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The Best Worst Collection???

Category:  Varieties
Owner:  Tnerb
Last Modified:  6/24/2024
Set Description
I cannot tell where the sickness began. Honestly, I cannot even say that I have been looking for a cure. The fact is once I decided to go down the rabbit hole, I never wanted to come back. I chat with people that don't understand the disease I have and wonder why would I want anything other than the best there is. Others are intrigued by my dauntless quest to randomly pursue a set of point fives. What started out as a gimmick slowly grew into a obsession.

Ebay and ComicLink are two of my dealers for my addiction. One of the first things I look for are the dirty gritty books that are cast aside. I wonder if when they were originally graded, did the submitter know what they would get? Did they open the box and groan in disapproval? Did they not care? And what about the books themselves? How many times were they read? How many times were they passed on?

It officially started out as buying a few books. From there I systematically looked out for cheap ones ($15 W/Shipping) to $175 (currently the most I’ve spent on a single .5). This has allowed me to span out of my comfort zone from the Copper and Modern Age comic books I normally collect to many different Silver and Golden Age Comic Books. Comics I never would have ever went after...or possibly never thought I could afford. This ponders the question... What's Next?

Set Goals
I have passed 100 graded .5's. I have gotten away from the tedious task of listing them. It is about time I start again. I am proud of my low grade collection even if others don't understand it. The fact is I do not understand it myself. All I know is until I stop enjoying having these, I'll keep going.

Slot Name
Item Description
Grade
Owner Comments
Pics
Radio's Famous Coast to Coast Favorite A Date With Judy 2 Universal 0.5 A Date with Judy was originally a Radio Series that ran from 1941 to 1950. The earliest episode I could find was aired August 1, 1944. It was sponsored by Tums. Previous episodes had links, but none worked...at least for me. The radio series was also followed by a TV series between 1951 and 1953. Two versions were broadcast on NBC, a Daytime version (played by Patricia Crowley ran from 6-2-51 to 2-23-52) as well as a Prime Time version (played by Mary Lynn Beller ran from 7-15-52 to 9-30-53) with separate casts. The popularity of the radio comedy spawned the comic book which ran from 1947 (Oct/Nov) to 1960 (Oct/Nov). Ann Gillis, Dellie Ellis, and Louise Erickson all played the role of Judy during the Radio Series. Jane Powell starred as Judy in the MGM movie released in 1948.

Side Note: Ann Gillis also went on to voice Faline in the 1942 Disney film Bambi. Her final Film Role was in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Elizabeth Taylor starred in the movie as Carol Pringle and who knew she had a voice Credit in Captian Planet and the Planteers for one episode.


Paul S. Newman Story
Graham Place Cover & Art
Released Dec 1, 1947(or October 3, 1947)


As of 10-May-2020.

Three are Graded; one of which is a .5

Highest Grade: 9.4
View Comic
"The Power of the Parasite!" --He Feeds on Living Energy! Action Comics 340 Universal 0.5 Action Comics Vol 1 #340
August, 1966
Cover Artists:Curt Swan, George Klein, Ira Schnapp
Title: Power of the Parasite!
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Al Plastino
Inker: Al Plastino
Editor: Mort Weisinger

THE PLOT:

After Superman finishes an experiment with radioactive materials, a lab assistant, Jensen, is assigned to dispose of them. Jensen opens the container and is irradiated by atomic particles. He soon discovers that though disfigured he can drain energy from people. Jensen plans to use his new powers for crime by stealing the power of Superman. He visits a construction site where the Man of Steel is scheduled to attend and begins draining Superman's energy. In so doing, Parasite discovers Superman's secret identity. Despite Superman's efforts to fight the Parasite he continues to grow weaker. Finally the Parasite draws more of Superman's power than his body can contain... and then you'll have to go and read the comic book to find out what happened.


