Set Description
The OAK and Rarified Treasures Room is a showcase of my collection of OAKs (One-of-a-Kind's), Rare/Scarce, Signatures Series, and Variant key comic books with low population on the CGC Census. Some of these examples also happen to host unique characteristics for a variety of reasons, which you will discover in greater detail as you browse through the collection. Enjoy! SW3D November 9, 2014.
Set Goals
As I have matured as a collector and my collecting goals have become more refined, I'm focused on quality and value over quantity, where I am specifically targeting key comics in high grade condition (9.0 - 10.0). But along with collecting such high grade keys, I am also intrigued and fascinated by comics which have the additional characteristic of uniqueness, represented as such but not exclusive to: pedigree status, rarity, variance, controversy, printing error, cgc mislabeling, or other. Here's how I define the collectible attributes I'm concentrated on: Historical Keys: Historical Keys are those comic books which contain a piece of historical significance to the Canon, Character or Genre. Common historical keys include but are not exclusive to: 1st Appearance(s); Origin, Death(s); the Return; 1st Costume; New Costume; the 1st Professional Work of a Writer or Artist; Anniversary Issue; etc. Uniqueness: Uniqueness is often represented by, but not exclusive to: Pedigree Status, rare signatures (for example: Alan Moore; John Byrne), Variance, Controversy, Errors, Mislabeling, Promotional Comics, other. Rarity or Scarcity: Low print runs and/or few surviving copies known to exist.
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Aria/Angela: European Tour Ashcan nn Signature
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9.8
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Such a lovely pair: two Ashcan's of Aria/Angela signed by master artist Jay Anacleto at NYCC in October, 2014; both given the coveted graded of 9.8!
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Aria Angela 1 Signature
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9.4
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The Tower Records Edition is very hard to find. I got lucky when I was notified by Lone Star Comics, aka MyComicShop of its availability. Although it did not grade as high as I would like it to, it does have the unique virute of Jay Anacleto's inscription which I obtained at NYComicCon in October, 2014.
As of March 8, 2015, I understand there are a total of seven (7) CGC graded copies in the census; the one displayed here is the lone Signature Series Yellow Label example, making it an One-of-a-Kind (OAK).
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Aria Angela 1 Signature
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9.8
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The Portacio Holofoil Variant is not an easy one to find. I got lucky and bought a raw copy from one of my favorite places to buy comics, Lone Star Comics aka MyComicShop. I honestly did not expect it to receive a 9.8 grade; add the additional virtue of Jay Anacleto's signature which I obtained at NYComicCon in October 2014, and it bacame an instant keeper!
Currently, as of March 8, 2015, according to the CGC Census, this is the only Aria/Angela: Heavenly Creatures #1 Portacio Holofoil Variant with a Signature Series Yellow Label... making it an OAK!
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Aria Angela 2 Signature
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9.8
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I bought this beauty from my favorite online comic book store: Lone Star Comics, aka MyComicShop.
On October 9, 2014, I obtained Jay Anacleto's signature at NYComicCon. When it came back from CGC graded 9.8, I was floored! It's a keeper!
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Aria Angela 2 Signature
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9.6
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I was fortunate to receive this comic book raw from Lone Star Comics aka MyComicShop. On October 9, 2014, I got it signed by Jay Anacleto at NYComicCon.
Currently, as of March 8, 2015, according to the CGC Census, this is the only Aria/Angela: Heavenly Creatures #2 Gold Edition Signature Series Yellow Label example... making it an OAK!
