Signature Series graded comic books are a unique way of showcasing your love for a book. There's something uniquely satisfying about getting a signature and then preserving it for as long as you chose to keep the book encapsulated. But getting a signature, and then graded, can be costly. One of my best friends is a CGC SS facilitator, and I've seen the total cost of some books -- depending on the creator, one book could cost over $100. If you're looking to grow your own CGC SS collection, but don't want to wait for a convention, buying an already-graded book is the way to go.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Shattered Grid #1
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Shattered Grid was a 2018 Power Rangers crossover event where "No Ranger Is Safe". The villainous Lord Drakkon is on a quest to defeat and conquer Power Rangers from all eras. Shattered Grid was well received by fans and critics, noting that it was a worthwhile endeavor for the 25th anniversary of MMPR. The storyline was even adapted for the Power Rangers Hyperforce web series, as well as the Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid video game.
This yellow label CGC 9.8 with white pages was signed by Jason Faunt, who portrayed Wesley Collins in Power Rangers Time Force, as well as the late Jason David Frank. Frank famously portrayed Tommy Oliver (originally the Green Ranger) for years. It might be safe to say that he was the face of the franchise. There isn't a ton of sales data on this comic. The last sale for a blue label CGC 9.8 was in July of 2020 when the book sold for $25. This could be a great opportunity for a Power Rangers fan to get this book at a great price.
Wonder Woman #750 Torpedo Comics Edition
Black and white covers are a personal favorite of mine, but this B&W cover with the pop of color on Wonder Woman's original costume is nothing short of beautiful. This Jim Lee cover is dynamic and features some of the biggest characters in Wonder Woman. This issue is also signed by Jim Lee, though the gold ink used on the signature doesn't really pop against the background -- signature placement, and the color ink used to sign -- matter. There are a number of variant covers for Wonder Woman #750, including a full-color version of this cover. This is still a great copy and would be a wonderful addition to many collections.
This yellow label CGC 9.8 with white pages looks like it was just plucked from a comic store's shelf. There are 45 of these on CGC's census, though there isn't a lot of sales data for the book. By comparison, a blue label 9.8 last sold in April of 2020 for $91 -- I fully expect this book to go higher than that, but I don't think it'll break any price records.
Batman Who Laughs #1 Torpedo Comics Edition B
What is the first thing you notice about this book? For me, it's the placement of the signatures, as well as the color ink used. This black and white cover could have benefited from almost every color, but red ink really goes well with the tone of this cover. Signed by cover artist Tony Daniel and interior artist Jock, this black-and-white variant is beautiful. Daniel masterfully places his signature between the ears on the cowl, while Jock placed his in the middle of the metahuman Batman's face. Personally, I don't like the placement of his signature -- there is still a ton of negative space on the cover without needing to compromise the art. But if you don't mind it, then heck yea!
This yellow label 9.8 with white pages is a really great find. Currently, the one-year average for similarly graded yellow label copies is $112. This will likely be another affordable collector's piece for the right winner. By comparison, a blue label 9.8 fair market value is only $55 -- so if you're to invest, you may be sitting on this book for a while.
