Thank you again Mike for all the praise!! I love to see with all my work a book return to as close as possible it’s former glory. As I’ve said before each book has a story on the inside and the outside. I don’t know where these books have been and how many hands touched them but l feel there is only so much you can do to them. Like you X-Men 101 is one of my all time favorite covers and your copy looks fantastic with that Chris Claremont signature! Enjoy my friend!!
How refreshing in today's world to find someone who practices honesty and integrity in their life- that's you Mike. I have my reservations about CGC, you see so many videos where people are not happy with what they have done, or they waited months and months for the return of their comic, or it got lost completely. I have no direct evidence that they are anything but a great service- but I'm skeptical. Glad you got a better grade after Jeff did his work! Please continue with the great content!
You did the right thing. I have seen many many books that had their grade lowered for minor stains or other things that could easily be fixed by a professional. Your book going up a grade and a half proves that with some work a $350 book can turn into a $600 or more book. Happy for you.
Another great video !!! I worked in Northampton, Mass for 15 years before my wife and I moved our family to Florida back in 2018. I didn't even realize they had a comic book store locally but super happy they do now !! Wonderful grade bump on your X-men 101. Amazing book !!
Totally amazing results! Congratulations on Your achievement. Thanks again for sharing Your passion and adventures from Toronto Ontario Canada 😀 👍 ❤️ 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ❤️💯💯
Julian's Dad & Julian are Great! Love the NEW Press, looks like Comicspa13 does fantastic work! I'm not a HUGE Slab fan, but I do have a few books that could benefit from a product like the Malko Premium, especially to display in my Office!
Good Evening Michael Great show as always, appreciated the process of the slab. it is great to see you now have a couple of Chris Claremont Sigs. Just love looking at that wall. Keep up the great work. Between your good self and Brandon from MON comics we are getting some great content, it is great to see you supporting each other. But off course I am waiting for you to enter the fine world of Gold Key. Many of those fine artists and writers went on to work with DC. And I did see you with some of those Jesse Santos covers. His Doctor Spektor work was Brilliant Cheers Al The Goldkeyfourcolorkidownunda
That modern comic slab actually looks rather interesting. They somewhat remind me of the old comic "fortresses" that were around before the days of CGC and slabbing. To be honest, the fortresses were quite ugly...this one you have shown looks really nice....and I love the fact that the seals are magnetic (the fortress was screwed together). I just had a peek at their website...yes, they are a bit expensive, however like you mention, might be worth the investment for those "special" raw books in the collection. Thanks!
X-men 101 is my favourite comic too. I still have my copy I got from a garage sale in the early 80's. I decided to "restore" it when I was a kid by colouring in some worn areas with markers. I recently got into cleaning and pressing, so I pressed my 101. It would probably grade around a 5 but probably wouldn't be worth it because of my amateur attempt to fix it. Nevertheless, it still looks good from afar in a toploader with that amazing cover. Congrats on you grade bump.
I have a VERY similar story, with the exact same book!! Bought a graded 7.5 for a great deal with the intent of having Claremont sign, and realized once it was cracked “That’s no 7.5…”😂 an amazing press and clean job later, and it’s a now Yellow label 9.2 ❤️
Definitely going be visiting Malkoprotectors. Been looking for alternative displays for some my comics I wanna display. Can’t afford to get all of them graded
Wow incredible!!! Great vid and Jeff at Comic Spa does incredible work!! I kinda dig the acrylic cases for dope cover art, but not sure I would put any of my higher end books in them.
I love to see a #101 when the colors are still vibrant. This book definitely looked like the better option next to the higher grade it was next to when you purchased it. The clean and press are exemplary, particularly the white strip down the spine. That brightened up considerably.
It’s always nice to see a collector have a win with a break out and some TLC. I definitely have one or two I will be breaking out for some rehab and resubmission. Batman Adventures #12 is one. Currently sitting at CGC 8.0 I think a 9 or better might be achievable with some pressing and cleaning. Love the show!
