kaejol

3 hours ago, Math Teacher said:

Well, I got my start in comics by visiting my local barber shop once a month. In fact, there were times when my Mom went grocery shopping, and she just dropped me off at the barber shop until she was done. After a while, the barber would just give me 50¢ and I would go pick out the comics for him.

Of course, I can't imagine this happening today. First, a large portion of our population probably has never even been to a barber shop. I used to go to one here in town, but I then found out about a hair styling school nearby. Now, I go in every two weeks, get everything shaved off with no guard, and it costs me $6.42 each time. I should probably just start shaving my head, but I'm not giving up on what's left of my hair just yet.

I just don't know where today's kids are ever going to be exposed to comics, unless through a parent/grandparent. In my day, you would see comics at the grocery store, the pharmacy, and newsstands. Today, you see the occasional Archie digest in the check-out line of the grocery store. And Walmart and DC tried to sell comics in Walmarts. Just out of curiosity, is that still going on? But, for the most part, you most likely have to go out of your way to find a comic book store, and today's parents aren't prepared for the sticker shock on the price of today's new comics. For my part, I have donated many TPBs to my local school district, for use in the Middle School. My friend is the media specialist at the Middle School, and he says that those TPBs get checked out all the time. Even our local library has a healthy graphic novel section. So, it's clear that kids still enjoy comics. But unfortunately, they value Twitter or Call of Duty more.

 

I think it's just people don't know what's going on in the comics and feel a bit intimidated. I mean I was a bit intimidated because of how many books there are and feeling like I need to constantly catch up on what's come before. Seriously walking into a comic book store when you're starting out kind of feels like you're a dear in headlights. There's just so much and you just don't know where to start or what to go for, even with the help of a clerk. I only got into it because I started meeting people and following people who talked a lot about the comics and decided to check out Venom #1, then kept reading more, and then decided I wanted physical copies, and then it just snowballed into me going every week for new releases.

Like seriously I swear if they just bought some ads on youtube it would help a ton. I get so many annoying ads on youtube, if marvel or dc just bought some instead of Honey or Grammarly I swear you'd see a lot more interest in comics. Like I'll be honest, the trailer marvel uploaded for Thor #9 on youtube and twitter was amazing, and I should have been seeing it everywhere.

9 hours ago, comicginger1789 said:

Hmm you are right. Imagine if they did ads outside of comics? That seems to be the only place they advertise, is within their own product and within stores that sell their product. Imagine they went bigger with ads like you say? Or imagine bookstores carried posters or something advertising it? Or even a TV ad? I know that is expensive but has it been tried in the past two decades? I wonder why that hasn’t been done.

Thats great you found comics though! My question would be do you feel interested in acquiring first appearances of character you enjoy, like Venom? Do you care about older issues from the 90s for this character or could you care less? Granted I know ASM 300 is a steep price now but maybe someday it’s a goal of yours? Or are you content with the now and reading Venoms history by other means?

I'm not against reading digitally, I'll be honest I used to pirate comics back then because I didn't really care. I do still do it, but that's only if I'm too lazy to get up and pull a book out of my longbox, it's being delivered and hasn't arrived yet, or I plan to buy it in the future (good examples are the second volume of x-men legacy, and v for vendetta).

I do plan on buying older issues from the 90s and even the 80s, would definitely love to own ASM 300. I actually bought the first cameo and first full appearance of Legion because I loved the show, so I don't see why I wouldn't start getting others for other characters I love, it's just an issue of how much money I have right now. I do also enjoy just getting random books from the back issues section, as long as it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg (unless it's a special issue I'd say $25 CAD is the most I'd pay for a back issue).

Also I think absolute Carnage did get a tv ad, but I could be mistaken.

