Some time ago I put an image up of spider mans villains. Well, I came across
another one when I was browsing Google images. I really like this montage
of villains and how it was all laid out in box-style.
Take a look here:
(Click the image to enlarge)
What villain would you say sticks out the most in your mind either from
your days of reading spiderman or just enjoying the image itself?
Let me know by leaving a comment.
Patrick
Just wanted to show you a great example of how a comic book
can turn out after it has been prepped.
The comic in questions is a Giant Sized X-Men #1. Sent to me
by a customer who wanted some comic books cleaned and
pressed.
Here is an image of the back cover before prepping:
Take a close look at the spine. It has many creases, indents and
wrinkles (the shaded areas) and to many collectors, this book
would not be considered a viable book to grade.
Let’s see what a little prepping can do for this awesome collector
item. Here is the comic after prepping:
You can clearly see a significant difference in how prepping has
greatly improved the cover and spine. Do take notice that there
is still some minor wrinkling by the form graphic of the back cover.
This does happen, especially with heavy wrinkling and indentation
but does come out sometimes with a second pass. Definitely a
senses-shattering example of how prepping improves the grade
of your book.
This customer will definitely be satisfied!
If this were your comic book, would you be satisfied with the results?
Leave your comments on your thoughts on this topic.
Patrick Whitson
Tags: comic book prepping · Cover Wrinklin · GS X-Men 1 · Spine Creases1 Comment
I know, the title is a little…odd, but it will all make sense in a bit – so stick
with me.
I received an e-mail from an avid comic book collector a couple of months
ago in which this collector explained to me that he had near complete runs
of Avengers, Captain America, Hulk, Weird War, and a couple of others.
Who wouldn’t want a collection like that?
He went on and said that he keeps them in mylar sleeves and prefers them
raw and unslabbed – meaning he doesn’t grade his comic books. Hey, that’s
great, more power to him.
For you collectors out there, whether you want to grade your comic books
or keep them raw, such as this collector, is a personal decision. If you like
to pick your comics up, smell them, flip through them (although do it gently)
and/or admire them then grading your books is going to make you crazy.
On the other hand, I know collectors that have “reader copies” and they slab
a high grade copy of the same comic and keep it safe and sound in a storage
comic box (hopefully in an air conditioned room or, even better, a basement
with a dehumidifier).
Sorry about the rabbit trail – back to the topic at hand.
Well, this collector realized that pressing and cleaning will improve the
appearance of his comics as well as the grade of them – but there was one
caveat to this whole e-mail that he sent me…
He wanted me to show him how to do it himself, as a favor, from
one comic book collector to another!
Of course, he guaranteed he would not turn around and compete with me
doing this service. Now, this guy seemed genuine in his request but his
request was off target.
Just because you have a hobby that is the same as someone else and they
know or have a niche/specialty in that hobby, does not mean that person is
going to share their trade secrets with you – just because!
Plus, it’s not like I’ve known this collector since my childhood.
Pressing and cleaning comic books is something I enjoy doing for fellow
collectors, and yes, it does cost to do it – because it works to improve the
appearance of your comics and increases its grade.
What I do to improve the appearance and grade of comic books is a trade
secret – and for now will stay under wraps. One day, when I don’t want to do
it anymore, I may teach others how.
One last thing he came back and asked me was “Can you tell me how you
learned to prep comic books?” (I have to admit, the guys persistent).
My reply:
“That will remain secret as well, but all I can say is that I
“stumbled” upon it.”
I received No more e-mails after that reply.
I didn’t explain all this to bad mouth this collector or to ridicule him, but to
make a point that some things are best kept secret because it’s a source of
income and livelyhood for those that provide it.
What would you do if someone out of the blue e-mailed you and asked you
to share your trade secrets or knowledge of something that not many people
know about?
Would there be a price that was high enough for you to divulge your trade
secret?
Let me know your thoughts and opinions on this subject by leaving a
comment on this post. In the words of Stan Lee, “Nuff’ Said”.
