Pittsburgh

My dad was in the Air Force and we lived at RAF Lakenheath for 9 years (my 7-16 ages) so I did not have an American LCS until I was 17.  My formative years were spent reading Beano, Hot Shot Hamish and Dennis the Menace (the British version) and watching Grange Hill and cricket.

However, we did have a Stars and Stripes on base where I would get my Hulk's, Wolverine's and such.  Mark Jewelers comics everywhere.  BUT ... I remember tearing the perforation part of the MJ insert even though I wasn't buying anything.  Weird - I know.  Additionally, I own exactly zero of those comics today as mom or dad must have thrown them out at some point.

My first LCS that I went to was Cramer Comics (I believe) in Cumberland, MD.  I used to go and play pinball and buy comics (not a whole bunch, but quite a few).  In typing this, I Google'd Cramer Comics and this article appeared about Gary Cramer from July 2019:  https://www.times-news.com/allegany_magazine/cramer-vs-cramer-drawn-together-we-now-join-our-story-already-in-progress/article_a461eaf0-99cb-11e9-a2b2-eff413bd23eb.html.  I remember him being an artist and musician and this brought it all back to light.

What a bunch of great memories!

I loved it!  So much so that I started buying the One Piece trading cards (specifically the Endless Treasure cards, not TCG).

Before the show, I couldn't have told you what a Monkey D. Luffy was (and pronounced it wrong as it's Loo-fy).  But now I can tell you who his father and brothers are, that he has powers that increase in 'gears' and a whole host of other information.  Additionally, who the rest of the Straw Hats are besides Usopp, Sanji, Nami and Roronoa Zoro.

I'm legit hooked and started watching the anime too!  Only about 1,000 episodes left until I'm caught up  

Newsstand availability during that time is one reason why I bought the Canadian Price editions for ASM 252 and Thor 337.

Never been a fan of Kraven, a very, very 'meh' villain in my opinion. 

Big fan of Miles so I'm excited to see him in it.  I'll buy it at some point

Miles Morales IS Spider-Man (also).  He IS Spider-Man even to Peter Parker (says so in the comics).  Miles' Spider-Man IS a derivative of Peter Parker's Spider-Man, but obviously not an attempt to get rid of Peter Parker's Spider-Man as he was brought into a separate universe.

I'm not sure why he can't be Spider-Man?  We can all have our Peter Parker while still accepting Miles Morales.  I am definitely not saying this as a representation of today's participation trophy world, but as a collector of Miles Morales.

He (Miles) is the Spider-Man of today's youth and they will grow up with him as we did with Peter (as long as Marvel stays in business).

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo KILLED it (in the good way) New 52 Batman!  Story and covers were great and the Court of Owls and Endgame series within the run were fantastic IMO.

The only disappointment I had was the cover to issue #40 as it was a big issue.  It's not bad but it was definitely NOT what I was expecting, however, I still bought the 1:25 variant, newsstand and Combo pack for it - LOL

It's as simple as "sex sells", always has and always will.  In my opinion, these comic covers are designed to simply draw the eye and entice buying.  They do for this "perv"

On 12/17/2022 at 12:11 PM, bronze_rules said:

speaking of sales, IDW had the best sale I think I have ever seen (or will see) on AEs and books.

AEs were down to 10 20, 25

https://www.idwpublishing.com/last-chance-ae-sale

in case it goes down, some examples

 

Thank you for the link!  Bought the John Byrne Marvel Classics Artifact Edition.  $37.10 after shipping which is a great deal and looks like there are 2 of these still in-stock.  Missed out on Silver Surfer and The Mighty Thor editions 

On 11/26/2022 at 12:47 PM, THE_BEYONDER said:

On Ebay

Thank you!  Will have to see what I can throw at this.  I appreciate you 

On 11/23/2022 at 10:11 AM, THE_BEYONDER said:

Why 2nd print?  I would think the newsstand version would be the book to own if it takes off.

