sirbestow1

Some mornings you wake up and notice that everything has gone up, except for your paycheck I'm sure there are some collectors out there, like me, when everything goes up it hurts your hobby. I mean some days I'd love to tell the electric company where to stick it because I'm investing in a sketch cover. But I know that after an hour without power that it would be a mistake because I wouldn't be able to enjoy that cover (oh and I'm sure the wife being a bit upset might factor in too). So the example of this Journal moves to Baltimore Comic Con. A small convention that hasn't yet been effected by the MEGA-con idea of we must get every person from pop culture and beyond to show up to sell more tickets (even though they have little to nothing to do with comics at all). They still keep it to writers, artists and creators. Even though I like to possibility of meeting a big name actor at a MEGA-con, in my heart I hope Baltimore doesn't get too big for it's britches and stays comic oriented. This was my second year. I discovered Baltimore last year when Stan Lee came to town. It seemed to be a place where I could expose my children to the inner workings of the comics they read. Strange considering I don't always know who wrote or draws the books I like/liked (I'm still learning). I felt it was a great way to meet Stan and it wasn't a shove fest to do so. Over all it was a great experience. This year was more Stan, but to me it was a been there and done that. All three of us have been enjoying Avengers Vs. X-men and the next "big guy" in line was John Romita Jr. I thought it was another great person for my kids to get an autograph from. Noting that I started the article with tightening my belt getting an affordable Avengers vs. X-men comic wasn't exempt from this. I wanted the girls to have something nice, like a variable, but the earlier issues were ruled out (note I have to buy in pairs for this adventure). I had to go with a pair of issue 10 VS. team variant (so each could have the same book but different covers) . I know by this book they have switched artists, but what can you do when you are on a budget. For myself? I ruled out JR Jr. I figured I could catch him again at another convention, when money might not be as tight. Worse case scenario: I have issue 300 Uncanny X-Men already autographed by him, from the 90's with a "COA". I could just go with a green label on that and couple the COA with the grade. There were 3 creators on my list but the budget for SS grading only allowed 2 books - Neal Adams, Larry Hama and Herb Trimpe. Neal and Herb are going to be at NYCC, but I A) didn't want to risk them cancelling out B) Baltimore is such a small convention that they would be EASY to get to. Larry isn't on the guest list for NYCC as of yet, so he was a top pick. Slight diversion here - I'm a little weird when it comes to the autographs (maybe you are too). I like to get things signed that the person had something to do with. I also "try" to keep my collection within boundaries - books dealing with Wolverine or books I have read. Wolverine is easy considering he is in everything! Book I've read? I don't like running out to buy a book I haven't read or have no intentions of reading just to get an autograph. The third, self imposed rule, is the book should have a little value to it. I don't intend on selling my collection, but there could be a time in the future that I might have or need to sell something, and I would want something that I could move (like to pay that power bill). Rule three is flexible based on budget. It does bug me a bit the A vs X that was singed by JR Jr. wasn't the book he worked on. Bigger obstacle was Herb Trimpe. I do have Incredible Hulk 181, but it is graded at a 3.5! So I settled. Wolverine 100 went to Herb and Larry for a duel signature. Neal signed a copy of First X-men 1 Variant. Deviation #2: I have another book that I'm looking for 4 signatures (Wolverine 10) for an "original creator" signed book. Herb Trimpe, Chris Claremont, John Bryne (I hear good luck with that) and Len Wein. That book I put to the side for NYCC so I can get Herb and Chris at the same time - and hopefully crack out the book in the future for Len and John. So settling for the four books instead of 5, and getting a small family "donation" to help out with the trip, we were Baltimore bound, ALMOST. In my hunt for getting stuff signed for signature series, I began to learn about the other creators that were going to be there and their relation to the books I read. I'm already biting my nails over the budget, but the other side of me points out that I should get something because you