Hasbro Groot Marvel Legend VS EBay Knockoff

I was browsing Legends on EBay this morning and was taken by surprise when I saw all these Groot BAFs selling for under $10. When I actually clicked on one of the listings it was pretty easy to figure out what was going on, they're knockoff figures. I have never bought a knockoff figure but I thought about getting one of these Groots until I did a little research. 

On EBay, the knockoff looks pretty decent and it's like $8. How you can ship anything internationally for that cheap is beyond me...well not really, I know there is some kind of trade agreement/Gov. subsidy going on. Considering that you had to buy 6 other figures at $20 a pop to complete the real Groot BAF, the knockoff may be a good option for some. Looking at the two figures side by side I can tell which is real and which is fake right away. I am too anal to collect the knockoff but let's look at the differences between the two and you can judge for yourself.

Compared to the real Groot the knockoff...

• Is shorter (easiest way to tell the difference)
• Has plastic that looks shinier than original
• Has more green on the chest and face
• Has less detail, original has detailed branches around the shoulders
• The torso rotates but doesn't move back and forth
• Has less movement in legs
• The legs are swapped, right is on left and vise versa
• The feet do not move 
• The arms have less movement
• The elbows are not double jointed
• Has silver screws in the elbow joint instead of plastic pins
• Has no articulation in wrist

Hasbro Groot vs knockoff

can't fault collectors for buying the knockoff over spending $120 to build the original but you will get what you pay for. If you aren't worried about the articulation so much than maybe this is the option for you. I did notice that the pictures on EBay do not look like the actual figure I have seen people receive online, the silver screws are not pictured and it looks less green then it really is.  

If you want to purchase the knockoff you can get them here. 

Walking Dead #144 Review

It has been quite the treat having the Walking Dead come out bi-monthly! Unfortunately, it looks as if that is ending with issue #144. The reason for the bi-monthly printing was to get compendium 3 out by October and with issue #144 in stores the compendium is complete. You can pre-order it on Amazon now.

Warning : Review may contain spoilers, don't read if you have not finished issue 143.

The Walking Dead #144

 After last issues panel with the bloody machete and the heavy hinting in the letters column it was pretty obvious something awful was about to happen. With that in mind, I was pretty excited to get my hands on issue 144. At the same time it is a little nerve wracking. I don't think there are a whole lot of expendable characters at this point in the series and the bloody machete from last issue had me real worried about Andrea and Michonne. That isn't to say that the Walking Dead hasn't introduced any new characters lately but there are few that I feel a personal attachment to. 

The issue begins where 143 left off with Rick and Alpha on the rooftop surveying the largest gathering of zombies we have ever seen in TWD. Of course, if you are up to date, you will know that the Whisperers have herded these zombies together on purpose and used them to threaten Rick and co. There is a lot of great dialogue with Rick and Alpha. I still feel like I don't have a good read on Alpha, she spends much of the issue lecturing Rick on the Darwinian principles of the Whisperers. According to Alpha emotions are weakness, the world they knew before was a cheap imitation of real life, and this world they have now is what humanity is truly about! Rick has to laugh at the absurdity of her nihilistic views on existence. This issue was a glimpse of the Rick I love. He looked like that leader of old, he had been getting a little soft with all this "community" going on. He is unafraid to call Alpha out on her schtick and call it what it is, a power trip.

Rick and Alpha make their way back to the Whisperer camp to find lovesick Carl and Lydia. Carl still refuses to leave with Rick but things take a turn when Carl explains how Alpha has allowed the rape of her daughter by the Whisperers. Obviously, this does not sit well with Rick.  What follows was my favorite scene in the comic. I don't want to spoil too much so read for yourself and you will see why I said I still can't get a read on Alpha. She is an enigma to me.

Soon after Rick and co. depart the Whisperer camp leaving with the warning not to enter Whisperer territory and that they will know the border when they see it. Having the image of the bloody machete still fresh in his mind, Rick is afraid he already knows what he is about to find. I'm not going to spoil it but WOW!

I really liked this issue, sure the ending is a bummer, but it has set up what looks to be a thrilling story. I'm a little discouraged that the end of this story probably means we are not getting an answer in regards to a certain paternity issue...

Kirkman has done a great job so far with Alpha and the Whisperers, they are mysterious and I'm impressed with the way he is able to craft new unique villains. This book kept a good pace, seems like a lot happened, but didn't feel rushed. I can't wait to see where they go from here because I have no idea how the are going to respond to what they just witnessed.



Charlie Adlard is excellent at capturing emotions in the character's faces, and 144 is no exception. You know Adlard is good because he has us all reading a black and white book!

You can pick this book up at your local comic book shop.

San Diego Comic Con Exclusives

The most important week of the year for geeks is here. San Diego Comic Con festivities will start to kick off tonight and go through the weekend. Comic con is exciting, even for those of us who can not attend, with social media it is easy to keep up with all the con happenings. Be sure to follow the official con Twitter account to keep up. 

In the coming days we will hear all about upcoming comic events, tv panels, and new toys. Personally, I am most excited for any Game of Thrones or Marvel Legends news. The Game of Thrones panel is Friday and you can find out more info about it here. Aside from the numerous panels, one of the coolest things about comic con are the exclusives. You can be sure to find these exclusives popping up all over eBay in the coming days and weeks. 

