Locke & Key appreciation thread 2 2

[MadGenius]

Nice!

Does CGC acknowledge these as the official 1st appearance of Locke & Key? If so, is the Doctor Who Classics or the Futuristic Tales considered the true 1st appearance, or did both books ship the same week?

Nope. CGC will not acknowledge "previews" as first appearances and I agree with them. These were just advertisements anyway and shouldn't be bought for a premium. I only like them because of the hoopla Capes #1 and Agents #6 is bringing to The Walking Dead title and felt my shortbox needed a couple previews too. Add on the spelling error that was corrected and it feels like they belong more as a rareity. Doc Who #2 came out Jan. 4, 2008(before the internet preview)and Cory #4 came out a week later. It ties with Dominatrix #6 with a L&K preview, but they didn't yield any 9.8 copies due to severe cover scuffing on back.

I personally don't think previews should count as 1st appearances either, but I know there are precedents. DC Comics Presents #26 comes to mind which contained a preview of New Teen Titans #1 and is widely considered to be the 1st appearance of Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, etc. It'll be interesting to see how the market treats these books in the future.

I agree, there becomes a question of how important the book is... Walking Dead #61(1st Chew?) and lines get blurred. Alot of collectors will probably ignore any imformation I give here and pick the standard #1 books sellers provide(Speed Racer- the 11th preview of L&K or Doctor Who #1-which came a week later after L&K #1 2/20/08) figuring #1's are what people want. I should add I hunted for 9.8 versions of Doctor Who Classics #2 for almost three years. These books were mistreated from get go, and most weren't bagged & boarded. I have bought well over 15-20 over the years, looking for one or two. People really gave up after Doctor Who Classics #1, I guess. Cory Doctorow's #4 appealed to me because it came in second, had "doctor" in it's name like the previous grail Doctor Who Classics, had the spelling issue and had the lowest print run of any IDW book. This is a lot of closure for the beginning of my set as I don't have to worry about hunting for them or paying through the nose too. At one point, I would have paid $200 for both Doc Who books(I'm an old school Doc Who fan-raised on Tom Baker). It was a sign to collect these books as I used to collect Doc Who stuff when I was a kid. Cheryl will tell you.

Circa: 1986

 

Always nice to get closure on a run. I can see the finish line for my L&K and UA sets, but I still have a ways to go. Seems like certain issues are more predisposed to flaws than others.

[NewEnglandGothic]

Head Games #3's regular cover will be another nightmare of large proportions(spine flaking, spinal stress, scuffing and dings) along with COS #6's variant(spinal stress) and KTTK #4's variant(dings). But never say never. Cheryl found 9.9's in notoriously damaged books #1 second print(scuffing) and Head Games #4 regular cover(spinal stress). There's always hope with IDW.

 

Any other set focuses you might try out next?

 

I dabble with a couple DC titles, used to do The Crow and various other Joe Hill comics.

[MadGenius]

Head Games #3's regular cover will be another nightmare of large proportions(spine flaking, spinal stress, scuffing and dings) along with COS #6's variant(spinal stress) and KTTK #4's variant(dings). But never say never. Cheryl found 9.9's in notoriously damaged books #1 second print(scuffing) and Head Games #4 regular cover(spinal stress). There's always hope with IDW.

 

Any other set focuses you might try out next?

 

I dabble with a couple DC titles, used to do The Crow and various other Joe Hill comics.

 

Locke & Key and Umbrella are it for me. Putting these graded sets together has become somewhat of an obsession and I don't want to commit to another title anytime soon. Never say never though. If I do put together another set it will be something similar: independent comic with a short, finite run. As much as I love mainstream Marvel and DC books, putting together a graded run of a series that goes on forever would be a nightmare for me.

[NewEnglandGothic]

As much as I love mainstream Marvel and DC books, putting together a graded run of a series that goes on forever would be a nightmare for me.

