Brian48

Bought this book a couple of years ago. Great read. Lots of nostalgia for those who lived through that period when Johnson Smith Co. ruled. Mail Order Mysteries

I had no problems with the sea monkeys. The key is to be patient and let the treated water sit for a while before adding in the eggs.

I think I might have bought half the catalog back in those days. Tons of stuff and then agonizingly waiting for it to come in via snail mail. Only thing I wish I bought, but didn't, was the live monkey. Too rich for a little kid like myself.

Wow. That is as fake as a Porn's star's boobs. REALLY? Not even a good effort.

Don't remember that at all. I think I was out of the hobby by then, although I didn't sell off my collection until '83.

I like to have a reader copy of all my favorite slabbed books, but normally I don't have any more than 4-5 copies of any one particular book. Usually, it's because I stumble across copies that's too good of a deal to pass up or I'm just upgrading. This would include 'Tec #395, Chamber of Darkness #4 (Conan try-out), Bats #255, Kull #1, and Marvel Preview #7.

Surprised issue #162 hasn't taken off. That's the first appearance of Jigsaw, right? Maybe after Punisher Season II drops.

This great to hear.

I just use post-it notes.

Did a lot of business with Robert Bell back in the day. My first mail order for back issues were from Robert. Great memories. Unfortunately, I think he may have passed away some years ago, although I can't confirm that. He did move to FL towards the latter part of his life. Robert Bell Interview In Comic Book Marketplace 1996

That's actually not an error. In an interview, Neal said he had drawn Batman nude. Julie Schwarz or someone high up at DC saw that and said "NO WAY". They had to color some pants on Bats.

Amazed at how high that Vampi #1 CGC 9.2 closed at. You can toss out the guide on that one.

I think it would have been a better cover if Adams did not disjoint Joker's hips. I still can't get over that anatomy mistake.

I like this point and completely agree. 227 is not a key from a perspective of growing the character or the character's universe, but it doesn't have to be in order to qualify as a major Bat book that should still command a premium. It's in the same class and category as the original 'Tec 31 and even Tomahawk 116 if you want a non-Bats example from the BA. It's a really cool cover that a lot of people want and one that gets a lot of media attention (i.e. books, magazines, documentaries, etc..) because it's good [quick] visual representation of Bats transitioning from campy '60s fair to it's darker origins. I'd lump Wonder Woman 199 and 200 into the same class as well.

No.

Batgirl and Supergirl. No contest here. You can ask anyone passing along in the street who these characters are and they'd know them. Can't say the same for the others.

Yes. That's the whole point of 3rd party certification. I remember the hobby (both sports cards and comics) before grading became the norm. Grading was all over map and you never knew exactly what you were ording via snail mail until you actually got it in hand.

Congrats. Those Fantucchios are really nice. This book seems to have slowed down in the last couple of years, but I remember for a while there was an almost irrationally high demand for it. One of those books you just had to throw out the priceguide on.

I guess I've been living in a cave. Apologies if there's a thread already, but I didn't see it. Anyone who watched the documentary "The Death of Superman Live: What happen?" or the YouTube AMC/Collider reviews of all the superhero movies will know who Schnepp is. RIP and so damn young as well. A real shame.

Bats 251 will *never* become a IH 181. That said, this book has really jumped in popularity the last few years. I'm not a fan of pressing, but I'd be a liar if I didn't say I wasn't tempted to send my 9.0 old label in for a press and regrade. I'm pretty convinced it'll get a 9.4 at the very least. Should have gotten more copies of this book when I had the chance.

Really nice wrap on this one. GLWTS.

Yeah. Really under appreciated compared to the other Bat books (Yes, this didn't start out as a Bat book, but that's what it ended up as). Here's a few pics I have on hand. #79 is my favorite of the Adams run. I think I have 4-5 copies of that issue.

First appearance of Belit in comics is NOT Giant-Size Conan 1. It's Conan 58. Belit's name is mentioned in one word balloon, but there's no actual appearance.

I was blown away by this book when I was 7 years old. The dude drinking freakin' lava was really amazing. I was like "Who the hell thinks up stuff like this?". I so underappreciated Kirby back in the day. Anyway, $50 shipped. Ya can't lose.