By Terrence J. Brady
DECEMEBER 2004
Ho - ho - ho?
Or if you're a CGC supporter, its... no - no - NO!!
I bet you're thinking... "hey, didn't this column die?" Well if you read comics, you know nothing is ever permanent. So then the next question that arises is: (A) Is this an alternate universe of the CGC Hall of Shame? (B) An evil doppleganger impersonating the Hall? (C) A new writer is making like a grave robber and resurrecting the dead?
If you answered either A, B, or C - you're wrong. No, what you are witness to is "A Very Brady Christmas" special. A one-shot, hologram, wrapped in foil, LIMITED, RETAIL-INCENTIVE, ULTIMATE EDITION of the CGC Hall of Shame. Supplies are limited so grab your copy today. (And don't forget to get it slabbed and peddle it off to some unsuspecting fool for 50 times its actual worth). Now let's get to business.
With the holiday season upon us, we thought it would be a good time to gather together some of the leading CGC experts in the field and hear their thoughts on comic collecting, CGC pricing and the spirit of the Yuletide. First up, Burgermeister Meisterburger.
HALL: Hiya BM and thanks for joining us here today. Why don't you tell the reading audience your thoughts on comics and the CGC.
BM: It's a difficult responsibility - that you accept from the #1 lawmaker; me. Be it known throughout the land from sea to sea: Non-slabbed comics are hereby declared illegal, immoral, unlawful AND anyone found with a non-slabbed comic in his possession will be placed under arrest and thrown in the dungeon!
HALL: Easy now, Burger boy. Isn't that a bit extreme? Comic books weren't made to be incarcerated in a polymerized hell. I know many a good folk who take pride in reading their comics.
BM: This is outrageous! We Meisterburgers shall hunt them down throughout the land. Those rebels will not have one moment's peace until they are captured. Hahahaha....
Okay, moving right along ... Hey! It's Bill Murray, a.k.a. Frank Cross.
HALL: Hello, Frank. I heard you had three visitors the other night. Hope you finally saw the error of your ways.
CROSS: The bitch hit me with a toaster.
HALL: Yeah, sorry to hear about that. Some people get a little exasperated when you try to slab their comics and besides, aren't comics better when they can be read and enjoyed?
CROSS: It's a crock. It's for kids.
HALL: I read comic books and I'm an adult.
CROSS: No, you are a hallucination, brought on by alcohol. Russian Vodka, poisoned by Chernobyl.
Ouch. Appears these two don't have much holiday spirit. We'll be talking with other CGC advocates later on in the column but for now, let's see what's new in the land of eBay and the CGC.
SUPERMAN #204 - NM 9.8
Price: $2025.00
Non-slab price: see below
This SUPERMAN #204 "sketch cover" was first available to UK retailers. The exact number handed out is unknown however there are speculations that the number was very low. Some months later, at another event in the States, several more hundred were distributed. All together there might be between 500 and 1000 of these variant covers flying about. But... can they leap tall buildings in a single bound? This one did, for sure! (Click on cover).
As SUPERMAN has a dual identity, I believe ash-cans now too have a dual identity. Once a color cover adhered to a black & white interior, these comics were a disposable product used in promotions, etc. But then, someone got the bright idea that they were a "collector's items" and ash-cans became sought after. Now, we have the opposite effect. No, these sketch-cover books are not used the same way that ash-cans were but the concept that they are worth more than the regular print-run still applies.
Where once we had multi-covers, embossed-covers and holo-covers, we now have a new fad: covers without color. If you ask me, the book without a color cover should actually be worth less. If a company doesn't use color on their covers they're certainly saving some money so why not pass those lower costs onto the consumer? (joke). Taking a look at this auction, we not only have the colorless cover but a nifty signature to boot. Hmmm... but does this make a comic more valuable? It would be reasonable, yes, if a buyer met a creator in person, kibitz with them for a few moments and they hit your book up with their chicken scratch. Now you have a conversation piece when you show off your autographed comic. But to pay extra for a book just because its autographed (with no personal experience to share or reflect on) makes a statement. It says: "not only have I never met this person but my life is extremely pathetic and all I can do to attain some excitement is by purchasing a comic that was once briefly touched by greatness." That sounded a bit harsh, didn't it? Fine, then ask yourself this: would you pay extra for a toilet seat just because Britney Spears had once sat on it? Probably not - unless you're a real sicko!
