MAR1979

If it makes any difference I thought the same about the Image! stuff in 1992/1993 and I was rather young then.

The covers are not the only thing without substance, seems most books now are a combination of splashes and double pages spreads. Very much appears writers get paid by the page or book thus keeping that pesky plot dialog to a bare minimum.

Before viewing the result I looked at the scans. My feeling was a 9.2/9.4 or 9.6 MAX if pressed. I think you did very well with the grade and pressing in your case I just do not think woudl have moved the needle - thus kudos on saving the coin. I've sent in "nicer" books that have received 9.6's and of course some "worse" that got 9.8 (structural 9.8's in effect).

It's tough book when the black back over-wraps the front. The 9.8's I've seen mostly are when the white front covers the spine. The stress lines break color so pressing won't be of any value to the spine. Assuming there is no damage the pics do not show, I say 9.0 with outside chance of 9.2 depending on how much CGC nicks you the back bottom left corner. Given some folks, but not me, chase newsstands from that era it seems more than worth submitting.

From 1999-2016 CGC had the top label on outside of the slab. After 10-15 years depending on humidity storage levels most start to detach. To re-attach labels I recommend Best-Test Paper Cement. After it it is dry simply wipe away the excess. Best-Test Paper Cement will not shrink or wrinkle paper when adhering and it dries quickly and clear. Acid-free, easy to apply and clean up

Oakland copy's both now sitting in queue at CGC. The Marvel Premiere is an especially strong copy

Will post an update next summer, which I guess is when I'll have them back from CGC ?

This week came across some books I put away a long time ago. The #85 with 2nd Frank Miller artwork was a book I purchased as child just after the Twilight Zone movie was released. Got it from a comic vendor at an indoor flea market. A few year laters he would have his own store and I believe it survived 25 years. As I recall he had about a dozen GK Zones and I picked out the one in nicest condition. I also recall he was getting $2.00-$3.00 for them which at the time was rather high. Seeing the #85 cover really brings back some nice childhood memories. #84 "Frank Miller Rookie" in effect, was part of collection that had just been purchased by my LCS when I was a kid. They had not even been unboxed when I walked in. I picked up about 15 different issues. BTW until this week I was not even aware I had the #84! Thought I had 81 and 82 as it turned out it was 82 and 84. The scans make them appear a bit nicer than they actually are. #85 is a possible 9.4 that with a pressing I'm hoping will cement that grade or move it up to a 9.6. #84 I feel is a 9.0 or possible 9.2 if pressed? In past I've never had any book pressed as my stuff did not need it. But these will be part of a submission in which I will be having all books pressed. ---------------------------------------------- #84 #85

5K may have been high water mark, if down to 4k, 3.5k may be next. Yes, quite an increase from a year ago but not thinking it will hold on to majority of those gains. Only time will tell. P.S. It was mentioned earlier that the Direct sale edition is more rare, I do agree. The question is if more high grade direct sale or newsstand currently are in the graded population? My guess is the numbers are probably close to the same. That said I'm sure there are those who will pay a premium for the newsstand even if the supply does not dictate it as it does with ASM 300.

pollard w/nebres inks = Powerful Cover. Perhaps my favorite Pollard work.

Kirby Crackle (bubbles) on one of my favorite Thor Covers. His work with Marco's on the interiors from 1978-1980 was top notch. Some of the imagery in 281 and 282 is wild

Guess the grade

Actually the ASM artists of "my era" were Romita Jr/Frenz/McFarlane. I do like Andru thou specifically his work from 1974-1981 at both Marvel and DC.

Harsh comment. Marco's inks worked much better with pollard's pencils

I believe Cap's holding Peggy Carter. Only 9.8 in original pre-mid 2003 slab.