My most anticipated SDCC exclusives I already touched on a few weeks back, they are Hasbro's Dr. Strange Marvel Legends box set and Ant-Man box set. You can go back and read more about those on my blog here. 

Other exclusives I'm excited about include...

Lego Exclusives

• Lego Superman recreation of Action Comics #1 
• Sells for $39.99
• 145 pieces
• Lego Sam Wilson as Captain America Mini-fig 
• Free to attendees, but can only be obtained by daily drawing
• Lego Throne of Ultron 
• Sells for $39.99
• 203 pieces

Super 7 He-Man Exclusives

• He-Man Pint Glasses 
• Set of 4 featuring Skeletor, Beast Man, Tri-Klops and Mer-Man
• Can be purchased individually for $10 or as a set. 
• Minimal Beast Man T-Shirt
• Sells for $25
• Mossman Chia Pet (Awesome!!!)
• Seriously, click the link. Really excellent promo vid!
• Sells for a mere $29.99!!!

Marvel Exclusives

• Thor - "Does Thou Even Hoist?"
• Sells for $25
• Skottie Young Character Pins 
• REALLY cool enamel pins based on featuring Skottie Young artwork
• 28 different pins
•  4 packs sell for $25 - Themes include...
• Guardians of the Galaxy 
• Avengers 
• Spider-Man
• Women of Marvel 
• 2 packs sell for $12.50 - they are blind boxes so...Surprise!
• Hulk
• Captain America
• Black Bolt
• Iron Patriot
• etc
• Singles sell for $10 - $15 - special rules to buy these
• Ultron
• Ant-Man
• Vision
• Nick Fury

For more comic con exclusives check out the SDCC Unofficial Blog.

Buying Comics on Proxibid: Online Auction

One other place where I like to look for comics is the website Proxibid. It is an online auction site, similar to Ebay, but more like a traditional auction service. You can browse Proxibid without registering but if you want to place bids you will have to register. Getting registered is quick and easy, if you plan on bidding on anything you will have to register a credit card with the site.

You can search for items for sale - just like eBay, or you can search for events. Events are auctions that are taking place all over the country, they are held by a number of different auction services. So if you are looking for comics, you would enter "comics" into the search bar and check events, then in the results page you will find a list of auctions and the times they are taking place. Now these are not auctions with a single item but with lots of items. You can place a bid on individual lots within the auction before the actual auction has started. This is where it really differs from eBay, these auctions are actually happening in real life at whatever location is specified. Therefore you are not just bidding against people online but with people at the actual physical location of the auction. If you want to leave your max bid ahead of time and not look at it again, you can have email or SMS alerts send to you. If you want to bid on items in real time you can do that as well. The lots are listed in the order they will sell come auction day.

There are some things you need to consider when buying on Proxibid, namely internet premiums. Premiums are a percentage of the sale that the online buyer must pay. Generally, it is about fifteen percent but it differs depending on the auction company. You will also want to read all terms because some companies charge handling fees. The items you win will be shipped to you by the auction company. In my experience the companies always do a good job shipping your items securely, however they are not overly concerned with being cost efficient because you will be the one paying for it. Make sure you read all terms and shipping instructions before bidding.

Proxibid is not as recognized as eBay so you can usually find better values, depending on the premium. You do not have to worry about dealing with bad sellers because Proxibid monitors the reputations of the auctioneers on their site. Proxibid can be a great tool for filling the holes in your collection!

Happy Hunting!

Make Your Own Comics

Wouldn't it be cool to make your own comics?

 I do not possess any real art skills, but I still think up ideas for comics from time to time. Perhaps, you have the skills I lack! If you do, and you've ever wondered what it takes to make your own comics, you may want to check out Comic Book Lab. I would not even know where to begin when it comes to making a comic and that is where Comic Book Lab comes in. Comic Book Lab was created by Ian Hannin. Ian has worked as a colorist for Marvel and DC. You may have seen some of his handy work in Batman: Battle for the Cowl, She Hulk or X-Men: The End.

The comic book industry is ultra-competitive so you will need all the help you can get if you wish to make it. With Comic Book Lab you can learn from someone who has a proven track record of success within the industry from the comfort of your own home. It has to beat more art classes at your community college!  Take advantage of Ian’s insider knowledge and tips. Through his website, Ian can walk you through the process of penciling, inking, and coloring comic books.

 You can view a trailer for his program here or to visit his site Click Here!  With the help of Comic Book Lab you will have the tools and knowledge to start creating your own comics.

Good luck and I would love to see what you create! Excelsior!

Comic Review: Walking Dead 143

I was a late adapter to the Walking Dead series. I did not start reading it until 100+ issues in, sometime before Negan appeared. So my introduction to the series was reading the first two compendiums. The Walking Dead is my favorite ongoing title but after tearing through the first compendiums, getting a book, maybe two, a month is killer. 

Review Walking Dead 143 (potential spoilers – I try to be vague!)

 The Walking Dead 143

The series has been a little dull to me lately. I know it is just the calm before the storm but it's been a few months now and I'm ready to have my heart ripped out again. We got a little bit of excitement a couple issues back when Negan was accidentally let loose. Much to our surprise though, Negan minded his manners and returned to his cell willingly. Michonne reappearing has been comforting and makes me think we have some Samurai action on the horizon.

Carl  confronts Rick

Issue 143 begins with the fair well under way.  First of all, how weird is it that we have a fair going on in TWD? Many of the characters seem to find it as strange as I do as a reader. We get a brief glimpse of new, presumed baddy, Alpha at the fair and then focus on Ezekiel. Ezekiel has some really cheesy dialogue about missing Michonne. I thought much of the dialogue in this issue was bad.  I don’t usually have a problem with it. Carl is still with the Whisperers and he has taken notice of Alpha’s absence, as we know, Alpha is at the fair doing recon.  Rick, Andrea, Michonne and others are on their way to the Whisperer’s camp to retrieve Carl. In all honesty, I am not a huge advocate for the Carl-centric approach the book has seemed to take. I still love Rick, still want Rick to be THE guy, but we’ll see. Rick’s group is found by the Whisperers and he is taken solo to see Carl. Rick and Carl have somewhat of a confrontation that I thought was a little bizarre, at least some of the dialogue seemed like it was out of left field. I guess Carl is just a big boy now and needs Daddy to know, he is also very enamored with Lydia and maybe not thinking straight. Alpha soon reappears at the camp. If you are one of the people that have their doubts about whether or not Alpha is the next major villain in the series, the last few pages should give you your answer.

Alpha is for real?

 This issue was a mix of good and bad. I liked the cover, it features Carl holding hands with new gal pal, and licker of eye sockets, Lydia and she’s rocking the notorious Sheriff’s hat. The Charlie Adlard pencils are as good as always. I really did not like the dialogue. I don’t enjoy the relationship drama or the relative calm we’ve had for a while now, it hasn’t seemed like this book has been moving. That being said the last few panels and the letters column left me satisfied. The very last page is fantastic and has me really excited for what is to come. Between the last page and a certain panel with Alpha, that I don’t want to spoil, I really think you are going to want to read issue 144. If that isn’t enough to convince you, the letter column hinted, not so subtly, to expect something big in issue 144 so be sure to pick it up.

 You can find issue 143 at your local comic shop.

Top 10 : Rare and Expensive Marvel Legends

Disclaimer: I am not literally listing the most valuable Marvel Legends figures from Most expensive on but listing 10 highly sought after valuable Legends of my choosing. I am only counting figures released under the "Legends" line so no X-Men or FF classic. 

1.     Crimson Dawn Psylocke

This is the first Legend that comes to mind when you are talking rare and valuable. It is rumored that only 12 were even released; you couldn’t find this figure on eBay if you wanted to. It was supposed to be released as a variant of the Psylocke figure found in the ToyBiz Mojo wave but this was around the time toy biz sold the line to Hasbro and only a handful ended up seeing the light of day. It features Psylocke in all black uniform with a red marking over the left side of her face. If you could manage to find one, expect to spend well north of a grand.

If you are into nerdy unboxing videos…check out this guy unboxing his Crimson Dawn Pyslocke.

2.     Silver Shirt Luke Cage

Also found in the Mojo Wave, is the Silver Shirt Luke Cage figure. This figure is in the same boat as the Crimson Dawn Psylocke, supposedly only 12 exist. I don’t personally care for this figure, but it is extremely rare.

3.     ToyBiz Deadpool Series 6

Wow! This figure has jumped since I had last looked for one. Last I had looked these were selling for around a $100, I saw one sold last week for $250. Deadpool is an insanely popular character and seems to have the most intense fans so makes sense that this figure would be hot. Really all the Deadpool figures are pretty valuable. This is the most expensive Deadpool but all the others are highly sought after as well. Personally, the gray uncanny X-Force Deadpool is my favorite but I was a huge fan of that series. The other Pool figures include the blue “X-Men” Deadpool that came in a two pack with Warpath and a Hasbro Red Deadpool (variant of Uncanny X-Force) that seems to have only been released in Europe. If you look for those on eBay be careful because the majority are bootlegs.

4.     Ares Build A Figure

The whole Ares wave is expensive so that makes the Ares build a figure super pricey. This is one of my most coveted figures. I used to have a good portion of the wave but in a moment of weakness sold them! This wave was a Wal-Mart Exclusive. Currently they are selling for around $230.

5.     Crossbones – Ares Wave

I can remember seeing this figure at the store. It still pains me that I did not buy it when I had the chance. Sometimes I wish I had a time machine to go back and buy old comics and toys, imagine buying a Mint Amazing Fantasy 15 at a drugstore and bringing it in to the future…I digress…Anyways this figure easily sells for $150, which is kind of surprising because the Ares doesn’t sell for THAT much more. It is a very popular wave, 2 years ago I sold a MOC Kang and Guardian from the wave for a $100, and they would get real close to $200 today.

6.     Giant Man Build a Figure

Putting build a figures on this list may be cheating, but this is my blog and nobody reads it yet anyways! The Giant Man wave was also a Wal-Mart Exclusive so that is part of the reason it is so high, another is the simple fact that you had to buy so many figures to put him together. You had to buy nine figures to complete him. Today, he sells for $170 - $200.  I’m going to try and get the new Giant Man that is being sold at SDCC.

7.     Black Suit Spidey – Red Hulk Wave

This figure was part of the Target Exclusive wave with the Red Hulk Build a Figure. Black Suit Spidey is a classic so it’s no surprise this figure is in high demand. It is a really good looking figure; I’d love to have one. That whole wave was really cool and it produced a few valuable figures, including the Classic Wolverine and Spiral. Spidey sells for around $75 MOC.

