bc

Never noticed that. In the story, Torr is actually a Ben Grimm/Thing orange: (From my reader copy) -bc

After six years (and many beers), finally put together the Amazing Adventures run in VF or higher: (Yes, I poorly pieced together two pics). Thanks to Bronty & others for helping make this happen! -bc

Well played! -bc

Nice! You ain't kidding ! Very sweet copy korvac ! Thanks for sharing! -bc

-bc

And she's a true beauty !!! Great centering ! It's not one from "arvel omics roup" like many books of that era demonstrate. -bc

I'll admit that I had to Google the exact definition of "apotheosis" even though I had a pretty good inkling from the context. I could spend the night at a Holiday Inn Express with a dictionary under my pillow and not be able to pull that one out. Or was it on your "Word of the Day" calendar? -bc

Be patient, I have never photographed it! :: Love bc's avatar too! Thanks! Mysterio gave me the idea. Didn't realize it until I posted it, but that was the last superhero book I purchased (2008) before fully embracing my addiction for the pre-hero issues. This thread had me looking to see what I had left in the vault Unfortunately this is my only other one I can contribute: -bc

A little old label Doom-ness on a Saturday evening. -bc

First off, thanks for gathering this info and sharing it. Very interesting. Just looking at 9.0 and above I guess there has not been an avalanche of new copies. I think a lot of the new copies in auction recently are from the same collection. The OO wrote, in marker, on the inside of the front cover. You can see, in the upper right of the front cover, a mild bleed through. Even with this 'flaw', the books graded very high. It appears CGC treated them like simple writing on the cover. Not a big deal but the fact that they are on the inside cover, these markings are not legible and almost look like a stain, which they are not. You're very welcome! Noticed this on the AA3 and yes, at first thought it may be a stain as well. Then I realized it was a number on the inside of the cover ("307" maybe?). Was gonna ask if anyone had any idea about this collection. Thanks! -bc

Using some random census data. In October 2014, the number of uber high grade PHM books breaks down like this: 2 @ 9.8 (TTA30 & ST100 which just hit the census that month) 7 @ 9.6 59 @ 9.4 132 @ 9.2 290 @ 9.0 398 @ 8.5 Currently on the census for the 164 PHM issues: 2 @ 9.8 (no change, same books) 7 @ 9.6 (no change, same books) 63 @ 9.4 (+4 copies) 137 @ 9.2 (+5 copies) 302 @ 9.0 (+12 copies) 457 @ 8.5 (+59 copies) That's 80 "new" high grade copies in less than 2 years! -bc

Not common across the Board but individually some will be 'common'. Examples... TOS 28 has four copies in 9.4, two in 9.2, and 3 in 9.0 . My 7.0, previously a decent grade, now has 27 copies graded higher. TOS 38 has 2 copies in 9.6, 3 in 9.4, 3 in 9.2, and 5 in 9.0 . My 8.0, again a decent grade, now has 10 in grade and 22 graded higher. The high grade books seem to appear in bursts. Been actively collecting them for about 7 years and it's common not to find any for several months - then 5 to 10 all appear in the same auction or in close proximity ! I do agree that I've never seen so many uber high grade slabbed copies for sale than in the last 6-9 months (even the number of listings for mid-grade slabbed copies has greatly increased). Really challenges the checkbook control sometimes but I'm just not willing to spend $7K on a TOS4 or TTA 5 in 9.2. Watching the census count for the PHM books since 2013. On average, about 60 books were being slabbed a month for the 164 PHM issues. In 2014, that approached 90 a month and once the Guardians of the Galaxy movie came out, every available copy of TTA13 was slabbed and the monthly count regularly exceeded 125 books. Maybe the Groot effect drew more attention from collectors, dealers and flippers to this genre ? Seeing more and more of the other company's slabs appearing as well. Can't hurt that the prices are now significant & consistent to get sellers motivated to let them go. -bc

I had a feeling you may have snatched that one. I thought the price was going to go higher than it did. Great pickup! The rest of the snatches (hope that doesn't get me a strike): Anyone snatch the Strange Tales 96? -bc

Keeping with the JIM theme from the Feb CLink auction...my second White Mountain of the series: Think someone already mentioned this, but like the AA3 and the other JIM offerings, this one went for much less than anticipated while the Strange Tales 94 & 96 held in the expected hammer range. -bc

Really nice detail on the cover of the 34 (down to the pattern on the woman's dress). Putting those two books next to each other really clarifies the change in just 30 issues. Not putting down the Kirby/Ayers cover at all. While the characters don't have the detail, the background building perspective in grey-tone really draws the eye to Rorgg and his victims. Gratz on the additions! -bc

Thank you jimbo! Been waiting for tonight since I first saw it hit the listing a few months ago. Once I get it, I'll post a group shot of the AA 1-6 mini-run in 8.0+. -bc ps-bought a lot of comics in auctions but the adrenaline is still pumping after this one. Great pickup, I'm glad one of the PH BSDs here got it! It is a ridiculous copy of a very difficult book. I've been trying to upgrade from a CGC 6.0 for years. How did you know I'm an old UNIX admin? Don't see many references to Berkeley Software Distribution on these boards. -bc

Was eyeballing this one!! Glad to see it go to a fellow boardie PH afficianado!! Thanks! But not sure if it's "afficianado" or "suffering Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" at this point with these PHM books So many others in this thread deserve recognition for articulating the history of this genre for over a decade. I'm just along for the ride ! -bc

Thank you jimbo! Been waiting for tonight since I first saw it hit the listing a few months ago. Once I get it, I'll post a group shot of the AA 1-6 mini-run in 8.0+. -bc ps-bought a lot of comics in auctions but the adrenaline is still pumping after this one.

These are GREAT pictures!!! I am close to completing WOF. Need #5-10 for my set. I have no doubt that you will complete the run -bc

Great books everyone! Thanks B.A.F. for the extensive display of goodness! Only have group shots, sorry for the non-56'ers. -bc

Two beauties there Rick! Gratz on the new additions! -bc

Great pickups "a***k" !!! Beat me on the ST85 - glad it found a good home! Love the cover as well! -bc

Back story on this copy. This is the Gerber Photo Journal Copy! I bought it from John Verzyl in 1990, he told me it as the Slobodian copy. Congrats! Great story! Thank you for sharing +1 Thanks for the backstory & Beautiful copy! -bc

Gratz! Really nice book for the first venture! -bc