One dollar = absolute bargain

October 6th, 2008

I was in the comic book shop the other day and there was very little in the way of new comics so I rummaged around the bargain bins for maybe something that would take my interest.  I was rewarded with a perfect condition copy of Detective Comics 614 for $1.

I already have this book in my collection, I’ve probably got most of that Breyfogle era (there are a couple missing that I should more actively pursue) but this was one of my comics that I think may have suffered a ripped cover, it is either this one or 613 and now that I think about it, it is probably 613 that is damaged.  

I guess it doesn’t matter it just means that I have a really good copy because as I read everyone of my comics and don’t leave them in plastic envelopes they all get a little dog eared.

Detective Comics 614 was probably the beginning of me actively collecting Batman comics in my teens, it was a great issue to start off with too!  It’s a standalone story that deals with some underprivileged children, they somehow get caught up with a gang and as the cover depicts Batman at one stage puts himself between a mob of angry drug dealers/gang members and the children to protect them.  If you are looking for a near perfect example of a Batman comic then you can’t go much better than this and actually 613 also (another issue that has Batman dealing with an innocent child). 

If you get a chance pick up an old copy of this issue in your local comic book shop.

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Bo-yah! You guys suck because I’m going to be rich!

September 16th, 2008

The title here really says it all.  

I mean I’m generally not a rude person by nature but I’m afraid I figure I may as well burn you all because frankly I don’t think they let your kind into rich heaven.

Dear , (I suspect Mariam just misplaced my name in her haste to get some money to me)
I know this mail will come as surprise to you but in a brief introduction (it was a surprise, um but the brief introduction bit does slightly confuse me). My name is Miss Mariam Dabo from Sudan (completely trustworthy I mean she says where she’s from and her name reminds me of something from DS9). I am 23 years old,It is my pleasure communicating with you for the first time and believing that it will lead to a better relationship between us. I am presently in Dakar Senegal under Asylum because of the Currently war in my Sudan that make me to lose my father and mother (so she don’t speak English so good, stop giggling). I have legal certificate of deposit $5.500.000. Five million five hundred thousand American dollars my late beloved father deposited in Finance Company legally under my name as the next of kin and all the legal documents that covering this money is with me here (legal stated three times, must be legal). I want to live the rest of my life in your position and invest with this money under your care and management (fair enough, comic book shop here we come they have a HALO backpack that would totally look stupid on me). As soon as i join you i will further my Education then you will be investing with the money till i finish my school. I am waiting for your reply to enable us proceed.
Sincerely,
Miss Mariam
Oh settle down with your envious wailings, I’ll probably stop in here still every once and a while just to let you know what my gold plated limited edition life sized Captain Kirk statue looks like when it glitters in the morning sun.
So long suckas! 

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Run to your local comic book shop and pick up Runaways

September 1st, 2008

I’m not sure what’s going on, I’m starting to settle in nicely into my thirties, early thirties, very early thirties… Why is it then that I’m getting hooked by all of these teen comic book series!?!

Teen Titans, Robin, Young Avengers, Kick Ass and now the best of them all: Marvel’s Runaways.

Well, after giving it a little thought I’m happy to say I’m not going through some third life crisis or anything and desperately want to relive my youth.   They just seem to be written really well.

So I finally picked up Runaways. Yes I’m late to the party and all of you who were reading it when it first started, you can be jealous of me, I crammed all thirty issues of volume one and two into a couple of days (days without internet of course).

What a trip, fortunately for me I knew nothing whatsoever about Runaways despite all the positive things I heard about it.   So every twist and turn was a complete surprise to me, every betrayal, death, romance etc all a complete surprise and I will not be giving any of it away here.

I just completely fell in love with the characters who are all such vivid and real kids.   I’ve since then read that they are working on the script for a movie, I have mixed emotions about this because I don’t know if anyone could step into those roles.

The first issue of Volume 3 went on sale the other day but I highly urge you to read Volumes One and Two.   The first one being my favourite.   Even though I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan I can’t say his turn at writing it in Vol 2 outshines the first series (apparently the hard covers are broken into three volumes..?).

Finally yes there is a dinosaur, it’s fine, it works.

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Homecoming

April 26th, 2008

Cover of Titans #1The other day I did something that I haven’t done in a very long time, an impossibly long time.

I went into a comic book shop and bought comics.

Not graphic novels, trade paperbacks or even collections.   Just standard monthly comic book issues.   It felt right, comfortable and like I was coming home.   I used to buy comics on a weekly basis, of course back then they weren’t as expensive, not as well constructed either.

I dipped my toe in the water a couple of weeks ago and bought a Marvel Adventures Iron Man issue.   $7.50 it cost which is an outrage.     First lesson, if you live in a city don’t buy your comics in a newsagency, they just can’t compete price wise.   They also tend to write on the cover, not so much these days but some places still do that, which is fine if you are simply buying to read but at those prices that’s crazy.

No I ducked into a local comic book shop and noticed that the prices had come down to on par with American cover prices thanks to the exchange rate.   This got me thinking, four dollars for a comic?   I could actually do that.   That’s a cup of coffee or four days with of the newspaper (more like three days actually).   I don’t feel cheated by this and when the exchange rate changed those guys changed their prices to match pretty quickly which I appreciate.

A couple of days ago I went to the comic book store and picked up some issues of lines that I used to read and a couple of was just curious about.   The feel of brand new comics, not yet thumbed through is delightful and as much as I love digital comics actually holding the paper issue in your hands is something else.

Something that might be a happy coincidence is that I picked up Titans #1 so I can start fresh with that series.

Man the paper quality has changed.   So glossy and vivid, maybe this is a good thing maybe it’s not, I’m yet to form a strong opinion.

The main thing though about doing this is that it felt like me, a part of me that’s been missing for a long time.   It felt really good.

Remember to support your local comic book shop!

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