This Week in Your Bronze Age Collection!! 36 36

[N e r V]

High grade copy of the last issue of a short run but great artistic series. Kaluta cover.

 

[Primetime]

Here we have an interesting book that I picked up recently: 
 

Li’l Kids #10 (February, 1973)
 

It’s the first appearance of a kid named Calvin and was created and drawn by Kevin Banks. Read the link below, but Banks disappeared and nobody can track him down. He did a few issues of Calvin in Li’l Kids #10-12 and that was it. There’s a photo of Banks on that link below as well as some talk of the unknown initials of “N.T.” next to Banks’ signature on Calvin’s school desk on the front cover.
 

Calvin may have been a version of Banks himself when he was a child. For comparison, I’d say Calvin and his friends are older than Charlie Brown and his friends age wise, but younger than Fat Albert and his teen buddies.

 

There are 7 short strip art stories of Calvin.  The centerfold is a Saturday morning cartoons lineup full spread. After that, there’s three backup stories reprinted from 1949-1953 Marvels that were no doubt fillers used from original art that was still hanging around the Marvel offices for Roy Thomas to use. The mysterious “N.T.” initials are on the splash page of the opening Calvin story. I like the Kevin Banks look alike floating head at the top of the first story. 

It seems to be a scarce book..

For time frame reference, Hero For Hire #1 was out about eight months prior to Calvin and Iron Man #55 was released roughly three weeks prior to Calvin…

 

https://nick-caputo.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-mystery-of-kevin-banks.html?m=1
 

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix9/calvin_kids.htm

http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/comic.php?comicid=56982

Edited July 15 by Primetime

[N e r V]

White paged third appearance of Killraven in War of the Worlds.

 

[N e r V]

First issue with white pages and a pedigree to boot…

 

[N e r V]

Another white paged BA treat…

Gil Kane and Ralph Reese made a interesting cover art choice…

 

 

Edited July 18 by N e r V

[N e r V]

Special book for me tonight. I wanted a white paged CGC copy for my PC. This was my first comic book that started me collecting back in 1973.

 

[grendelbo]

On 7/17/2024 at 8:13 PM, N e r V said:

Special book for me tonight. I wanted a white paged CGC copy for my PC. This was my first comic book that started me collecting back in 1973.

 

That's cool. Still have your original?

[N e r V]

On 7/17/2024 at 8:42 PM, grendelbo said:

That's cool. Still have your original?

No. Gone to the ashes of time…

[grendelbo]

On 7/17/2024 at 10:02 PM, N e r V said:

No. Gone to the ashes of time…

I still have mine. An ASM 15. I have been able to remember and replace some books I had as a kid before I collected. Those originals are all gone too. I keep hoping to rediscover more.

[Brer247i]

I think I love the ASM 101-200 run more than 1-100 run. Especially the covers. I had a goal to own a 1-151 run, including annuals and GS, CGC'ed. While I'm still able, I've changed that to 1-200(200, even though it's not the most spectacular cover, it is my most favorite ASM cover of them all) The great thing about collecting ASM is that only time and money are required. As it's so easy to collect the most popular, and in my humble opinion, the best Superhero ever created.

 

[Frisco Larson]

This arrived today and I'm thrilled to finally have it in hand!!! ⭐⚡😺🦇

[southern cross]

[Otter1775]

Good afternoon, everyone. Picked this one up recently. I have a raw copy but not in 9.8 quality. Loved the series, never got into the reboot. 
 

[Otter1775]

Forgot these two:

 

[Spider-Variant]

On 7/19/2024 at 6:26 PM, Frisco Larson said:

This arrived today and I'm thrilled to finally have it in hand!!! ⭐⚡😺🦇

Not familiar with this comic, what's the backstory?

[Frisco Larson]

On 7/21/2024 at 11:39 AM, Spider-Variant said:

Not familiar with this comic, what's the backstory?

I'm not either, but the seller's information said it's from 1979 and of course it's a Mexican published comic, which shows no signs of being an authorized by KISS issue. It's issue #1 and from what I've been able to determine, there were at least 14 issues in the series, probably more.

[Brer247i]

My only pickup yesterday at Torpedo Con.

 

[Spider-Variant]

On 7/21/2024 at 2:48 PM, Brer247i said:

My only pickup yesterday at Torpedo Con.

 

If you only bought one thing, that's not a bad something, lol.

[Otter1775]

Good evening, everyone. Here are some Bronze Age books I’ve picked up in MN, WI, & NM:

 

[Deathlok]

Some recent purchases over the last few months.  lower grade ones, but worth it.