On 12/30/2020 at 11:30 AM, comicginger1789 said:

The market is so wild right now because, and I mean this with no disrespect, but a lot of the "younger" collectors are not the brightest. Same for older collectors who stopped in the 90s but within the last decade have gotten back into comics. They see a movie announcement of some kind, bam, they buy that book. Little thought, just the hope for more money in terms of a sale down the road. These are the people who paid $35-50 for the first time Cap lifted Thor's hammer in Thor whatever issue it was when it happened in the movie. Those books you see alerted to you on whatever app or feature you use as having gone from dollar bin stuff to $15-20 books is ridiculous. I fear that too much of that could hurt the hobby when you have people who, 8 months later try to make a profit of such a book that is no longer worth that at all. Instead, this overpricing drives collectors towards other things and can serve as a deterrent for new collectors. A new collector or future collector upon reminiscing about the movie could be like "hey, that moment in the movie was cool, I want the comic" and find people trying to sell it for a crazy amount which only deters them from buying or getting into the hobby. 

I'm a younger collector and got into collecting in early 2019. I started collecting because of Donny Cates current run on venom (I sadly had to stop for a bit so I haven't been reading lately and have just been playing catch up with physical copies). I personally don't plan to sell my collection, I just buy to keep and later read (I know I could read digitally but that's just less fun).

Personally, I think the reason that people my age aren't really into comics is because of the lack of any sort of advertising if you're not already interested in comics. The only reason I started to even take notice was because I started making friends who happened to be more interested in the comics, which lead me to where I am now. If Marvel, DC, or any other publisher actually tried to advertise outside of previews and catalogs then I could see new people coming in. If I can keep getting ads for stuff like browser extensions on YouTube, I think Marvel and DC could successfully bring new people in if they just did the same thing.

That's just my 2 cents though.

I didn't notice this until I took a closer look at some of the issues I got this week, but some of the future state issues have this kind of cover damage. I don't think this could have been me, because I checked eBay and I'm not the only one. None of my Marvel pulls had any damage like this so I'm thinking it could be a distributer problem.

I'm currently looking for e. gerber products as well. I'm in Alberta and found a store that sells mylites 2, but not fullbacks. Checked with every other store in my city, none of them have any. Anyone know any stores in alberta that sell them? I'm looking for something within the province so the shipping prices aren't terrible.

I want to switch my collection over to E. Gerber bags and boards. The issue is I'm in Alberta Canada, and no comic book store in my city carries Full-Backs (I called them all on the phone), one of them carries Mylites2, but no Full-Backs, and they said they're not likely to order any. So does anyone know where I can order online for a cheap price. Preferably from Alberta so the shipping costs isn't too high. Most comic book store websites either have an outdated list of what's in stock, or no list whatsoever. If you could please help me find an option with a decent price and shipping it would really be appreciated.

On 11/6/2020 at 5:44 AM, Arkham said:

Might depend a bit on the book. Big issue spectaculars, one-shots, some of the modern prestige stuff - all could be a bit thick - I don’t know, I haven’t had a problem.  But, that said, 99% of what I’ve ever had has been M2 and, in my opinion, that would be just fine.  I live in the sub-tropics, high humidity - all my books in M2’s are doing great.  

AFAIC, this is the authority on sizing: 

 

One last question, I've heard of scoring the flap. What does that mean, and is it important?

On 10/26/2020 at 5:29 PM, Arkham said:

Yeah - they are. Thicker/firmer... For some, this is an issue with storage space (i.e. fewer books will get into your long/short box with 4mil + full backs).  But, otherwise, it is great.  As someone said above - having books in Mylar is amazing - they really “pop” visually. 

I've heard m4s are too thick, and make it difficult to fit books in with fullbacks. Is that true, and would I be fine just going with m2s?

2 hours ago, seanfingh said:

First, look at it from the inside of the cover and see if something is causing it there.  Second, look at other copies of that book. See if they all have that mottled coloration (it looks like foxing to me, but that is a modern, so it may be the pattern on the paper.) At that time you can also see if the mark is on the other books as well. It could be part of the vision of the artist, to have the paper look old, weathered damaged, etc.

I checked other books, and that's not there, it's like a slight bump, super tiny, and there's no damage on the inside as far as I can tell. Btw that is picture from the eBay ad, I was just too lazy to get it out and take a picture.

