Congratulations, 2016 CGC Registry Award Winners!

Congratulations 2016 CGC Registry Award Winners

We would like to thank all of the participants in the CGC Registry and congratulate everyone on their individual accomplishments in every set.

The CGC Registry has grown to over 63,000 registered sets in the last year! There are now more than 3,700 competitive set types and we continue to receive new set type requests daily. The possibilities are endless and it is thrilling to see how the CGC Registry has evolved over time.

Our Mission was to choose three sets each in six competitive categories - Best Golden Age, Best Silver Age, Best Bronze Age, Best Modern Age, Best Copper Age and Best Presented. Additionally we had the task of choosing one winner for Best Magazine set, three outstanding message board contributors and just one registry participant for Overall Achievement in Comics Collecting.

Our team of judges reviewed all of the top sets across every category in the Comics Registry and after much deliberation, selected the following winners. Congratulations to all!

CGC 2016 Award for Achievement in Comics Collecting

Congratulations to MMMcomics! Of our top 100 ranking participants, MMMcomics was a real mover in total Registry points this past year, allowing him to break into the top 10 highest ranking participants. Last year he was ranked #20 and he has moved his way up to #9! Of all of MMMcomics sets, 11 rank #1. They range from Golden Age to Modern with a bit of everything in between. Join us in congratulating MMMcomics on his Overall Achievement award for 2016! Please check out MMMcomics homepage MMMcomics homepage..

Best Golden Age Sets

roulette44 – JoeyD’s All Over Da Supes  –  Superman #1-#423
This year’s big winner has been on the registry for only 2 years, yet its 50 year run is missing only 10 issues, all of which are “Modern” comics after 1975. While Joey states that he has already obtained them, and will include them soon, we just couldn’t wait, and are awarding this set now. With only 10 issues grading under “FINE” (all after #50), the run is a sight to behold. AND, you CAN see it, as EVERY issue has been scanned for our enjoyment. An absolutely SUPER run of the world’s most iconic comic book character. Congratulations!!

walclark – walclark’s GA Hitler covers  –  Golden Age Hitler Covers
Want to see something really cool? Check out these 100 images of pure World War II Gold! This set represents a true cross section of 1940’s comic book publishers, all featuring one thing in common. Adolf Hitler, the world’s enemy #1, is represented on the cover of each of these books. From the most stoic comic heroes like Superman & Captain America, to the silliest funny animals like Gandy Goose & Super Duck, everyone hops on the Anti-Hitler bandwagon. Bursting with Patriotism and Propaganda, these books made certain that kids KNEW who the “bad guys” were. With over 1/3rd of the set upgraded since we last saw this run, only 4 comics are missing from completing the collection. An impressive effort!

ALFRED PENNYWORTH – JOKER’S WILD  –  Batman #1-#100
While featured in the awards only 2 years ago, 30% of this set is new to the registry since that time, warranting another trip to the podium. With persistence, this set has had its “BAT”score boosted by an incredible 114,000 “BAT”points!! All but a couple of later issues grade out at a beautiful “FINE” or better. Congratulations on taking the set up another notch!!

Best Silver Age Sets

chaddesden33 – The best books ever – Marvel – Super Hero Comics – (1961–1965)
An impressive set that, especially in 2016, is no easy feat to collect with the grades that this set showcases. Beautiful collection with some impressive key additions over the past year.

Gatsby77 – Gatsby’s GK Magnus – Magnus Robot Fighter (1963)
Though not particularly a tough run to find in lower grade, this set showcases the toughest grades of them all. Almost all of this run are difficult to find in high grade, yet 2/3 of this collection is over 9.6! And to make it more difficult, Gatsby77 is now adding foreign versions of each as his next targets!

richard8158 – Rich’s G.I. Combat – G.I. Combat
A set only 2 years in the making with CGC grading, yet 79% complete. A beautiful effort, showcasing the passion of collecting a title from one’s childhood.

Best Bronze Age Sets

Tiang WM – Collection X – X-Men (1963) #94-#143
In 1975, Marvel took the X-MEN series (which had been a reprint title for several years) and turned it on its head by introducing an all-new, all-different team with an international roster. The creative team, consisting of writer Chris Claremont, and art chores by Dave Cockrum at the start, followed by John Byrne, took the X-Men on a ride that shot the X-Men to the top of the sales charts with such amazing storylines as “The Starjammer Saga”, “The Hellfire Club”, “Dark Phoenix”, and “Days of Future Past”. Many people consider this run, consisting of 53 issues, to be a groundbreaking story in comic book history. This jaw-dropping set from Tiang WM would stop most collectors in their tracks. Every single issue is accounted for in 9.8 condition, including the 2 big “key” issues Giant-Size X-Men #1 and X-Men #94! Congratulations, Tiang WM, for getting the number one Bronze set for 2016!

NicaCollector – Highest Graded Kamandis – Kamandi
Inspired by the “Planet of the Apes” film franchise, the series “Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth” was a DC Comics title initially written and drawn by Jack “The King” Kirby. The series told the story of Kamandi, a human teenager who lived in a post-apocalyptic Earth where humans were savage, and the world was dominated by intelligent highly-evolved animals. The series lasted for an impressive 59-issue run (with Jack Kirby writing and drawing the first 37 issues) before succumbing to the “DC Implosion” of 1978. This set from NicaCollector may very well be the best set of Kamandi there is. 58 of the 59 issues are accounted for, which consist of three 9.6s, and an astonishing fifty-five in 9.8! This set took NicaCollector over 5 years to assemble on the registry, and with this great set he gets a well-earned award for this year. Well done, NicaCollector! Now how about that missing issue #47? ;-)

Jordysnordy – Long Live The King! – Godzilla (1977)
For two years in the late ’70s, Godzilla, King of the Monsters, blazed his way through the Marvel Universe. Beginning in issue #1 with him coming ashore off the coast of Alaska, making his way down the west coast, then crossing the United States before ending his series in New York City, Godzilla fought his way through Marvel mainstays like S.H.I.E.L.D., the Champions, Devil Dinosaur, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers. Written by Doug Moench and drawn by the late, great Herb Trimpe, this was an exciting and fun 24-issue series that has become a favorite of many fans. Jordysnordy’s set is an impressive achievement, with all 24 issues being represented in 9.8. In addition to that, half of the set has CGC’s prestigious Signature Series label, with some signed by Doug Moench and some by Herb Trimpe. To top it all off, Jordysnordy has a nice scan of every one of his issues for anyone who wants to see what his high-grade run of this series looks like.

Best Copper Age Sets

GSR – World’s Finest Crisis Set – Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-#12
It’s hard to believe that Crisis on Infinite Earths was published just over 30 years ago. It seems like only yesterday DC streamlined its entire continuity with this limited series. An original idea then; the major event mini-series is common place now, one happening almost every year. Crisis on Infinite Earths is one of the hallmarks of the Copper Age of Comics; its changes being felt in the DC Universe for decades. GSR’s “World’s Finest Crisis Set” is a fantastic collection of this series. It contains two 9.9s, issues #1 & #4. Which is amazing because there are only 5 books in this series to ever get a 9.9 on the census. His registry set also contains the rest of the issues in signature series 9.8. Congratulations!

jjbjheartman – Watching and waiting – Watchmen (1986)
Watchmen, which first was published during the Copper Age of comics has remained in constant print in graphic novel form for years. It is considered by many to be one of the best comics ever written. In the last few years a major motion picture was released based on the comic and several mini-series were published telling new stories of some of the major characters. This year in the many DC Universe Rebirth tie-ins and one-shots some of the major characters of this famous series will entire the continuity of the DC Universe; Dr. Manhattan having been revealed to be the author of the New 52 reality. jjbjheartman’s “Watching and waiting.” registry set contains a beautiful collection of Watchmen #1-12. Most issues in signature series 9.8 it also contains issue #3 in 9.9. Only 4 individual books in the entire series have reached 9.9 on the census. WOW!

entalmighty – The Mac Run – Incredible Hulk #330-334 & #336-346 McFarlane
Todd McFarlane’s run on the Amazing Spider-Man is quite loved and led to his own series writing & drawing the character. Before his work on Amazing Spider-Man, McFarlane had a run on Incredible Hulk (both titles published during the Copper Age of comics). He drew the first issues of Hulk written by Peter David who ended up writing the book for many years. entalmighty’s "The Mac Run" contains every issue of McFarlane’s work on the Incredible Hulk title during this period in 9.8 condition. HULK SMASH!

