metropoliscomics

Unfortunately, that Nickel #1 is the Allentown sitting in a holder that states that it is the Mile High. Stephen Well isn't this just lovely! Not only do we have to worry about accurate grading and undisclosed restoration on raw books, but now we need to verify that CGC graded pedigree books have the correct pedigree on the label.....does anyone have any coins for sale? It is not CGC's fault. It was mistakenly submitted as the Mile High. S

Unfortunately, that Nickel #1 is the Allentown sitting in a holder that states that it is the Mile High. Stephen

I like the early issues of Archie and Peps... Good stuff- we just got the Pep Mile High Run- really cool- I've never seen better. Check it out- http://outside-affiliatelinksnotallowed.com/vp5md

Once I knock this Centaur thing out, or close to it, I've got Planets in my sights. The more of those I see, the more I like them. Gerber doesn't do them justice. I dare you to collect Planets. I don't think you are man enough. S

Didn't they all come from Metropolis? Shouldn't you be thanking Stephen? I showed Nic my Mile High Planet run back in November 1999 which he offered my a ton of money for. I just could not bring myself to sell them. Told him I would help him put a complete run together which I did over the next 6 months. I LOVE PLANET COMICS. Some pretty cool books. Stephen

Nothing says action better than a superhero making a telephone call. S

I have the Larson Adventure #46 in my collection. I'm going to have to dig it out and get a scan of it. Stephen

Some of them were. It's disheartening to see books that I was tracking on Heritage show up on Metro's site for 50% more then they sold for on Heritage. Books that were just a little out of my reach are now way out of my reach Actually, none of them were. S

Not the dealer from Oklahoma who used to crash on people's hotel room floors at conventions to avoid paying for a room. The reference above brings back a flood of bad memories. S

It is a different copy. I believe that Dave Alexander was asking $14,000 for a VG/F. Steve

Another great cover. This is the Cosmic Aeroplane copy.

Here is the Mile High/Church copy of a pretty great book. That gorilla was lifted by Bob Kane and appeared to be battling Batman in Detective #36 (I believe it was #36).

Just purchased this book. A very sharp unrestored New Adventure #26. I have heard that this is a rare book.

I own the covers to Capt Atom #78 and #88 . Stephen

The Double Action #1 does exist. I do not know where it is now but I do know that it came out of Sol Harrison's collection in 1974.

So when is Ian coming onto the Comic Zone to talk about his trials and tribulations completing his DC collection? VZ

I collect ray guns from the 1930s to the 50s. If you guys want to see a cool site check out- http://www.toyraygun.com/ Great site! I also love original comic art. I have built a pretty neat collection over the years. I also have a very early RISK board-pretty neat. VZ

