The comic shop guy in Austin pulled a Silver Surfer #1 off the wall and handed it to me, and I changed how I shop forever | Comic Book Fans - Vivisector
The comic shop guy in Austin pulled a Silver Surfer #1 off the wall and handed it to me, and I changed how I shop forever
I was at a shop on South Congress about 3 years ago and asked to see a raw copy behind the counter, and instead of just handing it over he walked me through the corner crease and the trim job with a loupe. Now I bring my own loupe and a small light to every shop, and I have walked away from 4 books since that I would have bought blind. Do you ask to inspect raw books up close, or do you just trust the grade on the label?
That's why I always ask to see raw books out of the case no matter how good the shop seems. Bought a Hulk 181 last year that looked clean under the lights, got it home, held it at an angle and saw a color touch right on the corner. Guy swore he didn't know. Maybe he didn't. Doesn't matter, I caught it because I looked. My rule is simple: if they won't let you hold it and tilt it under light, walk. Plenty of shops will hand you a book and let you go over it, and those are the ones worth your money. The label is just somebody's opinion anyway, the book is what it is.