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| Walking Dead #1
9/89
Before there was The Walking Dead... There was The Walking Dead? |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1
Aircel Comics 9/89
Jim Somerville story, cover & art
BEFORE THERE WAS WALKING DEAD...THERE WAS...Walking Dead?
*You cant try and stack up the biggest pile of Walking Dead #1 books without getting the OG Walking Dead #1- this book does not exist in the Image Comics universe- but it is in fact, a Walking Dead #1-
This slab had a scratched case- so i sent it in to re-holder.--(Was i given the option to add a "Walking Dead" label to this book because it shares a name with a similar comic? -Yes I Was- -Did I do it to keep continuity?--Yes I did--)(Is that totally obnoxious?--Probably--) There will be elaboration on this book once i get it back in its fresh new case- for now we have what i find to be very interesting information about this particular book (I have my reasons of course...)
--CGC would not add the Walking Dead label- i guess it was pretty obnoxious to make such a request)
About the publisher: (straight from wiki)
"Aircel was originally a manufacturer of foam insulation. When the government discontinued its contract with the company, employee Barry Blair convinced the owner to shift the company's focus to comic book publishing, which was experiencing a boom] Blair ran the publishing operations, and Aircel's initial talent line-up included him, Dave Cooper, Patrick McEown, and Guang Yap.
Aircel released its first books in 1985: Samurai, Dragonring, and Elflord, all of which featured line art in a style borrowed from manga, which was fairly new to the North American market] In 1986, illustrator Denis Beauvais and writer Gordon Derry collaborated with Blair to create Warlock 5, which featured realistic mixed-media and airbrushing techniques. The Maelstrom series was released shortly thereafter.
In the late 1980s, the independent comics market contracted, hurting niche publishers such as Aircel. Blair struck a deal with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg of Malibu Comics in which the larger publisher would be "lent" Aircel to publish a number of titles, in return for financial assistance. This resulted in a de facto merger with the Malibu imprint Eternity Comics.New illustrators assumed responsibility for continuing some of the existing series (e.g. Elford vol. 2, Warlock 5 vol. 2), which led to ownership disputes over some of these titles. Ultimately, Aircel terminated most of its previous titles and pursued erotic-themed comics with Malibu.
In 1990, Aircel published the series The Men in Black, by Lowell Cunningham and Sandy Carruthers. In 1992 the series was optioned by producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, who developed the idea into the film Men In Black, which became the basis for a film and TV franchise.
In 1991, Aircel's debts were paid off, and Blair quit Aircel, formally handing the company over to Malibu.Aircel ceased publishing in 1994, when Malibu was purchased by Marvel Comics."
About This Comic: (This is from AtomicAvenue.com)
"Jim Somerville created, wrote, and illustrated The Walking Dead, a black-and-white horror comic from Aircel. The Walking Dead shares the same premise as the movie, Night of The Living Dead. In each issue, a group of humans continually fight a horde of undead monsters who are out to take over the world. Meanwhile, the U.S. president is trying to bring his undead wife back to the true life. Graphic violence runs rampant in this four-issue series, which was released in 1989."
Foam Insulation to Comic Books?
Hmmmm...
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| Walking Dead #1
10/03
MATURE READERS in
black ink |
Walking Dead 1 Signature
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9.6
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Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 10/03
1st appearance of Rick Grimes,
Shane Walsh, Morgan & Duane Jones.
Robert Kirkman story
Tony Moore cover & art
SIGNED & SKETCH BY CYRUS RAFTERY ON 7/3/19
*You cant really have a Walking Dead #1 set filled with issue number one comics without having an actual first edition.
This particular number one copy has been turned into a tribute of sorts to the comic itself- and there are several easter-eggs sketched on this copy to celebrate the fantastic ride that the Walking Dead has taken us on.
•The signature date is 7/3/19- the day #193, the last issue of the series, was released
Thank You Rob, Tony, Charlie, Stefano, Image/Skybound- You somehow took an over saturated horror staple like zombies and turned it into an intriguing story that was hard to put down. This book is grounded in reality- so the character deaths are real- there is no coming back- and no one is ever safe from the Walking Dead-- And while I was on nurse duty tending my wife's' wounds from a near fatal car crash- I started at issue number one of this comic tale- and then number 2, then 3- and then I had a stack- and then I decided to grade them with the CGC- not for high grades, or resale, but to preserve the copies of the comic that helped get me through the days of sitting next to a hospital bed. The Walking Dead books I graded eventually turned into an award winning graded comic set- That set was eventually sold off to fund my sketch cover addiction- but I decided to keep ALL the #1 reprints- and even deepen the pile with international covers, and #1 homages. The existence of this comic changed my life- I sometimes wonder why getting dissolved into a world of horror and gloom, murder and pain seems like an escape.
Forever grateful-
-Mr Walking Dead
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| Image First:
Walking Dead #1
3/10 |
Image Firsts: Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Image Firsts: Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 3/10
Reprints Walking Dead #1
FCBD 2010 ad on back cover.
