alexanderjk

On 5/26/2022 at 10:00 AM, ExNihilo said:

Where do you draw the line?  "Oh, this book has touch up, do you want it graded?"  "This book has a subscription crease".

It'll be interesting to see what type of shipping was used because my initial inclination was also Media Mail.  Which then begs the question, who submits books for grading using Media Mail?

The same ones who sell comics worth a few hundred dollars and ship via Media Mail. (Happens A LOT.)

I was in Golden Apple in February and was pleased with the SA Daredevil selection, at least. Decent selection of mid-grade issues #30 and up in the long boxes (prices ranged from $4 to $10 per issue), and the proprietor was kind enough to grab a stack of about 100 SA issues from the back. Unpriced, but he used the guide to give me a fair deal on the few I wanted. Picked up a high grade GA Classics Illustrated, too. 

TnT in Tustin, my local go-to, has enough back-issue stock to keep me picking through their long boxes every now and then. Picked up an Iron Man 182 and a Red Sonja 1 for $4 apiece during a recent visit. A few slabs on display, but very few keys, and their DD selection begins around issue 125. Giant selection of new issues.

On 5/24/2022 at 5:34 PM, thehumantorch said:

Keep the AF15.  It's the most important SA book and will continue to go up and up in value.  And it's just a darn great book.

This. 

On 5/23/2022 at 2:18 PM, Flatliner1313 said:

Standard 

I wonder if the value or the era of the books has anything to do with it. I mean, it shouldn’t, but there’s gotta be SOME reason for the inconsistencies. 

On 5/23/2022 at 10:23 AM, Flatliner1313 said:

Mine received 04/01 is still in G/E/I.  So it seems wildly inconsistent. Mine has been in G/E/I since before yours was even received. 

Which tier?

On 5/20/2022 at 12:23 PM, alexanderjk said:

QC 5/20

TAT for two-comic Standard submission (no press):

rec’d 5/12

SFG 5/16

G/E/I 5/17

QC 5/20

shipped 5/23

So if I receive by end of this week, total TAT from when I dropped books off at USPS is about 22 days (or 17 from when received at CGC). Paid for it though! 

On 5/22/2022 at 7:58 AM, optimal_max said:

If we have multiple independent pressers/cleaners who are cheaper and much faster then CCS, why does anyone still use CCS?

I figured it would be faster with my last FT submission, but never again. Neither comic looked like it had even been pressed, and one of them came back with a bonus corner crunch. Way faster than an independent shop, but quality of “press” was abysmal. 

On 5/21/2022 at 7:50 AM, JollyComics said:

I was a student in Northridge (San Fernando Valley - just north of LA area) many years ago.  I am sure Golden Apple Comic book store is still existed.  Visit the website: https://goldenapplecomics.com/

Also, I was a regular customer at Lee's Comics.  Check it out at this website: http://lcomics.com/

If you are willing to drive to Sacramento area and visit A-1 Comics, you can contact him here @A-1 Comics, INC or visit his store at this website: https://a-1comics.com/

Maybe you can try with Bunky Brothers: http://bunkybrothers.com/

Those areas may be out of your ranges.  Good luck and enjoy your trip!

The Golden Apple in L.A. is a must-visit, but that’s an hour drive from Anaheim, even on a weekend. But if the OP has a full day to spare, I really recommend a day trip into a L.A. — the Farmer’s Market, the Fairfax District, Melrose, Golden Apple…absolutely worth the drive. (I live in OC, not far from Disneyland, and spend quite a bit of time in L.A.) 

A1 is a great suggestion too, but it’s about two to three hours from SF. 

On 5/18/2022 at 9:23 PM, zosocane said:

I took my kids to Pink's Hot Dogs in LA during Spring Break and I just noticed that Golden Apple Comics is around the corner on Melrose.    But next time i will know and visit.

That entire neighborhood is fantastic — so many great food options, and it’s a short drive to the Farmer’s Market and some of the best food in L.A. 

On 5/20/2022 at 12:41 PM, captainzombie said:

How many books did you submit in this order?

Just two — DD #2 and 7. 

On 5/18/2022 at 12:13 PM, alexanderjk said:

My current submission is standard. Just went to G/E/I yesterday, in fact. 
 

Rec’d 5/12

SFG 5/16

G/E/I 5/17

QC 5/20

On 5/19/2022 at 6:13 AM, Parabellum said:

Probably not...

It wouldn't bother me to be honest.  I think the custom labels are a thinly veiled "money grab".  I have a few books with custom labels (purchased this way) and I will most likely have them re-holdered.  No offense to collectors who enjoy them, I know I'm probably in the minority on this topic.  But when I see people that haven't received their books in 6 months or more and CGC's efforts appear to be everywhere but grading books I get irritated.  Again, just my opinion.

