ExNihilo

On 4/19/2023 at 7:23 PM, Buzzetta said:

It will tie it in to Ahsoka as she is already in the trailer for the show. That in turn will tie it to Thrawn and then tie to the Star Wars movie that has probably been planned well before we were aware of it. 

 

Was that the special trailer they showed at Star Wars Celebration?  Because she doesn't appear in the teaser trailer that was publicly released 2 weeks ago.

If Mando just ended now, I wouldn't be heart broken.  As much as I want to enjoy the show, the writing and cinematography just aren't great.  I mean, the show is passable, but I just think fans expect more from the franchise.  Like, what was the point of the whole side story with the scientist and the communications officer who is apparently a really good spy?  That seems like the kind of thing that could have been done in a future season when that story line is actually the focus.  Or save it as a one off episode between Mando seasons to whet the appetite of viewers for what's to come.  A lot of the show just feels "low budget" and I go back to how I think it's due to their over-reliance on The Volume.  I worry about the quality of Ahsoka in August despite that at least having what will hopefully be a more focused storyline.

On 4/14/2023 at 2:30 PM, The Lions Den said:

It's not so embarrassing that this happened, it's that no one caught it and corrected it. Spelling errors were always pretty common at CGC, but the lack of QC was not. 

Unfortunately, times have changed...

 

 

 

Agree that QC has been an ongoing issue, but if the problem can be addressed and fixed at the input level, then it's one less thing for QC to consider.  At that point, QC can focus more on "is this the correct label" instead of both "is this the correct label and is this spelled correctly".  QC should have a checklist much like how cars have "multi-point inspections".  That won't necessarily correct everything as it's still subject to human error, but there is definitely room for efficiency improvements.  Given the ongoing nature of these issues, it really makes me wonder what changes have actually been implemented to reduce "failure" rates.  In my occupation, I'm always thinking of how the process can be improved to make my day to day easier.  That also means what can be done to reduce costs.  The more errors that get mailed out, the more that is spent on return shipping labels, comped re-holders, and everything else that goes with it.  Just crazy that we continue to see the same (or similar) errors repeating themselves.

I have never been so emotionally touched by a set as I was when those turbolift doors opened and the lights came on.  The entire season has been an abundance of fan service.  Fan service works in moderation and when it fits into the story instead of being thrown in for the sake of being thrown in (i'm looking at you Solo).  There's been so much fan service, I don't even care.  It's been amazing in the same way that I thought all the fan service in Endgame was amazing.  It feels like a love letter to fans seeing all these familiar faces, the flashback sequences, the references to previous episodes/movies, hearing Majel Barrett's voice again, etc.  I grew up with TNG and seeing the Enterprise D destroyed in Generations was like watching Optimus Prime die in the Gen1 Transformers movie.  She's my favorite starship and I'm so glad to see the old girl back again.  To quote Riker, "She's beautiful Geordi".

On 4/14/2023 at 9:55 AM, The Lions Den said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't understand why many of these common labels aren't just hardcoded at this point.  There should be a drop down like:

BS = "Blank sketch variant"
SE-Midtown = "Midtown Store Exclusive variant"
SE-JSC = "J. Scott Campbell Store Exclusive variant"
MAN = "Manufacturing Error"

I mean, you could include search functions as obviously there would be hundreds of labels.  But literally, search and click, no typing required unless you need to enter a new label or if a particular designation requires it.  If you have a repeated action, it can be automated in someway.  Saves time and money in the long run.

On 4/14/2023 at 3:07 AM, wardevil0 said:

Here's the video of Todd himself saying explicitly that he WOULD sign Venom comics because he created the character.  There are a few specific comics that he apparently won't sign, because Marvel went back and re-used art he had previously done without a new agreement, but this isn't that case.

 

Is that the same though?  So Todd would sign anything with the Venom symbiote?  (Thinking out loud, I realize my question is irrelevant in the context of this thread).