"My power will sap your energy, Superman, leaving you weak & helpless! While I become invincible... invulnerable... immortal!"
— Parasite

CGC Notaions:
Title: Action Comics
Issue: 340
Issue Date: 8/66
Issue Year: 1966
Publisher: D.C. Comics
Grade: 0.5
Page Quality: OFF-WHITE TO WHITE
Grade Date: 11/22/2022
Grade Category: Universal
Label Text: Centerfold missing.
Art Comments:Jim Shooter story
Al Plastino and Jim Mooney art
Curt Swan and George Klein cover

Key Comments:

Origin and 1st appearance of the
Parasite (Raymond Maxwell Jensen).
Superman centerfold pin-up by Curt Swan.

Grader Notes:

missing interior part/page/wrap page(s) 8&9 affects story

Total Graded by CGC in 0.5: 6
Higher Grades: 477



Information not found on the CGC label was provided by the Fandom page on the DC Database

View Comic
Invasion of the Love Rockets Amazing Adventures 4 Universal 0.5 Title: Amazing Adventures
Issue: 4
Issue Date: 7-8/51
Issue Year: 1951
Publisher: Ziff-Davis Pub.

Grade: 0.5
Page Quality: OFF-WHITE
Grade Date :08/26/2020
Grade Category: Universal

Label Text:
Page 3 & 16 missing, affects story. Page 14 detached.
INCOMPLETE

Art Comments:
Jerry Siegel story, Allen Anderson cover
Murphy Anderson, Paul Parker,
Henry Sharp, Dan Barry & Sy Barry art

Key Comments:
Painted cover.
Robot cover.

Grader Notes:
detached page(s) 14
heavy creasing to cover
missing page(s) 3 & 16 affects story
moderate staining to cover
moderate tears to cover

Total Graded by CGC in 0.5: 1
Higher Grades: 63
CGC census Valid as of 21-Jun-24


1 Page Story: What is the Answer?
On inside front cover, includes indicia

Genre: Non-fiction; Science Fiction
Characters: Franz Hapsburg; John
Synopsis: Six amazing facts that may or may not be true.

7 Page Story: The Mutineers of Ganymede!
Genre: Science Fiction
Characters: Peggy; John Strong; Maddock; Peter
Synopsis: The new colony on Ganymede is threatened when some colonists discover uranium and want to go back to Earth as rich men

2 Page Story: Written in the Rocks (Text)
1 Page Story: Amazing Prophecies
7 Page Story: Death's Double
7 Page Story: Asteroid Treasure
Genre: Science Fiction
Characters: Bob Bright; Gaffy; Stan Rogers; June Rogers
Synopsis:The Rogers have a treasure map to an asteroid treasure.

1 Page Story: Moon Theory:
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: How it is believed the moon formed by a collision with another object



Information not found on the CGC label was provided by the Grand Comics Database
View Comic
The Fight to the Finish Amazing Spider-Man 120 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man 16 Universal 0.5 Daredevil Red and Yellow goodness. View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man 194 Modern 0.5 only thing better is a 9.8, but I love this point five. View Comic
The Clown and his Masters of Menace Amazing Spider-Man 22 Universal 0.5 Spider-Man #22 Published March 1965

This is the second .5 I bought and now my oldest Spider-Man Comic book (as of this writing). The book looks like crap but who cares the price was great. After shipping and handling I paid less than nine dollars for a silver age Spider-Man book. I never read this story. My first spider-man stories were mostly in Marvel Tales, although I had the rare originals that I read over and over...like issue 181.

Plot Description is from CLZ:

J.Jonah Jameson is sponsoring a new art exhibit, and the Ringmaster's Circus of Crime (now without the Ringmaster and Called Masters of Menace) injures JJJ while stealing them. Spider-Man decides to track them down and recover the paintings.

"Preeeeeesenting... the clown, and his Masters of Menace!"


Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Colorist: Stan Goldberg (?)
Letterer: Artie Simek
Cover Artist: Steve Ditko
Editor: Stan Lee

As of 10-May-2020

1162 are graded; 6 of which are graded a .5

Highest Grade: 9.8 (4)
View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man 43 Universal 0.5 Eventually my point five set will be complete in the custom set, but until then, it might be easier to add them here and then complete my journey on having the best worst set there is. View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man 48 Universal 0.5 if covers were gold. View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man 51 Universal 0.5 View Comic
The Name of the Dame is... Medusa Amazing Spider-Man 62 Universal 0.5

This was the first .5 book I bought. This is where the madness begun. and I don't even know why. The cover is simplistic, I am not saying it isn't good, but other than the white background, it is not the type of cover I normally got for. of course now that I have it I am even thinking about going to the other end of the spectrum and look for the 9.8 that I know is out there. The slab got damaged in transit, but the condition makes the slab look good.

I since had the book encapsulated with a new slab. I did this in June of 2019. The cost was only $15 dollars.

Plot Description from CLZ: N/A

Spider-Man #62 Published 7/68

Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: John Romita Sr.
Inker: Mike Esposito
Letterer: Sam Rosen
Cover Artist: John Romita Sr.
Editor: Stan Lee

The slab also states that Don Heck also contributed to the art.


"Didn't they ever tell you not to broadcast your plans? But that's the trouble with women... they just can't keep their mouths shut!"

-- Spider-Man

As of 10-May-2020

1504 are graded; 2 of which are graded a .5

Highest Grade 9.8 (62)
View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man 73 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Amazing Spider-Man Annual 1 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Aquaman 35 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Astonishing 19 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Astonishing Tales 29 Modern 0.5 View Comic
  Astonishing Tales 7 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Avengers 10 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Avengers 11 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Avengers 19 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Avengers 2 Universal 0.5 View Comic
This is the Issue you've been waiting for!! The Hulk and Sub-Mariner vs. The Avengers! Avengers 3 Universal 0.5 Avengers #3 was the issue I was waiting for, it says so right on the cover. In the sixties, this book had everything. Spider-Man made a Cameo. The Hulk and the Sub-Mariner teamed up for the first time. And I can take lessons for hypnotism, it says so right on the back.

Plot Description from CLZ:

In the fallout of their confrontation with the Space Phantom, the hulk has realized that humans, even his teammates the Avengers, will always fear his strength. Sensing that the Avengers don't trust him, the Hulk leaves the team. Feeling responsible, the Avengers begin trying to locate their former comrade to see that he doesn't cause any harm. But when they finally catch up with the Hulk, he's in a mood to fight. Unable to face the combined might of the Avengers, he escapes into the ocean, where he catches the eye of the Submariner, Namor. With his vendetta against all surface men, Namor Believes... (can you believe that...they ended the plot description with...)

Avengers #3 Published 1/64

Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Paul Reinman
Letterer: Sam Rosen
Cover Penciller: Jack Kirby
Cover Inker: Paul Reinman
Editor: Stan Lee

As of 10-May-2020

1210 are graded; 6 of which are graded a .5

Highest Graded: 9.6
View Comic
To Smash a Serpent Avengers 33 Universal 0.5 This was to be the limit of my .5 collection and what I mean by limit is what I would allow to be part of my collection. I tend to frown on rusty staples. I don't like them, I don't want them in my collection. I also want covers to be 80% intact. I get purchasing a graded book doesn't matter for the story, after all I can always buy a digital copy. However, I like the covers to be seen in all their decrepit glory. In this case the lower right hand corner. (Fourth wall break... when you start reading about my Giant Size X-men I totally throw this reasoning out).

As of 10-May-2020

228 are graded; 1 of which was graded a.5

Highest Grade: 9.8 (2)
View Comic
  Avengers 6 Universal 0.5 View Comic
An Extraordinary Marvel Epic!! Their Darkest Hour Avengers 7 Universal 0.5 It was Their Darkest Hour. This book has been only out for seven issues and they already have their darkest hour? One pot the first story lines I remember reading was when Jarvis got his ass kicked by the Masters of Evil. Now that was their darkest hour. This .5 is complete but with a detached cover... I love it.

Plot Description from CLZ:

It is time for banishments. After ignoring an Avengers priority call (in Tales of Suspense #56) Iron Man is suspended from all Avengers activity for one week. In Asgard, Did exiles the Enchantress and the Executioner to Earth, where they team up with Baron Zemo to learn of Earth's odd cultures. With their combines power, they lure Captain America into a trap, while hypnotizing (they must have read the back of issue 3) Thor into attacking his teammates to keep the rest occupied.

