Yeah, like that.
Anyway, 2012 was a busy year for me. I'm going to make the attempt to get back into the swing of things here this year. I've got a new job, so hopefully I can find a couple of hours a week to work on comics again. I've been buying comics and am still watching the auctions, I just haven't had time to write about it.
I'm also going to try to redesign the site. Should be fun.
To tide you over until I start writing about the next Heritage auction, here's an anecdote:
Back when I was selling a lot on eBay (as opposed to now, when I've got auctions
running for the first time in over two years), I had a bunch of junk books I merged into a group lot in order to just get rid of them. The books ranged from the 1970s to the 1980s and included secondary DC horror books, common Marvel superhero stuff from the 1970s (Marvel Team Up maybe), etc. The books were all worth maybe $2-5 dollars. Everything in the lot was listed and graded. It included a terrible copy of one of the early "new" X-Men. Maybe 101 or something in the 90s. I had it listed as FR and had language in the auction along the lines of "take these books off my hands"
Anyway, some guy wins the lot. I probably got $1 a book or something. I was happy to just get rid of the books. I ship it off and about a week later I get this furious email from the guy saying that the X-Men 101 was in "terrible condition" and that the only reason he bought the lot was for that book. I asked him what he expected since everything was graded. He said, angrily, "it's listed as FR, I don't know what that is." I explained to him what F(ai)R condition was and pointed him to some online resources about grading comics, etc.
What I love about that is what happened behind the scenes. This guy:
- Thought he had scored a winner and that I was a sap, listing a $100 book without knowing what I had. This is ignoring the fact that the rest of the lot was also graded and I was, at the time, selling dozens of other comic book lots- including CGC graded material. His eyes got big and he did zero research and he just laid down a bid for his "prize."
- If he really didn't know what FR is (and to be honest, how many bronze age collectors deal with books below 6.0 ever?) why didn't he ask? Oh yeah, because he didn't want to alert the sucker (me) that I had made a "mistake" and listed a Fine book (maybe?) with the wrong grade? Again, his eyes got big
- And finally, he had the nerve to email a seller he was trying to sneak a bargain out of and complain when his perceived bargain actually turned out to be a lot bought at fair value. Really? You try to score a deal, pulling money out off someone's pocket because "they don't know what they have" and then you get mad at them when they do know what they have? Seriously? That's hilarious.
Daredevil (1964 1st Series) #1 CGC 9.4 (1077983001)
Sold For: 15,567.00 Seller: mycomicshop (157550)
Description:
Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 1 CGC 9.4
Publisher: Marvel
Published: April 1964, Original Cover Price: $0.12
Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Bill Everett. First appearances of Daredevil, Karen Page, and Foggy Nelson in The Origin of Daredevil, script by Stan Lee, art by Bill Everett (splash page penciled by Jack Kirby); Matt Murdock saves a blind man from an oncoming truck but is struck blind himself by a radioactive canister during the rescue; The radioactivity heightens Matt's other senses and gives him an uncanny radar sense; Matt graduates college and begins practicing law with his college roommate Foggy; Matt's father, a boxer, is killed by the Fixer after he refuses to throw a fight; Matt designs a costume and a billy club (from his cane) and takes his derogatory childhood nickname "Daredevil"; DD tracks down the Fixer and the man who shot his father. Spider-Man and Fantastic Four appear on the cover but not in the story inside. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.12.
The Book:
Frank Miller Original Batman The Dark Knight Returns DC Comic Cover Art Splash
Sold For: $20,707.00 Seller: empire.auctions ( 19334 )
Description:
From perhaps the most important graphic novel of all time, this stunning original Frank Miller piece was created by Miller for the 10th Anniversary Edition of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Used as the cover for one of the books (the one that contained the script) in the slipcase edition, this cover measures 12 by 19 inches, is in excellent condition and will be shipped with the utmost care. Please note- this is the actual, original artwork illustrated by hand by Frank Miller and used in the publication of the 10th Anniversary Edition of Dark Knight Returns. It is not a copy, print or pre-printed image. It is a one-of-a-kind original. It will be packaged insanely well.
The Page:
Detective Comics #1 First issue of the title D.C. Comics was named after.CGC2.5
Sold For: $14,000 Seller: johnathan62 (348)
Description:
If you collect comics, you know this is one of the most sought after editions. This is the first D.C. comic ever. It was published in March of 1937 when the Great Depression was in full swing. Very few examples survive today. The inside pages are all intact and are in great shape. I have been on Ebay since 2003 and have sold stuff on Ebay, but not for a while. I am selling this because I need the money. Otherwise, I would not sell my comics. Feel free to email me for more info if needed.
The Book:
Amazing Fantasy 15 CGC 6.0 FN 1st app Spider-man Silver Age Holy Grail!!
Sold For: $19,100.00 Seller: filter81(1875)
Description:
Amazing Fantasy 15 CGC 6.0 FN 1st app Spider-man Silver Age Holy Grail!!
In this auction you are bidding on Amazing Fantasy 15 CGC 6.0 FN with Cream to Off-White pages published by Marvel Comics in 1962. This issue features the first appearance of the Amazing Spider-man and is the holy grail for most comic collectors! A true blue chip investment, Amazing Fantasy 15 is without question the single most desirable comic book to be published in the last 70 years!!
The Book:
Phil Hale Johnny Badhair original oil painting
Sold For: $7650.00 Seller: gaitiagirl (1)
Description:
This auction is for an extremely rare Phil Hale Johnny Badhair painting. Done as a study for a potential large scale gallery painting. Loose and powerful, it captures all the explosive energy of Phil's large work at a fraction of the price. This piece is a fairly large 22.5" x 32" in oil paint on a white primered board and is signed on the reverse.
The Painting:
Avengers 1 8.5 PGXD 1 Owner Unrestored Looks like a 9.0 19000 value Look Gem
Sold For: $10,000.00 Seller: classiccomicsonline (3803)
Description:
ClassicComicsOnline
Avengers 1 Nice Awesome HIGH HIGH Grade comic book on its way back from PGX graded at a 8.5 looks like it could have made a 9.0. I will update pictures once its back
Lots of pictures check them out. Colors are amazing look as bright as the day it was bought off the shelf! Make me an offer if you dont want to risk losing it in auction!
This listing is for a Avengers 1 in my opinion a solid 8.5-9.0 with very few flaws minimal spine wear. Real 8.5+ guaranteed unrestored not over graded.
Never pressed could be a great buy and would press in my opinion to a 9.0 most likely
Great eye appeal looks better in person wow.
No wrinkels cuts tears rips of any kind or creases.
First Issue Original 1st Printing Unrestored from the kid who bought the book.
Amazing condition lies flat clean cover and back small spots of spine wear no creases.
Complete 100 percent and 100 percent free of Restorations has been checked for all types including trimming and cleaning.
The Book:
Amazing Fantasy #15 1962 Grade: 5.5/6.0 1st Spider-Man Original No Reserve!
Sold For: $8,700.00 Seller: bijoubaby05 (1109)
Description:
Amazing Fantasy #15
Features: 1st Appearance of Spider-Man
Grade: In my opinion this comic is in 5.5 maybe 6.0 shape and looks fantastic. Please look at the pictures to see for yourself just how nice this comic is. There is some wear at the top and near the middle but it's not too bad at all. If not for that, this would have been a 7.5/8.0 easy. The back cover looks like an 8.0/8.5. Overall, this is an amazing looking comic with beautiful glossy colors that really pop out at you. The interior is in amazing shape as well with excellent page quality. The comic is 100% complete and is firmly attached at the staples.
Page Quality: Off-White/White
The Book:
Avengers #6 CGC 9.8 HIGHEST GRADED Captain America Thor Iron Man Marvel Silver
Sold For: $10,100.00 Seller: sparklecitycomics (45262)
Description:
Avengers #6 CGC 9.8 HIGHEST GRADED Captain America Thor Iron Man Marvel Silver
Serial number 1102670002
The Book:
Captain America Comics #1 CGC 2.0 1st & Origin Red Skull Hitler Simon & Kirby
Sold For: US $24,100.00 Seller: sparklecitycomics (45175)
Description:
Captain America Comics #1 CGC 2.0 1st & Origin Red Skull Hitler Simon & Kirby
The Book:
