MasterChief

Another remarkable procurement, Peter -- one of only 3 copies certified 9.6! Not a single book at this point has cracked the 9.8 barrier. It is uncommon in high grade, no doubt. So much so the Suscha News collection contains only a single copy. It's an uncertified specimen which I was fortunate to obtain a few years back...

Terrific looking book, Peter! Here's hoping you're successful in the acquisition. As for me, I absolutely adore the Suscha News collection. It's a wonderful assemblage with a story where books were originally acquired from a small town news distributor, right from the backroom receiving dock location, no less. Just for those that might be unknowing... here's a bit of FYI. There are loads of Pictures Frames in the Suscha News collection. Plenty of duplicates, too -- with multiple high-grade copies of the same, no less! The original collector knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he cherry pick each and every copy right from the wholesaler pallet during initial distribution in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Here's to you, Mr. Gearlds. You, my friend, have enabled your fellow enthusiast to re-experience the wonders of the Marvel Age with your amazing Suscha News collection from the early '70s. (thumbs u

Killer book, Barton. Palmer did a fantastic job, too. And what a great example to show with Halloween being just around the corner.

I tend to agree with you, the published version lacks energy. It's just kinda blah. Roy Thomas said very few of Kane's western covers were changed when he was editor-in-chief (Thomas became EIC in '72). Reason being, "nobody cared about the western that much. They were mediocre sellers, at best, by that point." This cover, however, changed as a result of the Severin embellishment. And not in a good way, IMO. Interesting thought about using Palmer or Janson instead of Severin. It led me to research just how many different inkers embellished Kane during the period. Here's what I found, thanks to a great resource: Gil Kane Art and Interviews. Oh by the way, the new guy on the right? If I'm not mistaken, that's Severin. I'd recognize that crazed look anywhere.

Wow! Great looking books but those prices are

Here's another interesting study. This time an apparent Kane original that changed prior to final production. I came across the penciled cover while conducting some internet research, here. The notation accompanying the cover advert states "Red Wolf #1 3-D Box style cover, rare un-inked, finished pencil, 1st version, Red Wolf's position changed on final comic". Although the listing attributes the cover to Kane and Severin, I don't believe Severin's hand is visible in the original illustration. That's all Kane to me. That said, Severin is unmistakably present in the published version (and credited so along with Kane on the cover). Again, all comments welcomed.

Thanks for the thoughts, Guys. (thumbs u I suspect the Sal Buscema illustration changed after the Marvel production staff learned it was difficult to color. The apparent use of too many black 'excitement' lines (those surrounding Cap) complicated the other character elements, making the figures blend with the background instead of standing out in sharp contrast. The cover seems overworked in its original size. Perhaps it was more so once reduced to comic book production size. The use of the circles, with help of the color scheme, eliminated the confusion and enabled the dramatic effect, making it more pleasant to look at and easier for the reader to understand.

A few years ago we were discussing several books in the production run that did not conform to the conventional picture frame design. Namely, Cat#1, ASM#113, ASM#115, and CA#155. (link) Recently, I obtained what was advertised as an original acetate cover used during the production of CA#155. What appears significant about the item is that it ostensibly verifies CA#155 was initially produced in the standard PF format. For some reason, however, its cover design and the placement of two character elements changed prior to final print production. If anyone has additional insight or clarification on the subject, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks, Barton. I was pleasantly surprised when the #4 arrived. Solid structural integrity with amazing aesthetics. I can't stop looking at it. IMHO the book is a genuine 9.6 and quite possibly a 9.8 (on a good day).

Meant to post these last night but got sidetracked. Without further ado, some recent acquisitions...

This is a ridiculously nice copy. I second that. Barton has been on a roll lately. Agreed! That baby is freaking B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! (thumbs u

Great looking book, Bob. Another tough black-bordered picture frame. You've got a winner there, with perfecto cover cut production alignment. It IS truly a standout, to say the least. BTW... I noticed a 9.6 for sale on eBay. It's adorned with an ugly cover miss wrap. I'll pass on that one, because I'd take one like yours any day of the week over that fugly one.

Wow! I need to check in more often. Some amazing books posted after my last visit. And huge props to you, Barton. This here specimen is extraordinary. To think it survived 43 years in its current condition, without post-production help, is inconceivable. Truly a remarkable specimen. And one that is well deserving of its status as... "The Single Best Copy in Existence!"

Oh Danny Boy, how thou art missed ...

Yes, the special note on the letters page says the cover doesn't actually represent anything that occurs in the story, but they went with it anyway because they loved it. It's a rather long-winded version . . . Cool. Thanks. Covers not representing what actually takes place within a comic... ...Hmm. Now that has got to be a first!

Now that's a nice copy! (thumbs u Anyone out there know what the "Important!" caption is the circle is referring to?

Beautiful book, Barton! And a great reason to bump the thread.

Great lookin' book. Colors really pop off that green frame. Nicely done!

Don't have it. MOTP#20 is one tough book. Only seven copies have cracked the 9.0 level. I would like to own a high-grade copy someday, like the Rosa (9.6) that's been on eBay for months. But that seller's price point is way too rich for me. So for the time being, I acquired the next best thing.

Thanks, GT. (thumbs u

More scanning and cataloging of original owner material completed tonight. Here are additional raw artifacts from Suscha News...

Good luck, my friend. I wish you the best! (thumbs u

Thanks for the props regarding the latest books posted, Guys. Here are more recently scanned (as of tonight) original owner books. Tractability for these is that of Suscha News.

I bought these off the rack, wanting to read the SA FF and then Avengers stories. I remember that they were typically beat up even when new, being less popular than the first-run titles and having been pawed for weeks on the spinner racks (hence, the common finding of multiple spine stress lines, from kids bending the tops of the copies up at the front to see which ones were behind). Good stuff, Bob. Love hearing about the glory days. I remember '72 just the same way... with the exception that my brothers and I used to cherry-pick books right after they were put on the spinner rack. We didn't have much (or any) money back in the day so we'd grab the ones we wanted, but couldn't buy at the time, then hid them behind odd titles we felt no one would care to look at (Richie Rich, for example). Then we'd go out and collect soda bottles or mow lawns to earn some money to buy our hidden prizes. More often than not, however, the books were gone by the time we'd return. With our "secret hiding" place discovered, we came up with a new plan. We started hiding our finds within the magazine rack itself. Usually behind the last issue of some obscure publication or under the horizontal wooden magazine racks thinking no one would look there or even care if they found them. Believe it or not, that plan actually worked. We were able to hide and then eventually buy (sometimes a month or two later after placement) the books of our youth. Man, talk about memories... those were glory days, for sure. Good times we remember.

Great lookin' books, Double M! Love this here Kane Frame. Just can't seem to land a high-grade copy, though. Latest 9.8 sold via ComicLink @ $1535. Yours truly got blown out of the pool early on that one.