By Terrence J. Brady
OCTOBER 2003
People...are...talking.
Some say nice things and some, not so nice.
Last month, I was informed of two different discussions involving the
CGC Hall of Shame occurring on different sites in their respected
forums area. I personally never involve myself in forum debates mainly
because the internet gives some folks the same type of superiority one
gets when they're intoxicated. You know .... "Beer Muscles." However, I
mention them here (ever so slightly) to say one thing: thank you.
Thank you to the supporters of this column and for your words of
appreciation -- and, surprise -- a big thank you to those who trash this
column. Why? Well, here's a little secret that many an entertainer,
politician, etc. discovered long ago: bad press is still good press. If
folks are talking about the column, even in a negative light, all
they're doing is spreading the word about it and informing even more
folks about the absurdity of the CGC and its minions. So keep yuckin' it
up all you cynics because I just loooovvvvveeeee free advertising
(hahaha).
Ahem... Okay, I've had my fun. Now its time to rumble. Let's call out
those new inductees into the hallowed halls of shamedom.
Amazing Spider-Man #300 - NM 9.8
Price: $499.99
Non-slab price: $50.00 (tops!)
Whether you like him or hate him, Todd McFarlane's run on the
wall-crawler sent prices for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN surging. Many a new
reader (and old) jumped onto the title thanks to McF and Marvel was so
pleased they even hooked up the guy with his own "adjectiveless" title
of the web-spinner. But then they screwed him, so he abandoned Spidey
to start his own multi-million dollar comic series. Just like Petey
P., ya can't keep the McF man down.
Of all the "Amazing" issues McFarlane worked on, this is one of the most
(if not the most) collected. Not only is it the 25th anniversary/300th issue of Spidey but we finally get to see just what the lil ol' black
costume from outer space is really capable of. (And you thought Darth
Vader was bad!)
Back to the auction: As its by McFarlane ... and the 300th issue ... and
the first true appearance of Darth VENOM, its gotta be worth... what?
Millions? Billions? Noooooo, not today. Today some shrewd collector
picked up this book for a cool half-grand. That's right. Only 1000% more
than its non-slabbed (true) value. Sheesh! And here I'm thinking that
VENOM was a loon. Hey, big thanks to Maria K. of Cape Cod, MA.
Ultimate Spider-Man #15 - MINT 10.0
Price: $249.95
Non-slab price: $5.00
CGC-arachnophobia, part II.
Nah, I've got nothing against the ol' web-head. However, since the CGC
is a foe even Spidey couldn't conjure up in his worst nightmare, I must
thrust myself into the heat of battle in his absence. (Sure hope Parker
is taking photos).
While McF's run on Spidey was huge, fan-favorite Brian Michael Bendis is
a credible challenge as the latest SPIDER-MAN title has stirred up the
"ultimate" price-war. Copies of the first issue of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN
have surged upward and over $1000. (Yes, of course this is the slabbed
version. Do you really think any sane person would spend that much for a
non-slabbed comic that is ONLY three-years-old?!?)
While I could devote a year's worth of columns on this title, I've
ignored it simply because these books are still volatile and who knows
where their eventual "real value" will wind up? When I saw this auction,
however, I couldn't pass it up as it wasn't one of those early "hot
issues."
This auction's selling point (besides being a perfect [yawn] 10.0) was
its featured villain.
Yes, DOC OCK (who just turned 30) will make his much-anticipated
Hollywood premier in the new SPIDER-MAN II film (slated for 5/7/04) and
that's what this auction was about -- "great expectations."
We have seen others eager to cash in on the comics-to-film hype and here
is just another poor example that the comic genre is not Wall Street.
Sure prices will rise but then, inevitably, drop. I hope the chap who
picked up this book will drop it before it drops him.
Hmmm ... wasn't it DOC OCK's original plot to dominate the world and
that puny Parker was but an insignificant insect whose meddling would
not upset his master plan? As we've seen, Ock failed... as will the CGC.
Thanks to Ken R. of Sante Fe, NM.
Batman #608 (RRP) - NM 9.8
Price: $2300.00
Non-slab price: non-variant: $10+
This first issue of the Loeb-Lee-Williams "Hush" storyline sold out
within a week and was named the top-selling comic of last October,
prompting DC to go back and spit out a second printing.
This auction featured not the mass-produced first or second printing,
but a variant "retailers incentive edition" in which only 200 copies
were printed.
Originally such "limited editions" were created as a marketing ploy by
publishers to garner retailer interest in a series and spark pre-orders.
What happens next though is where good intentions go awry. Instead of
disposing such books after their purpose has been utilized (hence the
term ashcan), these books are now targeted for resell to the public.
With very low print runs, they are toted as collector's items and
fetch a much higher amount than a copy would from the regular print run.
Is this so wrong? It's debatable, I'm sure, but the whole practice of
hyping a product as "collectible" or "rare" has sickened anyone who has
watched those shop-at-home channels, where they push garbage upon
garbage - all alleged rarities or must-haves. Not everything created
under the sun should be advertised as a collectors item... however those
who engage in such, understand there's a sucker born every minute. That
is why we see more and more of these "fabricated" collectors items.
But hey, who's to say what is a collectible and what is not? After all,
one man's trash is another man's treasure. (And this auction be
stinkin')!
After 26 bids and $2300, the BAT failed to claim a victim, errr, buyer
as the "reserve price" was not met. I shudder to think what that actual
amount might have been. Thanks to Tommy, F. of NY, NY (my kinda town).
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? A couple of spooky CGC deals - just in time for Halloween.
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