Frisco Larson

Front cover to page 1 splash.

A tougher to find later issue.

Yes, there are certainly different levels and kinds of scarcity, but your initial post said "not in grade, just the books themselves" so I overlooked those hard to find specifically in high grade. There are some later Timely issues that are harder than others to find, no doubt! Human Torch #32 has always been tougher to find and almost impossible to find in grade. Although I've owned copies in the past, Human Torch #33 & #34 were also issues I saw less of. USA is a run I've had most of at one time. The ones I thought were toughest (and never owned) were #4, #5, #8 & #15. Subby #31 & #32 always seemed tough to find. I've owned the #31, but never the #32. Marvel Mystery probably has some later issues that are tougher, but it's been quite a while since I focused on that, and those issues aren't as memorable to me. Of the earliest Marvel Mystery issues, I've never owned #1, #8 or #9 (well, I DID own a coverless #9). I had shots at them, but they were always expensive. Cap has books at the end of the run which can be tough to find, but I had that part of my run completed before I started selling them. I've owned 2 copies of #74 but they were both tough to find and expensive. You could blanket statement say Caps in the 70s numbering are harder than the rest of the run and most wouldn't disagree. It used to be touted that Tough Kid Squad #1 was "tough" to find (sorry, so punny), but I've always seen that there are enough to go around. Namora #3 has been much harder to find than the other issues in the run. As far as other later comics, I've seen less of my favorite book in the series, Daring Comics #9. I've had one, but never was able to upgrade it. And I agree Steven, that the late Blonde Phantom issues are a challenge. I could probably go on for a while (and some of you are probably afraid that I WILL), but that's really the gist of it. I likewise look forward to reading other opinions on the subject.

Hero saving sidekick in serious trouble to hero saving sidekick in serious trouble.

Never posted this here.

Spikey torture ball to spikey torture ball.

WOW, that's a smoker!!! Circle gets the square!!!!! Circle 8 and high grade, very well played, @mysterio if that IS your real name!

White Skull battling Captain America to Red Skull battling Captain America.

That's quite a beauty you've got there!!! I as well have been having a tougher time finding the issues I'm missing in the grades I'm looking for. They're also getting quite a bit more expensive too!!

That's a very well documented journey you've been on! I wish I had kept such detailed accounts of mine. I know a lot but not quite as specific.

I completely understand that viewpoint and I have friends that feel the same way. I do as well but have both slabbed and raw books, in many cases, a copy of each.

WoW!!! THAT is incredible!!! I can't even imagine how long it must've taken you to get to where you are with those runs! PLUS the fact that you're collecting NICE copies, not "whatever you can find" copies! You're getting 7.0-8.0 which have to be legitimately tough to even FIND, much less afford!!! It'd be cool to see them in a group shot, if you've got anywhere big enough to fit them all!!!

Actually, I wouldn't say any of them are scarce as far as copies that still exist. Scarce to the market is a different story. I'd say that Daring Mystery 3 & 4 are seldom seen, although I've owned 2 copies of 4, a vg-ish copy with a little work and one of the two 6.5 Universal copies on the census. Daring Mystery #1 I'd say isn't scarce. I have a picture from our second Timely Geek Club fest (1999) where randomly, all 4 of us have a copy of Daring Mystery #1 and had it WITH us! Mystic 4 can be tough as well as 8-10 but I think those are the ones people tend to hold on to. USA 3-5 I see less often, but most of the Cap issues I've seen quite a bit. I see less of Marvel Mystery 3 & 9 than most of the rest. Maybe 6 is less common too. I'd be interested to know your take on it, Steven.

A pair of beauties Lou!!! That Everett cover on ST 54 is spectacular!!!

Posting this is another thread, the cover is Kirby, but looking at the splash page I knew it was Steve, then I saw the signature. Spanish Steve!

Mystic #54 La Prensa Pub. A rough copy but not easy to find and the Bill Everett cover art is worth grabbing in any condition!

Journey into Unknown Worlds #54 La Prensa Pub.

JIM #54 La Prensa Publications PLUS the splash page just for fun!!!

Giant woman with Multi-Man on her shoulder to Giant-Man with Wasp in his hand.

Well, I will be comfortably seated on the sidelines with a beverage, perhaps a pastry, and watch the fireworks display!

Purplish skull to hooded white skull.

People are payin' attention ...

Green skull to Red Skull

The man who lived forever to The Teen-Ager Who Ruled the World!