Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy

Since the movie Guardians of the Galaxy premiers tomorrow we decided to cover two characters today, Gamora was first and now soon to everyones favorite tree, Groot. Get ready to hear this a lot the next couple of week "I am Groot." Groot made his first appearance in Tales to Astonish #13. The issue was written by Stan Lee with art by Jack Kirby, released in November, 1960.
A mint graded copy will cot you about $5,000 while an ungraded average copy will be about $300. These early Lee/Kirby monster tales are highly sought after by collectors, value will continue to increase based on the popularity of Groot.

About Groot
Groot was originally the Monarch of Planet X, after being destroyed he was reimagined as the Flora Colossus from Planet X, the capital of the branch worlds. The Flora Colossus are tree-like beings who are highly intelligent but due to their anatomy their language consists of  repeating the phrase "I am Groot". 

First Appearance

After landing on planet Earth Groot the Monarch of Planet X absorbs wood objects into his body, growing larger. He then uses his abilities to control trees to try to take a small town back to Planet X so that it can be studied by scientists. A scientist from the town uses a specially breed colony of termites to defeat Groot, who many believed to be dead after the encounter.

In Guardians of the Galaxy

Groot will be CGI and voiced by Vin Diesel whose only lines will be "I am Groot", he becomes a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy with his partner Rocket Raccoon.

Tales to Astonish #12 like many other issues in this monster themed title are very hard to find and should get harder to find after the Guardians smashes it at the box office. So go and hunt down a copy for your collection, make The Collector proud.

View our Guide to Guardians of the Galaxy to find out information about other characters.

I am Groot

#jointhehunt

Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy

The countdown to Guardians of the Galaxy is almost complete, hopefully you can hunt down some tickets for premier. While you do, we continue our look at each characters first appearance, today we look at the lady of the group, Gamora. See previous review in our Guardians of the Galaxy Character Guide.
Gamora made her first appearance in Strange  Tales #180 alongside Adam Warlock. A graded gem mint 9.8 can be added to your collection for the low price of $1,500 while ungraded will cost you less then $10. This is the best deal of all the characters appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy, especially since Comic legend Jim Starlin wrote, drew and colored the issue.


About Gamora
Gamora is the last of her species, the Zen Whoberi. Her kind were exterminated by the Badoon. As a child Gamora was found by Thanos and trained to be a assassin. Her skills  earned her the nickname "The deadliest woman in the whole galaxy".  As she grew older Gamora realized that Thanos was more of a threat then anyone she had faced so she turned on him and has battled him since.

First Appearance
Gamora battles alongside Adam Warlock for control of the Soul Gem against Magnus and the Black Knights of the Soul Gem. During this battle it is revealed that Magnus is Adam Warlock from the future and he is put on trail.

In Guardians of the Galaxy
Zoe Saldana plays Gamora in the film she will be a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in their fight against Ronan the Accuser.

Now it's time to go out and find Marvel Tales #180, buy your tickets for GOTG and enjoy the fruits of your spoils.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

The Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy

Continuing our look at the first appearances of characters that are in Guardians of the Galaxy ( view Ronan the Accuser and Rocket Raccoon) we will look at The Collectors first appearance in Avengers #28. So yesterday you went out and hunted down a copy of Fantastic Four # 65, now you can go hunt this Avengers issue.

Avengers # 28 will cost you less then $50 ungraded, high CGC graded will be about $400. Cover art is by Jack Kirby, story by Stan Lee. The Collector will surely appear in future Marvel movies so like we said go out and get this issue quick.

About the Collector

The Collectors real name is Taneleer Tivan, he is one of the Elders of the Universe. He is very powerful and can wield the Power Primordial. Although at first he took the appearance of an old human, his true form is a powerful alien. After losing his family The Collector decided to take up a hobby, so he began collecting interesting artifacts and life forms from around the universe. This became an obsession, he starting collected anything he considered rare or valuable often just for the sake of collecting. His collection contains a wide variety of rare or unique items. (Basically he is a hunter of things, like all of us.)

First Appearance
In Avengers #28 The Collector captures the Wasp and the Beetle. Led by Henry Pym as Giant-Man they battle the Collector in his lair. They rescue the Wasp but the Collector escapes with the Beetle using a time machine. 

In Guardians of the Galaxy
The Collector has already appeared at the end of Thor: The Dark World, he will apparently be collecting the five gems needed to power the Infinity Gauntlet for Thanos. He is again played by Benicio del Toro. In Guardians of the Galaxy the Collector will continue his pursuit of the infinity stones.

Now put your laptop down and get out there to find a copy of Avengers #28, you will be collecting the Collector.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jionthehunt

My Wantlist Top 100 for the hundredth post

To celebrate our 100th post I decided to give the readers a glimpse into my want list and offer readers the opportunity to share the top 10 on their Want list, we will post them in upcoming entries.

So below is the top 100 things we are hunting for they are by no means in any particular order.
Some are on the list because I can't actually find them, others because I can't afford them yet.
Hope you enjoy and hope you share yours.

1. Showcase #4 - First  Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen

2. The Flash #105 

3. All-Flash #1

4. Giant Size Invaders #1

5. Flash New 52 #1 Sketch Variant

6. Showcase #8 - 1st App. Captain Cold

7. Reverse Flash Uni-Formz

 

8. Black Flash Uni-Formz

 

9. The Flash #110 - 1st App. Kid Flash

10. Giant Size X-Men #1

 

11. Iron Fist #14 - 1st App. Sabertooth

12. Carded Superpowers Flash 

13. New Mutants #98 -1st App. Deadpool

14. Defenders #1

15. The Flash #111

16. Mister Miracle #1

17. New Gods #1

18. Super Powers Mister Miracle

19. The Incredible Hulk #181 -1st App. Wolverine

20. Justice League Unlimited Vulcana figure

21. Brave & The Bold #28 - 1st Justice League of America

22. Showcase #13

23. Showcase #14

24. Funko Pop Vinyl Reverse Flash

25. Funko Pop Vinyl Blue Lantern Flash

26. Funko Pop Vinyl White Lantern Flash

27. Heroclix White Lantern Flash

28. Replica Metal Flash Ring

29. Justice League Unlimited Doomday Figure

30. Justice League of America #1

31. Superman #199 - Flash Race

32. Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 - 1st App. Power Man

33. Power Man & Iron Fist #50

34. Worlds Finest #198 - Superman/Flash Race

35. Worlds Finest #199 - Superman/Flash Race

36. Justice League Unlimited 3-Pack - Flash/ Capt. Cold/Capt. Boomerang

37. Mego Thor

38. Brave & Bold #29

39. Brave & Bold #30

40. The Flash # 106

41. The Flash # 107

42. Flash New 52 #2 Sketch Variant 1:200

43. Smallville Impulse Figure

 

44. Dc Superheroes The Flash Figure

45. The Silver Age of Dc Comics Hard Cover

46. The Flash #123

47. Justice League of America #11 - Scribblenauts variant cover

48. Aquaman #18

 

49. Adventures of Jerry Lewis #112 - Flash App.

 

50. Batman Alarm Clock (Had it as a kid)

 

See the rest of the list by clicking on 51-100

Wednesday Whacked Comic Cover - The Brave and the Bold #28

Each week on Wednesday we look at a whacked cover, which is a cover that is just a bit weird or strange. This week we look at a whacked cover that is also the cover of a very important Silver Age issue, The Brave and The Bold #28 which is the first appearance of the Justice League of America. It is a highly sought after and very valuable issue. So why is it in our Whacked cover post?

Well in the Justice Leagues First appearance, DC greatest heroes are brought together to fight a giant alien starfish named Starro. Yes they are fighting a starfish which appears on the cover. The Justice League has fought Darkseid, The Legion of Doom, The Crime Syndicate and countless other world menaces, but in their first appearance they fought a starfish. I guess I just always found this a little bit whacky so I have included here as this week Wednesday Whacked Cover.

If you have a whacked cover you think should be featured here please send us your suggestions, via email at farleyclan003@yahoo.com

You can view past editions of Wednesday Whacked Comic Covers HERE

Marvel Previews #7 - First Appearance Rocket Raccoon

As promised in our earlier post about Ronan the Accuser we would be covering the key characters from Guardians of the Galaxy. This post is about the first appearance of the movies breakout star, Rocket Raccoon. His first appearance is a rare and sure to go up in value following the movies release.

Marvel Previews #7 released in the summer of 1976 is a magazine sized anthology that has a cover image of Satana drawn by Bob Larkin. The Rocket Raccoon story was written by Chris Claremont, famous for writing the X-Men comic throughout the 1980's.

Rocket Raccoons story in Marvel Previews #7

Graded copies of Marvel Previews #7 have appeared for sale recently, a CGC 9.6 sold for $3,900 while a CGC 9.4 sold for $1,200. Lower grades or ungraded can be found for around a couple of hundred. This is a good issue to add to your collection, Marvel will be pushing Rocket Raccoon in the coming months. Remember there is a GOTG 2 already scheduled.

