tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82231245260798908332024-03-12T21:56:28.927-04:00Comic Swap ShopThe adventures and soul searching self-discovery of a crusty old comic collector on a budget. I'll post stuff that catches my attention in a "Rant Du Jour" fashion and talk about random stuff that strikes me. Also I'll talk about the more interesting comics I add to the personal stash.Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-32290402021340605212013-09-10T20:52:00.000-04:002013-09-10T20:52:01.235-04:00Moon Girl - who she?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been thinking about starting a Golden Age series and adding it to the Permanent Stacks.<br />
My collection is moderately respectable in terms of its Silver and Bronze age books. Its represented with several key books.<br />
<br />
What I am lacking in my pile of junk is <b>ANY</b> type of a Golden Age presence. I think I should try to balance that out a bit. But what to choose? GA books have always intimidated me. They have a reputation for being quite pricey. And not readily available. It would be a grand hunt to complete the series. The older series, it seems they were more inclined to be true serials and follow the movie format of continuing and building on a theme. Nothing would frustrate me more than not being able to complete the run.<br />
<br />
So it struck me I needed to define some parameters for exactly what to bite off. I want to enjoy this bit and not get frustrated and have to walk away it. Still I'm left with what to do...<br />
<br />
I used my run of Dr. Strange (1st series) #169 -#183 as the blueprint for the GA decision. Its a reasonably short run. Its reasonably available and not super expensive. All fine points to consider.<br />
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The conclusion I came to for my 1st foray into the Golden age is EC's Moon Girl.<br />
In addition to it being a relatively short run, and not as mainstream as SOME hero titles, I just like the history of it.<br />
<br />
An early EC hero comic? Quick name another EC hero..... I bet you cant. And from 1947 to boot.<br />
<br />
This <b>HAS</b> to be one among the 1st group of Heroines in comics - period. In fact it may be the second, behind some ol' broad from All Star Comics #8. Somewhat interestingly, Max Gaines was the publisher for <b>that</b> book at DC. When he broke off and started his own line of "Educational Comics" he knew a good thing when he saw it and wanted his own super-chick.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_large/0/229/130262-18661-110209-1-moon-girl-and-the-pr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_large/0/229/130262-18661-110209-1-moon-girl-and-the-pr.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st appearance?</td></tr>
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The story on something this old is a bit shaky. Overstreet and several on-line resources give conflicting information. Different sources cite a different 1st appearance. Happy Houlihans #1 is the other contender. If you have more information <b>PLEASE</b> share. It seems to be a genuine question no one can definitively answer.<br />
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Moon Girl <b>is</b> a bit of a Wonder Woman knock off. She even has an invisible plane. But thats OK. I'll never be able to afford a 1st appearance of Wonder Woman - but her lesser know little sister?<br />
<b>Sign me up!</b><br />
<br />
Moon Girl and the Prince lasted a single issue, and ran as Moon Girl for issues #2-6. It became Moon Girl Fights Crime! for two issues, before concluding its run as A Moon, a Girl...Romance with issues #9-12. Moon Girl appears only in the story "I Was a Heart Pirate" in issue #9 and in no subsequent issue. The series continued as Weird Fantasy beginning with issue #13.<br />
<br />
A hero book, an adventure book, a crime book and a romance book. Whats not to love?<br />
I wonder if she rode a horse to make it a Western series too?<br />
<br />
Clearly EC was schizophrenic about what to do with a hero book. This appears to be a sleeping gem.</div>
Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-4617204962268022592013-09-10T20:49:00.002-04:002013-09-10T20:49:47.017-04:00My 1st comic show purchase...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My recent trip to the 2013 edition of the HeroesCon in Charlotte got me thinking abut the 1st comic show I ever attended. It was held in Raleigh, NC at the Fairgrounds. I must have been in about the 9th grade. That dates this purchase to about 1982 or 1983.<br />
<br />
This book was my 1st major comic purchase. To a kid that didn't couldn't drive and didn't have a job - it represented A LOT of saving!<br />
<br />
I remember paying <b>SIXTY BUCKS</b> for this book. It was a full <b>TEN Dollars</b> over guide. It was the 1st and only time I ever paid above guide for a book.<br />
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Oh but this thing is <b>GORGEOUS</b>. Nice tight spine, no breaks. Solid, bright colors, no discoloration. In the older books as you may recall they had tiny little perforated holes at the bottom of the page in the margin. I think this is a result of the printing process used at the time. These perforations were stuck together. <b>They still are. </b>This book had <b>NEVER</b> been read.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIqz3NBgKS_fXjN6_nAgmmRuw7u-WeMicaO8maLJP6FcK6jIPQG-9fciOBTSEK2GWe_VoWxWz8N-zjbLh7mKZD2egttMdDv87a0b8gBXUJ8HhkbBGGjy5MnmNCQQQYcm7ODQdp5uttpY/s1600/xmen94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIqz3NBgKS_fXjN6_nAgmmRuw7u-WeMicaO8maLJP6FcK6jIPQG-9fciOBTSEK2GWe_VoWxWz8N-zjbLh7mKZD2egttMdDv87a0b8gBXUJ8HhkbBGGjy5MnmNCQQQYcm7ODQdp5uttpY/s640/xmen94.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st New X-Men in the series</td></tr>
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The <b>ONLY 2</b> flaws this book has is in the top corners. The spine corner has a tiny tiny little split with a hint of discoloration to give it away. Again this had to happen in the printing. There has been NO mishandling of this book. The other corner has started to fold, <b>NOT</b> a hard crease mind you, but rather from being compressed in the bag against other books. Very minimal flaws.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
Nothing is ever completely perfect. Only varying degrees of less perfect. There are probably better copies of this book out there - but you will look a looong time to find its equal, much less its better.<br />
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I purchased this book from Shelton Drum. He owns "Heroes Arent' Hard to Find and puts on the Annual HeroesCon.</div>
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<a href="http://www.heroesonline.com/images/boxes/flag_store-basic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.heroesonline.com/images/boxes/flag_store-basic.gif" /></a>.</div>
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n addition to his store and his major convention in the Southeast - he also sets up and supports by participating in a number of shows in the state. </div>
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I happened to catch him at one and mentioned the X-men book from youth. He was like "Oh yeah, You're the one that bought that? I remember that book... wanna sell it? I'll give you a full refund"</div>
It was a pleasant conversation and with the many thousands of comics that surely must pass thru his hands, it was nice that he said it.<br />
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I may not always buy from him, but I will always visit his table.<br />
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Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-83496892908272895662013-07-11T10:44:00.000-04:002013-07-11T10:44:31.429-04:00Who kidnapped Stan Lee?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Comic prices are rising, rising and no ceiling in sight. <sigh...> <a href="http://www.cgccomics.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?IDArticle=3463&X-men-1" target="_blank">News like this is awfully depressing</a> for a collector on a budget. I'm still cheap. I don't have a choice. I cant imagine there are but a scant few handful of folks with enough liquid capitol to spend several thousands of dollars on a comic. That's gotta be a tough sell for a retailer sitting on a book with their money tied up, waiting, waiting, waiting for a willing buyer to come thru the door. I<br />
<br />
'd love to be able to buy more key books, but my addictions get in the way. Namely eating, breathing and staying dry. I just cant afford today's prices. I have to bottom feed.<br />
<br />
I keep waiting for the market to correct itself. I cant help but think as the aging baby boomers exit the hobby there will soon be more collections available to hit the market and create a glut. With a little luck, I'll find one before it goes to a public sale. I'm in the <b>conservation and having OF it</b>, <b>NOT</b> the <b>selling and profiting FROM it.</b><br />
<br />
If only there was some secret, undiscovered stash of comics hiding somewhere in the great "out there"....<br />
Lets see.... who has been in the business long enough to know where that fabled, mythical stash might be?<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.newcomicsday.com/ncd/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Stan-the-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.newcomicsday.com/ncd/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Stan-the-man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"Stan the man" has been writing comics since Captain America Comics #3! Surely he would know if anyone does. Maybe he doesn't know that he knows? The venerable icon has probably forgotten more about the business of comics, production and distribution than any group of current professionals ever knew.<br />
<br />
I would bet that with the right prompting and coaxing we could get Stan lead us to it. Prolly have to ply him with some wine and women. That usually works on most folks.<br />
<br />
But <b>ITS STAN.</b> How do we get close to him? I guess we'll have to buy the VIP Stan package and whisk him away from a public appearance and take him on a road trip to lead us to Marvels undisclosed warehouses of pulp goodness. Returns, overprints, art storage, misprints, lost pallates of comics - the whole enchilada. Its "El DeGeek-O" the mythical city of pulp paper.<br />
<br />
Finding this Treasure Trove is a variable that would surely crash the comics market pricing structure. Flooding the market with material is what it will take to correct prices.<br />
<br />
You have to admit it would make a great movie. It would be part "Tuesdays with Morrie" combined with "National Treasure" and a little "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" thrown in for good measure with an overture to "On the Road".... I just pitched a film... excuse me I have to take this call from Kevin Smith hes on the line.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Disclaimer: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is not meant to be construed as a threat or intent to do harm in any way. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Its very much <b>intended as satire.</b></span></div>
Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-20874070356802549422013-07-07T09:56:00.004-04:002013-07-07T09:58:14.206-04:00Living in the Material World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is an update to a <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/on-line-comics.html" target="_blank">previous Blog post on Digital/Online</a> comics.</span><br />
<br />
Lets be clear. I'm an old dude. I remember when phones had cords. I remember when you had to get up to change one of the 3 television stations. I remember gas under a dollar a gallon. I remember .30 cent comics that were printed on newsprint paper.<br />
<br />
For my own part - I'm a collector more so than a reader these days. I still read what I get, mind you. I dropped reading <b>new</b> books about 3 or 4 years ago. The variants and constant stream of re-numberings confused me to the point where I just gave up. I didn't need the hassle.<br />
<br />
I think its fair to get that position statement out of the way as I still try to get my head around digital/online comics. Its a bold new world.<br />
<br />
<b>Digital/online comics are great for the reader.</b><br />
You can save them to you phone, computer or tablet. You can read them on a train, a plane, take them on vacation read them during lunch or in the bathroom. The key word is <b>convenience</b>. Many folks don't have a local comic shop to visit. Using Digital comics, they don't need it nearly as much. For them its about access.<br />
A tremendous advantage for these folks.<br />
<br />
As an old dude - I like the material/physical world aspects of collecting. Bags boards boxes - the smell of the paper (particularly in older books). Even the "thrill of the hunt" to find missing issues is removed. Very sterile feeling on the first go, but not having to have boxes upon boxes of new books that aren't likely to accrue any value whatsoever in my lifetime is kind of attractive.<br />
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<b>Digital/online comics are great for the publisher.</b><br />
As much as the direct market changed comics in the late 70's early 80's - I think Digital/online comics are becoming poised to have the same impact to the market. I can see why the publishers would <b>HAVE</b> to consider this route... If they can sell this this route they would rake it in. This could very well change the publishing dynamic and eliminate all of hands in the distribution pie. (Paging Steve Geppi)<br />
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As far as manufacturing the end product, the overhead for paper and inks fall thru the floor by removing the physical element of printing the product.<br />
<br />
Buying direct from the publisher will give Indy artists and publishers more exposure than they otherwise would have gotten.<br />
<br />
<b>As for the collector - </b><br />
It really depends what type of collector you are. If you are more of a reader - then this is good route for you. If you are more of a collector and you like something akin to the ritual of the "tea ceremony" in your collecting, then you should probably stay with what you love and what works for you.<br />
<br />
<b>For me -</b><br />
I like the vintage material. IF I got back into new comics I would go the digital route. Less hassles. I would still continue pursing the actual comics of old.<br />
<br />
<b>Downstream Impact</b><br />
However, what does that mean for our friendly neighborhood Local Comic Shops?<br />
Truth is - I have no idea. If they are cut out of the distribution chain and cant count on new comic sales - they will go under. They will have to diversify into RPG and or video games, albums, coffee, beer, firearms SOMETHING to generate revenue and get folks in the door.<br />
<br />
Trying times to have a shop. I wonder how they will evolve. I hope they evolve.<br />
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Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-50491260484425992412013-07-05T10:27:00.000-04:002013-07-05T10:29:52.706-04:00What the freak, man?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why is this book such a big deal?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://newmutants98.com/images/nm98cover-u119.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://newmutants98.com/images/nm98cover-u119.png" width="209" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I totally don't get it....<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Availability - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets start with the basics. Its an x-book from the 90's - That means that this is a <b>HIGH</b> Print run book. There are enough of these things to fill a fleet of shipping containers. BA-jillions of them sitting on shelves at the height of the speculator market.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Secondly -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its drawn by Liefield. - Rob is to comic art; what Mannerism is to late Renaissance art. His heroes are figures with abnormally elongated limbs often in torturous-looking poses. Grotty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a <a href="http://newmutants98.com/" target="_blank">delightful article</a> that dares to compare it to Hulk 181 and Amazing Spider-man 129. It holds water for all of about 3 seconds. I agree wholeheartedly with the authors conclusion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had the good fortune to run up on two of these books. One was found by answering a craigslist ad. The guy had this book and a Spider-man 300. I think I paid 5 bucks for the pair. The second book was picked up at a local yard sale. I bought it along with a New Mutants 87 for 2 bucks. All of this within the past 5 yrs. This book is available and it <b>IS </b>out there..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sold my lesser copy for $80 bucks just a couple of weeks ago. I wanted some walking around money for the HeroesCon floor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The moral of the story is: "Smoke'em if you got 'em" The price for this book is bound to fall. Its artificially inflated. If you have extra copies, now is the time to cash out, cuz it wont last. But just in case... keep a copy for yourself.</span><br />
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Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-22933031896462254872013-06-20T08:55:00.000-04:002013-06-20T20:06:01.775-04:00A Farewell to EC Horror books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was a neat book I ran across on ebay a little over a year ago. I wasn't really looking for it - but it fell in my lap cheaper than I thought it would. I made a low-ball bid offer and won it.<br />
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No one was more surprised than me. This is the 2nd to last issue of EC's venerable <b>Tales from the Crypt</b> series. It is a low distribution issue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqzMgFVCsX62v_kq68rkT7oBCIe3su1IAATH9iATZZmrekkrCOQCZKlK5ij5KFlDCQQJ8xr9Kx0p3Yjpf-YuhwMKuhoJYs9Ss1ospJz_2e080GMCenhrtItpbEaLB9bUQSqMLHim9Udg/s1600/toc45cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqzMgFVCsX62v_kq68rkT7oBCIe3su1IAATH9iATZZmrekkrCOQCZKlK5ij5KFlDCQQJ8xr9Kx0p3Yjpf-YuhwMKuhoJYs9Ss1ospJz_2e080GMCenhrtItpbEaLB9bUQSqMLHim9Udg/s320/toc45cov.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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What I found most interesting about the book was what was printed on the inside front cover.<br />
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Following the publication of Fredric Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent , horror and other violent comics had come under very intense scrutiny by parents, schoolteachers, clergymen, psychologists, and others who viewed the material as dangerous to the well-being of children and a significant contributor to the juvenile delinquency crisis in America. Think of it as McCarthy-ism for comic books.<br />
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Matters came to a head in April and June 1954 with a highly publicized Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency. Hearings targeted violent comic books—which fared poorly in the proceedings. While the committee stopped short of blaming the comics industry for juvenile delinquency, they did suggest it tone down the product. Publishers were left reeling. They could see the writing on the wall and recognized that the end of their industry was at hand if they didnt band together and DO something as a collective group. What they did was the <a href="http://www.comicartville.com/comicscode.htm" target="_blank">Comics Code Authority.</a> <br />
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The Code was essentially self censorship. It was meant to appease the groups giving them grief. It was a last ditch effort to stay afloat and keep the doors open.<br />
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<a href="http://www.comicartville.com/newagesccasealth.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.comicartville.com/newagesccasealth.gif" /></a></div>
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This Tales from the Crypt #45 book and in particular the inside cover - marked a farewell to EC Horror titles<br />
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The letter on the inside cover acknowledged all of EC's woes, put them on the table and said "Eff ewe" to a certain extent. They had effectively been driven out of business and gave up in a very public statement that very few people saw, because of the limited distribution.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObJGeEbGIcZsJWrZH2-HH9_ERPdxGb8z7yyH6-z3tHBFeb5yoK_OvH2GWJXBpP_Tqy_xgYf7X8odyifdpvj6f0kXUq1GvJ670TPj7Yi6BzruoInU_GXOYTo6dQsHIq5JKsFKPxsnVW9Q/s1600/toc45int.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObJGeEbGIcZsJWrZH2-HH9_ERPdxGb8z7yyH6-z3tHBFeb5yoK_OvH2GWJXBpP_Tqy_xgYf7X8odyifdpvj6f0kXUq1GvJ670TPj7Yi6BzruoInU_GXOYTo6dQsHIq5JKsFKPxsnVW9Q/s640/toc45int.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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I thought it was quite powerful, poignant and understated given the circumstances.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
R.I.P. EC. Horror.</div>
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Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-1000619239373253502013-06-11T15:40:00.003-04:002013-06-12T14:48:24.378-04:00HeroesCon 2013To be perfectly frank - I wasn't 100% sure if I wanted to go to this years HerosCon. I was on the fence. I didn't want to make the three hour drive by myself. Then, out of the blue, I got an mail from and old friend. A plan was made.<br />
<br />
I went thru the personal "Archive" trying to figure out what I wanted
signed and by whom. They had more creators there, than I was actually aware of. I guess that the point, to get more exposure, increase awareness - get the word out about things you may not have heard about and get people interested.<br />
<br />