8.     Winter Soldier Bucky/Black Widow

I hated the Winter Soldier we got for the latest Captain America movie. It was based on the film version and I just think it looks like crap. Previously, Hasbro had released a comic version Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in a two pack with Black Widow. It was one of the Toys R Us fan two pack exclusives…you may be noticing a pattern by now. Both figures came with swappable heads and there was a black suited widow and a gray widow variant. The black suited 2 pack sells for $150 + and the gray a little lower, around $120 maybe less.

9.     Storm – Jubilee Wave

This is the most recent figure on my list. It was released in the Jubilee Wave that was exclusive through Toys R Us. I never saw these figures in the store once. I got my Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jubilee from that wave on Instagram and eBay. The Storm features her latest costume that is seen in Wolverine in the X-Men etc. and her Mohawk. I’m a big fan of Storm with a Mohawk! Expect to pay $100+ MOC. It is worth noting that part of the reason this figure is so valuable is because it contains the biggest part of the Jubilee build a figure.

10.  Emma Frost – Puck Wave

Hasbro released an Emma Frost figure a while ago but it is not very popular. You can find in MOC for under $20. This version, that was released as a Previews exclusive, is highly sought after. It is a much better looking figure but expect to pay $90-$100+.

Expanding on last weeks Guardians of the Galaxy Post

Last week I posted a blog discussing some of the key issues of the Guardians of the Galaxy, you can find it here. I talked about the first appearances of Rocket Raccoon, Groot and the Guardians of the Galaxy as the team.  If you missed that be sure to go check it out. 

I want to expand on that list a little and talk about some other first appearances of the Guardians, including Drax, Gamora, Star Lord, and Ronan.

Drax

The first appearance of Drax is actually better known for being the first appearance of Thanos. It takes place in Iron Man 55. This has become a pretty expensive book with Thanos’ involvement in the cinematic universe. For NM graded copies sellers are asking $3,000+. Now is probably not the best time to buy this book but it is a great time to sell. If you are really hoping to get this issue I would wait and see if the market gets a little less crazy. The copies listed on ebay aren’t getting bids because sellers have the prices set so high right now.

Gamora

The daughter of Thanos first appeared in Strange Tales 180. While not as pricey as Iron Man 55, Strange Tales 180 is still not cheap. For a nice copy expect to spend a minimum of $70. I saw a graded 9.6 just sold for $345. Pretty good for a book that originally sold for a quarter!

Star Lord

Like Rocket Raccoon Star Lord first appeared in Marvel Preview, his debut came in issue #4.  This is considered a magazine appearance but it is the expensive one. His first “comic” appearance came in Marvel Spotlight v2 #6. A 9.6 Marvel Spotlight sold for $250 while a 9.0 + Marvel Preview is $1000 plus.  You can cop an ungraded copy of Marvel Spotlight 6 for under $20 though, that seems like a good buy to me.

Ronan

Though Ronan made his film debut in Guardians of the Galaxy he is better known as a Fantastic Four villain. His first appearance came in Fantastic Four 65.  This book is actually a lot cheaper than I would have guessed. Unfortunately it looks like Ronan is done in the films so the peak time to sell this issue may have passed. If you are looking to own it, you won’t necessarily have to break the bank. Depending on how picky you are, you can get a decent copy for $30 - $60.

If you are interested in getting more tips on buying and selling comics Click Here!

Happy Collecting!

Links from around the web: Comics to Invest In

Whether you collect comics as a means of investing or as a hobby, it is important to keep an eye on the comic market. You want to be able to predict what books are going to heat up so you can invest wisely or purchase a book before it exceeds your price range, this is called speculating. Today, I want to share a couple of links from some other bloggers that have tips for what books you should be looking for. 


This first link comes from the Early Retirement Diary. It isn't strictly a comic investing blog but he shares some good tips for the subject. Take a look at his post, Best Comic Books to Invest in for Marvel Phase 4 - Villains Edition. In this post he speculates as to what villains may fill the villain void post Avengers Infinity War. He is speculating as to what book will be the next Iron Man 55. If you are unaware, Iron Man 55 is the first appearance of Thanos: The Mad Titan. It is a book that has really appreciated in value since Thanos appearance in the Marvel cinematic universe. In the blog post he picks Magus, Mandarin, Korvac, and Dormammu as villains to be featured in Marvel Phase 4. I don't buy into the Mandarin as they already featured a "fraud" version in Iron Man 3, but Mandarin is still a classic character so Tales of Suspense 50 is still a nice book to have regardless. I think Korvac and Magus are good books and I will be looking to pick up their key issues. Dormammu is a great character and there is a Dr. Strange film next year but all the rumors I have heard suggest Baron Mordo to be the villain, not Dormammu. I would look to invest in Strange Tales 111, the first appearance of Baron Mordo instead.

Who will replace Thanos as the next major movie villain?

This next link was particularly helpful to me because I really do not keep up with DC all that much. You may have noticed, I am a Marvel guy through and through. That being said I do like to watch Gotham. In this post, Gotham TV Speculation Part 1, the author of Comic Book Scalping speculates as to what books look to gain most from the tv show. The first book he points out is Gotham Central #1, I did not know this, but the tv show is loosely based on this book. I would like to check this book out. Another book he points out that I never would have known about is Catwoman #4, from the new DC 52, it is the first appearance of Detective Alvarez. The books on this list aren't going to break the bank as much as the ones in the link above but with less risk comes less reward so keep that in mind. If you are interested he has done a Part 2 as well. 

