ADAMANTIUM

Honestly, I hope you get the $25, because of the moxxie to suggest that as I thought it was too, but the Linda through me off and some of them look slightly different. Before I put my novice super noob opinion out there but that was the best I could think too. If it helps!

Another charging Double-Cover

1st CrackerJackJackson!!! SO IMPORTANT, IT DEMANDS A DOUBLE COVER!

idk, but perhaps it is because it is Mother's Day? idk

Amen. I also meant to add that a facilitator will probably charge you $5 to crack a slab. Because they have to be the ones to crack a signature series slab, for blue labels they might still charge $5, just fyi, some don't or say they do but don't just depends. Any signature series they will charge as it is what they get paid for

I see several in this thread that are absolutely lovely! I'd love one of the HOS 92 from the guy who had multiples! I'd also love and Invincible #1 but kudos for those with the presence of mind to own them already!

yes to all of the above, each facilitator is different, but most will crack it to get the signature for you. Or at least crack it while you go to get the sig, hand you a phone number to text, when you're near the front of the line, then meet you to witness the sig, and carry it for you to fill out paperwork. They will not just stand in line with you, as that would be impossible to do for everyone not enough workers and or etc. If the slab you buy is NOT already signed, you can then crack it with no problem. If it IS signed, and then you crack it, all those sigs become unwitnessed. A facilitator has to crack signature series slabs. If you're just buying a high grade blue label, want to meet the celeb or person to get signature, there is no reason not to crack it yourself, make a window bag, which is basically a bag and board from a comic that you cut the bag (do not have the book nor board in the bag when you cut it) part with a square where you want it signed then put the book and board back in the bag. That way the celeb or person doesn't have to handle your book, and you can just slide it in front of them talking without breaking stride in conversation, limits books handling damage As for JSA, Witness, that is up to you, and I believe, despite runon sentences that I've described enough that you can use this as a template for questions with whatever facilitators attending. You'll feel more confident when asking them, and getting a feel for how they do it

Not so much a bad/good idea, but more a necessity I'm thinking, which is common, and especially with modern books. The affordability and grade are the risk and all up to you. Some crack for one signature and use a facilitator or cgc in-house signing to do so, but don't risk it a second or third time, and so on. It happens all the time and for years with success, but idk percentages of success to failure. A CGC in-house signing or having a facilitator do it would be my suggestion, as they have experience! 😜 When filling out cgc forms there is a reason why cgc has a disclaimer for cracking it out, that they DO have to regrade it and can't guarantee the old grade. Idk if facilitators have the same nomenclature. Basically you knew all these facts, probably, before I started typing, but reading them might help your gut decide. Sometimes you got to do what you got to do, such is the signature series program.

I second perhaps waiting on the purchase due to the movies, however it has been in grade and value for a while, idk if any spike happened but keep this in mind when making purchases, as it is good to know what has history and what is the flavor of the month so to speak. @Gus Landt Not saying yay or nay here for myself

A good question to which there is a complicated answer, technically according to CGC a 9.8 is a 9.8, however "buy the book not the grade" is a common phrase to learn in time. With mostly older books the way the front and back cover are stapled can have what is called a "miswrap", where at the spine and where the front meets the back can be misaligned. I don't have a 9.8 example but will show you a Hulk 180 to get an idea. In spoiler see how the white is not straight up and down? Also certain defects are found even in 9.8's so technically some 9.8's stand out, with color and other pros and cons. Sometimes due to pics on sellers listings it can be hard to see, but usually CGC has a definitive 9.8 book come out right and looking 9.8, while some might find defects showing as a "poor 9.8". Basically the 9.6 and 9.8 difference can be slight and especially to a beginner. That also might seem too critical to a novice, it is just something accustomed to collectors as they've seen enough books, and the nuances are learned over time. You will find "buy the book and not the grade" rings true or especially true from time to time, but definitely not as often in 9.8 comparatively within the grade. I can't say just buy the lowest price, but it isn't like driving off a cliff if you do

Prayers 🙏 my friend, healing from ONE that sticks closer than a brother! Proverbs 18:24 Love never dies my friend.

@Cat Hope you're doing well my friend 🙏

Oh ya that one from Rome Georgia of mine got delivered fine, took a normal amount of days.

awesome, I may leave raw and use as a back cover pic for a Stevens book then... Idk if you do the registry here, is that book even in a slot? It isn't under three dimensional, nor Dave Stevens and etc, I haven't been able to find it is what I mean.... If you knew where? It is complete with the glasses, but idk

question? Three Dimensional Alien Worlds 1 in Comic Books & Memorabilia | eBay Is the Three Dimensional Dave Stevens? I had heard rumored that no it isn't, apps list him as either inker or penciler, but I haven't found CGC note and it isn't in the registry under Dave Stevens.... Figuring there is a reason for that as prolific the artist is, age of the Dave Stevens sets, and the thoroughness of passionate collectors. But could it be that "inker or penciler" doesn't qualify as a "cover of Daves" but he is associated with it nonetheless? @F For Fake or anyone else

It might have changed at this point, but it took a while to get there, I guess.

I wasn't as familiar with it either, it strikes me in art that pops up from now and then, for example reminds me of x-force #116. Pastels I was thinking some of the other characters represented but can't remember all of them, and it's not a story book to take off in ongoing either. Lol I could mention something like squirrel girl, but then you never know!

I deleted Fantagraphics 1 as it is basically a preview book, in that it also has the 1st color advertisement of tmnt on the back cover. While that is why I own a copy the other stuff besides tmnt is a bit hit and miss, but I don't want to confuse the situation