Great reward for having the courage to re-submit the X-Men comic (it's a gamble after all) and great job Jeff. You made the right choice about not letting CGC touch it, I have not heard good things about their pressing service whereas Jeff is obviously very careful with and very knowledgeable about cleaning and pressing. The cover to #101 is one of my favourite Bronze Age covers and the design is repeated with variations in later covers such as #125 and #134. Good video Mike, something different but still fun and informative.
A couple years ago I bought a 9.2 Secret Wars 8 that looked amazing, and couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. This year I cracked it to send it in for signing at CGC same as you, and noticed that there was some dents and waves which could easily come out with a press. Submitted it to be signed and pressed at CGC and it came back a 9.8. Was very happy obviously. I feel after cleaning and pressing that is the TRUE grade for a book.
Wow. Cool story with that X-men 101. I have actually cracked open a case because I wanted to read the book and I have no regrets. Like you said...it's your book. Love your videos!
I just did a Crack and press on an ASM 129 cgc 6.5. Waiting on it to come back. Had big bend and creases that did not break color. I'm hoping for 8+ figures crossed.
That is a great philosophy! Awesome. That is cool the company worked with you. Instead of trying to command you to do something. Doing a great job imho. Keep up the great work Mike.
@ Lunch Money Comics I would send the old label to CGC to get it removed from the census as you have it slabbed anew. I know some save up cracked slab labels then send a bunch in. I don’t know if you can email customer service to have this done or if you have to mail it in. I also know of people that keep the label with the raw book if kept that way.
Haven't done it before, but I would think just taking a picture of the unslabbed label (with the certification number legible) and e-mailing it to their Customer Service ought to do the trick. Very impressive results on the clean-n-press! Congrats!
As a fellow Xmen fan , I figured I would share my recent grade I got back from CGC. I picked up a really nice clean copy of Xmen #40 and sent it in after a clean and press...... I was amazed and thrilled to get a CGC 9.4 !! And this is the original 1st print not the reprint offered much later. It was quickly become on of my favorites just because of the grade.
That Modern Comic Slab looks nice,but it still needs to pass (The Breakage Drop and Water Proof Seal Test most of all ) as we're all waitnig for something for various other types of protection for other types of Books as well in thé same fashion not yet readily available but still this was enjoyable and thought provoking-Thanks You.
I have an astonishing tales #25, 1st deathlok in an 8.5. Bought the book a long time ago before clearing and pressing was even a thing. The book looks really good other than soiling on the back cover. Think that book could go a lot higher with a clean and press.
Oops sorry yeah should’ve spun it around. It looks great, bright white. Still a hint of one stain that probably causes it to be an 8 instead of a 9. But light years better than it was
@@lunchmoneycomics I think the Yellow label really compliments the colors on this cover. If I ever get a 101, I'll definitely go for a Signature series.
that is awesome looks way more presentable. I always get Custom labels for my Marvel books. I like that he sends you pictures of what can be fixed. Will def try him in the future.
I had Chris Claremont and Josh Rubinstein sign my Xmen issue 266. Had it pressed and waiting to receive it. Honestly, the book looked clean with no creases.
I have comic books signed pre-CGC (2000). It has the artists name and date, yes I was there, as I got the artist to sign it. I would have CBCS look at it, than risk a green label from CGC.
Congrats on the grade bump. You can email cgc and let them know to remove the old label from the census. Before I started pressing my own books I was scared to crack open a case but after I CPR'd my NYX 3 to get it signed by Joe Quesada it went from a 9.0 to a 9.8. Now I want to crack all of my older cgc label books to get CPR'd but that will cost a lot of money to send to cgc. Lol. 👊🏼
@@lunchmoneycomics I have a 9.0 Batman Adventures 12 that I want to crack but I don't think it will be a 9.8 but it should get a grade bump. Also have a X-Men 101 7.5 that I want to crack to get Claremont sig.
