| Slot: |
Action Comics |
| Item Description: |
Action Comics 574 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
“May the Best World Win!"
Cover Date: December, 1985
Craig Boldman story
Kurt Schaffenberger & Dave Hunt art
Eduardo Barreto cover
Purchased Raw: 03/02/2023 - $5.00
Grade Date: 06/05/2023
1 of 4 in 9.8 grade when certified.
Purchased from my local comic shop, Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO. There are actually some gem covers from the mid 80s in the Action Comics run and 574 is one of them. Cover artists Eduardo Barreto contributed a lot a great covers during this era.
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| Slot: |
Action Comics |
| Item Description: |
Action Comics 575 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
“The Great Brain Robbery!"
Cover Date: January, 1986
Joey Cavalieri story
Kurt Schaffenberger & Dave Hunt art
Eduardo Barreto cover
Purchased Raw: 03/02/2023
Grade Date: 06/05/2023
1 of 3 in 9.8 grade after certification.
I purchased this issue at my local comic shop, Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO. I scooped this terrific Eduardo Barreto cover up with cover 574 and a few other issues from 1985-6. The first weekend of each month my LCS has a sale, buy one back issue, get one of equal value free, these are the $1 to $5 books, so I got 575 free. I sent this in with issue 574 and got the 9.8 on both, not bad at all.
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| Slot: |
Action Comics Weekly |
| Item Description: |
Action Comics 627 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Shipped: November 22, 1988
James Owsley, Roger Stern &
Marv Wolfman stories, Curt Swan,
Frank Springer & Mark Bright art
Gil Kane cover.
Green Lantern, Superman, Nightwing,
Speedy & Black Canary stories.
Purchased Raw: 10/24/2021 - $1.00
Grade Date: 06/05/2023
1 of 2 in 9.8 after certification.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Green Lantern: "And Now... Captain Atom"
Secret Six: "A Bird in the Hand"
Black Canary: "Knock 'Em Dead Part 4"
Superman: "Panic in the Sands!"
Nightwing & Speedy: "Rocks and Hard Places: Chapter One: Travels"
Nightwing & Speedy: "Rocks and Hard Places: Chapter Two: Distractions"
I pulled this issues from a dollar bin at my local comic shop, Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO. I love the orange background, and I really dig Nightwing’s disco outfit. This is also the first example from Action Comics Weekly that I have submitted to CGC.
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| Slot: |
Doomsday Teaser |
| Item Description: |
Superman 73 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
"Time Ryders!"
Cover Date: November, 1992
Dan Jurgens story
Dan Jurgens & Brett Breeding cover & art
Doomsday cameo on last page.
Purchased Raw: 10/16/2021 - $3.00
Grade Date: 03/23/2023
This gorgeous book was a self submission. I already had this issue in 9.8 grade, that I purchased in 2019 for a $125. When I found this particular copy at my LCS, Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO for only $3.00 I scooped it up right away. Some would say it’s a waste of money to submit books you already have graded, especially when you factor in shipping and pressing, but this is a special book, and I enjoy the process. This example became only the 14th 9.8 in the CGC census for this issue. That’s not to imply that this book is very rare, but only 14 9.8 examples from 2001 to 2023 for a popular title is not a lot. I’m sure there will be more 9.8 examples added as the years go on but Superman #73 as of this writing has the lowest number of 9.8s in the census compared to the other three Doomsday teaser issues. I was also able to sell my previous 9.8 of this issue right away on eBay for a nice profit not long after adding this piece to my set.
“Somewhere else...
…Doomsday is coming!”
Story continued in Adventures of Superman #496 (11/92).
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| Slot: |
Knightfall |
| Item Description: |
Batman 489 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
“Killer's Bane"
Cover Date: February, 1993
Doug Moench story
Jim Aparo art
Travis Charest cover
Killer Croc & Bane appearance.
Azrael as Batman.
