Stephen H

3 minutes ago, Jaydee said:

After a weekend CON with onsite grading and encapsulation , This is normal.  Also They may not update the system as fast

True, I did forget about onsite this past weekend. Usually regardless of Cons I had normally seen max 3 CGC business days before switched to QC. Thanks for the response.

^{Submitted my first Value tier book. Usually do fast track modern or normal modern submit.  It has been sitting in Graded status for over a week. Is this normal due to the slow process or should I inquire?}

10 minutes ago, Convention dude94 said:

I checked the mail today my package was small and I got some sunglasses. Not a cgc comic

I got swindled by that website. Someone was right. Mrbeaina is fake site. Just to swindle me... *sigh...* Now it’s time to raise awareness.

We were all hoping for you, but expected the outcome. Better start the CC dispute.

1 hour ago, ExNihilo said:

Yeah....I'm definitely not clicking on shady links about shady transactions....

Great, he is going to get no ASM and we all get a virus.

I can't wait to see what shows up. 

On 4/16/2018 at 9:40 PM, Lonzilla said:

FYI I fired off a nasty email,they refunded my money and chastised my use of vulgar language

I posted about it on the boards to give a heads up to whoever else didn't get their copies and the lousy condition to expect.

They pre-sell slabbed CGC 9.8's before the book is even released through their site, and their partner sites, and some dealers on ebay who buy in bulk from them.

Well, where do you think the cherry picked raw 9.8 copies go?

Not to you, me or anyone else who orders from them and has to wait a week AFTER Thanos #18 is out to get their variant of Thanos #17.

They sent out a B.S. form letter email apologizing for the delay because much of the shipment was "damaged" and they were waiting for replacements.

I smell fertilizer on that one because some dealers on ebay already had their 9.8 slabs in hand and for sale.

Actually the "replacement copies" would be 2nd printings regardless wouldn't they? I mean if there was only X amount made as they say and they had to replace them, replace them with what? X-X=0.

I hope your ASM 800's arrive safely and in a timely manner but it seems the only way you'll get a 9.8 from them is to buy it pre-slabbed

I can't speak for the Thanos 17 ordering....I passed as I was not a fan of the cover art. But all other orders I have made through Comic Mint have been 100% 9.8 quality. I have had delayed orders like with my Metal 6, but they responded to emails quickly. Sucks you had such a bad experience.

I would grade and sell if your happy with the return you will get. I think even in the worst case a CGC 9.8 13 will always be at least a $100 book.

I sold multiple copies of 13....for as low as $10 when it first started picking up steam, kicking myself. But I have 4 with CGC now.....When I get them back I will keep the highest grade and sell the rest. 

I do wish his superman was more "friendly" lol. Always to evil for me.......but I still buy them..lol.

8 minutes ago, Jaydogrules said:

Is that right ?  1:200?   If that's the case a high buy in doesn't surprise me at all.  This will be his first 1:200 and it's ASM, so no-brainer for me. 

-J.

I would if the 1:200 was unique and not just the virgin of the 1:25. 

4 hours ago, ct0318 said:

So I jumped on e-bay to pre-order a copy of Dell'otto's ASM #800 and I honestly can't believe what they are going for and what people are willing to spend on it. It's a 1:25 ratio and one seller has them up for $119.99 with more than 10 copies available. Some have already sold and there are even active bids over $100. This kind of made me sad and it did so for a couple of reasons. The first being that I've started to accept the fact that the variant craze is hurting the collector that just wants to add a cool cover to his/her collection. I've been collecting variants for a while now and I've defended them since I can remember because it was affordable and fun for many (I understand not everyone). If you wanted to pre-order or buy a variant it wouldn't cost you 4 times the ratio. It used to feel like a choice right? If you wanted the variant cover because you liked it and you wanted to collect it then great, if you didn't then that was ok too. Now it doesn't feel like the collector has much of a choice because of such high prices. I'm lucky enough to have a great job and honestly I could throw down the cash and buy new (not rare or time tested) variants at these prices but it doesn't feel right or healthy both for the comic industry and one's personal finances (maybe a lot of people here are way way better off then I am but still). I know the topic of variants hurting the industry and whether it's sustainable or not has been discussed many times over in other threads but this is just crazy. The median hourly wage in the U.S. is about $22 and that's before taxes and other deductions. It would take someone a whole day of work at this wage to afford this ASM #800 variant. More for those whose wages are lower. The argument could be made that "hey no one is forced to buy it, if they can't afford it then they shouldn't buy it" but to me that's not how it should be or the mentality that as a community we should ever endorse. Comic collecting, even variants, shouldn't be increasingly out of reach for people. Before I go on, I AM NOT talking about comics or variants that appreciate over time and truly are rare. These I understand if you want it you have to be willing to pay for it and have the money.

All of this brings me to the second reason of why seeing the ASM #800 prices made me sad. If I were to buy it at these prices it kills my budget for other comics or variants. This is acceptable here and there but increasingly every month I'm seeing 3-4 variants for the same comic at unreasonable prices. Variety and choice is great for the consumer but there has to be a balance. I've heard and read that it's flippers and speculators that are fueling and keeping this store exclusive/multiple variant environment going but I find that hard to believe for something this size . Either the majority of comic collectors have well above six figure salaries with a reasonable mortgage and no debt or there are many who are buying every Dell'otto or Mattina variant and have huge credit card debt. Have any of you recently felt like f**k it I'm out and thought I have my retirement to fund or simply start saving more?

Anyways, I'm done with my rant. If any of you here have any thoughts I'd love to hear them

The prices are crazy, even with the understanding it is a $8.00+ book. I was fortunate enough that I got two at $80.00 total from Scorpion Comics. I am not sure if they miscalculated the price, it was a flash sale or what, but hopefully they honor it as they are now charging $100.00.