Tony Moore cover
$1.00 Reprint
*The first of the dollar reprint books- the first few have the black bar across the bottom- the only way to distinguish which of this prints is which is either by the black bar or the back cover-- and I hate to say it-- but there are a few of these out there graded wrong- wrong date on wrong book- I made sure to have an honest set- all of mine are correct (so far)(geezus murphy how many of these dollar reprints do they need to make?)
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| Image First:
Walking Dead #1
9/10 |
Image Firsts: Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.6
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Image Firsts: Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 9/10
Reprints Walking Dead #1.
12 page bonus section featuring color images from AMC television series.
Tony Moore cover
$1.00 Reprint
FINALLY! I found a REAL copy!-- It seems that this comic has been mislabeled several times- the difference between the 3/10 and the 9/10 is the back page- I've seen more than one of these graded as the 9/10 copy- only to have the "Free Comic Book Day" ad on the back- which is WRONG! - it feels good to be legit now! and to go from an incorrect 8.5 to a real 9.6 its like a warm bath in a tub on a beach watching the ocean, and the unicorns are dancing on the white caps....
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| Walking Dead #1
Argentinian Edition
11/10 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1
Ovni Press 11/10
Argentinian Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1-2 in Spanish.
Robert Kirkman story
Tony Moore cover & art.
*This is the first printing of this particular book- which would go on to get 4 printings total-- I think having one of the four printings is enough to represent Argentina in this glorious set- but I do have 3 of the 4 printings- and though I am not concerned with tracking down the third print that I don't currently own- if you see one- let me know...
*UPDATE 6/1/2020-
I have just submitted the 3rd print of this book to the CGC to grade- which concludes the hunt for the 4 ungraded Argentinian prints of this book. Three of these I purchased direct from Argentina, and one of them from....Maryland. This was a fun challenge, an the randomness of getting hold of the third print was pretty random. I was even able to help Pietro with one of these- he lacked the 4th print- I just happened to buy 2- one went to the graders- the other to Italy. If there was a "who helped who more even though its not a competition" score- it would be CY 1, PIETRO 30 (scoreboard names are always are in all-caps)
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| *Walking Dead #1 & #2
Swedish GameStop Edition
2011 |
Walking Dead 1 & 2 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1 & 2
Apart Forlag 2011
Swedish Edition/GameStop Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 & 2
in Swedish.
(These books were included with the purchase of the Dead Island video game if you happened to get one in Sweden)
The GameStop covers are some of my favorites
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| *Walking Dead #1 & #2
Norwegian GameStop Edition
2011
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 & 2 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1 & 2
Apart Forlag 2011
Norwegian Edition/GameStop Edition
(Lets repeat that- because I am real excited to have these books in this set- Norwegian, GameStop, Edition)
FIRST ONE GRADED
ONLY ONE GRADED
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| Walking Dead Weekly #1
1/11 |
Walking Dead Weekly 1 Modern
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9.6
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Walking Dead Weekly #1
Image Comics 1/11
Reprints Walking Dead #1
Tony Moore cover
*This is not a copy I sent in raw-- I bought a CBS 9.8 copy and sent it to CGC for the crossover grade- and of course it graded less. Before I shipped it I debated cracking open the case and subbing it without a grade in hopes to keep the 9.8- I was on a roll of good grades- and then my high grades plummeted- I probably could have scored this book 100 times a few years ago- when I finally want one the market is limited and available copies are in bad shape.
These Weekly books were re-releases of the story up to 2011- Rapid fire issues were distributed to get the tv show fans caught up to speed. Things were blowing up for the Walking Dead-
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| *Walking Dead Weekly #1
Amazing Arizona Edition
SIGNED BY ROBERT KIRKMAN, JON BERNTHAL & STEVEN YEUN
1/11 |
Walking Dead Weekly 1 Signature
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9.8
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Walking Dead Weekly #1
Image Comics 1/11
Arizona Comic Convention 2011 exclusive
Reprints Walking Dead #1
Charlie Adlard cover
SIGNED BY ROBERT KIRKMAN, JON BERNTHAL & STEVEN YEUN ON 1/8/11
*This is another #1 Reprint that caught me by surprise- there were 3 or 4 of these books available to purchase online- so I picked the lowest priced graded copy I could find and threw a decent offer to the seller- I honestly did not pay any attention to the signatures- I was more concerned with "Reprints Walking Dead #1" being in the notes. I noticed Mr. Kirkman's name, and I saw that the "then-still-alive-in-the-show" Mr. Yuen also signed the book- and looking at the date of 1/8/11 id say this book was signed at the convention where it was made available in Arizona- The last signature is the one I didn't realy know- but once I did it blew my mind- I know he has done a lot things besides being Shane Walsh; JON BERNTHAL was in "Wolf of Wall Street" which I think is way cooler than being The Punisher- Jon has come a long way from starring in a silly zombie T.V. show-
I don't cherish signatures- sometimes they are a curse- sometimes they are a bonus- the 3 signatures on this cover are ALL sweet bonuses on a book that was limited to 1000- Another exotic edition to add to this amazing comic book set.-- (My raw books from CROATIA are sitting in a box behind me ready to be opened-- I spent $1500 for the entire set- All I wanted was issue #1- now I have them all-- My supremacy in the Serbian Walking Dead world will be unmatched once they are all graded- I have 17 different #1 books at the CGC at this moment as well- I cant afford any of this- I should be saving money for my future--I guess I just don't give a rats-ass about the future-)
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| Image First: Walking Dead #1
SIGNED BY ROBERT KIRKMAN
4/11 |
Image Firsts: Walking Dead 1 Signature
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9.8
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Image Firsts: Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 4/11
"Image First" ad on back cover.