So my advice get to hunting one down and quickly.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Comic Shop Review - Ray & Judy's Book Stop

Sometimes when you first enter a new comic shop your expectations aren't n very high, then you go in and are so suprised that when you leave you can not wait to go back. Ray & Judy's Book Stop is much more than a bookstore it is a wonderful mom and pop comic shop. The store is loaded with used books, yes real books but also tons of new and old comics, comic toys and pez. Pez you say, Ray & Judy have the largest Pez display I have seen since visiting the Pez Museum.

The store is made up of three seperate rooms just filled with stuff, that's what happens when your in business for 29 years. I have a very high regard for those comic shops that survived the big bust of the early 1990's, it isn't hard to see why Ray & Judy's has not only survived but strives. Two words many comic shops do not know very well, Costumer Service. Ray really made you want to come back, friendly and helpful.

This shop is worth a visit to Rockaway, NJ. Plus there is a Cupcake Wars winner right around the corner.

So is Ray and Judy's Book Store a place to hunt for comics and comic collectibles. I think you already know the answer.

Comics - All the new titles with copies from the last few months stacked near the register. Pi led up a blank cover Grayson #1, will be using it to get a commission at NYCC. They also have a bunch of back issues, priced at half off cover. We finally hunted down a Rogues Revenge #1 to finish the series. Back issues bins were set up by publisher, DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and everyone else.

Toys - Old and new toys showcased all over the walls, hanging from the ceiling and in glass cases. Even had some things I had never seen before, like a stuffed Allan Scott Green Lantern doll. Prices are all within reason. Unfortunately no Justice League Unlimited Figures, he hunt continues.

Other stuff - Along with the biggest collection of Pez this side of the Pez Museum, Ray & Judy's also had a nice selection of Eaglemoss figures and collectible cards. My daughter bought a pack of Thor cards, her favorite movie and pulled an autographed Tom Hiddleston, Loki, card worth about $500.

Comic Shop Grade - A

Ray & Judy's is a perfect example of a mom & pop comic shop run not because of money but because of a love for the hobby, built with good customer service and decades of experience. A nice place to hunt for unique comic collectibles or to buy the latest issues including variants.

Get in your car and drive there today.

Check out our other Comic Shop Reviews

We would love to,hear about your comic shop experiences, Email Us today

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#joinehunt

Action Comics #1 - Peanut Butter Reprint

This reprint is simlar to the Nestlé Quick Reprint. It was also released in 1983 but was a giveaway by Superman Peanut butter. It was released in celebration of Supermans 45th anniversary. Cover is exactly the same as the original Action Comics #1, printed on newspaper type paper and is Approximately 7 1/4 " x 10 1/4 inches.  

This reprint was a free giveaway from Superman Peanut Butter released in January 1983, it contained only the 13 page Superman story from Action Comics #1. Inside the cover is a congratulation message for 45 years of Superman. 

The back covet contained an add for Superman Peanut Butter.

Unkike the Nestle Quick reprint, We have not seen a CGC graded copy yet. An ungraded copy in near mint condition can be yours for about $200 if you can find one.
Remember to check out "Stories of Action Comics #1"

Good luck on your hunt
#jointhehunt

Hunters Showcase - Gathering of Collections

If you have been reading this blog, which I hope you have, you know that our primary focus is on hunting for comics and comics collectibles. We have dedicated space on this blog to the results of our hunts, which basically is our travels to comic conventions, flea markets, comic shops and anywhere else comic stuff is sold. You can read more on our All Hunters must Travel  page. We also focus on highly sought after comics, like our ongoing "Stories of Action Comics #1".

Here we are going to start a new feature, here at Comic Book Hunter and Gatherers we would like to showcase some of our readers spoils, share what you hunt for, what you have gathered, how you display your collection or results of your best comic hunting trip.

So we want you our loyal readers to share with us. We want to know about you.
Email us Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

We will break the ice with this feature by showcasing my own collection.

Trade Paperbacks and new comics

Hunter Showcase

I have been collecting comics and comic related collectibles for a good part of the last 35 years. Over that time the focus of my hunting trips has changed as the places I hunt have also.

Conventions and shops used to be much different then they are now. Conventions weren't as big and consisted of mostly comics while comic shops sold pretty much only comics. Collectibles were usually found in toy stores.