Best Modern Age Sets

Sensei Ryan – WE ARETHE WALKING DEAD! – Walking Dead (2003 Complete with Variants)
Sensei Ryan has put together a truly impressive set of Walking Dead books. Every book in this set is at least a 9.8 and quite a few books graded 9.9 and 10. In addition to all this, many of the books are signed by various members of the creative team. The collection is even presented well with images and descriptions for each book. Sensei Ryan has really gone above and beyond this time. Great job!

Tomega – Almost there – X-Men (1963) #301-#544 including Variants
Tomegas set of Modern Era X-Men books is another remarkable collection with only a few exceptions almost every book is a 9.8 or higher including twelve issues graded at 9.9 and two graded at a perfect 10. It is always amazing to see someone put so much effort into their collection. Nice work Tomega.

BBOY – Wolvie the Origin – Wolverine: The Origin
A winning set does not always need to be a large collection of books. In this case Bboy has been perfecting a small run of the Wolverine Origin series. This set has three issues graded at gem 10.0 including the 1st issue which has a common manufacturing defect that makes it especially difficult book to find in such a condition. Nicely done Bboy.

Best Presented Sets

dirtbagsailor – DBS’s Divinity Set – Divinity (2015)
A clear winner, DBS’s Divinity Set is perfect in every way. This is most certainly a labor of love especially considering the effort required to assemble this set while on military assignment, half way around the world. We thank you for your service and for sharing your collecting experience with us.

MrWalkingDead – DONT OPEN THE BOX! – Walking Dead (2003 Complete with Variants)
Setting the bar high for the Best Presented category, MrWalkingDead wins us over with his creative, clever and funny writing in this set. We echo the words of MrWalkingDead himself — “It is an honor to be among such passionate fans.” Our honor for sure.

JLA Brad – Great White North JLA III – Justice League of America (complete
Patience is a virtue and a requirement in building a set such as this. After 5 years, JLA has completed this #1 ranked set yet he still searches for upgrades. How does one put a set like this together? Read the comments for each entry to discover how he acquired every issue.

Best Magazine Set

thejudge01 – Mad High Grade – Mad #24-#50
To think one may have overlooked this set for the past few years is preposterous! As a matter of fact, it’s absolutely MAD! Without missing a beat, Kurtzman & Gaines were able to side-step the so-called “comics code authority” by changing from comic book to magazine format with issue #24 (July 1955). And with contributing talent like Wally Wood, Al Jaffee, Jack Davis, Will Elder, Kelly Freas and Basil Wolverton (among many others) — along with celebrity writers like Ernie Kovacs and Steve Allen — Mad magazine helped shape an entire generation of free-thinking Potrzebie! This set showcases high grade examples of the first 27 magazine issues, with 23 of these in stunning 9.4 or better! Highlights include a beautiful 9.6 copy of #24; a 9.4 copy of #30 — the first, iconic Alfred E. Neuman solo-cover; a scarecrow-Alfred on #43 in astounding 9.8; and a difficult (thus impressive) 9.6 on the dark covered #47. Can this set be topped? Possibly. But with high-grade examples like these, this set owner is surely thinking, “What – me worry?”

Best Custom Set

BBOY – 1st appearances
BBoy’s set “1st appearances” wins the Best Custom Set award this year with his large 161 comic set full of 1st appearances from the obvious to the obscure. It is fun, informative and all high grade. Nothing in his set is lower than a 9.0 and “1st appearances” sports 4 9.9’s! BBoy has provided a lot of pictures to highlight the set. As far as Custom Sets go, this one marks BBoy’s 1st Appearance as a CGC Custom Set Registry winner! Congratulations, BBoy on a great Custom Set!

Best Forumites

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Best in Set Type

We would also like to acknowledge the top set in each set type. See our 2016 Awards Archive page for the Best in Set Type winners. 2016 Awards Archive.

2016 Awards Archive

Special note: In response to participant feedback, an opt-out feature has been added on the edit set page for users with a No. 1 set who wish to NOT receive a certificate in the mail. If your set is No. 1 at the award deadline and you choose to opt out of receiving the certificate, your set is still named No. 1 and gets the award icon online. Opting out only means you wouldn’t receive the paper certificate in the mail.