aerischan

If this is some mashup of 90210, My So-Called Life, The Wonder Years, and Afterlife with Archie... the next generation will have their teen angst anthem.

 

It'll either bomb with a dead thud or soar magnificently; fingers crossed

What, no Dawson's Creek?

I'm sure this heated up a few folks I'm on board, though. In for at least one.

True that. I want Tubb's shirt. Funny thing, if not for the blowup on Twitter, no one would even care. Mockingbird had already been cancelled prior to #8's release. Sell through was generally pretty bad but #8 sold out in under a week.

Heh, I want this and at least it's for a good cause.

Wish I knew they were doing this variant. Would've preordered 5 copies. While I do have Mockingbird #8 (I seem to be one of the few who actually cared for that title), this homage is so much cooler.

http://jasonlatour.tumblr.com/post/154226889403/dont-be-a--charity-variant-available-for

Interesting article on CBSI with some points that should be driven home.

If this week's CBSI article is the first time you've heard of a specific comic, then you're probably already too late to the game. That said, I find reading months or years old articles to be pretty good for finding interesting stuff for the PC. The feeding frenzy by the site's avid followers would've already cooled off and prices are back to more sane levels in line with normal market demand.

Excerpt from http://comicbookinvest.com/2016/12/14/subject-23-pump-dump-aka-pnd/

This is a highly unstable market!

 

Just because you read an article about people investing in comics rather than the stock market doesn’t mean you should too. Today’s hot book can be tomorrow’s discount bin filler. Get used to it. It’s been that way for as long as the hobby has existed. It’ll stay that way long after all the fair weather collectors/investors have gone.

 

Everyone wants guarantees and stability. The safety of black and white concrete can’t lose investments. That’s not going to happen, this market is way to volatile. It’s driven by people who will tell you anything to flip a book. If there’s a direct financial gain for the person telling you about it, you need to research beyond that.

 

I’ve said time and time again, flipping/selling/investing in comics is a predatory game. You want to play, it’s gotta be a two-way street. You’ll win as many as you lose.

 

Learn to think independently and separate yourself from the herd.

 

Fact is nobody was holding a gun to your head to buy anything in the 90’s or today… So if you paid too much for a book there’s no one to blame but yourself. Information and intelligent makes a market stronger. Do your own research and don’t just follow the pack.

 

If money’s your only aim, do us all a favor, just cut bait and run. This is a gamble and you need to suck it up or take a hike. Stop blaming and accusing people because you don’t know how to “comic book” very well. That’s nobody’s fault but your own.

 

Remember… If you don’t already own it, the Dump’s ALWAYS on you!

Dayumn

Just read that on Comixology Unlimited. Not my cup of tea.

With comics, you can see some connections between reality and hype, be it TV shows, Movies, increasing readership, etc. But, there also starts to become a push to hype on properties of the book itself, independent of what its about. Artist, Writer, 2nd Printing, Exclusive variant, etc.

 

If a sports card that was worthless suddenly spiked in value, it would be because he got moved to starting position, traded to a new team, etc. A comic can get spiked just because a thread or news site can convince some people that it matters, the artist is the next Leonardo Devinici, or that how hard it is to find means its important, etc

 

Because a person, anchored in reality, has given their OPINION. I see....

Regardless of CBT's staunch anti-CBSI stance, I don't think you can ignore that being featured on the CBSI website does have quite a significant effect on a comic's availability and ebay pricing. Alas, there's no way to tell if the increase in demand and price is due to collectors, investors or speculators. If majority of the folks driving up prices are just investors/speculators and there's no genuine market demand to sustain high prices, then what you have is just a house of cards.

 

I can say as a reader, collector, and genuine fanboy.

 

I cannot keep up with what's hot and what's not.

 

Sooooooo...I follow the site as a reference to what is out there.

See, this is an interesting conundrum. If you care about what's hot and what's not and maintaining value/price, there's an element of investment in your collecting (just with a more buy and hold mentality). Nothing wrong with that but as with buying individual stocks, risk is higher and there are winners and losers (likely more losers than winners).