On 10/21/2020 at 3:47 PM, Arkham said:

Lots of solid advice above and questions for more detail. 
My $0.02 is that I can verify the advice above. I live in the subtropics, very humid a lot of the year, and I’ve got my “good” books from the 70s in 725 M2’s on a 700 FB and they look completely unchanged after years sitting in those bags. 
 

OP said they were keen to get some E Gerber’s - I say go for it! 

Are M4's good? I'm just curious, I'm just looking for the most overkill solution so I never have to change them out ever again. Like if they're too thick I can understand that being more of an issue. Also for thicker books, like the annotated version of marvels, should I be using a size up from standard? And should I use current size for newer books that have recently come out, or just standard? Just wondering because most of my collection is from the last 5 years, and the oldest book I have is from 85. Just trying to figure out what works without damaging my collection.

On 10/21/2020 at 9:33 AM, marvelmaniac said:

Comic books start to decay/degrade the moment they are produced due to the acids used in the paper and inks, it is a natural process. I assume modern books use a better quality paper than was used from the 30's - 80's(?) which was newspaper, very low quality.

Storing books in the proper environment only "SLOWS DOWN" the decaying process, if stored properly the books should/will last many generations with absolutely no issues, if not stored properly the book can decay rather quickly depending on its circumstances.

Is your basement Climate Controlled?

Are you using Poly Bags or Mylites?

Are the original boards Acid Free?

A Non-Climate Controlled Area, Poly Bags and Non-Acid Free/Non Buffered Boards all contribute to Acids being produced as the Bag/Board start to breakdown and the more the comic has to expand/contract/adjust to its environment the more acids are released from the book itself, all leading to further/quicker decay of the book.

Proper storage methods would include Mylites (Inert Material, No Acids, Archival Safe), Acid Free Boards, Temperature/Humidity Controlled, Stored away from All UV Light, All Heat Sources (Including Heater/AC Vents) Dampness/Water.

The conditions listed above also hold true for CGC Graded Books since they are not UV protected nor are they Hermetically sealed.

I'm just using standard bcw resealable and their normal backing boards. My basement isn't climate controlled, it's just a basement that's fully furnished, it's where I sleep and it's warm in the winter, and pretty normal in the summer, I mean it's still warm but not crazy. I am going to switch soon to e gerber stuff though once I can afford it, it's more expensive since I live in Canada.

21 hours ago, Turnando said:

Saliva

Seriously?

This is not part of the cover, I got this on eBay because I was late to the party. What is it, and what caused it, so I can be more careful in the future.

On 10/15/2020 at 6:18 AM, comicginger1789 said:

Hmm, couple things to do. One has already been mentioned. If taking the same book out rather frequently, do as suggested above. Place comic on board and slide board into bag. Also make sure bags and boards are proper size.

Another thing is where are these comics stored? I know I have bought newer books from people who stored them in their garage. Where I live, humidity levels fluctuate a fair bit between the seasons and moisture can cause something like this to happen as the book gets "damp" and then you will see the inks transferring. You want a dry dark spot that fluctuates as little as possible otherwise you might see what you are seeing and, if extreme enough, you will start to see wrippling and warping, especially on newer comics because of what they are printed on. 

I'll be honest when I started I was pretty bad about storage. I was storing them on a shelf like normal books (Yes I know this is stupid, but I didn't know at the time, now I do.). But back in July I bought comic boxes and they're stored in my closet, my bedroom is in the basement, the closet isn't close to any pipes or windows. I was taking them out frequently. But I have some comics I haven't taken out the bag since I bought them from the comic book store and they have the same thing. So is it the rubbing, the board, both, or a combination of that and other things?

I'm coming up on two years soon and recently I've noticed on some of my comics backing boards there's some color, and on the comic some of the color is gone, I have the glossy side to the comic. I have taken comics out of the bags a boards a couple times to read or re read, is it cause by me taking them out, or is it that I need to change the boards? If it's from me taking it out should I be putting my comics in and taking them out with the board at the same time? I'm still new to this and want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly.

Also thinking of getting fullbacks from egerber because I heard they're good, if this is because I need to change the boards would that solve the problem?