Set Description
Synopsis: Tales to Astonish is probably the toughest Marvel set to assemble in high grade, as there are frequently just one or two books topping the census. This is a complete set with a minimum grade of 9.4 with 35 9.8s, 28 9.6s and just five 9.4s.
The highlights of this set are the single highest graded example of the first Ant-Man in a costume (#35 9.6 Western Penn), and the single highest graded example of the first Giant-Man (#49 9.8). The set also features a highest graded example (1/2) of the first Wasp (#44 9.8) and single highest graded copies of Issues #46 and #48, the latter of which marked the first appearance of the Porcupine.
Background: This set needs a lot of work and we are undoubtedly #1 in the registry only because the top collections are unregistered. The four highlights of this collection are the #35 9.6 Western Penn Pedigree, which is the first Ant-Man costume issue and the single highest graded issue, #36 9.8 Western Penn Pedigree, the #44 9.8 Northland Pedigree, which features the first appearance of Wasp, and the #49 9.8, which is single highest graded and the first appearance of Giant-Man. Issues #46 and #48 are also single highest grade copies as of this writing.
While there are no blank slots, there are a number of low grade books here we would like the opportunity to upgrade. Also, our #27, while a 9.4, is restored. But I somewhat feel like that one does not really belong in the run, since it is separated in time and predates Hank Pym becoming Ant-Man.
Overall, we much prefer the Ant-Man/Giant-Man portion of this set, which is why we started collecting it. If you have any books that upgrade ours and are interested in flipping them commission free, send us a line and I am sure we can work out a deal that benefits you.
2020 Update: I left the earlier description of the set since it chronicles the struggles we went through building this collection. It remains a weird set. We started collecting it for Ant-Man, then Giant-Man, and then he goes from sharing the book with Hulk to disappearing altogether when Sub-Mariner tales his place in Issue #70.
Nonetheless, after prioritizing it for the last couple of years, the set is now complete with far fewer low-grade issues, albeit with the same restored #27. The goal here is to complete a 9.6/9.8 run outside of that issue. We are currently four books away: #40, #42, #58 and #77. If you have one in 9.6/9.8 and would entertain selling it or trading it, please send us a message.
2021 Update: While we did upgrade a few issues from 9.6 to 9.8 during 2020, we are still in search of the same four issues-#40, #42, #58 and #77-in 9.6 or 9.8. So, while it was not for lack of effort, as in many other areas, 2020 was a lost year as far as this collection. Statistically, only 44 of the 68 books in the set are highest graded, so there is certainly plenty of room for improvements. But finding those books is a real challenge.
2022 Update: 2021 was another lost year as far as this set was concerned, as once again we never saw an upgrade on the market.
