My comic history

[kaholo1256]

I'm not dead is what he said...

 

This Journal entry truly shows my age. Unlike a few on here I believe I'm one of the younger members. I didn't grow up with any of the 12 cent, 25 cent, or even 50 cent issues. For me Thanos was a guy who already had a new shiny glove. In fact my first comic ever cost me a whopping $1.75. Yep I grew up in the 90's.

 

Many have come on here explaining their first comic experience and or the story that followed with them so here's mine. In 1990 I went to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at my Aunt's home in Virginia. There my cousin had just returned for his leave while serving in the Navy and was pretty much forced to watch this 9 year old kid. So doing what any 20 something year old would do, he graced me with video games, slurpee's, and comics. In search of this first comic we went to the nearest 7/11 and on the spinning rack was this comic that truly stood out to me. It was a simple picture of a hand and some claws coming up out of the ground entitled "Wolverine." Wolverine, Volume 2, Issue 33. I was mesmerized by this picture at first. Marc Silvestri's art was by far the coolest thing I had ever seen. Then once I opened the issue Larry Hama's story took off. I must have read this issue from this exact comic over a thousand times. Apparently Mr. Wolverine had pissed off the Yakuza and so they killed him, or at least they thought they did. After digging himself out from a shallow grave a very angry clawed character decides to go back and kill everyone. A little violent for a nine year....... Yeah. But this was awesome. From that point on I was hooked on comics. Wolverine became a main stay while the Incredible Hulk, X-Force, Infinity Watch and X-Men all trailed in that oh so close second spot.

 

Since that point I had kept that comic and after I found out that girl's didn't actually transfer cooties or any other infectious diseases I started to walk away from them. Fast forward almost 10 years from the point I stopped and I finally picked it up again. Magically the comic that got me excited about it was the first comic I ever read again. Still smelling of spilled soda and musk that issue revived something in me that had long been let go. I eventually tracked down Larry Hama and got him to sign that very issue from my past. By now this issue is one of those coveted issues tNerb is looking for in a .5 or maybe even worse condition. I'm saying Coke stains, Cheeto stains, maybe a little Koolade, followed by a dab of some Hershey's chocolate, and aged to perfection. First thing he says to me, "you don't want to track down a nicer copy for me to sign." All I could say was "No sir" and begin to explain to him this very story. After hearing this Mr. Hama became the nicest man in the world when talking to him. I literally told this man that he and he alone told a story that forever changed me.

 

I have since purchased a nicer copy and one day our paths will cross again but until that time the signed copy will remain uncased. I never once had a though of getting this issue graded as this was what started my passion with comics as well as reignited that passion now that I've grown.

 

K

 

Below is the Sketch Mr. Hama did on a Wolverine Best there is for me.

 

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[SW3D]

Dear Kaholo1256,

 

You may be young, but you are wise beyond your years! You have genuine storytelling ability... simply because you're expressing from the heart.

 

You effortlessly took me through time and space to glimpse into a cherished moment in your past with simple words... allowing me to soak in the details by filling the senses... giving it a breath of profound reality.

 

It's a great story... but I don't need to tell you that... Larry Hama's already's done so.

 

Keep posting and I'll keep reading!

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

SW3D

 

 

[SW3D]

I often find the stories behind the comics far more fascinating than the comics themselves... either from the creators or the readers perspective.

 

We worship the heroes, but we really can't connect with them... but we understand the kinship we share with our fellow collectors and the bonds which emerge from it... it's a special fraternity or brotherhood we've joined.

 

SW3D

[pubmonkey]

Great story, thanks for that. Welcome to the boards!

[Shivabali]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story. Mine is similar and also features Wolverine. Family vacation in Canada, Frank Miller's limited series, also bought off the spinning rack. I was born in '69, age and comics don't really matter, right? I was at Emerald City Comicon (Seattle) last year, and Bill Sienk. was signing some of my brothers Elektra LS books...Bill said: my favorite comics to sign are the ones that are wrinkled and ripped and stained...meaning they were cherished. Keep collecting and continue with your passion; it will take you places.

[thehumantorch]

Nice story, thanks for sharing. You grew up in a different era than I did but the story elements are similar.

[surfer99]

Shaka bra! Nice journal, thanks for sharing your story.

 

 

[kaholo1256]

It is genuinely humbling to see that some have read my posts and even more so when there are responses.

 

Screenwriter3d –Both belated Merry Christmas to you and soon to be Happy New years as well. Having read yours, tNerb’s, and Surfer99’s to name a few entries I honestly understand the kinship of collector’s that I have never been able to typically find. (I’ll probably write about this in another journal entry soon) Thank you for words of both encouragement and acceptance into our group of collector’s.

 

Human Torch, and Pub Monkey – Thank you as well for reading.

 

Shivabali – I completely understand what Mr. Sienk means by that. I have a collection of comics stored in bags in boards as well as in encapsulation, but the honest to god ones I truly appreciate are the ones I purchased as a child. Many of those are in that type of condition and now when I am home I like to take those as well as the ones I would like CGC’ed to the artist’s / writers. Before I have them sign the CGC submissions I have them sign the ones from my childhood. It’s my way of saying I appreciated not only the art on the exterior but also to ensure that they know how much I appreciate the art on the interior whether it is in the form of words or art. Len Wein once told me he truly appreciated me doing it this way and even waived his normal fee for signing because of it. His words, “I hate CGC, as once its encased my art will never again be seen.”

 

Surfer99 – Mahalo for your words of encouragement and for those who don’t know what it means (Shaka Bra) Hang loose as well.