Purchased Raw: 11/06/2021
Grade Date: 03/08/2023
At my local comic shop, Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO, the first weekend of each month the back issues priced at $1.00, $2.00 and $5.00 are buy one get one free. Not only did I get this book for free, I had a grading credit with CGC from the 2021 Registry Awards for Best Set Presentation for my Action Comics (Complete) registry set, I only had to pay for shipping and pressing to get this book to a 9.8, and that ain’t bad!
This is a great early Bane appearance (second), I also enjoy the cover art, Killer Croc never looked so weak. I previously had another 9.8 example of this issue, it’s good to have another 9.8 example back in my collection, and even better that this one was a self submission.
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| Slot: |
Knightfall |
| Item Description: |
Batman 496 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Knightfall Part 9: “Die Laughing"
Cover Date: Early July, 1993
Doug Moench story
Jim Aparo & Joe Rubinstein art
Kelley Jones cover
Joker & Scarecrow appearance.
Purchased Raw: 06/24/2017 - $6.00
Grade Date: 03/08/2023
I purchased this book raw at Aamazing Fantasy Comics in Littleton, CO. This is my favorite Knightfall cover, I first found a copy in a dollar bin in 1994 or 1995, which I still have. That issue was a gateway to “A Death in the Family” (1988) and many other Batman storylines.
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| Slot: |
Knightfall |
| Item Description: |
Batman 499 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Knightfall Part 17: “The Venom Connection"
Cover Date: September, 1993
Doug Moench story
Jim Aparo & Scott Hanna art
Kelley Jones cover
Bane appearance.
Purchased Raw: 06/24/2017 -$5.00
Grade Date: 03/08/2023
Purchased at Aamazing Fantasy Comics in Littleton. I sent this book to CGC not long after I purchased it, it came back in 9.6 grade. In 2023 I sent it to CCS for pressing, getting the desired 9.8. Needles to say, I’m very happy with the outcome. A beautiful cover for a beautiful book.
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| Slot: |
Knightfall |
| Item Description: |
Detective Comics 664 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Knightfall Part 12: “Who Rules the Night”
Cover Date: July, 1993
Chuck Dixon story
Graham Nolan & Scott Hanna art
Kelley Jones cover
Joker & Bane appearance.
Purchased Raw: 10/07/2022 - $2.85
Grade Date: 01/04/2023
I purchased this book at the Mile High Comics Mega Store in Denver, CO. The book looked really good but needed a slight press. I’m really happy with this book, the spine and corners are flawless - if only I could be so lucky on the other Knightfall books.
I had to drop my sister off at Denver International Airport (an hour car ride), I decided to go comic hunting in the area and visit the Mile High Mega store for the first time in seven years. I also checked out another comic shop on the way home, Aamazing Fantasy Comics, where I found the Death of Superman TPB (1993), that I also sent to CGC (unpressed) and got a 9.8 - I love the hunt.
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| Slot: |
Doomsday! |
| Item Description: |
Adventures of Superman 497 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
"Under Fire"
Cover Date: December, 1992
Jerry Ordway story
Tom Grummett & Doug Hazlewood cover and art
Justice League America & Doomsday appearance.
Purchased: 03/13/2022
Grade Date: 01/04/2023
I purchased this book raw for $5.00 at Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO. I had another 9.8 example of this issue, purchased on 05/04/2014 for $45.00, there was nothing wrong with it, I just happened to find a nice raw copy at my LCS. I can’t help it when I see beautiful raw copies of these Death and Return of Superman books in the wild, I’ll scoop them up, even if I already have them in CGC 9.8. I also enjoy sending books in for grading, my self submissions carry nice memories of hunting.
Story continued in Action Comics #684 (12/92).
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| Slot: |
Dracula |
| Item Description: |
Bram Stoker's Dracula 1-4 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Mike Mignola cover
Diamond Comic Distributors exclusive.