Post Spotlight: Best/Worst Dads in Comic Books

I know it's a little late for Father's Day but I came across a great blog post on the best and worst comic book dads that I wanted to share. The post, "Top 5 Best/Worse Fathers in Comics!" can be found on the Midtown Comics Blog.

It's a great list they compiled. It really got me thinking, what do Disney movies and Comics have in common? Dead Parents! Not to be too morbid or insensitive, but it's true! Pretty much every Disney character I can think of has at least one dead parent and I haven't thought about it too much, but that is the case in a ton of comics too. As I was reading through the Midtown Comics Blog post on best/worst fathers in Comics, I couldn't help but notice the list was made up of dead dads or father figures that took the place of dead fathers. On the list we had Alfred Pennyworth...not a father, he's Batman's butler, Jonathan Kent, Superman's Earthly father, replacing his deceased father, Uncle Ben, well he's an Uncle, and Jack Murdock, Daredevil's father, also deceased. They put Rick Grimes of Walking Dead in the 5 spot and I think he's getting the shaft a little bit. He is definitely ahead of Jack Murdock and Alfred shouldn't even count. Rick has had the toughest job of any of these Dads and he's still doing his thing. Even right now he's out there in the zombie invested wilderness trying to save his son from the Whisperers, I mean come on, number 5...

My vote for best Dad...Rick Grimes (Walking Dead)

I really got a kick out of their rankings for the top 5 worst Dads. Especially because I am not even sure if Magneto IS a Dad anymore, last I knew Marvel had "revealed" that Magneto was not actually the father of Quicksilver and Scarlett Witch. Side note...I do not like Marvel changing cannon to accommodate the Marvel film universe. Getting back on track, Norman Osborn has to be higher on this list, right? Besides experimenting on his son and paving the way for his son to become a super villain, he impregnated his son's girlfriend! That's worthy of the #1 spot to me. Another side note...Marvel also retroactively had Norman Osborn impregnate Gwen Stacy, who was the girlfriend of his son's best friend! I don't always understand Marvel...

My Vote for WORST Dad...Norman Osborn (Amazing Spider-Man)

 I did appreciate that they put Deadshot at #1 because after I saw Will Smith, who is playing Deadshot in Suicide Squad, allowed his son to wear a white batman suit to Kanye West's wedding I think he may be deserving of a spot on some kind of list. Just kidding, Will!

Aren't you glad you collect comics??

This was a really fun article, go read it on their site and maybe let them know what you think or suggest your own comic dads for the list!

Happy (belated) Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

My Daughter and I at Wizard World Comic Con

Blog Spotlight: Chasing Amazing...One man's quest to collect all issues of Amazing Spider-Man

I recently came across a pretty neat blog, it's called Chasing Amazing. The blog is written by Mark Ginocchio and was started as a chronicle of his journey to collect every issue of Amazing Spider-Man. You are probably aware, but that is quite the undertaking! There are over 700 issues of the series and many of the key books are going to put a major dent in your wallet. By the time I had discovered Mark's blog, Chasing Amazing, he had already completed his collection, he has effectively caught "Amazing"!

 Even though his journey is complete, Mark has chosen to keep writing for his blog. Now he writes reviews of recent Spidey issues and reminisces on issues past. Presently he is doing a series where he counts down the 10 greatest Peter Parker/Mary Jane stories, I am really enjoying it so far. On his blog you can also find his podcast, Amazing Spider-Talk. Mark also maintains a blog roll so you can check out some of the blogs he frequents. The blog has been going strong since 2011 so there's plenty of posts to keep you busy. 

I can really appreciate Chasing Amazing because I have had the same dream of collecting all issues of Amazing Spider-Man...only in my case it will stay a dream. I have a handful of the key issues like 31, 33, 101, 121, 122 but unless I hit the lotto I am not getting those books in the top 10. Writing this just reminded me that my dad had a long box of old Amazing Spider-Men that were sucked up by a tornado that swallowed his apartment...*pour a 40 out....

Anyways, if you love Spider-Man or just appreciate stories about collecting, check out Chasing Amazing! 

A portion of my Amazing Spider-Man collection

Product Recommendation: Invest in an Overstreet now!

If you are new to collecting to comics I highly recommend you invest in the most recent Overstreet Price Guide. Overstreet is basically the Bible of comic book collecting. It is a great resource to help new collectors understand the comic book market and to help you evaluate what you have. It will also give you a good idea of what you can expect to spend on the comics you are looking for.

