grebal

Just . . . wow. Particularly like that you shared your 'war' stories. Good memory. You registry guys blow me away, what zeal. My compliments. I'm a fan of Colan, I've got something like TOD 1-50 or so in mostly very fine range, so there's that.

^Not on a comics site.

I like the Torch waving in the box. That's the only one, right?

I'll take this one, thank you.

^Flashed me back to the 70s/80s listening to e.g. Deadheads or hardcore Zappa fans exchanging notes among other things. Back then they swapped cassettes and occasional vinyl bootleg recordings.

HI Dan, after 20 years of buying on ebay and very little haggling at cons, I probably have lost any negotiation skills if I ever had them. But I'd suggest 2 things (basically agree with kav but without his good humor). Once you have your few books picked out and your offer for the group (say 300, 400 and 400, for books he's asking 400, 500, and 550) tell him you like a few items in particular but they're a little outside your price range. Ask him if he has any room to discount if you buy a few? If you're anxious to make the deal he might be able to tell from your body language and dig in (or maybe he just never discounts). But perhaps you can send the right signals - that you're basically indifferent about the books at his price, but ready to buy at yours if he's willing to part with them. Just tell him straight up - hey, please don't take offense at my offer, but I'll give you $1100 right now for those 3 books you have listed at $1450. Maybe ask him early in the day, and tell him you'll check back at end of day in case he decides he likes your package offer after some time to consider it - later, he might have a had slow con and want some cash, or had an extra good con and so be willing to let them go as a package deal. Ya never know. Poor boy if after you spend it all he later decides to work with you - but that would be a good problem to have. Must ask - what are you looking at anyway?

Get off my lawn.

A straight answer that probably sounds sarcastic - grade a book from a scan for good sense of approx. grade after a press/cleaning. Grade based on physical book held up to light from different angles for a pre-press grade (a few camera views instead of the flattened and smooth appearing visual of a scan). What it lacks in subtlety it makes up for in simplicity. And these days many advertise their books using words like "pressable" and 'would grade X after scan.' Buncha jokers using advanced puffery imo, suggesting buyer should 'pay up' based on theoretical value, and it works hence my peevish tone.

Wow!

Grabbed a short stack of tightly graded comics - thanks a lot Mark! Shipped securely and safely, for the record. PS- to save you spam in your in box, here's my belated confirmation of receipt @Kramerica

Nah, we're in a golden age of comic book movies, seriously. Appreciate it while it's here, and meanwhile watch a lot of TCM to avoid superhero burnout. It's a golden-age bubble world all its' own. Geez, they even had Citizen Cane a couple of months ago. ; ) Meanwhile all those great Marvel (and generally mediocre DC) movies will still be in the can, I'm not going anywhere (and if I do then I'll be engaged with bigger problems). I really can't wait to see Infinity War/Engame, I've been a Starlin fan since his 70s work on CM and Warlock - what I mean is I can't wait until I care enough to not be able to wait (sorta like anticipation postponed).

I've been a fan (marvel comics reader) since childhood. Peaked at Civil War - thought died and gone to heaven. Don't think seen any superhero since except Deadpool 2. Oh, and Venom on 'cable.' Haven't seen Infinity War or Endgame yet. Just saw Aquaman and Black Panther on airplane (one each going and coming). Oh!, and Ant Man and Wasp last month on cable too. Guess I'm getting old.

I think it's a bit worse than that. It now seems common, if not frequent, that the assigned grade includes assumption that book will be pressed and that advertised grade is not the comic in current state, but a future hypothetical grade book would probably receive after a pro press/cleaning. "oh, back cover a little dirty but a cleaning will fix that right up …"

Why do bad things happen to good people? Who would win in a fight, Hulk or Jack Kirby? So why did Stan Lee take all the credit for the work you slaved over and for which you received only pennies?

@NoMan might be in market, great copy Rick !

Thought I saw a Marvel Feature 7 w/Red Sonja.

^Yup, gorgeous, great books, Az. Did my eyes fail me or did a MF 7 go 'poof?'

By "Gorgo" I'm guessing you mean the Fantastic Giants 24 ?

I believe the new testing area is unseen. Now you tell me. I used to practice or test a post by editing one of my older posts, since editing an old post doesn't bump the thread to top, and nobody would see a weeks old reply dozens of pages back no matter how many changes I made.

Vote's in. Didn't pick one of Frazetta's Molly Hatchet covers, though I admire those a lot. Here's a favorite of mine that didn't make your cut, it stood out ever since I saw it on cover of Nat'l Lampoon, the Ghoul Queen.

Coins are ok, just don't go furbie on us.

I remember now, you're right. There wasn't even any FF on earth as I recall now.

Probably not responsive, but there was this return to the character by Kirby and Lee. The 'Fireside' book from late 70s.

Is there any formal or technical distinction between discolored staples and rust? Because I've seen the discolored kind that decades later are still discolored but never spread beyond the original noticed discoloration.

take these two please, Mark. If I come across a #44 I'll have a complete run 15 thru 50.