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Congratulations, Sterling!

Started by ComicBookGuy,

18 posts in this topic

ComicBookGuy

ComicBookGuy

Posted
Posted

I was just reading the CGC newsletter and saw the article on Sterling with Greggy mentioned too. Way to go! In case you don't get the newsletter, here's the text:

 

The CGC Collector: Sterling Smith

Epilogue: 1978

 

It's a Friday night. I pour butter into a pan and then some popcorn—(I didn't have a microwave yet). I shiver in anticipation as I hear the host of my favorite weekly show called Creature Feature, which showcases horror movies from the classics in the 1930s up to B-type thrillers in the 1970s.

 

My fascination with horror and mystery origins can be found in some of these late night movie romps. This interest led from movies into magazines about horror movies (Warren comes to mind) and eventually comic books. Even my superhero books had mystery themes, especially in the 1970s, such as one of Batman's nemesis, The Spook.

 

My main interest during my younger years primarily consisted of DC Bronze Age horror—which included Ghosts, Secrets of Haunted House, Unexpected, House of Mystery, and Weird War Tales. These tales of macabre and mystery kept me reading into the long hours of the night. I especially liked Luis Dominguez covers, as they were dominant during this time frame.

 

By the time my collecting focus waned in 1984, I quietly tucked away my books, where they would travel with me for over 20 years, waiting for their time to be rediscovered. One spring day in 2001, my son Nathan asked to see the comics I had stashed away in the closet. I fell in love with comics again, and this time, things were different.

 

During my childhood, finding back issues was challenging. Now, it has become child's play with the boon of the Internet and online comic stores that can make purchasing a mere click away. eBay has made it very easy to locate and find issues, but I was more or less disappointed with the grades I would receive. Enter CGC.

 

I created a plan to start collecting DC Bronze Age horror of all of my favorites, with my key focus being House of Mystery. This title was my absolute favorite due to the great artists and stories and for its consistent quality.

 

Most of my early titles were purchased from Pacific Coast comics. The PC copies are truly remarkable, and showcase these books in a light I've rarely seen with vivid colors and perfect registration. Among my favorite PC copies include the Neal Adams cover on #177 (but to be honest, I love them all). Some of these early copies are still relatively difficult to find in 9.4 or higher, although copies graded 9.0 or lower are usually not too hard to find.

 

In terms of the best story and art, I would have to vote for #186. With a Neal Adams cover cover and interior art by both Wrightson and Adams, it's easily one of the classic issues in the series.

 

871927-housemyster186.jpg

 

Another highlight of the series for me is the 100-pagers, which consists of #224-#229. Although these stories contained many reprints from the earlier House of Mystery issues, finding these in high grade can be challenging and fun. I love the Cain cover on #226, illustrated by Dominguez. In addition to the 100 pagers, I find the Dollar Comics in the series #251-#259 difficult to find in high grade due to the bindery defects on the spine of these bulky books.

 

Bernie Wrightson produced many great covers in the series. Issue #236 stands out as my personal favorite. Thanks to Greg Loey (CGC boards/ebay: greggy), I've been able to acquire this book in high grade.

 

871929-housemyster236.jpg

 

Although late in the title, the "I, Vampire" series provided a monthly dose of vampire drama that proved to be very interesting. Unfortunately, the death of the series also marked the death of the title. I miss it so.

 

A thread on the CGC boards was started so fellow collectors can discuss Bronze Age horror. You can join the fray by clicking here. You can also receive some resources on some of the most popular Bronze Age horror comics by visiting shiverbone's Web site www.shiverbones.com.

 

Thanks to everyone on the boards who has helped to complete my collection and most of all to my wife Rebecca who has remained patient during my second childhood.

 

893applaud-thumb.gif

 

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sterlingcomics

sterlingcomics

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Posted

thanks guys. Please forgive CGC for turning up the juice on the pics, that wasn't my doing tongue.gif The pic of me tuned down is always a good thing. 27_laughing.gif

 

Paul asked me to rush the article in 3 days, but then took several weeks for them to post--otherwise it would've been a little longer...but perhaps concise is a good thing...

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plitch

plitch

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  • Member
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thanks guys. Please forgive CGC for turning up the juice on the pics, that wasn't my doing tongue.gif The pic of me tuned down is always a good thing. 27_laughing.gif

 

Paul asked me to rush the article in 3 days, but then took several weeks for them to post--otherwise it would've been a little longer...but perhaps concise is a good thing...

 

I'm sorry about that Sterling. Everything just kept getting jammed in there and near the end we were running out of "room" (we try to keep them a certin size -- I am not sure what that size is, but this newsletter was pretty darn big!) I liked it as it was. Thanks again, Sterling. Sorry I rushed you. flowerred.gif

 

If anyone else wants to show off one of there Registry Sets, email or pm me! sumo.gif

 

Thanks, Sterling, great job! 893applaud-thumb.gif

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Red Hook

Red Hook

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Graders Notes: "Tanning to Interior covers."

 

Damn...are you still crying over Round 8? frustrated.gifpoke2.gif

 

Jim

 

What would I have to cry about? Where's your sense of humor? thumbsup2.gif

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Ze-man

Ze-man

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Graders Notes: "Tanning to Interior covers."

 

Damn...are you still crying over Round 8? frustrated.gifpoke2.gif

 

Jim

 

 

I think he has every right to cry....

Round 8 kept Red from winning the Grading Contest... err...I mean, Red would have won the whole thing if the grader notes were only...ummm wait a sec..... I mean Red might have had a shot at winning the entire Grading contest if Greggy only....oh nevermnid.

 

27_laughing.gif

Ze-

 

 

And WTG Sterling 893applaud-thumb.gif Are you signing autographs now?.. or will you not speak to us anymore now that you are famous?

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october

october

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Posted

 

Graders Notes: "Tanning to Interior covers."

 

Damn...are you still crying over Round 8? frustrated.gifpoke2.gif

 

Jim

 

 

I think he has every right to cry....

Round 8 kept Red from winning the Grading Contest... err...I mean, Red would have won the whole thing if the grader notes were only...ummm wait a sec..... I mean Red might have had a shot at winning the entire Grading contest if Greggy only....oh nevermnid.

 

27_laughing.gif

Ze-

 

 

And WTG Sterling 893applaud-thumb.gif Are you signing autographs now?.. or will you not speak to us anymore now that you are famous?

 

 

I think you mean I would have been in the winners round if only.........ah screw it. 893blahblah.gif

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sterlingcomics

sterlingcomics

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Dude,

 

I'm around all the time. I've been up and down in the Phoenix valley so my laptop has been getting pretty toasty in the car at 115 degree temperatures 893whatthe.gif which has limited my online appearances.

 

Paul, thanks for the opportunity. I think it worked out perfectly. thumbsup2.gif

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