Woah sweet collection man! Is that a Ultimate Spider #1 1st print? One of my favourite modern covers Personally, I prefer to collect in HC instead of TPBs cos for TPBs, it's very easy to accidentally bend the cover, leaving an irremovable crease.

Haha me too! My favourite modern title is Ultimate Spiderman vol 1. Took me quite a while to hunt down the 3 #1 1st prints, a Dynamic Forces variant (remarked with a head sketch by Thibert), and two white variants, one signed by Bendis.

Till today, USM #1 is one of my favourite covers!

Ultimate X-Men #1 has two DF variants (one DF variant and one DF sketch variant) that are pretty cool!

This post has been edited by toysmania: May 30 2011, 10:25 AM

Speaking of Universes 616 events, I think Fear Itself has potential. Every issue is jam-packed with good writing, awesome art and leaves me hanging for the next issue, unlike Siege, which was too rushed and short. Marvel was already promoting Heroic Age when Siege #2 barely came out.

I met Matt Fraction at SGTCC last year. Super friendly guy. I've been wanting to pick up Invincible Iron Man since quite a while ago cos I was quite enticed by the art and the bits I've read here and there but no budget. Immonen sure did a much better job in Fear Itself than he did in Ultimate Spiderman. Or maybe Bagley was just too good.

BUT, Bagley and Immonen sure set a high standard which Lafuente failed to reach. Took me a while to get accustomed to Ultimate Comic Spiderman Vol 2.

When I first started out, I didn't like tpbs or HCs at all. I felt that comics should be read as how comics were read when they first came out- in singles format. Before I knew it, I had a thousand odd comics and I realised that space was one helluva issue for me. Then, I began to think hard- Would I want to end up with hundreds of longboxes stored with my singles and never open up for goodness knows how long?

So, I began to streamline my collection and keep those that I really like, like Amazing Spiderman for instance. Also, I'm beginning to pick up discounted Hardcovers cos they are easy to shelve and read.

Sheva78: You're right, tpbs are usually cheaper but you can also find cheap singles if you put in enough legwork. For instance, I've been selling most of my singles at close to half cover price with free bags and boards So, if you guys are looking for any title or just wanna pick up something cheap to read, hit me up with a PM!

Recently, I began to shift my focus to sketches on blank covers. Gotta take a picture and show you guys sometime. Anybody else into collecting sketches and variants?

This post has been edited by toysmania: May 30 2011, 07:03 PM

Hey Sheva, I used to collect variants but have stopped collecting them because 1.) Marvel is printing variants like nobody's business, making the significance of variants meaningless and 2.) Why pay more for a printed variant cover when I can use the money to get an original hand-drawn sketch/ commission?

Let's talk about Ultimate Spiderman #160 for instance. The regular variant is such an obvious means to suck our money! Same art (just a spider symbol), different color I saw the Joe Q variant, it's the one with Uncle Ben putting his shoulder around Peter Parker right?

Some advice for variant collectors: If you wanna get the best deal, NEVER, EVER, buy variants when they are just released or from your LCS. Most of the time, the prices of variants will drop drastically within a short few months, and you can get a pile of them from international sellers on Ebay and save on shipping. The total price paid will be way cheaper than what you pay if you buy every variant when it's just released. Till date, some of the few variants that hold a significant value are Ultimate Spiderman #1 DF variant, Ultimate Spiderman #1 white variant, Ultimate Spiderman #1 Blue Target variant, Uncanny X Men #510 partial sketch variant, Siege #3 Deadpool variant, Batman #608 RRP, Sketch #1 partial sketch variant. These are some that I can remember off hand.

Nowadays, I'll get most blank covers (whether the title is on my pull-list a not) so that I can stock up for the next comic con. Like I got the Mighty Thor blank, though I won't be getting #2 onwards. Just can't justify paying 3.99 USD when it's not on my priority list. Does the comic shops in Malaysia sell blank covers for cover price?

---

Added on May 31, 2011, 10:20 amThis it not the first sketch I bought, but it's my very FIRST commission from my favourite artist, Bill Dinh. Bill Dinh is a good buddy I met online, and he's one of the most awesomest kickass artist I've ever known. Bill is gonna to break into the Marvel/ DC industry, and I can't wait for that day to happen.

ENJOY..







AND Last but definitely not the least..