Tony Moore cover
$1.00 Reprint
SIGNED BY ROBERT KIRKMAN ON 7/14/12
*This comic came shipped in a real nice bag- I normally change all the bags when I get new comics- but this time, this one time- I'm keeping the bag....im keeping the bag...so - that means there's a possibility that this book may never come out of this bag; and that human hands might never lay their greasy prints on this sheathed plastic obsession? Maybe I'll touch it just once...just once...
(*UPDATE- I touched it)
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| Walking Dead #1
Argentinian Edition
2nd Printing
4/11 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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7.0
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Walking Dead #1
Ovni Press 4/11
Argentinian Edition/Second Printing
Reprints Walking Dead #1-2 in Spanish
Robert Kirkman story
Tony Moore cover & art
*I bought this copy from someone in Argentina- it is in horrible shape- but its a direct copy from the country of origin. Wouldn't you know after I get this 7.0 back in my stack- a graded 9.6 pops up for sale- and its in Australia- I think I will keep my authentic copy- the only thing I'm really sad about is that I didn't know this was a second print- which means I have to try and locate a first print-(from Argentina)
*Purchased "raw" direct from Argentina
(Geezus Murphy there are 4 prints of this bastard)
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| *Walking Dead #1
German Edition
2012 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 2012
German Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in German.
(German/Free Comic Book Day Edition)
(I cant believe this graded 9.8--but I'll take it!)
*Purchased "raw" direct from Germany
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| *Walking Dead #1
Argentinian Edition
3rd Printing
2012 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Ovni Press 2012
Argentinian Edition/Third Printing
Reprints Walking Dead #1-2 in Spanish.
--And thus the quest has ended for Argentinian completion. I acquired 3 of the 4 direct from Argentina, and this lovely raw copy came all the way from....Maryland? A random search on a random night lead me to this beauty- now all 4 prints are together at last.
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| *Walking Dead #1 & #2
Swedish Edition
2012
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 & 2 Modern
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9.2
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Walking Dead #1 & #2
Comics Nordic 2012
Norwegian Edition
(This is actually the Swedish Edition)
*This one is tricky- its a Nordic press but it is in fact the Swedish edition...and I honestly feel really horrible about this- but there is a 99.7% chance that I subbed this fabulous book knowing this was a Swedish copy- because my actual Norwegian copy is graded as the Swedish edition- so maybe I thought that when I get all these books graded- I will send them back in and get them corrected- or maybe not- Regardless of labels- this set does contain both the Norwegian and Swedish Editions. (I honestly know 100% this was a Swedish copy because I obtained it from Sweden from a Swedish person)--(OR) (Pietro and I and the Swedish person are all wrong....which is a 99.7% possibility)
(either way)
FIRST ONE GRADED!
ONLY COPY GRADED
Äntligen på svenska = Finally in Swedish
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| *Walking Dead #1
Chilean Edition
2012 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Ovni Press 2012
Chilean Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1-3 in Spanish
*Purchased direct from Chile (the hottest place on earth- (wakka-wakka-wakka!)
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| *Walking Dead #1 & #2
Norwegian Edition
2012 |
Walking Dead 1 & 2 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1 & 2
Apart Forlag 2012
Swedish Edition
(or is it?)
This issue is actually the Norwegian Edition- and not the Swedish Edition-
There are no the other copies graded- and there are no competitive sets for Norway or Sweden so this is tough to verify-
I would get CGC involved- but I don't feel like sending this book back and re-processing it through the grading time-line again. So for now- it'll be our little secret...
("They're Norwegians Mac; Not Swedes")- looks like Kurt Russell might have graded this book-
(-that was a "The Thing" movie reference in case you're wondering)(and it was pretty damn genius)
*UPDATE -I did get a correct ungraded Swedish copy from Sweden-- THIS IS NOT THE SWEDISH EDITION--This is a CGC ERROR- This reprint is definitely the NORWEIGIAN Reprint- Which is a really good thing- because the Swedish copy was not too hard to get- but a Norway cover is a whole other situation- This fabulous copy was hunted down and sent my way from the best European comic collector out there- (prove me wrong)- This is another book I didn't know existed until Pietro schooled me yet again- (looks like Pietro is schooling the CGC too---RAY!) (-that was a "Trailer Park Boys" reference in case you're wondering)(and it was pretty damn genius as well)
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| Walking Dead #1
Peruvian Edition
3/12 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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8.0
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Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 3/12
Peruvian Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Spanish.