I find there's a lot more posts in the moderns forum regarding what issues/variants are heating up or cooling down on ebay than there is discussion of what's actually good (to read).

With comics, you can see some connections between reality and hype, be it TV shows, Movies, increasing readership, etc. But, there also starts to become a push to hype on properties of the book itself, independent of what its about. Artist, Writer, 2nd Printing, Exclusive variant, etc.

 

If a sports card that was worthless suddenly spiked in value, it would be because he got moved to starting position, traded to a new team, etc. A comic can get spiked just because a thread or news site can convince some people that it matters, the artist is the next Leonardo Devinici, or that how hard it is to find means its important, etc

 

Because a person, anchored in reality, has given their OPINION. I see....

Regardless of CBT's staunch anti-CBSI stance, I don't think you can ignore that being featured on the CBSI website does have quite a significant effect on a comic's availability and ebay pricing. Alas, there's no way to tell if the increase in demand and price is due to collectors, investors or speculators. If majority of the folks driving up prices are just investors/speculators and there's no genuine market demand to sustain high prices, then what you have is just a house of cards.

Marvel has been out of ideas for a while now. Personally, I view them has having been in a downward swirl since the launch of the Ultimate lines way back in 2000. They really have not had anything like that since then.

 

From a back issue sales perspective, there is way more demand for DC and Image post-2000 back issues at shows than there is for Marvel. Outside of Deadpool, there is no consistent recent modern back issue seller from Marvel. Sure, some of the key 1st apps sell well, but that can be said for all companies. Most post-2000 Marvels are just $0.50 - $1 bin books.

 

As a collector that started out as an X-Men fanboy with UXM #211 being the first comic I purchased as a kid (I love that cover and still have my original beater copy), it is really sad to see how far the X-Franchise has fallen in funny books.

I do agree on Marvel Comic's creative void. There are some enjoyable titles (big fan of Waid/Samnee Black Widow and the Edmondson/Noto and Liu/Acuna runs before that) but for the most part, right now I find writing on DC Rebirth better. It's a bit sad what they've done to the X-Men. I'm a child of the 90s and have fond memories of the X-Men and Spider-Man cartoons. Then again, I liked WildCATS, too, so what do I know?

Image probably has the best titles right now (at least ones that are readily visible without going through smaller publishers on Previews). My main problem with Image is not having enough funds to catch up on all the great stuff on their backlist.

As for Marvel back issues, there is Marvel Unlimited. It may not be perfect but at less than $6/mo, it's darned cheap. Aside from keys/favorites and fancy deluxe editions, I'm not likely to buy Marvel back issues when I can just read them on Marvel Unlimited. I'd rather use majority of discretionary funds to buy Image TPBs and Deluxe Ed HCs. I will say this, Marvel Unlimited's extremely affordable pricing got me started reading American comics. Mostly just stuck to Japanese manga before.

Then again, Monstress sales have dropped from 36,000 for issue #1 to 18,000+ for issue #8.

Another title that's better read in collected form. The wait times between issues can be quite frustrating. That said, the TPB seems to be doing quite well.

Monstress TP Vol 1

Jul 2016 11,489

Aug 2016 4,330

Sep 2016 3,446

Oct 2016 1,974

Nov 2016 3,431

Just received the Suicide Squad Extended Cut Blu-ray. Watched the movie for the first time today (was sick while it was showing in theaters ). For me, it was just okay. I liked BvS DoJ better.

I think I prefer rewatching Batman: TAS "Mad Love" episode for my Harley fix and Batman: Assault on Arkham for Suicide Squad. Honestly, I felt like the kids cartoon version (Batman: TAS) had more depth than the movie interpretation of Harley's origins. I'd be more than fine watching Suicide Squad without Jared Leto's Joker.

People collect subsequent printings based on minute differences like the logo colour / newsstand over direct, etc. As a WD collector it's worth having. As an "investment" it's a bad idea.

I did this for Monstress #1. Not quite 9.8s but at least VF/NM copies of all printings as well as the Image Firsts version. I think it's pretty cool to have all versions and it was nice that the 2nd printing featured different cover art. Didn't spend a lot, though. Probably do the same for Kill Or Be Killed.

