Get Marwood & I

Blimey, I'd forgotten that. A few of them escaped. Looking forward to being reminded which it was

It's a bit busy, on reflection, but thank you And a very Merry Christmas to you too Richmond. Sterling contributions from you this year. Looking forward to UST in the New Year!

I suspect that most people of a certain age would agree with you. I find it hard to compare the new with the old in a way, as the show is very different now to what it was. Tom Baker is the Doctor, yes, but so is Peter Capaldi, for me. They occupy equal status in my mind, but in their different eras, if that makes sense. There will always be good and great Doctor Who, I suspect. The last three specials each had some really good moments and, though they were a sea change in quality from the Chibnall era, I found them oddly superficial. Tennant was too human, quaking where Capaldi would've just shrugged, solved and ate chips. The bigeneration thing doesn't work for me at all, but I've always disliked big grand, modern attempts at rewriting the basics. The idea that there are now two current Doctors, each with separate - from the point of splitting - lives, experiences and memories, is a dilution that I do not like. That's very different to 15 Doctors flying around in their respective time streams, each with only their knowledge of their own and predecessors experiences. I suppose I'm a bit old fashioned in that respect though. I like there to be one Spider-Man, not a thousand spread across multiple universes. I'm not a fan of RTDs fondness for ridiculous silliness being used to overcome a plot issue. Need a TARDIS for each Doctor? Just hit it with a big hammer. Maybe that would have worked back when I was ten. I do think, in a way, RTD is making the show for families now. Much has been written about his focus on diversity and, whilst I'm all for it in many ways, I do think he's laid it on with a trowel this time. I suspect he's revelling in it to a degree. I'd prefer he revelled a little more in the storytelling myself. Overall, I much prefer an older actor to play the Doctor as they carry a sense of gravity. Or mavity, I should say. And I like the series to be cleverly written. He didn't always get it right, but Moffat had an intelligence in his writing that I miss. His humour, too, was more intelligent than slap stick. Anyway, I said I wasn't going to bang on but here I am starting to bang. I know what I'd like to see, but I know that I'm unlikely to see it again now. That's OK. I got to see it while it was the best it could be (for me). That'll do.

$1234.56

I'd watched it for years prior, but that was when I really started paying attention. Some of the Davison episodes haven't held up that well, but there's something magical about it all still. I've quite enjoyed posting in this thread over the years but the participation has always been on the low side so it's nice to see some new faces. And a nice reference to AYBS there by the way, Red. I won't repeat my Mrs Slocombe joke, as I got a strike the last time I did. At least that got someone's attention Yes. It's probably illegal to say it out loud nowadays, but it certainly added to the magic...

The little priest, is he dead yet?

I also like that the other proper Doctor steadfastly avoids returning lest the memory of his tenure be tarnished by associating with the seemingly relentless box of horrors that the show became from the precise moment he left.

I like that he beholds the others with mild contempt.

A motley crew, if ever I saw one. I'm hoping that I haven't missed anyone

It's in the DC thread Stephen - starts about here and goes on for a few pages after: https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/415409-dc-uk-price-variants/?do=findComment&comment=10079475

And then there's the boxes on the floor. I can't remember exactly when it happened, but I can no longer get up from looking in them without groaning.

Thank you, Dee Two I've always mucked about with labels and stuff for my books. It's all part of the fun. Indeed. I've been going to comic fairs and shops for 40+ years and in all that time it still hasn't occurred to most dealers to not overstuff their boxes and to not - and this is a pet hate - put them two deep on a table so you have to break your back reaching over to see what's in the one furthest from you. The clue is on the box label Always make your comics look pretty, Stormflora Ultimate Guard:

Ta. If a job's worth doing....

Well said, Justafan. I think the volume of variants was overwhelming and drove a lot of us to give up ASM completism. I gave up at issue 700, and the disillusionment with the variant situation probably affected my overall mood and played a part in my eventual decision to sell. Space was a big issue for me - when you nearly fill a box with the variants of one relaunch issue, and you don't own a mansion, your hand is forced. I wouldn't mind, but 95% of the ASM v3 relaunch covers were awful anyway. And then there was the 143 issues for #666.... A collection based on endless growth is UNSUSTAINABLE!

Krang a lang, ding dong Krang a lang, ding ding dong Krang a lang a langa langa langa ding dong, Krang a lang a langa langa langa ding Oh, oh, I've got a monster named Krang a Lang, a lang a Langa Ding Dong He's everything to me Krang a Lang, a lang a Langa Ding Dong I'll never set him free 'Cause he's mine, oh mine!

Someone call me?

"Hey, where's the orange and green ink gone at the bottom there?" "I don't know. Does it matter?" "Just saying" "Look at the top guys. We're on a miscut"

Oh, I hadn't noticed. So they are. Good spot, Stormflora

Much better

To be clear, I've never actively speculated on comics. I only ever bought what I loved. And sold, alas, sometimes, hence the earlier advice. Comparatively, I've always been an odd collector. Monetary value in comics is nice of course, but it has never been a primary focus for me. This is why collecting Charltons, Kings and Gold Keys is such fun. They aren't worth a shitake mushroom to 99.9% of people in the hobby so the competition is rarely fierce when the rare ones deem to pop up. After several decades of Spidey completism my focus now, happily, is firmly where other people's is not.

Indeed. Gone are the days when you could manage to put that run together. I bought and sold a few Spidey runs over the years, always replacing not too long after selling when I realised my mistake. I wish I'd kept the last 1-200 run now, and all the variations that I gathered. It saddens me to know that, short of a lottery win, I won't be doing that again Which is where Charlton comes in...

My advice, as a former completist, and once you have reconciled your position / thoughts in relation to the necessities of space, legacy and money, is to think long and hard about what you love, why you love it and - crucially - what it took to get it. It's very easy to convince yourself that you won't miss something once you've completed collecting it and the thrill of the chase is over. It's very easy to forget the time and effort that goes into putting a collection together, especially the rarer and unusual books. In my experience, if you love comics, really love comics, then you will miss some if not all of them. You may find that all the reasons that you originally wanted something are still there, under the surface, and you may end up with regrets - especially if the hobby explodes and the books that you banked on always being able to afford are suddenly out of reach. There will be books that have no meaning, which you won't miss. That is the nature of completism - the sum is often greater than the individual parts. Just take care not to throw the baby out with the bath water, as they say, when your thoughts inevitably turn to downsizing.