So who all followed this one?

[Visitor Q]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZAP-Comix-1-R-CRUMB-1st-Print-RARE-COMIC_W0QQitemZ250192570075QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3979QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Jason

[Brother J]

well, all I can say is that unless I stumble across a copy of this somewhere where someone has no idea what it is worth, I guess I will never own a Plymell. No way am I ever going to pay $2,000 for a comic book.

[Sir Real]

I'm gonna side with the Brother on this one.  These "Holy Grails" are beyond my meager reach.  At least thats what my wife tells me.

[Visitor Q]

To me a Plymell Zap is the most over rated comix ever.

Jason

[Sir Real]

Over rated or not, it is commanding premium prices.

[Visitor Q]

I had a chance to buy one signed by Robert Crumb and Charles Prymell for less than the one that sold on eBay, I passed.

Jason

[dr_s]

If it was 5.0 or greater, you goofed badly on the $$$$igned one.
And why is it over rated?  It is commonly accepted as the major ug. ANd it is Crumb( who is not Corben) whose art sells for $100k.

[over40artist]

Sorry Jason, but Zap #1 changed the comic book industry forevermore. While there were predecessors in underground history, none of them came even close to having the impact of Zap #1. In fact, a strong case can be made that the Plymell Zap is still the most undervalued and underrated comic book in history, primarily due to the collective ignorance of traditional comic book collectors.

Jay Kennedy had it right in his introduction to his Guide: "Zap #1 was the book that inspired so many other artists to their own comix, and in so doing, started the entire comix field rolling." He goes on to talk about God Nose, Adventures of Jesus, Das Kampf and Lenny of Laredo, as well as Help!, Car Toons and adult magazines, but concludes that "These outlets printed unusual comic strips and panels, but it remained for Zap #1 to launch the underground comix book format as a new medium."

Many other comic book historians recognize the revolutionary impact of Zap #1. And what did that revolution lead to? Well, it led to every alternative and small press comic book published thereafter, and it even changed the course of superhero comic book history, which gradually introduced more mature themes and emotion-based stories as the success of the underground and alternative comics expanded over the years.

God Nose, Das Kampf, Lenny of Laredo and Adventures of Jesus would never have punched the comic book industry in the kisser the way Zap #1 did. In fact, they would probably never have been reprinted if it wasn't for Zap #1.

Zap #1 was the comic book that shattered the notion (and the limitations) of what a comic book could be, and I wouldn't be collecting comic books today if those limitations had not been broken.

Would some other comic book have done what Zap #1 did if Zap #1 had never appeared? Maybe. But there is no guarantee that some other comic book would have had the same impact if they were published before Zap #1. And for the most part, Zap #1 inspired almost all of the legendary underground comic creators to push forward with their dreams of breaking the stale mold of traditional comic books. Sure, they might have done it anyway, but Zap #1 gave them the courage and confidence to actually go through with it.

And even if they didn't need Zap to go through with those dreams, the fact remains that Zap #1 beat them to the punch, came out first, and will always be recognized as the one that unleashed a revolution.

[Visitor Q]

1. I offered you that book Arnold and you passed on it.
2. I am not a huge fan of Crumb.
3. Do you know how many reprints there are of Zap? Do you know how many copies I could buy from Last Gasp today for 3g?

There are tons of Underground Comix that will never see what is printed in them again anywhere but the original and only print. The fact that Zap has been reprinted so many times slaughters its value in my opinion because the only thing you are paying for is a name on the back cover, nothing more.

Slice it anyway you want but with that book, it's all the same to me.

Jason

ps. Now don't go saying you only collect first prints or first prints are best because first prints are best! I always go for collecting the first print and it is important to me but I am really on the fence when it comes to shelling out thousands for something I can buy from the newsstands today. Again, even books that have been reprinted several times the material inside is rarer than what is in Zap. Slice it how you want, you are paying for a name...

I'm with most of you guys here, unless I find it for a real good deal someday, I will never own a copy. its value to me is nothing more than bragging rights and you will find out real quick on some of this stuff that the people who drive up the prices are 8-10 times the people who own it and not the people who want it.

I mean look at that guy who has the 9.CGC joke copy, what is he asking like 30g?

[dr_s]

If you collect just to read and you don't care about condition or edition, fine. That's old school like when I started. But reality is that people collect 1st editions of everything. Look what people pay for 1st editions of books. If they can afford it, they pay for it. But, when did you offer me the book and what was the price and grade? Did I goof by ignoring the signatures. I just don't remember the offer. I once turned down a vf Superman 1 for $5k in the days, So errors can be made.

[Visitor Q]

If you collect just to read and you don't care about condition or edition, fine. That's old school like when I started. But reality is that people collect 1st editions of everything. Look what people pay for 1st editions of books. If they can afford it, they pay for it. But, when did you offer me the book and what was the price and grade? Did I goof by ignoring the signatures. I just don't remember the offer. I once turned down a vf Superman 1 for $5k in the days, So errors can be made.

Again... Reprinting kill the book IMO.

I sent you multiple pictures of that book about a year ago. Personally on a book like that I think the signatures detract from the value of the book and that is one of the reasons I did not buy it, that and the cost.

Jason

[awillis]

I sent you multiple pictures of that book about a year ago. Personally on a book like that I think the signatures detract from the value of the book and that is one of the reasons I did not buy it, that and the cost.

I agree on signed copies. Artwork should be signed. Newer reprints, maybe. But the first prints, naw- leave 'em pristine or do a loose attachment/ insert. My 1-1/4 cents.

[dr_s]

I guess you're right, reprints really killed the value of 1st eds of Mark twain, Shakespare, Harry Potter, James Bond, Zap 1, etc. As for the Zap 1, at my age I must be getting senile. I have no idea as to why I can't remember it other than senility.. In any case, what was the condition and the price. Maybe that is why I rejected it and don''t remember. I really don't recall the autographs, since that would have made a positive difference. By the way, Heritage and Steve geppi take off for autographs. Writing on the book. Other people want them and pay a premium. I have paid for autographed copies for myself but would not get an expensive book autographed. (Although I did have Frank Stack autograph an Adventures of Jay to prove that it was real.) On cheap books, autographs make the vg books sell better.

[50Cent #II (1st print)]

This auction got by me, goes to show there are still some out there waiting to be discovered.  Should have figured who the winner was though.  To be able to spend a day in his collection...

[Visitor Q]

I guess you're right, reprints really killed the value of 1st eds of Mark twain, Shakespare, Harry Potter, James Bond, Zap 1, etc. As for the Zap 1, at my age I must be getting senile. I have no idea as to why I can't remember it other than senility.. In any case, what was the condition and the price. Maybe that is why I rejected it and don''t remember. I really don't recall the autographs, since that would have made a positive difference. By the way, Heritage and Steve geppi take off for autographs. Writing on the book. Other people want them and pay a premium. I have paid for autographed copies for myself but would not get an expensive book autographed. (Although I did have Frank Stack autograph an Adventures of Jay to prove that it was real.) On cheap books, autographs make the vg books sell better.

I'm sorry that you are missing the point here. I am not saying that first prints are not wonderful or a desire to own, I am simply trying to state there are much rarer books, with limited print runs, that where NEVER reprinted. Meaning you either have the first print or you don't have the material period.

Jason

Ps. The Zap was 2 to 3 grand, the condition was 5 or better if you are going by that hog wash scale.