Take away that bogus cover and I've seen *signed* copies go for as low as 99 cents. Want a nice set in mint? You could have picked up issues 204 through 211 for $7.21. As for me? Well, I was debating on spending my $2025 on this book. Instead, I picked up my copy for a $1.50 and with the extra $2023.50 I had left over, I went out a bought a Sony 50" LCD Projection HDTV television. Who's your daddy, now?
ASTONISHING X-MEN 1-4 SET - NM 9.8
Price: $449.99
Non-slab price: see below
What if... SPIDER-MAN was "Incredible?" Or DAREDEVIL, "Fantastic?" What if the X-MEN were "Astonishing?" Oh, but they are! While each Marvel title once had their own unique adjective, we've now reached a state of creative laziness where these adjectives can be switched around to produce brand new titles. Oh, it's just so "Uncanny!"
So the X-MEN are now astonishing - though not the first time. There have been two other titles bearing this name: a four-issue limited series in 1995 (plus a reprint trade) and a three-issue limited in '99 (plus a reprint trade in 2000). What's so astonishing about this 2004 title? For starters, we have multiple covers (what a novel idea indeed). Also astonishing is how much money some fool paid for these (8) factory fresh comics!
Written by Joss Whedon with art by John Cassaday, this eight-issue set includes issue #1 (four different covers), #2, #3, and #4 (two different covers). While some covers have commanded abnormally higher prices than others, I've listed each one below and what their going rate is:
- #1 - Regular edition (Cassaday cover art) = COVER PRICE
- #1 - Variant "Directors Cut" edition (Cassaday cover art) = $5.00
- #1 - Variant "Retailer Incentive" edition (Cassaday cover art) = $10 to $30
- #1 - Variant edition (Dell Otto cover art) = $5 to $15
- #2 - Regular edition (Cassaday cover art) = COVER PRICE
- #3 - Regular edition (Cassaday cover art) = COVER PRICE
- #4 - Regular edition (Cassaday cover art) = COVER PRICE
- #4 - Variant "Colossus Cover" edition (Cassaday cover art) = $5 to $15
Of course these prices are highly fluctuating and with any new book that is "hot," its real value will not be known until the dust settles. Also, these prices might be lower than what you've seen at your local comic shop but that's nothing new. Just continue to watch eBay and you'll get yourself a much better deal.
Now, lets talk with some more of our CGC experts. Our first guest is someone you're sure to recognize.
HALL: Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!
POTTER: Happy New Year to you - in jail!
HALL: Now come on, Mr. Potter. What's with that negativity?
POTTER: That Brady has been a boil on my butt long enough.
HALL: I'm sorry if you don't agree with what I write in this column but comic books weren't created so you can profit financially. Comics are about exploring strange new worlds ... seeking out new life and new civilizations ... to boldly go where no man has gone before!
POTTER: And what does that get us? A discontented, lazy rabble instead of a thrifty working class. And all because a few starry eyed dreamers stir them up and fill their heads with a lot of impossible ideas.
HALL: And the fact that they also promote literacy makes no never mind to you?
POTTER: Sentimental hogwash.
Sounds as if our man Potter is still upset over that Building & Loan situation. Anyone besides me ever wonder why he got away with stealing that $8000? Its always overlooked. (Perhaps he put his small fortune into CGC stock?) In any event, he's set in his ways and there's no changing him. Maybe our next visitor can shed some light on the CGC phenomena.
HALL: Cousin Eddie - hello! Nice bathrobe, by the way.
EDDIE: Merry Christmas. Shitter was full.
HALL: Uhh, yeah - thanks for sharing. So, tell us Ed, why do you think there's some many slabbed comics on the market today?
EDDIE: ... shitter was full.
HALL: Yes, of course. But what about those individuals who sell these books at outrageous prices? Why have they appeared in droves?
EDDIE: ... shitter was full.
HALL: Makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for your candid insight Eddie.
Now our next guest is not really someone I wanted to have but how can you call together a group of the CGC hierarchy without the ever annoying Grinch?
HALL: Hello?
GRINCH: ...hello, hello, hello...
HALL: How are you?
GRINCH: ... how are you... how are you... how are you...
HALL: I asked you first!
GRINCH: ...I asked you first... I asked you first...
HALL: Oh right, that's REAL mature repeating what I say!
GRINCH: ...real mature repeating what I say...
HALL: I'm an idiot!
GRINCH: ...you're an idiot... you're an idiot...
