Randall Dowling

Lou is awesome to deal with. Super fast shipping and great communication. Thank you, sir!!

Jim is one of the best guys on the boards to do business with. A+ all the way!

Wow. I forgot about this. I can totally remember the windowless area where they had the back issue boxes lined up and feeling like they had every issue of every comic I was looking for. They also were the first store I went to where they had not only the current issues on the stands, but also the last 3-4 months of all titles as well. For a kid, it was like heaven for comics.

If this hasn't been claimed yet,

per pm.

I really wish I could put my hands on some of Jeff Dee's original art from the modules and manuals in the late 70s, early 80s. But from what I understand it's all missing/destroyed.

Isn't that the Windy City copy? @Moondog could confirm.

That's a book you don't see very often!

Exactly. Not all trimming is easily detectable and obviously, some has gotten through without detection. But they still note trimmed on the label when they do. And no, I'm not equating trimming with pressing. Just the idea of detectability as a rationale for not noting. AND, if they did start calling out all the bad pressing being done, it could clear out all the amateurs and leave only professionals who know what they're doing.

This came out shortly before I started managing an LCS. We had ordered heavily (like most shops) and despite the hype, after the initial buyers all got their copies, it sat there with no interest. Practically couldn't give it away. I think we had like 50 pristine copies in a box in back for the whole time I worked there and never sold one. A very common book.

Wow...

At the very foundation of filmmaking, is the most important aspect- story. You have to have a good story to tell. And there are lots of good stories and themes that can be applied. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of filmmakers and screenwriters are not very good at this most fundamental component lately. There are many, many movies that are all flash, or spectacle, and no substance. To me, these are just bad movies. Because spectacle is no substitute for story. I don't care about wokeness, either way. I care about a good story with a moral reason. Something that communicates wisdom about life. It may sound like a tall order but it's been done many times before. So, it's not only possible, it's reasonably achievable. It just takes talent and an understanding of how to tell a story. Tell the right stories. Tell stories about compassion and decency. Tell stories about sacrifice and fighting for something bigger than oneself. Tell stories that inspire people to be better than they are and the audience will wake up by themselves and ask for more. That's a far better thing than preaching righteousness to an audience that came looking for a story.

Very cool, Dave! You guys really make this place great!

Vampirella 70!

Agreed. The registration on it is better than a lot of copies (although still not perfect). Such an awesome book! For some reason, I assumed it would be an October copy.

This is exactly where I and a lot of my friends are. Prices on comics are just silly compared to 10 years ago and so out of practicality, we've ventured into other areas. And it's been extremely satisfying. The thrill of discovery, the uncertainty about what is rare/what is not, the learning curve on how much things should go for- all of these things are back, just like when I was younger and discovering Bronze, Silver, Atomic, and Golden Age comics. Whether it's pulps, digests, magazines, paperbacks, etc., collecting is fun again and it's not just about having the biggest bank account. Sure, we're already seeing price increases in all of these areas. But it's really nothing compared to comics. Long way of saying, Amen, brother!

That's tough. On the bright side, that Eerie 23 in 8.5 is worth a pile of money.

Something weird is going on in here...

I'm really sorry to hear this, man. I know of another board member who submitted a couple books that were cracked out, high grade, old labels and when they came back, they had dropped a full 2 points with no intervention. Just ridiculous.

I love this cover. It's a stunning composition and out of the park iconic image.

This is a great idea for a thread. The first comics I really got into were Marvel Tales because at the time, they were publishing the peak of Romita's run and I loved those stories. I was 5 at the time and even when my older brother told me they were reprints, I didn't care (or really understand), I just liked the stories. Same with Marvel's Greatest Comics.

This thread makes me feel old. I don't like it.

Nice work!!

Any guesses on what the painting on the easel is? I can't place it.

This thread has some amazing matches. Thanks to all who've shared these panels!