• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

War Comics
17 17

Started by CycloneComics,

11,083 posts in this topic

  • Popular Post
bronze johnny

bronze johnny

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted (edited)

Finally got around to reading this year’s War Report in the 51st Edition of the Overstreet Price Guide. An excellent feature that I hope remains a permanent part of the Guide. As I expected, SSWS 84 and 90 continue to move up in the rankings. I anticipate both books surpassing the Rock’s prototype issues and landing in the top 5 right behind the G.I. Combat 87. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marie’s first appearance replaces the Haunted Tank’s several years from now given how the newer generation of comic book collectors includes more women and we may see them venture into the war genre in search of the Big 5’s ultimate female character. 

My other observations include the need for AAMW 67 to be ahead of OFF 45. 67 is Gunner and Sarge’s first appearance and I prefer Grandenetti’s cover. 

I was surprised not to see G.I. Combat 83 place higher since it has a classic Grandenetti washtone cover along with the first appearance of Big Al, Little Al, and Charlie Cigar. This book belongs in a higher spot in the top 50. 

I’d also like to mention the significance of war books that are mentioned in SOTI and POP. Books like Farrell’s War Report 4 are historically significant and deserve greater recognition for their status. Let me recommend for next year’s War Report that special reference be given to these classic Atomic Age-Korean War era books. Their time has come.

Finally, I want to give a shout out for this year’s War Report’s emphasis on the relative scarcity of war keys like OAAW 83 and SSWS 84 & 90. Collecting war comics is an incredible challenge that separates the proverbial “men from the boys.” It’s very easy to buy just about any superhero key in almost any grade if you have the money - that’s the easiest kind of collecting (see Marvel SA and BA keys). The challenge for me and some friends I know in the hobby, has been to obtain the keys from the more difficult genres in grade (the meaning of which is entirely different when collecting war, romance, or westerns). I write from my own personal experience collecting comics since starting out as a kid in the late Bronze Age. The experience of collecting involves so many nuances and over time, a valued education on the best aspects this hobby has to offer- something the “fly by nighters” and “investors” will never get. Looking at the one-dimensional aspect of “keys=profits” leads to a superficial end and in one sense a loss of valuable time. Collecting the war comics requires time and a greater degree of patience. Things move at a slower pace for war book collectors. One of the beauties of this hobby is that the greatest achievements require time and effort. Just ask the “run completionists.” I asked a friend of mine what they got out of spending 6 figures on a key and the answer was that “it’s a great investment and it’s the first appearance of...” They couldn’t tell me more. It wasn’t a war key because they aren’t available and thus not on everyone’s radar. Still, I couldn’t help but think that things that may come easy to some, can deprive them of the true value of the thing obtained. A value that is multifaceted and goes beyond pecuniary gain (and I’m not speaking of those who are just into this for the money- there’s no hope for them in connecting with the beauty of this hobby as a collector). Obtaining a war key is a challenge that will generally end with a “true valued end,” which is an end that satisfies most if not all of the collecting benefit.

Kudos for a great job on this year’s War Report!

john

 

Edited by bronze johnny
Link to comment
Share on other sites
MusterMark

MusterMark

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 9/6/2021 at 2:00 PM, bronze johnny said:

Finally got around to reading this year’s War Report in the 51st Edition of the Overstreet Price Guide. An excellent feature that I hope remains a permanent part of the Guide. As I expected, SSWS 84 and 90 continue to move up in the rankings. I anticipate both books surpassing the Rock’s prototype issues and landing in the top 5 right behind the G.I. Combat 87. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marie’s first appearance replaces the Haunted Tank’s several years from now given how the newer generation of comic book collectors includes more women and we may see them venture into the war genre in search of the Big 5’s ultimate female character. 

My other observations include the need for AAMW 67 to be ahead of OFF 45. 67 is Gunner and Sarge’s first appearance and I prefer Grandenetti’s cover. 

I was surprised not to see G.I. Combat 83 since it has a classic Grandenetti washtone cover along with the first appearance of Big Al, Little Al, and Charlie Cigar. This book belongs in the top 50. 

I’d also like to mention the significance of war books that are mentioned in SOTI and POP. Books like Farrell’s War Report 4 are historically significant and deserve greater recognition for their status. Let me recommend for next year’s War Report that special reference be given to these classic Atomic Age-Korean War era books. Their time has come.