I am very sorry that Mr. Levine has chosen to air this situation with everyone. Guys- this one is very cut and dry and I am positive there will be no question as to who is right or wrong in this situation. First off I was threatened by Ian this morning that if I did not sell him the book he wanted to buy at the price he wanted to buy it for he would go on this forum and slam me. Slam me for simply not selling him a book I had no obligation to sell him. And sure enough he did. Lets get one thing straight from the get go-this is what I do for a living. This hobby/business is very important to me- I realize my livelihood isn't so important to Ian-only Ian's collection counts to Ian. This is a very compulsive individual who doesn't understand there are other parties involved that count as much as he does. Perhaps I should send his correspondence to all of the record people in the UK so they can see that they should avoid this man at all costs...but I digress. So here we go again. Let me state for the record that I was offered a book for sale-I was solicited-I did not go after this book out of a grudge or anything of the sort-simply offered the book. I am a business person, I saw an opportuntiy and had every right to pursue it. Today I bought the book. I have two customers I can sell it to-Mr. Levine being one of them. I told Ian at the end of his threat filled call that I would think about it- I did not say yes or no-just that I needed to think about what was in my best interest as a business decision. Needless to say I was leaning toward my other customer who has been nothing but a gentleman and a stellar problem free collector-possibly my biggest client. Just so you all know-Mr Levine, after countless failed attempts to buy this book from the seller, finally contacted me last week to try to work out a deal. If he had been successful in his attempts he never would have offered me a cent- nor should he as I did not call him and tell him I was working on his behalf. Yet when I am successful in buying a book I was offered I am expected to do his bidding because he needs the book. Somehow this doesn't fly with me-call me crazy. I don't appreciate people telling me what to do with my money/comics and I most certainly don't like being threatened. Ian first emailed me last week after he spent an exhaustive half hour of brow beating the owner-unsuccessfully. I could not in good conscience even dare to try to email him back, or contact him in any way because of what I learned after our past experiences. You all know the old adage- "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Aside from that the seller was a nice guy and working a deal out behind his back (talking about last week not this week) would not have been right. So I decided to do my deal and make my decision as to who I would sell this book to later. No spite, no grudge simply a business decision. Guys- after the first time he dragged our dirty laundry into the public forum I was quite angry. I was angry that he went and took private emails between us and aired them in a public forum- I think any of you in whatever business you are in would be just as upset. Also, I said some immature things and I apologized for those things and tried to make amends. I tried to move forward. Shortly after our falling out I sold Ian a group of books. I patiently waited for his payment for well over a month (past the original agreed upon date). And at the last second when he asked me if I could take several of the books off the invoice (because he had purchased them previously but they had been lost in the mail but now found...)after I held them for over a month I did just that- not because I had to but because I was trying to bridge the gap and get us on the right track. This of course was not a good enough gesture- There was another book Ian wanted. Ian hounded me for a Mutt & Jeff #2 my partner had promised him before our big fall out. After the fallout it occurred to Steve and I that the book should not be taken out of the run (yes a rather long and complete run) we had purchased. We decided we needed to put ourselves first and actually sold it as a run- G*d forbid! Once again my sale and business did not matter to Ian - He needed a book, he wanted a book. Sorry I learned the hard way with this guy that I had to think of myself first. I needed to make the decision that best helped my company so I sold the run. I ask you the CGC chatroom members- Judge , jury and executioners-What would you do? I asked him to kindly understand my position- that the Mutt & Jeff run would not have sold as quickly without the #2 - but that didn't matter. In between his threats this morning this was thrown in my face several times. A good, understanding customer would not have done this.... After meeting with the seller today I was told how much Ian bad mouthed me in the previous weeks as he tried his best to buy this book. When I was offered this book I did no such thing. I simply sympathized with the guy for having to put up with the harassment. He bad mouthed me-even though we were trying to make amends-even though we both agreed to let the past rest. After I heard what was said I had to spend quite a bit of time defending my position. Obviously I was successful as I have now purchased the book and will start doing some business with the seller. And for the record the seller did not do this for the money in the form of the sale of the book but rather for future business and a solid business relationship with me. For over 15 years I have had an excellent reputation in this business and it will take more than a bunch of selfish, childish lies to sully it. Apart from all of this I still never said I would definitely not sell the book to Ian. At the end of our call I asked him to be patient and wait- something Ian is very bad at- He wants what he wants what he wants what he wants. He tried to play himself off as a victim as I was reminded by the seller today at several points during our conversation. I never told the seller he had to sell the book to me or anything of the sort- I did not play any games or pressure him in any way. The seller kindly asked that after all the harassment he had to deal with from Ian- being called at all hours of the day, at his job etc....(typical Ian behavior-never respecting anybody's time-all that matters are him and his books) that I consider selling Ian the book. I told him I understood and that despite everything he told me Ian had said about me that I was thinking long term with Ian and that I would. I left the office tonight not feeling well and forgot to email Ian that I needed to think about this and that I would get back to him tomorrow. What did I have to think about you may ask? First off whether I would sell this book to a very good customer of mine who expressed interest in it or to Ian who had threatened me and bad mouthed me. Secondly I had to think about what I wanted to price the book at. I got home, ate dinner with my wife and relaxed. At about 11pm or so (not sure if that is exactly right-but I am sure Ian will post my email on the chat room tomorrow with the exact time to make a liar out of me) realizing what a lather Ian was probably in over this I emailed him to let him know I would contact him tomorrow. About a half hour later I received a call from my partner telling me Ian is at it again- slamming me on CGC. Ian - For the record I am unphased by your petty attempts at some imaginary revenge you are seeking. It bothered me the first time-but as soon as people heard my point of view they realized you were not the innocent victim you constantly make yourself out to be. Your attempts at black mail and extortion have not worked. You can not spread lies and falsehoods and expect people to believe you. Stop your games you little man. Because all the kicking and screaming and threats will not make me want to sell the book to you any more nor will they make me contact you any sooner. You are a troubled person Ian...and even though you are troubled I am still considering selling you your precious. Why? Because I understand your illness I have dealt with it before...Many customers (and most of you know a few of these guys) are obsessive. I realize you are so obsessive you can not see how low you have stooped to try to get this material possession. However I will say this if I see even one more negative post on this chat room by Ian in any way shape or form I will not sell the book to him. This is not a threat, simply a statement of fact. I would imagine this decision would be understandable. Itis not made out of spite but rather a business decision. Why would I help someone who tries to tear me down over and over again. Nevertheless I look forward to a civil conversation with Ian tomorrow. Sincerely, Vincent Zurzolo COO Metropolis Collectibles, Inc.

