kilowatt

I love that cover. Their the ones you can never find, and when you do they`re beat. With Autumn fast approaching, we should throw some Bronze age Horror up here with a Halloween theme. I know it`s a little early but I think that would be pretty cool. And it`s really not that easy. Here`s a few to start.

HOM 256 is the Halloween issue with Cain holding a pumpkin on the cover. A great story is "The Worm Turns". Makes you think twice when getting some worms at a bait shop.

Now some of the highlights of what was inside...I guess i owe her a nice dinner out!

First of all my wife knows 2 things about comics, 

1. I`ve been collecting them for years 

and

2. I have way too many.

That`s why I have no idea why she came home from a church rummage sale with a box she spent $20 on. But who am I to complain? After close examination I realized she did a great job. First the box of around 140 books. 

     I went to a comic show in Akron, Ohio around 20+ years ago, and John Byrne was there as a guest. He was in a separate room drawing most of the day, and when he`d finish a sketch he would auction it off and the proceeds went to The Ronald McDonald House Charity. The entire time I was there it was nothing but She-Hulk, not really my favorite character, but still cool to watch him. Bidding ran around $100 or so, and he kept pumping them out. He must have had a time slot because he had mentioned he was leaving shortly and he only had time for a couple more. One of the guys in the room was kind of loud and he said to his friend how Byrne was a hack and a terrible artist, and he only knew how to draw She-Hulk because he copied all his X-Men characters. Unfortunately everyone including Mr. Byrne heard it. He set his pencil down, and proceeded to rip this guy a new one. How this no talent @!#$% has the nerve to criticize his work and insisting he came up there and do a better job. I felt embarrassed for the guy as everyone applauded. Well, most exited the room figuring he was done for the day. I watched the auction end and walked out. As i was leaving the show, I circled back around and he had just finished one last sketch. He held it up and it was Wolverine, his back arched and his claws out in front. Beautiful! There were only 3 of us in the room and the bidding started at $25. I bid $30 and to my surprise nobody upped it. I won! He called me up and asked how much "blood & guts" I wanted on the claws, and I told him to do it up. As he was putting the final art on the piece, he apologized for becoming so irate with the guy earlier, and how everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I had the proof he can draw other characters. I found out later he actually donated his time to help out the charity and received nothing in return. Nothing. He really was a nice guy and I felt bad for him having to go through that. I guess some people are jealous of other peoples talents and can do nothing but try to bring them down. I wasn`t in the line of fire that day, but witnessed it.  

I currently have 11 Spidey 129`s. All in different grades. Reader copies to near mint. I missed out on this 1 as a kid, it was always beyond my price range, and now when I see one at a show or LCS I grab it. Maybe because now I can afford it.

The Detective 461 from July of 76 was the first comic I purchased off the stands. Still have the original book that started a nearly 45 year hobby. Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks!

     I started picking up copies in the early 80`s just because I enjoyed the artwork and the stories as a young kid. The issues I picked up at the "Creamery" as a child were beat from my buddies sharing them, and I figured to relive a piece of my childhood, I`d start buying up mint issues on the cheap. It wasn`t too uncommon to grab early issues of Witching Hour or HOS/HOM for a couple bucks each. At the time I was spending $40-$50 at a show or shop and coming home with a couple dozen really nice books. Now I see the prices for high grade horror and can`t believe what they`re going for. As I got older I started to focus on the Horror magazines Eerie, Creepy, etc. and I was able to grab them at a good price. I wish I was able to pick stocks like that back then. Apple or Microsoft come to mind. Missed my opportunity I guess. 

A few more books to add...enjoy! Oh yeah, Happy New Years everybody! 

The Witching Hour is technically Silver, but that cover is so nice. 

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone!