Robot Man

A new one just in. Has a cool 7 page Matt Baker story. 

Not one I have seen very often.

1 minute ago, Jaylam said:

Now I know the inspiration for the Scarlet Witch's costume. Stan was sampling Hugh Hefner's Playboy Bunnies.

Now, that's what I'm talking about. Next to Stan, one of my biggest idols was Hugh Hefner. 

Stan Lee is probably the easiest autograph to get for any "collector". The amount of autographs he signed over the years is probably staggering. I have probably a dozen books signed by him starting all the way back to the late '60's. Never cost me anything and I have no intention of selling any.  What was he charging for an autograph in the past couple of years? $100.? So what a book is really worth is the price of the book + $100.... Alive or Dead...

33 minutes ago, bc said:

I limit myself to 5 short boxes because that is all that can fit in the bottom of the bedroom closet next to the guns and ammo (4 boxes of CGC slabs, 1 box of raw books).

Recently sold a handful of SA slabs to make room for a new GA pickup. Probably got room for 3 or 4 more slabs before something has to go.

Used to have over 25 long boxes but sold most before an out of state move back in 2001. Actually glad I whittled the collection down to something that is "semi-portable".

 

Oh, so if someone breaks into your house they get the comics AND the guns???

11 minutes ago, ExNihilo said:

But with comics isn't it potentially a little different?  My dad introduced me to comics and handed his comics to me for safekeeping.  I can't imagine many are worth anything, but they're significant to me because of the personal connection.  I hope to one day spread the same love for comics to my son/daughter and to similarly pass my collection to him/her.  And I would hope they would see the books with the same sentimental value.  (But then again, i don't have the massive collection you guys have so I'm not really running into the same issue of space that some other boardies are.)

Your kids probably won't care or want them. Mine don't. If you wern't raised with them, they can't relate...

I have had to recently do this. It used to be when I ran out of room I'd just add another box. I have a very limited area for my collection now so it just isn't practical any more. When a box is full, I now go through it and pull out books that I can live without and sell them off. It really isn't that hard to do. For years, I have "accumulated" books without much thought to this eventually happening. As I get older, I've realized I have to pare down my collection. Gives me money for books I want more too. A win win for me...

Yesterday in front of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Very appropriate to have Cap as an honor guard...

Although Stan was originally from New York, we in LA were honored to have him as an Angeleno. 

SDCC El Cortez Hotel as young teenager. Very early ‘70’s.  First of several times I had the honor. Kind of appropriate today...

12 hours ago, Readcomix said:

I realize my sadness is for us, not for him as he had a heckuva ride, except for perhaps the last year. Thank you for everything you gave us and left us!

To OP @Robot Man's question: important seems to me to have two answers, FF1 and AF15, and I'd think one could argue effectively for either one all day. But that isn't really the point so much as to stir up memories. Which leads to the question of memorable, and so many great choices were named already. For me, it's Avengers #4, when he really pulled the golden age forward into the then-current age and fully formed the idea of continuity as central to the Marvel Universe. Surfer #1 also jumped immediately to mind for me, and someone said FF51. Which was a big "Oh yeah!" My parents sent me to Catholic grade school, but my morality came from Cap and Ben Grimm.

If I had my Strange Worlds #1 photographed, I'd pop it in the thread for posterity, as its Lee and Kirby's first work together. Anyone got a pic handy? 

Unlike many of you, I never met Stan in person but I did have the privilege of interviewing him by telephone. It was a profile on the career of Joe Sinnott, and it ran in Comic Book Marketplace #39 (Fantastic #3 cover). When I reached Stan's California office (it was 1996, and Stan was trying to give birth to Marvel movies) his receptionist was quite polite but told me she thought it was unlikely he would make time for any interviews given how busy he was with then-fledgling film efforts. I simply asked her to tell him it was about Joe Sinnott. The next person to pick up the line was Stan. It was a gracious and rambling 15 or 20 minutes, and I have my full notes somewhere, but I will share now two quotes from the article:

Stan's credo for Marvel Comics in his own words (which he was saying Sinnott exemplified) -- "As much excitement and integrity into every panel as clearly and dramatically as possible."

And Joe Sinnott describing a visit to Stan's office: "Every time I went in, he was working. Stan would type and talk. He typed on yellow legal paper that he blocked into panels. He typed in captions and dialogue, and he kept it to a minimum. He was an artist's writer. Maybe his stories were a little simple, but they were always effective. He knew how to tell a story with as few words as possible."

Face front, effendi! Valhalla awaits! Excelsior!

Do you mean this one? I wasn’t aware it was their first work together.

Paste Pot Pete???

15 minutes ago, RockMyAmadeus said:

Without FF #1, AF #15 never exists...

Discuss.

I said most important or memorable

I probably would have to say FF1 most important because of your statement. But memorable?

My first Marvel was Amazing Spiderman #3. It rocked me like no other comic book had ever done. It seemed almost real. Every school had a "Peter Parker". And every Peter Parker's dream was to be Spiderman. A very sad life for Peter. He couldn't display his powers nor could he get close with anyone. And, as time as shown, Spiderman has far eclipsed the FF4 in popularity. Now which issue or issues? Hard choice for me...

1 hour ago, comicartfan said:

This is fitting and ironic considering it is Veterans' Day.

There is no way to put into words what this man has meant to literally billions of children. Any kid who slept on Spider-man sheets, pretended to turn into the Hulk when their siblings ticked them off or as an 8 year old that we were just one radiation exposure away from being a X -men member, this is a tremendous loss. Stan Lee was a champion for comic books when it was "embarrassing" to admit you read, drew or wrote comic books. His creations have forever changed the world in ways that he could never have predicted. He brought a humanity to super heroes that was lacking and he made heroes seem relatable. He brought drama that was familiar to all of us....His imagination is there with the likes of Spielberg, Henson, Lucas, Jobs and Picasso. He is one of the most important persons of the 20th century. His legacy will forever be remembered and never duplicated....

RIP Stan....

Well said, VERY well said!  

Was HUGE in Austrailia and New Zeland as well. 

1 hour ago, MyCameo said:

Is that flypaper?

Spiderman's web...

All fantastic choices so far. Looks I'll be up late...

Many of these are ones that came to mind right away as did Amazing Spiderman #248 "The Kid Who Collects Spiderman". Such a touching story that choked me up a little and made me think a lot...  Check it out. One of Stan's masterpieces. 

Very sad day indeed for all FOOM members...

When I get home tonight I need to read a Marvel comic. So many to choose from and I just can't pick one. Which single book or small arc sums up the best of Stan Lee to you?

32 minutes ago, Bunky Brian said:

1967 I was ten years old,  bought my first ASM off the racks, #50, while on a Tahoe trip with the family,

Read the story, and my life changed, never read anything like it, so "real"? so fun, yet so amazing!

Thank you Stan, for being a part of my childhood, and the wonder of what you help create,

 

 

 

+1 same exact sentiment for me but mine was Amazing Spiderman #3

Just heard the news. Knew it was coming. Somehow Stan seemed larger than life to me. Sad, sad sad day for all who have been influenced by him. Hopefully he is up in the bull pen with Steve and Jack. End of an era folks.

Rest in peace Stan  Excelsor! 

3 hours ago, woowoo said:

Robot Man do you remember this convention  or this one

 

I don't think so. Where was it?  Whatta wall!!!

1 hour ago, fifties said:

OMG you mean that there's ONE comic I have that you don't?  The All Picture Adv has a nice cover, but IIRC, only one good story, and it's 25 cent "giant".

Sadly, many more than one I'm afraid...

Beaters all, but such wonderful beaters!

Wow, nice buy!  They might be your cup of tea when you start reading them! 

16 hours ago, batman_fan said:

I am not certain when I first decided I really liked this book but it was probably back in the early 1980 when I first saw it in one of the GA picture books. I really hate that I couldn't buy it when it was listed in an HA auction. 

Now that one really qualifies!