By Terrence J. Brady
SEPTEMBER 2003
Where to begin?
I know. Let's start with a box. Cardboard. Square. Sometimes even
rectangular in size. You've seen 'em. There in the back room of the
market, neighbor's attic, the alleyway. But wait... there's a NEW box in
town. And not just some plain Jane in disguise. Why, this box is a
special box. It houses not gems nor gold but a new kind of valuable
commodity. Introducing the CGC BOX!
"Official CGC shipping box available to you.
Custom-made heavy-duty corrugated board box made to hold CGC comics,
made by CGC. Box holds 24 CGC comics. This box will protect your CGC
books in your collection. Box holds CGC books upright such that labels
(on end) can be seen."
Now, I don't know if this a gag or the real deal (and if it is the
latter, God help us) but I could not pass up this opportunity. I
especially love the bit about "that labels can be seen." That's right
kids. Forget the comic book. After all, its not the comic that sells
but.. the CGC label!
This image was located with an auction over at eBay featuring your
run-of-the-mill $2.50 CAPTAIN CANUCK 1 ... except this Canadian had an
opening bid of one hundred dollars! (No doubt the seller was from
Canada). Thanks David D. of Eden Prairie, MN for submitting!
Also this past month .... I found myself mesmerized by the "Great CGC
Debate" thread (eBay forums) on who's to blame for the sky-rocketing
prices of these minty-fresh slabbed books. CGC? Buyer? Seller? Well, the
obvious answer is the buyer (many whom are speculators and not true fans
of the genre) but why do they shell out large sums of cash for these
slabbed enigmas? Perhaps because they have succumbed to the hype? The
hype of making a buck? Allow me two examples.
The first was an ad in Wizard
(2002?) promoting the difference (in price) between a non-slab and a
slab. "Any questions?" they shout. No guys, its pretty obvious what your
point is. The other example was from a recent "news" story about the
results CGC enjoyed from their new On-Site
Certification service (at Wizard World Chicago). Again, what is
the message? Do they talk of how this service benefits the collector?
How this service will do away with misgrading? No, the entire article is
a plug for some [new] 10.0's they graded and how much $$$ they're
fetching.
Hmmmm... any questions? Didn't think so.
OK - time to introduce our nominees into September's HALL OF
SHAME.
Watchmen #1 - CGC NM 9.8
Price: $310.50
Non-slab price: $2.00
The WATCHMEN MAXI-SERIES by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It's not your
daddy's comic book. (Click on cover).
Many say the WATCHMEN MAXI-SERIES is a compelling graphic novel that
even the most ardent skeptic of comic books would be impressed with. I
concur.
Published by DC in Sept. '86, this 1st issue of the 12-issue series
depicted the existence of super-heroes in a gritty and grim "realistic"
world. While this concept has become hackneyed in today's industry, this
series was far from cliché.
The auction: Seller states highest graded copy (9.8). Maybe so but NM is
NM now matter how ya slice the damn thing and the whole set in NM sells
in the 40-50 range. I just picked up the trade paperback myself for the
amazingly low, low price of $12.50. So, as I see it, when compared to my
purchase with this auction, not only did I get 11 more issues but I
saved myself 1192 quarters! (Which, if it were 1986 again, I would've
spent at the arcade playing "Asteroids.") Thanks to Chan H. of Lake,
CA.
Supreme Power #1 - CGC MINT 10.0
Price: $266.00
Non-slab price: cover to $10+
Awwwww... don't he look cute? Citchy-citchy coo little guy!
SUPREME POWER is one of those MAX line comics (soon to be EPIC) that’s
generated some heat recently. Written by J. Michael Straczynski with
art by Gary Frank, this new series is based upon the SQUADRON SUPREME.
Some critics say its merely regurgitated material but that's for you to
decide. There's a decent interview with JMS regarding this series, if
you’re interested. (And, no, I'm not
plugging the article because the author and I share the same last name -
haha).
Anyhow ... since this book is right off the presses and being toted as
"flavor of the month," the actual price for this comic fluctuates.
People are getting $10 (maybe more) for this book but just like in April
(when baseball season begins), its hasty to be talking stats when 25
players are hitting over .500. Wait until the season gets in full swing
and then you'll see those averages level off.
If you read the earlier article mentioned, you'll notice this book as
one of those "gem" mints that were graded at Wizard World Chicago - soon
to be CGC World. (Hey, they're taking over, I tell ya).
Thor Vikings #1 - CGC MINT 10.0
Price: $305.00
Non-slab price: cover (at best)
When I see something like this, I know Loki has a good sense of humor.
Only he would conjure up a scheme to eternally thwart his half-brother
by encasing him in a plastic shell. A shell that dare not be broken
foolish mortal or ye grade (and ye investment) will spiral into the
depths of Niflheim. (Long live Loki!)
I won't mention that these last two comics were sold by the same company
or that they have an "affiliation" with CGC.
You know, I've always wondered about these companies that sell such
comics. We know they're willing to sell (using this auction as an
example) a copy of Vikings #1 for $305 but... would they buy one for
that amount?? This past month I queried a half dozen "in-bed" retailers
that I had a recent issue for sale. This book had sold on eBay for a
couple hundred but if unslabbed was worth cover. My question was simple.
How much will YOU pay ME for this book? Answer: no response.
Why no response? Did they know I was the writer of this column and
afraid I'd publicly criticize them? No. I used an anonymous e-addy.
Were they too busy slabbing their books for exorbitant profits and
didn't have time to answer? Perhaps, though I gave them 14 days to
reply.
Or... was it they only sell this schlock - but aren't foolish enough to
shell out such prices themselves? This answer, I'll have to lean
towards. Folks selling slabbed books (at a bazillion times guide) are
not concerned with you - the buyer. They're motivation is making the
almighty buck and will sell you the Brooklyn Bridge - if it could be
slabbed.
My point is ... it's not always the buyer who is at fault (above). While
many have paid X times guide for certain books (before CGC came along),
I highly doubt anyone was coughing up $800 for a SPAWN. Yes, CGC (and Wizard) did
not start the fire. BUT.. they certainly fan the flames!
To submit a comic for consideration in the CGC Hall of Shame,
please 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.
Please included your first name and last initial with your city/state
(or city/country).
Next month? It's "back-to-school" with the CGC!
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