comicginger1789

The second picture is telling...you can see the slight impression running down the spine. 8.5 from me.

+1 A book to grade for sure but I don't see much a press can help.

In my hunt for comics in my relatively small region, I ventured to a bong shop that was rumoured to have comics. They did. And the prices were higher than the staff. $25 for copies of X-Men #1 from 1990, I pulled out a Spider-Man #2099 #1 priced at $60!!! Oh and these were on comics in bags, no boards and just thrown/stacked into bins. They also were skunkier than Pepe Le Pew. But alas, leave no stoned unturned...

See now that bit of info changes everything. Having a Kirby sig on a book in 1980 was not gonna do much for the book, unless it was something like Hulk 1 and even then the up value on the signature would be small. If it is Demon #1 and it was missed, I would feel nearly 100% confident saying it is legit. So that means, the slight loop at the bottom of the "J" can be considered something that it seen in his signatures. I also know he did some signatures in all capitals too.

I am also around 5.5. Yes there is chipping but I have seen similar get graded higher. As for signature, my juvenile detective work. Here are some confirmed signatures Here are a couple more believed to be legitimate A quick search of many more reveals that, consistently, the bottom of the "J" is a tight point. The "K" is also very angled. These letters should be very consistent when looking at signatures because the focus is on the start and usually there is the most focus on this when writing, so it is always good to compare those. The original poster's signature looks very good. I would be comfortable believing it legitimate if you aren't going to have someone with professional experience verify. However, the one that @csaag shared would have me more concerned. Not as many examples of that style of signature. Large loop at the bottom of the "J" and it is less pointy. Also, the angle of the signature seems off. The "K" in Kirby is almost always leaning forward a bit, like it could fall. This one is leaning back. Also note the "k" at the end of the signature in Jack. It has an odd wiggle to it. The above signatures end fluently but this is an odd squiggle which could suggest someone else doing it and not being as familiar with writing it out. Again, just some things I noticed. If someone told me one was fake, I would bet on that one 100%. But again, I am not an expert. Just what I see. I know that if you spend a week, you can be surprised how close you come to replicating a signature. To the point where it looks darn good but there are always minor things to watch out for. Another thing to consider is the history of the book. If you acquired a book pre-1990, and it had his signature at that time, I would feel much more confident in saying it is legitimate. No real reason to forge back then and the signature collector market was even smaller back then. If you acquired it in the last 20 years and the person selling it really tried to lean on the fact it was a Kirby signature, I would be wary.

7.0-7.5 tops

Here is his fourth attempt

I’m happy there are 9.9 and 10.0 collectors. Means if I ever get one I have buyers. But to the original question I think setting out a definitive number as a multiplier is hard. If someone is selling a 9.9 or 10.0 and is scared of letting it go “too cheap” then price it very high. If you are sitting on said book for months after advertising in multiple places well maybe your price is outta range. For example, I had a book recently I wanted to move within a month. I priced it high at $450 and got nothing within a week. But I also posted open to offers and ultimately went with the best one. Do the same with a 10.0 book. Make the price high but be very clear you will entertain all offers that make sense (making sense would be offers more than what 9.8 goes for)

As for a reboot, I will watch. I will keep hopes low because I felt at 8 seasons, it already went longer than it should have. And I don't really know what they could do that would shock me. Dexter's son finding his dad and they kill together? Lame. Dexter coming back to save his family in some way from a new serial killer? Predictable. Hoping for something other than these two things in order to get me excited and enjoying it.

I agree I also feel that it peaked with season 4. Everything after that was not as great. Still solid and entertaining but I cannot say I loved the continuation as much. The moment at the end of season 4 was such a shock and amazingly great. I remember literally jumping out of my seat. Season 5 was a good wrap up but not great. Seasons 6-8 were a slow trajectory down and then that brutal finale.

