Heavy-ish Metal

Hi everyone! I've put up an eBay auction of the Heavy Metal magazine slipcase collections I listed here:

You can find the eBay listing here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175240291358

Please let me know if you have any questions

Marked more listings as sold, added some of the rare hardcover books

Marked some listings as sold (thank you to buyers!) and added/removed some individual issues.

Would love to sell more of these, especially the "full year" slipcases... don't be shy! 

I've lowered the prices on the "complete years" from 1980 to 1990 

Is it just me or are Mylites+ discontinued? E. Gerber's site only lists Mylites 2 and 4, and their new non-Mylar line.

Call me crazy but I've always preferred Mylites+ for current/standard size, as they're more flexible. I use them for trades and thick one-shots. Also they came in 100 per pack which is a good amount Mylar protection for the money.

I have a small collection of Warren mags (Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, 1984) that are all in high grade with the exception of the severe yellowing of pages.

But additionally, I also really hate how my fingers feel after thumbing through them... the pages feel "dirty" for lack of a better word.

Has anyone tried any archival sprays on these? I wonder if those products are only good for holding off the effects of acidification, which has long ago already happened to these magazines.

I am not concern about affecting their grading, just want them to stay in good condition and be enjoyable for me to read.

28 minutes ago, Phill the Governor said:

Possibly!

Unfortunately I do not think you'll find the answer you are looking for if you are just looking for a few hours of something to do. Not the right hobby to get into, lol.

I do not recommend it, but this is why people just revert to using archival tape- because it is the cheapest and really only option for people in your position.

This actually sounds like a great hobby to get into, I could use something new that takes a lot of time and attention and isn't entirely spent at a computer screen. I had an idea to try to make my own slipcases to hold some of my books  

6 minutes ago, Phill the Governor said:

This.

 

I work on books as a profession. The question at hand is too specific without going into trade secrets. There is no simple "how" because people make a living (myself included) on those techniques.

I will say that archival or not, tape is never ever the answer because it ultimately causes more problems. Tape is evil. Same with glue.

The best option available is having reinforcement at the staples done using conservation, which if done properly is completely archival and reversible.

Unfortunately, if you want it done properly, there is no cheap do-it-yourself option for this type of stuff.

I see. Well the books I want to do this to are honestly barely worth $20, so I don't see myself bringing them to a shop (though I certainly would for more valuable books!). I suppose in my case I'm looking for a "good enough" solution that gives me a few hours of something to do and can be done with off-the-shelf products. Maybe it's worth asking on a hobbyist bookbinding forum instead?

10 hours ago, James J Johnson said:

Without seeing the paper under the staple, the cover from the inside, going by one exterior image, from a single perspective, it's all guesswork. 

James, I am not asking about how to repair a specific book. I am asking a broad question of what techniques are recommended for reinforcing staple areas.

I don't mean to be rude (I appreciate you replying at all!) but this is the kind of problem I've seen with this topic over, honestly, the past 15 years of web history as far as I can tell. Someone raises the question, and the discussion devolves into pedantic debates.

I was hoping this would be the right forum to ask about the how, and discuss specific techniques. If this isn't the right place then... I honestly don't know where else to ask. You guys probably know more than anyone what kind of reinforcement approaches have been used over the decades, and I'd love to see you all sharing that information here so others can benefit from it.

Edit: I've removed the image from my post so it doesn't distract from the conversation

56 minutes ago, James J Johnson said:

Going by the 1 pic here I couldn't say that there is something to do that wouldn't be classified as restoration. Although my view of the staple area is very limited, I don't see the staple falling out or pulling through the paper under it, so reinforcing it, thereby making it restored, would be needless, IMO. I see stresses that will not press out out because they fracture the surface and break color. 

I'm not bothered by whether it's restoration or not, just asking for the most practically useful advice on how to do it

This was just one pic of the book I had on hand, I have others where there's more tearing around the staple, cover starting to feel loose, etc.

What method would you recommend? What have you seen on restored books that worked well?

Note: This is not a question about grading, label colors, etc. This is just a little DIY project for cheap books that I like but have straining/tearing at the staples.

I have some bronze/modern books and magazines that I'd like to keep around for decades to come, but am worried (and annoyed) about the stress on some of the covers around the staples.

I've tried doing some googling on the topic of reinforcing the staples and get a lot of (less than helpful or applicable) results, most of which are debates around restoration and how it affects grading. 

I'd love some straight forward suggestions on how to do the reinforcement myself! My thinking is there are two major options:

1. Archival clear tape. This would entail removing the staples, applying a thin strip of the tape over the holes (both on the cover and on the interior centerfold), then reinserting the staples through the tape. This would, presumably, prevent any more tearing or pulling on the cover as the tape gives the staples something to hold onto. Lineco tape seems to be the most readily available and well reviewed product to use.
    
2. Glue around/near the staples (?) This is much less clear to me as I know there are many kinds of adhesives and glues, so if this is a better option than tape, some product suggestions would be very appreciated. In my mind I picture a paper restoration glue that gets applied over the staple, forming a "clear coat" that strengthens the area and prevents further tearing, but I have no specific info on this.
    
3. Something else I can do myself that I haven't considered??

Thank you very much in advance! Hope this serves for a modern jumping on point for discussions on staple reinforcement techniques (and please, no debates around grading!) 

Thank you @Taylor G!

Yes I did know about 1984/1994 and collected the entire run as it fits in one short box. I'd like to fill another short box with select Creepy and Eerie issues. The ones you mentioned look like a great place to start (though I'll likely pass on the sports ones )

5 minutes ago, Randall Dowling said:

Creepy 1-145

Eerie 1-139

Blazing Combat 1-4

Vampirella 1-112

Pretty much every issue checks one of those boxes and plus, they're much, much cooler than Heavy Metal (which owes much to the Warren catalog).  The first 40 or 50 issues of each title are the best, IMO.  

Haha fair points! I wish I could collect them all, but my budget and space just won't allow for it, so I'm trying to identify the issues that would tick the most boxes. 

I came upon the idea by reading the wiki for Blazing Combat, which I am definitely picking up as it's only 4 issues, after seeing that one of the stories was reprinted in Creepy's war themed issue #89. So it got me thinking I'd like to see what other specials would be up my alley.

Hi all, I'm a huge fan of these specific genres and styles and am looking for issues of Creepy and Eerie that would fit these:

• Scifi
• Fantasy
• Weird War
• Alternate History
• Apocalyptic
• Dystopian

I'm a huge Heavy Metal fan (if that wasn't obvious) but like picking up non-HM issues that fit my taste.

For example, I know Creepy #89 is a war-themed issue, so I'm definitely picking that up. I'd also consider non-themed issues if they have stand out stories matching the above themes.

There are a lot of Creepy/Eerie issues and unfortunately (for me) their covers rarely relate to the content inside so it's hard to spot the right ones! I defer to you all as the Warren experts.

Thank you!

Late to the party but finally posting mine. This was Heavy Metal's first ever variant cover and is quite rare. This is my first grading/signing ever and I'm super happy with how it came out for a few reasons:

• I was expecting an 8.0 or 8.5 grade
• Frank used silver ink like I asked
• He did a full signature and not just the initials

12 minutes ago, James J Johnson said:

Having had some time to think about this, I would imagine there has to be a comic restorer or somebody who works with the conservation of paper collectibles that would likely have a solution for you. This incidence of foreign matter dusting paper collectibles must come up on a regular basis. Old musty collectible books and such. I would get in touch with a bookbinder or book dealer and ask if they can make any recommendations for you prior to disposing these. Start your search online. Google removing mold, mildew, bacterial particles from old books, etc., and see what comes up in the searches. You may hit something applicable and affordable.

I was thinking the same thing, about it being a known, if not common, problem that might have an explanation and solution. For now everything is bagged up in Mylar bags so they won't be bothering me in their current state. I'll be talking to my doctor, maybe doing an allergy test, and also looking into the preservation stuff in case there's an obvious solution beyond chucking these out. A cursory search already turned up special pads you can use to wipe down old books, newspapers, etc. with.

11 hours ago, VintageComics said:

Don't you think you should contact a doctor about your health issues rather than a comic book chat forum?

4 hours ago, AJD said:

This.

And my is ignore all of the advice on this thread that results in you being exposed to those books again, based on what you described. Kav - and I can't believe I'm typing this - is absolutely right.

Too true! But I just needed to know if this was at all a known issue, as I'm new to collecting comics this year and have ramped up quite fast. Most of my collection is from the late 80s and 90s, but when I started grabbing older series like the Warren mags and Weird War Tales, I had two incidents of the breathing problems and wanted to check with you guys. Will be talking to my GP for sure!