After I quit my CGC focus of Grimm Fairy Tales at #26, it was either gonna be The Walking Dead or Locke & Key. Mouse Guard and Kick- were contenders. Walking Dead was at #33 and L&K just got started, so I went for broke on Locke & Key to build a kind of Registry Set focus no one has seen before. As the series, wraps up possibly next June. I often wonder what my next set focus will be that will define me. So, I ask others too.

I would hate to do a mainstream title too, with all the reboots, newsstand variants, etc.

[MadGenius]

As much as I love mainstream Marvel and DC books, putting together a graded run of a series that goes on forever would be a nightmare for me.

After I quit my CGC focus of Grimm Fairy Tales at #26, it was either gonna be The Walking Dead or Locke & Key. Mouse Guard and Kick- were contenders. Walking Dead was at #33 and L&K just got started, so I went for broke on Locke & Key to build a kind of Registry Set focus no one has seen before. As the series, wraps up possibly next June. I often wonder what my next set focus will be that will define me. So, I ask others too.

I would hate to do a mainstream title too, with all the reboots, newsstand variants, etc.

 

You are definitely the king of L&K registry sets. As long as you keep it up, your set is probably untouchable. I'm happy with my #3 position on the L&K registry, but I'm gunning for #1 on Umbrella Academy. I think I can get there soon.

[synch]

These are most of the covers that I want to get cgc at some point ... pretty much all #1s are on my list & then it just depends on how I like the cover/art ect on it I've selected most of my faves Doubt I will get them all but will be fun to try

 

 

 

 

 

 

(for these I want the variants )

 

 

 

 

I am missing some here & there I couldn't really find a link had a gallery of all of them . Looking at my list Crown of shadows seems to be a huge hit with me I didn't know I wanted pretty much the entire collection . Also looking through the covers I did notice this but never commented on it yet I think its neat in KTTK they use a different key at the top of each comic where as before they had the same key for said series

 

Edited March 21, 2011 by synch

[NewEnglandGothic]

As much as I love mainstream Marvel and DC books, putting together a graded run of a series that goes on forever would be a nightmare for me.

After I quit my CGC focus of Grimm Fairy Tales at #26, it was either gonna be The Walking Dead or Locke & Key. Mouse Guard and Kick- were contenders. Walking Dead was at #33 and L&K just got started, so I went for broke on Locke & Key to build a kind of Registry Set focus no one has seen before. As the series, wraps up possibly next June. I often wonder what my next set focus will be that will define me. So, I ask others too.

I would hate to do a mainstream title too, with all the reboots, newsstand variants, etc.

 

You are definitely the king of L&K registry sets. As long as you keep it up, your set is probably untouchable. I'm happy with my #3 position on the L&K registry, but I'm gunning for #1 on Umbrella Academy. I think I can get there soon.

Don't sell yourself short on #3. I commented how impressed I was of your registry Set to Cher the other day. It shows a lot of passion assembling it. Not many collectors keep a focus like you have. I remember collecting CGC'd Kick 9.9, Mouse Guards 1-6, a Platinum Superman #75, a Superman #20(Golden Age), misc. Grimm Fairy Tales and more. I never got anywhere with one title, as I see a lot with most collectors on here when a new book comes around taking their fancy. I just wanted to do a Modern Set faithfully like EvilAsh or Pitboss's Walking Dead Registry Sets. I sacrificed a lot of books(Cursed Pirate Girl, Chew, Stuff of Legend etc) doing so, but have no regrets(now that is, ).

[NewEnglandGothic]

These are most of the covers that I want to get cgc at some point ... pretty much all #1s are on my list & then it just depends on how I like the cover/art ect on it I've selected most of my faves Doubt I will get them all but will be fun to try

 

 

 

 

 

 

(for these I want the variants )

 

 

 

 

I am missing some here & there I couldn't really find a link had a gallery of all of them . Looking at my list Crown of shadows seems to be a huge hit with me I didn't know I wanted pretty much the entire collection . Also looking through the covers I did notice this but never commented on it yet I think its neat in KTTK they use a different key at the top of each comic where as before they had the same key for said series

Look at the fingerprints on that Head Games Jetpack Variant.

