Popular Post drbanner Posted May 20, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) Unbelievably, it's been 15 years to the day since I registered on the boards (Class of '02 stand up!). At that time, there were 2 popular venues on the 'net to share this hobby with other collectors - the usenet groups, and the ebay boards. Neither forum were a big fan of CGC, and as one irate collector commented when the idea of 3rd-party certification first hit the airwaves: "Yep, it's called the "Comics Guaranty Corporation" and I hope it fails miserably b/c as you state, it's simply going to add more $ to a hobby that's already too pricey. I've yet to really see any ads or people putting this stuff on ebay, but you know it's inevitable...and sad :(. Look for the big NY dealers to "unveil" these pre-graded/sealed comics in the next few months, and hold on...hopefully it won't ruin our hobby." And he thought the hobby was expensive back then!?!? Who was that loser anyway? The early years of the boards were a time of enlightenment, a true Renaissance and expansion of thought and experiences amongst collectors, and an abundance of Market Crash threads. I also have to confess that I was responsible for inviting a co-hobbyist I knew through ebay to join the boards. Some of you might know him as greggy...sorry guys. Here are a few embarassing photos of me during my formative Hulk collecting years. Sun's out, guns out! I use to love creating dioramas of the Hulk fighting the Army (note the corner of the classic Snoopy poster). I had cut my hand with an Exacto knife making a B-29 Superfortress model, still have the scar. And here's one of my mom reading comics. Both my parents read comics growing up, and I still have some of their early 50's funny animal books. My mom supported this hobby as it got me reading (she was a teacher back in the day), and would drive us down to the Book Gallery on University Avenue in Gainesville to pour over their boxes of 10-cent back issues. There are a couple boardies that grew up in Hogtown during that time, most notably the scarcely-seen BronzeBruce13. Edited May 20, 2017 by drbanner ygogolak, ComicConnoisseur, nepatkm and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizards2 Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Thanks for bringing me here, Mike. Although, some may curse you for it..., porcupine48 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbanner Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Yeah, I don't always display the best judgement...or restraint! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snitzer Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Class of '07 punching in. Great story and photos! KryptoSpidey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nepatkm Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Congratulations on 15 years here. to many more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine48 Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 4 hours ago, lizards2 said: Thanks for bringing me here, Mike. Although, some may curse you for it..., the jerk store still misses you. lizards2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comicwiz Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Congrats Mike! Until your post it hadn't donned on me it's been that long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokerman Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary... Happy anniversary! Joker-- ADAMANTIUM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbanner Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 56 minutes ago, comicwiz said: Congrats Mike! Until your post it hadn't donned on me it's been that long. Thanks, fellow Class of 2002-man. I crossed the 20-year threshold on ebay a few months ago, and not coincidentally my first ebay feedback came from fellow boardee Phil Bellmore (vtcomics). comicwiz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakman29 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Damn, 15 years! Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.tor Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 How do you know what year you signed up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azkaban Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino2paulus2 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Congrats!!! Awesome diorama btw!! ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbanner Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 25 minutes ago, gino2paulus2 said: Congrats!!! Awesome diorama btw!! ?? Thanks, Hulk won every time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADAMANTIUM Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 1 hour ago, G.A.tor said: How do you know what year you signed up? It says it right under your avatar when you post.....so you signed up in 2003..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.tor Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 32 minutes ago, ADAMANTIUM said: It says it right under your avatar when you post.....so you signed up in 2003..... I don't see it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehumantorch Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Fun thread Dr Banner. 2002, man the time flies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greggy Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Dork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Congrats Dr. B, you still have that Gamma Glow after all these years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADAMANTIUM Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 9 hours ago, G.A.tor said: I don't see it? Must not work on mobile phone..... Your's is June 27th 2003, I'm sure you'll see it later if you get on your computer and still don't see it play with the settings I guess... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...