comicginger1789

But is that one you would actually want to own? Like for me, I find it hilarious sure, but even more hilarious is that there is a market to get a decent chunk of money for that book. And to me that is worth more than actually having that book. And what really makes that desired? Is it the innuendo? Is it because it was believed to not be intentional? What if someone like the original actors or whoever came out one day and said "yeah, we did it on purpose" would that drive collectibility up or down? Or is it more because of the times, the fact that it was what 70 years ago or so. Make that cover today and it just gets a laugh but I doubt it gets any value.

Do you like photo covers? Do you dislike them? If so why or why not? Do you collect them? And while we are at it post some favs! Or ones you hate! Or if you have any history like why were they used a lot in Westerns and Romances but not other genres? Why did they randomly disappear into the 60's. Why do they randomly pop up in some superhero comics from the 70s and 80s? A lot of questions to hopefully spark discussion. Personally, I am NOT a huge fan or one who would collect these types of covers. There is something about photography that I just cannot put on the same level as someone drawing. I understand it is an art but for me, I just cannot appreciate it the same way. For example this is terrible... The poor completionists who have to suffer as they add this to their run.

Was gonna say 5.5 until I scrolled and saw the grade. Nice book!

I see minute spine ticks and minor edge wear. Nothing else is jumping out at me hence why I think it will be higher than Fine. Hopefully you share once grade returns so I can bask in my glory... ...or drown in defeat, tomato toe-mato

I’m not seeing enough wear to put it as low as Fine. That stain is just ink overspray and while seen it does not hurt grade that much. Don’t be shocked if this received a 7.0-7.5. Maybe even 8.0 That overspray can be seen in books as high as 9.8 when it’s that minor.

I only have 2.....am I even a real collector!?

It should sell for $129 000...or 1.29 million. One of the two.

5.0 from me. The crease might hurt from hitting 5.5

Yup 8.5-9.0 in my books.

I am also around a 2.0 mainly because of the large stain.

9.0-9.2 Very nice looking book.

True but I view these boards safe for the most part. And if I have questions, especially when making a bigger purchase, I will seek out references. Heck there is even a section for it. I will hedge my bets that if other collectors here who are routine chatters amongst these forums vouch for them, they are fine.

I like where my collection is. I have thought about the possibility that if I sold about 1000 books I own, I could probably get my ASM run done. But to do that would mean selling books that I still love owning and enjoy so...maybe I never get there but the hunt will continue. I enjoy having a diverse collection.

Yes but we know you are out there and we appreciate that!

7.5 in my eyes. Great book!

Are there any artists who have gotten BETTER with time? Or even maintained a level of excellence? Maybe I shouldn't derail the thread with these questions but...

Yeah that's reasonable. As for appearing, I won't hold my breath. I think its more likely to see a quick scene where they stand together in a battle than an actual movie based around them. If you are holding out for a full on Marvel Sons movie, what's the timeframe? Would be looking at least 15-20 years from now. That is a loooong time haha

It's the Midnight Sons...have they done anything of substance since the 90's? Even then, was what they did in comics of substance? No. There was some interest a few years ago about a renewed series but I don't think that came to fruition. And really, what is the BEST thing you can hope for in movie/TV world in terms of spiking interest? I highly doubt a movie comes about. Maybe a TV show. When was the last time a Marvel/DC TV show skyrocketed any book? Seems to be the indie books that spike and stay up but for other stuff, a character or team appears, a book gets its couple weeks in the sun and then falls back to relative affordability. I just don't think they are a team that the average fan knows much about and that the hardcore fan cares enough about. Could it gain value? Of course. But to expect it to go from a $150 9.8 book to a $1000 9.8 book or even a $500 9.8 book I think is very unlikely. You are betting off looking at the individual characters that make up the Midnight Sons.

Unlike toys or figures, having the original "packaging" is not that important at all for most collectors. Granted, there is a market for some comics till bagged (partly due to rarity, partly due to nostalgia like old multi packs or Whitman packs from the 70s) but at the end of the day, CGC only grades the comic. They cannot accurately do that with a bag in the way. If you love the bag so much, carefully remove the book and keep the bag. The book in question is not (and I think is highly unlikely to ever be) a book that grows in value, whether it is in bag or not. Right now, it is a $10 book in the back, a $50 book if CGC 9.6 and a $130-150 book in CGC 9.8. You may THINK it is perfect having never been touched but that bag only "protects" so much. If you wrap your car in a giant plastic bag, sure it won't get wet which may slow rust but I can huck a baseball at it and do some serious damage. The comic could have experienced the same. The only way to know if you have a 9,8 is to open it. It is also a book that likely has a print run exceeding 500 000 so FAR from rare. Even in the bag (not sure if this is how all came or just some) is also not a rare thing. For those reasons, I think the values seen at the moment would be the par for this book long term, if not slightly lower.

My two cents... There are 194 graded copies of ASM 301 in CGC 9.8 on the census (sig and blue label combined) There are a whopping 933 copies graded at CGC 9.6 A 9.8 is hard to come by, especially with that white cover. In terms of being a "key", you can debate all you like but the facts are this. Almost every Spidey collector or Todd McFarlane fan will want this book in their collection. And there are a TON of both. Add in the fact you have people willing to pay for 9.8's, and I just think again that people calling this a "fad" or thinking it will come down are silly. Granted, right now CGC 9.8s sell for around $1100-1200 when they come up...that price is likely to hover around that mark. Maybe it dips a couple hundred but the market for such comics is up a LOT that it was even 15-20 years ago. The movies have fueled a new generation of collectors. And with the near infinite amount of possible stories to adapt to TV/movie/video games, I cannot see it crashing anytime soon meaning the interest will sustain for quite some time. I would share pics of your copy on the "hey buddy can ya spare a grade" forum. I know pics in a slab can be hard but try to get the spine and corners. If there are some ticks that some of our collector eyes can spot, maybe a 9.6 is the book's destiny. If there isn't and maybe it is something on the book that could be pressed out, I would 100% have it pressed and re-slabbed. And at the end of the day, spending $50 or whatever to potentially get a $1100 book is great. SHOULD have pressed and cleaned the first time but hey....who am I to point fingers when I don't even use CGC.

Oh it is definitely odd. He/or she? were obviously peeved at no reply either way. Just make up something and be kind. You can then be officially done. They can decide to accept or be bitter over nothing. Leave that with them and enjoy the books

More so the grammar. If his message had been "Hey, I am refunding you your money and giving these comics to you as a gift. No reason, just being nice. Hope you enjoy!" is there any issue? That original statement was weird.

So...he refunded you and you got comics for free? But he is mad you never said thanks? I mean, I guess he is upset that you never replied and waited to see what you actually got in the mail. I think you should have replied thanks but even still, no excuse him to rage out at you. I would just say "hey sorry for the delayed reply. I was confused about the refund and what was meant and did not know what to expect, hence why I waited for the books. They are great and I really appreciate it. Just take responsibility (even though you did nothing) to keep a slightly odd duck from going quackers. Should be no sweat off your back, as you did get free comics even if you did get insulted.

Nice book! That foxing bumped it outta Fine range, especially that much of it. Sucks the finger prints didn't come out more but still presents very well.

Kinda hard to tell even when I blow it up but appears to be creases on bottom right corner of cover. That combined with some light creasing on the back corners and I feel safer calling this 7.0-7.5