Robert Kirkman story
Tony Moore cover & art
*I ordered this book from Peru- it came wrapped in plastic- I'm pretty sure I ruined it while I was trying to gently get it out of the shrink wrap. I'm on a low-grade international run right now- I can upgrade on eBay- but I'm trying to stay the course and get all my international variants from somewhere in that country- right now I'm 100% legit on my internationals- id rather take the authenticity over the grade (8.0 is fine)
*Purchased "raw" direct from Peru
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| *Walking Dead #1
Argentinian Edition
4th Printing
6/12
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.2
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Walking Dead #1
Ovni Press 6/12
Argentinian Edition/Fourth Printing
Reprints Walking Dead #1-2 in Spanish.
(I could not add this book to my set 5 minutes ago- I tried to add my German book that wasn't working either- and it lit up in the registry- so then I tried to add this book again- and it worked--- so that means the Wizards at the CGC were updating these books in the registry at the same time I was thousands of miles away trying to add them to this fabulous set- this happened at 6:58 eastern time 11/11/19- call CGC if you doubt my tale)
FIRST ONE GRADED
ONLY COPY GRADED
(There is a 4th print of THIS book-- ???)
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| Spawn #233
Walking Dead #1
cover homage
9/12 |
Spawn 223 Modern
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9.8
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Spawn #223
Image Comics 9/12
Walking Dead #1 cover homage.
Todd McFarlane story & cover
Szymon Kudranski art
*Todd McFarlane is a pretty A-list dude- so I wonder if Tony felt honored to have such a big star like Todd spoof his cover. Todd crushed this homage and snuck a ton of Spawn goodies into the cover- the color is a perfect match to the original source material. I made sure to add the Zombie label to this slab to help tie the Spawn book into this sea of walkers- there is black and white variant and a La Mole comic con version of this book Available- but this copy is all I need.
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| Walking Dead #1
Brazil Edition
10/12 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 10/12
Brazilian Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Portuguese.
*This is copy #1 that I ordered from Brazil- I ordered this copy in October 2019- the tracking number provided went nowhere- I gave up on this book after 3 months being lost in the mail. I ordered copy #2 from the same place in Brazil and it showed up in 13 days. This copy eventually showed up in January 2020. Since I had 2 copies i figured I'd grade them both and plug the higher graded copy into this set- they both graded the same- so i am just going to add them both. (Brazil is pretty hot)
(The 2 highest graded copies on the census are 9.4....i have them both)
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| Walking Dead #1
Brazil Edition
10/12 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 10/12
Brazilian Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Portuguese.
*This is copy #2 that I ordered from Brazil-
(The back cover ad is amazing- I loved playing "Lollipop Chainsaw"- great game- real true-to-life stuff)
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| Walking Dead #103
#1 Cover Swipe
Chris Giarrusso
10/12 |
Walking Dead 103 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #103
Image Comics 10/12
Walking Dead #1 cover swipe
Robert Kirkman story
Charlie Adlard art
Chris Giarrusso cover
Chris Giarrusso takes a crack at the almighty #1- I'm pretty sure that's one of the little dorky kids from Family Circus trying to act like Rick...."Hey kid!- You aint Rick....little shit...
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| *Walking Dead #1
Italian Convention Edition
10/12
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Salda Press 10/12
Italian Edition/Convention Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1-4 in Italian.
Lucca Comics & Games 2012 exclusive.
Photo cover.
FIRST ONE GRADED
*Purchased "raw" direct from Italy
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| *Walking Dead #1
11-12/12
Italian Edition |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.0
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Walking Dead #1
Salda Press 11-12/12
Italian Edition
Reprints Walking dead #1-4 in Italian
Tony Moore cover
(First print of Three)
(*Ya I know its issues one through four- but its still the Tony Moore issue number one cover- just hit with a shrink-ray)
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| *Walking Dead #1
11-12/12
Italian Edition
Verona Variant
738/1,000 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.6
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Walking Dead #1
Salda Press 11-12/12
Verona Variant
Manufactured with "738/1000" printed on back cover.
Reprints Walking dead #1-4 in Italian.
Tony Moore cover
*This book is a special variant printed for the Verona Zombie-Walk in Italy which took place on June 23rd, 2013.
-Purchased "raw" from Italy (Verona Italy! FTW!)
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| *Walking Dead #1
Italian Edition
2nd Print
11/12 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.4
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Walking Dead #1
Salda Press 11/12
Italian Edition/Second Printing
Reprints Walking Dead #1-4 in Italian.
Some copies distributed with sticker
on back cover.
Tony Moore cover
*I had no idea what the hell this was- it was being sold as a Walking Dead #1- everything else was in Italian- so "Reprints Walking Dead #1" is still on the label...(followed by -4 in Italian- but no one has to know) Another international book claimed direct from Italy- there are quite a few Italian books- and I'm not sure which are #1, #1-#2- #1-#4-- I keep buying these variants while I'm hunting for the real Italian #1- limited to 3000- numbered cover- that's the one I need to get- as soon as I do ill stop getting these funky variants.
*Purchased "raw" direct from Italy
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| Image First: Walking Dead #1
12/12 |
Image Firsts: Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Image Firsts: Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 12/12
Reprints Walking Dead #1
"The End Times of Bram and Ben" ad on back cover.
Tony Moore cover
$1.00 Reprint
This was the last reprint before the Wizard World deal went down- and the reprint facet opened up full blast!
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| Walking Dead #106
#1 Cover Homage
Charlie Adlard
1/13 |
Walking Dead 106 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #106
Image Comics 1/13
"Infinity & Beyond" exclusive. Walking Dead #1 cover homage.
Robert Kirkman story
Charlie Adlard cover & art
Charlie Adlard recreates issue number one with his likeness and his likes on the cover- that better not be one of those dumb Hyundai cars on the cover that comes with that stupid comic-
(I did nab a sketch by Charlie, and I nabbed that stupid comic that comes with one of those dumb cars-)
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| *Los Muertos Vivientes #1
Bad Land Games Spanish Edition
2013
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Los Muertos Vivientes 1 Modern
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8.0
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Los Muertos Vivientes #1
Editorial Planeta
Spanish Edition/Bad Land Games Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Spanish.
Included with copies of Telltale Games
"The Walking Dead".
Tony Moore Cover
FIRST ONE GRADED
ONLY ONE GRADED
*Grader Notes:
moderate bends to cover
(those are the actual grader notes from CGC- so for anyone who thinks you don't get grader notes-- there you go)
I don't normally argue with grades- for as many times I have come out on top of what I thought was a lower grade I feel as though I am even and my karma is good with the graders at the CGC-- HOWEVER-- this book is another story-- I paid big bucks for this copy- purchased direct from Spain- the pictures the seller provided looked good when I bought it- the book looked good in my hand when it safely arrived from thousands of miles away and it looked good when I switched the bag and board before I packed it-- it looked as good as the other books that I was subbing (9.8 city)- I figured at least a 9.4- which would have been great.. But 8.0--- Holy Shit-balls!-- Granted I could press it and it might help bump the grade up- but I might not see the comic for 5 or 6 years, and it could get damaged in the process- plus who has time for rational thought?--
I'll take this 8.0- This isn't a set devout to the highest grade- I just want to see if I can get ALL off the Walking Dead #1 covers together-- This is an extremely rare Walking Dead #1 reprint--one of the rarest-- This book only came with a specialty Walking Dead X-Box or PlayStation game console that could only be purchased at a specific game convention in Spain-- How Ba Dat!? It was this particular book that would determine if I would try and chase down all the international reprints. I have ALL of the US/North American copies- but tracking down some of these types of reprints has been a very educational and expensive adventure. So its an 8.0- could press up to a 9.0- either way its one more piece of history to add to this staggering collection.
*Purchased "raw" direct from Spain
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| Walking Dead #1
Wizard World Portland Edition
Michael Golden cover
2/13 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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The Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 2/13
Wizard World Portland 2013 exclusive. Reprints Walking Dead #1
Michael Golden cover
...And The Walking Dead would begin its reign of terror as the comic whos #1 issue would be used for the Wizard World Comic Conventions for the next 2 years-(that's A LOT of conventions- and A LOT of #1 reprints.
***Rick in cosplay as Zed from Pulp Fiction
--Before i started delving in the dark realm of sketch books- i knew nothing of Michael Golden- turns out he is a comic legend who has been doing iconic work in the business for quite sometime- it is absolutely fitting that he is the first artist to get a crack at the very first Walking Dead #1 Con variant
***Update 5/18/2019- I decided to take one of my crates of comics to work where we have a photography studio. Inside this crate is 60 plus Walking Dead #1 graded books that needed better pictures for my #1 reprint set - I have been wanting to do this ever since I started getting all my submissions "imaged" by the CGC- but I've been putting this chore off for sometime, I knew it would be a hard task to complete-- I stayed late after work on Saturday and took 264 pictures- the only reason I am noting this at all is that I did this deed while currently having 2 dislocated vertebrae at the bottom of my neck and several pinched nerves in my right shoulder. It was a pleasure/pain situation. It was great to view some of these amazing covers again after not seeing them since being safely hidden away- but taking these pictures, fixing and cropping them, and reloading them hurts like any Hell of the nine Hells. While I was taking the pictures I kept thinking of people in horrible situations in other countries where things aren't as good as where I live. I leaned into the hard truth that regardless of the pain I am constantly in- it is nothing compared to some of the poor souls out there who have bombs dropping on the house next door- no food, water, electricity, legs... I am gonna have to toughen up if I am ever gonna be as hard as Rick-
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| Walking Dead #1
Wizard World St. Louis Edition
Arthur Suydam cover
3/13 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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The Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 3/13
Wizard World St. Louis 2013 exclusive.
Reprints Walking Dead #1.
Arthur Suydam cover
*Father-Son Day at daddy-Ricks job
(We get off easy on the next few reprint releases- no sketch version to worry about)
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| *Walking Dead #109
4/13
#1 Sketch Homage
SIGNED AND SKETCH BY
GREG KIRKPATRICK 7/2/14 |
Walking Dead 109 Signature
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9.8
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Walking Dead #109
Image Comics 4/13
Partial blank cover
Robert Kirkman story
Charlie Adlard art
Walking Dead #1 Cover Recreation
(yes...that's a sketch)
SIGNED & SKETCH BY GREG KIRKPATRICK 7/2/13
MY 1ST SKETCH COVER EVER!
*Greg = Perfection.
This is the book the would open the flood-gates to my absolute obsession with original sketch covers. The perfection that Greg laid down is un-canny like an X-Man.
(I've come so close to getting a personal commission from Greg- maybe 2019 is the year it works out- He is a super nice guy)
(*UPDATE- Its 2019- and I got as close as getting a little sketch by Greg on a Rick and Morty book (who the hell is Rick & Morty?)
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| Walking Dead #109 4/13
#1 Sketch Homage
SIGNED AND SKETCH BY
GREG KIRKPATRICK 7/3/14 |
Walking Dead 109 Signature
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9.8
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Walking Dead #109
Image Comics 4/13
Partial blank cover
Robert Kirkman story
Charlie Adlard art
Walking Dead #1 Cover Recreation
SIGNED & SKETCH BY GREG KIRKPATRICK 7/3/14
*This is the second number one sketch-recreation by Mr Kirkpatrick to grace this collection. This cover features much more gore and amputated parts than the original design- and Rick trading in the shotgun for an ax and revolver is pretty brutal-(I really really really want to get this cover colored by Steve Lydic-not that it isn't already perfect the way it is)-
and speaking of Steve Lydic (& Jeff Edwards)- I received another graded beauty in the same pile of mile that this beast arrived in- and since there is no new Walking Dead #1 action happening (at least not until October) - I'll show it off here as well.
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| Walking Dead #1
Wizard World Philadelphia Edition
Julian Totino Tedesco cover
5/13 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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The Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 5/13
Wizard World Philadelphia 2013 exclusive.
Reprints Walking Dead #1
Julian Totino Tedesco cover
*Great cover- Rick has headed home to Kentucky- he stopped into Rowan county to make sure Kim Davis didn't make it....she didn't....Rick was glad.
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| Walking Dead #1
Wizard World New York Sketch Edition
Neal Adams cover
6/13 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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The Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 6/13
Wizard World New York 2013 exclusive.
Sketch cover.
Reprints Walking Dead #1.
Neal Adams cover
(ok so Neal was kind of a jerk when I met him)
(I went to his table at a con- I was getting my crate lid signed by Walking Dead cover artists- I had met and got signatures from about 5 artists before I made it to Neal's table- up to this point none of the artists I met had charged me for a signature- I was not expecting that and thought it was pretty awesome- so far all the artists I met were super cool and hyped to sign my lid- I get to Neal's empty table- and tell him what I have for him to sign- and i realized he might have taken this wrong- but while I was sharing my excitement of meeting him and the other artists at the event I also added how everyone had gladly signed my lid for free- I wasn't asking for a freebie- but he might have thought I was- because his first and only response after my compliments of his work and knowledge of his many Walking Dead covers were "I don't sign free, I sign for twenty dollars" I paid his handler twenty dollars cash- he signed my lid- and looked away over his customer-less display off into the crowd- ready to be rid of me--i walked away a little sad- but next stop was Mike Zeck- and Mike more than made up for Neal by being one of the coolest artist I ever talked shop with at a con- he also signed my lid for free)
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| Walking Dead #1
Wizard World Chicago Edition
Ethan Van Sciver cover
8/13 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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The Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 8/13
Wizard World Chicago 2013 Exclusive.
Reprints Walking Dead #1
Ethan Van Sciver cover
*Bo Jack 1st appearance
*I have been very fortunate to acquire a sketch by Ethan- he is pretty much a bad-ass
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| Walking Dead #1
Wizard World Ohio Edition
Mike Zeck cover
9/13 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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The Walking Dead #1
Image Comics 9/13
Wizard World Ohio 2013 exclusive.
Reprints Walking Dead #1
Mike Zeck cover
*Rick has never been drawn on a cover looking so pissed off. Cover artist Mike Zeck knew this would be the look Rick would have on his face while driving around in Ohio- the cover actually depicts Rick BEFORE the out-break- he's on the Kentucky border with his back turned to a car wreck over in Ohio. He put the wounded Ohio drivers out of their misery, and made the road a little safer for all of us.
**I met Mike Zeck- He is an awesome dude-
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| Fanboys vs. Zombies #18
Walking Dead #1 cover homage
9/13 |
Fanboys vs. Zombies 18 Modern
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9.6
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Fanboys vs. Zombies #18
Boom! Studios 9/13
Walking Dead #1 cover homage.
Shane Houghton story
Jerry Gaylord cover & art
*Im not sure what this comic is about- but the art looks great- and i swear I've seen the guy on this cover before- and im not a bully at all- nor do i condone being a bully- I have no violence inside of me, I hate bullies and mean people... but for some reason I really want to punch the guy on this cover in the face (break his glasses and all)-- I know this is something i will have to work out- but the first step is admitting you want to punch someone in the face... (are you even allowed to joke anymore?)
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| *Walking Dead #1
Bolivian Edition
10/13
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Image/Skybound 10/13
Bolivian Edition
(Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Bolivian?)
This book must have been kept in a safe for it to stay a 9.8 on its travels- this comic traveled the globe before landing at the CGC- multiple countries/continents -there is a lot of miles on the beauty.-- and now its with all its friends!
FIRST ONE GRADED
ONLY ONE GRADED
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| Walking Dead #1
10th Anniversary Edition
10/13 |
Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition #1
Image Comics 10/13
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in color.
Robert Kirkman story
Tony Moore cover & art
Ted Turner colorization
*George Lucas went to congress and tried to stop the colorization of comic books- he didn't think anyone should mess with completed works- what a god damn hypocrite! 4 billion dollars to go away!
(they say that people who cuss a lot have higher intelligence)(I totally fucking believe that is damn true)...shit
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| Walking Dead #1
10th Anniversary Sketch Edition
10/13 |
Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition #1
Image Comics 10/13
New York Comic Con 2013 exclusive.
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in color.
Sketch Edition
(jumbo-size cases are always weird)
In October 2013 Robert Kirkman was in Kentucky at the local comic shop until the witching hour signing everyone's goodies- My wife and I honked at my friends still standing in line at 12:30 as we drove away from the movie theatre (which is next to the comic shop) where we had just watched the Carrie remake- which was horrible- no boobies...
(here's another chance to compare Greg's sketch to the real thing- he crushed it!)
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| *Walking Dead #1
10th Anniversary Edition
Italian Edition
10/13
Italian Edition |
Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition #1
Salda Press
Image Comics 10/13
Italian Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1
in color in Italian
*Saldapress wont ship books to the States- but Pietro can- This book was imported from Italy- and she is a beauty.
subbed raw- from Italy to Kentucky to Florida = 9.8- this book is so nice
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| *Walking Dead #1
10th Anniversary Edition
Mexican Edition
4/14 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.6
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Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Edition #1
(Kamite 12/13)
Image 4/14
Mexican Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Spanish
Tony Moore cover
Now even though the 10th Anniversary of this book was a year prior- this comic is indeed Kamite's 10th anniversary tribute cover. So though it is late to the party- this book is still considered an anniversary book- its still available from Mexico and is advertised as Walking Dead #1 10th Anniversary (its on the damn cover even)
*THIS IS THE ONLY BOOK NOT IN THE RIGHT ORDER IN THIS SET- IT IS AN ANOMOLY-*
(I wanted to keep it stacked with its other 10th Anniversary mates- plus this adds a little chaos theory to this comic set, Ian Malcom would be proud--and Ian Malcom was declared dead in the first Jurassic Park book- just in case you didn't know- so bringing him back to life to be in another book is total horse-shit!)
*Purchased "raw" direct from Mexico
***THERE ARE 2 OTHER 10TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKS RELASED A YEAR LATE--
The Robbie Biederman cover used for the Hyundai variant and Black Box variant- is 100% a 10th anniversary cover that was pushed back until November of 2014- the comic has 2013 right on the cover- WTF?
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| Walking Dead #1
Peruvian Special Edition
11/13
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.0
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Walking Dead #1
Image/Skybound 11/13
Peruvian Edition/Special Edition
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Spanish.
Wraparound cover.
Charlie Adlard cover
FIRST ONE GRADED
ONLY ONE GRADED
Purchased "raw" from Peru- there are better copies available in the states- but this one came straight from the source- claimed to be signed- I'm glad it is not- (currently only copy graded)
*Purchased "raw" direct from Peru
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| *Walking Dead #1
Italian DVD Box-Set Edition
2014
FIRST ONE GRADED |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Salda Press 2014
Italian Edition/DVD Box Set Edition
Collects Walking Dead #1-3 in Italian.
Included in ""The Walking Dead"" season
1 DVD box set.
Tony Moore cover
FIRST ONE GRADED
ONLY ONE GRADED
(This book is bad ass!--Foil title- the cover is the back of issue #1 (issue #2 cover)- and I put the groovy label on it- currently only graded copy on the planet
*Purchased "raw" direct from Italy
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| *Dead Pooh #3
Walking Dead #1
cover homage
2014 |
Dead Pooh 3 Modern
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9.6
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Dead Pooh #3
Comi-Kazi 2014
Walking Dead Edition
Walking Dead #1 cover homage.
Sean Davis & Al Sharpe story
Marat Mychaels & Jacob Bear art
Marat Mychaels cover
*What the hell is DEAD-POOH? I see these types of books out there- and they all seem to have cover spoofs. Is there an ongoing story about a bear? Does the story not match any of the covers for these books? Is this bear related to Winnie or Wade Wilson?