Absolutely!  If you can find one.  I have a newsstand edition of Spider-Men #1 but I've never (not saying they don't exist) seen one of #2 (truly wish I could find one).  The 2nd print is easier to obtain and so affordable right now.  I also like the fact that they are masked up on the 2nd print instead of mask-less.

On 11/22/2022 at 7:21 PM, fastballspecial said:

All of you leave out the cover as well which is really what will matter going forward.

Issue #2 1:100 ratio variant cover clearly shows that this is the issue in which they will reveal their identities to each other as they are unmasking each other.  Is issue #1 the first joint cover regardless of meeting or not?   Absolutely.  However, we come to realize that in the story (which is what old school collectors thinks makes a comic a 'key'), they have not yet met. #2 can (and already is in my opinion), be a 'key' issue moving forward and the 1:100 ratio variant has the potential to be a grail cover for spider-related characters (grail being used as future instead of right now).

My collection is covered either way for #1 and #2.  I would prefer if the correct issue (#2) was accurately identified as first meeting/unmasking.

For Spider-Men, issue #1 is a "sighting" of each other and issue #2 is the fight/meeting.  If you can get a nice price on the 2nd print, I recommend it.  

Unfortunately, #1 will continue to get identified incorrectly.

darkstar:  Thank you for posting that as it provides clarity of issue #1

On 9/28/2022 at 1:35 PM, Lazyboy said:

I hope you're not talking about me here, because I'm absolutely not against the designation. They should have done it decades ago.

I am very much against lies from people trying (successfully, in this case ) to manipulate a market for their own profit.

If you like collecting them, good for you.

Try opening your eyes next time you use the site.  I've seen it many times, and I only occasionally look at the site since I don't use it for transactions (I don't even have an account anymore).

I don't care what other people collect. I do care what ridiculous claims they make.

Open my eyes?  I do and I was simply saying that I'VE never seen it.  Understand?

You bring nothing to this topic other than disagreeing with 2 people who have obviously done a lot of research and documented their findings.  Yours?  "I've seen it many times, and I only occasionally look at the site..." (the last part is irrelevant).  Good on ya for providing solid evidence on the matter .  If you had an eBay account, you could message the sellers to inform them of their false information.  But you don't, so your white knighting is falling on deaf ears.

Most people don't buy newsstands BECAUSE they are newsstands as it's not a big enough niche to warrant the faux outrage that this thread is generating. 

Episode 1 was outstanding and the casting VERY well done!  After the first 10 minutes I was a little iffy but after that, it got so much better.  I highly recommend, at least, episode 1

I edited my post 

Okey dokey

Nothing to see here (except for the quoted post below )

On 3/21/2022 at 9:07 PM, Westy Steve said:

Hey while we’re on the subject of his early keys, etc. can anyone tell me whether issues 2 through 28 of his first series were sold in poly bags like the number one issue was? I bought a number six like that. I’m wondering if they were all like that?  or only some? or what?

for what it’s worth, I do think initially the Jaden Smith announcement may have caused prices to stumble or hiccup for a bit, but they have resumed. With no further rumors, and even an unfounded counter rumor that he might be playing Static Shock, the book seems to be smoothing out it’s climb.

Yes, issue #6 was polybagged including the newsstand (which I was able to find and buy sealed ).  

I agree that TWD was great as I have watched the show and purchased a lot of the comics, but unfortunately, when the show ends - all interest, except for the die-hard fans, will end.  The show is stagnant and so are the comic books.

As far as Miles is concerned, he's just getting started.  Oh and  JayDog, calling an Academy Award winning animation film 'low budget' is pure old man, get-off-my-lawn buffoonery.  Looks like Miles Morales is going to p*ss you off for a long, LONG time.  Let's see, a Marvel main-stay Spider-Man with headline potential vs. an Image main-stay that is a TV show - yeah, give me Miles all day. 

