High-value comic collectibles stolen from Michigan specialty store
Fox2 Detroit reports a specialty store in Madison Heights was robbed, and the loot included nearly a dozen "graded" comics:
So, again, I'm most terribly sorry the specialty store owners in Michigan had to experience this unfortunate robbery. But I still think there's a valid argument to be made that anybody working in comics sales have to start changing their MO, and not rely on all this speculator marketing that may not amount to much in money terms in the future. What should matter is the reading value, and all these graded collectibles can become a distraction from the ability to sell according to the more vital purpose of reading. It'd also do a lot of good if variant covers were replaced with wall paintings, for which I see big potential as a cottage industry, so what's keeping specialty stores from making the case for those instead?
The Madison Heights Police Department is seeking a not-so-"super" man or woman who broke into Comics and More, 28059 John R Road, and stole several valuable pieces of merchandise.One of the copies, curiously enough, was of All-New Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 1 Pichelli variant CGC 9.6. Another was for All-Star Squadron 47, and some come from a Twilight Zone series, though I'm not sure if it's anything related to IDW's new horror-themed projects. Now, I think it's a terrible shame whenever store managers fall victim to robbery, and I hope the owners get their stolen goods back. But it's still ludicrous how we keep seeing only so many make use of these graded comic pamphlets that're sold to speculators instead of put on display in museums. Why, who knows how much value that Ultimate imprint will have in the future anyway? One comic that definitely won't have value is the disgraced Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. I wouldn't be shocked if some speculators until recently kept copies of back issues in their vaults, and now, after Gaiman's sexual assault scandal, those back issues are worthless and embarrassing. Goodness knows what any speculator foolish enough to buy those has done with them now that the scandal's long made headlines, and Gaiman's career has collapsed.
[...] Among the items missing were 11 valuable graded books.
So, again, I'm most terribly sorry the specialty store owners in Michigan had to experience this unfortunate robbery. But I still think there's a valid argument to be made that anybody working in comics sales have to start changing their MO, and not rely on all this speculator marketing that may not amount to much in money terms in the future. What should matter is the reading value, and all these graded collectibles can become a distraction from the ability to sell according to the more vital purpose of reading. It'd also do a lot of good if variant covers were replaced with wall paintings, for which I see big potential as a cottage industry, so what's keeping specialty stores from making the case for those instead?
Labels: msm propaganda, sales
