BrettMan

Count me in!

Ok,I'm not that great a writer but what do you expect from Math major. Yes, it's been a longtime since I posted anything. I must admit I've had some other events in my life that have caused this but that's no excuse. I like to write if someone is reading and for those that follow me . . . I'll try to do better. I lost my job awhile back and between interviewing and looking for a new job I did some collectng of some great books. I was shopping craigslist, ebay, flea markets and small conventions. I found some great books, and some not so great books. Not the smartest move for someone who has no job but I love my comics. Well, I found a job back in November and have been working to prove myself and make a name for myself at a big company that I really wasn't sure I would ever get into. I would say my dream job but more my dream company. The new boss is great, and the job, while a step down from where I was before has great potential. I have much to learn and I'm happy for the chance to make it work. Back to the books, I found things I thought I could not ever find. Captain America 100 in really nice shape from local comic shop owner at a local small convention that happenes to be a good friend and cut me a great deal on the book. I'll be helping him out on Free comic book day again this year and hopefully many more to come. I found an Incredible Hulk 181 at a small convention that while far less then perfect still had the value stamp and was in decent shape. I have a better copy but when you see one of these at the price I got it for you grab it. I also picked up a couple copies of Conan the Barbarian 1. I love this iconic cover. It was again at a small convention and I got a great deal. Next I got a couple copies of Iron Man 1. I'm not the biggest Iron Man fan but over the years I've picked up a few issues and at least one of the two copies is in decent shape. These are the four comics I submitted with my coupon this year. I know they are not perfect and will come back with lower grades then I suspect or hope for but that's fine because they are mine from a time in my life when I didn't know where I was going to land and I will always remember them as such. Worth the memories. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Almost done with convention season Well, when I last wrote (which was too long ago) the season had just begun. Now it's almost at an end for me with just Comic con to go. Here is what I've done so far. March 4th was Sac-Con which was good for me. I managed to pick up some early Avengers including #3 and #11 for my collection as I'm working towards a full run. The boys had baseball games so they were not able to go with me. Two of their favorite voice actors were there so I managed to get them autographed pictures of Invader Zim and Gir. They were very happy and I was off the hook for not taking them. For myself I picked up the Avengers issues as I said and a fine copy of Iron man #1. Good trip overall. On March 10th was the San Jose Toy and Comic show and again it is pretty small. I decided to be on the other side of the table here and signed up to sell off some of my collection. I had dollar books out mostly but a few CGCs and about a good long box of some higher end books. It was pretty obvious very quickly that people were here for the toys and much less for the comics. My dollars books did ok and I sold off maybe 3 long boxes when I cut the price to 2 for a dollar. I don't think it was worth it as I missed out on all the fun and didn't make very much in the end. I do better on ebay with that stuff. On April 21 was a Tri-Valley toy and comic show which is also small but I came away with some great deals. It was much bigger then it has been in previous years. I picked up a Sabertooth 1 CGC 9.8 for next to nothing as well as two pretty great copied of Avengers Annual #10. I knew I was going to see someone soon that I was going to need these for but more on that a little later. I also picked up an Avenger 196 that was so good looking that I just couldn't pass it up. My biggest prize was a beutiful Captain America #100. It's a great copy and I had to jump on it before my buddy grabbed it. May 19-20 was The Big Wow in San Jose which was a great show. It started a little early for me as my local comic shop had Michael Golden make an appearance in the shop. I stopped by and had him do a sketch for me. I don't usually have sketches done but always wanted to start and what better way to start then with none other then Michael Golden. Now it's probably clear why I bought the Avengers Annual #10 copies. Yes, I had him sign one. I also bought some prints from him and had him sign those as well. What a great guy. All this before the convention starts. The actual BIG WOW turned out to be just as cool. I stopped by to see Michael again at the show and had him sign another copy of Avengers Annual #10 and had CGC witness it. I should get it back from grading in 45 days or so. That would have been fine but wait . . . there was a whole show to take in. I walked around and found a bunch of dealer that I know and know me pretty well. I picked up a Ms Marvel #18, a Hulk #102, an Avengers #29, a Green Lantern #59, and a Conan #1. A great haul for sure. Oh but wait, there was a guest on the second day I had to meet and see. Jim Lee was there and I got in line early. I had my sketch book but thought, there is no way I'd get anything. I had brought the boys with me and they were being boys and playing games all over the place. I talked to the guy behind me in line when they told us he would sign up to 5 items each. That's no good, I just brought my sketch book. Oh well, I'll just have him sign that. I told the guy behind me I would have him sign 4 more of the 50 or so books he had. My boys would also help out and have him sign 5 each as well if he wanted. He was really happy and offered to pay me. I said no, I just should have been more prepared. We met Jim and he was very nice . . . . and gave me a sketch!!! And signed 14 books. The guys behind me was so happy he gave me 2 of the books Ghost Rider #5 and Superman #204. Off to CGC they went since they were right there. What a great show!! Now come the wait for Comic con. It's not that far off but I can't wait. This year my oldest son will be joining me for the first time. He is very excited and so am I. I managed to get a single day ticket for my wife (that's about all she can take) and my youngest can join us for free. It's going to be great. Until next time, Happy collecting!! To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Trimming down on the duplicates I've been a collector for a very long time and as such I've gathered many duplicate issues along the way. As my office closet is completely filled to the point where there are now several long boxes along one wall of the office stacked 3 high. With all this and I'm still getting new books every week, I finally came to the conclusion I need to let some of it go. I've been pretty good about letting the stuff that doesn't mean too much to me go but what's left is still a pretty big pile. I have my full runs where I need them and I just need to get better about letting the duplicates go, even if they are extremely cool. I started with the X-men last month. Yes, it's cool to have multiple copies of those early issues but someone else is out there looking for these. I keep my best copy and sell off the copy of X-men #4 that is a little rough. No surprise, I get next to nothing for it. Ok no big deal, next goes X-men #8 and again, not so great a price but I give it a new home. And so it goes, watching what I once upon a time spent hours upon hours searching for is sold off. So goes the story of collecting, searching long and hard for that perfect book and letting the others go. Growing a collection and the trimming it down. Gotta love it. Brett

Convention time again for me . . . I don't know how it is for everyone else but in and around Feb-March the comic conventions really start to kick into gear in CA. Starting in March there are 2 small shows that I try to go to and have been more or less successful in finding some missing pieces to my collection. March 4th is Sac-Con which is always good for finding deals although it is a long drive for me. I try to take 1 or both of my boys with me to this show as they always find something that they like there as well. March 10th is the San Jose Toy and Comic show and again is very small but a great place to find some deals. I don't take the kids to this as my buddy and I usually go to this one and it's easier without kids in the crowded building. March 16-18 is of course Wondercon which is all the way down south this year where it is usually in San Francisco. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to pass on this one as I can't really go to Southern CA twice a year for Comic shows. The good news is it will be back next year. (I hope!!!) April 21 is a Tri-Valley toy and comic show which is also very small but pretty nice for deals. I actually won the door prize drawing there once which should tell you how small it really is. May 19-20 is The Big Wow in San Jose which looks to be like it will be a good show as it comes out of hibernation for a year or so. It should be a nice return of this show as it is pulling in some nice artists. Then to top it all off is Comic-Con in San Diego from July 12-15. This is the one I try to never miss. Lots of stars and panels that are always great. Fun costumes and people. I save up my vacation time for this one every year. This year my oldest son will be joining me for the first time. He is very excited and so am I. I always love this time of year and it's always over too fast. Brett

My second submission as a member is on it's ways to CGC I was really surprised to get some nice welcome emails from other members since my last journal entry. Thanks for the warm welcome. I pulled together a second set of books to submit and sent it on it's way. All moderns but as I see them nothing under a 9.2. Mostly X-men as this is the majority of my CGC comics. I'm hoping for the best but I know I've had surprises in the past. I'm saving my 4 free submissions for my early books but I need to take a real close look at what I have before I submit. I don't want to use that and get surprised by a low grade. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for what I put in. Brett

New to CGC but not new to collecting I've been a collector for years but just joined CGC as a member. I have a pretty large collection both of CGC books and ones that I've not submitted yet. I sent in my first shipment recently and it is waiting to be graded now. I spent sometime today updating what I have in the registry and was surprised at where I ranked on some collections. I thought I was doing well in my collection but not that well. This could be fun. Brett