I am guilty and feed into the Mattina and Dell Otto craze. I however use my sales from other books and from extra copies pre-ordered on Wednesday to help pay for them. But I agree, its getting to be a weekly occurrence that I almost can't keep up with. Luckily I am not a JSC or Granov fan, so I save some money....and the Spec Spider-Man 300 Hughes will be the last of his I buy. 4 copy sets are two much. Trade and Virgin I am okay with.

7 hours ago, jason4 said:

Did anybody get shipping notification on spectacular Spider-Man 300? I ordered from amorphous and it said early march ... nothing yet...

cant wait to see my first dell Otto in person 

 

This one is great! I ordered, but my LCS handled for me so I am not cc'd on tracking. I will let you know if I get it though. Ordered 2 sets I believe. 

47 minutes ago, MDR123 said:

@Stephen H He hasn't done nearly enough Superman. This is a definite buy for me as a Superman fan. Hopefully getting my Superman #50s back in the next few months. That and Justice League #1 (Rebirth - 2016) are the only recent works he's done with Superman that I recall. 

Forgot about the #50......that didn't come Virgin did it?

12 minutes ago, MDR123 said:

As per Bulletproof Facebook : 

 

Bulletproof is proud to present Action #1000 painted by one of the greatest modern masters of our generation, Gabriele Dell'Otto! Available in Color and Virgin. Convention Ed.pending approval. Presale next Tuesday March 13th @ Noon EST.

This one is nice, Not sure how much Superman he has done. I will definitely be picking up a few of these.

Just now, MDR123 said:

Holy F**k BALLS

YES! 

Where, how, $$$, need more facts man!, need more details!

http://www.sarasotaclerk.com/court-services/small-claims/instructions-for-filing-small-claims

Would get a response/

I would personally stay away from the brittle pages as well. From what I have been explained, alot of collectors will pass, and the problem can still persist in the slab, so if ever reslabbed, you could see a downgrade in the overall grade of the book later on.

3 minutes ago, mattn792 said:

Personally I think there’s more scam buyers than sellers because the sellers are generally easier to spot (true example - 9.8 Hulk 181 for 12 grand from a zero feedback seller).  If it sounds too good to be true, pass.

I agree with Matt. More Sellers are good. I worry about selling on Ebay. I have a book listed right now for over $1000 and I am worried as hell when it sells that a buyer is going to try and scam me.

Just look at the feedback, and use Paypal with credit card.

17 hours ago, IntoAnother said:

Hey Stephen H, I have always gravitated towards the stories inside the books so I have not purchased any keys for just the cover, and if the story isn’t any good I’m not going to be buying the book.

I do appreciate the additional art and virgin covers can be very stunning as you pointed out, I just don’t support the price tags and shady business tactics used to sell them. 

I can respect that. The shady business tactics some do does get to me. For example I refused to buy the Adi Granov Infinity Countdown #1 variant by Unknown Comics because it states only "800" released online (other held for damages and cons), and after different attempts to confirm actual print number, and them never responding, I passed on buying. Sure then printed 1000-3000 of them, but they are not obligated to state the amount.

3 hours ago, IntoAnother said:

You are far from alone bud. 

My suggestion, walk away from any variant that costs more than cover price and never look book. 

No matter what the print run is, the story on the inside is exactly the same. It also doesn’t matter how many scumbag dealers are screaming “BUY MINE!” with some form of misleading wording, you don’t need them. So just walk away and save your money. 

Just Devil's Advocate here. I purchase plenty of Silver Age, etc.. for just the cover. Have you never purchased a Key for the cover alone? Even though the story was no good? I see variants as no different.  Typically if I spend over cover, its for a virgin variant where the art can really be appreciated. Just my opinion. 

I buy a few, but only artists I enjoy. Resale value means little to me, I think of it as more of a piece of art for a PC. I will not purchase a variant just because its a 1:50, or 1:100, I have to actually enjoy the art. Recent examples are Mattina and Dell'Otto exclusives I have purchased genuinely because the art is incredible. I wish Marvel did more attractive Cover Bs like DC. I buy almost every Middleton, Frison, Mattina and AH, and Coipel variants at cover price.

My Goals for this year are to downsize my collection. I plan on keeping to the few modern runs I want, Batman, Claremont X-Men, some Image titles and then just slabbed keys and variants. I will continue to read singles for a little bit. I am unsure if I want to keep the singles I buy, and then just sell off the series I don't like or being to trade wait.

On 2/11/2018 at 1:16 PM, ignimbrite said:

I was hoping to get a little advice from those that have attended the Vegas show in the past. Is it worth it as a destination show? It looks good (I am in Canada).

It has improved every year IMO. I am not a big attendee of Cons, as this is the only one I have attended. They have built up a great group of Creators to be present this year, however if you are going strictly for this, an not for any typical "Vegas" attractions, I would go to a bigger con.

21 hours ago, fastballspecial said:

I love all these Venom errors. My buddy was working at a comic shop when he found one and gave it to the shop owner.
Who promptly sold it to a buyer in the shop that spends alot of money monthly theree.

I dont blame the owner for selling it, but I stick it to my buddy every chance I get about this book. 

 

At least he knew what they had. I found fine in an LCS backissue box. 

On 2/15/2018 at 6:21 PM, ikoncomics said:

Here is the way mine looks.

I don't see that much of the red foil.

 

Thanks for posting, much appreciated. Thats about the most I have ever seen, other then mine. 

On 2/15/2018 at 5:26 PM, Carl Elvis said:

Is this newsstand normal or an error?

This appears to be normal.