awe4one

OK...we’re far enough in the Avengers Infinity War run that I’m going to give my theory on what happened. Stop here if you don’t want the movie spoiled.... When Iron Man and Spider-Man was trying to grab the Gauntlet off Thanos and Mantis couldn’t put Thanos to sleep, Starlord acted like a complete jerk trying to interrogate Thanos about the whereabouts of Gamora. My take? Starlord was trying to distract Thanos while Stark replaced one of the stones, probably the Reality Stone, with a fake one; generated by Stark’s new nanotechnology armor. Thanos bailed quickly when Strange too easily just gave up his stone and immediately got in a fight to get Vision’s stone. When he got what he thought was the last stone, Thor went ballistic on him before Thanos snapped his fingers and half the universe died. Thanos then immediately bailed out. Thanos never realized he still didn’t have all the stones when he did the deed and Dr Strange conjured up a massive spell, with the help of the Reality stone, to make it look like all the heroes died. Thanos was tricked and all those who “died” are probably sitting in one of Strange’s dimensions before he brings them back. That’s what I think happened... Jim

TOD #10. Jim

I have comics I bagged and boarded in the late 80s. They are as fresh today as when I boarded them. This whole fallacy of the comics degrade over time and need to change every 3-5 years is garbage. I've bought multiple comics in yellowed bags but the comics within were great with white pages. This whole myth of the bags and board will harm your comics is greatly overstated. Mylars are great...no doubt as you don't have to change the appearance of your issues when pulled out of the box when viewed in the bag. But as far as being better to protect the actual comic? Hype to sell either more bag/boards or Mylars. Jim

That's great data. And it's is working for you. But for the mass it's not. Comics aren't an at sustainable forum anymore. And for anyone wanting to start a business its not as comics as they're majority business but other endeavors. The toy and card business rules now and even those will fall given time. Online gaming is stealing these folks and before long, and it is going to happen quickly, you won't have anyone in your shops. Jim

wThe number of dealers weren't advertised. Hell, I didn't even know before the show opened. The year before they had four to five dealers. I was disappointed because I wanted to see what others had. But ultimately I was the only one with comics and, frankly, not many that attended were interested in what I brought. My German shows drew much more interested customers. But that was 10 years ago. There were many other dealers there as well though. Jim

Also, Pensacon, the big convention in the area, last year had one, ONE, dealer with anything considered vintage comics. And no one was at his booth. I actually set up a collection booth at another, smaller, show in Pensacola last Aug. I was the only seller with comics in the whole place. Did OK but was surprised I was the only one with comics to sell at a comics show. Jim

My opinion? Don't open one. Comics are losing their audience and frankly have out priced their customers. The only reason comics shops stay open in my area of the woods (North Florida Panhandle) is for card games and D&D type activities. They make the majority of their money there. Comics have become an after thought and their inventory has shrunk according. Jim

Here's a blast from the past... Jim

Thanks! Jim

How do I get them to display? Jim how d I get them to display?

This is a lot greater than they used to do. Not a CGC fan but their turnaround s vastly quicker then back in the day. Jim

Thank you. Jim

I've had mine for 15 years. Wouldn't change it for anything (could be persuaded if the deal was right though...messages read daily). Jim

That's a shame. Wonder how Bookmart copies are getting to military members overseas? I know the stateside BXs have pretty much stopped providing comics. Jim

True statement there. Jim

DC has stopped newsstand distribution? Jim

I think #230 or so though to #285 should be desirable. Lots of copies sold but one of the best runs the X-Men had. Jim

Maybe. Have more time now. I'm still this same though. Might not like what I say.

Went through short stack of some of my existing comic collection today after more then a decade and a half and was very happy with what I've acquired. Bought back some great memories. Books I've bought from Forum members (Greggy, Nik, Nick, Banner, and others) brought a big smile to my face. When I was buying comics thru phases (DC Mystery, Atlas, Marvel Westerns, Love, and the such), I just bought the best copies I could find. While I'm still a superhero guy (and I bought a bunch of those) seeing these copies, and others, brings a great deal of nostalgia and happiness when seeing what I acquired. Some I was presently surprised and don't remember buying. I really liked being a collector. Even when I didn't like the direction the hobby was heading but kept up as long as I felt comfortable. Now that I don't buy comics I'm happy with what I have acquired and maybe sometime will dabble back into the waters. Overall, it brought a sense of what a great hobby this is, or could be, and a hobby that could bring much joy to others if they want to dive in. Jim

Haven't seen one personally but it should have one. I have multiple Marvels from that month with the insert. Should be MJ2. Jim

Not personally. And looking at my insert spreadsheet I have never seen any Marvel coverdated from that month (Dec 1975) with the insert. Jim

I've never seen a issue you mentioned with the insert. Some of these are GS issues, more than 32 pages, so they won't have them. The only issue I've ever seen with more than 32 pages AND an insert is a DC comic due to them increasing their whole line to 44 pages in the late 70s/80s. Jim

Yes it exists.

Sorry to come in late on this, been busy, but the star stamps were used by the Stars and Stripes bookstore to indicate the comics were bought. Some stores had people at the door periodically to verify. Some Star and Stripes did give out receipts, not all, and is probably why you'll find insert books without the star. Also, not only stars were used. Have a couple comics with a large stamp indicating which base the comic was bought. All of these I've seen came from Pacific bases.