How I acquired my copy of X-Men #12! posted by mentok1982

[CSJournals-migration]

All about my purchase of X-Men #12 which is the first appearance of the Juggernaut.

 

I went to my first San Diego Comic Con this year and the one thing that I really really wanted to get was a nice copy of X-Men #12. Why? Well the Juggernaut is one of my favorite comics and I really like buying early X-Men comics. I had found really beautiful copies of X-Men #16 and #28 for around $40 each several months before.

 

I was looking for a clean copy that would cost me between $300-$450. That pretty much meant I had to get a non-graded copy since most 6.5's and up that are graded sell for above that price range.

 

My girlfriend and I scoured all the comic booths we could find and we took notes on all the issues that looked okay, good and outstanding. Even if they were over my budget. It was pretty easy since most comic retailers with the issue were in a special Gold and Silver Age zone on the floor.

 

I think that taking notes when shopping at a convention or show is very important. It allows you to make the vendors fight for your dollar. "Is $35 the best you can do? I found a very similar copy at Mile High Comics for $32"

 

This time I didn't really need to play hardball since I found only one issue that I really like. It was priced at $350 and my girlfriend and I thought it looked really nice. We looked it over, chatted with the owner a little, added it to our notes and then told him that we might be back. We finished scouring the show floor (saw about 4 more issues that I didn't like) and then after a short discussion we went back to the booth with the copy we liked.

 

We asked the gentleman if $350 was the best price on it and he dropped it to $300 without any pressure. I was the happiest consumer on the floor when I walked away from that booth. I actually bounced up and down a few times and hugged my girlfriend.

 

I have biug plans for this issue as well. I live right outside of Baltimore, which happens to host the Baltimore Comic Con (BCC). Stan Lee happens to be the guest of honor at this year's BCC and I am going to get his signature on my copy of X-Men 12, 16, 28 and Savage She-Hulk #1. X-Men 12 will then be sent to CGC for Signature Series (SS) grading where I hope it will get a 7.0 or above. There are only 27 SS copies of X-Men 12 in the registry and only 10 of those are a 7.0 or above. The highest graded SS is a 9.2.

 

I will send X-Men 16 and X-Men 28 in for SS grading if I can afford it. I am trying to find out how much that will cost me from Desert Wind Comics.

 

See more journals by mentok1982

[Lost]

Nice story. I'm not sure the appeal of getting books signed. They (in general) go for lower prices than their blue label friends. I guess if it means more to you then on resale go for it...

[graffix13]

Nice story, thanks for sharing!

 

I love the Juggernaut character (Cain Marko) too, and this was one of the first early X-Men issues I purchased. My first copy was a low grade (raw) beater copy that I got from Mile High (paid way too much for it) and then a little over a year ago I upgraded to a CGC 8.0.

 

Don't forget to put up pics of your book when you get it back from CGC!

[Phill the Governor]

Cool Story, glad you found a good copy!

 

Not sure about signed copies selling for cheaper than blue labels though. isn't it the other way around?

[mentok1982-migration]

I am the guy that wrote this journal post. Is there any way to make sure my CGC and forum account are linked?

 

I love getting things signed! I get to hunt down the issues I want, then I get to hunt down the creators at cons and shows to get their signatures. I have hundreds of comics with at least one signture on them.

 

I plan on keeping my collection for a long, long time. If I ever sell some of it or all of it, I should be able to get a lot of money for it.

 

I am getting close to having every single comic book that Rogue (X-Men) has even appeared in and I already have issues #143-#402 of Uncanny X-Men.

[Lost]

I don't like signatures across covers.

 

There are many great articles on getting comic books signed or not around the internet. Personally from a collecting standpoint, I don't want to see the cover defaced in any way so I avoid SS books. Many others feel the same way.

 

Another sin from my standpoint would be getting older books signed on the cover that are in great condition. If they are to get signed and older, use an inner page.

 

One of the problems is that since there is no book value for SS books, owners tend to overvalue them and charge way higher than people are willing to pay. Which is why thousands of SS books sit on ebay from people hoping to turn a big profit.

 

 

[Phill the Governor]

I don't like signatures across covers.

 

There are many great articles on getting comic books signed or not around the internet. Personally from a collecting standpoint, I don't want to see the cover defaced in any way so I avoid SS books. Many others feel the same way.

 

Another sin from my standpoint would be getting older books signed on the cover that are in great condition. If they are to get signed and older, use an inner page.

 

One of the problems is that since there is no book value for SS books, owners tend to overvalue them and charge way higher than people are willing to pay. Which is why thousands of SS books sit on ebay from people hoping to turn a big profit.

 

 

I get it. I feel the same way, I understand why people would like them, but they're just not for me either. (not yet anyways!)

[revat]

I don't like signatures across covers.

 

There are many great articles on getting comic books signed or not around the internet. Personally from a collecting standpoint, I don't want to see the cover defaced in any way so I avoid SS books. Many others feel the same way.

 

Another sin from my standpoint would be getting older books signed on the cover that are in great condition. If they are to get signed and older, use an inner page.

 

One of the problems is that since there is no book value for SS books, owners tend to overvalue them and charge way higher than people are willing to pay. Which is why thousands of SS books sit on ebay from people hoping to turn a big profit.

 

 

I get it. I feel the same way, I understand why people would like them, but they're just not for me either. (not yet anyways!)

 

I think the SS books (and some others) sit on ebay for a long time at high prices for a few possible reasons.

 

But the one I think seems reasonable is....I love having this book in my collection, but if someone wants to overpay me like crazy for it, I'm ok moving it. And so they toss up a huge 'buy it now.'

 

And if it costs nothing to post, then why not? You get to stoke your ego and show off your book, get to keep your book, and if you get really lucky get to make a huge profit. Win/win/win all around.

[surfer99]

I like signatures, but for me the person doing the signing should be someone who was involved in creating that particular issue. The artist signature especially looks really cool. It's like having them sign a work of art they created.

 

Congrats on your X-men #12 mentok1982! That's one I'd love to add to my collection as well!

 

 

[mzhammer]

I like the SS books myself and have yet to see a "blue" label go for more than a "yellow" label. (of exact same grading) - Though, it is wise, when getting something signed, to very respectfully point to where you would like the signature to go. It is my understanding Stan likes to sign right in the middle of the book (& I've seen a ton of these for sale) - Getting Tricia Helfer's signature on ym Battlestar galactica comic was a wonderful experience - And she was super cool!!!! - As far as eBay prices, you can list a book for whatever you want, but it's the actual sales that reflect actual value. And I, like many, have overpayed from time to time for something I really wanted!

 

Love your X-Men Story!!!!

[miraclemet]

I like signatures, but for me the person doing the signing should be someone who was involved in creating that particular issue. The artist signature especially looks really cool. It's like having them sign a work of art they created.

 

Congrats on your X-men #12 mentok1982! That's one I'd love to add to my collection as well!

 

 

 

luckily for the OP Stan (his SS target) was the writer on every book he mentioned! (X-Men 12, 16, 28 and Savage She-Hulk #1),

 

As is often repeated, collect what you love, love what you collect and you'll get more out of your collection than the $$ you put in (or eventually get out).

 

Congrats on the X-men 12 mentok, enjoy it! If Stan signing it makes it more awesome to you, go for it!