Collects Bram Stoker's Dracula #1-4
Trading card insert.
Purchased Raw: 11/19/2021 - $45
Grade Date: 9/19/2022
The inside back cover indicia says BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA VOL. 1 NO. 1-4, copyright 1992. Inside front cover also has an introduction from the Previews staff.
This book was distributed shrink-wrapped with a set of the trading cards, the same cards also included separately with Bram Stoker’s Dracula #’s 1-4. This book is actually the four issues bound together in trade paperback format, with a trading card promo sheet inserted between the front cover and first issue. The book was still sealed when I purchased it off eBay, it was fun to carefully remove the shrink wrap and set the cards aside.
I sent this book to Classic Collectible Services (CCS) before grading, the book corners were curled from being sealed for close to 30 years, the trading cards also left several imprints on the front cover. I’m actually pleased with the grade, I was hoping for a 9.8 but due to the distribution method I knew that grade would be difficult to obtain. There is still a slight impression on the front cover from one of the trading cards, only noticeable when held at an angle.
This is the first example of this book to be graded by CGC, it was not the CCG database, so I submitted it as Bram Stoker’s Dracula TPB, Previews Edition variant. The book was first labeled Bram Stoker’s Dracula #1, after a Mechanical Error review CGC corrected the label to match the back cover indicia.
I still do not know much about this book, the only information I could find about it was on mycomicshop.com. I would love to know how many of these were made and if they were sent to retailers or if this was a give away. If you have any additional information on this please send me a message.
Update: 12/11/22
The story on this book has a new chapter, in December, 2022, I received a rejection notice from CCS. I thought this was a mistake at first but CCS was actually several months behind on their emails. CCS could not press this book because of the trading card insert, as pressing could have potentially damaged this book.
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| Slot: |
The Death of Superman |
| Item Description: |
The Death of Superman nn Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Indicia Date: 1993
Jon Bogdanove & Dennis Janke cover
Trade paperback collecting the
"Death of Superman" storyline.
Purchased Raw: 10/7/2022 -$13
Grade Date: 11/10/2022 (Unpressed)
I purchased this book at Aamazing Fantasy Comics in Littleton, CO. It had been in the back of my mind to go after this book in 9.8 for a few years but I wasn’t aggressively searching for graded examples online. I scooped this book up out of a long box because the front cover looked good. When I got home and examined the the book outside of the polybag I knew I hit the jackpot. I gave it a day, examined the book again and determined it looked like a solid 9.8, no pressing needed.
Spending Itemization:
Raw Purchase: $13
USPS Shipping (Sending to CGC): $14.45
Grading Fee: $24
CGC Invoice Fee: $5
Shipping: $20
Total: $76.45
Money well spent!
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| Slot: |
Emerald Twilight |
| Item Description: |
Green Lantern v3 #50 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Emerald Twilight Part Three: “The Future"
Cover Date: March, 1994
Ron Marz story
Darryl Banks & Romeo Tanghal cover & art
1st appearance of Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern.
"Death" of Kilowog, Sinestro & Oa.
Glow-in-the-dark cover.
Grade Date: 10/10/2022
I found this book raw at a small show in Colorado Springs, CO sometime in the mid 2010s, the book was maybe $3 or $4. I knew the book had 9.8 potential, I put it in Mylar and stored it in my box of special high grad books for several years. Not long after I purchased Green Lantern #v3 #49 in CGC 9.8 in mid 2022, I pulled this book for grading, skipping the pressing, I was that confident - I don’t know if this issue can be pressed without damaging the glow in the dark cover. This piece was my first Green Lantern self submission.
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| Slot: |
Supergirl |
| Item Description: |
Action Comics 677 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
"In Love and War!"
Cover Date: May, 1992
Roger Stern story
Jackson Guice & Denis Rodier art
Art Thibert cover
Supergirl appearance.