I couldn't remember the last time my friend and I just hung out without kids, wives or some "event" giving us an excuse to get together. This was genuinely <b>cool</b> and <i>then</i> I <b>really</b> started looking forward to; and getting excited about the Show. If it were possible for us to have had a "love child" on our last adventure, that kid could have driven us. It was <b>that</b> long ago since we road-tripped. <br />
<br />
The drive to Charlotte from Raleigh was a wet one. Tropical Storm Andrea was on the tail end of visiting our area and she left a lakes of water in parking lots everywhere. Rain. Gray sky's. very tired windshield wipers.. Then, somewhat suddenly, the Sun broke thru. A gorgeous day fought its way out after a sloppy start. While trying to park we had a <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2013/06/living-legend-jim-steranko.html" target="_blank">possible Jim Steranko sighting.</a> <br />
<br />
After parking, we got tickets easy-peasy (ie. very small line) and waited for the magic moment to strike where they let the riff-raff into the convention hall. Grabbed a couple of copies of The Women of Geekdom Calendar. Flipped thru it as we waited. There was maybe a couple hundred folk in front of us in the line. It flowed quickly and I did not feel pushed around in the herd. I get edgy when that happens I like some space and personal distance. Things that are<b> too</b> crowded wigs me out. I don't shop on<b> Black Friday</b> for this very reason.<br />
<br />
So now we were waiting for the turnstiles to start moving...<br />
Cos-players always amuse me and they did not disappoint. They were milling about getting like the rest of us. There were blocky pixelated Minecraft characters (Not to be confused with the German game Meincraft). Indiana Jones, Deadpool, Stormtroopers and even a little kid dressed as a Storm-trooper. He was more like a Lego mini-figure of a Storm-trooper.<br />
<br />
The requisite cleavage queens were in attendance making infants everywhere very thirsty. However, the oddest Cos-player I saw by <b>FAR</b> was the large black fellow dressed as Storm. He had the flowing cape the big classic head-dress and a booming baritone. The juxtaposition was frightening. I would have made my usual snarky-jokes, but I was afraid I'd wind up as a greasy spot on the floor. Maybe he was there because he lost a bet....<br />
<br />
Once in the hall my biggest priorities were to visit with <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2013/06/living-legend-jim-steranko.html" target="_blank">Steranko</a> and <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2013/06/living-legend-roy-thomas.html" target="_blank">Roy Thomas</a>. Mission accomplished. Both guys were genuinely into the scene and seemingly happy to mingle and spend some time with the fans. They are fine, fine ambassadors for the hobby and consummate professionals.<br />
<b>Much respect!</b><br />
<br />
So the strategy was to get the signings and then work our way from one end of the convention hall to the opposite side before lunch. A quick first pass. To ID the guys who had the wall books I was craving, from the guys with glorified dollar boxes. After visiting with my childhood driving fetishes - the Bat-mobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future; it was time to get to work and fill up my back-pack.<br />
<br />
<b>Lots of stuff there.... </b><br />
My gracious it was overwhelming. I walked around until my feet hurt.<br />
I got some of my favorite <a href="http://www.egerber.com/aboutpreservation.asp" target="_blank">Mylar bags</a> there. Saw some of my favorite vendors there. <a href="http://www.earlshawcomics.com/" target="_blank">Earl Shaw</a> and <a href="http://www.tomorrowstreasures.com/" target="_blank">Tomorrows Treasures</a> were in attendance. My fellow day-tripper found me hawking over some bins and he brought me a beer. Not that this was unheard of, I've killed many a brain cell in this fashion with this friend. But I found drinking beer and looking at comics kind of oddly disorienting. <br />
<br />
I even saw <span class="st">Shelton</span> Drum on the floor. The <b>MAN</b> for putting this show together for the past 31yrs. I would have said "Hi" - but I didn't have the heart to bother him on his busiest weekend of the year.<br />
<br />
Over the years, I have gotten <b>GREAT</b> deals off of all of these guys. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything I couldn't live without this go-round. I was in a very specific <b>Silver Age Key Book</b> kind of mood.<br />
<br />
After much hunting, and internal debating - I finally got a <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2013/06/bucket-book.html" target="_blank">book on my bucket list</a>. I even found some good deals on a couple of T-shirts to bring back home to my kids.<br />
<br />
Then it was time to go home.<br />
<br />
<b>In closing</b> - What a great "Little Comic Show".<br />
I have been able to make the HeroesCon in Charlotte two of the last three years. Its wonderful. No disrespect; but Charlotte isn't quite the same draw in the way that New York, Philadelphia, Chicago or San Diego are. I get that. The "Big City" shows certainly get exposure and interest from the all fans, vendors and science fiction and fantasy celebrities in attendance. <br />
<br />
And deservedly so, I love that stuff and its a <b>BIG DEAL</b>. The signings, appearances and the event spectacle of it are really cool and all, but if you are there just for the <b>BOOKS</b> - then Charlotte is the show for you need to be at. You <b>need</b> to make the special effort to get to the Charlotte show!<br />
<br />
I could actually walk around without feeling claustrophobic. Perhaps the availability of beer made people more tolerable for me. It was a strange sensation drinking beer and looking at comics.<br />
<br />
The plan, the drive, the show the return trip. Smooth as glass.<br />
Fantastic little day trip! Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-11454326814465641562013-06-11T10:41:00.001-04:002013-06-11T10:47:20.137-04:00Living Legend - Jim SterankoAs I was sitting in traffic, waiting to park and get tickets for the show, I noticed a quick sprightly older gentleman making his way to the entrance of the Charlotte Convention Center. I thought to myself that <b><i>had</i></b> to be Jim Stedenko. (I know thats not<i> really</i> his name... force of habit - I've watched too many Cheech and Chong movies..) I mentioned it to my fellow road tripper.<br />
<br />
He had no idea and I was uncertain. A quick glance at a distance... who could be 100% certain? It was either an artist or a pimp. He was wearing a cream colored suit and black turtleneck with perfectly groomed silver locks.<br />
<br />
His booth was my 1st stop on the convention floor. We were in line behind abut 20 people. I was determined to get his autograph on several items. Earlier in the week, I decided the Nick Fury Agent of Shield #1 and Captain America #'s 110, 111 and 113 to be signature worthy.<br />
<br />
In those books Jim did these dynamic 2 page centerfold layouts. Magnificent stuff.<br />
<br />
Imagine equal parts Jack Kirby, Roy Lichtenstein, Salvidor Dali, M. C. Escher with some Op Art thrown in for giggles and I think you could assemble your very own "Franken-Steranko".<br />
<br />
The mans very signature is art. Big bold vibrant and exciting. Many folks have gotten their signatures down to a symbol or "mark". A scribble. Not here. This is gor-ge-mous.<br />
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Jim seemed to be genuinely happy to be out and about with the fans. He wasn't the most loquacious fellow. I think perhaps his throat was bothering him a bit. Maybe he was just pacing himself for a long weekend - who knows. His warm smile and handshake spoke volumes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seems I'm not the only one <b>^ </b>who was stuck in a moment of awe.</span></div>
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Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-20581883345734369072013-06-10T21:34:00.000-04:002013-06-18T18:27:45.618-04:00Bucket bookI could go into a long spiel about how things have been a bit of a challenge lately for me on a personal level. No need to. We all have stuff to deal with...<br />
<br />
All you really need to take way from that is that it was time to treat myself.<br />
I scoured the Charlotte Convention Center looking for either a Journey Into Mystery 83 or Incredible Hulk 1.<br />
<br />
No dice on the Hulk - There was not an ungraded copy on the convention center floor on Saturday. It simply didn't exist. I'm not in the position to pay a used car price for something that I cannot drive. I have to dumpster dive for an affordable value. I have to go on the low-end. Something with enough flaws to get it into my window of affordability. Torn back cover, UK copy, a couple of loose pages - whatever it takes. Gotta be cheap.<br />
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However - I scored on the <b>Journey Into Mystery 83.</b><br />
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Made the 1st pass and acquired the target... walked around to see if there was a better deal on another book. Then came back and took a hard look at it.. talked price with the seller. Walked around and thought it over. I had one nagging doubt. In addition to its numerous flaws the cropping on the right edge made me think it was trimmed. Had to compare it to some other books and make sure it was the right size and unaltered. It checked out to my satisfaction. I told the guy this would be my last stop before I left the Con that day.... and walked away.<br />
<br />
As I was walking away - I took a few paces and I wondered "Why in the Hell <b>AM</b> I walking away?"<br />
I found the right book, at the right price. It was there, I was there - whats the freaking problem?<br />
<br />
So I went back and bought it. Attacked it like a shark... Bump, bump BITE!<br />
<a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/restored-comics.html" target="_blank">Maybe I'll get it restored later.</a>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-65056649463710728722013-06-10T21:31:00.005-04:002013-06-11T10:54:45.609-04:00Living Legend - Roy ThomasI wasn't exactly sure what to expect from Roy Thomas.<br />
I had heard a few cautionary tales about him being a cranky old codger, irascible, ill tempered and occasionally mean spirited. Maybe he had a damn good reason to be angry and the folks doing the talking conveniently remember it wrong, who knows. <br />
<br />
He displayed <b>none</b> of that in my few minutes with him at the Heros Con.<br />
He was the consummate professional and gentleman. He seemed genuinely happy to be there and to be interacting with the fans. He signed 5 books for me, after the 1st one, he politely asked me to make a donation toward the <a href="http://www.heroinitiative.org/" target="_blank">Hero Initiative</a>. No problem, happy to kick in for the old timers. Roy has been a long-time champion for creators.<br />
<br />
Roy signed my Conan 1, Star Wars 1, Marvel Premiere 5, Creatures on the Loose 10 and Chamber of Darkness 4. A <b>real</b> signature not a rushed scribble scratch.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wait, isnt that Berni Wrightson too???</span></div>
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Roy doesn't need me to be his agent. His body of work is overwhelming. If you read a Marvel book in the 60's, 70's and 80's you already know who he is... I was going thru my comics trying to figure out what I wanted to pull out for him to sign. I decided to go with the fantasy themed stuff. The licensed material he adapted for Marvel is some of my favorite work.<br />
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I asked him my pet question for the<a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/p/letter-column-resource-listing.html" target="_blank"> Letter Column Resource Listings</a> page- <br />"What was the 1st letter he had published before he entered the comics field?"<br />
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<br />Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-16150851303057982122013-05-15T13:32:00.001-04:002013-06-20T10:50:38.570-04:00I must be cheap....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its been a while since I have updated this space.<br />
<br />
<b>Truth to tell</b> - there isnt much to update. Its been a while since I have added anything substantial and meaningful to the personal archive. Its been slim pickings at the moment.<br />
<br />
I was able to find a decent All Star Western #10 (1st Appearance of Johna Hex) and a Volumes I, II & III of the hardbound Absolute Sandman. So that was nice.<br />
<br />
However, in general - I'm downright discouraged about continuing to collect.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Prospects are low. </b><br />
I cant find any decent, affordable material. I've come to grips with getting books in MUCH lower grade than I would normally accept and <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/restored-comics.html" target="_blank">entertaining the notion of getting them restored</a> to their former glory.<br />
<br />
Case in point - I was watching an auction for Tales to Astonish 27 - Great cover. Had some brittle, loose pages in the interior. It went for over OVER $1200 bucks..<br />
<br />
There was yet another auction for an Incredible Hulk 1. It was whole and intact but there was no color on the cover. It had some type of water/humidity damage that would require extensive work to press and re-rolor the cover. Still went for close to $900 dollars. <br />
<b>That is just freaking absurd!</b><br />
<br />
Who the heck is buying these things? Are they leaving the country? What gives? <br />
Arent we supposed to be in a recession? With the boomers getting older, I had hoped to run up on a collection at an estate sale or some such but that apparently is not in the cards either. I continue to pray for for that miracle yard sale or divorce fire sale.<br />
<br />
Its time for that warehouse find of Keys to come out and price correct the market.<br />
Things are way too high for the average individual to afford.<br />
<br />
Is there a collectables mutual Fund? Its getting so that the <b>ONLY</b> way I'll ever own one of these keys it to purchase a "portion" of it thru some type of grouped mutual fund entity that invests in collectables and pays out on their resale.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've seemingly hit the wall were the comics I want to add to my collection has eclipsed my ability to afford them. </div>
Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-90847646481773386422012-09-10T16:00:00.002-04:002012-09-10T16:07:37.538-04:00What to do with a Modern Comic Collection?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The only reason to collect <b>ANYTHING</b> is because you enjoy it. </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It could be Hummel figurines, guns, cars, coins, watches or finger and toenail clippings. To expect any of this stuff to fund your retirement or pay for your kids college education is a pipe dream. Sure certain "items" could do those things and if you are lucky enough to have or find a few great! But with RARE exception are any of these "money" items new modern items. <br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Buy the stuff you enjoy but don't expect it to be worth anything!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My take on <b>Modern Comics </b> - anything produced<b> since 1980</b>.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I found a fellow collector on Craigslist wanting to get rid of his modern collection. Tired of them, sick family member, needs cash ..... who knows why he would sell them; could be any reason, really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />I sent him the following note..</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hi Fellow collector.<br />Saw your post on Craigslist. Looks like you have a lot of modern stuff. I'm really after Bronze and Silver age books. Doesn't seem like that was your area of focus for the collection. So I'm not the man to buy your stuff.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The reason I'm writing is because I know how hard it is to get rid of modern books. Everyone that wants them seemingly has them... OR they aren't willing to give much for them. A dealer would barely give 15 to 20 cents a book for the inventory and to have it eat up the floor space. Finding an individual that's wants them on Craigslist is a great option. However, in case that doesn't work out for you - here's an idea for your consideration that I have used in the past.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Depending on how you do your taxes; Give them to Goodwill. I know it sounds weird, but hear me out... I've donated comics and picked up donation claim forms to give to my accountant and get value back that way. In the past, I've claimed full cover price, (since many books were bought at a discount from comic shops that is better than it sounds)+ bags + boards and boxes.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This can add up quickly.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It kind of bruises the soul to GIVE them away... but you could possibility come out OK depending on IF it makes sense for the way you do your taxes. And if you can wait and do NOT need the cash in hand immediately, picking up value thru the tax man - you could do worse.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Good Luck!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had expected that to be the end of it. <br />Maybe its my generally poor presentation skills, but folks typically don't respond well to unsolicited advice, especially mine. Imagine my delight to the reply below...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Will,<br />Yes, most of my stuff is modern. I started collecting in the mid to late 80's. I have a fair amount of bronze age stuff in my Marvel comics. My Bronze Age stuff is mostly Uncanny X-Men, Daredevil, and some of the old horrorish titles like Tomb of Dracula, Ghost Rider, and Werewolf by Night.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />That is an awesome suggestion! <br /><br />In fact, that suggestion might be enough to save the portion of my collection that would really crush me to sell off. We've donated to Goodwill in the past and I was always surprised by how much credit is given for clothes, toys and such. There were times that I almost felt bad about taking that much of a tax write off for used stuff, but I didn't make the rules. If the IRS is fine with it, then I'm not one to argue. <br /><br />I never thought of doing that with comics. I have boxes of stuff that I've picked up from other people that I picked up for pennies. Getting cover price for those in a tax write off would be much better than selling them even for a quarter a piece.<br /><br />Thanks again for the suggestion. It is greatly appreciated.</span><br style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Name withheld"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So... The takeaway here is that it <b>CAN</b> make sense to give away certain low value items that would otherwise be hard to sell in the proper way. No collector wants to sell their hard work piecemeal and have their collection cherry-picked by strangers. That's a painful process for not much money. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The donation option eases the pain of separation and increases turnaround time to unload them in one fell swoop. AND you may be throwing a kid a lifeline to encourage reading and overall interest in the comic hobby. <br /><br />Enjoy what you collect</span>!Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-11068919862758660122012-08-16T11:21:00.001-04:002012-08-16T11:21:54.329-04:00Thoughts on Collection Intervention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I finished up my half hour on the exercise bike and was too awake for bed. I decided to check out the new "<b>Collection Intervention</b>" show on <b>SyFy</b>-Lysis.<br />
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Elyse Luray is the host and quite frankly her cred from the<b> History Detectives</b> on PBS is why I decided to watch this show. That and she is easy on the eyes. Elyse welds those eyebrows the way Indiana Jones works a whip. <br />
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To be brutally honest, I was kinda leery of this show. I was afraid it would be a combination "Hoarders / Comicbook men" that would hit me squarely between the eyes and sting as I am a collector and accumulator of "Stuff" (Your stuff is crap; My crap is "Stuff"). If not done with some care and understanding, it could hit a little too close for comfort.<br />
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I have Silver and Bronze age comics, *some* Vintage Star Wars and Beatles items. But its not in every room of my home, or stuffed into a garage. I know what I have, where I got it, and have a good idea what I paid for it.<br />
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(I happen to have an <b>actual</b> car in my garage.)</div>
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The cute Pixie Star wars girl was out of control. It might be good for her to get professional counseling. At the auction when she was clearing stuff out... I couldn't help but wonder "What did you spend on that stuff?... are you breaking even or taking a bath on those items?.. It would be interesting know - <b>THAT</b> she was able to part with something wasn't quite enough for me.<br />
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Catnip-boy was.. well, just odd. I can imagine how much ridicule he endure as a youth collecting the "girl" stuff. That explains why he felt he had to hide it. However, hes another therapy candidate. he landed a cute girl, get her a cat-woman costume for the bedroom and call it a day, hes a winner in the game of life. <br />
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I have my collections. But I can walk in my house. I pay my bills. My wife kids aren't wanting for necessities. I guess that's why I'm not a candidate for the show. No "intervention" is really necessary. <br />
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I get how Elyse with her knowledge and network of contacts can help assess a collection and get folks to part with their treasures for a nicer than average price for television. That's good, its a start - but its only one part of a "true" intervention.<br />
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It would be nice to have the perspective of a normal collector, talk about proper storage materials and conditions. Feature some collectors with a balanced life to show that every collector isn't bat-guano crazy. It could set a bad stereotype if the other-side isn't shown.<br />
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I'll have to give it a couple of more episodes before I fully make my mind up on this show. Evey show deserves some time to find its "legs". In large part due to the Host, the show is handled with a certain sensitivity toward the "participants" - guests? - I'm not sure what to call them, exactly. I think it could go a bit further to <b>really</b> help these folks. They are <b>seemingly </b>out of balance and I'm not sure selling their stuff is the entire solution for them - or that could just be the "television" of it. <br />
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I call Jerry Springer "Genius TV" cuz I feel so much smarter than those SOB's on the show. Maybe that <b>IS the point</b> and is exactly what this show is supposed to do. To make average collectors feel better about what they do.Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-13628661283530473192012-05-02T20:56:00.001-04:002012-05-02T20:56:34.964-04:00OK, I'm dropping Thor.<br />
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Before I explain why...<br />
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I remember waaaaay back when when Daredevil was written by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. One issue had a backup story of what a planning session between the two is like. Gene asked Stan to come up with the plot this time. Stan talks about what a genius he is for a few panels (to stall for time) then starts his plot idea.<br />
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Stan: OK, DD is stranded on top of the tallest mountain in Tibet.<br />
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Gene: How did he get up there?<br />
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Stan: You can figure that one out. Anyway, he gets in a fight with Baron Zemo...<br />
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Gene: But Zemo's dead! How do we bring him back to life?<br />
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Stan: Don't worry, you can figure that one out.<br />
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The rest of the story goes on like this, until the last panel when the men with white coats and butterfly nets came up behind them to take them away. After reading Thor lately, I'm convinced that story was true and not a parody.<br />
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How else to explain the way they rush disconnected ideas together, amass logical paradoxes, and spoo themselves out of continuity?<br />
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Thor sacrifices himself. He goes to the afterlife (not Valhalla) which is actually a kind of limbo where forgotten gods go to waste away for eternity. He becomes a kid and forgets who he is. The other gods tell him they can't leave because a big monster won't let them. Thor gets so emotional over this, he gets his memory back, and convinces the others to help him fight the big monster. They defeat the big monster and come back to life.<br />
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Meanwhile...<br />
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Somehow, when Thor died, everybody in Asgard forgot who he was. Everybody except for Karnilla and Ulik the troll. Ulik dresses up like Thor and takes his place. Even though everybody forgot who Thor was, there's supposed to be a Thunder god, so apparently any goob can dress up like a Thunder god and claim he's him.<br />
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While this diarrhea is spraying everywhere, Karnilla masquerades as one of the Fates. You know, the three Norns who CAN TELL THE FUTURE. Somehow, she could fake being one of them even though THEY CAN TELL THE FUTURE and would see her coming before she thought of doing it. Through this, she formulated plans to have Ulik take Thor's place, then does the villain laugh and kills the young maiden Fate. You know, the Fates who CAN TELL THE FUTURE and somehow didn't see this coming.<br />
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Why did she do this? So the trolls could sneak into Asgard and take it over while the Asgardians were too confused to figure out what was going on. Thor comes back just in time to save everybody. Karnilla then reveals she's one of the 3 Mothers who now rule Asgard. And, just so we the readers won't think the 3 Mothers are completely useless, one of them draws out her sword and defeats Karnilla in a couple of panels. Just like that.<br />
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Which of the three mothers did this? I forgot. It wasn't the one who always holds the baby, unless she handed the tyke off beforehand. It doesn't matter to Marvel anyway.<br />
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They cram all this into a four-issue story arc. MAYBE they could have pulled this off if they had stretched it out over a year and paced things slower. For instance, after Thor's gone, have a scene where Asgardians are defending the realm against some invading army that's pouring over their walls. There's several pages of battle, the invaders are winning, and the Asgardians are losing hope.<br />
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Right in the nick of time however, a familiar heroic silhouette with a winged helmet and a big hammer appears and saves the day. The Asgardians rejoice that the Thunder god saved them and he comes forth to claim his accolades, and the last panel of the story reveals that it's Ulik! Wait, the reader wonders, how did this happen? It's a great hook for the next issue, which the reader eagerly anticipates, right?<br />
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To quote John Belushi, "But NOOOOOO!" Instead of doing this, they cram it all together on one page, by saying the Asgardians now know the Thundergod as Tanarus instead of Thor. They show Tanarus striking a heroic pose, then continue on with life as usual. Absolutely no sense of mystery, intrigue or buildup. It's just a laundry list of events mashed together and printed in glorious color.<br />
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Seems like they're counting on the popularity of the movies to keep sales going and doing fuck-all for story development. Didn't they go bankrupt when they did something similar in the nineties? They thought everybody would just buy their crap because it was supposed to be popular. Doesn't always work. At least not with me any more.<br />
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<br />Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01353215258702166125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-13655135451790021392012-02-22T11:40:00.000-05:002012-02-22T15:03:17.673-05:00Thoughts on Comic Book Men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was never really "chomping at the bit" to see this show. I've seen "Pawn Stars" and "Storage Wars" and have been WAITING for those shows to show a nice cache of cool vintage comics. Hoping for those to appear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">******</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Full disclosure:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I won a e-bay auction a few months back. Turns out the "Jay and Bob's Stash" was the seller. I won a nice lot of mid-grade Captain Americas issue range between 130 and 150. They gave me great service at a great price. Was very happy with the transaction. I'd deal with them again no sweat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">******</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So why cant I get amped for a show about comics? I'm not sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After 2 episodes the show is still finding its legs but the characters fall a bit flat for me so far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Walt</b> - is a hustler - he buys and sells, knows the material. Maybe its his accent but I expect him to pull out a pint at anytime. This guy would be the same if he were working a dock or running a fruit stand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Mike</b> - not sure what he adds just yet.. He seems intent to learn and is content to be along for the ride. I dont have a feel what hes about yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ming</b> - Seems to be the butt of a lot of jokes. He must be the newest fish in the fish tank while every body finds a pecking order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bryan</b> - Is that gruff SOB that most comic shops seem to have. He feeds off the weak to fuel his self esteem. His main meal seems to be Chicken a al Ming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Kevin</b> - He shows up and MC's the table to facilitate discussions.. He missed the Bat-Mobile and the nutty folks that come in. There is a goofy scene with Hockey that was was odd. I'm not a hockey "guy" but other than that I could be Kevin Smith. Well a version of him without fame, wealth and talent. I've worn a beard for years (till recently), I'm funny, I still hang out with some of my old friends from HS and comics rule.. Tell me we aren't virtual twins with a straight face....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I've got the T-shirt..</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess that's the crux of the biscuit for me. I could be on that show and not miss a beat. I have too much in common with those guys. A shared experience of comics, we've lived thru the same cultural events, of a similar age. I have a "there's a nothing new under the sun" outlook for this show after 2 mere episodes. They aren't taking me anywhere new. They aren't taking me on a journey of discovery. At least not yet....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were whispering into someones ear on how to add some juciy bits to the show:<br /><br />1) Bring a comic creator to the round table, Stan the Man, Neal Adams or Shooter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) Feature an under-rated comic with some price increase potential <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/books-ill-always-buy-out-of-dollar-bin.html" target="_blank"><u>Like this one!</u></a> A pick of the week. Engage folks to find go into their local comic shop and buy something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Try to engage younger readers and bring them in the store. Show other retailers how you do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Talk about <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/on-line-comics.html" target="_blank"><u>digital publishing</u></a> and why it useless or advantageous. <br /><br />5) Do something with free comic book day to bring in new readers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) Encourage comics being given away for Halloween instead of candy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7) Talk about CGC and <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/boo-hiss.html" target="_blank"><u>what they have done for comics</u></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8) Discuss <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/restored-comics.html" target="_blank"><u>restored comics</u></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) Give storage tips and <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-grade-comics.html" target="_blank"><u>discuss grading</u></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10) Talk about things publishers do that <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/07/stupid-chase-coversand-re-numbering-you.html" target="_blank"><u>bug you</u></a> or that you love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultimately, I think this show is preaching to the converted at the moment. They have a GREAT slot after the Walking Dead and a platform to bring in new readers should they chose to use it that way. <br /><br /><strong>Bottom line</strong> - I'd just like a little more from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Its a good show. Its on my DVR list. But I'm not convinced its of "Must-watch" status yet. Its early tho and I am hopeful.</span>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-90611704701770610462012-02-20T17:44:00.004-05:002012-02-20T23:15:13.288-05:00Bronze Beauties<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>No</strong>, this post isnt about girls in bathing suits...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I almost wish it was, my blog might get some comments if I pandered and went all sensationalistic and stuff..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some nice books I've picked up from my Man Rick! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rick is a dude who usually has a booth at the local Flea Market in Raleigh. He does horse trading and swapping and generally has a real nice assortment of comics at reasonable prices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past 2 yrs or so I have bought a ton of stuff from him. <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/p/recent-aqusitions.html" target="_blank">I bought this Journey into Mystery 95</a>, and a Tomb of Dracula 10 <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(1st appearnce of Blade) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've taken him some stuff to buy from me and he deal very fairly. He keeps the material moving and isnt looking to retire off of any one book. So you can ballpark what hes going to pay based off how he sells his stock. I applaud his approach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">War! Who doesn't love a good war book?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">How can you <b>NOT</b> love some low number Luke Cages? If its good enough for Nick Cage its good enough for me.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSEQLKkbExiF60HRpkCrXC8NFaF1_X8p6hokqVf_xwjt7l8OpSN-nRywsC34g60jsYerhl7DWCrVQ8NyRCmYR8en0BlP82t-8Hh69dYE-kFQnbt3RRcypWLfjLdMdn1yky2C_rPpbiGQ/s1600/AA13rear3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSEQLKkbExiF60HRpkCrXC8NFaF1_X8p6hokqVf_xwjt7l8OpSN-nRywsC34g60jsYerhl7DWCrVQ8NyRCmYR8en0BlP82t-8Hh69dYE-kFQnbt3RRcypWLfjLdMdn1yky2C_rPpbiGQ/s200/AA13rear3.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ7OCbcPjpTIATun0kZcgVkAxw7Ic6ozE5qAshgj6QhP7bkOoG15CKolnUM6OD2Vl_tWAZRZV1I0iR7iq_iSjqXAKspQSnmSR9md8X7Ig_zLAhuT5Pw6TBwoC0Sg-c6T1ewlq_b-4cqw/s1600/AA13rear4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ7OCbcPjpTIATun0kZcgVkAxw7Ic6ozE5qAshgj6QhP7bkOoG15CKolnUM6OD2Vl_tWAZRZV1I0iR7iq_iSjqXAKspQSnmSR9md8X7Ig_zLAhuT5Pw6TBwoC0Sg-c6T1ewlq_b-4cqw/s200/AA13rear4.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">An don't forget Monsters. I think Marvel was trying bring back the classic Universal monsters all by themselves for a while..</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA_wr8H-3f-G8bQnKGemHczrTId4xJSCuN_8fB6MOATY2d6ydW16TAzsesv2d9yIX1w_Eecs8uA0uqZ9sF2ZCVXZXnKcaqc7gDW1iZw42ZyFkkzv1E70gEKQsxT1YyzyQfg7tbJyAkZw/s1600/WWolf86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA_wr8H-3f-G8bQnKGemHczrTId4xJSCuN_8fB6MOATY2d6ydW16TAzsesv2d9yIX1w_Eecs8uA0uqZ9sF2ZCVXZXnKcaqc7gDW1iZw42ZyFkkzv1E70gEKQsxT1YyzyQfg7tbJyAkZw/s200/WWolf86.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And then a hole filler for a "cant refuse it price"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBX0yu9CDuCqx4wEHtbLrX6xb-2MuiW0TMRrCuqM1x-2CBLrG7atTsUYW_mcSC7bVk8yvS8C438eYWZPo0GCfx1ANuJ5JNfpgM3rWpYReVZUDkqklKt2v6FiG4niMcliSdLzq-kyCWUs/s1600/AA13rear7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBX0yu9CDuCqx4wEHtbLrX6xb-2MuiW0TMRrCuqM1x-2CBLrG7atTsUYW_mcSC7bVk8yvS8C438eYWZPo0GCfx1ANuJ5JNfpgM3rWpYReVZUDkqklKt2v6FiG4niMcliSdLzq-kyCWUs/s200/AA13rear7.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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</div>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-67525472273153410362012-02-20T12:54:00.000-05:002012-02-20T17:28:18.966-05:00Sometimes craigslist CAN work out<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I admit it. <br />I regularly check craigslist to see if I can find some type of deal to be had on comics. Someone clearing out Dear Old departed Grandmothers' attic...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Personally, I'm holding out hope for the scorned lover getting revenge for not getting a big enough ring for Valentines Day. Or the lady trying to finance a divorve or get payback somehow by partting out her significant others collection out of spite. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always seem to miss these opportunities... I am ever hopeful, however..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, I have found a few folks that have some trading inclanation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some recent Daredevils I have managed to run up on...10, 22, 29, 47, 61, 68, 71, 78, 81, 90, 98, 100, 112, 118, 131, 141, 142, 143, 144. Below are a few random pics..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to part with some Bronze age Superman/Action/Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsens to aquire them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf8uEGhkk5tnUAJ78dA65u72vBEliI3cOQ9-YL_rMSkdn1091D-dCSQdIw5JbQsLqFiDOQ0eaZkJzokYq5Q1nO-8Hs9decFExSqHFBSSRVMX5dikz2CZG435CwKKznv2bOHmCr4I8fMM/s1600/DD141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf8uEGhkk5tnUAJ78dA65u72vBEliI3cOQ9-YL_rMSkdn1091D-dCSQdIw5JbQsLqFiDOQ0eaZkJzokYq5Q1nO-8Hs9decFExSqHFBSSRVMX5dikz2CZG435CwKKznv2bOHmCr4I8fMM/s200/DD141.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0qEhH5xszKMRKaBSnhLP1MK2yJdPVJTw6ZwB0YPlLzkfjsK4pXQ-mQ_oQR5ie2Q_S_rS_p5ITsJnm_6nkdIveIxTRG9DoriF0vfP5YbRRhEziXCRKXAalQjcalNQYHtKqvNeZL7Qwhk/s1600/DD142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0qEhH5xszKMRKaBSnhLP1MK2yJdPVJTw6ZwB0YPlLzkfjsK4pXQ-mQ_oQR5ie2Q_S_rS_p5ITsJnm_6nkdIveIxTRG9DoriF0vfP5YbRRhEziXCRKXAalQjcalNQYHtKqvNeZL7Qwhk/s200/DD142.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_G7EjsanIQABycLWIwLAZqHs-zEPq8qMsOUXQNQpZby-TOAPqZRkEhoTfhMXhOYW6YpgDPGa4QUnltCpYJ-9wiGpXpSCZ9a-8lgFjgd3bKWoO4XgWF_qqSbpG04dWKEDy8DKp35vujA/s1600/DD143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_G7EjsanIQABycLWIwLAZqHs-zEPq8qMsOUXQNQpZby-TOAPqZRkEhoTfhMXhOYW6YpgDPGa4QUnltCpYJ-9wiGpXpSCZ9a-8lgFjgd3bKWoO4XgWF_qqSbpG04dWKEDy8DKp35vujA/s200/DD143.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<strong style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Not too shabby....</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is also another fellow I am attempting to make a large trade with on some other DD books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned.. I'll let you know how it goes.</span>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-15040029170357108892012-02-19T08:53:00.000-05:002012-02-20T17:25:39.844-05:00Publishing oddities<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every once in a while, I'll run across a book with something I cant quite explain on it.. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">does anyone know what these little actually oddities mean or are indicative of?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This "bluing" of the back cover is ink. I'm not sure if was added at the Publisher level or Distribution level. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most typically the ink runs along the edge. (but that's kind of hard to depict in a scan) In this example we have some ink overage that splashes well in to the back cover. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily the front is unaffected.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgg1KLeLMgsrLqkoJICGUGDepbCVhmcbnWREq3qBvW1NBtubFpEa5mW05wFHoINN9aItiMYCINdt0VGE-9TKS5Osqtop-uBqbzjh6pxx5QsggYxKFbjj_3WZi1CqHlTvSGj_8Mwr0lRc/s1600/AA13rear8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgg1KLeLMgsrLqkoJICGUGDepbCVhmcbnWREq3qBvW1NBtubFpEa5mW05wFHoINN9aItiMYCINdt0VGE-9TKS5Osqtop-uBqbzjh6pxx5QsggYxKFbjj_3WZi1CqHlTvSGj_8Mwr0lRc/s200/AA13rear8.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This next book has an odd mark instead of a price, or at least it seems to be indicative of a price. Not being familiar with foreign concurrency, I don't understand the syntax of the "1/-" notation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My best guess is that this is for either Canada or the European market at large.. maybe Australian..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a bit of an odd mark. Perhaps it was sent to someone in Military Service as part of a subscription or picked up at the corner drugstore from their base. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am curious where such a book was intended to be (Geography wise) and can only guess how it left that county and made its way to the States.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnaQJKOQxua_Qz2iI-NrIoq64GTIWZSZX3831617UMTtB02RJe4zGy-bFS0VZEB1C0tkfBTrZKz_9Pv6nRwAItpOfluetJdVjzHwnxwtPA7KqevjKZJdfzBdiXIlkismQW3KzqZl2Y3o/s1600/DD71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnaQJKOQxua_Qz2iI-NrIoq64GTIWZSZX3831617UMTtB02RJe4zGy-bFS0VZEB1C0tkfBTrZKz_9Pv6nRwAItpOfluetJdVjzHwnxwtPA7KqevjKZJdfzBdiXIlkismQW3KzqZl2Y3o/s200/DD71.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Psst. that opaque blemish is tape on the Mylar bag. I was too lazy to remove it for the scan.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Now THIS little gem seems specific to the UK. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You kind of have to wonder though.... shouldn't there be fewer books with this mark since? Wouldn't this make the book more rare? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRoFE9aJtayOiKkg23PlnXW9Co0o9YhZ04-76wb4-1AFzqRDE4F6Owv7ntoCDVckzfh5U8gduJ_uvmRE78Fh-uwlhObJJlDV5_o7q29pLklWWPLtV2CecX0pYSeAnp3F3L7rjFergtkQ/s1600/DD98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRoFE9aJtayOiKkg23PlnXW9Co0o9YhZ04-76wb4-1AFzqRDE4F6Owv7ntoCDVckzfh5U8gduJ_uvmRE78Fh-uwlhObJJlDV5_o7q29pLklWWPLtV2CecX0pYSeAnp3F3L7rjFergtkQ/s200/DD98.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: left;">Probably so, but it </span><span style="text-align: left;">doesn't</span><span style="text-align: left;"> seem to matter to US collectors. The cents copies currently rule.</span></span>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-90765497581083611232012-02-15T16:27:00.003-05:002012-02-15T16:27:40.280-05:00Things I'm not proud of..<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Have you ever done the right thing for the wrong reason? I suppose the end justifies the means, to a certain extent. But when I look at my collection and notice the holes, the books that are missing from it.. I cant help but wish I had done something a bit differently.</div>
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I must have been maybe 15 years old or.. close to THIRTY freaking years ago. I went to the local flea market with my best friend. We rode with his mom since we both were too young to have a license. This one vendor had a copy of Hulk 1 and DC showcase 22. </div>
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I talked, weaseled, pleaded and practically begged him to sell me these books at a price I could afford. This is back when the Hulk 1 was going for about $600 according to Overstreet. Not sure what the 1st Silver Age Green Lantern was going for then (but I knew what it was and that I wanted it) but it was prolly in the same ballpark. He wanted $150 apiece. (I'd give him that all day long NOW..)</div>
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Well after my failed negotiation talks; he asks me to watch his booth so he can go to the restroom and get a cup of coffee. I said sure. I had ample opportunity to snatch and dash with those books. I wanted them oh so badly. I was more afraid of being caught, and having to face my friends mom and then ultimately MY folks. Fear kept me at bay. I suppose a little fear is a healthy thing. But man, I really wanted those books!</div>
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<b>And while we are on the subject of theft and temptation as a youth..</b></div>
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I remember when a comic shop opened in my hometown. About the same time frame as the story above. They sold comics new and old along with Harlequin romances, assorted text books, coffee table books and vinyl records. Maybe not a true comic shop but close enough for me in those days. They were just opening up, hadn't been in business very long. Mere DAYS. I remember this dude had the owner by the curb trying to sell him a trunk-load of stuff. <br /><br />I meandered into the store to look around Boxes of stuff. Still moving in and getting set up. Nothing was in order or had a permanent place to live. I noticed a short box. It had the first 30 or so Conan's. I knew it was out of my price range so I passed it over and continued milling around to get the lay of the land. Well this other dude had wandered in doing the same thing I was just looking around. I didn't see anything that struck my fancy that day and split.</div>
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So next time I see the owner hes pretty gruff. He moves his location finds some new business partners and he has things going great guns. Bully for them. I always got lousy service from them even tho I became a regular customer.</div>
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All I can figure is that other dude stole something and the owner thought <i><b>I</b></i> did it. </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Crazy. </span>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-84908661770805324992012-02-10T17:29:00.000-05:002012-02-10T17:29:17.843-05:00Get off my lawn<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Did I wake up in a time warp?</div>
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I feel like Rip Van Winkle who has just woke up and just noticed that comics are priced thru the roof!!</div>
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I cant find any DEALS to be had to save my butt!</div>
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What I'm about to say will be very unpopular. If you have books to sell, or mind-numbing sums of money you don't want to admit tied up in your comics this is NOT going to make your day.</div>
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Someone needs to become Francisco d'Anconia and flatten out the comic values. I mean really... We are talking about paper. Not Gold not Silver; 50 to 60 year old pieces of paper. The destroyer needs to wreak havok on a market out of balance.</div>
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Gold is currently priced at $1721.51 per Oz. Silver is priced at $33.54 per Oz. There are more folks that have an interest in precious metals and real commodities than old news print.</div>
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<b>Whats the avg weight of a comic? </b></div>
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I weighed a few for a highly unscientific baseline just to satisfy my own morbid sense of curiosity</div>
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Journey into Mystery #95 1.7 ozs</div>
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Daredevil #156 1.5 ozs</div>
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Nick Fury Agent of Shield #10 1.7ozs</div>
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Dazzler #1 1.5 ozs</div>
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So we can average 1.6 ounces..</div>
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An ounce and a half of Gold is = 2582.27</div>
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An ounce and a half of Silver = 50.31</div>
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I have only a handful of comics that have a value approaching 1k or more</div>
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I have boatloads that are the equivalent of silver or significantly better</div>
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Housing, energy, manufacturing bubbles have burst. </div>
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How do we deflate the comics market so I can buy some more? </div>
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They cost too damn much!</div>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-82868514715680522792012-02-07T16:35:00.002-05:002012-02-07T16:35:20.727-05:00Christmas 2011<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
I love my wife. I love my wife. I love my wife. I love my wife. I love my wife. I love my wife.</div>
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For 20 years she has asked me the same question - and - I have given her the same answer.<br /></div>
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<b>Her:</b> "What do you want for Christmas?"</div>
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<b> Me:</b> "Comics." I want some GD comics under the friggen tree"</div>
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<br />20 yrs we've had this lil dance. No comics under the tree. This year. I found me a bundle of "Unexpected" on ebay and gift wrapped them to myself. No keys, nothing special, just hole fillers.</div>
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<b>Is that Bad?</b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyone else had to stoop to such measures for some Holiday Joy?</span> <br />
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<br />Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-81840463842877107132012-02-07T16:31:00.000-05:002012-02-07T16:31:00.699-05:00Blogs need love too..<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Hi funny-book fans.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I apologize. To all of you. I've been a wee bit lax in posting regularly as of late. I'll try to fixy that right up. Between the holidays, Scout stuff with my boys, work and reading, reading, reading. I haven't been posting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Heck, I'm lucky the bills are being paid on time.</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As such I havent had much time for scavenging funny books, swapping, wrighting or wronging.</span>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-87392392170402330442011-12-15T13:59:00.002-05:002011-12-15T14:16:36.116-05:00Netflix, Netflix, Netflix... What am I going to do with you?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let me confess something right here and now... I'm a Netflix addict. I stream when I work out... just about anytime I can, <b>I DO</b>. I love catching up on stuff I missed the 1st time around. Farscape, Firefly, Breaking Bad... TONS of stuff. Netflix has allowed me to be well-viewed.<br /><br />I find it especially enticing when noise about Firefly being resurrected is mainstream <a href="http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/12/nathan-fillion-teases-firefly-could-netflix-bring-it-back.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://bernardin.tumblr.com/post/14182869809/could-netflix-bring-firefly-back-from-the-dead" target="_blank">here.</a> (Great little show! Cant recommend it more highly.)<br /><br />But Netflix pissed off a lot of people by jacking their rates for DVD's and streaming. (I do streaming only so I was unaffected but that fiasco.) But I did watch it unfold with a curious eye. Folks cried foul, Netflix launched a spin-off venture, only to fold it less than a month later. Content providers are letting Netflix deals expire and they have their delusions cast on launching their own streaming ventures/deals, envious of Netflix recent success.<br /><br />The drive to produce their own content is a big gamble but one worth taking to retain viewers. If the stuff is <b>GOOD</b> they will gain viewers. But,to me this is like the cherry and whipped creme on the sundae. These are the last bits you add <b>AFTER</b> you build a tasty treat.<br /><br />Really, the end-game for Netflix is this:<br />They need to reach deals with the NFL Network, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA and ESPN and carry streaming sports <b>LIVE</b>. They need to do this <b>TODAY</b>. 2 min delay, let those networks/groups show their nationally sold ads via the stream, give them a % per view, whatever it takes to get them on the bus. If this were in place <b>I would cut my cable TO-Fucking-DAY</b>.<br /><br />Then what are all of those content providers (STARS, HBO, Showtime) who fancy their own distribution channel gonna do? They will practically be paying Netflix to give them bandwidth, begging to stay relevant.<br /><br />I'm old school. Al Gore says he built the internet... we unless he posted the 1st dirty picture, he didn't give it the right fertilizer to grow. Porn built the internet. Nerds wanting to look at hi-res boobies made dial-up modems obsolete. (Smile if you know I'm right!)<br /><br /><b>Game set and match to Netflix. </b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">IF</b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> they can pull off the double play of live streaming Sports AND Adult content. They would practically be a content distribution monopoly. And Stock-type people love to print money with a monopoly. Netflix previous missteps will be forgiven and forgotten.</span></span>Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-91332399078312928372011-12-13T13:55:00.003-05:002011-12-13T15:07:13.209-05:00C'mon Marvel, pick something and stick with it.Back in the fast-paced 90's, Marvel developed a marketing strategy that nearly put them out of business. They relied on short-term flashiness, like crossovers and shiny covers with metallic ink to attract buyers, and wound up with a lot of product nobody wanted. Now they're doing it again.<div><br /></div><div>Case in Point: there used to be a series called <i>Darkhold<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">:</span><span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" > Pages from the Book of Sins</span></span></span></i>, a spinoff from Avengers storylines concerning the dreaded return of the Elder god Chthon. Chthon wrote the Darkhold book himself, infusing the pages with all sorts of nasty evilness designed to corrupt and destroy mankind so that he could return to a nice homey apocalyptic world. He must not have used the right glue to bind the pages together, as they got lost and scattered. A mysterious demented dwarf came into possession of some of the pages, and started passing them around like candy to unsuspecting marks. They read the sinister scripture, thinking their dreams would come true, but of course they don't. They turn to soul-destroying shit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enter the Darkhold Redeemers. Victoria Montesi is the reluctant descendant of a long line of Darkhold guardians. She is given the task to recover the pages, and receives help from occult expert Louise Hastings, Interpol agent Sam Buchanan, and Mordred the Mystic. The series used similar formulas to the <i>Friday the 13th</i> and <i>Warehouse 13</i> TV series, where occult investigators recover bad mojo that drives people insanely and murderously evil, and lock it safely away to never trouble mankind again. The occult was big at the time, as DC had <i>Sandman</i>, <i>Swamp Thing</i> and <i>Hellblazer</i> flying off the shelves.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, how did Marvel screw it up? They made it crossover central, guest starring the Midnight Sons, Ghost Rider wannabes who rode demonic motorcycles with lots of skulls and sulfurous flames of hell spouting out of their exhaust pipes. Doctor Strange also crossed over, as well as Punisher and any other oh-so-hard-edged "dark" trope they could push down readers' throats.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the Darkhold Redeemers were being overshadowed by these frequent guest stars, Marvel obviously decided the real stars of the series weren't enough of a sell. So, they killed off the dumpy professor, made Victoria a lesbian, and transformed Buchanan from a middle-aged pot bellied detective to a steroid muscle monster with BFGs. (Big Fucking Guns) Those short-term solutions didn't work of course, and the book died a quiet death.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nowadays, it's Thor that's getting the constant redesigns. Again, Marvel thinks the way to sell the book is to introduce major Earth-shattering events during every story arc, totally scrap any continuity they've established, and bait potential new readers into buying flashy shiny crap.</div><div><br /></div><div>To wit: Thor rebuilds Asgard. Asgard gets destroyed. It gets rebuilt. It gets destroyed again, and gets rebuilt, only this time it's now a multi-cultural commune overlooked by three goddesses. </div><div><br /></div><div>Odin had been exiled to eternal battle with Surtur. Thor brings him back. Odin takes over Asgard, acting like Odin always does, bellowing "Never question me" at the Asgardians, and Thor gets pissed. Odin fights Galactus over a seed, then goes back into exile. Oh yes, Galactus lets Silver Surfer go and replaces him with a small-town preacher. Isn't that just so monumental and earth-shattering? I bet they kill off the new herald before New Year's.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loki comes back as a woman when Thor rebuilds Asgard the first time. Then he becomes a man again. Then he becomes a child and is spun off into another series. He is barely given any time to establish an identity before the MONUMENTAL EARTH-SHATTERING MARVEL ROD changes everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yes, Thor dies off-screen, Beta Ray Bill's cousin takes his place, and now Thor's a child trying to escape the afterlife. </div><div><br /></div><div>Marvel can't be bothered with developing personalities. They'd rather change environments instead, because they can market it as monumental, rules-breaking, unconventional shit that nobody else dares to do. That drove them nearly bankrupt before, but apparently they haven't learned their lesson. As the Thing used to say, "What a revoltin' development!" Thing knows. <i>Thing knows.</i></div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01353215258702166125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223124526079890833.post-86448016381089384342011-11-05T20:32:00.000-04:002011-11-08T12:54:54.078-05:00<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b>The best little Comicon you've never heard of Is the <a href="http://www.nccomicon.com/" target="_blank">NC Comicon.</a></b></div>
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The stars have aligned and this past year has manged to be my year of conventions. For the 1st time I managed to go to the Heros Convention in Charlotte and had a great time. Bought a few things,no real noteworthy books, hole fillers for my Tomb of Dracula run. I met Neal Adams and had him sign my Green Lantern #76. Had a delightful experience there and hope to return. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(<b>FWIW</b> - Sheldon Drum, the guy that puts that on does a fab job and hes super to talk to. In fact he sold me my Minty X-men 94 for $60 back when this book guided for about $50. I still have it!!)</span></div>
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I was also devious enough to plan our Family Summer trip to <b>Chicago</b> to coincide with the <b>BIG</b> <b>Comicon</b> they have there every year. That was too big for my tastes. <b>SO</b> overwhelming, it almost leaves you numb afterward. <b>THAT</b> was too much. I'm a simple country boy; wall to wall people creeped me out. When it was time to leave, I was kinda glad. (<a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/08/chee-cah-go.html" target="_blank">more on that</a>)</div>
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<b>By far, the Best Con experience of 2011 was the NC Comicon.</b> It was close enough to the center of my universe that I could drive to it and not have to stay overnight in a hotel. (MONDO appealing) And Cons seem to be somewhat regionally priced, so things were more inline with my budget. Being in the South, things just felt cheaper closer to home. (Another BIG plus)</div>
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Upon arrival took a general walk around to get the "lay o the land". There was something here for everyone. 1st stop: Men's room. While washing my hands I struck up a conversation with a dude who drove his son 150 miles from SC to attend this event. He was tired and cranky but overall being a good sport about it for his kid. Good for them. Good for them for making the trip that's nice to see.</div>
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<b>Games</b></div>
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What's that you don't like comics but like games? They had that. <b>Check.</b></div>
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<b>Artists Alley</b>.</div>
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They had some notables there hawking their wares. But I'm an old school guy and this is the headliner and the guy I came to see. Howard Chaykin in the house..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYa1_4o-CjNjvSiyie7rFUVZQkkbpAQwtZ4W97eLuTQkFw4D8mvafTBnw6hdWHGoEuKyzvjIeh_xLMG0_d3Cdn7tPVOJd6lD_7jXrn_hkWvy1qJZGm927BsbOaMmEEDqVPbBp1N8JSJ8/s1600/A-DSC01907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYa1_4o-CjNjvSiyie7rFUVZQkkbpAQwtZ4W97eLuTQkFw4D8mvafTBnw6hdWHGoEuKyzvjIeh_xLMG0_d3Cdn7tPVOJd6lD_7jXrn_hkWvy1qJZGm927BsbOaMmEEDqVPbBp1N8JSJ8/s320/A-DSC01907.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Whats Shakin Chaykin?</span></div>
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While hard at work making sketches he had plenty of time to talk to fans and answer Questions. I asked him "When he watches "Mad Men" does he look at it and say: "Thats #$!!#@ American Century"! And he was like "You know, there's a story there...." he ALMOST wound up making an adaptation for the TV show.</div>
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He was good to talk to and graciously signed my Star Wars # 1 thru 4 and an Extra Star Wars #1 I had picked up for a very good friends birthday. My friend is into Star Wars more than comics. He recently showed me his Death Star play-set and Han Solo blaster from when he was a kid.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Ladies this friend IS single for a nominal fee I can hook you up)</span></div>
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Signed I tell you..</div>
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<b>Comics</b></div>
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They had more than you can stand. More than I could possibly describe. Golden, Silver Bronze and Modern. I picked up the following <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/p/recent-aqusitions.html" target="_blank">books here.</a> I bought all of these from the fine folks at <b>Tomorrows Treasures</b> who made the trip down from NY to the show. I ran into them in Chicago and Charlotte and again here in Raleigh. I gave them a plug from the <a href="http://kountis-comics.blogspot.com/2011/08/chee-cah-go.html" target="_blank">ChicagoCon</a>. Richie and his wife are great folks to deal with. I couldn't recommend them more highly. You wont be sorry.</div>
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Unlike The Chicago Comicon, the NC Comicon did not rely on "Star Power" from Hollywood for a draw. The comics were front and center. The books are the main attraction and I found I liked that much better.</div>
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<b>Costumes</b></div>
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There were folks in costume and that's a kick for the kids and the casual Con 'goer. But It strikes me as just a tad creepy. Even if a lady can pull off a Ms Marvel costume, I'm disinclined to take a picture. If she happens to be 17, I don't need a hassle from the sheriff over a misunderstanding.</div>
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<b>Panels</b></div>
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This Con had several interesting ones. I wish I had time to check the History and the intro to comics and grading.</div>
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<b>Way back machine</b></div>
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I ran into a dude as a vendor that I had done some comics trading close to 20 years ago.</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We reconnected and he introduced me to a couple of guys at the show who were local and interested to trade and swap. Score!!</span><br />
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<br />Willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561429788171388737noreply@blogger.com0