Oh, and Marvel, don't let Jaden Smith be Miles Morales.  He's no Dallas Dupree Young (Cobra Kai) - hint, hint.

I'm biased as I have a CGC 9.8 Sketch variant but there's a lot to like about it:

1.  1st app of Kate Bishop.  Nothing else needs to be said but I will.  Hailey Steinfeld (Academy Award nominee).  Disney+ show screen chemistry with Yelena Belova (Marvel definitely noticed).  Hawkeye.

2.  1st app of Hulkling.  Has already had a Marvel comic event with him as the lead (Empyre).  

3.  1st app of Asgardian.  Is actually Wiccan, son of Scarlet Witch and also featured in Empyre.  Has already appeared as a child and it is unknown as to what happened to him and his brother, Tommy (Speed).

4.  1st app of Patriot (Elijah Bradley).  Grandson of the black Captain America and has already appeared in Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

5.  1st app of Iron Lad (Nathaniel Richards).  Is Kang the Conqueror's future self.  Kang.  What's his back story?  Young Avengers.  I can't think Marvel will leave that out.

There's a lot to like in my opinion.  Definitely not going to say they are the future, but, I consider them as 1B to Miles Morales 1A when it comes to 1st appearance spec.  Just my 2 cents.

I LOVE finding newsstands from 2000 and on.  I, while I love the dedication, find it hard to put actual percentages or ratios on them when absolute numbers are not known.  I also find it hard to believe that there are cases of newsstand editions waiting to be found.  Of course there's a chance, but it does not deserve to be part of the argument because it is also unknown.

From personal experience as a 20-year military man and comic collector, I have travelled quite a bit and finding newsstands in back issue bins at an LCS is rare FOR ME.  I'll gladly pay a higher price for a high-grade newsstand compared to a high-grade direct edition but I'm probably in the minority.  After all, who wouldn't want a face-palming Spidey in the little box than an ugly barcode?  

Comics, regardless of direct/newsstand/variant/grade, will ALWAYS show their face at some point.  I'll continue the hunt for newsstands and at this point, I'm perfectly fine with mid-grade copies.

I'm in the same boat as everyone (most) it seems.  Average overall with one very bright surprise - Black Krrsantan.

My problem with the fight scene was the young toughs.  Black K should never have been shown as weak against them - now they have work to do to make him look badass again.  I will say that the running away was well thought out (as much as we may not like it).  When you are released by your captors, you never, eeeeever walk away like Vince McMahon coming to the ring.  You run as fast as you can in a direction that puts you out of line with another distraction (i.e. the Hutt twins).  While it does look 'person_without_enough_empathyy', it's absolutely the right thing to do.

The Vespa chase was slow and boring.  I'm really not sure how the young toughs are going to fit in unless they are going to continue to act as 'spies' for Boba and Fennec.  Also, no more sauntering towards a freakin' wookie like you're not afraid.  What could they have possibly gone up against on Tatooine that would be as frightening as that?  

I feel like we're going to get better episodes.  I'm still bullish on The Book of Boba

I bought some Wheel of Time comics last night since the show is coming and realized that jsilverjanet is the seller.  

Thank you for accepting my offer and CONGRATULATIONS on the other sales of these as well!  You've done extremely well with the Wheel of Time 

Did anyone else pick up the Spawn 321 Barends virgin variant?  I don't usually pick up any books over $60 but I had to have this one as it is, in my opinion, one of the best Spawn covers.

I've been able to pick up 3 or 4 foreign Spawn editions (including Italian and French #174/175), multiple copies of #300 & 301 1st prints (and a 300 4th print) and the following issues over the last year: 

#77 (1st Archangel Spawn), 100 (Ashley Wood cover), 119, 220 (B/W), 221, 223, 227, 228, 231, 265 (color & B/W), 306D, 321 (Barends).

Had regular editions of #174, 175, 216, 241 but sold them to a friend as he is going for the entire run.