djzombi

Looks like dumpster diving time! Turtle power!

Magazine? Wha hoppa?

Oh, mine is NOT high-grade, but firmly mid-grade. It's fine (sharp corners, glossy) except some color-breaking spine creases ruin it. I'd say 6.0. But I got it for $1.50!

Really? I've heard nothing other than that it's very, very good. I have the tpb on the pile and have yet to get to it myself

That's good to know! I always wondered why it took longer, when in my mind there was no way that magazine submissions exceeded comic book ones! It would be lovely if the number of magazine encapsulating machines could be increased, even if it's by one

Yes! I really, really like the colors for the Justice League one.

oof.

Picked up Justice League #70 4th print for $1.50, and Superman: Man of Steel #18 3rd print for $9 at my LCS today

So which on of us is blowing hot air out our butt?

I did not have them pressed, which is why I said it would have been nice if there were notes as to what defects knocked my books down to 9.0. That way I could decide if pressing would help. For instance, if the notes said there was tear that I missed, I know it wouldn't be worth trying to press for a better grade. But if there were notes that said "multiple light spine bends," then I would know that I had a change to improve the grade via pressing. Additionally, if they noted a "color breaking" bend/crease that I know wasn't there before I sent it, I could compare to my pre-shipping scans to see if there was damage en route or in-house and react accordingly. I screened the books myself with 40+ years worth of knowledge in the hobby, so it would be nice to know for my own curiosity (and education about CGC's grading system) what kept the book from being 9.2+.

The comics were simpler or things in general? Because here in the states things were far from simple at that time. Hulk #55 came out in 2003.

Ditto, 100%

Also, how many of those copies ended up in the hands of collectors? Unbought newsstand books were returned to the publisher after a couple of months. So, just because B&N stores in total had, say, 500 copies (making that number up), that doesn't mean that all 500 ended up in collections. Far from it, I would say. Additionally, I've seen what B&N magazine stands look like. Good luck getting a 9.8 there, chump.

If we've been at "optimized workflow" for six weeks, then these TATs are the new normal. Can't get any better when it's already "optimized." That's like "maximizing potential," right?

Yeah, I got a submission back yesterday that had a few books return as 9.0 when I thought for sure they would be at least 9.2 or 9.4. No notes. On the other hand, one key that I estimated to be 9.0 returned as 9.6..! I give up. The no notes on the multiple 9.0 books is what kills me. At least tell me what I missed. It would also be helpful to know if the defects are pressable ones (e.g. the notorious "finger bends").

Congrats!

Sounds like you packed it well. I also feel like you're good. It'll just get there realllllllly slowly

Funny, I'm also 40 years into the hobby and was OCD in my youth! I just had my ASM 252 come back from CGC 9.6 - I had guessed 9.0, so I'm pretty happy! The Wolverine Vol. 1 #1 that came back 9.0 when I had estimated 9.2 or 9.4...not so happy-making As an aside, I have yet to crack CGC's code. I've been grading by Overstreet standards for decades. Each of my CGC submissions come back with some right as I'd guessed, some higher than expected, some lower than expected. Few are significantly different from my estimates, but some are - in either direction. I can't figure it out! You'd think I was either an overgrader or undergrader...seems I'm just BAD AT IT, apparently!

I want to add that even Marvel books still increase in value due to traditional, non-MCU standards. Very recent examples: Amazing Spider-Man (current series) #55 commands a large premium due to its cool cover. Immortal Hulk shot up in value very soon after the series started due to its cool storyline.

The page said it looked like they were accepting offers...? I dunno, I don't have much experience with Heritage at all. I guess they have a function where you can offer to buy it from the winner..? Excuse my ignorance.

$50K LOL!!! WOW I wouldn't say this makes the book "worth more" than the first appearance, as this isn't a price it has sold for (yet). Somebody's just looking to get it for that price, I guess?

@Buzzetta seems like you've reached the end of your collecting journey! Congrats on reaching the end of a long road I'm putting the finishing touches on my collection as well. Though there are new books I'm currently reading, soon I may be finished with collecting the back issues I'm interested in, as I will own them all

I LOVE THIS!!!

Overstreet's grading guide is indispensable regarding various flaws with photo examples (as well as their general effect on grade). Highly recommended.

Clearly, and I can't believe I'm saying this, the concept of the video and animation was first, then a prop comic (not Carrot Top) was made. It's possible only the pages that were made to be visible on-screen were drawn and printed - i.e. that if you were to acquire the prop, it wouldn't contain a complete story. I would love to find out what happened to that prop.