Or invest so little in the bag that it barely matters and you can at least get your money back if necessary.

This is pretty much my preference difference being I don't invest, I just spend.

Purple DK Batman variant at Bulletproof.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DARK-KNIGHT-III-MASTER-RACE-7-BULLETPROOF-DELL-OTTO-PRPL-VIRGIN-VARIANT-PRE-SALE-/192048800864?hash=item2cb7002460:g:euAAAOSw44BYSlaS

Question, why would one buy from ebay for $100 when you can get it for $80 (I believe this is for a complete set of 3, Color/B&W/Ultra Rare Purple) direct from retailer?

That said, I really do like the art on this one.

Seems like the 1st 2 issues of DC's Rebirth were returnable. 1 of my 2 LCS was selling coverless, stripped Rebirths for 20c each.

Good for folks who want to try out a new DC title for cheap like Batman by Finch, Action, Chinese Superman, WW, Aquaman, Green Lanterns, Batgirl, Green Arrow, etc. There were no coverless Harleys, All-Star Batmans (Romita Jr, Snyder), or Suicide Squads (Jim Lee).

 

I think there may have been up to 6 issues worth of returnable stuff for many of the early issues like Flash and Batman. I got a bunch for 50% off just before my LCS sent theirs back (covers intact).

Interesting. DCBS is actually offering a bunch of Rebirth Overstock this month. Wonder if those were all returns.

Only started reading DC Rebirth recently and it has been a huge hit to the wallet. Comixology had the Rebirth one-shots and #1 issues on Black Friday sale so picked them up and ended up adding a whole bunch of titles to the LCS preorder/pull list so spending solely on single issues has just ballooned. Granted, my OCD needing to have both Covers A & B is partly to blame.

I'm a bigger Batman fan than Superman but Tomasi and Gleason's current Superman run has got to be my favorite Rebirth title at the moment followed by Tec and Action. Hoping for another Comixology DC line-wide Christmas sale so I can marathon read Tomasi/Gleason Batman & Robin.

*sigh* Wish DC would offer a subscription service similar to Marvel Unlimited.

Hmm, Velvet Deluxe Edition HC is available for preorder on DCBS right now ($49.99 @ 50% off = $24.99). Wondering if I should preorder or would it be better to just wait and get it via InStockTrades when it's actually released?

 

If you'll be placing an order with DCBS for other books, save yourself the IST shipping costs and order the HC. If you wait until post release, IST usually doesn't exceed a 45% discount plus you pay another shipping fee.

I've got a pretty long wish list of trades/collected volumes that I've been slowly chipping at monthly so should be easy to get free shipping on IST by adding some other books from the wish list. My main dilemma with DCBS is do I want to wait until end of the month before I get my book versus a lower discount but get it within a week via IST.

Decisions, decisions...

Edit: Did the math. It's a mere $2.50 difference if I get it from IST at 45%. Dunno why I didn't just do calculations in the first place. Think I'll just grab it from IST. Who knows, I may get lucky and IST offers it at 50% discount, too. I got my Fade Out Deluxe Ed HC at 50% off from IST via their new release weekly deals.

Hmm, Velvet Deluxe Edition HC is available for preorder on DCBS right now ($49.99 @ 50% off = $24.99). Wondering if I should preorder or would it be better to just wait and get it via InStockTrades when it's actually released?

How did Image Firsts WD #1 sell, nowadays, raw

There are 25 Image Firsts on DEC16 Previews including Walking Dead #1 shipping in February 2017. Reprints may see a price dip then?

 

Walking Dead #1 Image First has been printed 4 times. The 2010 was the first time and it can sell from $4-10. If you are going to dip your toe in the water of selling these $1 reprints, you have to make sure you can sell in volume. For most people it's not worth there time to make a couple bucks selling a comic on eBay.

Oh, I've never sold a single comic (unless you count my personal copy of Monstress vol 1 that I sold to a coworker at cost after he saw me reading it during break and was so impressed by the art).

