Ken Aldred

The short Lemire and Cates run (plus Annual) has been collected in trade paperback format.

Does he use stock images for a book, rather than specific scans?

You recognise eventually that you are dealing with an individual with next to no empathy, and someone like me, who can often be too empathic and caring, will run the risk of being exploited if I don't pay attention and understand that polarity. A traumatic lesson dating back to primary school, in my case. When that predator is incapable of inflicting further abuse, for whatever reason; they might have gone out of business or there's been a more extreme development, it can definitely feel something of a release and provide closure, although I wouldn't go as far as cheering loudly about it. Just a restrained moving-on process, in my case.

Tame compared to being called a mental defective. On two separate occasions by different dealers.

I've made some bad decisions while selling some of my books, but remorse isn't what eventually drives me away from the LCS owner or comic dealer I've been involved with here. In some cases, the exchange has resulted in me being flagged as a bit of a pushover, which opened me up on occasion to a lot of contempt and verbally-abusive behaviour. Regardless of the nature of a business, comic-related or not, I'll end up losing any motivation to return and to expose myself to more of this. On topic, I've never found it particularly difficult to find somewhere else to spend my comics money, with individuals possessing a great deal more courtesy, respect and consideration.

It’s a good thing. Invincible by Kirkman was, for me, a far superior series that came to a natural and satisfying conclusion with issue 144. Walking Dead should do the same if the writer feels it’s run its course. I’m surprised it dragged on as long as it did.

Vulnerability gets exploited.

It took me until middle age to finally be able to reassess and truly appreciate the genius of Devil Dinosaur. I’d walk out as well.

Kirby's style has often been referred to as 'Bigfoot'. Another reason that he would never be compared to Liefeld in this situation.

Kirby's style was of its time, and such an incredibly talented artist would be able to modify his style to something more contemporary. His storytelling ability and energy would still be recognised as exceptional and far superior to Liefeld.

Fairly slow with Miller Daredevil. That really heated up early 1982. In the north, anyway. That’s when I started getting pestered by an LCS owner and his irritating hanger-on for my copies.

Strangely enough, the first American comic by Kirby I ever read. Hard not to be impressed.

Until I read the entire, if short, Bronze Age run of Devil Dinosaur in digital format, I’d never realised how brilliantly insane it is. Back in the day I only read the first two issues. Sometimes, highbrow and sophisticated isn’t necessary.

Wasn’t that a cover version of a Queen song? That said, Metallica have done some excellent covers.

One of my favourite Bronze Age Kirby titles. Quite dark in places.

Hulk 271 was a cheap book in high grade, $1 to $3 bargain bin material until GOTG, and then escalated to $200+ even in raw.

Too hilariously bad. On par, talent-wise, with the operatic genius of Florence Foster Jenkins.

I was concerned that using the word 'quite' could prove to be a bit too restrained and British. I was right.

Tom King's Vision series is even better. Great read as a collected edition.

Marvel Graphic Novel 1 : Death of Captain Marvel Marvel Graphic Novel 5 : X-Men God Loves, Man Kills Blankets - Craig Thompson Jimmy Corrigan, The Smartest Kid on Earth - Chris Ware A Contract With God - Will Eisner Black Hole - Charles Burns

Wally West at his peak had faster-than-light speed, could travel through time without the Treadmill device, could use a long distance run to build up enough momentum to hit harder than Superman, and escaped from a black hole.

Some Golden Age fans might prefer Max Mercury. (That is, the original Quicksilver)

Flash has had some far superior stories. For example, during the runs from Mark Waid and Geoff Johns.

Which is a shame because it has some of Kirby's best work, along with consistently good stories from Lee.

Yup. As another stubborn northerner, I have to concur.