Announcing the Comic Book Collecting Association

We are happy to announce a new collectors and dealers association -- the Comic Book Collecting Association (www.ComicCollecting.org)

The CBCA is for comic book collectors and dealers with a common goal: promote fellowship, education and ethics within the comic book collecting community. Our success is contingent on the interest and participation of a membership in agreement with these goals and the Association’s common-sense Code of Ethics.

The CBCA is for new collectors looking for opportunities to network and learn, as well as more seasoned collectors looking to assist with member events and help shape the direction of the hobby. In any case, CBCA membership should be fun and rewarding!

We are also incredibly excited to announce the official formation of a Board of Advisors, which features some of the most well known names within and around our community. From prominent dealers to industry executives to comic pros, the Board of Advisors is composed of individuals who have expressed a desire to associate and assist with our new effort, and provide valuable guidance as to how the CBCA can best serve the community.

Doug Braithwaite, Comic book artist
Dan Cusimano, Flying Donut Trading Company
Steve Eichenbaum, CEO CGC
Danny Fingeroth, Writer, Historian, former Marvel Editor
Jamie Graham, Graham Cracker Comics
Tracey Heft, Restoration Expert
John Haines, Rare Comics
Dave Kapelka, North Coast Nostalgia
John Jackson Miller, Comic book and game writer
Josh Nathanson, ComicLink
James Payette, Rare Books and Comics
Brian Peets, A-1 Comics
Dave Reynolds, Dave's American Comics
Wayne Smith, VP Warner Bros. Entertainment
John K. Snyder Jr., former President, Geppi's Entertainment Publishing & Auctions
Jim Steranko, Comic book writer, artist, historian
Bob Storms, High Grade Comics
Doug Sulipa, Comic World
Ted Van Liew, Superworld Comics
J.C. Vaughn, Executive Editor, Associate Publisher for Gemstone Publishing
Joe Vereneault, JHV Associates
Vincent Zurzolo, Metropolis Collectibles, Inc.

We are also very pleased to welcome the “first” new CBCA member: George Pantela of GPAnalysis.com. We envision a very strong partnership in the coming days and truly look forward to having George work with us to support our Mission.

As a bit of background, the CBCA has evolved from the former Network of Disclosure. Last December, the group’s members approved by ballot the formation of the new group, mission and code of ethics. The notion of disclosure, transparency and ethical practices are at the core of CBCA, but overall, CBCA is a more rounded organization. Ideally, the CBCA’s expanded focus will be more inviting to collectors and dealers alike.

We hope that you take a look at the CBCA and consider joining.

The Fantastic Four: Solve Everything

Wow... a really impressive modern storyline with old school comic touches. Fantastic Four issues 570 - 572 features a storyline called, "Solve Everything."

I won't go into the details of the plot other than to say it was fresh, exciting and reminiscent of the Fantastic Four of days past. Issue 570 begins the creative lineup of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Dale Eaglesham.

I can't recall the last time I was so happy with a Fantastic Four story since the days of John Byrne. Eaglesham has a very appealing style: smooth, clean pencils that give the finished look an almost painted style. He also tends to depict Mr. Fantastic is all sort of stretched out positions... even when he's eating breakfast. In short, the book has a very fun feel to it without being silly or goofy.

Of course, being a Fantastic Four collector (I have all regular issues beginning with #1 from 1961) I have a soft spot for the resurrected 70s style logo.

I can't wait until the next issue, and I hope this is a creative team they keep around for a long time.

Waiting....

I sent my 16 x 20 1998 Yankees collage photo to MAB sports promotions for the 27 Rings show last weekend.

I'm really leery of sending this multi-signed photo through the mail to get signatures, but Bernie Williams was appearing, and I couldn't miss the opportunity to add him to the piece. I also wanted three other 1998 Yankees to add their signatures: Jeff Nelson, Ramiro Mendoza and Chad Curtis.

Since the show as last weekend, I was hoping they'd mail my photo back within a day or two and I could have it by today. It hasn't arrived yet. I'm holding my breath hoping it doesn't get lost, arrive damaged/creased or with smeared autographs.

I'll share a pic when it arrives. Hopefully it will be a happy blog post!

Droidtrader's Sports Memorabilia

Check out Droidtrader's Sports Memorabilia for regular sports autograph updates. Droidtrader focuses on sports and getting cards signed through the mail... good to see some old school collecting.

More Neal Adams

In the past several months I have been able to check a few Neal Adams books from my wantlist. My collecting sweetspot is in the 8.0 - 9.0 range... VF to VF/NM. Here you can obtain very presentable and collectible books for a fraction of "near mint" prices. If you don't look too hard, they are virtually indistinguishable from NM copies. ;-)

Thanks to Blazing Bob for the Batmans and Detective Comics. Bob is not the least (or most) expensive dealer out there... but his grading is dead on, if not a bit conservative. I agreed with him on all of the books, except I think he slightly undergraded the Batman 241 at 8.5. I see no reason why it shouldn't be a 9.0.

