cgc comics
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 Little Lulu 257 comic CGC 98  US $85.00
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 Star Wars Marvel Annual 1 comic CGC 94 US $50.00
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 DC Comics Presents 72 CGC 96 US $45.00
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 DC Comics Presents 74 CGC 98 US $65.00
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 ALL STAR COMICS 66 CGC 98 WHITE PAGES US $32.00
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 ALL STAR COMICS 58 CGC 96 1ST POWER GIRL US $224.72
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 ADVENTURE COMICS 391 CGC 96 1970 US $119.95
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 Marvel Comics Presents Weapon X 83 CGC 92 US $17.99
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 BATMAN 15 1943 COMIC CGC 75 CATWOMAN White pages US $622.00
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 BATMAN 23 1944 COMIC CGC 70 JOKER WHITE PAGES US $679.69
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 GRAPHIC FANTASY 123 SAVAGE DRAGON AJAX COMICS GROUP CGC 92 94 US $1,999.99
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 ALL STAR COMICS 17 1943 CGC 75 VF US $479.00
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 ACTION COMICS 26 1940 COMIC CGC 45 O W PAGES US $414.69
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 DC Comics Batman 189 CGC Graded 85 Scarecrow US $195.00
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Comic Book Collectors' Dilemna--to Slab or not to Slab?
Do you collect comics for fun or profit? Well if you're like most collectors, it's a little of both. Regardless, if you think that one day you may sell some or all of your comics (and it seems many of us do) you may want to learn more about "slabbing." Slabbing is the process of having your comics professionally graded, and then encased between two sheets of Hard Plastic (some sources identify this plastic as "Barex", but there's some controversy as to what type of plastic it is). A special paper that prevents acidification is tucked into the comic as part of this process. Slabbing protects the comic from weather extremes, mositure, dust, and all the other things that can decrease a comic's value.
Collectors both love and hate slabbing--there is no middle ground. First, here's why they love it. Slabbing protects a comic indefinitely (no one knows for how long exactly, as the process is so new). Once slabbled you don't have to worry that your prized Superman, Batman, X-Men, Spiderman, or Archie comic will lose its value, or any of its "eye appeal." That's a big plus! Also the slabbing company (Comics Guaranty, LTD or CGC is the major one, although there are others) will grade your comic as part of the process. Grades are on a .5 to 10-point scale with .5 being poor and 10 being Mint. When you're looking to value and/or sell your comics it's a great advantage to have it graded. It's much easier to sell a comic if you can say it's a CGC 6.0, instead of "in my opinion it's in Fine condition." I know this from personal experience and from talking to other sellers, including those selling comics, for my book eBay PowerSeller Secrets.
Now, here's why some collectors hate slabbing. Once a comic is slabbed you can't read it! You can't take it out from between the plastic that encases it without destroying the seal that the grading company puts along the top of the case. Once that seal is broken the grade is no longer guaranteed. That makes sense because if you take it out you may change its condition somehow, thus reducing its grade. (Although I think most collectors would be careful enough not to harm their comics.) So if you are going to slab a comic you have to get used to the idea that forever it will be encased between plastic sheets. You'll still be able to see its front and back covers but you won't be able to page through it. That's a tough thing to get used to. Also, slabbing ain't cheap. Depending primarily on the comic's age it can easily set you back $50 once you figure in shipping and insurance. And here's something that's not discussed all that much: the cases get scratched easily, and when light hits those scratches your beautifully encased comic doesn't look so hot. New cases aren't as expensive as the original ones if the comics don't have to be regraded, but you still have to pay for shipping and insurance to CGC and back.
There are more pros and cons to this slabbing business but those are the main ones.
My advice? Slab Golden Age comics that are worth at least $150. (Because more modern comics are cheaper to slab, you may consider slabbing one of those if its current value is $100 or so.) It's worth the cost in the long run and at $150, a comic is a pretty valuable investment, which will likely appreciate over time. There's great peace of mind that comes from knowing your comic will not lose any value after you slab it (barring a change in market conditions, of course). If you want to be able to read your comic, you can also search the web for a PDF version of it. These are available from newsgroups devoted to the hobby. Or you can buy one of those printed compilations of old comics.
Enjoy your hobby! Comics are a snapshot of American pop culture, just like magazines or fashions. Besides they can bring back some great memories.
About the Author
Brad Schepp is the author of 14 books including the bestselling eBay book, eBay PowerSeller Secrets. He has worked as an editor for several Fortune 500 companies including McGraw-Hill and Time Warner. He's a graduate of Rutgers College.
Brad's latest books are eBay PowerSeller Million Dollar Ideas, and How eBay Really Works. The second edition of eBay PowerSeller Secrets will be out this November. You can order Brad's books through the website he shares with his lovely wife and coauthor Deb, www.bradanddeb.com, or through retailers such as Amazon.
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Gravedigger - Magic 2012 Core Set - Common Sale Price: $0.01  |
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Mint, Near Mint, Sealed, Fast Shipping, Satisfaction Guaranteed!! |
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Captain America #25 Ed McGuinness Cover CGC 9.8 Sale Price: $55.99 |
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Written by ED BRUBAKERPencils and Cover by STEVE EPTING50/50 Variant cover by ED MCGUINNESSLeaping from the final pages of Civil War, this is the *only place* readers can find out what happens next in the life of CAPTAIN AMERICA! Trust us, folks, this oversized 25th issue will stun readers and send shockwaves through the entire Marvel Universe for the next year! 48 PGS... |
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Captain America #25 Steve Epting Cover CGC 9.8 Sale Price: $55.99 |
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Written by ED BRUBAKERPencils and Cover by STEVE EPTING50/50 Variant cover by ED MCGUINNESSLeaping from the final pages of Civil War, this is the *only place* readers can find out what happens next in the life of CAPTAIN AMERICA! Trust us, folks, this oversized 25th issue will stun readers and send shockwaves through the entire Marvel Universe for the next year! 48 PGS... |
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Batman: Vengeance Of Bane #1 Sale Price: $24.99 Used From: $15.00 |
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Squarebound comic book featuring batman vs, Bane. |
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CGC Graded 9.6 - Wolverine 10 - Wolverine Vs Sabertooth Sale Price: $59.50 |
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CGC Universal Graded 9.6 Wolverine #10 |
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The Official Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide List Price: $24.00 Sale Price: $9.40 Used From: $7.31 |
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The Ultimate Authority Delivers The Right Grade Every TimeGrading comic books is the key to successful comic book collecting, and now the leading expert on comic books, Robert M. Overstreet, together with co-author Arnold T... |
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BCW CGC Graded Comic Book Storage Box - (Bundle of 10) Corrugated Cardboard Storage Box - Comic Book Collecting Supplies List Price: $42.50 Sale Price: $31.25 |
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The BCW Storage Box is the highest quality, most competitively priced cardboard storage box on the market today. They are constructed of white corrugated paper and have a 200 lb. test strength. |
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Electronic Arts / CGC: Pajama Party Wii / 19252 $42.7 Electronic Arts - CGC: Pajama Party Wii - 19252 |
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The Comics $26.35 The Comics |
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Comics $18.74 Comics |
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Electronic Arts 19252 CGC: : Pajama Party Wii $48.1 Create your customized Charm Girl. Play with the Charm Girls or team up with up to 8 of your girl friends Spin the Party Wheel or randomize to select your minigame. Play 30+ minigames like bed bounce speed hair tease pillow fight danceoff scooter race poseoff treasure hunt best friend quizzes bike race balloon pop popcorn popping cake decorator character dressup flashlight tag cookie maker chase the chihuahua and more Use the remote to hop scoot swing pop throw peddle break collect and match. Earn 40+ virtual charms for your charm jewelry box and keep an eye out for bonus charms Minigames are played in different ways: headtohead turnbased all together team coop and competitive. Type: Software. Software Sub Type: Simulation Game. ESRB Rating: E (Everyone). Platform Support: Nintendo DS. |
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Archie Comics-Archie Comics $19.99 Archie Comics-Archie Comics - T-Shirt |
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Romance Comics $20.99 Romance Comics |
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God Of Comics $18.75 God Of Comics |
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Adult Comics $43.65 Adult Comics |
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The Divine Comics $28.12 The Divine Comics |
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Comics And The City $21.95 Comics And The City |
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British Comics $38 British Comics |
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Reading Comics $14.91 Reading Comics |
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The Power of Comics $24.2 The Power of Comics |
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Fatman Comics $9.36 Fatman Comics |
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Alternative Comics $16.5 Alternative Comics |
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Arguing Comics $18.75 Arguing Comics |
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Youth: Archie Comics-Archie Comics $17.99 Youth: Archie Comics-Archie Comics - T-Shirt |
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Women's: Archie Comics-Archie Comics $21.99 Women's: Archie Comics-Archie Comics - T-Shirt |
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DC Comics $6.99 DC Comics - Poster |
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Master Comics $19.99 Master Comics - Masterprint |
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Comics - Claws $21.99 Comics - Claws - T-Shirt |
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Kiss Comics Sticker $4.99 COMICS - STICKER |
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Comics' Comics $11.66 Erich Beasley likes to laugh, and he likes to laugh with the comedians that make him laugh. Comics’ Comics is the result of Beasley’s pursuit to meet his favorite stand-up comedians and hair-brained actors and have them draw an off-the-cuff ca |
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Virgin Comics - Devi in Flesh $10 Virgin Comics - Devi in Flesh |
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Virgin Comics - Goddess Reborn $10 Virgin Comics - Goddess Reborn |
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Virgin Comics - Lady and Serpent $10 Virgin Comics - Lady and Serpent |
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Virgin Comics - Mystic Guide $10 Virgin Comics - Mystic Guide |
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Virgin Comics - Mystic Wrath $10 Virgin Comics - Mystic Wrath |
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Virgin Comics - Naga Within $10 Virgin Comics - Naga Within |
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Virgin Comics - Path of a Sadhu $10 Virgin Comics - Path of a Sadhu |
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Virgin Comics - Pensive Warrior $10 Virgin Comics - Pensive Warrior |
