Set Description:
 
PRE - 1987
Marvel Comics: Feb 1974 - May 1986
When I got into the registry collectors like nepatkm and hitman99 were way ahead of the game on Punisher sets. We are talking almost complete 9.8 runs of the 1987 Unlimited series, 1988 War Journal and 1992 War Zone. A lot of their books were the only 9.8’s on the census and neither of them were willing to sell. There was no way for me to even compete. So after reading the Back to War Omnibus I had an epiphany, I would request a pre 1987 registry set. It would include every Punisher appearance prior to his 1987 unlimited series (no reprints, pin ups or by name mention’s). The Punisher had to be part of the story line and appear in at least one panel. My goal for this set was all issues to be graded 9.8 or better with white pages only.
In the beginning not all the books were graded 9.8, specifically ASM 129, 134, 135 and Giant Size Spider-man 4. With the exception of these I had a fair amount that did meet the standards that I had established so I was off to a good start. At the time I assumed that the Spectacular Spider-man issues would be the hardest to obtain. None of them are major keys and the census numbers were fairly low. Over time I slowly acquired the necessary books in grade while saving up spare cash for 129, I knew this one would not be cheap. I was passing on a few books here and there because this set wasn’t my sole focus at the time. I do regret this decision especially when it came down to the last two books ASM 134 and 202. For years these two copies would routinely be on eBay or some auction site. It seemed as though once I was ready to purchase white page copies suddenly became “hens teeth”.
Well, pushing forward into 2021 I did manage to acquire ASM 202 from a fellow board member. I paid a bit more than GPA for it but considering he had just purchased the comic about two months prior and really wasn’t interested in selling I felt I had to make it worth his while. It was nice to fill that second to last gap but that 9.6 grade for ASM 134 was just grinding on my OCD. The memories of seeing this book multiple times for sale and not picking it up was needless to say, irritating. Around the end of April early May I see that there was an auction for one on Pedigree. If I recall correctly this was the first white page copy that had come to market in about a year and a half plus we are in the middle of the “comic boom”. I did have a good bit of cash to spare to be a competitive bidder. Thank the good Lord because I’m “that guy” again with the all time, outrageously high purchase price on GPA. So when you’re perusing past sales of ASM books and you come to 134 and say to yourself, “Who the hell paid that amount?!”. Yeah, that was me, you’re welcome for my service.
On the bright side that ASM 134 is gorgeous, perfect centering with razor sharp corners and the set was finally complete. Even post “boom” I paid half of the FMV for 99% of these books. I guess it all “evens out in the wash”. So this set was created on 31 Oct 2018, it was finally completed on 13 May 2021; 2 years, 6 months, 12 days, 14 hours, 32 minutes and 8 seconds according the “history”. It was a bit surreal when I added the last book. When looking at this set it takes me back to when I was a “single digit” lad in 1986 picking up my first copy of The Punisher Limited Series #2. I never would have thought I would eventually be the owner of these books. A set like this does not come cheap, especially nowadays. I have been fortunate to have a great job that has allowed me to partake in this hobby. I feel extremely lucky to own this set in high grade.
Art by Bob Larkin |