2 hours ago, Neurosis138 said:

I got one of those pin tests where they poke you're back with a bunch of different things to find out your what you're allergic to. One of mine was book mold. I definitely have it but it's a minor allergy. When I read a really musty old book my nose will get a little stuffy and watery eyed. Most of the time it's very minor but it is an actual thing.

This is a good idea. I've never had this allergy test done, and not even sure I can arrange one right now due to covid, but I'll certainly try.

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciate all the help and ideas.

As far as looking out for mold...I know it can show as foxing on covers, but what about interiors? The issues giving me this problem just seem like the pages are yellowing from age but are otherwise in Fine/VF condition.

One thing that I notice when handling these is how rough and "grainy" the pages feel. I know this must just be the old paper texture, but in my head I'm wondering if I'm feeling some kind of grime or build-up from the decades and it's all flying up into my face as I'm flipping through.

I've started to become paranoid of ANY of my comics that smell musty... which is most of them. I suddenly feel unsure about keeping them

15 minutes ago, James J Johnson said:

Mold? Do you have hay-fever related allergies? Pollen, mold, mildew, etc.?

Also. and I don't mean to alarm you, but occasionally an old unfinished attic might possibly be contaminated with fiberglass particles which usually settle onto anything stored there. Years ago, it was very common to insulate the walls of attics with 2X6 or 2X8 foot sheets of fiberglass-based insulation, spun fiberglass particles sandwiched between two paper sheets, a good 2 to 3 inches thick.

A similar potentially hazardous storage issue exists for some old basements, asbestos insulation surrounding hot water pipes that look like a thick white cast around a limb!

The fiberglass and asbestos degrades, crumbles, erodes, as it ages and mixes with the other particles of dust and debris. It is possible that your books are laced with this kind of dust cocktail and affecting you as noted.

This is a GREAT explanation and makes a ton of sense. At first I was like "what are they talking about? I don't have any fiber glass in MY attic...." and then it hit me, I have no idea how these books and mags were stored before I got them. Their pages have yellowed heavily, which is no surprise for newsprint, and I'm sure they could have been kept in an environment where tons of particulates were finding their way to the books. Fiberglass is definitely a possibility, I lived in a room with some of that stuff poking out of the ceiling and it was impossible to get the itchy little pieces out of the room.

Well, I'm now fairly sad because I had just completed the run of Warren's 1984/1994 magazine and want to read it. But... I now don't think I should risk having these things up in my face if they leave me gasping for air!

17 minutes ago, kav said:

Have someone else bag up all the books in a trash bag. Air out home thouroughly. Have someone else vaccuum. If persists see Dr.

Shot in the dark but anything I can do to treat the books themselves? Was thinking of taking them outside and gently shaking out each page to release any particles stuck in there, wipe gently with a gloved hand. Or let them sit outside to air out. Not sure what the best solution is.

4 minutes ago, kav said:

do your fingers tingle/itch after handling? Def sounds like allergy to something. I would unload them. I got similar allergy to dutch elm beetles residue and it nearly killed me.

As far as I've seen no skin irritation or itching yet, but maybe it's there and I haven't noticed because I'm so shocked by the breathing issues! Seriously coughing a lot and barely getting enough air for hours after reading.

Hi, got a weird but very troubling problem here and hoping to get some insight.

I've started collecting comics/magazines this year and that includes some of the Warren magazine series (Creepy, Vampirella, Eerie), which seem to be printed on pulp paper/newsprint (I'm not a scholar with printing techniques so forgive me for not knowing the technical details).

I've procured a bunch of these from eBay and local shops, and have found that after thumbing through them for not even a minute, I start coughing intensely and wheezing. This goes on for hours even after putting the comics away.

So what do you think is going on? Could the paper be releasing small particles that I'm breathing in? Mold spores? Dust mites (I'm allergic to these)?

I'd also be interested in hearing possible remedies. If nothing works then I'll need to sell these issues off as they're apparently a health hazard for me!

7 minutes ago, joeypost said:

Ink transfer with a little dirt mingled in. Some can be safely removed, unfortunately the rest cannot. 

Thanks @joeypost. Any suggestions on what to try for removing? An art eraser? I tried gently using a magic eraser sponge and it did absolutely nothing.