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| Kiehls Promotional Comic, Wall Street Edition |
Captain America: Transformation & Triumph 1 Modern
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9.8
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Highest Graded Copy: 1 of only 5 CGC graded copies (3 9.8's and 2 9.6's)
Promotional Comic Book: Kiehl's free promotional comic book; June 6, 2013 Wall Street Edition insert
Key Notes: Origin of Captain America told in flashback
Background: For all you Captain America and Marvel fans, this one-shot comic was a promotional giveaway that was included as a free insert in the Thursday Edition of the Wall Street Journal on June 6, 2013. My brother, who's into the stock market, reads the Wall Street Journal daily. And he knows I'm a big comic book geek, so he calls me late in the evening (about 9ish) on June 6th, to let me know that there's a free comic book of Captain America with today's edition of the WSJ. I immediately rush down to the local CVS Pharmacy to see if they have any Wall Street Journals left. I remember it was pouring rain and I got soaked. But I didn't care... I was determined to find these comics. Luckily CVS had two WSJ's still available. So I snatched them up and went to the cashier to pay for them. And to my detriment and horror, the cashier, not knowing there were comics in these newspapers, folds each newspaper to cram them into a plastic shopping bag! I was mortified and couldn't believe my own stupidity and absent mindedness. I should have forewarned her. It was my fault. And I walked out into the rain in disbelief feeling these once mint limited edition comics had a catastrophic crease directly down the middle of each book. What bad luck! Bummer! Downtrodden, I skulked back to my apartment and pulled them out to see their condition, and thankfully they weren't half that bad. I believe I got very lucky and somehow the comics may have slid to once side and avoided getting folded down the middle. But, being an anal-condition-sensitive-freak that I am, my paranoid ego couldn't rest until I found unblemished and unadulterated copies. So I went back out into the rain and walked a few blocks until I found a newsstand that was still open. And voila, this store had six unsold Wall Street Journals... I guess nobody in my neighborhood cares to read about the financial markets. I immediately searched through each one to see if they had the comic, and sure enough they did. And, learning my lesson with the CVS cashier, I asked the bemused storeclerk if I could personally place each WSJ into a plastic shopping bag. And, after a second of looking at me like I was a complete nut, he shrugged his shoulders and said "yes". And why not? I mean, it wasn't like he was going to sell these newspapers so late in the night to other customers. So he made a few bucks and I cleaned out his WSJ inventory. The rain was still pouring. And knowing my comics could get wet, I placed the shopping bag underneath my shirt. So I skipped back home like a little boy, dripping wet but gleeful that I had six potential mint comics. And the rain did absolutely no harm to them since they were tucked away under my shirt and inside the multi-layered protection of each newspaper. As soon as I reached my humble abode, I laid each newspaper flat on my dining table. I changed from my wet clothes to dry ones and thoroughly dried my hands... making sure I wouldn't accidentally wet any comic. I fetched eight acid-free bags and inserted backboards in each and proceeded to the dining table. Like a surgeon, I delicately pulled out each comic from the center of each Wall Street Journal, seperating each comic book from the advertisements and coupons they were grouped with. I inspected each one, taking mental note of the edges, the surface condition of the front and back covers, as well as the interior paper quality and staples, and then carefully placed each inside an acid-free bag with backboard. Afterward, I was satisfied knowing that at least 4 of the 8 comics were in Near Mint Plus state. And 22 days later, I those 4 to Wizard World NYC for grading. Eventually they came back: 2 9.8's and 2 9.6's. Wow! I rarely get 9.8's... mostly 9.2's, 9.4's and 9.6's. And the CGC did a beautiful job with the encapsulations. The holders just look gorgeous. I'm happy! About the comic book itself, I've taken selected excerpts (without permission) from an online article which appears in Ad Age Media News: "Kiehl's, the skincare and haircare retailer, sent a custom Captain America comic book to Wall Street Journal subscribers in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco on Thursday as part of a content-marketing effort meant to help the company better connect with men. The Kiehl's comic book, which was created by Marvel Custom Solutions, takes place in the original Kiehl's store at 3rd Avenue and 13th Street in Manhattan and features characters and displays from the company's past and present. Marvel Custom Solutions is an internal agency within Marvel's promotions group that works with marketers to create print and digital comic books, as well as a variety of other products, such as book covers and posters. The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel in 2009 for $4 billion. Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo, himself a comic book fan, reached out to Marvel earlier this year. "Of all of Marvel's iconic characters, Captain America was a natural fit," Mr. Salgardo said in an email interview. "He is an American icon and the story-line fits well." In the 12-page story, created specifically for Kiehl's by writer William Harms and artists Angel Unzueta and Ty Templeton, Captain America must protect some "rare extracts and botanicals" -- hidden in the Kiehl's basement -- that could be used to create another super-soldier like himself.
The story doesn't mention any Kiehl's product by name, but the action is bookended by ad pages from Kiehl's including six pages touting its Facial Fuel for men and Ultimate Man body scrub soap. The comic book is available at Kiehl's stores with the purchase of any product and a digital version is on the company's website, but Kiehl's worked with The Wall Street Journal because the company wanted more people, predominantly men, to see the comic. "We feel it is so true to our DNA," Mr. Salgardo said. "Instead of advertising, this allows potential new customers to understand Kiehl's -- our quirkiness, but also our expertise in serious skincare." A comic book insert for a skin-care company appearing in The Wall Street Journal might seem like an odd fit, but beauty advertising is a growing priority for the paper. "This is a great example of our ever-increasing strength in the beauty category," said Nina Lawrence, VP-global marketing for ad sales at the paper. "We've invested in developing our beauty reach over the past few years and it continues to be a huge area of growth for us."
Currently the Kiehl's website lists the "Limited Edition Captain America Comic Book" as out of stock: http://www.kiehls.com/Limited-Edition-Captain-America-Comic-Book/899,default,pd.html.
Here's more promo on the comic book as seen on Marvel's website which includes a video: http://marvel.com/news/story/20784/ring_the_nyse_opening_bell_with_captain_america_kiehls.
Now I wonder: How many of these comics were printed and distributed? And how many were bought? And how many were destroyed that were not sold? And how many survived and are collected? I imagine the numbers are low since most promotional giveaways usually are discarded by the general public. If you're looking to buy one, there are a number of raw/ungraded available on eBay. And I have to say, for a free promo comic, I was impressed by both the artwork and story which I believe takes place in the Marvel Movie Universe, with a guest appearance by Nick Fury, drawn and portrayed as Samuel L. Jackson.
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| Hard to Find Triple Signature |
Cyblade/Shi: The Battle for Independents 1
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9.8
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Highest Graded Copy: 9.8
Yellow Label: CGC witnessed signatures of Marc Silvestri (co-creator of Cyblade and Witchblade), William Tucci (co-creator of Shi), and Matt "Batt" Banning.
Variant: William Tucci variant cover.
Key Notes: 1st appearance of Sara Pezzini who eventually acquires the Witchblade; 1st appearance of the Witchblade artifact.
Uniqueness: Highest graded with triple signatures.
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| JG Jones 1st Pro Comic Book |
Dark Dominion 7 Signature
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9.4
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Publisher: Defiant
Publication Date: April, 1994
Age: Modern Age
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: JG Jones (Cover and interior Art)
Grade: 9.4 (Near Mint)
Grade Description: Nearly perfect with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. The overall look is "as if it was just purchased and read once or twice."
Owners Key Notes: 1st JG Jones Professional Comic Book Work
Signature Notes:
Signed by JG Jones on June 29, 2013 (see photo).
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| JG Jones 2nd Pro Comic Book |
Dark Dominion 8 Signature
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9.6
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2nd JG Jones Published Pro Comic Work
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| JG Jones 3rd Pro Comic Work |
Dark Dominion 9 Signature
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9.8
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3rd JG Jones Published Pro Comic Work
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| JG Jones 1st writing credit |
Rant 1 Signature
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9.6
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OAK: The 1st and currently the only graded copy on the CGC Census Population
Yellow Label: CGC Witnessed signature of JG Jones
Key Comments: artist JG Jones 4th published illustrated comic book work, and 1st Written comic book work
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| Invincible Preview; Triple Signatures: Robert Kirkman, Ryan Otley, and Erik Larsson |
Savage Dragon 102 Signature
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9.8
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Publisher: Image Comics
Publication Date: August, 2002
Key Notes:
1st Appearance: Invincible (in a 5-page preview which predates Tech Jacket #1 and Invincible #1)
Signature Notes:
Signed by Invincible creator Robert Kirkman, artist Ryan Ottley, and Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsson
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| Invincible Preview; Robert Kirkman Signature |
Savage Dragon 102 Universal
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9.8
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Publisher: Image Comics
Publication Date: August, 2002
Key Notes:
1st Appearance: Invincible (in a 5-page preview which predates Tech Jacket #1 and Invincible #1)
Signature Notes:
Signed by Invincible creator Robert Kirkman.