Obviously a way for CGC to make a few extra bucks. But in my option, the custom labels on the books that inspired the artwork are FIRE, like Wolverine #2, JiM #83, GSX, etc. 

My son is 19 and caught the collecting bug during a visit to L.A.’s Golden Apple Comics. I spent YEARS trying to interest him in the hobby, but it was that visit to that landmark shop that ignited the interest. His interests are affordable modern age titles like Spawn, and runs of modern JLA and Tec. His only interest in SA is my 1-300 DD run, which he’ll inherit when I pass away. 

Sadly, it’s REALLY rare that I encounter teens interested in comics, despite their love of the MCU films. I teach high school English, and my kids know of my love of comics from the many DD Funko Pops I have displayed on my desk, and the imagery I use on my presentations (I teach theme and symbolism using imagery from the MCU). But in the last decade, I’ve had exactly one kid who actively collected comics. 

On 5/18/2022 at 4:35 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

Is it economy tier?

Standard. 

Figures that my DD7 — first red costume — would be in G/E/I the day these labels drop. Sigh. 

For what it’s worth, the DD image is from issue 13. 

On 5/18/2022 at 11:04 AM, Ninja0215 said:

Anyone using standard tier?? Just filled out the form for a standard and wanted to know if everything was on point. 

My current submission is standard. Just went to G/E/I yesterday, in fact. 
 

Rec’d 5/12

SFG 5/16

G/E/I 5/17

On 5/13/2022 at 11:21 AM, Sigur Ros said:

At this point, my guess is OP. 

Definitely the OP.

On 5/9/2022 at 12:04 PM, Robot Man said:

This is today’s hot new thing. Sealed tapes are going for big money. I think CC is doing auctions and others will probably follow soon.

CGC smells “blood in the water” and wants to cash in. I’ll bet HA will be in soon.

Just more slow down to their original core business. But they already got us right where they want us.

Need a job Pablo? But you got to move to FL…   @Dreamtoreal1

I’m sure this recent sale of a Terminator VHS tape was a motivator:

https://screenrant.com/terminator-vhs-first-tape-auction-sold-price-details/

Imagine thinking that the woman in the third pic is scantily-clad. 

OP doesn’t like it when women sell comics, I guess. (“I’m no prude,” he says.) 

On 4/20/2022 at 3:49 PM, kav said:

awesome books.

Ps "Ones".  My standard suggestion for people that misuse apostrophes is just never use them, ever.  That way you will be right 95% of the time instead of 5% of the time.

🤦🏻‍♂️

On 4/19/2022 at 4:32 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

I'm not reading a question here.

You knew what he meant. 

A few years ago I sold off most of my collection, but for some reason I held onto most of my DD. So when I started collecting again last year, I decided to focus on completing a 1-300 run of DD. Currently, I’m only missing 1, 26, 31, and 90, but should have all four by the end of summer. 

Complete: TMNT 1-10. (1 is a low-grade third print that I bought off the rack, then thoroughly abused in the ensuing three+ decades.) 

Almost complete: Strange Adventures 205-215. What motivated this run: I picked up 205 (first appearance of Deadman) at an antique shop in New Mexico about 35 years ago for a buck. Held onto it, then three years ago had it slabbed by CGC. It was a low grade — 3.5 — and I ended up selling it, with aims to upgrade. Kicking myself for letting it go. 

I’m a month or two away from wrapping up my DD 1-300 run. “Just” need 1 (sigh), 26 and 31. 

Sent 131 for a clean, press and grade, and will eventually upgrade my low-grade 16, and my 9.0 168 (to a 9.6, which I sold three years ago…double sigh). 

Side goal: 9.6 slabs of Miller’s runs. 

Then Strange Adventures 205 to complete the Deadman run. 

When I finish my Daredevil Silver Age run (just missing 1, 26, and 31), I’ll collect his other appearances, which means having to drop some serious coin on ASM 16.

Disclosure: Absolutely my bad for not submitting to another presser who’s done great work for me in the past. 

But I expected to CCS to actually press my books. 

None of the non-color breaking finger bends or spine ticks were pressed out, and there’s actually a corner bend now that wasn’t there when I submitted. 

Absolutely needed a cleaning, so I wasn’t expecting 9.4+, but an 8.5 for the 131 is pretty bad considering the flaws in the notes are why I submitted the books to CCS in the first place. 

Behold the pics (more later) and the notes: