Set Description:
Elvira welcomes you to her House of Mystery. The Mistress of the Dark is a gracious host.
This set presents the eleven issue run of DC Comic's Elvira's House of Mystery. In addition to the regular issues, DC also published Elvira's House of Mystery Special #1. Despite being a title that did not reach twelve issues; perhaps the "magic number" for a comic book series; unless you count the special issue, it is nevertheless a very enjoyable read with some great covers, including a nice back exterior cover on the first issue, and very nice interior art.
As of Sunday, October 8, 2017, I have in this set issues one to ten. I plan to add issue eleven (issue eleven CGC 9.8, white pages was added on July 21, 2019) and the special issue (a CGC 9.8, white pages was added on December 24, 2019) in CGC graded 9.8, preferably with white pages.
As concerns white pages, I also plan to "upgrade" issue 5 (Done (in order of addition/ replacement): 8; 6; 3; 7; and 5) (a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 8, white pages, was added to this set on Friday, June 16, 2023; a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 6, white pages, was added to this set on Saturday, October 15, 2022; a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 3, white pages, was added to this set on Thursday, October 27, 2022; a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 7, white pages, was added to this set on Saturday, December 3, 2022; and a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 5, white pages, was added to this set on Friday, June 16, 2023); twenty-five percent of the issues currently in this set; to copies that have white pages. All of the books in this set were purchased graded.
I hope that you enjoy viewing this set; including my tongue in cheek issue description names and front cover impressions; as much as I am enjoying assembling it as I search high and low for a CGC graded 9.8 copy with white pages and perfect cover alignment of issue 5.
The Mistress beckons:
Set Goals:
I plan to obtain, hopefully in the near future, issue #11 (added July 21, 2019) and Elvira's House of Mystery Special #1 (added December 24, 2019) in CGC graded 9.8, preferably with white pages as well as copies with white pages and perfect cover alignment of issue 5 (a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 8, white pages, was added to this set on Friday, June 16, 2023; a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 6, white pages, was added to this set on Saturday, October 15, 2022; a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 3, white pages, was added to this set on Thursday, October 27, 2022; a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 7, white pages, was added to this set on Saturday, December 3, 2022; and a CGC graded 9.8 of issue 5, white pages, was added to this set on Friday, June 16, 2023).
All issues in this set are CGC graded 9.8 copies and have white pages!
The Mistress (in monochrome):
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 1 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1461662032
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Owner Comments
The Mistress of the Dark arrives.
Quick Front Cover Impression: When the Mistress beckons, you obey.
The Mistress of the Dark arrived on the "DC scene," and what an entrance she made as cover artist Brian Bolland abundantly captured her very much appreciated practice of showcasing her very ample ... eyes; simply stunning.
Issue number one of this unfortunately short series is a wonderful read.
This issue is somewhat hard to find with a perfect cover wrap and white pages in CGC graded 9.8. As such, asking prices for such copies have increased substantially since I purchased the copy you see; actually, asking prices for all CGC graded copies of this issue have seen substantial increases.
If I correctly recall, I purchased a few copies of this issue and all the issues in this short run at my LCS and, highly likely, local newsstand. However, as with all my original owner comic books, although I was very meticulous in selecting the best copies available, sometimes the best copies came with, for example, printing issues that could not be avoided both at the LCS and local newsstand. Whether my original owner issues are 9.8 worthy will be determined at some future date.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 18 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 19 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Joey Cavalieri and Robert Kanigher stories.
Arthur Geroche and Ron Wagner art.
Brian Bolland cover.
Photo back cover.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 2 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 2 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1461662034
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Owner Comments
The Mistress "will cut you up."
Quick Front Cover Impression: The Mistress could possibly be the hottest "samurai" ever; or at least the one with the largest treasure chest.
I like the cover of this issue although I believe that the cover of issue one is superior. The stories are, as with issue one, a fun read.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 7 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 9 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Joey Cavalieri and Robert Kanigher stories.
Bob Oksner and Angel Trinidad art.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 3 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 3 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4138506009
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Owner Comments
The Mistress will "blow you away."
Quick Front Cover Impression: The Mistress is a dead shot, in many ways.
Yes, I avoided the very obvious reference.
The profile view of the Mistress on the cover of this issue is very nice, as is the background art. The story by Joey Cavalieri is quite enjoyable, in a schlocky way.
I'm hoping to obtain a CGC graded 9.8 copy of this issue that has white pages.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 5 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 6 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Joey Cavalieri story
Stan Woch and Dick Giordano art.
