By Terrence J. Brady
APRIL 2004
Spring has sprung. But what does that mean?
If you're a college student, it means bikinis and beer. If you live south of the equator, it means nothing (because its not Spring but Autumn). If you're a homeowner (north of that equator), it means time to get the lawn back into shape and the ever occurring "battle of the weeds."
Now don't feel left out if you're not a homeowner. Here at the CGC Hall Of Shame we have a whole crop of weeds to combat each month and we need your help. So keep sending them auctions this way and we'll be glad to showcase them in the Hall. Now let's get to it and see what those good folks at the CGC have created for inclusion this April.
Our first inductee makes one think of Gilbert Gottfried. You know the squinty-eyed comic, sometimes funny - sometimes nauseating, whose best known for .... the voice of the Toaster for Pop Tart commercials? Anyway .... he was part of that VH-1 tribute, I Love The 80's, which was a 10-part series that analyzed each year of the 1980's. Music, films, trends, etc. were reflected on and one of the highlights was Gottfried's "What the #%&@" snippets where he would look at some really inane aspect of the year and shout... you get the idea.
So I'm looking at this auction (below) and experiencing the same jaw-dropping shock Gottfried does. You be the judge and check it out. Then I want you to go to the window, open it, stick your head out and yell: "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Or feel free to follow in Gottfried's footsteps and just shout: "What the #%&@!!!!"
DAREDEVIL #168 - NM 9.8
Price: $3305.25
Non-slab price: $50-$100
Everybody remembers sweet Electra Natchios. The cute young coed who became smitten with a blind boy. It was all roses and puppy dog tails until *uh-oh* somebody just murdered her pops, so now its time to don some pitchforks and get ninja style on your behind!
It goes without saying that the character of ELEKTRA (DD 168-181) became one of the most stirring figures in Marveldom and her popularity wasn't solely because she was some vixen with sais. Frank Miller shrewdly molded this character and her interaction with DAREDEVIL to create the ultimate soap opera of the 80's. Luke & Laura? Who's that?? Matt & Elektra were "it" and I don't care what people might claim to say like ... "Oh, I buy that comic because the artist is hot." That's a bunch of b/s.
The astute reader came back each month in anticipation to see how the events between the lawless ELEKTRA and the lawyer DD would pan out. Don't want to be a spoiler here but (if you're one of the five people in the entire universe who hasn't read the dramatic climax) the world of fandom was floored when DAREDEVIL 181 came out. To see this multi-layered character slaughtered by the soulless BULLSEYE was heart-wrenching, yet, Miller knew what he was doing. He had constructed a union which could not exist (without completely changing one of the characters) so he gave us what none of us wanted. 20 years ago, I hated Miller for what he had done. Today, I have a better grasp of good storytelling and admire what .. oh (that's a bunch of crap!) MILLERRRRRR!! What were YOU THINKING man? Izzzzzz you'se crazy??? AAAAAAAAARRGGHHHH!!!!!! Damnnnn you! Damn you all to helllllllll.....
(Ok, I feel better now).
Do to the popularity of the DD film (featuring the ever-lovely ELEKTRA) this issue has gone up significantly in price. DAREDEVIL 168 (Jan 1981) was the first appearance of the femme fatale but [hello!] time for a reality check. Only two or three years ago, you could easily pick up a NM copy for $35. In the past year or so (mainly due to the movie) prices have certainly surged but THREE GRAND plus? Izzzzzz you'se crazy??? Thanks to George D. of Vineland, NJ for submitting this "What the #%&@!!!!" auction.
SUPERMAN # 202 - Mint 9.9
Price: $144.95
Non-slab price: cover
"Look in the paper, what do I see...
Robbery ... violence ... insanity!"
Not familiar with "Superman" by the Kinks? Look it up - you got the net! And while we're quoting, let's look at another statement - this one found on the auction webpage....
"Why would you pay others more for this comic???" it states in all caps. I know its not polite to answer a question with another question but I must ask ... "Why would you pay MORE THAN COVER for this comic???"
SUPERMAN 202 is part three of the six-part "Godfall" crossover in which Kal-El starts a new life on Krypton. When his powers become apparent, the populace sees him as a threat and he becomes a "fugitive" from justice. Despite his pleas that he didn't kill his wife, Harrison Ford must somehow prove to his pursuers that ... oops, sorry, wrong movie.
The six-parter crosses over into Action Comics (812-813), Adventures of Superman (625-626) and Superman (202-203). Each issue also contains a back-up tale about life on Earth following SUPERMAN's disappearance. All six issues feature striking covers by Michael Turner who also shares writing chores with Joe Kelly.
Granted this comic has sold out and is (hate this word) "hot" but you can still pick the book up for cover with a little effort. I'm not really sure whom I feel sorrier for. Kal-El who is "caught between two worlds" or this book's new owner who's now stuck between a rock and a hard place for buying this rag. Thanks to Benny Q. of Irvine, CA for submitting this super comic.
WOLVERINE/ CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 - Mint 10.0
Price: $149.95
Non-slab price: cover
"Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling..."
You guessed it. I've been downloading a lot of music lately but I have a hunch that when The Kinks put out 1979's "Catch Me Now I'm Falling," they weren't talking about helping out some blood-sucking scum sell off newsstand copies of the Star-Spangled Avenger for $150.00!
If you haven't figured out the trend... dealers are buying up hordes of new issues (hot off the press), slabbing 'em in hopes of receiving back that all-powerful 10.0 copy and then dumping them on the consumer for outrageous fees. If only we could let CGC know of this profiteering nightmare, perhaps they might deter such practices. Ha! Yeah right. The folks at CGC are loving it as much as the scalpers who peddle this inflated nonsense. So much for their "non-bias" stance they so proudly claim.
"I remember when you were down - You'd always come running to me
I never denied you and I would guide you - Through all of your difficulties..."
Hey, the CGC will never deny you or anyone for that matter. If you got the green, they'll slab your Aunt Fanny's fanny so I'm not giving this CGC Hall Of Shame award to the buyer (who's just too ignorant to know the difference) or the seller (because they're just too greedy to care). Nah, this award goes to the wonderful folks at the CGC who continue to show us they're not in this racket for preserving our hobby but instead are happy just to line their wallets with blood money. This latest addition to the Hall was sent in by Christopher S. of Rome, GA.
Now, let's forget all this CGC nonsense and move on to the true spirit of fandom. A decade ago, a comic book enthusiast put together a small fan video featuring everyone's favorite web-slinger. In recent years, thanks to the net, this $500 fan-flik has spread like wildfire. Wow! Talk about a "Low Budget!" (Had to throw in one final Kinks reference.)
Dan Poole, creator of the The Green Goblin's Last Stand is stepping back into the pulp-to-celluloid ring and planning a new CAPTAIN AMERICA movie. And guess what? Maybe YOU can be the star.
That's right. If you've ever dreamt of slapping on some spandex and mopping up the baddies, then you might be the man Poole is seeking. Stop on over to the Alpha Dog Productions website to learn more about this chance in a lifetime opportunity.
And if acting is not your thing, no problem. You can be a star right here by submitting your selections for induction into the CGC Hall of Shame. Just follow these simple rules: (1) The comic must be Modern Age - 1980 to the present. No Gold or Silver Age books please. (2) The comic must be from an on-line auction house; like eBay. (3) The comic must be CGC graded and fetch a minimum winning bid of 10X Overstreet Guide. Include your first name and last initial with your city/state (or city/country). To better your chances, first check the archives section to be sure the book you are sending has not already been featured.
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