eBay changes collecting, first appearance John Constantine, Catwoman and Punisher
THE SLUSH PILE
I think it’s only appropriate to recognize the influence that eBay, the primary online auctioning service, has on collecting. With comic shops failing (see last week’s issue) and the increasing popularity of Internet sales, eBay has emerged as a major resource in the collector’s universe.
My favorite example is a sports card my son had asked me about: a John Lynch, safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had signed a limited number of special looking cards – 47 to be exact (matches his jersey number).
None of which were available locally, so an eBay search revealed THREE! Three!
I could own nearly ten percent of the entire print run. I could search shops for years before I’d find three.
Point is, things have changed. Print runs, odd variants are of no concern for a collector seeking the unique or specialized item. A few notables:
1962 Flintstones Lunchbox, with thermos — $390, Hogan’s Heroes Lunchbox — $175
Action #1 (CGC 2.5) with a torn cover had 45 bids – $27,000, but this was not enough – didn’t meet the reserve price set by the seller.
The Asterix Pez dispenser from Austria sold for $2,749. I really don’t get this one!
Lastly, a near-mint Happy Days #1, with the photo cover, reached $50.
PULL OUT YOUR LONG BOX (Your comic box, now put that away!)
Saga of the Swamp Thing #37: Keanu Reeves moves from “The Matrix” to tackle the infamous Vertigo character John Constantine in the upcoming movie “Constantine.” This issue is the Alan Moore introduction of the character and an is still reasonably priced for a character headed to the big screen.
Battle of the Planets: Yep, Gold Key’s 1979 tale with the lovable characters G-Force. They are finding a new audience with the recent issues from Top Cow/Image.
ONE SHOTS
The Beginning of “The End”? The Foil-Enhanced Cover Returns: Yep, it’s back! Fantastic Four #500 will feature a “regular” version and a “Director’s Cut” with a foil-cover, deleted scenes, creator commentaries and outtakes. It’s a clear rip-off of the popular DVD gimmick and a frightening flashback to the early 90’s. Mike Doran, Marvel’s marketing and communications manager is quoted in the Wizard article: We don’t have any other ‘Director’s Cuts’ planned right now.” He excuses the Supreme Powers #1 regular and special editions as different, then adds …”there’s a good possibility with core books Amazing Spider-Man and Avengers that we’ll do similar anniversaries. But done on a smart basis.” Issue 500 is a reversion to the original numbering and would be #71 in the current series. Sounds smart to me. (Complete story in Wizard #143, August 2003)
Catwoman – One Year: No, not “Year One” but one year from now, we’ll all be talking about Halle Berry as the Catwoman which will be released on July 30, 2004. “Catwoman” follows Patience Price, a veterinary scientist (Salina Kyle died long ago) working in biotechnology under the guise of the evil businessman. I fear the origin story will mimic “Batman Returns” and has promised references to the Caped Crusader. Rather than embrace the cross-franchise references, which I think audiences will enjoy, “Catwoman” will struggle to stand on its own with a series of “It’s just like a man…” lines.
Punisher Casting: Laura Elena Harring (“Mulholland Drive”) will star opposite John Travolta in the upcoming Artisan film. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos will be playing a character called Joan. Joan is a bit of a recluse in the Garth Ennis comic, but will represent his love interest. Mmm…Joan. Sure, that’ll work – not as smooth as “Mmmm…Mystique’, but hey.
UP NEXT
Looking ahead…Movies, Music etc…the rest of 2003 and beyond.
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