Patrick Whitson
Hello comic collectors,
It seems I get to writing something on here every couple of months or so BUT I do want to bring you original content and information that you can put to use to help you in your comic book collecting. As many of you know, one of my specialties is prepping comic books and I think it is imperative that you see some results of what this process can do for high-grade comic books.
“I Wanted To See What Your Work Could Do…”
Back in Setpember of 2008 a client sent me a few books to prep for him so he could get them graded by CGC. I wrote an article called 5 Defects That Prepping Can Fix To Increase The Grade Of Your Comic Book and near the end of that article I mention the client and I display the end result of his prepped comic book. Take a look at that article and refresh your neurons.
Last week, I received an e-mail from this client and here is what he had to say about my service:
Hello, Patrick. Several months ago I sent you a copy of Spider-Man #103 which was an 8.5. I wanted to see what your work could do. After you performed your process, which was done at a very cheap price, I received it back and sent it in to be graded with my last CGC order. I just got my CGC books back yesterday and amazingly enough.. the Spidey #103 is now a 9.4!! Wonderful! I will now begin to search the comic shows for higher end books which will benefit from your services. I’m impressed.
I couldn’t of said it better myself, but of course, it’s best to come from a satisfied customer. That’s all for today.
P.S. Want to get high grades for your comic books. Sign up for my CGC Prep Service today!
Great success in your collecting,
Patrick Whitson
Tags: No Comments.
Hello comic collectors,
Once again, it’s been awhile since I posted here and I apologize for that. Today I have some New Years information for you that, I believe, you will be excited about.
First, I hope that all had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy and Exciting 2009 ahead.
How To Improve Your Comic Book Grade By Two To Three Points
I have a client who specializes in collecting Pink Panther comic books. Yep, that’s all he collects. One of his focuses is to put together the highest grade collection of Pink Panther. He e-mailed me one day asking if I would prep a couple of books he just had purchased off of eBay. I, of course, obliged.
Now these books were in the condition I speak about once you follow the steps in the article 7 defects to look for before prepping your books for grading. Meaning, they were in the range of 9.2-9.4 when he purchased them.
My client went ahead and had the eBay seller send the books directly to my address so I could prep them for him. Once I received them, I prepped them and then sent them back to him to be shipped out to CGC for grading.
NOTE: It’s important for me to receive your input and comments on my service. This gives proof that this service works but also helps me to improve my service to you as my client.
Ok, onto the rest of the story…
So, what kind of grades did my client receive from CGC, you may ask?
Take a look at the pics he sent back to me once he opened up the package from CGC:
Pink Panther 85
Check out the grade – A 9.8 White Pages
Pink Panther 87
Another CGC 9.8 White Pages
My client was ecstatic to receive those grades (originally he didn’t think it was feasible) and add these gems to his collection.
I hope this helps you to see that receiving a high grade on your comic book by prepping them IS possible.
Make sure you follow my defects articles to know what to look for before having your books graded.
Want To Know How You Can Get One Of Your Comic Books Prepped For Free?
As an end of year special to my site readers and comic collectors who have been hesitant to try my services – you can get one comic book prepped for FREE!
Here is how to participate:
1. Post a comment that you want in on the End of year special. You MUST mention “End Of Year Special” in your comment. Please leave me your e-mail address written out like this “patrick AT comicbookcollecting DOT net”.
2. Those who comment will receive an e-mail from me on the details of the special and where to send your comic books.
3. Send those comic books that were prepped to CGC and enjoy them as my above client did. 
4. Give me a testimonial, and send me your pics of your graded books so I can add you to my list of satisfied clients.
That’s it. Number 4 IS NOT required to get your FREE prepped comic book but is a way for you to get exposure for your high grade comic and give my service a boost for those who haven’t or are new to comic book prepping.
Oh, I almost forgot – this is a TIME LIMITED OFFER and will only last until January 4th, 2009. Get your comments in by 11:59 PM January 4th or you lose out.
Yours For High Grade Comic Books,
Patrick Whitson
Tags: 2 Comments
