Iraq Star Foundation on OCC: A cause worth paying attention to

Please click the photo to visit the "Iraq Star" website!

Last night I watched a new episode of "American Chopper", so like usual I expected lots of yelling and destroying of things in the shop, but I was unaware and pleasantly surprised by the bike Orange County Choppers was building on this episode.

Here are some video highlights of last nights "American Chopper" with the "Iraq Star" bike!

OCC was asked by the "Iraq Star Foundation" to build a bike to be auctioned off to support the foundation. I had never heard of "Iraq Star Foundation", but they are a non-profit organization that provides American soldiers with reconstructive surgery after returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Please click the photo to visit the "Iraq Star" store which proceeds go to the foundation!

Other then the stars from OCC other celebrities such as Gary Sinise, Kristy Swanson, Tom Selleck, and Kevin Sorbo are among the many celebrity supporters for the "Iraq Star Foundation". I think in a nation that is so engulfed in pop culture that it is imperative that celebrities use their fame for shining a light on such important things such as "Iraq Star".

Myself, and I'm sure most Americans, are extremely proud to have men and woman willing to fight for the U.S.A. and to be away from their families for so long especially during the holiday season. We want them to do what they have to do and get back as soon as possible. Hopefully positive thought will bring them back sooner than later! With that said they are at war and with war inevitably comes injuries and with injuries surely disfigurement; which is where the "Iraq Star Foundation" is needed. I think it is extremely important to respect our soldiers enough to make their return to the United States, injured or not, as harmless as possible. Especially in the case of those who have been injured or disfigured, I think it is critical to take care of any care soldiers may need when the return home. I'm sure the weight of returning from war is heavy enough without having to deal with any other burdens.

Click the photo to visit the Twitter account of Kristy Swanson!
This Playboy is signed to me but I'm definitely willing to part with it and give all proceeds to "Iraq Star".
You can email me here if interested!

I had the honor of meeting Kristy Swanson, the Original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, at a comic book show not too long ago and I am constantlly pleasantly surprised by the humble and selfless approach of alot of celebrities. So it's nice to see celebrities using their notority for good! This is a cause that I can definitely put myself behind and wish "Iraq Star" nothing but huge donations and great things.

Click HERE to join the "Iraq Star" cause on Facebook!

Soldiers: We're thinking about you, be safe and come home soon!

Civilians, yes I'm talking to myself as well, please support our troops and "Iraq Star"

From the Desk of "The Clover Comics Gazette"

this is

"The Boy Wonder"-Dustin

signing off!

CGC is a perfect solution for the casual comic book collector and a status symbol for the serious comic book collector

Detective Comics: #38 "First appearance of Robin"

Click on the picture to search for this comic!

The CGC, aka Certified Guaranty Company, is the part of a group that specializes in the grading and encasing of comic books. The service grades your comics from a scale of 1-10 then encloses said comics into a plastic casing that helps ensure the quality of your graded comics.

For the casual comic book collectors CGC books can be a great route to go. For example if you don't want to read comics and you just want to collect comics as an investment or you like a comic book character and want comics to use as decoration CGC comics are great. Ebay and Comic Book Conventions are filled with CGC books for sale, for an investment CGC books are great because they are enclosed and aren't dificult to keep in great condition, and the casing looks nice on a wall and can be a great conversation piece that you don't have to worry about someone reading the comic and ruining it. So casuals to get rid of some of the guessing games, I would say that you can't go wrong with a CGC book!

Now, for the more hardcore comic book collectors we all know that CGC comics are amazing. Each and every comic book convention I go to I try to make sure that I save enough money to pick up at least one CGC comic book. Of course hardcore comic book collectors want to talk about about comics and though a novice won't see anything good in a box of comics, a novice can appreciate the cleanliness, appearance, and decoration of a CGC book. So hardcore collectors I definitely suggest picking up a box of loose comics for cheap and then saving some money for CGC books that you can collect and are great investment pieces. That way  you can walk away with alot of stuff and something that is worth some money!

This is "Batman #1"

click the picture to search Ebay for CGC books!

Here are a few tips to purchasing CGC books:

1. Invest in a comic book buyers guide, you definitely want to see what the book your looking at is really worth.

2. You can afford CGC books, they aren't all super expensive. Get a book that you will enjoy looking at on the wall and not just something that is worth alot of money.

3. At comic book conventions haggle with the vendors, they want to make a sale, so use that to your advantage. Good time to have your price guide on you, cause you don't want to get ripped off. Always try to get a "reader" copy of the CGC book your buying, they have a "reader" and make sure you get one!

4. Ebay is a great place to find CGC comics, type in something that interests you and go from there. Also, in this situation don't be afraid to offer the seller a lower price. They definitely want to sell their book and if they have no bids, you might could get a great price.

5. Find a CGC vendor that you like and stick with that person, they are not all out to scheme you. So, if you find a good one I suggest being loyal.

6. Finally, I don't suggest that anyone become a member of the CGC unless you plan to become a dealer. CGC is a great service, but pretty pricey. So, I suggest leaving the submissions to the dealers and you can reap the benefits.

"Hulk #181"
Click the picture to visit the CGC Website

"Action Comics #1"
Click the picture to visit my CGC dealer "Crazy Ed's" website

So, in conclusion, I myself love comic books and I'm very happy to have them as one of my many hobbies. CGC grading is a great thing that brings a more "fine dining" style to the casual comic book stacks that most people have. So I encourage everyone to go out and get some CGC books for yourself and happy reading!

This is my wall mounted collection of CGC Comics:
Click the picture to follow me on Twitter!

For "The Clover Comics Gazette"
this is:

"The Boy Wonder" - Dustin

signing off!