You can purchase a copy of the latest version at amazon or pre-order the next version here.  If you are unfamiliar with Overstreet, don't worry because they are pretty simple to grasp. Overstreet lists pretty much any comic ever made in alphabetical order, the more recent the Overstreet the more books. It lists every issue of every book in numerical order and has little blurbs as to what makes a book important. For instance next to Walking Dead 19 it would say "first appearance of Michonne" or for Amazing Spider-Man 121 it would say "Death of Gwen Stacy". Next to that, it lists the value of the book in each condition - poor, fair, good, very good, fine, very fine, near mint and mint. I like to think I have a pretty good understanding of what books are valuable and what are not but I don't know everything so I use Overstreet a lot. I am definitely more of a Marvel fan so I often have to consult the Overstreet when I am investing in DC, Gold Key, or Dell boooks etc. Owning an Overstreet will definitely help you get good value for your books and prevent you from overspending on the books you want. However, I do think it's important to look at what books are really selling for on places like eBay as well when you are trying to gauge the value of books you are trying to sell. For instance, Overstreed might say your VN copy of Deep Sea Adventures is worth $50 but if no one is actually looking to buy Deep Sea Adventures is it really worth that? The point I'm trying to make is that Overstreet is a great stepping stone but also research real markets to get the whole picture.

The latest Overstreet is number 44 and it celebrates the 75th anniversary of Batman. Like every Overstreet, it is written by Robert M. Overstreet. I highly recommend either buying this or maybe waiting and buying the next addition that comes out in July. I give Overstreet a 5 out of 5. It truly is a must have if you collect.

Product Review: Marvel Legends Spider-Man Infinite Series Hobgoblin Wave

I'm sure there are toy collectors that were less then excited to hear of another Spider-Man themed wave of Marvel Legends and another Spider-Man figure, I am not one of them. Last year Hasbro released the Ultimate Green Goblin Wave and this year they released the "new" Hobgoblin wave, all featuring Spider-Man characters. I am a huge Spidey fan so I really liked both these waves and I bought all the figures except the running changes from the Green Goblin wave. For now, though, I just want to do a quick review of the Spider-Man figure from the most recent Hobgoblin wave.

All accessories

This may be my favorite Spider-Man legend to date. With so many Spider-Man Legends already existing, Hasbro had to make sure this one was unique. You can only expect collectors to buy the same characters so many times, after all. Maybe I am a sucker, but adding a swappable head, hands, and a slice of pizza for fun was all it took to convince me. That and the fact I really wanted to build the Hobgoblin build a figure. 

Last years Spidey figure was based on Andrew Garfield's suit in Amazing Spider-Man 2 so the color was a little different. This years Spidey features the classic shades of red and blue that we all know and love. Last year, Hasbro threw in an extra set of hands and this year they threw in two. My favorite part of this new figure was the swappable head that features a half way unmasked Spidey. Personally, I would love to have a Peter Parker figure but for now this is the closest we've got. The pizza accessory is a lot of fun and really fits with the more comical side of Spidey. 

This figure has the same articulation as last years but he is a bit bulkier and taller. All the joints on my figures, I have two, seem to be in good shape. I am happy with the paint application for the most part but you may be more picky than I am. My sole gripe is that I don't LOVE the sculpt on the unmasked head. I love that they included an unmasked head but something about his smile just seems off. It looks a little too cartoonish. 

I'd give this figure a 4.5 out of 5. If you collect Legends or are just a Spidey fan, it'd be a great add to your collection. It's a fun figure but if you already have other Spider-Man figures you may want to pass. You can purchase your own here: Amazon: Spider-Man Hobgoblin wave. It can also be found in the wild at Toys R US, Wal-Mart, or Target. Excelsior!

Hobgoblin VS Green Goblin waves

10 Comics to Buy Now: Hot Books

Author note: I use "books" and "comics" synonymously. 

For those who don't know, "hot books" are simply comics that are trending right now or expected to in the near future. The immense popularity of comic book films has raised the demand of the comics they are based on. For this reason collectors try to snatch up key issues involving characters getting their own films or appearing in new TV shows. Books can surge in popularity for a number of other reasons, could have a controversial cover, popular artist, or major events happening in the story as well. 

Today let's take a look at 10 hot books. 

1. The New Mutants #98 - First Deadpool 

Deadpool is an insanely popular character and this is the Deadpool title to own.  This book has been popular for a while but the price tag for it keeps going up and up.  The merc with a mouth gets his own film this February so you can expect demand for New Mutants #98 to reach new highs soon.  Don’t expect to be able to find a decent copy below $200 unless somebody just doesn’t know what they have.

2. X-Factor # 6 - First Apocalypse

Next Summer X-Men Age of Apocalypse will be in theaters, that makes now the time to buy X-Factor #6. The time to get this book on the cheap has passed but you can get it “cheaper” now then you can next May. A nice non-graded copy will probably run you in excess of $60 bones. High grade CGC copies can fetch near $300.       

3. Fantastic Four #52 - First Black Panther

If you saw Avengers Age of Ultron you may remember Wakanda being mentioned, Wakanda being home to the Black Panther. If you are a fan, you probably recognized Ulysses Klaw (Andy Serkis ) as the Black Panther villain , Klaw. He doesn't quite look like Klaw yet but...SPOILER ALERT...Ultron removing his hand got him on the right track. Anyways the films have already set up Black Panther for an appearance in Captain America 3 and in 2018 he is set to have his own film. This book is already pricey because it's a classic but expect it to rise further. I sold a really beat up copy last year for around $80. I may have my nice copy graded...

4. Batman #386 - First Black Mask

This is a book that looks to gain popularity due to the Fox television show Gotham. It is more common than a lot of the other books on the list so whether or not you can expect the value to stay high only time will tell - I'd sell it while it's hot. I think this is a book that you might be able to find out in the wild for a good price because sellers that don't specialize in comics would probably not know the significance of the book. I know I will be looking for this book when I hit the local flea markets. 