HALL: Fine then, I'm just going to whisper from now on, so by the time the sound reverberates off the walls, I won't be able to hear it!
GRINCH: ...you're an idiot!
See what I mean? Standard double talk. And that's what you get when you start questioning the logic of why a CGC comic should be worth more than a non-slabbed book. Let's continue with ... whoops (time out). If you ask people what it is about the holidays that turns them off, it would be the over-commercialization of the season: TV, radio, newspapers and yes, the net.
Here at the CGC Hall of Shame, we have tried to maintain a commercial-free environment. HOWEVER being it the holidays, you have to let one ad get in the mix, right?
[ cue commercial ]
And a Merry Christmas from the good folks at Wizard
and CGC!
Why only spend $18 on SANDMAN #1 when you should be spending $486! After all, the more dollars we pump into the economy, the better off we all are, right? So let's break open those IRAs, screw the kid's college fund, and tap the Visa until it's maxxed. Stock up on CGC comics today!
[ end commercial ]
FLASH #207 - NM 9.9
Price: $149.95
Non-slab price: cover
Yes, another HOT book by a HOT artist which is so HOT its moving off the shelves at "near-the-speed of light."
Written by Geoff Johns with art by Howard Porter (JLA) & Livesay (NAMOR). The impressive cover is by Michael Turner and has been reprinted as both a lithograph and full-size poster - but is it worth forking over $150?
Honestly I've never read much FLASH except for his exploits in the NEW TEEN TITANS back in the 80s (by greats Perez & Wolfman). If you're like me, here's a refresher on what the "Fastest Man Alive" is up to. FLASH 207 is the first chapter in the new life of Wally West in which he finds himself back in the public eye. Though the world once again has accepted the Scarlet Speedster, his secret identity remains a mystery; one that Jay Garrick and the new Kid Flash intend to solve. Unfortunately, their family reunion goes anything but smoothly. Plus, the villainous TAR PIT and THE TRICKSTER return to wreck havoc for The FLASH!
Again, is it worth $150? Probably not - even if you're the biggest FLASH fan since Christmas 1959 (when Wally West first appeared in FLASH #110). And if you just have to have a slabbed copy, how about this alternative? Yes, that's not a misprint. A 9.8 CGC copy of the same book sold for $11.53. Can you imagine someone would pay an additional $138.42 just because one-tenth of a point? Hell, not only can I imagine it, I see it occurring right here and that's why this flash-in-the-pan comic is the latest addition to the Hall.
SPIDER-MAN #1 GOLD (UPC) - NM 9.8
Price: $545.00
Non-slab price: see below
"In the chill of the night
At the scene of the crime
Like a streak of light
He arrives just in time...."
Unfortunately, our friendly neighborhood SPIDER-MAN's watch is running slow because he was a bit late to stop this crime BUT maybe he can save you from some future financial misfortunes.
Back in 1990, Marvel & McFarlane were the dynamic duo when SPIDER-MAN #1 hit the stands. Featuring multiple covers, bags, no bags, it was arachno-mania for Spidey completists. Let's take a closer look at these variations:
- # 1- Silver Variant (Unbagged, Spidey In UPC - $10) VIEW
- # 1A Silver Variant (Bag, Spidey In UPC, 125K Made - $25) VIEW
- # 1B Green Variant (Unbagged, Spidey In UPC - $8) VIEW
- # 1C Green Variant (News. Ed., Unbagged, UPC Code - $10) VIEW
- # 1D Green Variant (Bag, Spidey In UPC, 125K Made - $15) VIEW
- # 1E Green Variant (News. Ed., Bagged, UPC Code - $12) VIEW
- # 1F Platinum Edition (Only 10K Made - $150) VIEW
- # 1G Gold Variant (2nd Print, Spidey In UPC, 450K Made - $6) VIEW
- # 1H Gold Variant (News. Ed., UPC Code, 10K Made - $175) VIEW
- # 1I Ent. Distributors Chromium Edition (Only 7,500 Made - $20) VIEW
- # 1J Silver Variant (Unbagged, Without Price, 125K Made - $16) VIEW
Firstly, note the prices quoted are from ComicsPriceGuide.com and are used here just as a guide to show the differences in value. One can usually pay less than the above prices with a little searching. Secondly, the unbagged copies to bagged copies were supposedly printed at a 11:1 ratio. I haven't been able to verify this but the total circulation of all books is definitely in the millions. Now, the one edition which is most sought after is the Platinum Variant. Supplied solely to retailers, I recall prices fetching upwards of $500 (maybe more) for one issue. Today, prices have significantly dropped however its still one of the most desirable -- however there is now another.
