blowout

And using my analogy to Adams issues, would you NOT be interested in an alternate cover version of Detective 400 or Batman 251 that was handed out 30 years ago over one of the thousands of regular newsstand copies?

No, there are an artificial way to restrict supply.

I don't so much mind variant covers produced in larger quantities, but this 200 copy Batman thing strikes me as a blantant effort to sting a few collectors for hundreds of $$$ at the height of the hype machine.

well which is it? thousands or 200 copies?

There are 200 copies of the 'dealer incentive' variant ...cough (ie license to rip of collectors). But there are thousands of copies of batman #608.

I could be almost tempted. 200 copies TOTAL of a great comic is far fewer than some of the late 60s Spideys I see sell for $500 to $1000 in 9.6 and it may even be true that not all 200 are in 9.8 shape already.

You are missing the point. There are not 200 copies of the actual comic book, there are thousands. There are 200 copies of a variant which has been produced solely for dealers with the purpose of fleecing collectors out of more money than they could ever hope to realise on the regular edition.

Don't believe the hype.

This limited print run BS always comes up when modern books sell for crazy prices. This book is a MANUFACTURED COLLETABLE and not collectable in and of itself, there are thousands of regular copies of the same book to be had.

These kind of books never hold their value long term, especially hype ridden ones like this one.

How many Jim Lee books have historically held their value after he has jumped ship?

How about this: What would be the WORST way to spend/invest $40,000 in comics now?

Highest graded on the census books.

For example CGC 9.9 & 10.0 modern books like Origin #1, USM #1 and Wolverine LS #1. Even CGC 9.8 Bronze books fall into the high risk catagory.

Bronze/ Modern books have the highest probabiity of growing in numbers on the CCG census.

Additionally--this particular thread started with the question od what would we buy with $5000. Even with todays prices of comics, you cant spend that much om NEW books...so inherently the question was directed at appreciation in value...not great stories or art!

Thats true, but Clobby's statement was addressed at the forum as a whole and not just this thread.

The fact remains that comics would be worthless without characters and stories that people could relate to/ had nostalgia for.

You cannot discuss values/ grades in a vacuum. The reason WHY they are valuable is also part of the equation.

As with all investments, some know how to do it and can make money - others become street pizza by investing in Harbinger 1s, Spidey 166 9.6, Ultimate what nots - you know just like high risk stocks or sure things like ENRON or Worldcom etc. Nothing is guaranteed.

I agree with that. I am not suggesting that all comics are worthless and there is no money to be made.

You are making an assumption that Titan has invested his money in other areas and is now looking to diversify. He has not stated that anywhere that I can see. My post was advising him to consider ALL his options before sinking money into comic books. If he already has other bases covered, then that is fine. I'm not saying "don't buy comic books you are headed for a fall", but what I am saying is make sure you are well informed before you do so.

As this is the CGC site, it is the appropriate place for discussion of values, prices, crashes, restoration, ebay nonsense whatever. There are plenty of fanboy chat rooms for the discussion of characters and stories.

A slightly odd comment this.

Without the characters and stories there would be no values, prices etc to talk about. Comics ARE characters and stories, there is nothing else.

Not quite sure where you are coming from on this one.

Some good points about liquidity clobby.

Titan, the guide is a good place to start when trying to pick books that have room for growth. Look for books that have been dormant for a while that contain First Appearances/ Battle covers etc that may become popular in the future.

Go for high grade and don't pay huge guide multiples, thats where the greatest risks lie.

The best reason to buy comic books is because you like to read them and have an appreciation of the characters. Don't worry so much about what they may be worth in the future.

Why haven't you included an option in your poll to invest the $5000 on something other than comics?

If you seriously have $5000 to invest, I would consider speaking to a financial advisor about what are currently the best investment returns.

Arm yourself with information, then make an informed decision.

Nice list Dr.B. Thanks for posting it.

....this is a subject frequently discussed on the boards, but i thought it would be good to start up a knowledge base on the subject.................

.......some resto i find hard to detect my self (especially trimming) and would appreciate some input from those with more experience...........

Pimpy. I said the wise man would stay away.

Wasn't thinking of Darth.

This book has gotten way out of hand, but the price is merely a sign of the times

Come on, no-one buys that. This book had a HUGE print run and guides for peanuts. The only reason you don't see a CGC 9.8 every five minutes on ebay is because who sends in a book the guides for $5 or so?

There are for sure THOUSANDS of 9.8s of this book out there.

The wise man would stay well away from this auction, I am very surprised that Gene has been dragged in.

I don't think you'll be going in the box anytime soon Joanna. If you did, who'd watch out for the rest of us?

LMAO......some people get the real deal on X-Mas day. They don't need a message board for a good christmas fued.

Yep.......you missed a good battle.

I missed the whole thing.

Any chance of a replay??

LMAO.........that guy has been watching too many movies. At least thats what I HOPE he has been doing.

Speaking of ablue is he agone???

What a great shame. A real loss to the forums.

Highlights:

Meth's 'how to' guide for opening a cgc holder without damage.

CI's now infamous 'nazi' rant at Jens.

Some very helpful/interesting comic info shared throughout the year.

Rickdogg & Bonds25 regular scambusting activities.

All the 'crash' threads.

Lowlights:

Continual 'highjacking' of interesting threads with pointless banter.

Certain nameless individuals constant trolling of the boards.

All the 'crash' threads.

Long may it all continue.

I think I have my answer as to whether or not Hulk #181 has any room left for growth.

Thanks to all those who have respoded in what turned out to be one of the best threads I have seen on the boards.

It has been mentioned in a previous thread that many people would like to see a Fantastic Four film based on FF 48-50. It sure would be cool to see that kind of cosmic epic with the Surfer and Galactus.

I personally, would love to see Marvel get a Thor film made. What with the successs of the Lord Of The Rings, I think a film based on Thor's Asgardian Mythology would do really well. With Loki as the main villain, and maybe the Executioner and the Enchantress also appearing.

What films would the rest of you like to see?

"but if slabbing as a collector dosen't make sense, why do guys like Brulato do it?"

I don't totally disagree with your argument, sure there are plenty of collectors slabbing their books, but I really feel thats its only the ones with the thoughts of one day selling them in the back of their mind. You use yourself as an example of a collector who slabs books for 'certification', but you have mentioned on these boards that you regularly sell your books.

For the collector who has no intention of selling their comics, I just don't see 'certification' of books as a strong enough motivation to send them to cgc. They have already spent good money on the books, why spend even more just to get them graded?

"Maybe you don't feel the need to slab your Master of Kung Fu books, or whatever other $15 bronze books you collect."

Thanks for the kudos Andrew! Most of my MOKF books wouldn't even break the $10 mark.

"If nothing else, it will "certify" what you already have. And even if you have no desire to sell, sometimes things can come up and some quick cash might be needed. In that case, your certified books will have the liquidity you might need in that kind of emergency situation."

I'm betting most long time collectors have no intention of slabing their books. Anyone who has been a serious collector for a number of years certainly has no need to 'certify' what they already have. Their years of grading experience mean that they don't need a third party to tell them what grades their books are.

I don't buy the liquidity argument either. Books are only slabbed by people who want to sell them NOW. Why would someone who wants to keep their boooks risk sending them to be graded 'just in case' thet might sell later? It makes no sense to go to the no little expense of a grading service just to have them sit in the same box they were in before.

CGC are still seen by long time collectors as the new kid on the block, not neccessarily the 'all knowing/all seeing' comics gods that some see them as.

What about a 10.0 Bruce?

Maybe someone will re-sub the 9.9.