Hola and good day you handsome/beautiful wookiees! A few months back I decided to do a test. To send in 25 comics to CGC for the first time to get graded. I didn’t do all that great. Getting 15 9.8s out of 25 submissions. If you want the details on that you can read my post here on the results and my thoughts on them.
If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. I wanted to give it another shot. So on the June 24th I send in 21 books to be graded. My goal was 15 out of 21 which would beat my hit rate from the first try.
Also, just like last time, I slid these books into CGC raw with no pressing, cleaning, etc.
Sent in some weird ones this time. At least 6 of these have less than 5-6 9.8s on the CGC census.
So how did I do? Much better! Out of the 25 books I sent in 18 came back with 9.8 grades! And since I forgot to check the 9.8 pre-screen box the other 3 came back as 9.6s.
I’m very happy with the results. All in all the 21 books cost me a little over $500 to get graded. Which of course is not a drop in the bucket but 100% worth it for me to give it another shot. The added value from the grade confirmation should make it easy to recoup that cost when/if I decide to sell.
And I do plan on selling some of these. Even the once with really nice speculation potential. I’m taking my family to Disney World next month and my wife and kids need the essentials… lightsabers, droids, holocrons, princess dresses, lightning lane passes, etc. I must provide.
If you’re interested in what books I sent and why I wrote up a full breakdown below complete with pics for proof.
Hope all is well my friend.
My 2nd CGC Submission
[Top Left] Star Wars #20 (2020) 1:25 Variant by Marc Laming
The first full appearance of Jedi Master Elzar Mann in a comic. Elzar Mann is one of the most important and popular characters from the High Republic and got a sneaky first app in a non-High Republic comic as Luke encounters an imprint of him on a strange planet. Very cool cover and a great story inside.
There are 56 9.8s currently listed on the CGC census. This one probably makes it 57.
[Top Right] Star Wars: The High Republic #5 (2020) 1:25 Variant by Bernard Chang
Arguably the first full appearance of Vernestra Rwoh who is set to appear in The Acolyte. I’d argue that it’s not but then again… who cares? It’s the first significant appearance of Vernestra and the cover is too badass.
There are currently 57 9.8s currently listed on the CGC census. This one probably makes it 58.
[Bottom Left & Right] Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – Jabba’s Palace #1 2nd Print 1:25 Variant by Alex Maleev
I got these because I anticipated that they were going to be underordered. Final order cutoff was during Star Wars Celebration and as predicted this variant got lost in the shuffle and not many shops ordered enough of the 2nd print to get the ratios. This issue is also the first appearance of Bane Malar, Silvan Kaan, and Eightyem.
If you want to know more about those characters, read this.
There is currently only 1 9.8 listed on the CGC census. These two are probably #2 and #3.
[Top Left] Star Wars Adventures #1 (2017) Hall of Comics Exclusive Variant by Chris Uminga. LTD to 1000.
I got this graded for 2 reasons. The first is rarity. There are not many listings of this book and there were zero CGC 9.8s. The 2nd reason is Rey. With the New Jedi Order movie on the way featuring Daisy Ridley as Rey it feels like her Star Wars Journey is far from over.
There are currently 0 9.8s listed on the CGC census. Meaning this is likely the only one.
[Top Right] Star Wars Adventures #3 (2017) Hall of Comics Exclusive Variant by Chris Uminga. LTD to 1000.
This book is another relatively hard-to-find book and I absolutely love the art by Chris Uminga. Plus I had to get this one graded to match the Rey variant above.
There are currently 0 9.8s listed on the CGC census. Meaning this is likely the only one.
[Bottom Left & Right] Star Wars Adventures #1 Heroes and Fantasies Exclusive Variant by Tim Lim.
Talk about a ghost. This book was near the top of my rare Rey books list. The art is fantastic and I genuinely have no clue why there are not more out in the wild. Mainly because I got these directly from Heroes and Fantasies and they said it was their last few copies.
This will be one of those things that may not be the most sought-after book but that will retain value based on scarcity.
There is currently only 1 9.8 on the CGC Census. Meaning these are likely #2 and #3.
[Top Left] Die!Die!Die! #14 from Image/Skybound
The first unofficial appearance of Grogu in a comic book. This book is silly as hell. The premise is that Barack Obama has to fight in an annual intergalactic boxing match. If he wins the alien civilizations will leave Earth alone… but if he loses Earth will be attacked (or something it’s been a while since I read it.) In the crowd at that match is a little baby Grogu being held by Jaxxon. It’s not official Star Wars content so I don’t consider it a “first appearance” per se but it’s still fun to own as it predates every graphic novel or comic related to The Mandalorian.
There are currently 28 9.8s listed on the CGC census. So this is probably #29
[Top Right] Star Wars Bounty Hunters #14 Cover A by Camuncoli
First appearance of Death Stick in a comic book. Death Stick is a badass nightsister survivor turned Bounty Hunter. There were rumors that she would show up in a show in the past, including a potential appearance in the Mandalorian. Not all that rare though. I still find these in the wild at cover price or slightly above.
There are currently 126 9.8s on the CGC census for this book. Making this #127
[Bottom Left] Star Wars: The High Republic #4 CBE Exclusive Virgin Variant by Paolo Villanelli – Limited to 600.
Very cool homage to the Clone Wars #1 LE Dave Filoni variant. The book has some interesting moments and first appearances but the reason I wanted this locked in as 9.8 is the cover art and the limited print.
There are currently 33 9.8s on the CGC census for this book. Making this #34
[Bottom Right] Star Wars Forces of Destiny – Rose & Paige Convention Exclusive Virgin Variant
I have no idea how many of these were printed and it’s not really a key as far as I know. But there are not many Rose Tico covers and even less that are graded.
There are currently only 2 9.8s on the CGC census for this book. Making this #3
[Top] Star Wars The High Republic Adventures #1 (2021) Peach Tree Playthings Variant
This is a weird one. Over a year after the initial release of Star Wars: High Republic Adventures #1, Peachtree Playthings did a reprint of this issue and sold them at Dollar Tree for $1.25. As soon as collectors caught wind they flocked to the stores to pick them up. But by then many were damaged. I was lucky to grab a handful of minty boys. Interested to see if this becomes rarer and rarer over time. It also shares the same cover art as the 1:10 variant of the first print.
There are currently only 3 9.8s on the CGC census for this book. Making these likely #4 and #5
[Bottom] Star Wars The High Republic Adventures #1 (2021) Peach Tree Playthings Variant
Pretty much the same thing I said above.
There are currently only 3 9.8s on the CGC census for this book. Making these likely #4 and #5
[Top Left & Middle] Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black White Red #1 – Comic Corner Exclusive Variants by Takashi Okazaki. Virgin is limited to 600 and trade dress is limited to 800.
I just love this cover. It’s right in my Q zone. Plus it was a very limited release. Pretty sure the comic corner still has some up. It’s a bummer that the virgin came back a 9.6. Considering resubmitting to see if I can get that .2 bump with a new grader.
There are currently 27 9.8s of the trade dress 22 9.8s on the CGC census for the virgin variant book. This is the only virgin 9.6. Not really the preferred kind of rarity though. 🙂
[Top Right] Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #27 (aka Family Ties #2)
This is the 2nd issue in a 2 part mini arc called “Family Ties” that was a part of the X-Wing Rogue Squadron comics from the 90s. I got a 9.8 of #26 (Family Ties #1) in my first CGC submission and I honestly just wanted to pair this with it since they’re not always easy to find in pristine condition. #26 is the first appearance of Corran Horn.
There is currently only one other 9.8 on the CGC Census
[Bottom Left] Star Wars #24 JTC Exclusive Wicket Action Figure Variant
This is an exclusive from Johnathan Tyler Christopher for his action figure variant line. Nothing special other than I just love Wicket. Was not thrilled with a 9.6 but not sure this will ever be a high-dollar book to begin with.
There are 14 9.8s on the CGC Census.
[Bottom Right] Star Wars Crimson Empire #3
The cover art is dope. That’s it. I was nearly certain this was a 9.8. Not sure it’s worth resubmitting. I still love it.
There are currently 20 9.8s of this comic on the CGC Census including 5 other 9.6s.
Annnnd… that’s it! That’s what I got and why I got it.
This has been a fun experience. I won’t be submitting stuff like this all the time but I’m glad I took the time to give it a shot.
Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
For light and life you filthy moof milker.
Grand Admiral Frik
