ExNihilo

Explanation:

I'll put it to you this way...I was at that panel, I received a copy of the book (tried to get more than one but they were already running short), I immediately bagged/boarded my book and placed it in a toploader. Care to take a guess as to how many people I saw just placing the book directly in their bag? Yeah, pretty much everyone else.

In Stan's defense, he did acknowledge Jack Kirby at the D23 Legends induction in 2017.

Ah yes, because the monthly words of wisdom in the comics, the tribute at the beginning of Captain Marvel, the full page spread shortly after his passing, and whatever else Marvel/Disney have done have been disrespectful. /s

Two routes: 1) raw book is signed/witnessed by a CGC representative and then sent off to CCS for pressing, then to CGC for grading. This results in a yellow label because the chain of custody from signing to CGC remains unbroken as CCS is an affiliated company. 2) book is existing yellow label slab which is sent to an authorized presser who removes the book from the slab, presses it, then resubmits it to CGC. Again, the chain of custody is unbroken as the presser is treated as an authorized representative in this case. In the first scenario, you could have the book sent to an authorized presser but you may end up spending more money on shipping. However, there are some who trust authorized presser's more than they trust CCS. Be sure to check with whomever is pressing your books that they can accept/submit yellow label for you.

Did you buy it for the story? I'm unfamiliar with the hype surrounding it. Certainly not for any sort of speculative value since it's a book with a high print run.

Fairly common on thicker books (for example, very common in ASM #800). CGC seems to be a little more forgiving for bindery tears if it's a common enough flaw as a result of production.

Look at you, Mr. Edumucated. Some of us ain't as learned as yous. We dun kno how to reed as good as you so we needs thems fancee art.

I had been out of comics for a few years when I went to see X2: X-Men United. Blown away by the film, I decided to stop by my old LCS just to see what was up. It was then that I learned that Jim Lee was drawing Batman for DC and had teamed up with Jeph Loeb, two names I remembered from when I stopped collecting (as they were working on various Heroes Reborn titles for Marvel). I picked up what issues were available and was immediately hooked, eventually working my way back and securing copies of the run. That included a first print of 608. Of course, when it came time to sub, I had no clue about grading, quality, or the different between a 9.0 and 9.8 (heck, I still don't). Anyways, I'm embarrassed to say the below book was that original book I subbed when I was (really) green behind the ears (I also had signed/subbed a 612 which came back a 9.6 at least). Needless to say, that 8.0 grade has bothered me and I've since wanted a 9.8 copy signed by the creators involved. Well today, I can finally check that box with this foil edition of #608. Sure, it's not a 1st print, and it's not the RRP edition, but i'm just happy to get all the creators in the same color on this wonderful book/cover in a 9.8. Thanks @BeachBum.

Is that tailwind "Windy" or "Off-Windy"?

I just learned there was an actual name for it. I also learned that these exist to combat it... http://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-sad-lamps.html

Property tax, auto maintenance, homeowners insurance, pre-paying capital gains tax to avoid penalties, etc. Yeah, the end of the year sucks from a financial perspective.

"official" percentage's now including @Buzzetta's submissions.

That's a bummer. They had tons of Diamond boxes so I thought it was 1/box and that random attendees received them. That sucks, I certainly would have liked to at least had the opportunity to get one.

My biggest problem was that most people in that room seemed like they were there as MCU fans more than comic book fans. The panel ran like 15 minutes longer than expected and people were leaving in droves before they finished. As a result of the fanbase that potentially got 1 of the 30 copies, I would imagine few would treat it properly with care. I specifically brought a bag/board/toploader for my book (i only got the regular exclusive) but i doubt many others did the same.

check eBay final sales.

My copy of ASM #36 is actually at Sarasota now. Unfortunately, they can't add the label as it's part of a larger submission. I would have to re-send, pay re-holdering fees, and then have it shipped back (so somewhere in the ballpark of $80). Nevermind that it'd be $80 all in, but we know how clumsy USPS/FedEx/UPS can be with comics. So yeah...I guess I won't be getting this label.

Not gonna lie, I kinda want to re-holder my ASM v2 #36 just for this label. It seems a little fitting. The only other thing I would ask for is an ultra limited edition Black Label specifically for the book. https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/7712/

Ugh, yeah, I found that out on Wednesday. It did kinda detract from the uniqueness of it. The Expo was sold as this event with exclusives only available to attendees, so to see that the book was made available 1 per store added a little to this notion of "why did we spend $150 to attend something not fully unique." I think this sentiment was felt more so when the "D23 Exclusive" Star Wars footage was released. Like, why am I sealing my phone in a bag to prevent recording of footage when you're just going to release it the next day anyways? That said, I'm always grateful for free swag (and the Expo experience was still pretty fun regardless).

I'm personally hoping it's the D23 Expo Exclusive, but that's only because it's the first exclusive comic I've ever actually picked up in person. (Plus I'm a Disney fan, so it means more to me as well). Looking at my orders, it appears I ordered the JSC cover. At the time I just ordered it sight unseen, but now that the cover has been released, I wish I had just stuck with the Alex Ross cover. Frankly there's no long term value in any of them. Just pick whichever cover art speaks to you the most.

I thought Jim's signings are so popular now that his handler basically collects the books and he signs them overnight somewhere off the convention floor? At least, that was the process at SDCC.

Does this count? If you told me I had a choice between an Action Comics #1 or the original art for Calvin & Hobbes...i'd take the C&H OA.

He's joking. NG = No Grade. NG would basically fall below 0.5. https://www.cgccomics.com/comic-grading/grading-scale/

I bought the Spawn 298-300 homage covers because it's Todd, but otherwise yeah...it's overplayed.

Fantastic set.