5. Edge of Spider-Verse #2 - First Spider-Gwen

This is the most recent book on my list, it just came out this last November, but all things Spider-Gwen have been hot commodities. This is the most valuable Spider-Gwen book, as it's the first appearance, but Spider-Gwen #1 and all of the variant covers have been really popular. I don't know if I buy that Spider-Gwen is here to stay but it's certainly been the flavor of the month...for a few months now. I'm not going to invest in this book, but if you bought it off the shelf for $4 back in November, good job. If I am putting big money into a Gwen related comic it's going to be ASM 121. If you are investing in this book make sure you buy the first print because they did at least 4 printings. To be honest, I can't believe this book is so popular, high grade CGC have sold for upwards of $150. 

6. The New Teen Titans #2 - First Deathstroke

New Teen Titans used to be dollar bin fodder, most still are, but issue 2 is not one of them. The upcoming Suicide Squad movie starring Will Smith as Deathstroke looks to make Deathstroke a household name and you can expect New Teen Titans #2 to heat up. The Suicide Squad film will also bump the already high stock of Harley Quinn books so snatch up those too. 

7. The Infinity Gauntlet #1

Buy the whole Infinity Gauntlet series if you can but obviously #1 is going to be the highest seller. Marvel has been preparing to portray the Infinity Gauntlet series in film for a long time. We saw Thanos appear in the Avengers stinger and again in Guardians of the Galaxy. We have seen the infinity stones and in the mid credits scene of Age of Ultron we even saw the gauntlet. The Infinity Gauntlet was always a popular storyline but the books used to be pretty cheap, now the set will run you in excess of $50. Also look for Iron Man #55, the first appearances of Drax and Thanos.

8. Marvel Super-Heroes #13 - First Carol Danvers

Marvel is really trying to change the role of women in comics. One of the first changes the made to implement this new strategy was by changing Ms. Marvel to Captain Marvel and giving her a new, less provocative, costume. There really aren't a whole ton of really popular female super heroes in the Marvel Universe, Carol Danvers may be the biggest. On top of the changes in the books Marvel has announced they are making a Captain Marvel movie so expect Carol's stock to just go up. 

9. Fantastic Four #45 - First Inhumans

The Inhumans are not the most popular group of Marvel characters but that isn't preventing them from getting their own full length film. This book has probably been undervalued for awhile but the Inhumans have played a greater role within more recent Marvel storylines and with them getting their own film, don't expect it to stay that way. I almost sold my copy last year and I am so glad I didn't because it has already jumped a lot! High grades are fetching north of $1000, mid grades $400 - $600, even very low grades are getting at least $100. 

10. Amazing Spider-Man #194 - First Black Cat

I can't pinpoint a single specific reason for this books surge in popularity but Black Cat has always been a popular character. This book has come a long way in recent years. I purchased my copy for $10 a few years ago from a local shop. It was a comic shop, so I mean, they knew what it was. It just didn't use to be this valuable, today I could fetch $60 -$80 for the book. I know I passed on buying multiple copies of this book back in the day, kicking myself now. 

Hope you enjoyed the list and happy hunting!

        

        

First Appearances: Guardians of the Galaxy Key Issues

In today's blog I want to talk about first appearances. Most comic collectors know about Detective Comics 27, Action Comics 1, Incredible Hulk 181, Amazing Fantasy 15 etc. but today I want  to discuss some first appearances that are less known but trending upward.

The books I want to take a look at all involve the Guardians of the Galaxy. The Guardians were not a household name until the movie came out last Summer. Even making the movie was considered a risk on Marvel's part but it was a risk that paid out huge dividends. The film grossed a TON and the value of Guardians of the Galaxy key issues rose.

First Appearances 

• Guardians of the Galaxy - Marvel Super Heroes #18 (1969)
• These are NOT the Guardians we know from the film but nonetheless it is the first appearance of the GOTG. 
• The original members did include Yondu, who was seen in the film, but he is very different in the comic.
• A graded 8.5 recently sold for $600+ - this book used to be valued at $85 for a NM copy!
• Non-graded copies fluctuate a lot, in low conditions I have been seeing this book sell for no lower than $30, mid grade books can fetch $80 - $100, and higher grades for $120 plus
• If you are looking to sell this book, and are confident it is at least a 4.5, then I would look into having it graded by the CGC first.
• Rocket Raccoon - Incredible Hulk #271 and Marvel Preview #7
• Kind of like the way Wolverine actually appears in Incredible Hulk 180 but 181 is considered his "first" appearance, Rocket Raccoon first appeared in Marvel Preview 7 but Hulk 271 is considered his "first cannon" appearance.
• Marvel Preview 7 is considered a magazine appearance.
• Unlike with Wolverine, Marvel Preview 7 is actually the more valuable book
• In Marvel Preview 7 Rocket was actually called "Rocky" which was later revealed to be short for Rocket
• In April a CGC graded 8.5 Marvel Preview 7 sold for $600, in my old Overstreet it doesn't even mention Rocket in this issue and it valued a NM copy at a measly $18!
• Non-Graded mid grade books are consistently fetching $150
• Hulk 271 is a valuable book but not near as valuable as Marvel Preview 7, a graded 9.4 just sold for $178 yesterday. 
• A mid grade copy looks like it'd net you $70 - $100 and lower grades $20 - $40...not too bad
• Groot - Tales to Astonish #13
• Now this book is worth a small fortune, don't expect to get it for any less than $500 and that's going to be for a low grade book.
• It is very hard to find a high grade copy of. 
• A graded 5.0 is fetching $1,500 +
• Two years ago a 5.0 would of been a few hundred, it's insane how these books have jumped since the movies

I'm not sure I buy into the idea that these books will still be this high 10 years from now but they are definitely hot now. If you are looking to sell I'd do so now or when the second film comes out, if you are looking to track any of these books down I'd be happy to help, feel free to get in touch. Excelsior!