Fair enough I think of it like cars. There are two 1970 Dodge Challengers. One was immmaculate, literally driven off the production floor and into someones garage where it was loved until now and the other was the same but has a one inch paint scratch near the rear bumper that would require tehnical "restoration" by applying new paint. The pristine one costs 1 million dollars and the scratch one costs 50 000. I am buying the 50 000. Granted car resto and comic resto are viewed vastly different which I suppose plays a role but thats my analogy and I am sticking to it. I still got a hella nice car for a great deal and to the average person, parked side by side they look like twins anyway unless the seasoned pro does a walk around and notices my bumper blemish.

Personally, I see (with my eyes) no difference between 9.8, 9.9 and 10.0 (in most cases...there have been some questionable 9.8 books to pop up over the years). Because I cannot tell the difference, I put no value in 9.9 or 10.0s. 9.8 should be the top, otherwise it should be 9.6. But that does not really answer the question. I think there are too many variables (as others have mentioned) to really determine a solid multiplier amount. If someone was selling a 9.8 for $200 and another person was selling a 9.9 for $250, well I would spend a smidge more if the book was really desired. But $100-200 more? No way. Also, if I sent two identical books in and one returned CGC 9.8 and the other a 9.9 or a 10.0, I would sell the 9.9 or 10 in a heartbeat? Why? People are crazy. I already have the consensus perfect book and to get a bunch of money in return for th 9.9/10 to put towards better stuff is the route I would take.

Solid 2.5 from me. I was gonna say 3.0 but there are a number of creases, spine stress marks and then that back cover brings it lower IMO. Still a great 2.5 and the type of copy I wish I had the brains to have bought 5 years ago!

I will say solid 6.0. I wonder if 6.5 is stretching it but would not be surprised if that is where it falls. I just think the top staple and colour rub might put squarely in the fine zone. Still a great copy!

3.0 from me. I think the hole punch and spine wear keep it from higher.

3.5 from me A little much happening on the back with those splotchy marks to keep from 4.0. That would be the highest I think it could obtain but I am settling at 3.5

The key too is that although the cards slowed tremendously, video games and other stuff have carried that franchise along. Now you have fans looking to get back to the "origin" of the hobby/genre/whatever ya call it. You can't say the same about beanie babies or pogs or crazy bones. Those were fads that came and went and are unlikely to ever see resurgence in the collecting world. They will continue to be a much smaller (and shrinking market) if any market at all I fear.

They will definitely be seeing some desirability now, especially the first generation of cards. Those "kids" that had them are getting into adulthood, becoming nostalgic and seeking out something they enjoyed from childhood. Much like comic collectors do. Realistically, something as big as Pokemon, although the card phenomenon died down initially, was bound to have some resurgence. Enough people cared about it what, 20 years ago and now enough people are caring about it again as young adults.

So I can get behind SOME of the photo covers that are a mix of art overlayed with a background photo (like the Dr Strange ish). But the Dell and Gold Key covers that are legit photos of people still don't do it for me. I guess when I see something like this And compare to something like this ..to me, the Dave Stevens cover is 1000 times more appealing. I guess I just appreciate art that is drawn that much more.

Info I can gather on it say it was a photograph and even lists the people in costume. Says "enhancements" were added afterwards by Bob Larkin. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Spider-Woman_Vol_1_50

Hmm, couple things to do. One has already been mentioned. If taking the same book out rather frequently, do as suggested above. Place comic on board and slide board into bag. Also make sure bags and boards are proper size. Another thing is where are these comics stored? I know I have bought newer books from people who stored them in their garage. Where I live, humidity levels fluctuate a fair bit between the seasons and moisture can cause something like this to happen as the book gets "damp" and then you will see the inks transferring. You want a dry dark spot that fluctuates as little as possible otherwise you might see what you are seeing and, if extreme enough, you will start to see wrippling and warping, especially on newer comics because of what they are printed on.

It’s not a real life photo with character actors?

I think 950K but I also feel that the reserve will be set higher thus no sale.

^ Ok so I love that Dr Strange issue. I think it blends photography with art very well. However of those three posted it is by far the best looking one. The amount of gray in the other two just bores my eyes!

Oh I agree it is hilarious. I just feel at the end of the day, even if I found one for a reasonable price, I would laugh, show a few people and then likely sell to put towards something much more important...at least in my eyes. Would it have the same effect if it had been drawn instead of a photograph? I wonder