Yeah, I feel guilty sometimes after getting an uber book and just putting it in the shortbox never to be admired again. But, I share them to other collectors in photos in my Registry Set. I have to catch up soon, as my collection is more complete than anything on the internet. I wanted my Registry Set to be a learning tool for other collectors who might be interested in this title. Who else will talk about different staple placement variants, print runs or printing errors for this set.

[synch]

I never even noticed I just saved the pic to my pc & then uploaded it to my photobucket account. Sort of making a check list here for my self at the same time Maybe If I ever get all the books I want from this series I will go a head and finish the sets l

[synch]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Locke-Key-Special-Edition-Welcome-Lovecraft-1-/110665598572?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c42f066c

[NewEnglandGothic]

That eBay seller has been known to get the occaisional 9.9 Locke & Key #1.

[chainnball]

he must be a real stud!

[NewEnglandGothic]

A definite sales uptick going on with raw #1's.

 

...Rememember, some of the first print's panels were changed in the reprints/hardcovers/trades. It includes some of the edginess from the Willit's house in the first print along with Dodge's intial cameo creepiness is also sadly missing(broken words, leaf crown, etc). This first print is a masterpiece, you can't find in the trades.

[majik2000]

Well I finally did something right. I jumped on Locke & Key when it first came out. I have 2 complete runs of the first series and i have complete run of Head Games with each corresponding variant. With Crown of Shadows I only have 1 & 2 with variant issues. Oh i also have 2 copies of Locke & Key #1 DF with a negative issue also.

[NewEnglandGothic]

Well I finally did something right. I jumped on Locke & Key when it first came out. I have 2 complete runs of the first series and i have complete run of Head Games with each corresponding variant. With Crown of Shadows I only have 1 & 2 with variant issues. Oh i also have 2 copies of Locke & Key #1 DF with a negative issue also.

I remember I kept thinking into the Head Games arc, do I want to collect every variant graded? Turns out, I did.

[synch]

I'm being picky and only going after comics I want the most if at some point I manage to get all those I will most likely just go ahead & finish off the set the next on my list will be WTLC #2 after #1 which I will be getting shortly I'm also going to send in my #2 to get cgc ss should the chance ever pop up.... I don't know why I just like that cover a lot

ghost bode how can you go wrong! Honestly its a better cover than #1 imo or at least more " exciting " than #1 is ...

 

 

 

Edited March 27, 2011 by synch

[NewEnglandGothic]

I'm being picky and only going after comics I want the most if at some point I manage to get all those I will most likely just go ahead & finish off the set the next on my list will be WTLC #2 after #1 which I will be getting shortly I'm also going to send in my #2 to get cgc ss should the chance ever pop up....

I don't know why I just like that cover a lot

ghost bode how can you go wrong! Honestly its a better cover than #1 imo or at least more " exciting " than #1 is ...

Here's a little trivia fact. Locke & Key #2 was the first issue, I ever flipped through(at Newbury Comics). I didn't get it with Bode playing ghost and I thought the cover was too Caspery for my taste. I put it back without giving it another thought, until I bought a #1 9.9 a couple weeks later to flip (Things starting to heat up for Locke & Key) . That graded book had a "Shining" to it that made me want to give #1 & #2 a shot, after all the hype in the CGC board at the time. After I read them, I was hooked ever since.

[synch]

haha cool I have said it before but it was the skeleton key prop at sdcc that got me hooked ... I saw that exclusive & just thought it was cool & took a quick look at the covers & decided to get the prop before I had even read anything

 

[MadGenius]

haha cool I have said it before but it was the skeleton key prop at sdcc that got me hooked ... I saw that exclusive & just thought it was cool & took a quick look at the covers & decided to get the prop before I had even read anything

 

Those keys are pretty awesome. March is almost over...Shadow Key time soon? I hope so.

[synch]

I'd be just as happy if they delayed it another month we well get it at some point & that is all I care about