Boosting the same 10K print run, the Gold Variant is in the running for the most elusive copy. Yes, there's gold-in-them-there-hills but be wary for there are two variations of this golden boy and the only difference is what appears in the UPC box. If you have a Golden Spidey (with Spidey in the UPC box) you got yourself a handful of pyrite my friend. It is the Newsstand version (with UPC code) that everyone seeks.
Now comparing the 450K printing of the Fool's Gold to the 10K run of the Newsstand version, it certainly makes the latter more desirable but 10,000 copies is still a lot of books. We're not talking a few hundred issues here. We're talking 1-0-0-0-0 copies. I'm sure I'll ruffle the feathers of a few variant collectors out there by saying this but: "What's the big deal in what appears in a UPC box? It's the SAME comic book!" So folks, if you like a gold cover and don't mind a Spidey head as opposed to a UPC code, you can easily pick up this comic for a single buck. Yes, one dollar.
And speaking of spare change, our final CGC spokesmen would like to get their two cents in.
HALL: Hello there, Professor Hinkle. Santa still got you writing "I am very sorry for what I did to Frosty" a hundred zillion times?
PROFESSOR: Silly ... silly ... silly.
HALL: Indeed it is the silly season. What makes it even sillier is all those slabbed comics selling for a hundred zillion times more than what they're really worth. What motivates sellers to rip off the public?
PROFESSOR: Think nasty. Think nasty. Think nasty.
HALL: Sure but doesn't their conscience bother them? Wouldn't your conscience bother you?
PROFESSOR: We evil magicians have to make a living too.
Our interview then ended abruptly as he stormed off muttering something about a hat - which leads us to our final guest. Doubt I'll change his disposition so I'll use reverse psychology and see what happens.
HALL: Good day, Ebenezer. A dreadful time this Christmas yes? And did you see all those little children, running about and reading comic books?
SCROOGE: If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with a non-slabbed comic book would be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.
HALL: Well said Ebenezer. And what of this terrible CGC Hall of Shame column?
SCROOGE: Bah - humbug!
HALL: Yes, humbug.
SCROOGE: Be gone spirit!
Didn't I tell you? I'm not troubled though with his lack of Christmas spirit. I hear he is due for a rather long evening (that'll teach him!). And if you're like ol' Scroogie here, hoarding your pennies, and looking for that right gift... look at this auction. WOLVERINE ORIGIN 1, 3, 6 - ALL 10.0 condition.
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No, I won't poke fun at the price ($20,000) -- that's just mean (haha). What I really found intriguing is in the photos of these three comics. Is it my imagination or does it appear that these comics have some type of protective plastic covering them? Could it be just photo glare or are they wrapped in plastic? Don't you find this odd? I do. I thought the whole purpose of a CGC holder was to "protect" the comic from prying hands, etc. So why is the CGC cover now need protecting? Is it because ... its not the comic that's worth anything but the 10.0 CGC sleeve that is the most valuable part of this collection? I can see in the near-future: CGC sleeves for CGC sleeves. Crazy sounding, yes, but not as crazy as when some bright boy starts wrapping the 2nd CGC sleeve with plastic (you know - to protect IT). Then we're going have to buy a third CGC sleeve to protect that one. And so on and so one. Eventually, all we'll have is one big CGC sleeve on top of a dozen other sleeves. And hey - if you look real hard,
there might be a comic book in there somewhere!
I do believe we are nearing the end now.
Usually at the close of "A Very Brady Christmas" special, everyone breaks out in song. I'm not doing that but feel free to sing amongst yourselves. Instead, me and my pal, Mr. Heat Miser, are going out to torch some CGC books.
They call me Heat Miser...
Whatever I touch ... Starts to melt in my clutch ... I’m too much!
Have a safe and joyous holiday folks. This column might be gone but I'm still lurking in the shadows, keeping careful watch over Gotham for crimes against fandom. Yes, I -- ohoh, I feel a song coming on (damn - hate when that happens). Listen up my little CGC minions, because this one is just for you....
"He's making a list ... And checking it twice ... Gonna find out who's naughty and nice ... Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping ... He knows when you're awake ... He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! O! You better watch out! You better not cry. Bett . . . ."
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