Comic Books

[*dezyDECO*]

Discussion in the Avengers: Endgame thread has brought back a lot of old memories... thinking about the characters and storylines from the comic books I grew up with. I spent a good chunk of my time (and money!) reading and collecting during the 70's and 80's.

Below are my posts from the other thread, just to get things started.

Yeah, like time travel. Some of those special issues... I can remember exactly when and where I was when I read them.

Living in the boonies during pre-intrawebz, I had a stack of comics mailed every month from Mile High Comics in Denver, CO. After Mile High, I think I switched to a business named Westfield? Haven't thought of those companies in years.

Stopped reading/collecting a long time ago... but Endgame has me wanting to find my issues of Avengers Annual #7 -&- Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2. I'm a little disappointed that the Thanos movies skipped over all of the Adam Warlock* connections, since they teased it in the GOTG 2 end credits.

(*That run by Jim Starlin was incredible, especially his twist on Warlock's death.)

For me, Amazing Spider-Man was IT... I wanted anything and everything I could get my hands on. Issue #100 is one of the first issues I remember reading over and over... with that last panel* revealing Peter Parker with four extra arms. I was hooked! UK basketball and the Reds completed the trifecta of my youth.

During summer trips to visit family in Kentucky, I waited for the chance to go to the Richwood or Georgetown flea markets. Those were the only times I could pick up back issues of Spider-Man. Seems strange now, but once we found a comic book booth, my relatives knew they could leave me for an hour and wander around the rest of the lot. This was during my 9-13 yrs range... definitely different times.

(*Gil Kane's artwork will always be a favorite.)


Might need to start a thread just for the comic book fans.

 

[docholiday51]

Started reading and collecting in the early/mid 60's. I can still go to the spot where I bought Amazing Fantasy #15(the place isn't a drug store anymore but it is still there) I was a ASM fan from that day forward. The story line wasn't what I thought it would be,it was so much better.There was a bit of Peter Parker in all of us when we were teenagers(even those who were jocks)

Recently began looking over some of my various books,it feels strangely good.

There should have been an Adolph Rupp comic book but it would never have made it thru the comics code.Maybe a Coach Cal comic with his arch enemy Ratface.

 

[kybobcat_rivals185207]

So I had these original issues when I got married.

By the end of our 3rd month, the wifey had given them to the cute little kid across the hall. :chairshot:

 

[420grover]

I never could get into the superhero style comic books. I was more into funny comic books. I loved Archie. I actually just got a Betty and Veronica tattoo.

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

I prefer the adult-oriented comic books that aren't superhero related. Like Locke & Key, Preacher, Scalped, Y: The Last Man, DMZ, Fables, Sandman, Lumberjanes, Saga, Paper Girls, etc. Find the superhero stuff to be really lame.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

docholiday51- Wow. I was a few years and about 100 issues behind you... hard for me to imagine how it was to know Peter Parker right from the start. I was lucky to have Marvel Tales reprints and the ASM pocket books (3 volumes covering up to issue #20) to allow me to do some catching up.

You still have that AF #15 somewhere in a lockbox?

kybobcat- I'm guessing your newlywed Mrs. compensated you for that loss! That Dark Phoenix run ranks way up there, obviously. It will be interesting to see if any of that story actually finds its way into the upcoming movie.

wildcatsboston1984- A lot of the superhero stuff did get watered down, since companies were chasing those dollars. For instance, having one or two really good Spider-Man stories didn't seem to be as important as having Spidey pumping out 112 titles per month... knowing someone like me was buying every one of them, regardless of their quality. Then, they started the multiple covers money grab, and that was what finally made me throw in the towel.

Had a buddy that loaned me the first couple TPBs of Preacher and I really enjoyed them... the coffin really sticks with you! But having quit comics cold turkey, I resisted the idea of getting hooked on the series. Same goes for Sandman, though I did buy 7 or 8 of those collections.

About 5 years ago, I scooped up a full set of Y: The Last Man, since I knew it was a finite situation and it was highly recommended. Thought it started well and had promise, but ended up with just a so-so feeling at the end.

Maus, Sin City, and Love and Rockets filled my non-superhero moments.

 

[docholiday51]

docholiday51- Wow. I was a few years and about 100 issues behind you... hard for me to imagine how it was to know Peter Parker right from the start. I was lucky to have Marvel Tales reprints and the ASM pocket books (3 volumes covering up to issue #20) to allow me to do some catching up.

You still have that AF #15 somewhere in a lockbox?

kybobcat- I'm guessing your newlywed Mrs. compensated you for that loss! That Dark Phoenix run ranks way up there, obviously. It will be interesting to see if any of that story actually finds its way into the upcoming movie.

wildcatsboston1984- A lot of the superhero stuff did get watered down, since companies were chasing those dollars. For instance, having one or two really good Spider-Man stories didn't seem to be as important as having Spidey pumping out 112 titles per month... knowing someone like me was buying every one of them, regardless of their quality. Then, they started the multiple covers money grab, and that was what finally made me throw in the towel.

Had a buddy that loaned me the first couple TPBs of Preacher and I really enjoyed them... the coffin really sticks with you! But having quit comics cold turkey, I resisted the idea of getting hooked on the series. Same goes for Sandman, though I did buy 7 or 8 of those collections.

About 5 years ago, I scooped up a full set of Y: The Last Man, since I knew it was a finite situation and it was highly recommended. Thought it started well and had promise, but ended up with just a so-so feeling at the end.
Sadly I do not ,I had the first 40 issues when I left for college, my grandmother gave away most of my books.Over the years I have been able to rebuild me collection from #21 to 40
ASM's #1 thru #20 have proven more difficult to replace but I am working on it

I was able to retain my Hero for Hire collection(entire run) and some early Marvel Spotlights as well as ASM issues #41 thru about #135

As a side note the death of Stan Lee was a big deal to me,the passing of most celebrities capture attention for a while then fade but because of his creations his passing had special significance for me.

Maus, Sin City, and Love and Rockets filled my non-superhero moments.

 

[docholiday51]

One more try to respond to your post dezy

Sadly I don't have the Amazing Fantasy #15,when I left for college my grandmother gave away most of my books.I lost ASM #1 thru #40 and a few others.Over the years I have been able to rebuild my collection to some degree.i have #21 thru 40 that I lost,also I retained #41 thru #133 as well as the entire run of Hero for Hire(Tyler Herro should come out with a similar comic at least in name) Early Marvel Spotlights were also of interest and I have several of those.

As a side note the death of Stan Lee got to me more than I ever expected,the passing of celebrities attract attention for a while but then fade,in Lee's case because of his creations his passing marked the end of an era in the comic industry.As someone else said the comic industry has gone from what it was to something different and not for the better in my opinion.

 

[Pickle_Rick]

Guy called Rob has a webcast on YouTube called comicsexplained. Used to work at UK, and on occasion wears UK gear. Good cast, updates frequently. Mainly concentrates on Marvel, and DC. Not a surprise since they are the big dogs.

 

[J_Dee]

I've collected comics my entire life. I mainly collect Silver and Bronze Age titles and only occasionally read current books.

So I had these original issues when I got married.
By the end of our 3rd month, the wifey had given them to the cute little kid across the hall. :chairshot:

I'm sorry. XD

I love Wolfman/Perez/Tanghal Teen Titans. Claremont/Byrne/Austin X-Men's my favorite comic ever.

 

[KyCatFan1]

I don't have any of my old ones anymore unfortunately. I mostly collected the various versions of Spider-Man and also some of the X-Men. My favorite series of comics was Secret Wars. I had the whole set and wish I still did. I am hoping they make a movie version of that series in the future.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

As a side note the death of Stan Lee got to me more than I ever expected,the passing of celebrities attract attention for a while but then fade,in Lee's case because of his creations his passing marked the end of an era in the comic industry.As someone else said the comic industry has gone from what it was to something different and not for the better in my opinion.

Excelsior!

Stan Lee's death really hit home with me, too. I'm not very invested in celebrity culture/worship... but he's definitely the exception to the rule. Though their differences eventually drove them apart, the time Lee and Ditko (may he also R.I.P.) spent developing Peter Parker the Amazing Spider-Man... led to one of the (I'm tempted to just say THE) greatest fictional characters ever created.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

I prefer the adult-oriented comic books that aren't superhero related. Like Locke & Key, Preacher, Scalped, Y: The Last Man, DMZ, Fables, Sandman, Lumberjanes, Saga, Paper Girls, etc. Find the superhero stuff to be really lame.

Checking your list... might have to give Fables and Paper Girls a try.

I should've mentioned Concrete by Paul Chadwick, as my favorite non-superhero book. If you are not familiar, try to locate the TPB with the original series (10 issues) run.

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

docholiday51- Wow. I was a few years and about 100 issues behind you... hard for me to imagine how it was to know Peter Parker right from the start. I was lucky to have Marvel Tales reprints and the ASM pocket books (3 volumes covering up to issue #20) to allow me to do some catching up.

You still have that AF #15 somewhere in a lockbox?

kybobcat- I'm guessing your newlywed Mrs. compensated you for that loss! That Dark Phoenix run ranks way up there, obviously. It will be interesting to see if any of that story actually finds its way into the upcoming movie.

wildcatsboston1984- A lot of the superhero stuff did get watered down, since companies were chasing those dollars. For instance, having one or two really good Spider-Man stories didn't seem to be as important as having Spidey pumping out 112 titles per month... knowing someone like me was buying every one of them, regardless of their quality. Then, they started the multiple covers money grab, and that was what finally made me throw in the towel.

Had a buddy that loaned me the first couple TPBs of Preacher and I really enjoyed them... the coffin really sticks with you! But having quit comics cold turkey, I resisted the idea of getting hooked on the series. Same goes for Sandman, though I did buy 7 or 8 of those collections.

About 5 years ago, I scooped up a full set of Y: The Last Man, since I knew it was a finite situation and it was highly recommended. Thought it started well and had promise, but ended up with just a so-so feeling at the end.

Maus, Sin City, and Love and Rockets filled my non-superhero moments.

Have Maus but haven't read it yet.

I got Berlin by Jason Lutes on my Amazon Wish List. You know a comic book has to be pretty interesting if it's hardcover full release gets it's own article in the NY Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/books/review/jason-lutes-berlin.html

Rolling Stone also ranked it 48th on their 50 Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels list
https://www.rollingstone.com/movies...e-50-best-non-superhero-graphic-novels-29579/

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

Checking your list... might have to give Fables and Paper Girls a try.

I should've mentioned Concrete by Paul Chadwick, as my favorite non-superhero book. If you are not familiar, try to locate the TPB with the original series (10 issues) run.

Fables is LONG and has many offshoots of the main comic.

Paper Girls has two issues left before it's concluded, final issue set to release on July 31. Anything by Brian K. Vaughan that isn't superhero stuff is pretty much going to get my attention. Guy is GOAT tier.

I generally don't keep up with much stuff being currently written. I tried keeping up with several at a time at one point but found that with the issues being released a month apart (or more) that I was having a hard time remembering what was going on.

I have a very long list of stuff I have that I want to read or that I have already read, I can post that on here if you want some more titles. Off the top of my head, I think only about three of them are superhero related.

 

[KyCatFan1]

What do you all think about Heavy Metal? They were/are similar to comics but definitely only for adults. Mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, and adult content. I collected some while I was in the Air Force. Still have them stashed away. Of course they don't compare to the childhood classics.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

What do you all think about Heavy Metal? They were/are similar to comics but definitely only for adults. Mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, and adult content. I collected some while I was in the Air Force. Still have them stashed away. Of course they don't compare to the childhood classics.

Was there an 18-or-older restriction on those at one time? Seems like they were always near the Playboys and Penthouses... at least they were at our little town's drug store. I'd flip through them and maybe read a short story, whenever I had the chance.

Those covers, though! They introduced me to the incredible sci-fi/fantasy artwork of Frazetta, Vallejo, Corben, etc. I did see the movie and buy the soundtrack, of course.

Marvel tried to do a toned-down version of HM, called Epic Magazine. The main reason I remember it is because John Byrne (of X-Men fame) had a multi-part story in it... The Last Galactus Story. I think I was about 10 segments in, and then Marvel cancelled the magazine. The story was never completed... which is still total BS.

 

[KyCatFan1]

Was there an 18-or-older restriction on those at one time? Seems like they were always near the Playboys and Penthouses... at least they were at our little town's drug store. I'd flip through them and maybe read a short story, whenever I had the chance.

Those covers, though! They introduced me to the incredible sci-fi/fantasy artwork of Frazetta, Vallejo, Corben, etc. I did see the movie and buy the soundtrack, of course.

Marvel tried to do a toned-down version of HM, called Epic Magazine. The main reason I remember it is because John Byrne (of X-Men fame) had a multi-part story in it... The Last Galactus Story. I think I was about 10 segments in, and then Marvel cancelled the magazine. The story was never completed... which is still total BS.

Yeah they definitely were for 18 or older. Lots of adult content in them. The covers were definitely some great works of art.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

I have a very long list of stuff I have that I want to read or that I have already read, I can post that on here if you want some more titles. Off the top of my head, I think only about three of them are superhero related.

I appreciate the suggestions. I guess I'll pass on (long) Fables, and probably wait for Paper Girls to wrap up.

I'm mostly reminiscing... but also interested in some (single issue or TPB, 2-parter, mini-series) recommendations from the past 30 years since I stopped reading/collecting. Knowing the superhero stuff isn't normally your cup of tea, I am intrigued by the few that did make your list.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Claremont/Byrne/Austin X-Men's my favorite comic ever.

I was late on the X-Men. Came across a leftover #115 (the cover with Wolverine trying to kill everyone, while under the influence of Sauron) at an out-of-the-way gas station/convenience store, and was WHAT IS THIS!?!?!

No reprint options, back then. Took me forever to hunt down those back issues (of the new team- starting at #94) and cost a small fortune! Had to mow a lot of lawns, but it was worth it.

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

I appreciate the suggestions. I guess I'll pass on (long) Fables, and probably wait for Paper Girls to wrap up.

I'm mostly reminiscing... but also interested in some (single issue or TPB, 2-parter, mini-series) recommendations from the past 30 years since I stopped reading/collecting. Knowing the superhero stuff isn't normally your cup of tea, I am intrigued by the few that did make your list.

Mostly ones that are truly unique, as I think the vast majority of super hero stuff these days is telling the same ole stuff over and over again, for the most part. A few more than I remembered off the top of my head though

• Huck
• Human Target - though I guess it is debatable if he is really a superhero or not
• The Boys
• Hellblazer - part of The Sandman universe
• The Sandman - also debatable superhero status here
• Spider-Man: Life Story - 6-issue mini-series telling the history of Spider-Man. Each issue follows the history of Spider-Man focusing on the key events of each decade that he lived. Each issue encompasses one decade, so 60s, 70s, 80, 90s, 00s, 10s. Easily the least unique of the group because it's Spider-Man, but I like the unique take on the Spider-Man universe.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

So I had these original issues when I got married.

:chairshot:

Early reviews are really ripping the new Dark Phoenix flick. A lot of "worst X-Men movie" kind of comments. After the flawed The Last Stand, I was hoping they'd get this one right.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Mostly ones that are truly unique, as I think the vast majority of super hero stuff these days is telling the same ole stuff over and over again, for the most part. A few more than I remembered off the top of my head though

• Huck
• Human Target - though I guess it is debatable if he is really a superhero or not
• The Boys
• Hellblazer - part of The Sandman universe
• The Sandman - also debatable superhero status here
• Spider-Man: Life Story - 6-issue mini-series telling the history of Spider-Man. Each issue follows the history of Spider-Man focusing on the key events of each decade that he lived. Each issue encompasses one decade, so 60s, 70s, 80, 90s, 00s, 10s. Easily the least unique of the group because it's Spider-Man, but I like the unique take on the Spider-Man universe.

Well, it took me a while to get around to it, but I just finished the (72 issues) run of The Boys. I breezed through the first 1/2 of it... definitely a page-turner, what with so much going on. Crazy!

The third quarter, things started to slow down... a lot. Then I let the last 18 issues sit for about a month, before wrapping it up during a quiet weekend when I managed to get the family out of the house.

Spoiler: Bottom line:

I enjoyed it, but it did give me that LOST (tv show) feeling, if you know what I mean. I think that's mostly due the anti-climax of the Butcher-Homelander showdown, since all of the built-up tension of that moment was replaced by the Black Noir twist.

Next up is Spider-Man: Life Story. I saw issues 1-6 on Ebay, last week. Picked them up for $16 w/the shipping. As Spider-Man was my favorite, back in the day... I am definitely intrigued by the concept of Peter Parker aging (in real time) throughout the events of these past decades.

I appreciate the recommendations.


(Side note: I read some of The Sandman and Hellblazer back when they first came out around 1990.)

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

Stuff that’s not in the superhero realm, which is 90+% of what I have read or own, that I have enjoyed or am currently reading:

• Maus
• Berlin by Jason Lutes (current read)
• Blankets
• Bone
• Essex County
• Locke & Key
• Preacher
• Saga
• Scalped

 

[*dezyDECO*]

I've collected comics---

Claremont/Byrne/Austin X-Men's my favorite comic ever.

FYI: I recently discovered that John Byrne pitched a new X-Men storyline to Marvel, but they couldn't come to an agreement, unfortunately. Byrne decided to move on with it anyway, and has been releasing it as a "fan fiction" freebie at the rate of a page per day. It's up to issue #16, now.

Check it out. It's a nice blast-from-the-past feeling, which presents an alternate direction following the Phoenix Saga of issue #137. Search "X-Men Elsewhen" for links.

Bonus: You get to see some of Byrne's drawing style, since the pages are all b&w scans of his pencils.

 

[MudererofCrows]

I collect graphic novels and keep up with storylines through message boards and wiki’s and what not. Just don’t have the time to be a hardcore reader anymore.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

I collect graphic novels and keep up with storylines through message boards and wiki’s and what not. Just don’t have the time to be a hardcore reader anymore.

I am interested in Doomsday Clock, which blends the Watchmen characters with the DC Superhero Universe. I think it's out in TPB, now. Have you read/heard much about that series?

I never followed many of the *DC titles, but I am definitely a fan of Watchmen... so I'll likely spend a few bucks for it at some point.

(*Neal Adams had some new Batman stuff, not too long ago. Kind of weird. I think he should probably stick to artwork.)