| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 83 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #83 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.2 |
| Cert #: |
1174950003
|
Owner Comments
One of the Marvel keys, the first appearance of Thor, Dr Don Baker, has long been a sought after gem. This copy is a strong 9.2 with White pages, trailing nine 9.4s and a single 9.6. I would love to have a 9.4 someday, but unless I hit the lottery, this one may have to suffice.
2021 Update: There are now 11 9.4s in the census, if the population keeps growing, maybe we will get one yet.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 84 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #84 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1101074001
|
Owner Comments
This is the 84th issue of a breakthrough title that began in June of 1952. More importantly, it is the second issue of the title's change to half super-hero format, as the Mighty Thor makes his second ever appearance herein. This issue also features the first appearance of Jane Foster, who was played by Natalie Portman in the Thor movies and may be the subject of a future Marvel movie.
To say this issue is hard to find would be accurate. To say it is difficult to obtain in high grade would be an understatement. There are only 9 copies of this Jack Kirby/Stan Lee masterpiece to grade as high as 9.0, with 4 in VF/NM, one in Near Mint Minus and only 3 blue label 9.4's. This gem has them all beat and is the only CGC Signature SERIES copy above an 8.5!
Issue #84 is one of the absolute toughest early Marvels to come by in high grade as per the CGC census report. It’s no doubt due to the dark brown cover borders and background which easily show wear. Our copy has no such problems. The spine is gorgeous, the centering is exact, the edges are straight and narrow and the corners are sharp. The book has vibrant colors and a fresh, meticulously well-stored look plus hard to beat off-white to white pages. It hails from the ultra high grade Cole Schave early Silver Age Marvel collection out of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I first saw this comic at the 2012 Comic Com convention in NYC. I later was fortunate enough to acquire it in the 2/11/2014 Pedigree Comics Auction.
9/2019: There are now four blue label 9.4s in this census, but this is still the single highest graded signature series, and, with Stan’s recent demise, it likely always will be. It remains to be seen how Stan’s death will affect the value of Signture Series books. After all, he has probably signed thousands of books at shows through the years. An author’s signature with a first edition novel can multiply the value of a book. But with comics, some regard the signature as a disqualifying defect. I am somewhat on the fence on signature books and generally don’t pay a premium for them, but also do not avoid signed copies.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 85 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #85 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0994404001
|
Owner Comments
Issue #85 features the first appearance of Loki and, as such, is the second most valuable book in this run. This book was part of the heralded Doug Schmell Collection, which was certainly the greatest Marvel collection of comics ever seen on this registry. It is currently one of four 9.6s topping the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 86 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #86 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1197716018
|
Owner Comments
Thor battles the Tomorrow Man in this early JIM epic. Our 9.6 comes from the Cole Shave Collection and is one of five 9.6s, with three 9.8s topping the census. We acquired the book from the 2/11/2014 Pedigree Comics Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 87 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #87 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1197716019
|
Owner Comments
Thor battles the Commies in this one. Our 9.4 is one of the top six copies in the census with 2 9.6s and a lone 9.8 topping the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 88 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #88 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1198173029
|
Owner Comments
Issue #88 features another Thor and Loki cover. Our WP 9.6 hails from the Don & Maggie Thompson Collection and is one of the 5 top graded copies. We acquired the book in the 1/21/2013 Heritage Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 89 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #89 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1215045006
|
Owner Comments
Issue #89 features the origin of Thor. This is actually my favorite JIM cover, it should have been used for the first issue because the colors are stunning. This beauty is one of four 9.6s with none higher. We acquired the book in the Pedigree Comics auction on 12/15/2015.*
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 90 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #90 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0914710008
|
Owner Comments
Thor battles the Carbon Copy Man from Outer Space in this early JIM issue. I have stepped myself up slowly with this issue from a 9.0 to a 9.2 to a 9.4 and finally this copy, which comes from the Federal Hill Collection. For anyone wondering, I do not think that is the most economical path to obtain a high grade issue LOL. This Twin Cities copy is one of two highest graded and was acquired in the March 8, 2020 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 91 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #91 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1295222010
|
Owner Comments
This is a rather neat cover as Thor lies in a grave at the mercy of Loki and Sandu, the Master of the Supernatural. While the pages are Cream/OW, this 9.6 is the single highest graded copy and was purchased in a highly competitive Heritage Auction on 2/28/2018: translation, in case anyone needs one, like a fool I paid too much. In fact, if there is ever another 9.6 or, God forbid, a 9.8, I will be up the river without a paddle.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 92 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #92 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1039398002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #92 features another Thor/Loki cover. This Twin Cities copy is one of 5 highest graded examples as of 3/2020 and was purchased in the March 2020 CL Auction, along with the Twin Cities copies of Issues #90 and #93. In each case, the books came from the Federal Hill Collection.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 93 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #93 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0914708015
|
Owner Comments
Thor becomes the slave of the Radio-Active Man (Chen Lu), whose origin and first appearance are featured in Issue #93. This is another Twin Cities Pedigree and is tied with 4 other 9.6s as the highest graded copy as of 3/2020. Once again, it hails from the Federal Hill Collection and was acquired in the March 2020 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 94 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #94 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0631964004
|
Owner Comments
Another cool Thor Loki cover and 1 of two highest graded. This comic was originally part of the Doug Schmell Collection, which means it was the best copy of this issue he could find. I was not the buyer back in July 2012, but acquired it two years later In the 6/14/2014 CL Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 95 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #95 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1295222012
|
Owner Comments
I love this cover with the battling Thors, but this issue has long been a problem for me. Some years back I paid a princely sum to acquire the Bethlehem copy, which was a CBCS 9.6. It looked good, but when I submitted it to CGC to transition I was told it was a 9.2/9.4, so I left it in the CBCS cover and sold it as is. I have not seen any 9.6s since then, but did pick up this 9.4 in the Heritage auction of 2/22/2018. The book comes from the Simi Valley Collection and, while I do not love the page quality, it will have to do for now. It is one of four 9.4s with two 9.6s and a lone 9.8 topping the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 96 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #96 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0702254003
|
Owner Comments
Issue #96 features Thor facing off with Merlin and cameos by John F. Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, shortly before his assassination later that year. High grade copies of this one are fairly common, with our 9.6 tied with nine others for second highest graded trailing a pair of 9.8s. Oh well, at least our 9.6 is the Mass. Copy. We acquired the book in the Pedigree Comics auction of 6/10/2011.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 97 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery #97 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1039364004
|
Owner Comments
Thor battles the Lava Man in another cool cover. If you examine the cover closely, it appears that both Thor and the Lava Man are giants, relative to the size of the puny humans below. This is an easy book to find in 9.4, but I have never seen either of the two 9.6s or two 9.8, which top the census. We acquired our 9.4 from the 12/14/2011 Pedigree Comics Auction.
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