Avengers #7 Published 8/64

"Their Darkest Hour!"

Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Chic Stone
Letterer: Artie Simek
Cover Penciller: Jack Kirby
Cover Inker: Chic Stone
Editor: Stan Lee

Purchased for $20.51 on Ebay.


"Gosh, Iron Man -- if you won't level with them, how can the Avengers help?"

-- Rick Jones

As of 10-May-2020

772 are Graded; 2 of which are graded a .5

Highest Graded: 9.8 (1)
View Comic
  Batman 105 Universal 0.5 View Comic
"The Armored Batman!" Batman 111 Universal 0.5 Batman #111 Published by DC Comics October, 1957

Page 5 Missing, does not affect Story, Cover Detached. Incomplete

Purchased from Comics to Astonish with Fantastic Four Annual #1, also in a .5

My first Batman .5, dare I say there will be a another...dare I say it will be issue #181. And can you believe if you purchased this book originally when it came out for ten cents, there was a coupon worth ten cents for Ice cream. That's better than any investment today. And don't you love when the cover asks you why and your tempted to open up a slab...or is that just me?
"The Gotham City Safari!"

Written Bill Finger
Pencilled by Sheldon Moldoff
Inked by Charles Paris
Lettered by Pat Gordon

"The Other Bruce Wayne"

Written by Bill Finger
Pencilled by Sheldon Moldoff
Inked by Charles Paris
Lettered by Past Gordon

"The Armored Batman"

Written by Edmond Hamilton
Pencilled by Sheldon Moldoff
Inked by Stan Kaye
Lettered by Pat Gordon

As of 10-May-2020

45 are graded: 3 are graded a .5

Highest Grade: 9.0 (1)
View Comic
  Batman 124 Universal 0.5 View Comic
"Beware of-- Poison Ivy!" Batman 181 Universal 0.5 This was a gift to me from my friend Ron. If you want to see an amazing collection, please check his out. you can view his profile RonnyLama for the amazing books that he has. What is more amazing is what a great guy he is. There are days when I get really low and I reach out to him just to lift my spirits. He is a man of Mojo. He got this book for me since he knows I enjoy my .5's, he might nut understand it, but he supports it and for that I am thankful

CGC Notations in No Particular Order

Batman #181
D.C. Comics, 6/66
Centerfold Missing, Affects Story
Incomplete

1st Appearance of Poison Ivy
(Pamela Lillian Isley)
Pin up by Invantino and Anderson

Robert Kanigher and Gardener Fox Stories
Moldoff, Giella, and Greene Art
Carmine Infantino, Murphy Anderson Cover

.5 Off-White Pages


As of 3-Jun-2020

2016 are graded; The Highest Graded is9.8, and 73 are graded a .5
View Comic
  Batman 313 Modern 0.5 Maybe My first DC. Sure I had a few action comics but it was this cover that brought me back to reading it time and time again. View Comic
  Batman 88 Universal 0.5 View Comic
64 Pages of fun, with the Great Gusto, Minnie Ha-Cha, Mooseface, PigTails, Wahoo's Wonder Horse, Prince Lucky, and Oscar, the Octopus. Big Chief Wahoo 1 Universal 0.5 Why Big Chief Wahoo. The cover reminds me of a comic strip I read as a kid...Gasoline Alley... the eyes are so reminiscent of that series. Well, that and Little Orphan Annie. This is almost my oldest Comic Book... or maybe tied with it.

As I am trying to find out more about Big Chief Wahoo I am amazed at the complexity of this strip, not to mention the longevity. And here I thought SuperMan and Batman had a long run. Wahoo was created in 1936. Issue one of Big Chief Wahoo was published in July of 1942 but was eventually changed to Big Chief Wahoo and Steve Roper. Then in 1947 pushed out the main character of the title changing it to Steve Roper. Wahoo was created by Allen Saunders and Elmer Woggon. People might know Bill Woggon a little bit more. After Bill helped his older brother Elmer with being a letter for Big Chief Wahoo as well drawing the newspaper strip he went on to create Katy Keene (1945).