From the Diamond Run collection:

I obtained the World's Finest from a CGC Forum member.

Forgeries: Should buyers share the blame?

For great rants against forgeries on eBay and other auction sites, check out TomTresh2 on YouTube. Rant after rant of highlighting fakes and outing the sellers.

An interesting aspect of his videos is that he places 50% of the blame of the scourge of forgeries on the buyers who don't do their homework and buy obvious forgeries. He has a point.

Marvel's Greatest Comics For Only $1.00

From marvel.com

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Marvel is proud to announce the all-new MARVEL'S GREATEST COMICS imprint, spotlighting Marvel's most-acclaimed series with new printings of these must-read issues priced at only one dollar each! This bold new venture, launching in March 2010, offers a perfect jumping on point for new readers as well as provides retailers with a great low cost first chapter to some of the hottest selling Marvel Collected editions. And to really get things going, the first title from this line, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1, is free!

"We're proud of the books Marvel publishes and now not only are we giving retailers a great way to promote our top collections, but also giving consumers a chance to sample some of our top comics, maybe for the first time and at an unbeatable price," said David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice-President of Sales & Circulation. "MARVEL'S GREATEST COMICS represents one of the best values in comics today and with Free Comic Book Day only months after the initial launch, retailers will want to be well stocked."

The titles launching in March, at one per week, are:

March 3: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
March 10: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
March 17: WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #1
March 24: THOR #1
March 31: PUNISHER MAX #1

Stay tuned for more details on MARVEL'S GREATEST COMICS at www.marvel.com!

Jimmy Page calls his purported autograph on guitar a forgery; attorney dries up legitimacy of John Paul Jones

Jimmy Page calls his purported autograph on guitar a forgery; attorney dries up legitimacy of John Paul Jones

Inside Edition investigates photos used to "authenticate" autographs

Here is an interesting Inside Edition expose on Photo-shopped photographs used to "prove" that a celebrity signed an item.

As always, caveat emptor!

Check out the Sports Locker

Here's a good collecting site that is regularly updated -- much more diligent than me... but that's not saying much!

The Sports Locker focuses on sports cards and autographs. It's well written, interesting and well worth a visit.

A Nancy Pelosi Story That Makes Me Smile

Heard on the Hill: Snubbing the Speaker

By Emily Heil and Elizabeth Brotherton
Roll Call Staff
July 22, 2009

Speaker Nancy Pelosi got dissed by astronaut Neil Armstrong after a ceremony at which the California Democrat honored the moonwalking hero and his historic Apollo 11 flight.

After the event marking the 40th anniversary of Armstrong's "giant leap for mankind," held in the Cannon House Office Building on Tuesday, an admiring Pelosi approached Armstrong with pen in hand, a witness to the snub tells HOH.

Pelosi asked the publicity-shy former astronaut to autograph something for her, but he wouldn't oblige. "I'm sorry, I don't do that anymore," Armstrong informed the autograph-seeker.

Turns out, Pelosi shouldn't take his put-down personally. Armstrong reportedly refuses all autograph requests, no matter how powerful the person asking. He stopped giving out his John Hancock years ago, news reports say, fearing forgeries and concerned about those making large amounts of money from autographed items.

In fact, Pelosi took getting turned down in stride, spokesman Brendan Daly says. "The Speaker would go to the moon and back to try to get what her grandson asked for," he tells HOH. "But he learned a valuable lesson: You can't always get what you want."

Salute to Apollo 11

I'm sure glad I added these items to my collection years ago... not so sure the Armstrong would be within reach now! The "Apollo 11" inscription is quite uncommon and adds a great deal of value to this undoubtedly authentic exemplar. Further, the signature is nicely preserved and exhibits very little fading so commonly seen in Armstrong signatures. My theory is that Armstrong used a blue Flair marker... a pen notorious for fading. Plus, so many people probably displayed their signed photos in a frame -- another reason a high percentage of Armstrong signed photos are badly faded. I purchased this from the original recipient, Scottie Hensley, about 7 - 8 years ago.
Even though Buzz Aldrin is a common signature, his signing fee is high (around $400 last time I checked). Apparently, he still gets people to pay the fee. A common signed Aldrin item might command $100 - $150 on ebay.
Mike Collins used to be the most uncommon signature among the Apollo 11 crew. He signed freely for a few years after Apollo 11 until the mid-70s when he worked at the Smithsonian. After that, he became more reclusive; he didn't hide his dislike for autograph requests. In recent years, he has conducted private signings and appeared at a few signing events. Still, his signature is in high demand.
A signed Apollo 11 crew photo is one of the holy grails of astronaut autograph collecting, commanding thousands of dollars. While I'd love to have one in my collection, I think there is a higher probability of me being the next man to walk on the moon!