Denys Cowan and Dick Giordano cover.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 4 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 4 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1461662035
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Owner Comments
The Mistress has scared you "stiff."
Quick Front Cover Impression: Who, generally, would not want a peek at the Mistress?
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 12 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 16 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Gael Montgomery and Rory Metcalf story.
Heather Kilgour and Jim Fern art.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 5 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 5 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4231087025
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Owner Comments
The Mistress enjoys being in "bondage and swinging."
Quick Front Cover Impression: I would love to swing with the Mistress; no need for shackles, unless she wants them.
I'm still hopeful to obtain a CGC graded 9.8 copy of this issue with white pages. This task was completed on Friday, June 16, 2023!
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 7 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 11 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Rory Metcalf and Robert Kanigher stories.
Tom Grindberg, Dick Ayers, Tony DeZuniga, and Jim Fern art.
Mark Beachum cover and art.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 6 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 6 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4128296016
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Owner Comments
The Mistress also enjoys being sideways.
Quick Front Cover Impression: The Mistress looks great in any position, including sideways.
I'm still attempting to obtain a CGC graded 9.8 copy of this issue with white pages.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 3 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 6 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Tom and Mary Bierbaum, Joey Calagieri and Robert Kanigher stories.
Tom Grindberg, George Freeman and Ric Estrada art.
Mark Beachum cover.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 7 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 7 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4132732014
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Owner Comments
The "Mechanical Mistress" is not currently available.
Quick Front Cover Impression: Who needs a rubber anything if the Mechanical Mistress is available.
My goal for this issue is to obtain a CGC graded 9.8 copy of it with white pages.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 5 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 8 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
James Geldhof and Mike Barr stories.
James Geldhof and Tom Yeates art.
Bill Sienkiewicz cover.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 8 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 8 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4132806005
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Owner Comments
The Mistress is very hot, even without a torch.
Quick Front Cover Impression: The Mistress is an American treasure (chest).
I was fortunate to purchase a CGC graded 9.8 copy of this issue with white pages. A soon as I have an opportunity, I will scan the front and back covers of it and add the scans to this set. This task was completed on Friday, June 16, 2023!
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 10 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 14 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Mike Barron and Kerry Gammill stories.
Bjorn Ousland and Kerry Gammill art.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 9 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 9 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1461666028
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Owner Comments
The Mistress demands obedience if "you want it."
Quick Front Cover Impression: Mistress, I want it!
The front cover of this issue is the only one in this run with a photograph of the Mistress.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 6 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 7 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Darren Auck, story and art.
Dwight Turner, Graham Nolan, Dick Giordano and Victor Laszlo art.
Photo cover.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 10 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 10 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1461666030
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Owner Comments
The Mistress will make you beg if you wish to stay after school. (AKA: Does the term "hot for teacher" ring any bells?)
Quick Front Cover Impression: The Mistress can teach me my A B Cs; and double Ds.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 7 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 8 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Ed Hanniganstory.
Joe Orlando cover and art.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 11 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery 11 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1287307015
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Owner Comments
The Mistress will sweep you off your feet.
Quick Front Cover Impression: Perhaps the Mistress will ride my "broom."
As noted in the CGC notes for this issue, the cover is by the Dave Stevens who is one of my favorite "Good Girl" comic book artists because he captured them as well as any artist, including the Golden Age greats. The demand for this issue has increased dramatically since I purchased my copy and, accordingly, so have the prices asked for it.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 17 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 24 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Dennis Yee story.
Tom Grindberg Art.
Dave Stevens cover.
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| Slot: |
Elvira's House of Mystery Special 1 |
| Item: |
Elvira's House of Mystery Special 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4125337013
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Owner Comments
Santa's got quite the pair on his hands and, naturally, a hard lump of coal.
Quick Front Cover Impression: The Mistress would be quite the stocking stuffer.
This issue is a jolly (I know!) good read with a wonderful holiday cover. In addition to the original owner copies I purchased of this issue, I also purchased several other back issue copies that I will grade hopefully sooner rather than later and send the worthy ones to CGC for grading.
CGC Census Representation: As of the May 31, 2022, CGC census there were 16 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue. The May 31 census data that I recorded is incorrect.
As of the May 9, 2023, CGC census there were 11 CGC graded 9.8 copies of this issue.
Issue credits as per the CGC label:
Cavalieri, Fleisher, Randall and Manak stories.
Springer, Sparling, DeStefano, Manak, and Gulacy Art.
José Luis Garcia-López cover.
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