San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Figures Revealed - Ant Man Box Set & Dr. Strange Box Set

Hasbro has recently revealed the Marvel figures that will be sold exclusively at this years San Diego Comic Con. I look forward to this every year. The past few years Hasbro has released some incredible box sets including the highly sought after Uncanny X-Force, Thunderbolts, and Thanos Imperative box sets. The sets always feature exclusive figures that we won't ever come across at the store. The exclusivity of the sets make them highly collectible and they always fetch big bucks on eBay. I have been eyeing the Uncanny X-Force set for years, it was one of my favorite series ever, but I couldn't bring myself to bite the bullet and pay $150+. Lately that set has been selling for $200+. Recently I spent nearly $50 on just one of the figures from last year's Thanos set, it came with 5 and sold at SDCC for $99. One of the figures I have been wanting most has been Magik from the recent Uncanny X-Men series, lo and behold, Hasbro has included her in this year's SDCC exclusive set!

 The Dr. Strange box set that is being released at SDCC this year looks incredible! First of all, the packaging looks Amazing! The box is designed to look like Dr. Strange's Book of Vishanti and it comes with a wearable Eye of Agamotto! Besides the very cool design this set is so great because Hasbro is offering some characters that appeal to those of us that REALLY read comics. A lot of people may recognize Dr. Strange, even in his astral form, but Brother Voodoo, Dread Dormammu, Hela, and Magik...those are for the diehards! The release of this set and Dr. Strange being in the current Hulk Buster wave of legends makes me think that Hasbro will not be doing a Dr. Strange Marvel Legend wave when the film is released next year. The set will sell for $99 at SDCC and limited quantities will be released on Hasbro Toy Shop after the show. I have my google alerts set so I can hopefully snag a set on there. I am sure this will fetch a pretty penny on eBay, actually I have already seen a few pop up on eBay and they are asking a lot more than retail.


The other set being released this year coincides with the upcoming Ant-Man movie that is released on July 17th. It features a 12" Giant Man, a 6" Goliath, a 3.75" Hank Pym with lab coat, a 1.5" Scott Lang Ant-Man figure and finally a 1" Hank Pym Ant-Man.  I am mostly excited for this set because I'd love to get my hands on the new Giant Man figure. Back in the day when Marvel Legends were being made by Toy Biz, Giant Man, was a build a figure for one of their waves. I have always loved that figure but have not invested in one, they sell for about $170 - $200 these days and tracking down all the pieces individually would be quite the task. I figure this new Giant Man is a pretty good substitute. This Giant Man should look pretty cool paired with the normal sized Giant Man found in the Ant-Man legends wave that is hitting stores this summer. I'm not overly impressed with the Goliath figure but I love that character, I'd probably rather have the old version that Toy Biz released years ago. It can be found for around $30. I do not collect the Marvel Universe/Infinite figures so the 3.75" Hank Pym isn't a real big selling point for me either. This set will be sold for $64.99 at SDCC. I'm going to try and acquire one for the Giant Man figure. I just saw one on eBay that sold for $120 so seems like it should be a safe investment...

About Me

My name is Nate Fore. I am 24 years old. I am married to Sarah Fore. We have two terrors...I mean toddlers! Their names are Noah and Lilly, they are two and three years old.

I love basketball, I am a huge Bulls fan...you should see my basement! I am very into music, mostly punk/emo/indie. I like to read. My favorite books are A Song of Ice and Fire - aka Game of Thrones Series, Harry Potter, anything Vonnegut, and Catcher in the Rye. I probably watch too much TV. I definitely collect too much stuff! I collect comics, records, action figures, sports memorabilia, etc. Thankfully, my wife doesn't mind too much!


  For as long as I can remember I have collected comic books and toys, more specifically Marvel comics. I inherited my love for comics from my father who grew up collecting X-Men comics in the 70's. My earliest introductions to the Marvel Universe were old copies of Marvel Team-Up and the X-Men and Spider-Man cartoons of the 90's. Marvel Team Up was a great book, they all featured Spider-Man teaming up with other heroes, this is probably why Spider-Man remains my favorite hero to this day. The first comics I ever remember reading were Marvel Team Up #41 & #42 featuring the Scarlet Witch and the Vision, so I was beyond excited to see them come to life in Avengers 2! Most of my personal collection consists of Marvel books, I collect Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men etc. I also have a pretty sizable collection of Marvel Legends, around 70 figures as of this moment. Anyways with this blog I hope to connect with other collectors and offer advice and assistance for improving collections or starting new ones. If you need help evaluating what you already have or you want help in tracking down a rare book or item, feel free to get in touch. I love talking comics and collecting so if you would just like some reading recommendations or just want to chat shoot me an e-mail!