We have been asked how we have such good feedback when dealing with collectibles where grading is of utmost importance! 

Well, I have been collecting comics since the 1960's, so it has been basically self-taught. However you can't learn thru osmosis thru this blog on how to grade comics, so what is there for you as a seller to use?   So the following review is for YOU as an eBay Seller!

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When Selling on eBay, This Guide is very important to you!

In real estate the keywords are location, location, location.

In comic book collecting it is condition, condition, condition!

This book, 'Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide', has multiple color examples of the different grades that are used in describing a comic book's condition.

This edition is a little more 'lax' in 'grading' in my opinion than the first edition.  However it is considered the 'standard' when comic book grades are discussed.

Comic book grading is NOT an objective science. It is a Subjective science. Why is that?  Well, a defect that one collector might think would make it not collectible for him/her may be perfectly acceptable to another collector!

Some collectors will not buy any comics that have a 'store stamp' stamped on the front cover. Others will see that as part of the comic's history and will buy it.

I have personally attended several 'Grading Panels' at the San Diego Comic Con International where of the five panel guests, you could get five different opinions of grading the same comic!  These included prominent dealers of good standing and length of time selling comics. These panels also included the main representative of CGC, who do most of the slabbing 'encapsulated' comic 3rd party grading.

Personally I don't like off center comics, yet after visiting a few local comic book stores that received back graded comics from CGC, found that off center comics are not downgraded that much! 

CGC has not to my knowledge published what their grading standards are, so for those that are selling, (or even buying), on eBay, this book is a MUST purchase!  A 'Good' condition comic is definitely NOT Good to collect after the year 1968 for example! 

Sellers, Learn your grades and purchase this book!  Or at least show a LARGE scan of the comic book you are attempting to sell, or you will LOSE money when selling!!

Michael  

We have been asked how we have such good feedback when dealing with collectibles where grading is of utmost importance! 

Well, I have been collecting comics since the 1960's, so it has been basically self-taught. However you can't learn thru osmosis thru this blog on how to grade comics, so what is there for you as a seller to use?   So the following review is for YOU as an eBay Seller!

-------------

When Selling on eBay, This Guide is very important to you!

In real estate the keywords are location, location, location.

In comic book collecting it is condition, condition, condition!

This book, 'Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide', has multiple color examples of the different grades that are used in describing a comic book's condition.

This edition is a little more 'lax' in 'grading' in my opinion than the first edition.  However it is considered the 'standard' when comic book grades are discussed.

Comic book grading is NOT an objective science. It is a Subjective science. Why is that?  Well, a defect that one collector might think would make it not collectible for him/her may be perfectly acceptable to another collector!

Some collectors will not buy any comics that have a 'store stamp' stamped on the front cover. Others will see that as part of the comic's history and will buy it.

I have personally attended several 'Grading Panels' at the San Diego Comic Con International where of the five panel guests, you could get five different opinions of grading the same comic!  These included prominent dealers of good standing and length of time selling comics. These panels also included the main representative of CGC, who do most of the slabbing 'encapsulated' comic 3rd party grading.

Personally I don't like off center comics, yet after visiting a few local comic book stores that received back graded comics from CGC, found that off center comics are not downgraded that much! 

CGC has not to my knowledge published what their grading standards are, so for those that are selling, (or even buying), on eBay, this book is a MUST purchase!  A 'Good' condition comic is definitely NOT Good to collect after the year 1968 for example! 

Sellers, Learn your grades and purchase this book!  Or at least show a LARGE scan of the comic book you are attempting to sell, or you will LOSE money when selling!!

Michael  

In addition we are watching other movies, such as this one, which have become part of 'pop culture'.  Stephen King's books are part of 'pop culture'.

This Is A Great Stephen King Book Adaptation to the Big Screen!

Tom Hanks is outstanding as Paul Edgecomb, who was a Louisiana security guard who was the 'Boss' of Cellblock 'E' which was the death row in this prison during the Great Depression in 1935.

Paul's life is changed forever when John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a giant of a black man who was convicted of raping and murdering two white girls is admitted to the cellblock.

John Coffey definitely does not fit into the mold of a psychopathic killer, which puzzles Paul. John is so kind, gentle, and even afraid of the dark!

The storyline takes a Stephen King twist or two in the telling.

This is a long move.... but it is so interesting we didn't get bored at all!

Michael Clarke Duncan, who went on to play the gigantic Kingpin in the Daredevil movie, is outstanding in this role. You would believe he truly has this power that he uses in the movie!

Tina won't watch most HoRRoR movies, and shys away from Stephen King movies,
but this one had such good press that she took a chance on it and was pleased!

This was my second time viewing the movie, and the DVD has a good bonus feature in the 'making of the movie'.

Also, Dabbs Greer who plays Paul Edgecomb in the present plays a good role, and David Morse and Barry Pepper are also good in their roles as Paul's fellow prison guards.

Recommended viewing!  It is rated 'R'.

Michael (and Tina)