I'm getting ready to sell-off most of my comic collection and have considered getting some of higher value comics graded with CGC before selling them. Yesterday, I just got the first one back (an Amazing Spider-Man 300). First of all, I was impressed to see that it came back with a higher grade than I anticipated, but I was bemused by how cool it was to see my book in a pristine case.

The thing is, I've pretty much been against "slabbed" comics because I feel comics are made to be read, not enshrined in a plastic case for viewing purposes. What has switched me around is:

(1) the fact that so many comic stories I love are available digitally (i.e., those Spider-Man and X-Men collections in PDF on DVD) or through reprints (like trade paperbacks) &

(2) the pure economics that selling an individual ungraded comic practically guarantees you'll be getting a fraction of the value of the book.

How do any of you feel about graded comics?

The demo is incredible. The game comes out in mid-May but THQ was kind enough to release a two-player demo for the upcoming UFC 2009 : Undisputed title on PlayStation Network (and XBox Live Marketplace if you're one of .. them...).

Did I mention the demo is incredible? I'm not a big professional fight fan, so this comes completely from a gamer aspect -- the thing plays sweetly! Smooth movements and it is NOT a button-masher. Tactical thinking and a creative balance between offense and defense is king in this game. I'm reminded of long ago when games like Street Fighter and Virtua Fighter came out. This seems like a game that will be simple to learn but an eternity to master.

Download NOW!!!

We're cleaning up our house, just to make more space for two people living with an active toddler. In a scavenging/cleaning run, I rediscovered my long-lost HP iPAQ 6165! A clean, portable device, it should be fun to see if I can get this old beast running and just use it as a portable way of keeping track of scheduling, contact info, etc. Hopefully, it will be a fun tinkerfest and not a time-wasting pain in thetuchus.

Right now, my little guy is only two-years-old and has mastered holding the Playstation3 controller upright without shoving it in his mouth. We've tried a couple of games to see what kind of response it gets out of him and so far WWE: Legends of Wrestlemania and Sonic Unleashed have kept him in a button-mashing utopia. I look forward to busting out my Midway/Atari Classics and going head-to-head with him once he's older, but I'm certain by the time he's that age my clunky game system will be far below his interest.

Just started sharing my nerd loot from the convention this Saturday with my son this morning (the toddler-proof items anyway - he will not touch my Darth Maul/Ray Parks autograph). I picked up a free Wonder Woman tiara for one of his female toddler buddies, but I may have a tough time getting it away from him. So far, it's his favorite item and he's running around the house wearing it while chasing the family cat.