Flash toys

Today my hunting trips focus mainly on Flash comics and collectibles, late 1980/ early 1990's titles (such as Justice League America and Europe, Firestorm, Green Lantern and X- Force),  Late 1970's Marvel titles (Power Man & Iron Fist, Invaders, Defenders etc.) and Justice Unlimited Figures.

My Flash Figure Collection

I go to as many comic conventions as I can both big, like New York Comic Con ( was at the first one) and Small like the Asbury Park con (@Asburycomicon). The thing I enjoy most is going to the conventions with my two daughters, they also hunt for comic related stuff. There is a method to a successful hunt at a convention you can read all about it HERE.

I also go to comic shops anywhere I am no matter what else I am doing. I enjoy the differences in each one.

I am always looking for low #ed issues of The Flash (only need 30 more) and trying to complete the Justice League Unlimited action figure collection. The JLU stuff holds a special place because me and my youngest daughter collect them together. It's always a special event when we put another figure on our shelf. It's our trophy ceremony.

I really enjoy the thrill of the hunt, it's a great feeling when you find that special piece you have been looking for. This in its essences of why we all collect.


So hopefully you get the picture here so take some photos and send us some information about your hunting. Email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com, we may have questions to clarify your information.

Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is almost here and to celebrate the theatrical event here at CBH&G we are going to be looking at the first appearance of characters in the movie so you can go out and hunt these down.
We start with one of the villians the Guardians will face, Ronan the Accuser made his first appearance in Fantastic Four #65 which can be hunted down for about $250, high grade can cost you about $2,000. Worth it for this super villian created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

About Ronan

Ronan is a member of the alien race called the Kree. he is a member of the Accuser Corps, who are like our military governors.  The Supreme Intelligence appointed him "Supreme Accuser of the Kree Empire," so he took the name "Ronan the Accuser".

First Appearance
In Fantastic Four #65, Ronan the Accuser is sent to investigate the defeat of the robot Sentry-459 by the Fantastic Four. You can guess what happens next, the Fantastic Four wins, so the Kree Empire decides to spy on and assess Earth.

In Guardians of the Galaxy
Lee Pace of  Pushing Daisies fame will play the role of Ronan the Accuser, who will be leading  the hunt for Starlord and the mysterious orb (Infinite Gauntlet Gem) he has stolen. The main villian in the movie. 

So why are you still sitting there reading this post, get out and start hunting for your copy of Fantastic Four #65 along with other Guardians of the Galaxy characters first appearances.

Good Luck on Your GOTG Hunt!
# jointhehunt

Pep Comics #22 - 1st Appearance Archie

We spend a lot of our postbspace here at Comic Book Hunter and Gatherers spot lighting Superhero related comics and the occassional zombie title. this post will break away from the norm, we will be looking at one of the most popular characters to ever appear in comics, his popularity has stayed strong for almost 70 years, this includes the rough years for comics when Superheroes were be attacked by the US Government. Of course we are talking about the one, the only Archie Andrews. 

We will look at the extremely rare first appearance on Archie, which also included Jughead and Betty, Pep Comics #22. The cover of Pep Comics #22 features the MLJ patriotic hero, the Shield, along with the Hangman as the a giant boot of tyranny from crushing America. This issue actually hit new stands in December of 1941, the same month Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. 

The key to this issues importance is not the heroes but the first appearance of Archie Andrews. In this issue Archie does not appears as the teenager we have all come to now, he is shown as a young  boy who barely comes up to his father's waist. In the story,  Archie rides a bike and goes to a carnival with Jughead and Betty, both are also young children. Archie and his friends would quickly jump to their teenage years and take over Pep Comics.

It wouldn't take long for Archie to become so succesful that the publisher of Pep Comics, M.L.J. would abandon superhero comics altogether. They would produce comics relating directly to Archie and his friends, these comics would become a reflection of teenage life from the 1940's to today, changing as the times changed. 

It is believed that only a few dozen or so copies of Pep Comics #22 still exist, only 6 have been graded by the CGC. This makes it one if the number one hardest Golden Age issue to find.
The CGC graded 5.0, shown above, sold for $50,000 an amount sure to continue to go up as collectors realize the scarcity of this key issue.

There are very few characters that have been as popular for as long as Archie and his gang. The first appearances of these other characters have realized some astronomical prices, Pep Comics #22 has not yet gotten to that level but it should be ranked with Action Comics #1 and Amazing Fantasy #15.

