ghoulaid

Hi Swapto, I'd say around 23,000 give or take. Not many compared to some but they are nearly all pre 1980.

Congratulations, Ian! I followed your quest several years ago when I was last on this forum and even tried to find a couple books for you. I am most impressed! I started collecting in 1963 and the first Justice League comic I bought off the rack was issue 23. My collecting goals were quite different from yours as I was only interested in the superhero, science fiction and horror, mystery genres. I never wanted all the other genres. However, in moments of weakness I did buy westerns, war, teen humor, funny animal, etc, books. Plus, I didn't limit myself to DC. Around 1970 I toyed with the idea of getting every comic ever made but finances prevented that. I eventually completed runs of the major and minor titles from 1958 onwards and have a fair number of books prior to 1958 before "retiring" from collecting comics in 1985. What I'm trying to say is, as a veteran collector, your accomplishment should be the stuff of legend.

According to Wikipedia Both Black Bat and Batman hit the newsstands around the same time, and both claimed that the other was a copy. The threat of lawsuits ended when DC editor Whitney Ellsworth intervened. Ellsworth had once worked for the Black Bat's publishers and brokered a deal that allowed both characters to co-exist peacefully. It is probable that the costumes of both characters were copied from the 1933/34 Black Bat series which featured costumed illustrations of the Black Bat inside the pulps though actually the "Black Bat" in the stories was indistinguishable from any other man in his choice of clothing. Batman creator Bob Kane always contended that the only bat-like man he had seen was the villain from the 1930 film, "The Bat Whispers". However, the Black Bat did have a permanent influence on the Batman: chief Batman scribe Bill Finger called Kane's attention to the unique guantlets the rival character wore. Subsequently, similar "fins" were added to the Dark Knight's gloves which remain to this day. I thought everyone might be interested in seeing this bubblegum trading card. It's part of the "Strange True Stories" set released in 1936.

I'm a fan of Norman Saunders but that's one I've never seen before. It is nearly perfect in my eyes. I'm rather speechless .. BZ ... you wouldn't happen to own any Saunders originals would you?

Now THAT'S a group shot! Beautiful.

Bill Bunce ...

Thanks everyone! I originally planned to complete the title but got bogged down trying to find a #4. I thought I had #9 an #10 but they are either in another box or traded away long ago. Interestingly (to me), the Mystic #1 is the first comic I payed triple digits for ($100) back in 1973. I saved my paper route money for 3 months!

What's not to like? Beautiful! (thumbs u Thanks folks! What I find interesting is this book has not been seen by the public since about 1975 when I purchased it and locked it away in my collection. The same holds true for most other books I'm having fun showing. I don't pretend to have what BangZoom does but that's what I appreciate about BangZoom sharing his collection. It's like an archeological dig ... comics that haven't seen the light of day for decades.

I'm still only up to page 40 in reading this thread. Many of the groups pictured take my breath away. After seeing the awesome Mystics on the Timely thread, I was inspired to try out this group shot. My favorite Timely title.

This Fox thread hasn't had any activity lately. I thought some might like to see the Larson copy of Science #4 . . .

why would you not post a group shot ....after all, sharing with your fellow collectors is one of the reasons for this board (thumbs u OK .. I just wanted yours to get the proper attention they deserve without "butting in". I believe in taking turns. I'll try to get a photo this weekend.

earthbornpig: You're Mystics are Beautiful. Those have to be my two favorite Mystic covers. Love the Destroyer. He's the Timely character who made more appearances than any other without getting his own solo comic (if I remember right).

yes, the 5 was the first of the bunch I got last year, it is at cgc now, I believe (and is the detroit trolley copy... 8.5/9.0 ish).... #8 is on the way from my bud, "PL"... #6 should be in transit to me, as well as....3 and 7 I scanned, but no one seems to like them so I didn't post... group shot in a week or 2, I hope... then, RYAN, onto Daring Mystery Like I said ... I LOVE Mystics. Do you have any idea how hard it is not to post a group shot of my beauties? I agree with #4 being the hardest. It's the only one I don't have.

Hi skypinkblue. Didn't you used to post on the ebay comic chat boards? I seem to remember your name from there?

Thanks Ryan! I think we might have similar tastes. I just started reading the GA Group Shot thread and noticed about 1 1/2 years ago you posted a picture that included a sweeeet Red Raven #1. That got my adrenalin pumping.

Yeah ... I love Mystics. That's a great looking copy.

The Mystery Men group shot by sacentaur inspired me to try posting my own. No doubt about it, I'm going to have to get #7 someday. I never get tired of these covers.

Yep, that's Dynamo alright. Inside he looks completely different. Well, he at least changed into a blue costume with a cape and different headgear. bix3131: I'd love to help you out but I don't have those Fiction House titles. I might have the Darings though. I'll check.

Thanks for the information Ryan! I believe earlier in this thread Jon said he had the Larson copy of Science #3. I just noticed the letter 'L' written in pencil by the monsters shoulder. Is it possible Lamont had 2 copies? Just asking.

This is one of my all time favorite Fox covers. The GCD lists it as questionably Lou Fine art. I'm doubtful. Is there any chance this may actually be a Fletcher Hanks cover? I don't think any covers have been credited to him but the monsters and girls face makes me wonder. I don't have that book about him that came out last year. Did he do any covers?

You're right! I just read my copy last night with the idea of posting the cover but Billy beat me to it.

Beautiful collection. I concur.

That is a nice looking Pocket #2. I find it highly interesting that both books have the 'FD2' code. Maybe they both belonged to the same original owner or something. They could be lost siblings waiting to be reunited after 60 plus years. I suppose it's a distributor code but it is a nice coincidence.

Bill Everett lettering?

Thanks, guys! Let's see if I can do this again: