*Marvel: Today, we’re announcing the launch of a very special event in our schedules, which we’re calling ‘SLAB HAPPY!’. Each week, we’ll be listing one or more comics graded by either CGC, CBCS or PGX, the three American grading agencies, and encapsulated in their plastic cases (or ‘slabs’, as they’re commonly known). Whilst the majority of these will be Marvel issues, there will also be some key DC issues among them.
As collectors ourselves, we have long held the view that the primary purpose of a comic is to entertain and be read. However, we have to acknowledge that in today’s world, people collect comics not just to read and enjoy, but also for investment purposes, particularly with the record prices being achieved by key issues in high grade. Whilst we believe that our grading is at least as tight and conservative as any 3rd party grading company, we understand that some collectors/investors are happier with a slabbed copy, particularly when the time comes to move it on. Also, with more than a decade of 3rd party grading behind us, more and more desirable, collectable comics are ending up in slabs, and we of course want to bring you the best and widest selection of comics that we can, whatever your purpose in collecting.
So, our ‘SLAB HAPPY’ event will feature some of the very best comics ever to come through our hands: key issues, #1s, first appearances, high grades, signed copies – they’ll all be here in among the regular goodies in our weekly newsletter, and we’re kicking off with one of the most desirable comics of them all!

From an inauspicious beginning – as an antagonist of the Hulk, seemingly no more significant than the Bi-Beast or the Gremlin – a certain Canadian hero emerged from the unlikely talents of Len Wein and Herb Trimpe to become the most significant figure of the latter-day Marvel Universe. Created by Wein as the first Canadian super-hero, Wolverine was designed by John Romita Senior, although Trimpe was the first artists to draw him for publication. Debuting in a cameo at the close of Hulk #180, he emerged in full-blown fury in Incredible Hulk #181, his first full-length appearance, alternately battling with and beside the Hulk against the menace of the Wendigo, and the comics world would never be the same again! Our newly-acquired copy of Hulk #181 is from the CGC Signature Series, and features two cover signatures in silver ink: one of John Romita, visual designer of Wolverine, and one from Stan Lee, Editor Emeritus of Marvel and the joint inspiration behind the entire Marvel Universe! A stunning 8.0 (VF), this has off-white to white pages, and exceptional purity of the cover image. Uncommon in the UK in any grade due to the additional collectors’ complication of never having been distributed here, we anticipate strong demand for one of the most sought after comics ever published.

Watch for more from our ‘SLAB HAPPY!’ event in the weeks ahead.