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| Spawn #9 Mislabeled Newsstand Edition |
Spawn 9 Modern
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9.6
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Mislabeled: The CGC Universal Blue Label failed to denote this copy as a Newsstand Edition and has been erroneously included in the CGC Census Population as a Direct Edition.
Variant: Newsstand Edition (NE) versus the Direct Edition (DE): NE's have a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode box on the cover (whereas the DE's do not); NE's are printed on traditional comic book newsprint paper, whereas the DE's are printed on glossy paper; the NE's are published without the Jim Lee poster insert whereas the DE's include the poster; the NE's are shorter in page lenght at 36 pages versus the DE's at 40 pages (due to the Jim Lee poster).
Rarity: Newsstand Editions are very rare. Currently, if we include my mislabeled example, there are only 14 CGC graded Newsstand Editions versus 945 graded Direct Editions (the census reflects 946 but my copy has been mislabeled as a DE. This represents a CGC Census population equivalent to less than 1% (0.1481%) compared to the DE's, making it pretty rare indeed.
Key Notes: 1st Appearance of Angela (now a Marvel Comics property; aka Aldrif Odinsdotter); 1st Appearance of Medieval Spawn; 1st Appearance of Cogliostro.
Controversial History: Although now having been settled in a court of law, this comic has a unique history as it sparked a litigious and controverisial battle between two comic book heavyweights: Spawn creator and Image Co-Founder Todd McFarlane and writer Neil Gaiman. Back in 1992, Todd McFarlane's Spawn made its debut under publisher Image Comics. Formed that same year by some of the biggest creators in the industry, Image Comics was unique for it was the champion of the hot issue of the 90's: creator-owned properties. Eight of the biggest names in the industry: Todd McFarlane, Rob Leifeld, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, Whilce Portacio, and Chris Claremont, left Marvel Comics in a dispute over ownership and creative control over their works. Sometime in 1993, in an effort to promote Spawn, Todd McFarlane Productions, the studio owned and run by Todd McFarlane, hired Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Dave Sim, and Neil Gaiman, to write a single issue for the new title. Neil Gaiman's contribution was published in Spawn #9 and introduced the characters Angela, Cogliostro, and Medieval Spawn, who were also illustrated and designed by Todd McFarlane. The new trio of characters would continually reappear throughout the course of the decade in Spawn and various Spawn related titles and Image published titles, and were subsequently republished in various Spawn volumes and reprint formats, and also appeared in other Spawn-related media: the 1997 Spawn film, and the HBO animated series Todd McFarlane's Spawn. Flash-forward to 2002, and Neil Gaiman files suit against Todd McFarlane, claiming he co-owned the aforementioned trio of characters and was entitled to royalty payments and creative control. McFarlane's legal defense stood on the grounds of "work-for-hire" which claimed Gaiman was not entitled to co-ownership. Eventually the courts ruled in favor of Gaiman, and granted joint ownership to Gaiman and McFarlane. In March 2013, the character Angela, became the legal property of Marvel Comics.
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| OAK: Only CGC graded example; Triple Signature |
Superman Special 1 Signature
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9.2
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OAK: The 1st and currently the only graded copy on the CGC Census Population
Yellow Label: CGC Witnessed Signatures of Walter Simonson, Michael Golden, and Geof Darrow
Edition: Newsstand Edition
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