My 2015 CGC Year in Review

[David Swan]

I added six new comics to my Captain Marvel Adventures collecting in 2015 which was more than expected but I came across several can't miss auction items late in the year. Because of the unscheduled purchases I enter 2016 deep in the red and may not be buying my next comic until spring time. At this point I'm only scheduled to buy three comics in 2016 but that's always subject to change based on availability and the three are some big ones. Overall I've done a good job of keeping my finances in line. I will go into deficit spending (based on my budget not my actual cash) but I've always gotten back in the black.

 

My goal to reach the top spot in Captain Marvel Adventures has gotten much closer this year. Not only have I added a significant amount of registry points but the current top set has dropped significantly. I am now less than 5400 points away which is not a lot when you're talking Golden Age sets.

 

I've finally moved past the 1/3 mark in terms of volumes (i.e I have 51 out of 150 issues). My goal of winning Golden Age Set of the year will continued to be hampered by a lack of volume. It appears that the judges place a lot of emphasis on volume and like to see something around 90% or more of the set and I may never be able to get to that level. I could just buy a ton of lower grade issues but I don't want to go that route. Maybe the judges will start to emphasis quality over quantity someday.

 

If I can't win Golden Age set of the year there is also Best Presentation and I've done a ton of work related to presentation. I've been going through each issue I own, reading the stories and writing up summaries. It's a somewhat laborious process but fans of Captain Marvel will hopefully enjoy the effort. Every single issue I have includes an image and summary.

 

If you are a fan of Captain Marvel or just want to see a Golden Age set with 100% images and summaries that contains almost exclusively 1st and 2nd highest grade issues please check out my set.

 

See more journals by David Swan

[LionHeart, Inc.]

Just checked out your set - looks great. Congrats!!!

[n2wdw]

I've enjoyed reading your posts about your quest. I have a question if you don't mind. In a few posts you've said something like this:

 

At this point I'm only scheduled to buy three comics in 2016 but that's always subject to change based on availability and the three are some big ones.

 

How do you know when books are coming up for sale? I realize auctions provide some information but I think usually that's just the next upcoming auction. Is there a network of Cap fans and people talk about when they plan to sell things?

 

Thanks

[David Swan]

I've enjoyed reading your posts about your quest. I have a question if you don't mind. In a few posts you've said something like this:

 

At this point I'm only scheduled to buy three comics in 2016 but that's always subject to change based on availability and the three are some big ones.

 

How do you know when books are coming up for sale? I realize auctions provide some information but I think usually that's just the next upcoming auction. Is there a network of Cap fans and people talk about when they plan to sell things?

 

Thanks

 

Actually it's pretty simple. Captain Marvel Adventure comics can sit on sale for YEARS. I look at all the sites that have CMA comics available and put them in a matrix. Then I do all sorts of calculations that include price, ranking in terms of grade, and sometimes even registry point value and rank each comic based on want or how it fits into my collection. Based on what is CURRENTLY available the top three comics on my list have a price value that fits into my 2016 budget. Things can always change as it did in 2015 when several items I really wanted came for auction and OCCASIONALLY something gets purchased, then I need to adjust.

 

My biggest fear is that someday a deep pocketed collector will decide they want to get all the available high grade CMA and start snatching them before I get there but so far that hasn't happened.

[David Swan]

Just checked out your set - looks great. Congrats!!!

 

Thanks, it's been a labor of love.

[Red84]

What are you top 5 favorite covers from the set?

[David Swan]

I never really thought about it but after a quick glance I'll say (in no particular order) issues 19, 53, 30, 42 and 83.