Before you click on the spoiler, let me share a story. I'm a huge Spidey fan and will usually collect Spidey sketches only. But Bill is such an amazing artist that I try to get as many of his sketches as possible. When I saw this sketch for the first time, I was immediately enticed by it. It was a masterpiece and I had to get it. But alas, the sketch was sold to a common friend of ours and it took months of persuasion and some luck before he agreed to let me have this piece.

I present to you:


This post has been edited by toysmania: May 31 2011, 10:21 AM

Thanks (: Just curious, does the page load faster if we hide the images in the spoilers?

Can't wait for Fear Itself #3 to come out this week! Oh ya, do the comic shops in Malaysia sell the blank covers ar cover price?

I'm from Singapore

That's why I'm curious what it costs at the comic shops in Malaysia.

You can either send your comics via postage to CGC or purchase them within the US and have it sent to CGC. Taking the examples of my sketches, the artist bought the blanks in US and sketched on them before sending it to CGC. Once CGC finished grading the comic, I had the slabs sent to another US friend, who shipped everything together so that I could save on shipping.

CGC only ships overseas with FEDEX, so the shipping fees are a killer. I asked a CGC employee before, and he told me it costs 90 USD to ship 1-30 CGC slabs to Singapore!!

As is Mile High Comics. Most of their normal issues are cheap but if you look at their keys and CGC slabs, their prices are all over the places.

It depends on what you're getting. If you're getting some regular issues to complete a run, I'm pretty sure they are cheap.

Take a look at this: http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/back...52131&snumber=1

Look at what they are charging for Ultimate Spiderman #1 Near Mint: 243 USD and Ultimate Spiderman #1 CGC 9.6: 585 USD

Even with 50% off, these comics are way overpriced, anyone in their right mind can easily purchase 2 Ultimate Spiderman #1 CGC 9.6 with some change left at 240 USD.

Just take a look at other key issues and CGC stuff and you'll know what I mean. Haha..

I'm not surprised. Just thinking when to drop my my LCS and collect my stuff. haha..

I think more will be after Action #1 and Detective #1, though the general consensus that this is a suicidal move by DC and we'll be back to where we were 2 years later. Haha..

There will be 52 new #1s. How many of you will try to get them all?

I read somewhere that they promised the new titles would follow the events that happened in Flashpoint. Still, while it might seem like a money-making attempt to provide an opportunity for new readers to jump on, it's an equally, if not more, enticing opportunity for current readers to jump off. I wonder how many existing readers they'll lose. Haha..

Thought I'd like to share something interesting. Take a look at the cover of JLA #1 and look at GL respectively. What seems to be missing?

I wish comics will go back to being a dollar or less. Guess that'll never happen. But I wonder if that happens, is it sustainable for the publishers? Hmm...

Well, I'm glad you had a fun time in Singapore

However, there is something I'd like to share too, so you guys have a better idea.

I used to frequent Comics World back when I just started a few years ago. Initially, Uncle Bill was very fierce and he didn't like people browsing through his back issues and he didn't want to take the back issues out for you unless you said you'll definitely get it. A couple of months (or maybe a year rather) down the road, I dropped by his shop again and boy, was I surprised to see a sudden change. The lady (who usually is grumpy), was suddenly very nice and helpful, and even helped to check for stuff when I merely asked. For instance, I asked her whether she had any Casper comics and she searched for an #1, asked to me look through it and told me if I liked it, she could get the rest for me. I was pleasantly surprised (having had a bad experience before), so in this case their customer service certainly improved.

Now, if price is your concern, then sadly, Comics World is not the cheapest place to be. For instance, a 3.99 USD and 2.99 USD comic costs 7.20 SGD and 5.40 SGD respectively whereas it'll cost 6.40 SGD and 4.80 SGD respectively at G&B, another local comic shop. Also, the rate of TPBs and HCs at Comics World is nearly 2x USD price whereas the rate at G&B is 1.2x so the price difference is pretty significant.

The reason why Comics World is still around is partly cos it was the first comic shop in Singapore, so they still have a bunch of loyal regulars and their improved customer service surely wouldn't hurt. I purchase most of my comics at G&B (cos I'm still a student and a limited budget is always pulling me down) but I do drop by Comics World occasionally to catch up with Uncle Bill and purchase some stuff when I'm there.

