Help me make a decision on a ASM 129 1 1

[1950's war comics]

i didn't even notice the rip in A that much , other than the rip it looks nice , nicer than B

[factory sealed]

This sort of trade off is much more prevalent in sealed graded toys; that is overall you have a much higher presenting slab but one significant flaw in this case that chip piece missing. 

Personally I would take B in this specific scenario. I have tons of 70s comics with the white spine wrap, so I'm probably a little biased from a nostalgic perspective but also the staples are mounted better in copy B as well. 

[Cushing Fan]

Here is a choice C in off-white to white pages in the same grade.

 

Grader Notes

foreign substance left center of interior front cover
moderate creasing to cover
moderate wear spine breaks color
staple tears

[mattn792]

I’d keep looking.

[KCOComics]

Of the 3, I like option C. 

How are the colors? They don't look as sharp,  but that could just be the photo. 

[Cushing Fan]

On 5/12/2023 at 6:30 AM, KCOComics said:

Of the 3, I like option C. 

How are the colors? They don't look as sharp,  but that could just be the photo. 

A bit more faded colors on option C. Still looking for more copies in the same grade. 

[KCOComics]

On 5/12/2023 at 6:54 AM, Cushing Fan said:

A bit more faded colors on option C. Still looking for more copies in the same grade. 

OK - I'm back to option A. I have a preference for really sharp colors. 

But I do think you'll find more options in your price range. 

[evilskip]

If I had to choose, Option A would be the one. The rip/piece out/whatever I didn't even notice at first glance.

[Black_Adam]

I agree with those who vote for neither of the above copies. ASM #129 is plentiful in the mid-grades and based on current GPA you should be able to land a CGC 5.0 - 5.5 at your budget of $1,200. And for mid-grade copies I would try to hunt for copies where the major flaws are on the back of the comic. As an example I show my own copy which presents very well for its grade as the major flaw is a subscription crease on the back cover. Be patient and be picky and you will be rewarded. Good luck with the hunt!

 

 

[vaillant]

Definitely A.
I do have a lower grade copy with a chunk out of a corner and I'm just happy with it.

[southern cross]

On 5/12/2023 at 8:21 AM, Black_Adam said:

I agree with those who vote for neither of the above copies. ASM #129 is plentiful in the mid-grades and based on current GPA you should be able to land a CGC 5.0 - 5.5 at your budget of $1,200. And for mid-grade copies I would try to hunt for copies where the major flaws are on the back of the comic. As an example I show my own copy which presents very well for its grade as the major flaw is a subscription crease on the back cover. Be patient and be picky and you will be rewarded. Good luck with the hunt!

 

 

I have to agree. I know there's a new TV show coming out and prices may rise but it's not a rare book and prices usually fall back down as the show airs or finishes. I'd be patient and find a copy that presents well for the grade.

Like @Black_Adam.

I too picked up a copy with a subscription crease on the back cover. The front cover though looks so sweet for $700 during the price surge craze of a year ago.

Edited May 12, 2023 by southern cross
Typo

[maraxusofkeld]

On 5/12/2023 at 11:21 AM, Black_Adam said:

I agree with those who vote for neither of the above copies. ASM #129 is plentiful in the mid-grades and based on current GPA you should be able to land a CGC 5.0 - 5.5 at your budget of $1,200. And for mid-grade copies I would try to hunt for copies where the major flaws are on the back of the comic. As an example I show my own copy which presents very well for its grade as the major flaw is a subscription crease on the back cover. Be patient and be picky and you will be rewarded. Good luck with the hunt!

 

 

Wow, they really hammered the back for the crease as the front looks like a 9.0+

[Black_Adam]

On 5/12/2023 at 8:43 AM, maraxusofkeld said:

Wow, they really hammered the back for the crease as the front looks like a 9.0+

I'm no expert grader (as shown by my placing in the most recent boards grading contest) but I think for a subscription crease - front or back - the highest a book can reasonably be expected to grade is 5.0 so in this case I think they actually bumped up the grade based on how nice the front looked!

[B2D327]

My copy was similar to copy B and cleaned up nicely with a spine correction that allowed me to flip it for a nice profit. If you plan on cracking the slab, I think yours could get a grade bump too

[HighRadArt]

On 5/12/2023 at 1:06 PM, B2D327 said:

My copy was similar to copy B and cleaned up nicely with a spine correction that allowed me to flip it for a nice profit. If you plan on cracking the slab, I think yours could get a grade bump too

Nice work.

[B2D327]

On 5/12/2023 at 4:09 PM, HighRadArt said:

Nice work.

Why, thank you, kind sir. It was one of many books I purchased to practice with but I still have a ways to go.

[jjonahjameson11]

As many before have responded, I would look for other copies of this book.  However, I would do so very quickly as current prices will not hold

[techtre2003]

That top edge on copy A actually bothers me more than the tear; makes it appear trimmed to me. I would agree with those saying to wait it out a bit and keep hunting. Especially if you can find a copy like Black_Adam or southern cross; man those are nice!

[Cat]

On 5/12/2023 at 12:00 PM, Cushing Fan said:

Here is a choice C in off-white to white pages in the same grade.

 

Grader Notes

foreign substance left center of interior front cover
moderate creasing to cover
moderate wear spine breaks color
staple tears

I'd go for option D: keep looking. So far I still like B the best, but I also believe you can do better. 

[B2D327]

On 5/12/2023 at 4:17 PM, techtre2003 said:

That top edge on copy A actually bothers me more than the tear

I felt the same way; the tear just made it worse for me