*I'm also somewhat miffed on this book- I purchased this copy raw and subbed it to the CGC with 9 other books- ALL fast-track- but for some reason this one did not go fast-track. The books were stilled at "received" and I hadn't been charged- but even after an immediately sent email I was denied getting this book back to fast track status. I had 3 other orders come and go through CGC fast tracked before this book even moved. The aura around this comic was off- I even predicted that no matter how good this book looked it would not get a 9.8- I was right- I use my own shipping account, so I had to pay more to ship this single book back than the price for upgrading to fast-track. I was wrong about the comic missing getting imaged since it didn't go with its original batch- but that part at least worked out like it was supposed to. And now there is a graded 9.8 of this very comic on eBay for 45 bucks- Damn you stupid bear homage covers! And there is more than one of these goofy Dead-Pooh homages- oh the hardships of the chase and the agony of waiting...I love it!
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| Magnus Robot Fighter #1 Heroes' Haven Edition Walking Dead #1 cover homage 2014
SIGNED BY FRED VAN LENTE, OZZY FERNANDEZ,
TONY KORDOS & WILL QUINTANA ON 3/15/14 |
Magnus Robot Fighter 1 Signature
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9.8
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Magnus Robot Fighter #1
Dynamite Entertainment 2014
Heroes' Haven Edition
Walking Dead #1 cover homage.
Fred Van Lente story
Cory Smith art
Ozzy Fernandez cover
SIGNED BY FRED VAN LENTE, OZZY FERNANDEZ,
TONY KORDOS & WILL QUINTANA ON 3/15/14
(****WHAT???? Triple Sigs!!!)
Once i made the commitment to secure ALL the homage covers for this collection- the search for the Magnus cover was on the top of the list. This comic seemed to be everywhere--until i needed it. After an unsuccessful year long search in the states for this homage cover, i had to turn to Europe to finally find an ungraded copy. My Italian imported copy nabbed a 9.6 grade- (and it has the fresh Walking Dead Label on the slab)- so the hunt for The Robot Fighter finally came to a happy end...that is until a triple signed 9.8 pops up for sale.
I was very happy to get this book- happy because not only is it an upgrade to the current copy I have- a 9.6 blue to a 9.8 SS, but I finally get to add a new book to this set after being dormant like a sleeping dragon for so long. I'm still flirting with last "Do You Pooh" book- but until the new Walking Dead Deluxe books drop, the #1 scene* has been very quiet...
(*scene = 2 of us)
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| Magnus Robot Fighter #1
Heroes' Haven Edition
Walking Dead #1 cover homage
2014 |
Magnus Robot Fighter 1 Modern
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9.2
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Magnus Robot Fighter #1
Dynamite Entertainment 2014
Heroes' Haven Edition
Walking Dead #1 cover homage.
Fred Van Lente story
Cory Smith art
Ozzy Fernandez cover
*This is one of those books you see all the time, and then when you need to get one- they vanish- Once i made the commitment to get the homages i had no choice but to track one of these down- and during my quest i came up with a big pile of nothing. I had to get this copy from Pietro in Italy- i think he felt pity on me and sent me one of his extra copies- a very gracious gift indeed to help complete this ongoing task.
I did learn about Magnus during my search- there are a few different runs of this book that go way back.
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| *Walking Dead #1
1/14
Italian Edition
1536/3000 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking dead #1
Salda Press 1/14
Manufactured with "1536" printed on cover
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Italian.
(1536/3000)
Submitted raw- straight from Italy (both of them)(I have 2 x 9.8s- this makes me so happy)
*I knew these books existed- but I paid no heed to them- but once I put my toe in the international waters, i knew i would have to eventually obtain one of these limited books. I had a sweet signed 9.6 in my sights, but when i went to pull the trigger- it was already gone, and I've never seen another one come up for sale since, graded or raw.
And then like the shooting flames from a dragons jaws that's reigning down madness on a dark night- someone called out- and i answered that call. (actually it was email)
There is Another...Deep in the heart of Italy is another amazing Walking Dead #1 collection; filled with international books and homages that no one on this side of the globe has ever seen. As much as i knew- I still had much to learn. And thanks to the similar passions of two maniacs thousands of miles apart- even in a world filled with sadness and hate and pain and war- the love for comics, THIS COMIC, proved that kindness and comradery can still rise from the chaos. The day came when a box would arrive with Walking Dead treasures i never dreamed i would get my hands on. Two of these numbered copes were included in that box, and they both graded 9.8 (and they are from Italy)
Pietro- I am forever grateful to you for helping me attain some Walking Dead books that absolutely elevate my collection way beyond my own comprehension. "May evil spirits be confused on the way to your home."
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| *Walking Dead #1
1/14
Italian Edition
2540/3000 |
Walking Dead 1 Modern
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9.8
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Walking Dead #1
Salda Press 1/14
Manufactured with "2540" printed on cover
Reprints Walking Dead #1 in Italian.
(2540/3000)
*I only wanted and needed one of these- but when someone from Italy sends you 2- well- you have to add them both- and technically since they are each individually numbered- this one is not the same as the other-
*Thanks Pietro!
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