I am happy to crack lower grade non or minor key books, as I prefer raw to slabs. Done this several times as I have bought slabs cheaper with better grades than raw copies, go figure? Older bigger keys I would not. Though did crack a PSG FF #5 😮
Yeah that Malko Protector thing is pretty sweet. The UV protection is the seller. There is no reason to display a comic in a frame of any form without UV protection.
I'll Crack my cgc blue labels out to get signed. All I do i take the labels and mail it in with my next submission when I get the signed books back. Great book, I also have my 101 signed by Claremont.
If you get a chance Watch a Movie Called-"Comicbook Villians 1990"as it actually shows you exactly why we now prefer to Slab our Comics nowadays instead of just keeping our favorite Comics in a Plastic Bag.
Liked those cases. I would never ever let CGC press or clean anything half the time they damage them worse. And they don't stand behind there work ive got 3 conan 1s a 3.5,4.5,&5.5 the 3.5 is clearly the best of the 3. All 3 have defects in The inside or outside of the slabs which is there fualt they really need a final look dept. And quit sending out inconsistent crap.
I hate to be a prophet of doom, but if you want to keep a book with top colors you would never display it in light. I remember a comic shop in Allentown pa where the owner displayed his wall books with one overlapping the next. The result was comics that had half bright colors and the other half bleached near-white on the other half. All essentially destroyed. Just sayin’
Yes I think the idea is that it’s UV protected is just a bonus. Maybe it helps if it’s in a well lit room rather than direct sun light, but either way no one should be doing that. My comic room has dark curtains just for that reason
Thank you again Mike for all the praise!! I love to see with all my work a book return to as close as possible it’s former glory. As I’ve said before each book has a story on the inside and the outside. I don’t know where these books have been and how many hands touched them but l feel there is only so much you can do to them. Like you X-Men 101 is one of my all time favorite covers and your copy looks fantastic with that Chris Claremont signature! Enjoy my friend!!
Thank you so much Jeff, a gave me a very happy addition to my collection. Thanks for talking me into cracking it out!
The wear and tear on a comic book definitely gives it character. However, there's something to be said about a bright, glossy, clean book!
How refreshing in today's world to find someone who practices honesty and integrity in their life- that's you Mike.
I have my reservations about CGC, you see so many videos where people are not happy with what they have done, or they waited months and months for the return of their comic, or it got lost completely. I have no direct evidence that they are anything but a great service- but I'm skeptical.
Glad you got a better grade after Jeff did his work!
Please continue with the great content!
That is a great bump, and I also love that DNA Captain Carter.
Congratulations 🎊 🎉 on the upgrade to the 8.0😊
You did the right thing. I have seen many many books that had their grade lowered for minor stains or other things that could easily be fixed by a professional. Your book going up a grade and a half proves that with some work a $350 book can turn into a $600 or more book. Happy for you.
Dang! Getting an 8.0 is awesome! And Clairemont's signature looks great on there!
What a re-submission! Congrats!
Great job finding a deal on a nice presenting book and increasing the grade...the lunch money way!
Another great video !!! I worked in Northampton, Mass for 15 years before my wife and I moved our family to Florida back in 2018. I didn't even realize they had a comic book store locally but super happy they do now !! Wonderful grade bump on your X-men 101. Amazing book !!
I have just few books I might clean, pressed and graded. Comic Spa, because of you and your channel, will be considered. Great job to you both!
Totally amazing results! Congratulations on Your achievement. Thanks again for sharing Your passion and adventures from Toronto Ontario Canada 😀 👍 ❤️ 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ❤️💯💯
Julian's Dad & Julian are Great! Love the NEW Press, looks like Comicspa13 does fantastic work! I'm not a HUGE Slab fan, but I do have a few books that could benefit from a product like the Malko Premium, especially to display in my Office!