I'm more likely to operate at a loss than make a profit if I ever do dabble in it so I have no plans of doing so. However, I find the discussion and speculating quite interesting academically.

P.S. I've never actually read or watched Walking Dead so I do have this on my preorder to figure if I might want to pick up the TPBs (along with a whole bunch of other Image Firsts). After preorder discount and free bag and board, I feel like my LCS is losing money on these $1 issues.

Actually, for the last 4-5 seasons (perhaps even longer), the book spikes when the new season starts, sinks when the mid-season break kicks in, spikes when it returns in to finish the season and then sinks after the season finale.

 

I've bought at least 10 copies of the book during the "off season" for numbers ranging between 25% and 40% below the GPA high from in season and then resell them when the new season launches or the finale is about to air for a number that's back at or above the GPA high from the previous season.

 

It's one of the more consistent books over that time period to predict rise and fall. It hasn't been a steady ride upwards by any means.

That's actually pretty interesting. Day trading (or in this case season trading) with comics.

 

Isn't that already called Flipping?

I guess I just view flipping as a quick one time deal. Buy a hot book from LCS, etc at a low price and then turn for quick profit on ebay.

It seems comix4fun is buying/selling the same book over and over during predictable lows/highs which I find quite fascinating.

How did Image Firsts WD #1 sell, nowadays, raw

There are 25 Image Firsts on DEC16 Previews including Walking Dead #1 shipping in February 2017. Reprints may see a price dip then?

For those on the true believer $1 kick, I just saw that a hulk #181 and wolverine #1 (frank miller) were just solicited. Expect the same thing to happen with these.

 

Not exactly... These 2 will be dead on arrival whereas there was good money on NM98 true believer when it hit since it was the 1st affordable replica of that book

 

I think the 181 could be a $5 bill just because of the cover replication. Wolverine #1 is still fairly affordable.

Just curious, why would anyone pay $5 for this when it can be had for $1 or less from LCS or online retailers such as Midtown? Or would the price increase occur after stock from normal sources have dried up?

I'm not sure, is this considered Copper or Modern?

Actually, for the last 4-5 seasons (perhaps even longer), the book spikes when the new season starts, sinks when the mid-season break kicks in, spikes when it returns in to finish the season and then sinks after the season finale.

 

I've bought at least 10 copies of the book during the "off season" for numbers ranging between 25% and 40% below the GPA high from in season and then resell them when the new season launches or the finale is about to air for a number that's back at or above the GPA high from the previous season.

 

It's one of the more consistent books over that time period to predict rise and fall. It hasn't been a steady ride upwards by any means.

That's actually pretty interesting. Day trading (or in this case season trading) with comics.

Anyone here buy the DC Rebirth Omnibus? Is it worth picking up if I'm mostly interested in bonus material?

I just got issue #3 plus reprints of issues #1 and #2 from my LCS. Been meaning to pick this up but I'm glad I didn't buy the 1st print #1 from ebay. The synopsis sounded interesting but it's just not my cup of tea.

1:100's, direct from the publisher, taking off!

 

 

Good point stressing how often these rare variants end up in the crapper.

I reckon this is true of most variants regardless of whether it's publisher or retailer exclusive. It's probably quite rare for a variant to continue commanding high prices after initial release demand has died down.

Granted, that's probably true of all comics in general. There are a select few that float to the top while most can be found in dollar or even quarter bins (except those might be $5-10 bins decades in the future with inflation).

Betting if any of those variants get featured on CBSI, though, supply will probably dry up and price will go up. Not saying it's shilling or pump and dump. Just the effect of being featured on a site with a large following.

I think this whole discussion of what is and what isn't a 'legitimate' variant is amusing.

 

All I know is years from now, it is the books that were shunned that will be the ones with value. Subsequent printings anyone?

, quite likely. Non-#1s, too. Most probably because they'll be a person_without_enough_empathy to find particularly in high grade. While first print #1s are likely to get the Mylar treatment or even slabbing, I highly doubt subsequent printings are well taken cared of. Typical atrophy also means lower print numbers on later issues.