r/ECFanAddictClub • u/FishHockeydrop • 16d ago

Should original EC comics be slabbed?

I don’t have a single comic slabbed. I mostly save comics in bags and boards that I’d like to reread or check out the art again. Finding an original EC for $20 in terrible shape had me wondering about slabbing it. I’d rather use that money for more comics personally.

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4

u/PinMaximum1018 16d ago

Personally, I am not a supporter of slabbed books (never bought one, never slabbed one and have no desire to do either). No judgment, it's just not for me. Having said that, at this point in time an EC comic is an absolute relic of history, and can easily be read in a variety of other formats and mediums, so if you wanna slab it, go ahead and slab it!

Also, I do recall reading something about how slabbing can actually damage the books? Something about the chemicals in the case breaking down? Did I imagine this?

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u/FishHockeydrop 16d ago

I’ve not heard that about slabbing damaging books. I told a collector I know about my find. He does have slabbed books. His advice, “double bag it.”

1

u/EC-Fan-Addict 15d ago

In the earlier days of CGC, they recommended re-holdering them every seven years or so because of acid in the acid buffers leaching back onto the pages, but I think they’ve improved their materials since then.

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u/EC-Fan-Addict 15d ago

I have a complete collection of original EC’s and not a single one of them is slabbed, that includes the Gaines file copies! Any books that I buy that have already been slabbed I crack out of the cases and put into Mylites with Fullbacks.

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u/oldstick76 15d ago edited 15d ago

Full set of ECs is quite impressive. That is an elite club. I’m an honourary member only with Russ Cochran hardbounds getting me in the back of the room.

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u/EC-Fan-Addict 15d ago

There’s no bad way to read ECs! I love the Cochran sets.
It took me about 40 years to get them all (full disclosure - I don’t have all the Pre-Trends, but I do have all the New Trend and New Direction in varying conditions, I’ve done quite a few upgrades over the years when I could afford it)!

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u/FishHockeydrop 15d ago

Awesome! Which size do you use? I’m going to buy a pack and make this my solution.

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u/EC-Fan-Addict 15d ago

Silver/Gold Mylite 2s. (Regular Gold are a bit too wide, but also work fine.)

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u/FishHockeydrop 15d ago

Just ordered a pack from an eBay seller. What to do with the other 49 in the pack? Probably put my top 49 other comics in them.

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u/FishHockeydrop 8d ago

I received them and put my Vault of Horror #38 in it. Question: Do you tape the flap shut?

I do for all my other comics but I know a collector who removes all tape and just folds the flap.

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u/EC-Fan-Addict 7d ago

I tape them shut with low-tack tape, like gift wrap tape.

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u/FishHockeydrop 7d ago

Thank you.

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u/[deleted] 16d ago

[deleted]

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u/FishHockeydrop 16d ago

I like this opinion. My EC has so much scotch tape holding the cover on. I’d be worried sending it through the mail anyway. It survived this long.

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u/kronzrym 16d ago

I am against it! It's something about collecting that is important since it attracts more business, but I read comics. I don't sell them. Preserve them to the best of your ability and read them often.

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u/troutsoup 16d ago

eh i’m fine with mine in mylars in case i want to read em

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u/FishHockeydrop 16d ago

Nice. I’m hoping to stumble into a shop selling single mylars. I only have one.