredevil key, I'd rather have a cherry (enough) copy in NM.Occasionally I'll dig out my Millers and read them again........can't do that with slabbed copies which cost $100 or so per book.I like the feel and smell of cheap newsprint in my hand , there's no comparison between having reading copies and anything else, for me. I have bought every single one of these books in the past 20 years.And as a 39 year old, I'm still buying for my personal collection.....hence my CopperAgeKids board name and ebay user ID