Readcomix

I could see that as he clearly had done his research -- the text pages and letter answers underscore that. Then he just seems to lots interest in his own concept, even though he created a handful of great characters in that series.

C'mon Jimmers -- you need a People's Comix! Death of Fritz the Cat is where it's at! An icepick in the back of the skull from an Ostrich! Classic Crumb!

I just read that run not too long ago, then sold it to a boardie. I love the concept and the cast of characters (Glenda, Harry, Randu Singh, Klarion), but Kirby seemed to run out of enthusiasm partway thru. Etrigan/Jason Blood just kept stumbling into supernatural opponents, but he never really explored their duality or found a driving purpose for his main character(s). How do you see it, Kav? I do think the art itself is mostly breathtaking on that run, and that was mostly with Royer, I believe. I can only imagine how those pages would have popped had it been with Joe Sinnott. I'm six odd issues from completing a Kamandi run; looking forward to reading it end to end. I loved every random issue I read as a kid, so I have hopes.

I also thought the Eternals was pretty thin gruel from Kirby, and She-Hulk was pretty dopey, but I think SME 15 is one of the best-written #1's of the Bronze Age.

First Elvis reference is a 1957 Archie one-shot, "Jughead's Folly." Not a lot of them around, and most of them are available on eBay. Pretty cheap for a tough, neat book.

The problem with the first appearances hyper focus is that it puts too fine a point on it being about the characters. Characters equals content, not just first appearances. Of course, several factors contribute to the diminishment of great story arcs rising somewhat above run books -- multiple reprintings of just about everything, plus digital availability; more collectors who are not necessarily also readers, etc. I recall buying back issues in the 80's (I was in high school) and certain desirable storylines cost more than surrounding run books, by a small premium -- Kree-Skrull War, Avengers-Defenders War, Avengers annual 7/MTIO annual 2 (way before Thanos went Hollywood) etc. But when you can read the content-driven keys more affordably, the collecting $$ moves into other key factors. Eventually we're left with the sports card simplicity of first appearances as our only key factor. While it may be the biggest key factor, when it is the only one it can narrow the collector's historical perspective. I guess I'm thinking about the importance of content in building this medium because I Just finished reading "It Rhymes With Lust." Everyone knows it's 128 pages of the great Matt Baker, and yes it's beautiful. But when you read it you realize that book is all about Arnold Drake and Leslie Waller -- packed with universal human themes and dilemmas, as you would expect from a work of serious literature. Yes, it's a potboiler, but the themes are there, laid out in purple prose. Baker, whose work I love, was certainly up to the task of bringing it to life. But the book is so much more than simply a lot of great Baker art in one place.

This is all I was getting at for the poster who asked about whether 27 was a key prior to the Ant-Man movie.

I think it has; not so sure about what should or shouldn't be. Either way, I was just trying to get at the implied question of whether TTA 27 was a key before the films. That's where the two differ; 27 has been for a long time; 13 is a "retro" key, for lack of a better term, as it introduces a character who emerges in importance much later, thus making the book a key many years after it was first published. Not unlike FF52 and other books. (Though one could argue FF52 was much easier to see coming from even 25 years ago than TTA 13.) But again, I was just getting at the question of whether 27 was a long-time key or post-movie key.

Crazy generous prices, Kerry! Great stuff! Of course, I've been driving for the last five hours....

It's been a major Marvel key long as I remember, and it was always the toughest one to find pre-Internet. Like all those keys, it has seen bumps since the movies.

You, Gary, and Jon Berk -- that tops probably half the peds out there

Amazing books, Joe! Congrats to you, and Bat and Bot!

Ok...this seems like the place to bring this up.....Boston Creme Pie....delicious yes, but I call B.S. on its pie status. It's clearly a layer cake hiding in a pie tin! Bogus! It's the baking equivalent of sports doping!

The "usual suspects" keys from silver/bronze have been available, but I would agree that the wow factor has mostly been in GA selections, not just high grade books but ones tough to find in most any grade too. That said, I agree that if ours looking for a thread with a broad swath of silver/bronze offerings, we're due for one of those. Not sure about copper etc as I haven't looked.

Got it already, Sha

How did you get Love and Thunder footage so early, Jimmers?

Love to hear what you think

Anyone who has never read #183 ought to grab it....one of the best single-issue X-books ever, IMO. Jus' sayin' ...

Interesting discussion on the long vs short titles for threads...as a seller, I've used both but mostly lean toward short because, as a buyer, I find the wall of text headlines hard to read. I do find that adding a specific book (or "discounts added" or "more books now" or some short update phrase that is relevant) brings people in as it is useful information from a buyer's perspective. When I sell, I try to sell like I shop, and I want to create a thread that is also a fun place to hang out and comment on books. I know some sellers don't like banter in their threads, but geez it's a forum not one's personal sales website. (I do agree that quoting a book that one is not buying can confuse potential buyers, so I avoid that. I just reference a book in a thread if we're discussing it in a sales thread.)

Mow your lawn, whippersnapper!

Maybe they could turn him into a mutant and stick him in the X-Men? Kidding aside, I think this book has long been a combination of spec (from before movie days, a cool character that always seemed to have potential if he landed in the right hands) and a cult following that might be broader than sales indicated. Not every person who likes a character buys everything printed, after all. Start hoarding those Super-Villain Team-Up #5's for a couple years past the Moon Knight show's cancellation, when they look for the next inner city superhero to feature. May well be the deadest Bronze Age Marvel hero first app left out there.

Just an FYI to some boardies whom I know love Archie readers: @Cliff R. @Patriot6 @OdinsSecrets @N e r V

He sounds like a great guy. We are with you, Az. Was Green Lantern his favorite title? Should we all post some GL's (or something like that) as a tribute? Just a thought; we are here with you.