The Black Hand ®

Bat 1.... barely...the moderate restoration on the detective gets me, although the page quality is better on the it.

Bok He had a way with frogs(and wimmens) I just love women in tubes! My wife used to get into the acrylic tube I had made when we were first dating, but after we married....like pulling teeth! I have to give her neck and back massages and be all romantic for a day or two before... and even then, she'll just do it for a minute or two....yeesh.

I don't own a copy of # 56. Hope this Uncanny Tales from 1939 will suffice. Oh it does ...it does suffice! Thank You!

Here's a Hannes Bok cover for a book that was essential reading for collectors of Fantasy, in times past. This is a collectors dream come true collection. I still can't get over the fact that this wasn't put together with hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, like some collections are today but with imagination and foresight and birdogging and lot's of joy and love for the pieces themselves. Inspiring.

I's like to see Planet #56. I do so love a "nice women in tubes" cover.

The colors on these books...the only time I ever see books like this they are encased in a slab, usually with a pedigree designation( not Crippen) and selling for bags of cash. This is truly a treat to watch unfold and I'm thinking the best is yet to come.

WOW!

Hey BZ, I have a couple of questions...is that All Star 8 a Mile High copy and which titles do you have complete or near complete runs of?

Is this a Church copy?

Beautiful, unslabbed goodness! They look much happier and healthier in their raw state.

Man oh man oh man, just think what it would be like to walk down to that room and pick out whatever you wanted to read and then read it in all it's unslabbed glory.

Whew!

Hey BZ, out of everything you collect ( which I assume is much more than just comics) what's your very favorite item?

I'm hardpressed to think of anyone who's managed to hang on to a collection that long. You must be succesful in just about everything that you do, BZ. The colors of these books are blinding.

Wow what a show BZ's putting on tonight! What a cover!

Agreed, let's keep this fun. BZ, is a good sport who's creating a whole lot of fun for us. Let's just enjoy it while we can.

Just a bunch of damn fine funnybooks!

With the exception of the microchamber paper at the centerfold, that is the EXACT same method I used with Centaurman's books (he asked me to help him organize his collection), even down to the sizes used. The books end up well protected, in a fairly inert environment, and looking great. I liked the way the looked so much that I switched some of my own golden age stuff into the same package. I wonder how much of all the advice that has been recommended would be wise for me to follow and how much is just for the individual collector's peace of mind? I can see how Mylar and backing boards are good. The Mylar offers protection and shows off the comic nicely and the backing board aids in keeping the comic flat and prevent warping; but do most of you think it is necessary to use micro chamber paper? I've always kept my collection in a darkened room in the lower level of the house where the temperature year round is in the 60's. Am I overlooking something? I wonder because a large part of my collection I've had for over 30 years and it seems to be doing OK thus far. Cool, dark and dry is how Church stored his and it's how you are storing yours. Seems to be working just fine. Mylars and boards do help protect against dents and dings if the books are handled a lot, though.

Hey BZ, what are the earliest comics that you have?

Does someone want to tell BZ what happens to a high grade comic if you don't carefully insert it into the mylar. I'm having visions of much damage done to this collection.

Da,ba,uh, mmm.. I am speachless. Incredible, well almost speachless. Paul The previous books shown were incredible but this.................. Those are amazing....and what more amazing is you still have them in those cheesy glad wrap bags Yeah -- can we take up a collection to get this guy some Mylar? Actually ... I'll trade you enough mylar for all those books for the MMC #8. I don't think he needs any, he's been storing them that way since '73 and they look great.

Does he know? I will first shrink myself to the size of Dollman. He might never notice. Hopefully I won't step in any mouse traps. Jack

I always marvel when I see high grade examples like some of these...the fragile nature of comic book (ephemera) seems to me to be a metaphor for our life. I also marvel when I see people in their 70's who are still very active..jogging, cycling, traveling etc....and others who are just burned out. So I've decided to start living in Bangzooms comic book room, to better preserve myself. Does he know? I will first shrink myself to the size of Dollman. He might never notice. Hopefully I won't step in any mouse traps.

I always marvel when I see high grade examples like some of these...the fragile nature of comic book (ephemera) seems to me to be a metaphor for our life. I also marvel when I see people in their 70's who are still very active..jogging, cycling, traveling etc....and others who are just burned out. So I've decided to start living in Bangzooms comic book room, to better preserve myself.