heartened

Gorgeous page. Yeah, I would say it's an A+ page. But, this list can keep changing so we can continue to keep track.

Nice post. I agree. Back in 2007 I was speaking to Matt at a convention, probably NYCC or SDCC, and he was really trying to pitch Grendel for a movie. That obviously never happened, but I agree the plots a great fodder for a mini-series. The initial Hunter Rose Devil by the Deed is great, as is the Christine Sparr storyline. I'm surprised that with all the possible venues it can't find a home. But then again it depends on how good the pitch is.

I'm not familiar with the market here, is 79 a special key book in that run? If so, might qualify as a special case (making them A+ pages, 50-100% more valuation).

We have N. Adams Avengers in the 10-20K range, are you saying that you think it should be higher? Usually the Avengers pages have been less than his X-Men or Batman pages, but perhaps that is changing. Let's hear some opinions or documented sales. PS, I did like the one on Heritage and personally felt it was an A page. But, again, some of this is subjective for sure!

You know, I questioned that too. I'm gonna push that down to the 5-10K tier until people can document or confirm prices higher. So now they are in the same tier as Byrne AF. Thanks Lee. Hope you are well!

Completely agree. I have bumped up Wrightson to the over 30K tier based on this consensus.

Judging by the current bid on the Wrightson A level panel page on Heritage right now, I'm thinking we may need to bump Wrightson Swamp Thing into the 30K+ category. Let's see. Looking at the others in the 20-30K range, Wrightson Swamp Thing does look like the one ready to move to the next level. Although I suppose the current auction listing could qualify as an A+ page.

Totally agree. Was just giving you a hard time. It is interesting that after all these years, really only TMNT and Albedo have stood the test of time and grown in popularity. Grendel still around but the different incarnations over time (figuratively and literally) always hurt the characterization and resultant fanbase. The Crow, I suppose, has lasted but more due to the movie. Cerebus, is unfortunately out of sight out of mind. Concrete and Tick were great, but also declined as the stories disappeared. No denying this was such a creative time period though.

hahaha, curiously, I see no mention of Albedo #2 in the posted image above you? Maybe they didn't realize #2 was the really hot book

Fish Police was great!! Beautiful covers too. Albedo was hot but #0 and #1 were the two really expensive books. The appeal of #2 only came years later.

I've always loved these books. Probably my favorite character of the 80s. What do you guys think about the long-term potential of Grendel (Hunter Rose)? It used to be as popular as TMNT and Albedo back in the day and has since fallen quite behind. Thoughts?

I have several themes: 1. 80s independent art including the black and white boom. 2. First appearance of major characters. 3. Great stories by Alan Moore, paired with amazing artists. 4. Comic artists and an example of their "best" work (their classic peak period). 5. Frank Miller stories and art, especially with Miller inks. I'm mostly content these days, and just pick up a few things a year.

That's good to hear. And yes Bill I remember when you first got involved. And when you first started CAF. Good times.

this is an amazing thread (and updated initial post) Alex and you are to be commended for putting this together for the hobby. Knowledge is power in this hobby, and for too long people didn't want to share that knowledge. I believe the opposite. The more people coming into and enjoying and understanding the hobby without getting burned the better.

Thanks Alex. You have the link to the 2014 thread. Can you add this "Part 2" thread as well for a more contemporary valuation? Very nice work putting that together!!

Ugh, covid takes another one early. Age 61. I remember his run on Classic X-Men, that's where I know his work most. RIP. As a clarification I mentioned covid because his wiki page mentions this was a cardiac complication of covid, not a sudden heart attack or arrest on its own.

Yeah, in general I would think so, but again it depends on content. Some interior A pages are better than the splash, which could drop all the way to B if there is no main character IMO.

Great post. Thanks for summarizing so eloquently.

Hi, Yes, as Malvin says below, an A page is a "special keeper page" which kind of has what everyone wants by that artist on that run. I defined it as top 20% of pages by that artist. But, I totally agree that people should call a challenge if they don't agree or haven't seen an example of a page going for the tier we are placing them in. To be honest, challenging these values is the only way to move them up or down. And, to be clear, they don't always have to move up. Happy to move things down if the tide turns and consensus shows we put it too high. To Voudou's previous point, we do have to be careful here and not simply put art in people's "wishful thinking" tier. So please, chime in as we are starting to do!! This is exactly what we have needed. I don't collect 70s Kirby, so let's hear what the experts of that era think (with examples where available). It may very well be that not just DC but also Marvel work drops to the 5-10K tier.

Yes, that is true. I will make that edit.

Correct, for most modern art they have hi-res scans. For the old stuff, I think those days are gone. They have mostly been broken up so more people can enjoy them and of course for the profit that someone made by breaking them off and selling individually. I only have one complete story (LOEG 1st series, book 5) and I also have the cover to it, and am keeping it intact for that very reason. But if the time comes to sell, I'm quite sure the next owner would break it up.

Are you asking about preserving complete OA stories?

Thanks Scott. Sounds like the hobby has changed in the 20 years we've been doing it. People always voiced their opinions back in the day, and there was no need for minority reports so to speak! Also, it seems there's a bit of a dealer versus collector mentality nowadays that we also didn't have, but probably because Glen, Will, and others were collectors and not dealers back then. Active discourse is important, and this list only works that way. I took the lack of comments to be that people agreed, but perhaps people are just much more reticent than they used to be. This is certainly not my list, or there would be no need to share it. On the contrary, if I had my own values and prices I certainly wouldn't share them with the world (as I'm still actively buying). I've been away for a while, so I'm just now getting a feel for where the collectors base has evolved, for better or worse. Voudou, you don't always have to be on the defense or be what you perceive as a contrary or minority view. Just simply be a view. And for the "dealers" watching, please do comment. I saw on another thread some of them seem to be on the defense these days too, but they all know me well and know me to be fair and also only interested in the hobby as a whole. As you know, Scott, my main interest back in the day was organizing the large gatherings. That's what I've always wanted this hobby to be about, values high or values low that should remain. Hopefully we're not too far off from those days.

Absolutely! I'm just saying let's let people post then yes call them out if they seem high or low or whatever. Also, guys, this isn't my list. I'm just the person who updates it. Any concerns with the list or the process feel free to message me privately too. I want it to be accurate and everyone to feel it is our list as a group.