2008 Overstreet out already?

[wallywest]

I was in a LCS yesterday for a really quick stop on my way home from work. I picked up a couple issues out of the $2 box and was checking out when I saw a copy of Overstreet that I didn't recognize on the counter. It was next to the "New This Week" pile. I picked it up and the guy said it had just come in. Does Overstreet usually come out this early? I always think of it as a late April/early May release. I checked with Borders and Hastings and they did not have it in, and said they wouldn't for several weeks. I did not buy it, but now I am thinking I should. Is early info worth anything? Is Overstreet really relevant enough to be worth having a month early? Is anyone else seeing it at their LCS?

[siren3-4]

It was in my LCS also . . . didn't get it though . . .

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

I was in a LCS yesterday for a really quick stop on my way home from work. I picked up a couple issues out of the $2 box and was checking out when I saw a copy of Overstreet that I didn't recognize on the counter. It was next to the "New This Week" pile. I picked it up and the guy said it had just come in. Does Overstreet usually come out this early? I always think of it as a late April/early May release. I checked with Borders and Hastings and they did not have it in, and said they wouldn't for several weeks. I did not buy it, but now I am thinking I should. Is early info worth anything? Is Overstreet really relevant enough to be worth having a month early? Is anyone else seeing it at their LCS?

Wow. That's early. I'll have to cruise by and pick mine up.

And no, it's not relevant anymore to be worth having. 20 years ago, yes, but not now.

[wallywest]

I was in a LCS yesterday for a really quick stop on my way home from work. I picked up a couple issues out of the $2 box and was checking out when I saw a copy of Overstreet that I didn't recognize on the counter. It was next to the "New This Week" pile. I picked it up and the guy said it had just come in. Does Overstreet usually come out this early? I always think of it as a late April/early May release. I checked with Borders and Hastings and they did not have it in, and said they wouldn't for several weeks. I did not buy it, but now I am thinking I should. Is early info worth anything? Is Overstreet really relevant enough to be worth having a month early? Is anyone else seeing it at their LCS?

Wow. That's early. I'll have to cruise by and pick mine up.

And no, it's not relevant anymore to be worth having. 20 years ago, yes, but not now.

I will definitely end up buying one so I might as well get it now. I was just wondering if it is relevant enough that having one earlier than other people might make a difference. Probably not, but I like getting the new Overstreet anyway (even if it's just so I can see how out of touch they are in certain areas).

[Squirrel]

Just a FYI...the price went up to $35 HC / $30 SC

[wallywest]

I picked up a copy. I have hardly crakced it open yet, but if I find anything earth shattering, I will let you guys know.

[greg]

Harbinger #1 is "featured" on page 98.

[wallywest]

Harbinger #1 is "featured" on page 98.

NICE! I wouldn't have seen that for a while if you wouldn't have pointed it out. I usually get to the market report, but it takes a while. Excellent way to get some people talking about Valiant.

[The Spider]

I got an e-mail from Heritage Auction Gallery that indicated that I could purchase a downloadable copy for $25. Should I purchase that?

[wallywest]

I got an e-mail from Heritage Auction Gallery that indicated that I could purchase a downloadable copy for $25. Should I purchase that?

It depends on if you like it electronically or physically. I am curious as to the format. Is it in .pdf? If so, I think I would pass. But, if it comes in a format where you can copy info into a spreadsheet (I doubt this), then it would be more valuable to me. You could write lookup functions to find the values for all your books (if you are a spreadsheet nerd, like yours truly ). But, for just plain flipping through, I would much prefer the good old fashioned paperback.

[wallywest]

Ok...so here are my quick impressions on what Overstreet has done with prices this year (please keep in mind I have only been through my collection from A up to Batman #300).

It looks like they have moved up the high guide numbers for a good portion of Bronze Age stuff about 5 - 12%. The BA Batmans have gone up more (10 - 20%, and even as high as 40% on #237 ), which is probably directionally accurate. However, they have not moved up mid to low grade prices. In fact, they have lowered many of them.

For instance, a straight average (not weighted by price) on my Batmans nubmered 200 - 260 (I don't have them all yet) that average 5.0 condition is that the 9.2 price is up 15%. My actual value increase according to Overstreet is 0%.

For other titles, the discrepancy between 9.2 and mid to low grade is even higher. On some of my bronze Amazing Spider-Mans, Adventure Comics and All-Star Comics, the mid grade prices dropped. Adventure #430 in 6.0 dropped 25%. I think these are generally the right direction, and a little surprising given Overstreet's tendancy to never let prices drop.

Unfortunately, they have held onto their stubborness in not letting guide prices drop below cover prices. This is a ridiculous position, and not even close to supported by the market. I do understand that it makes little sense to spend a ton of time working out prices on books that aren't worth $2, but they need to note this phenomonon somewhere. Back in the good old days (early 90s and prior), they would put in a note like, "Value: cover, or less." This kind of note is more descriptive and educational than just listing the cover price as the value.

Overall impression is that they seem to be moving in the right direction, but slowly. Of course, I have only looked up ~200 books out of my collection, so I will probably have a different opinion by the time I get to the Zs.

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

Ok...so here are my quick impressions on what Overstreet has done with prices this year (please keep in mind I have only been through my collection from A up to Batman #300).

It looks like they have moved up the high guide numbers for a good portion of Bronze Age stuff about 5 - 12%. The BA Batmans have gone up more (10 - 20%, and even as high as 40% on #237 ), which is probably directionally accurate. However, they have not moved up mid to low grade prices. In fact, they have lowered many of them.

YAY!

For instance, a straight average (not weighted by price) on my Batmans nubmered 200 - 260 (I don't have them all yet) that average 5.0 condition is that the 9.2 price is up 15%. My actual value increase according to Overstreet is 0%.

YAY!

For other titles, the discrepancy between 9.2 and mid to low grade is even higher. On some of my bronze Amazing Spider-Mans, Adventure Comics and All-Star Comics, the mid grade prices dropped. Adventure #430 in 6.0 dropped 25%. I think these are generally the right direction, and a little surprising given Overstreet's tendancy to never let prices drop.

Ahhhh....but that's the beauty of The Great Compromise of 1998. In 1998, Overstreet, while still RAISING prices in the "NM" category, RADICALLY dropped prices on Good and Fine (the other being VF at the time.) This caused QUITE the stir, as the Fine price for a Spidey #1 in 1998 became LESS than the Fine price in 1990!

So, if Overstreet can compromise his feelings on "top grade" by LOWERING values on everything else (which is perfectly justified), then it works.

Sadly, this doesn't work for books 1980-current.

Unfortunately, they have held onto their stubborness in not letting guide prices drop below cover prices.

BOO!

This is a ridiculous position, and not even close to supported by the market. I do understand that it makes little sense to spend a ton of time working out prices on books that aren't worth $2, but they need to note this phenomonon somewhere. Back in the good old days (early 90s and prior), they would put in a note like, "Value: cover, or less." This kind of note is more descriptive and educational than just listing the cover price as the value.

Overall impression is that they seem to be moving in the right direction, but slowly. Of course, I have only looked up ~200 books out of my collection, so I will probably have a different opinion by the time I get to the Zs.

Dude, I've said it before....I'm REALLY glad you stumbled upon this website. There aren't too many Price Guide Jockeys around here, so it's nice to have some cameraderie in that area.

[wallywest]

Ok...so here are my quick impressions on what Overstreet has done with prices this year (please keep in mind I have only been through my collection from A up to Batman #300).

It looks like they have moved up the high guide numbers for a good portion of Bronze Age stuff about 5 - 12%. The BA Batmans have gone up more (10 - 20%, and even as high as 40% on #237 ), which is probably directionally accurate. However, they have not moved up mid to low grade prices. In fact, they have lowered many of them.

YAY!

For instance, a straight average (not weighted by price) on my Batmans nubmered 200 - 260 (I don't have them all yet) that average 5.0 condition is that the 9.2 price is up 15%. My actual value increase according to Overstreet is 0%.

YAY!

For other titles, the discrepancy between 9.2 and mid to low grade is even higher. On some of my bronze Amazing Spider-Mans, Adventure Comics and All-Star Comics, the mid grade prices dropped. Adventure #430 in 6.0 dropped 25%. I think these are generally the right direction, and a little surprising given Overstreet's tendancy to never let prices drop.

Ahhhh....but that's the beauty of The Great Compromise of 1998. In 1998, Overstreet, while still RAISING prices in the "NM" category, RADICALLY dropped prices on Good and Fine (the other being VF at the time.) This caused QUITE the stir, as the Fine price for a Spidey #1 in 1998 became LESS than the Fine price in 1990!

So, if Overstreet can compromise his feelings on "top grade" by LOWERING values on everything else (which is perfectly justified), then it works.

Sadly, this doesn't work for books 1980-current.

Unfortunately, they have held onto their stubborness in not letting guide prices drop below cover prices.

BOO!

This is a ridiculous position, and not even close to supported by the market. I do understand that it makes little sense to spend a ton of time working out prices on books that aren't worth $2, but they need to note this phenomonon somewhere. Back in the good old days (early 90s and prior), they would put in a note like, "Value: cover, or less." This kind of note is more descriptive and educational than just listing the cover price as the value.

Overall impression is that they seem to be moving in the right direction, but slowly. Of course, I have only looked up ~200 books out of my collection, so I will probably have a different opinion by the time I get to the Zs.

Dude, I've said it before....I'm REALLY glad you stumbled upon this website. There aren't too many Price Guide Jockeys around here, so it's nice to have some cameraderie in that area.

The funny thing is, I have been coming to this website for a long time. It is only recently that I have decided to join in on the message boards. I almost exclusively used Greg's guide (though I would read a few posts here and there). I don't exactly remember when, but I know I was in my previous house, which I sold in 2003. I will have to look at some of my auction history on my home computer. I know the first thing I bought and sold using Greg's guide was a Unity #0 Red. I think I got $60 or $70 on eBay way back after giving cover for it at the LCS.

Anyway, I have always been an Overstreet junkie. I currently have a spreadsheet with every comic I own in it with Overstreet's high guide price for every year I own (which is only 6 or 7). I don't know what happened to all my older ones .

[ZephyrWasHOT!!]

Ok...so here are my quick impressions on what Overstreet has done with prices this year (please keep in mind I have only been through my collection from A up to Batman #300).

It looks like they have moved up the high guide numbers for a good portion of Bronze Age stuff about 5 - 12%. The BA Batmans have gone up more (10 - 20%, and even as high as 40% on #237 ), which is probably directionally accurate. However, they have not moved up mid to low grade prices. In fact, they have lowered many of them.

YAY!

For instance, a straight average (not weighted by price) on my Batmans nubmered 200 - 260 (I don't have them all yet) that average 5.0 condition is that the 9.2 price is up 15%. My actual value increase according to Overstreet is 0%.

YAY!

For other titles, the discrepancy between 9.2 and mid to low grade is even higher. On some of my bronze Amazing Spider-Mans, Adventure Comics and All-Star Comics, the mid grade prices dropped. Adventure #430 in 6.0 dropped 25%. I think these are generally the right direction, and a little surprising given Overstreet's tendancy to never let prices drop.

Ahhhh....but that's the beauty of The Great Compromise of 1998. In 1998, Overstreet, while still RAISING prices in the "NM" category, RADICALLY dropped prices on Good and Fine (the other being VF at the time.) This caused QUITE the stir, as the Fine price for a Spidey #1 in 1998 became LESS than the Fine price in 1990!

So, if Overstreet can compromise his feelings on "top grade" by LOWERING values on everything else (which is perfectly justified), then it works.

Sadly, this doesn't work for books 1980-current.

Unfortunately, they have held onto their stubborness in not letting guide prices drop below cover prices.

BOO!

This is a ridiculous position, and not even close to supported by the market. I do understand that it makes little sense to spend a ton of time working out prices on books that aren't worth $2, but they need to note this phenomonon somewhere. Back in the good old days (early 90s and prior), they would put in a note like, "Value: cover, or less." This kind of note is more descriptive and educational than just listing the cover price as the value.

Overall impression is that they seem to be moving in the right direction, but slowly. Of course, I have only looked up ~200 books out of my collection, so I will probably have a different opinion by the time I get to the Zs.

Dude, I've said it before....I'm REALLY glad you stumbled upon this website. There aren't too many Price Guide Jockeys around here, so it's nice to have some cameraderie in that area.

The funny thing is, I have been coming to this website for a long time. It is only recently that I have decided to join in on the message boards. I almost exclusively used Greg's guide (though I would read a few posts here and there). I don't exactly remember when, but I know I was in my previous house, which I sold in 2003. I will have to look at some of my auction history on my home computer. I know the first thing I bought and sold using Greg's guide was a Unity #0 Red. I think I got $60 or $70 on eBay way back after giving cover for it at the LCS.

Anyway, I have always been an Overstreet junkie. I currently have a spreadsheet with every comic I own in it with Overstreet's high guide price for every year I own (which is only 6 or 7). I don't know what happened to all my older ones .

Here's how much of a research nerd I am...

I have a copy of 30 of the 38 Overstreets. Will soon have 31.

I have them all on a bookshelf, where I can grab them at a moment's notice.

I even have the replica of #1 that they printed in 1993.

I've got #11 for use "on the terlet"...it's sitting just outside the bathroom, and I grab it to peruse when I do my business.

[JLThorpe]

I'm looking at the ad on page 32. What the hell was that artist thinking when he drew that? And anyone know what book it originally came from?

[Dr. Solar]

I picked up a copy today, $15 for the hardcover at a shop that is going out of business. The price was certainly right. Looking forward to flipping through it.