Finally, I want to give a shout out for this year’s War Report’s emphasis on the relative scarcity of war keys like OAAW 83 and SSWS 84 & 90. Collecting war comics is an incredible challenge that separates the proverbial “men from the boys.” It’s very easy to buy just about any superhero key in almost any grade if you have the money - that’s the easiest kind of collecting (see Marvel SA and BA keys). The challenge for me and some friends I know in the hobby, has been to obtain the keys from the more difficult genres in grade (the meaning of which is entirely different when collecting war, romance, or westerns). I write from my own personal experience collecting comics since starting out as a kid in the late Bronze Age. The experience of collecting involves so many nuances and over time, a valued education on the best aspects this hobby has to offer- something the “fly by nighters” and “investors” will never get. Looking at the one-dimensional aspect of “keys=profits” leads to a superficial end and in one sense a loss of valuable time. Collecting the war comics requires time and a greater degree of patience. Things move at a slower pace for war book collectors. One of the beauties of this hobby is that the greatest achievements require time and effort. Just ask the “run completionists.” I asked a friend of mine what they got out of spending 6 figures on a key and the answer was that “it’s a great investment and it’s the first appearance of...” They couldn’t tell me more. It wasn’t a war key because they aren’t available and thus not on everyone’s radar. Still, I couldn’t help but think that things that may come easy to some, can deprive them of the true value of the thing obtained. A value that is multifaceted and goes beyond pecuniary gain (and I’m not speaking of those who are just into this for the money- there’s no hope for them in connecting with the beauty of this hobby as a collector). Obtaining a war key is a challenge that will generally end with a “true valued end,” which is an end that satisfies most if not all of the collecting benefit.

Kudos for a great job on this year’s War Report!

john

 

So many great ideas and so well written.

Thank you, John.  :)

 

And Yes indeed, thank you to the "War Correspondents" in the OSPG War Report:  Mick, Andy and Matt.

Yours is truly a labor of love, and is so inspiring.  :)

 

Edited by MusterMark
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bronze johnny

bronze johnny

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 9/10/2021 at 2:28 AM, comick1 said:

John, love your ideas, my friend! You're hired for the next report. Seriously. We'd love to have your input. Well stated indeed!

(thumbsu

PM sent.

Edited by bronze johnny
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Popular Post
OV

OV

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted

It's been a while since I've posted here, and I get anxious when the War Comics thread falls off the first page so.....here are three awesome signed books! 

My late grandfather was a sergeant in WW2, so Sgt. Rock has always been special to me.  I was thrilled I got to meet the late, great Russ Heath a couple times, the best experience was at the San Diego War Comics dinner!  I met the late, great Joe Kubert at a comic con in SF and got to visit with him and he signed a big number of his comics for me!  I love the flourish he gave on his autograph on the Enemy Ace cover!  The G.I. Combat issue is one of the very few that both legendary creators signed for me.  I hope everyone is doing well, Happy Halloween! (thumbsu

 

 

Heath cover.jpeg

GI Combat.jpeg

Enemy Ace.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
comick1

comick1

Posted
Posted
On 10/31/2021 at 10:09 AM, OV said:

It's been a while since I've posted here, and I get anxious when the War Comics thread falls off the first page so.....here are three awesome signed books! 

My late grandfather was a sergeant in WW2, so Sgt. Rock has always been special to me.  I was thrilled I got to meet the late, great Russ Heath a couple times, the best experience was at the San Diego War Comics dinner!  I met the late, great Joe Kubert at a comic con in SF and got to visit with him and he signed a big number of his comics for me!  I love the flourish he gave on his autograph on the Enemy Ace cover!  The G.I. Combat issue is one of the very few that both legendary creators signed for me.  I hope everyone is doing well, Happy Halloween! (thumbsu

 

 

Heath cover.jpeg

GI Combat.jpeg

Enemy Ace.jpeg

Beautiful books, Chag. Getting a chance to meet these creator heroes was a great honor. Their art was the main reason I collected comics for the last 35 years. Whenever I see the crosshatching and photorealism of Heath and the abstract figures and beautiful inks of Kubert, it's like revisiting defining moments of wonder and revelation from my childhood. Their styles are and will always remain indelible. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
17 17
Go to topic listing