On 2/1/2023 at 9:41 AM, Sigur Ros said:

Only seeing this now, but Todd did a YouTube video advertising what books he would and would not sign.  Of which he said he would not sign books in which he did not work on the outside or inside cover.  Even if it was a Venom cover he wouldn't sign it despite being a co-creator of the character.  So it's funny that he signed this book.  Someone got into a polite back and forth with me on another forum about what Todd would and would not sign and I simply said that paid enough, Todd will sign anything.

On 4/10/2023 at 3:06 AM, Bosco685 said:

 

I'm fine with them focusing on quality, but I'm worried that season 2 won't live up to the expectations of season 1.  Those first 9 episodes set the bar really high.

On 4/11/2023 at 8:20 PM, Prince Namor said:

Not THAT's funny. All three of those guys did their share of weird proportions and distorted figures (Bagley probably the least)...

When I said proportions, I meant more of the gangly nature of his Spider-Man

And from a personal perspective, I think because I grew in the 90s, I've always liked when Spidey has the predominantly white lenses for eyes.  Ramos has a greater tendency to emote with the eyes which is great for storytelling, but I've just never been a fan of it visually.

On 4/10/2023 at 12:17 AM, smarkjobber said:

Totally out of the loop here -- is Ramos as divisive as Liefeld in these parts? Art-wise, or personality?

No, not divisive at all.  I just don't like the proportions and distorted figures, nor do I understand how he's been able to carve a career for himself.  Plenty of people find his art passable.  It's just hard for me when I grew up in the era of McFarlane, Larsen, Bagley.  But I digress.

On 4/9/2023 at 8:06 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

I don't know what brought him back, but at least everyone seems content now...

I know what brought him back...

Rob's had beef with Marvel, CGC, fans, and the guy always says "I'm done" but he always comes back.  I think sometimes he shoots off his mouth without really understanding what's going on and instead of apologizing, he just doubles down and then quietly changes his position once the commotion has died down.  Truth is, I met Rob at D23 in September and he seems nice enough in a setting where everyone is polite.  But he's not the type to shy away from trolls or people/organizations if he feels slighted.

Anyways, I'm not a fan of his art any longer, but if Humberto Ramos can still find monthly work, then Rob should be able to ask whatever he wants for his sig.  People like what they like and they'll pay whatever the market can bear.

On 4/9/2023 at 10:13 AM, SlabSeeker said:

I personally tend to prefer collecting signatures on newer and/or lower-value things rather than older and/or higher-value things.

Agreed.  When I first joined the boards I thought it'd be cool to have expensive key books signed.  Then I quickly realized I didn't like that and now, while rare, if I do get a creator sig, it's on a cheap, easily replaceable book.  I just didn't like knowing that having a megakey signed meant that the number of available unsigned copies was smaller than it used to be.

On 4/9/2023 at 12:35 PM, zzutak said:

As you know, there are now dozens of 6-figure and 7-figure comics.  Collectors fortunate enough to hold a coverless-but-otherwise-complete copy of those issues may be willing to pony-up 4 or 5 figures for an attractive cover.  Having such a cover verified as all-original and unrestored would absolutely increase its market value (and by much more than the cost of CGC certification).  As an example, here's a nifty item one of our long-time members is currently offering:

Would I spend $50~100 to get a cover to ASM #35 or Jimmy Olsen #35 certified?  Of course not.    How about a very lightly worn centerfold to Sensation Comics #1?  You bet!    And I'd turn a profit by doing so! 

4 of 5 figures for a cover!?  Gad-zooks.

Why would I want to have a cover graded?  Is there really any added value as opposed to just leaving it as is.  I imagine newbies might argue "to protect it", but if that's the case, just save yourself the money and put it in mylar and a frame.

On 4/8/2023 at 6:39 PM, SlabSeeker said:

This. SO MUCH this. ^

But it shouldn't be an option, it should be the standard. Ultra Pro makes a very nice UV-resistant One-Touch holder for 8x10-sized things that I use for autographed photos, so it's not like the technology doesn't exist. Unless there's some sort of highly technical issue with slabs made from UV-resistant material possibly cracking easier (which I doubt), the only reason for not already doing it is to save money on manufacturing the slabs. Which I think could be pretty easily offset by the billions of customers who'd start sending in reholder orders for everything they own.