never know what the future holds (I cut back on getting an autograph from Joe Simon last year due to budget. I'm sure you know the rest). Looking across my bookshelf my eyes fall on a Wolverine book that my children had gotten me for Christmas one year. I picked up the book and started thumbing through it and started noticing how it was put together. "HEY. It starts out with Incredible Hulk 181 and there is Herb's art" & "There is a chapter about Fatal Attractions which was written by Larry" & "Oh! JR Jr has quite a few pieces of work in here too." The wheels started to spin. In this economy, there is NO WAY I afford a SS book for everyone who was there. BUT I will be in line for most of these people ANYWAY so why not take this book and get signatures too (most don't charge for autographs). This isn't a "future value" decision, this is a "because I like it" decision. So I filled up the book with post-its on pages where I wanted them to sign. Added others, because we were going to occupy the same spaces. People who I wanted to meet but didn't have any work in this book, were deligated to the last page. The trip was a success. Small hick-up with the CGC at the start of the day, but once the ball started rolling, there was no stopping it! The girls got to meet JR Jr and get their books signed. It really made their day to be involved and do stuff on their own. Now comes the long wait from the CGC to get those books back! As for myself and the Wolverine book? Well I did as planned. I was already at the table for my SS books so asking for one more - just for me - wasn't a problem. Majority of the time my oldest was in charge of the book and she got the autographs on my behalf (while I stood back and snapped pictures). When it came to JR Jr.... well... He was offering to do sketches for $50 donation to the Hero Initiative. A great charity and one I particapated in before. The wheels started to spin again. "When are you going to get another chance to get a sketch from a top artiest?" A small loan from a family member later and I was able to get that Romita sketch right in the front page of the book. Herb signed his page. Larry his. Neal didn't have some art work in the book so he was delegated to the back page (loaded with covers). So was Greg Horn (ironically he signed over a cover he did do and didn't realize it untl after the fact. I made note for a future SS book.) I also got to meet Jim Cheong (back cover signed) and chat with him a bit. What a great guy! The gem of the trip was Erik Larson. One of the founders of Image com To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Wish list for autographs and sketch covers. Wanted as CGC signature series. Updated 8-16-2012 A wish list in no particular order: Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Mark Hamill, Arleen Sorkin, Kevin Conry, Tara Strong - on a copy of Mad Love and/or Batman: Harley Quinn (add Alex Ross to second book) Neal Adams - First X-Men 1 Variant. Marvel Authentix: Daredevil #1 - Kevin Smith autograph I have a dual signed issue from Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti. I would love to get the third signature from Kevin Smith. Mark Millar on my copy of Wolverine: Old Man Logan GIANT-SIZE (Paolo Rivera Variant Cover). Maybe dual sign with Paolo Rivera. Herb Trimpe sketch cover Would love a Herb Trimpe commissioned sketch cover. Mark Texeira sketch cover Would love a Mark Texeira commissioned sketch cover. Frank Miller autograph on Wolverine limited 1 .... what can I say. Almost got lucky enough once. Chris Claremont autograph On a wolverine (or wolverine cameo) book. John Byrne After some searching, I wouldn't mind a combo autograph from John Byrne and Chris Claremont on my Wolverine issue 10. (maybe go for a hat trick and add Herb Trimpe too). 10 years retired from conventions, I guess I'll have to wait. Adam Kubert I got my hands on Wolverine Weapon X 1 sketch cover. It would top my list to get it autographed. Jeph Loeb Have Ultimate X Variant I'd like to get signed. Patrick Stewart Random thought the other day while watching X-Men. Getting this on an X-Men book... just don't know what one. Hugh Jackman Another long-shot wish list item. Could be on almost any Wolverine or related title. Joss Whedon Long-shot wish list - On a cover of his Astonishing X-men run. ---(obtained)--- CM Punk Odd one, but I'm actually waiting for this one to come back from the CGC. It was on a G.I. Joe 0 sketch cover. Rob Liefeld Waiting on the grade. Will be on Uncanny X-Force Variant drawn by him. Tim Bradstreet Also waiting on the grade. Will be on Wizard Boba Fett variant. --- Feel free to throw out suggestions.

Writing for fun and amusement in my first run within the collector society and other items! IT'S ON THE WAY!!!! Wooo-hoooo! What you say? Several months ago I added a new stop in the Comic Con tour, Baltimore. The reason? My two daughters have taken interest in their dad's love for comic-ie-ness. They've heard the "Tales from comicon" and seen the pictures, they wanted nothing more to join their old man to an event. What a way to start them off, but with a visit to Stan Lee - Autographs and photos to boot. This was my oldest's second con. She worked hard at school and earned the first trip to Philly. Baltimore seemed small and manageable in comparison to take the youngest as well (FYI to those with kids I do recommend Baltimore as a starter). Despite the 6+ hours of line standing, we had a blast AND they met their idol (Stan Lee) as well. The torture was waiting for the signed books to come back from the CGC. As many of you may know, there was an explosion of entries to the CGC that they didn't have enough staff to grade all the books and get them out in time. WELL the wait is over! Talked to the CGC this morning and the Fed-ex truck is on its way with our swag (and I'm resisting the urge to hug the delivery person when they get here). I'm very excited to see what they scored. What I got done? Glad you asked! I gave my oldest the Platinum version of Spider-Man #1. A book I originally nabbed off e-bay for myself, but gave it to her instead. Quoted to be Near mint or better, but once it got here there were some flaws to the cover alone. The youngest got my copy of Invincible Iron Man #1 Joe Quesada sketch cover (from Wizard World Philly). I tried to keep that book perfect from the day I got it. The third is Ultimate Spider-Man 160 Joe Quesada cover, for myself. The last book came from e-bay and it was very pristine - maybe even gem. I can wait to see what they rated and the looks on my girl's faces! In other news! My 3 complimentary Collector society books are done and on the way as well. A small mix up, because they were supposed to return with 5 other books I submitted at NYCC. It doesn't sound like there is an up-charge from the mistake. So not a big deal, I guess. I have to admit that I cheated on those books and looked at the grades on the site. I'm a little disappointed on the one book. It underperformed at an 8.5, a lot less than what I estimated. Wolverine Origins 10 - third claw variant sold on e-bay as near mint/near mint+! When I got the book I knew from the cover alone that there was no way it was near mint+! I also thought it was better than fine. In the end; as a raw book I paid too much for it but with it graded I broke even. For the collection regardless - just in the future I need to be more aware on what I buy on e-bay. The other two. Wolverine Origins 2 Canadian variant graded at a 9.6 and Uncanny X-Men 122 graded at a 8.5. For now I eagerly await for the delivery person. 1:30 update: They have arrived. The scores: Spider-man 1 Platinum signed by Stan Lee - 8.5 The Invincible Iron Man 1 WW08 edition (sketch cover)signed by Stan Lee - 9.4 Ultimate Spider-Man 160 Quesada cover signed by Stan Lee - 9.6 To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

First attempt at a journal. Reflection on getting my books graded through the eyes of a beginner. Part 2 of this journal can be found in "The Con is On" (To keep the entries small). -------------------------------------------------------------------This is my first attempt at doing a journal on the collector society site. I'm sure there will be revisions down the road until I get this to my standards. So check back often.In terms of collecting CGC graded comics, I'm a newbie. I got my first book in done 2009. Not counting comics I have out, I only have 5 comics to my collection with a 6th one I purchased on e-bay (First purchased graded book. That story will follow later). All 5 comics are from my personal collection and most of them have a back story (I will try to input that story directly onto the book listing in the future). I know some didn't grade high, but it was the matter of being able to preserve the memory as is and be able to display it to see instead of in my safe or in a box.Pros and cons about "slabbing"? The book is meant to be read or enjoyed, slabbing means the book CAN'T be enjoyed anymore. We live in a day and age where reprints and the digital era make that statement a moot point. Most of the books in my collection that are to be slabbed have a personal story to it. It isn't so much the "value" as much as the preservation of that memory. In my mind, if that book becomes damaged or lost it would be harder to replace financially than kept as is. I know the story on the pages just by seeing the cover, but if I want to revisit it there is a ton of selections from reprints, soft cover, hard-cover collections and even (almost the best of all) digital versions through Marvel and other companies themselves.I sometime understand the dislike to slabbing. There are some people out there who will take the book, or multiples, from first release who will slab to flip a profit. I guess they need to make their money someway and I guess I can understand this viewpoint. On the publisher's end, why do they print variants and such if it isn't for this purpose? Do I need 9 copies of Uncanny X-force, when in reality they all contain the same story as version 1? The alternate covers are to showcase fan's favorite artiest. To me those types of books are made for grading.Value isn't a prime factor in my collection. Preservation is. Not saying that the long term value doesn't play its part, but I've always said that it will be up to my children to sell the books - not me.To be continued in "The Con is On"To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.