Firespitter

I have the utmost respect for artists who will sit for hours signing comics. I know, if it were me, I MIGHT put up with a couple hundred of you freaks and when the hand cramps set in, I'd get up and go home and if I could still make the gesture; give you all the finger on the way out of the door. For artists, your talent is your hands and you're risking carpal tunnel syndrome to make your fans happy. I realize there is the argument that "Well, doing conventions and signings you're increasing your fan base and solidifying continued dedication from fans and so it behooves you monetarily to do it." But, I still think it only takes one comic nerd with exceptionally poor hygiene asking for a photo ops or a single "can you sign my key issues quickly? I want to post them on ebay before 5pm; the golden hour of auctions." to really put someone in a hostile state of "WTH am I doing here?". Even people who are sincerely fawning over you with almost psychotic enthusiasm and crazy eyes would put me on edge. You have to admit that some of you have actually thought "I've bought EVERY SINGLE COVER you ever illustrated, you should have dinner with me!". And then cop an attitude when they decline. Now that I think about it, just reading your posts on here on the forum, makes me crabby. Anyhow, I look at artists who are prolific signers like Mignola (I actually have bought Mignola signed comics for LESS than cover price because he signs so much!), and applaud them for their resolve to try and cater to their fan base and are able to deal with our scary, over-indulgent, pseudo-psychotic infatuation of them and STILL give us a signature with a smile. -Terry

I've used the name Firespitter for over 20 years on forums and boards, actually going back to my early 20's. The avatar is a badge I used at medieval reenactments; 3 escallops conjoined per pall inverted Or (gold). In the middleages coats of arms and badges were used as signifiers so that warriors could discern friend from foe in the midst of battle and at tournament from a far distance. I have it on banners, carved in furniture, badges, gonfallons, sigil rings, armour, belt chapes, etc. In fact, now that I look around, you can't swing a dead cat in my place without hitting a triple seashells symbol. So it's also my avatar, that way people across forums can recognize me...from a far of distance (like in days of old)...in theory. -Terry

Thank you for the complements. I'm constantly tinkering with the layout. I also made & collect a few of the props from the comics. I'd also be interested in getting another Fury #3 variant, if anyone has one they are willing to part with. -Terry

RQ is definately heating up, as others have mentioned probably not directly undue to discussions here. The announcement that it's being made into a tv show is promising for speculators, but there is validity in asking "who's really FANning it?" The demographic argument is particularly interesting. TMNT tv show appealed to kids as well as teenagers. Drawing more fans into the comic book origins. It had adult appeal as well, but by tapping into a magic unquantifiable appeal, it would continue to gain momentum by initiating future generations of kids and teens into it's followers. So it ensured itself longevity and It snow balled. BUT, even that magic cross-demographic appeal doesn't ensure a comic's success. Anyone want to by my Spongebob #1 for $200? How about Young Justice? AWESOME cartoon, I'd be happy to sell you first print issue #1 for only $100. In fact, I'll go to my LCS and get you 10 more, and you can have all 11 for $800 and I'll pocket the other $790. RQs is big-boobed, beer-guzzling and bloody antics. Who's letting their kids watch that? The demographic is targeting teens + young adults, and comics targeted to young adults made into movies have values all over the map. Then you are trusting that the studio is not going to foul things up somehow (which they do more often than not). Will it becomes as big as TMNT? Possible! If all the stars align...and wouldn't it be totally sick if they did?!?! But there are so many "IFs" in the RQ's surity it isn't anywhere near gaurenteed. I have to admit though, this is great sport to speculate. Too bad there isn't a web show about it. -Terry

One side of my "comicbook" room This is another side. There is also my incomplete Rocketeer section of wall that is not visible in either photo. Note. This is not a Comic Room nor a Comic Book Room It's a "comicbook room". If you've ever seen Stan's (Lee) Rants, you'd unerstand why there's no space between comic and book. -Terry

New to the board and wanted to share my Hellboy wall of goodies. I have just about every comic and variant (hellby, Abe, BPRD, Edward Grey, etc.) except a couple. I also collect some John Byrne's other work (Have 3 sets of JBNM), and just about every rocketeer comic. In the upper right hand is the Hellboy comic version hand gun (15" long) 3d printed plastic gun made by Gries Monkey. You can see the 40mm shells on the shelf. "The Shadow" tibetan phurba dagger is standing in for the Lipu dagger seen in Abe Sapien's The Drowning. For action figures; I'm missing a comic version Mezco Abe Sapien (SDCC) in package; just in case someone has one they're looking to part with. -Terry corrected the dagger type above