They wouldn't even need to make the slabs UV-resistant.  At one point, eGerber advertised Mylar D (which is what their Mylite2's are made of) as being 99% UV resistant.  I can't seem to find that verbiage anymore so maybe they conducted additional tests and found that claim to be false.  But, if Mylar D does block 99% of UV rays, then all they would have to do is use Mylar D for the inner well (which is already a thick plastic bag material anyways).  Switching to Mylar D would cost them pennies without having to redesign the outer slab.

Slabs themselves are not airtight, but I believe the inner well is basically a mylar type bag that is heat sealed on all edges.  That is (likely) airtight.  That said, each collector should house their books in a climate controlled setting that is comfortable for both themselves and their books.

On 2/18/2023 at 8:50 PM, skrilla1212 said:

I don’t have any rooms in my house I’d want to hang comic art, just my designated comic closet which has a row of book cases on one side. Everything had previously been in portfolios, but @GreatEscape’s post on this thread made me look into the matboard and bag option. I went with a mat size that came with show bags using his method. I can rotate pieces onto the ledges, so I can see different art when I go peruse books.

It’s no museum, but I really like how they turned out, especially the double page spreads which I couldn’t see without taking out of the Itoyas before.

 

 

 

I love this format because it's cheap and saves space.  I just placed an order on eGerber and plan to do this with some 9"x12" pieces.  I'll have one frame and then i'll interchange the mat/art every so often.  It's a lot cheaper than buying multiple frames and then have to decide where to squeeze them in on the wall.  This way, you just have one frame and change up the art every few months.

On 3/29/2023 at 9:10 PM, awakeintheashes said:

So many feelings about these (final?) two episodes of the season. 

I can't believe Dave Filoni would do that to us.

On 3/28/2023 at 8:31 PM, paullam15 said:

I'm assuming CGC will charge a fee to crack the slab?

It used to be a $5 charge.  I'm not sure if that's still the case.  You could try asking in the Ask CGC section of the boards where a CGC rep will be able to answer business related questions.

I'm pretty sure you take it to the CGC booth and they'll crack the slab for you.  Whatever you do, do not crack a slab without the authorization of a CGC witness.  The chain of custody has to remain unbroken.

On 3/22/2023 at 4:48 PM, cstojano said:

I think you'd be surprised how many people ask about COAs for things of relatively low dollar value. I am talking <500 dollar animation cels.

My first OA piece that wasn't purchased direct from the creator was a David Finch Wonder Woman headshot from ComicSketchArt.  It was like $300.  I asked for a COA.  Pretty sure I also printed the sales listing just to keep a paper trail.  

If you look at the history of the Probation section of the board and see the creation date and activity of the various threads, this sort of drama is few and far between.

On 3/23/2023 at 11:23 PM, speedcake said:

It's just that there is a process in place for us to self police the sales forum, for all sides to have their opportunity to say their piece and that process was pretty much crapped on in this thread.  

March 14th: multiple users claim books

March 15th: first known payment of books made

March 17th: users begin questioning the absence of responses

March 20th: users begin side discussion about probation

March 21st: call to have the thread moved to probation section

March 22nd: thread moved to probation section

Total number of days from payment to probation discussion: 7 days

Quote

1) The 30-Day Rule

a) If a transaction between board members is not completed within 30 days, the offended party may submit the offender's name for inclusion to the HOS/Probation List (hereafter called the PL)

 

b) If the transaction is agreed on by both parties to take longer than 30 days - for example, a transaction involving time payments over a longer time, the 30 day clock begins from the time the agreed upon conditions were violated.

 

c) The 30-day rule is suspended if the accused refuses to complete the transaction or if the transaction cannot be completed due to, for example, the item being sold to someone else.

 

d) A Transaction between board members is not confined to the CGC Message Boards. Any transaction between forum members, regardless of the venue, is eligible for inclusion in the PL.