It depends on what you're looking for. BLackest Night and Brightest Day are relatively new and recent titles, so I'm sure G&B has stock of them. If you're looking for early 2000 or 199x titles, maybe Comics World will have more of such stuff then G&B> However, the good thing about G&B is you get to look through the back issues yourself!! Sadly, G&B doesn't put all their stock in the shop (probably cos no space).

But the price difference between the two shops is pretty significant for me (if you buy in large qty), so I'm more inclined to get most of my stuff from G&B.

Hmm, they had this pricing for quite a while, and I think they're comfortable with their loyal group of customers, hence they don't feel the need to lower their prices to compete with G&B.

Also, well-to-do folks might not mind paying more if they feel Comics World is more convenient or if they have a good relationship with Uncle Bill etc.. so yeah. That said, G&B hires only girls but they know nuts about comics. There're a couple of comic fan guys helping out once in a while and they're all pretty friendly. The owner, Bernard, is quite nice too.

G&B is in opposite Bugis (a few MRT stops from Orchard), at Rochor Centre.

PM me if you're coming up again. I could bring you there if I'm free


This post has been edited by toysmania: Jun 8 2011, 06:52 PM

Okay.. I'm running out of space at home, so it's time for me clear off some of my collection. All my books are priced to sell, and I assure you they are much cheaper than what it costs at a comic shop. All prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD), and most, if not all are bagged and boarded. I hope to share my comic goodness among other fans, so the more you buy, the cheaper they'll be Also, if you buy anything from me, be prepared to receive freebies!!

Without further ado, here they come:
MARVEL
Marvel Zombies Return #1-5 (Complete 5 issue mini-series)(NM/NM+): $25

DC
Infinity Inc. #1-3, #8 (NM/NM+): $8

Justice League Unlimited #1-#32, #44 (NM+/M): $99
JLA Hitman #1-#2 (Complete 2 issue mini-series) (NM/NM+): $6
Justice League of America #19 (NM+): $2
Justice League of America Classified #54 (NM+): $2
(OR Buy JLA Unlimited and JLA Hitman for $100!! and get JLA #19 and #54 for free!)

Metal Men #1-#4 (NM/NM+): $10

Robin II: The Joker’s Wild! Collector’s Set (NM/NM+) (Sealed in polybag): $15
-Includes all direct market variant editions
-Newstand editions
-Exclusive hologram trading card

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #26-#36: $33
SuperGirl (1997 series) #10, 12, 13, 15, 17-19, 21, 22, 25, 33-35, 37, 39, 41(NM/NM+): $45
SuperGirl (2005 series) #1 (Michael Turner sketch cover. I saw the Mind Shop selling it for RM 80 during my last visit) -34 (with extra #26) (NM/NM+): $102
(OR Buy all Supergirl comics for $170!!)

Trinity #1-#43 (NM/NM+): $129

Trials of Shazam #1-#12 (Complete 12-issue mini series with extra #12) (NM/NM+): $36

WonderGirl #1-#6 (Complete 6 issue mini-series with extra #5)(NM/NM+): $18
Wonder Woman (2006 series) #1-#25, Annual #1 (missing #11, extra #18) (NM/NM+): $75
(OR Buy Wonder Girl and Wonder Woman comics for $90!!)

IDW
Transfomers: All Hail Megatron #1-#16 (Complete 16 issue mini-series)
(NM/NM+): $70

TPBs
Grimm Fairy Tales Vol 1 - 8 (Publisher: Zenescope): $120
Grimm Fairy Tales: The Piper (Publisher: Zenescope): $15
Fables Vol 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 (Publisher: Vertigo): $180

Fables and Grimm Fairy Tales are two different must-read titles if you haven't already done so. They are not your everyday super-hero comic, but rather, revolve around fairy tales and change their endings quite a bit. Grimm Fairy Tales has a more twisted, dark and sexy (damn sexy art! lol) concept, whereas Fables is more engaging and interesting personally. BUT, they are not suitable for kids due to nature of content (violence and coarse language).

Most of you probably know I'm from Singapore, so hit me a PM and I"ll let you know about the shipping costs. I did a quick check at my post office and shipping to Malaysia isn't that bad and is pretty fast (:

NOTE: I have a friend going down to KL in about a week, so there is a chance a COD transaction can take place. That way, you guys can save on shipping. But, you gotta be quick and let me know asap!