the following copies are available 3 issue(s) available that match your request: ALL AMERICAN COMICS ---------------------------------------------------- ISSUE GRADE PRICE 61 VF/NM 9 $4,800.00 - 65% = $1,680.00 (1st Solomon Grundy slight r) 61 FN 6 $1,700.00 (UNRESTORED 1st Solomon Grundy) 61 GD+ 2.5 $575.00

The theft was about two years ago. The books that were stolen were EXTREMELY valuable!

Nick Cage had 3 expensive books stolen out of his house. After that, his desire to buy more was never the same.

To the Comic Community It has always been the policy of Metropolis to not divulge the inner workings of the deals that we are involved in. Those details generally do not get shared with the outside world. However, I recently viewed a posting from a person by the name of Bryan Stulberger, AKA procustean, and therefore and I am forced to speak up. I look at this posting as I would an account of an alien abduction or the text from an interview conducted with the Loch Ness Monster. Pure Fabrication. In a situation, that by its very nature would dictate a complete lack of knowledge by an outside party, it is always easier just to "make it up". I can see from a number of later postings that a many of individuals have already seen the very large holes in Mr. Stulberger’s posting. Where shall we begin. I have known Nicholas Cage for about 16 years. The original posting stated that "Nick Cage happen to buy about 70% of his collection from Metropolis Collectibles." For the record, with the exception of one low grade Marvel Mystery #4 and 3 early high grade Superman, I personally sold Nick Cage 100% percent of his collection. This figure of 70% was just pulled from mid-air. The posting states that "roughly a year ago" Nick Cage started to submit his collection to CGC. This claim is made up. Books from Cage’s collection were submitted to CGC approx. 2 months ago. Personally, I find the following two statements, made by Mr. Stulberger AKA Procrustean, the most egregious. Her states that Nick Cage "found out that close to 75% of the books he bought from METROPOLIS were RESTORED." According to my records, less than 10% of Nick Cage’s books had any type of restoration. Nick Cage bought restored books. While he would rather have an unrestored book, there were cases where he bought restored books. For example, he was desperately trying to complete his Marvel Mystery set for a number of years. There were certain books that I could not find in unrestored condition, so restored copies were sold to him. RESTORED books were sold to him as RESTORED books. In fact, as per my agreement with Jack Oliver (an employee of Nick’s), a letter was generated for each book that was sold to Nick that stated: the title of the book, the issue number, the date purchased, the invoice number, the grade of the book and any information regarding possible restoration. I have copies of these letters in my files in addition to the originals in Jack Oliver’s files. The RESTORED Flash #1 was sold as a RESTORED book, the RESTORED All-American #16 was sold as a RESTORED book, the Adventure #40 was a book that was described as a book that had a dot of color touch and a dot of glue (as is common with many Mile High keys), the Captain America #1 was sold as a book having a tear seal at the bottom of the cover. On and On and On. The only key books that were sold as unrestored that came back with purple labels were the copies of More Fun #52 & #53. When I had them, I did not see any work. In fact, I bought these two books for quite a pretty penny from a well-known West Coast dealer who sold them to me as unrestored. With the possible exception of perhaps a minor book or two, 100% of Nick Cage’s comic books are in the auction. I know the collection backwards and forwards. This idea that there exists other restored books from his collection that will hit the market is a complete fabrication. It is a lie. There are no other books. Mr. Stulberger states that a year ago, Nick Cage "confronted the Metropolis boys and guess what they had the balls to tell him? Sorry but all sales are final". Assuming I am a Metropolis boy, and judging from the 75 or so conversations I have had with Nick Cage over the years and the dozen or so conversations I have had with him over the past 12 months, I can state that the conversation described in the original posting was made-up. No such conversation ever existed. Nick Cage was aware that there were restored comic books in his collection. I am quite proud of single handedly putting his collection together. It is a mighty impressive collection. That is all I am going to say on the subject. Stephen Fishler