A $1,000 bounty is currently on the table for anyone who can procure a pristine copy of the Black Cat Mystery #50 facsimile edition, graded a perfect 10.0 by CGC. The offer, initiated by veteran comic book retailer Vincent Zurzolo of Metropolis Comics, stems from a client’s desire to own what would be an exceptionally rare piece of comic book history.
The incentive highlights the growing trend of collectors seeking out high-grade copies of both vintage and facsimile comics, fueled by the grading services like CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) which assess and encapsulate comics, assigning them a numerical grade based on condition. A 10.0 grade signifies a flawless comic, free of any defects. Zurzolo, who famously brokered the $15 million sale of Action Comics #1 in 2021, explained the bounty reflects the extreme difficulty in achieving such a grade, even with a newly produced facsimile.
The Black Cat Mystery #50 facsimile is part of a series of Golden Age comic book reproductions being funded through a Kickstarter campaign by Pixelmon Media. The campaign allows backers to purchase copies, with an option to have them professionally graded by CGC, guaranteed at 9.8 or better, for $89. However, the possibility of achieving a perfect 10.0 grade is what has sparked the bounty.
The Challenge of a Perfect Grade
Achieving a CGC grade of 10.0 is notoriously difficult, even for comics that have never been read. The journey from the printing press to a collector’s shelf is fraught with potential for damage. “We find so many opportunities for a comic to get dinged or rubbed during shipping and handling,” explains Zurzolo. “Even the slightest imperfection can lower the grade.” The process involves printing, packaging, distribution to comic book stores, and handling by customers before submission to CGC.
The odds are further complicated by the sheer volume of comics handled. While a comic like 1995’s X-Men Prime #1, with a large print run, might yield a relatively higher number of 10.0 grades, older or limited-edition comics, like the 1941 Absolute Batman #1 (with a print run of 250,000), see very few achieve perfection. According to CGC’s census data, only three copies of Absolute Batman #1 have been graded 9.9, and none have received a 10.0.
A Direct Approach to Perfection
To maximize the chances of obtaining a 10.0 grade, Omar Spahi, the publisher behind the Pixelmon Media facsimiles, is taking an unprecedented step. Spahi is personally traveling to the printer to select the cleanest copies of Black Cat Mystery #50 as they come off the production line. He’s working alongside a representative from CGC to identify potential candidates for the highest grade. These selected comics will then be immediately shipped to CGC for grading.
“We’re essentially hand-picking the best possible copies,” Spahi said. “By intervening at the source, we’re minimizing the risk of damage during handling and shipping.” This direct oversight is a key factor in the confidence behind the bounty offer.
Beyond Black Cat: Phantom Lady and Startling Comics
The initiative isn’t limited to Black Cat Mystery #50. Spahi plans to employ the same process for facsimiles of Phantom Lady #17 and Startling Comics #49, also part of the Golden Age Good Girl Facsimile Collection Kickstarter. However, as of now, the $1,000 bounty is exclusively for a 10.0-graded copy of Black Cat Mystery #50. The potential value of a 9.9 or 9.8 grade remains to be seen, but Zurzolo suggests those grades could also command significant premiums.
The Kickstarter campaign, which aims to recreate classic Golden Age comics, has tapped into a strong collector base. The allure of owning a near-perfect facsimile of a rare comic, combined with the potential for financial reward, is driving significant interest. The success of this venture could pave the way for similar initiatives in the future, offering collectors a unique opportunity to acquire highly graded reproductions of beloved comics.
The pursuit of a perfect 10.0 grade is a testament to the dedication and passion of comic book collectors. While the odds are stacked against finding such a copy, the $1,000 bounty serves as a compelling incentive, and a fascinating experiment in the world of comic book collecting. The Kickstarter campaign for the Black Cat Mystery #50 facsimile is currently active, and collectors can find more information and participate at the Kickstarter website.
As the first copies are graded, the comic book community will be watching closely to see if a perfect 10.0 emerges, and whether the bounty will be claimed. The next update will likely come from CGC as they begin processing the specially selected copies, offering a glimpse into the potential success of this unique approach to comic book preservation and collecting.
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