So if you can find one of these and you have a couple extra thousand dollars laying around buy it, this will be difficult as very few issues come up for sale. Yes it will be a good hunt.

If you have any comics you would like us to spotlight please Email us.
Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1- The eBay Copy

Nicolas Cage Copy

We continue our "Stories of Action Comics #1" with coverage of an upcoming graded CGC 9.0 that
 will be auctioned on eBay next month. You can view the countdown Here.

The comic is part of a large Pristine Auction consignment with part of the proceeds going to the Christopher Reeves foundation. Christopher Reeve is the actor who played Superman in the late 1970/ early 1980's.

So what does all this mean to us comic hunters? If you sign up to be pre-qualified for the monumental auction and have an extra couple of million bucks sitting around you to can own a mint copy of Superman first appearance in Action Comics #1, the most famous comic ever made.

Experts are predicting that this copy will sell for around $3 million, keep in mind that the Nicolas Cage Copy also a CGC graded 9.0 sold for $2,100,000 in 2012. Since that auction hosted by ComicConnect the Comic market has exploded. Prices being realized for lesser known comics has increased steadily and high graded comics have become long-term investments.

So what are you waiting for sign-up to get Qualified and when you win the Action Comics #1 send us  a picture and we will tell your story, you can Email us. If you have a picture of any key issues send us a picture and we might tell your story.

Read the other "Stories of Action Comics #1" by clicking HERE

Good Luck on your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Detective Comics #27 - The Pinnacle Hill Copy

Over the last couple of weeks we have provided "Stories of Action Comics #1" which focuses on specific copies or reprints of Supermans first appearance. A single copy of Action Comics #1 sold for over $2 million dollars, the highest price for a comic book ever. Right behind the copy of Action Comics #1 is the Pinnacle Hill copy of Detective Comics #27, the first appearance off Batman.  (You can read more about it in our previous post The beauty that is Detective Comics #27)

The Pinnacle Hill copy of Detective Comics #27, which is CGC graded 8.0, sold at auction in February 2010 for $1,075,500. Heritage Auction Galleries sold the copy to anonymous collector.
It is believed that the seller had bought the Batman comic in the late 1960s for $100. That is a pretty good profit. 

Based on the increased auction prices being realized for these higher grade key Golden Age comics we can expect more stories such as this. So keep your eyes pealed for a copy of Detective Comics #27 you really never know where one will turn up,  remember a copy of Actin Comics #1 was found in a wall.

We will be looking at other important copies of Detective Comics #27 in future posts so click follow us on the side panel to,keep up with our reviews.l

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Comic Shop Review - Hypnotronic Comics, NY

Sometimes when you walk into a comic shop for the first time everything just looks right. When you first enter Hypnotronic Comics located on Staten Island, NY, you know you're  in one of those rare comic shops. The kind of shop that has old and new comics and toys, rare items along with the stuff you see everyday. The walls are covered in toys from days gone by.

Hypnotronic is the kind of comic shop where you know the owner puts great care into it and it's not hard to tell that they are collectors as well as dealers. If you have been buying comics for any length if time you know what we mean. If you are new check out Hypnotronics and you'll see what we mean.

Some of the items were just really cool to see, like the old Superman squeaky doll.

Or the They Live mask. Still Rowdy Roddy Pipers best work, well except for Wrestlemania 1.

So how is Hypnotronic Comics in way of huntability. You might guess already what we are going to say.

Comics- A nice selection of back issues ranging in price from $2 and up, most of the bins are $4 ans up. The up was some really good deals on key issues on various titles. Picked up two Old Justice League of America issues #121 and 147. They also had a wall full of new issues, all the titles you would want. Plus they have an old spinner rack, rarely seen in comic shops any more.

Toys - The best part of Hypnotronic Comics is their selection of toys, many older action figures and other items. It always impresses us when a toy store has carded toy biz figures from the early 1990's. they also had a box of old wrestling figures. If you collect toys you should take a trip here, it is walking distance from the Staten Island ferry and well worth the trip.

Other stuff - The shop also had a strong focus on horror related collectibles, many masks and statues. You can also get books (comic related), t-shirts, buttons, key chains, cards and almost anything else you would want.

Comic Shop Grade = A

For a small shop they packed a lot of comic and collectible punch. Reminded us of one of the old school comic shops, a mom and pop type store where care goes into everything they sell and do. The inventory was representative of items from all eras of collecting. They had the first tower of Funkos i have ever seen. Basically visit here when you get a chance, you are sure to find something to add to your collection.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt