Should I be collecting something else?

There are certain memories I have that I would swear by. I can remember my first crush (it was my babysitter), I can remember the first girl I loved (it was Kira, in first grade), I can remember my first Kiss (it was Nadja at Camp Council), and I can remember the first comic book I ever collected (it was New Mutants #15... wasn't it?).

I recently decided to start making top ten lists. I wanted to make a list of ten "raw" comic books and the top CGC graded books I would like, along with the best "Spider-Man" covers I enjoyed growing up. One of these titles started me thinking of my earliest collecting days (it was Marvel Tales #154).

I can remember seeing the cover of New Mutants #15 crying out for me to purchase it. I read it over and over and over becoming immersed into a new world. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't wait till issue #16. Sub Mariner #38 was another monumental book. This one was released before I was born and I read that numerous times as well. Most of my silver age books at that time were given to me. I have thought about how I could possibly have gotten them and have arrived at the conclusion that I most likely got them from my Aunt Rozzie. Her son, my cousin Michael is a full ten years older than me and they probably were once part of his prized possessions, by the way, my earliest memory, it was his Bar Mitzvah, April 5th 1975.

I turned 12 in 84' and I remember changing my hiding spot from behind the right stereo speaker in the basement to my sock drawer. This is where I kept such titles as Marvel Tales, Fantastic Four, and Star Wars. I had numerous issues; all released before the publishing date of New Mutants #15. The thing is I can't remember when I got them. They were never bagged and boarded so I am sure I didn't buy them at a comic book shop. They weren't older titles so I don't think I got them from my Aunt. Could I have bought them at 7-11? Was I collecting comic books before I even knew it? Could my New Mutants #15 not be the catalyst for my collection I think it is. And if that is wrong, then what other memories could be slightly askew.

I had an oversized Star Wars treasury edition. I was five years old and more times than not my feet stepped on it when I got in my Pop Pop's car. I remember a rainy day and rushing in the car rather quickly (well as quick as a six year old could) stepping on the already worn comic. I picked it up not wanting to ruin it (more than it already was) and placed it next to me. I don't know if it was issue #2 or the complete treasury edition but I do remember the last page had a photograph of Sir Alec Guiness and George Lucas. I tend to feel that this was the comic book that got me to read other comic books which led to my fateful day purchasing New Mutants #15, but what if my memory is wrong?

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

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