Purchased Raw: 08/14/2022 - $3.00
Grade Date: 10/10/2022 (Unpressed)
I purchased this book raw from my local comic shop, Escape Velocity Comics in Colorado Springs, CO.
I previously had another CGC 9.8 example of this issue but I decided to sell it in 2021 to raise some funds for other endeavors. A little over a year later I found another copy, which I purchased to add to my reader collection. When I went to place my new copy in a fresh bag and board I found that it was a solid 9.8. I still had a grading credit from my 2021 Best Set Presentation for Action Comics (Complete) and since it didn’t need a press I decided to send it in for grading, now this issue is back in my registry set. The cover may be so so but the book itself is gorgeous inside a pristine holder. This book serves as a reminder to me that sometimes things balance out, I also have Forest Gump luck with some books.
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| Slot: |
The Life and Death of the Man of Steel |
| Item Description: |
Newstime nn Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Cover Date: May, 1993
Roger Stern text story
Denis Rodier cover
Special "Life and Death of Superman" issue.
Purchased: 10/12/2021
Grade Date: 09/15/2022 - 1 of 4 in Universal 9.8 after grading.
I purchased five copies of this special for $4 each online from Mile High Comics, I picked the best two examples and sent them to Classic Collectible Services® (CCS®) in November, 2021 for treatment. Ten months later both copies were graded 9.8 by CGC. For the longest time there were only 2 copies in 9.8 grade in the CGC census. I had been on the lookout over the years for a 9.8 example, it was well worth the wait for CCS to be able to add this book to my set. Special thanks to Iconic1s for getting this book added to the registry, if not for him this book would remain forgotten. Speaking of Iconic1s, he already had a 9.8 copy, when he expressed interest in buying my second 9.8 copy I let him know I had no interest in selling, I was more interested in gifting it to him. He’s hooked me up with some special pieces, giving him my extra 9.8 copy of this book was the least I could do.
This standalone issue is a unique and creative addition to the Death and Return of Superman storyline. Released between FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND and REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN, this issue simulates the Newstime magazine featured in the continuity of the Superman comics of the era. There are many references to the DC Universe included in the various articles along with quotes from the likes of Bruce Wayne regarding Superman’s legacy. There are even quotes from real world reporters and celebrities like Dan Rather, William Shatner and John Goodman. If you look closely at the address label on the bottom right corner you’ll see a familiar name.
Finding and sending this book in for a grading was a rewarding experience. This magazine was in the back of my mind for several months as I waited for CCS to get to my invoice and complete the work needed to make this book a strong 9.8 candidate. There does not seem to be much of a demand for this book even in raw form, I’m beyond thrilled to have this piece in my registry set.
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| Slot: |
Bane |
| Item Description: |
Batman: Vengeance of Bane Special 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Research: |
View Comic |
Owner Comments
Chuck Dixon story
Graham Nolan & Eduardo Barreto art
Glenn Fabry cover
Origin & 1st appearance of Bane.
Purchased Raw: 10/24/21
Grade Date: 9/19/2022
Fortune smiled on me when I found this book raw at my local comic shop, Escape Velocity Comics, in Colorado Springs, CO for only $4.00. The book wasn’t even on the wall, I found it tucked away in the back issues. The book was very clean but had several non color breaking finger bends on the back, a wavy cover and what looked like a small vein on the spine edge. I figured the book to be in the very fine to near mint range. I thought with a press the book could get a 9.4 or possibly a 9.6. Later on when I put together a submission for pressing and grading, I decided to include this book, since I had gotten it so cheap. I also had grading credit from the 2021 Best Presentation award for my Action Comics (Complete) registry set, I only had pay for shipping and pressing. I was floored when I found out this book was graded 9.8, I also submitted a copy of Superman: The Man of Steel #18, the first full appearance of Doomsday, with this book. I get to say that I submitted 9.8s for the first appearances of the two biggest comic book villains of my childhood and both books were found at my local comic shop.
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