Good Evening Michael
Great show as always, appreciated the process of the slab. it is great to see you now have a couple of Chris Claremont Sigs. Just love looking at that wall. Keep up the great work.
Between your good self and Brandon from MON comics we are getting some great content, it is great to see you supporting each other. But off course I am waiting for you to enter the fine world of Gold Key. Many of those fine artists and writers went on to work with DC. And I did see you with some of those Jesse Santos covers. His Doctor Spektor work was Brilliant
Cheers Al The Goldkeyfourcolorkidownunda
Definitely reaching out to buddy that’s amazing
That modern comic slab actually looks rather interesting. They somewhat remind me of the old comic "fortresses" that were around before the days of CGC and slabbing. To be honest, the fortresses were quite ugly...this one you have shown looks really nice....and I love the fact that the seals are magnetic (the fortress was screwed together). I just had a peek at their website...yes, they are a bit expensive, however like you mention, might be worth the investment for those "special" raw books in the collection. Thanks!
WOW! I’m impressed, amazing work. 😮
X-men 101 is my favourite comic too. I still have my copy I got from a garage sale in the early 80's. I decided to "restore" it when I was a kid by colouring in some worn areas with markers. I recently got into cleaning and pressing, so I pressed my 101. It would probably grade around a 5 but probably wouldn't be worth it because of my amateur attempt to fix it. Nevertheless, it still looks good from afar in a toploader with that amazing cover. Congrats on you grade bump.
Wonderful results 👍🏽
I have a VERY similar story, with the exact same book!! Bought a graded 7.5 for a great deal with the intent of having Claremont sign, and realized once it was cracked “That’s no 7.5…”😂 an amazing press and clean job later, and it’s a now Yellow label 9.2 ❤️
Wow, now THAT’S a grade bump!
Congratulations on the xmen 101 !!!!! That’s great from a 6.5 to an 8… great👍😃👍
Wow, nice video and yup, I'll use the Comic spa for my next batch.
Shout out to Malko. I've been looking for this. You are right they look like the plexiglass picture frames. God bless
Thats a great bump in the grade
What a great way to prove what you've said about comic spa! Definitely shows us what can be done. Awesome grade bump. Congrats!
Captain Carter does stand out more in the new case than the other books next to it
Definitely going be visiting Malkoprotectors. Been looking for alternative displays for some my comics I wanna display. Can’t afford to get all of them graded
that captain carter looks awesome! xmen 101 very impressive.
congratulations on the successful CPR of that amazing book!
Wow incredible!!! Great vid and Jeff at Comic Spa does incredible work!! I kinda dig the acrylic cases for dope cover art, but not sure I would put any of my higher end books in them.
"Home Sweet Home"... "Nuff said!
I love to see a #101 when the colors are still vibrant. This book definitely looked like the better option next to the higher grade it was next to when you purchased it. The clean and press are exemplary, particularly the white strip down the spine. That brightened up considerably.
It’s always nice to see a collector have a win with a break out and some TLC. I definitely have one or two I will be breaking out for some rehab and resubmission. Batman Adventures #12 is one. Currently sitting at CGC 8.0 I think a 9 or better might be achievable with some pressing and cleaning. Love the show!
Thanks and good luck on the crack and press!
Found your channel through the shout-out. Look forward to seeing your content. Like the cases you showcased. Very exciting - this whole process.
Thank you for subscribing, I hope you enjoy further content!
Great reward for having the courage to re-submit the X-Men comic (it's a gamble after all) and great job Jeff. You made the right choice about not letting CGC touch it, I have not heard good things about their pressing service whereas Jeff is obviously very careful with and very knowledgeable about cleaning and pressing. The cover to #101 is one of my favourite Bronze Age covers and the design is repeated with variations in later covers such as #125 and #134.
Good video Mike, something different but still fun and informative.
