William-James88

Is Detective Comics #225 considered a GA key or SA key? Because if it counts as SA, then that's once DC book that could go way up this year (2021)

I know, I bought it this year. Here are the "affordable SA keys" I made sure to get this year before it might be too late: X-Men 14 Silver Surfer 3 Detective Comics 359 Hawkman 4 Captain Atom 83

I don't and I'll tell you why, it's become apparent to me in the past 2 years that it's first appearance of bust. While first appearances has risen in value in the past 10 years, second appearances and early appearances have dropped (like Brave and the Bold 29). It's like all the money is being divested from non keys and into keys. I'm not even sure FF Annual 2 would go up even if it's Doom's Origin.

7.0

it was a great price at the time. Same for whoever sold Ultimate Fallout 4 9.8 for $300 5 years ago.

Even then, it's not a great indicator. I remember Detective Comics 187 being all the rage once since there were so few on the census. So prices were high, and then people got wind and submitted theirs and now it's got 90 on the census, so as much as any other issue and far from being rare compared to others (Detective 27 has 69 on the census if we are comparing). On the plus side, that meant prices went down and after looking for it for 10 years, I got one at the price I wanted. And better yet, many Fawcett books (like Captain marvel, Captain marvel Jr, Mary Marvel, marvel Family) have less than 25 on the census but since they are worth so little compared to other Golden Age Super Hero books, it's probably because sending in a low grade copy would end up being worth less than the cost of getting them graded (since GCG charged a premium for older books, regardless of their value). We have no clue how many of those books are left from their million book print runs. Yes they want a 5000 consignment. And honestly, Heritage has been pretty disastrous for buyers in the past due to their really big fees (they take a significant cut two ways, limiting how much money you are left with). They are the place to sell your $1000 books but that's about it. And yes, Mycomicshop will turn your potential 9.6 into a 9.0 or 9.2. But I agree with them on that point. As a buyer, there is no way I am buying a 9.6 or 9.8 if it's not written 9.6 or 9.8 on the slab. If you want 9.8 returns, you have to give the buyer a 9.8 slab.

Dude, those TMNT 1s were nuts. 3rd printing is now out of my price range, can't believe it.

FF 5 Baby. No reason aside form it being the SA key I have been rooting for all my life. Doom is the main antagonist in the Marvel Universe (I will die on this hill!) and I am sure Feige knows this. They won't mess it up. If it's not this year, it will be next year, or the one after. But trust me DOOM is coming for all!

Honestly, you are going about this the wrong way. Average price is not really a key indicator in the comic market, not these days. It's a lot more like stocks. If there is momentum on your comic (say Detective 359 first Batgirl for instance), then the next sale will be more than the previous sale and there is no way of knowing when that upward trend ends (like a tesla stock). So while you are paying higher than the average price, as per your calculation, you may be paying much less than the average price a year from now. Waiting to get it at the average price may have you wait for a longer time and you may end up purchasing it for more later. Again, very much like the momentum we see in stocks where people end up paying more later out of the fear of missing out as they did before. Personally, I buy on auctions. Like that, whatever price I pay at least it is the market price. That way I don't feel I am overpaying. Also, if you really want that comic, and are ok paying the asking price (not taking any other calculation into consideration), then buy it. Because odds are you are not the only one looking at that comic. And one day, it will be gone.

none, selling in an auction can never guarantee you guide price. The best place to sell a comic with a price in mind is Mycomicshop.com. I use it. You just send them your comics, and they will provide the description/listing with a picture they took of your comic, and you can then set the price as you wish, which in your case is guide price. Also, for the bigger auction houses, like heritage, while your comic might sell for higher than guide price, you may end up with less money since they take money from you both ways. They take a percentage of your winning to list it AND they remove a portion of the winnings as a comission to them. There have been results in people not making any money from their auctions there.

Yes, and not only that but they may be better. Mylar (or Mylytes) and acid free backing boards are archival. They also don't end up taking as much space as a CGC case, cost way less and (best of all), you can revisit your treasured comics whenever you want. You also don't lose sight of them and regarding their looks, sleeves give you a much better and clear look at your comic. The CGC slab will have this extra blue tint and possible ugly effects like plastic rings detracting from the comic's beauty. If preservation is the key point, then definitely go for the mylar/mylytes. Oh and to answer your other question, if sending to CGC, you can send them all at once but depending on the age and worth of the comic, you will have to file seperate orders. Pricier comics are graded faster (just their policy) and so they will be shipped back to you quicker. That means more costs for you. Honestly, from reading your story, I really think you are better off with nice sleeves.

I'm thinking graded pokemon cards since the people who find those nostalgic are only now getting into their 30s and have many years of higher disposable income to obtain and feed that market while they replace the old guard in high paying jobs.

I just double checked and CCS wont press if it may danage the book IF you pay extra for the screening service. I still dont think it's an issue with your book but if you are worried, then the Screening is the way to go. The press service I use (cfp comics) includes the screening service by default at no extra charge.

The printing defect will be seen as cosmetic. The issue with the corner wont be, it's wear and tear.

That really isn't that old in the grand scheme of things. Anybody pressing books worth a damn should not have an issue unless your staple is already very loose (and in that scenario, they should not press it and tell you they wont).

Neither am I. I was just confirming your point. If there was 0 ambiguity to a 9.8, then the back and forth strategy would never yield a positive result.

Another fun fact regarding this edition: it is Shredder's first ever appearance on the cover.

Authenticated signatures mean nothing to CGC. They will not count as signed book and the signature will instead be seen as a defect on your comic. If I were you, I would not send these books.

None are the better deal, they are just market price and that's never a deal. If you are looking to spend less, then buying it raw for 20$ is the way to go. And yes, it is luck of the draw. But you can mitigate that by asking CGC to only grade it if it comes out as 9.8. People have sent the same book over and over until they get the 9.8 approval.

I feel this is the scenario right now for golden age books (not silver yet). We can even see it on heritage. For some GA books (like the Fawcetts I collect), you only have a handful of bidders. And modern collectors don't care about these books at all.

You have a reprint or a reprint.

only reason to get them graded is if you want to lose money.

this would really benefit from pressing. 8.5-9.0

Not worth it since it's not high grade (wouldn't get above 9.0)

Yeah, looks like a production error. The main issue I see is back bottom left corner. Anywhere between 9.2 and 9.6 is possible.