It's also been discussed that the Indians previous Mascot Chief Wahoo was indeed based off of Big Chief Wahoo. A mascot that began in 1947.

Artist: Elmer Woggon (?)
Writer: Allen Saunders

As of 10-May-2020

7 are graded; 1 is a .5; 8.5 is the highest graded copy

View Comic
  Big Shot Comics 54 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Brave and the Bold 109 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Brave and the Bold 110 Universal 0.5 View Comic
"The Shadow-Thief of Midway City!" Brave and the Bold 36 Universal 0.5 This is the second copy of this comic book I have. And to think, people would tell me my 3.5 copy was a low grade copy. If Fear #8 was the reason why I purchased Journey into Mystery #62 and Tales to Astonish #26, then it was DC Special #8 that made me want to get Brave and the Bold #36. As a kid I did not have a comic shop I could go to on a regular basis. and when I did, I chose books of the dollar rack. I didn't know any better and the teacher said that they were my only choices.

Brave and the Bold #36 (6-7/71)
DC Comics

Cover by Joe Kubert

"Strange Spells of the Sorcerer!"
Writer:Gardner Fox
Penciler: Joe Kubert
Inker: Joe Kubert
Letterer: Gasper Saladino
Editor: Julius Schwartz

"Shadow-Thief of Midway City!"

Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Joe Kubert
Inker: Joe Kubert

Origin and 1st Appearance of the Shadow-Thief

As of 10-May-2020 129 are graded; only one is graded a .5; the highest grade is a 9.4
View Comic
  Brave and the Bold 54 Universal 0.5 View Comic
Brave and the Bold Introduces Metamorpho the Element Man Brave and the Bold 57 Universal 0.5 the great thing about collecting .5's is that many 1st appearances are able to be added to my collection without much damage to my bank account. I first was introduced to Metamorpho at summer camp with Batman and the Outsiders. I never thought I would ever get this first appearance. this also got me looking at Showcase as well. Thank you to RonnyLama for opening my eyes.

Plot Description by CLZ:

Rex Mason, soldier of fortune, returns from overseas to see his fiancée Sapphire Stagg. Her father, Simon, hires Rex for one last mission worth a million dollars, and sends his Ape-Man servant Java with him. While searching an Egyptian pyramid for the powerful Orb of Ra, Java Traps Rex, hoping to win Sapphire for himself. Rex is exposed to the meteor that the Orb of Ra was made from, and has gained the ability to transform into various elements. Simon agrees to search for a cure, but has no intentions of doing so. Java is upset that he still has competition for Sapphire's attention and decides... (there are those pesky ... again)

Writer: Bob Haney
Penciler: Ramona Fradon
Inker: Charles Paris
Cover Penciler: Ramona Fradon
Cover Inker: Charles Paris
Editor: George Kashdan

As of 10-May-2020 322 are graded; only one is graded a .5; the highest grade is a 9.8
View Comic
"4 Teenage Heroes in one Blazing Adventure!" Brave and the Bold 60 Universal 0.5 Brave and the Bold #60 (6-7/65)
DC Comics

Cover by Nick Cardy

The Astounding Separated Man

Writer: Bob Haney
Penciller: Bruno Premiani
Inker: Bruno Premiani
Editor: George Kashdan

When I first got my New Mutants book and went back the next day for more I picked up the New Teen Titans I thought I would like them just as much. And although I loved Brother Blood. It didn't give me the right feeling that these were just kids like Chris Claremont did. The first few months of collecting comic books Immediately had me choose sides. The great thing about collecting now is that I never know what point five will rear its ugly head. I am not sure what to get because I do not know it exists...until it exists. This Brave and the Bold was given to me by the ronnylama (you should check out his registry page). And it also becomes the third Brave and the Bold title I won... a series I might never have really found out about if it wasnt for these crappy copies.

As of 10-May-2020:

310 are graded; only one is graded a .5; the highest grade is a 9.6
View Comic
  Bugs Bunny 58 Universal 0.5 View Comic
THRU SPACE! THRU TIME and into the THIRD DIMENSION Leaps Captain 3-D Captain 3-D 1 Universal 0.5 The first time I ever saw this cover was on a "wall" at a comic con. This title as well as a few others I passed on simply because I thought they were new. I was young and naive. I picked this up through Comic Link not even thinking they would also be sending me the glasses in a side bag. This became one of my favorite .5's... Dare I dream to get a 1.0?

Plot Description for CLZ: N/A

Writer: Joe Simon
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Simon
Cover Penciler: Jack Kirby
Cover Inker: Joe Simon

Of Curious Note: on the CGC label It has Steve Ditko mentioned, but no mention of Joe Simon. And the Mort Meskin is also credited for Cover Art. Digging deeper, but unfortunately not everything could be validated, Joe credits the creation of Captain 3-D to himself, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Mort Meskin. This latest is from the Jack Kirby Museum website. The following is written word for word from the same website.

The final breakdown is 12 pages inked by Meskin, 8 pages by Simon, 7 2/3 pages by Ditko, 3 1/3 pages by Kirby, and 1 by an unidentified inker. This is a little misleading because one of the pages attributed to Kirby consists only of two small heads and one of the pages credited to Meskin is an advertisement with only a single figure of Captain 3D.

As of 10-May-2020:

68 are graded; only one is graded a .5; the highest grade is a 9.6

And looking this up I found out that there is a .5 UK version signed...I am actually envious of that.
View Comic
  Captain America 105 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Captain America 217 Modern 0.5 View Comic
  Combat Kelly 10 Universal 0.5 View Comic
Classic Hanging Cover used in SOTI Crime SuspenStories 20 Universal 0.5 Out of all the EC books, this was one of the ones that originally caught my eye. I purchased this through ComicLink. They had it raw and posted as a 1.0. I turned it over to CGC at the second Keystone Come-on...and I was overjoyed when I picked it up and saw that it was a .5. When I did a little exclamation of happiness the employees were somewhat shocked and got a kick out of my excitement at the .5.

I am not 100% sure on the following. If I am wrong on any of it, please let me know so I can make the changes.

Cover Artist: Johnny Craig

"Fire Trap"
Script: Johnny Craig
Pencilers: Johnny Craig
Inks: Johnny Craig
Colors: Marie Severin (?)
Letters: Jim Wroten

"The Welchers"
Script: Bill Gaines & Al Feldstein
Pencilers: Jack Davis (?)
Inks: Jack Davis (?)
Colors: Marie Severin (?)
Letters: Jim Wroten

"Double Jeopardy" Alex Trebek...Just Kidding
Script: Bill Gaines & Al Feldstein
Pencilers: Jack Karmen
Inks: Jack Karmen
Colors: Marie Severin
Letters: Jim Wroten

"Plane Murder"
Script: Bill Gaines & Al Feldstein
Penciler: Reed Crandall
Inks: Reed Crandall
Colors: Marie Severin
Letters: Jim Wroten

Includes one Page Story called "Rope" by Albert B. Feldstein

As of 10-May-2020:

162 are graded; only one is graded a .5; the highest grade is a 9.6
View Comic
If This Be Justice! Daredevil 14 Universal 0.5 Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: John Romita Sr.
Inker: Frank Ray
Letterer: Artie Simek
Cover Artist: John Romita Sr.
Cover Inker: Frank Giacoia
Cover Colorist: Stan Goldberg
Editor: Stan Lee
Editor in Chief: Stan Lee



Easy Purchase: $26.00

As of 10-May-2020:

338 are graded; only one is graded a .5; the highest grade is a 9.8
View Comic
  Daredevil 2 Universal 0.5 View Comic
Marvel's Newest Sensation Trapped by The Owl, Overlord of Crime! Daredevil 3 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Daredevil 4 Universal 0.5 View Comic
  Daredevil 5 Universal 0.5 View Comic
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