A couple years ago I bought a 9.2 Secret Wars 8 that looked amazing, and couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. This year I cracked it to send it in for signing at CGC same as you, and noticed that there was some dents and waves which could easily come out with a press. Submitted it to be signed and pressed at CGC and it came back a 9.8. Was very happy obviously. I feel after cleaning and pressing that is the TRUE grade for a book.
Nice work, congrats!
Jeff is def worth the wait. Really great guy who does this work for the pure love of comics!
Thanks Joshua, l appreciate your praise!
The case was actually pretty nice. Perfect for those Wrap around comics.
Great bump up to an 8.0 that's sweet.
Any time you can see dents and creases on a book especially if they don’t break color it is worthwhile to clean and press even if I already graded
Captain Carter looks great back there.
Jeff is such a comic book magician!
Nice grade Bump! 😊
Wow. Cool story with that X-men 101. I have actually cracked open a case because I wanted to read the book and I have no regrets. Like you said...it's your book. Love your videos!
Jeff is the man!
A grade bump plus a Claremont sig…congrats! Still hunting for the 101 myself. #ComicEnvy 😂
What a bummer. They don't ship to Australia. Your show is great. I'm looking for any marvel comic from 1976. Birth year!
I like those protectors! I have a few keys I’d like to display so I’m going to place a pre-order after I finish watching this video!
This was awesome from beginning to end!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing 👍🏾
I just did a Crack and press on an ASM 129 cgc 6.5. Waiting on it to come back. Had big bend and creases that did not break color. I'm hoping for 8+ figures crossed.
That would be a HUGE book at an 8+ I'd love an update when you get it back!
Your friend Jeff is a wizard at pressing and cleaning. That 101 is amazing!
That is a great philosophy! Awesome. That is cool the company worked with you. Instead of trying to command you to do something. Doing a great job imho. Keep up the great work Mike.
Great video as always. Man that signed Uncanny 101 with the new and improved grade is a beautiful book, very very jealous.
I am soo jealous! 😂 X-Men 101 has forever been my comic crush. I love it too much! It has a million memories! Great video brother
I went to a Chris Claremont signing a few weeks ago, and it was amazing to talk with him. That is one sharp looking book! Happy 🎉 for you!
@ Lunch Money Comics I would send the old label to CGC to get it removed from the census as you have it slabbed anew. I know some save up cracked slab labels then send a bunch in. I don’t know if you can email customer service to have this done or if you have to mail it in. I also know of people that keep the label with the raw book if kept that way.
Wow Jeff really did a great job on that book.
Haven't done it before, but I would think just taking a picture of the unslabbed label (with the certification number legible) and e-mailing it to their Customer Service ought to do the trick. Very impressive results on the clean-n-press! Congrats!
I like it…nice XMen book up to 8.0. Very good
Book looks great! Kudos to you Mike on your channel!
Great show this week. I definitely appreciate the information. Jeff is a lifesaver. I will definitely reach out to him.
As a fellow Xmen fan , I figured I would share my recent grade I got back from CGC. I picked up a really nice clean copy of Xmen #40 and sent it in after a clean and press...... I was amazed and thrilled to get a CGC 9.4 !! And this is the original 1st print not the reprint offered much later. It was quickly become on of my favorites just because of the grade.
That’s a great grade, congrats!
That Modern Comic Slab looks nice,but it still needs to pass (The Breakage Drop and Water Proof Seal Test most of all ) as we're all waitnig for something for various other types of protection for other types of Books as well in thé same fashion not yet readily available but still this was enjoyable and thought provoking-Thanks You.
I have an astonishing tales #25, 1st deathlok in an 8.5. Bought the book a long time ago before clearing and pressing was even a thing. The book looks really good other than soiling on the back cover. Think that book could go a lot higher with a clean and press.
Beautiful book. I wanted to see the back after your presser worked on it. Maybe in a future vid?
Oops sorry yeah should’ve spun it around. It looks great, bright white. Still a hint of one stain that probably causes it to be an 8 instead of a 9. But light years better than it was
@@lunchmoneycomics I think the Yellow label really compliments the colors on this cover. If I ever get a 101, I'll definitely go for a Signature series.
That comic holder looks sick!
Awesome that Jeff made it jump up that high
that is awesome looks way more presentable. I always get Custom labels for my Marvel books. I like that he sends you pictures of what can be fixed. Will def try him in the future.
I had Chris Claremont and Josh Rubinstein sign my Xmen issue 266. Had it pressed and waiting to receive it. Honestly, the book looked clean with no creases.
Yeah,Jeff is good man,nice one
Congrats on the grade bump Mike 👍
Great if some air gets inside the case.
I have comic books signed pre-CGC (2000). It has the artists name and date, yes I was there, as I got the artist to sign it. I would have CBCS look at it, than risk a green label from CGC.
Congrats on the grade bump. You can email cgc and let them know to remove the old label from the census. Before I started pressing my own books I was scared to crack open a case but after I CPR'd my NYX 3 to get it signed by Joe Quesada it went from a 9.0 to a 9.8. Now I want to crack all of my older cgc label books to get CPR'd but that will cost a lot of money to send to cgc. Lol. 👊🏼
9.0 to 9.8?! I’ve never heard of a bump like that.
@@lunchmoneycomics I have a 9.0 Batman Adventures 12 that I want to crack but I don't think it will be a 9.8 but it should get a grade bump. Also have a X-Men 101 7.5 that I want to crack to get Claremont sig.
I am happy to crack lower grade non or minor key books, as I prefer raw to slabs. Done this several times as I have bought slabs cheaper with better grades than raw copies, go figure? Older bigger keys I would not. Though did crack a PSG FF #5 😮
Yeah that Malko Protector thing is pretty sweet. The UV protection is the seller. There is no reason to display a comic in a frame of any form without UV protection.
I agree, and I’ve always been perplexed that most comic holders are NOT UV resistant. So strange.
Do you know if they ship to the uk?
You'd have to ask him, but I think if you're willing to pay shipping he'll ship anywhere.
Awesome
I'll Crack my cgc blue labels out to get signed. All I do i take the labels and mail it in with my next submission when I get the signed books back. Great book, I also have my 101 signed by Claremont.
If you get a chance Watch a Movie Called-"Comicbook Villians 1990"as it actually shows you exactly why we now prefer to Slab our Comics nowadays instead of just keeping our favorite Comics in a Plastic Bag.
Go Jeff!
Thx Ben! Hope all is well with you!
Jeff is da MAAAAAAN. 🤓👊🏿😎
Pass on that cover mike. In my opinion.
NICE ALL AROUND
Liked those cases. I would never ever let CGC press or clean anything half the time they damage them worse. And they don't stand behind there work ive got 3 conan 1s a 3.5,4.5,&5.5 the 3.5 is clearly the best of the 3. All 3 have defects in The inside or outside of the slabs which is there fualt they really need a final look dept. And quit sending out inconsistent crap.
Is CGC trustworthy NOT to damage the comic books when submitted for grading and slabbing??
watch all your videos
We need to see you're wife one day have her make the video u take the day off
Lol you guys would never want me back!
I hate to be a prophet of doom, but if you want to keep a book with top colors you would never display it in light. I remember a comic shop in Allentown pa where the owner displayed his wall books with one overlapping the next. The result was comics that had half bright colors and the other half bleached near-white on the other half. All essentially destroyed. Just sayin’
Yes I think the idea is that it’s UV protected is just a bonus. Maybe it helps if it’s in a well lit room rather than direct sun light, but either way no one should be doing that. My comic room has dark curtains just for that reason
@@lunchmoneycomics that’s cool. I’ll never forget those wall books in Allentown
U don't like modern books but that's modern
You mean the Captain Carter? I don’t dislike them, I just prefer older more.
U need better lighting in the back
I tried that, way too much glare and you actually see the books less.