Does anyone here still buy current books?

[mica]

I would say that most of the books that came out between '68 and '74 (from both companies) are much, much better though. Both DC and Marvel definitely raised their game during this period -

Yes, I can see how you would feel that way. Kirby's work at DC for instance. Although some may slam that, I loved Kamandi, etc..etc..

[goldust40]

I would say that most of the books that came out between '68 and '74 (from both companies) are much, much better though. Both DC and Marvel definitely raised their game during this period -

Yes, I can see how you would feel that way. Kirby's work at DC for instance. Although some may slam that, I loved Kamandi, etc..etc..

 

You can't knock Kirby's work at DC, although it was the last time he was cutting edge with the medium.

 

I'd say that there was far more of an edge to DC's output during this period - not that many would disagree, of course.

[Scrooge]

OK....man I'm getting dragged further and further but here I go.

You'll have to forgive me but I am a very visual kind of person. Sort of similar to your Month in the Life, Scrooge I also dabble in trying to get a feel for what a newstand must have looked like. Using Nick Simon's old Marvel website I have expanded what he started and have slowly tried to include non-Marvel and make each image linkable....etc..

Here is a screen shot from my CD for December 1965. I chose that at random as it's right in the middle of the 60's.

Although it's not totally complete, but try to imagine also the occasional issue of Lone Ranger or Classics Illustrated, Harvey comics, and more.

My contention (based on opinion) is that I would love to have everyone of these issues. Others may not feel that way. My opinion. And a lovely image of December 1965 I might add.

 

Mica, we are of the same mind on many aspects of collecting. And to shock Rob here, yes I enjoy reading all *cough* most of the books from my Month collection but not necessarily on their artistic merits, some for historical perspective reasons (if that makes sense).

 

So crazy me, I decided to do the same for my birth month - June 1972 and let me tell you the ratio of dreck to good quality is way way way up. There are so many books that are a horror to read *cough* Charlton *cough*. So to back up a little my comment on a lot of "lower quality reads" here are (not necessarily as nicely formatted as your great screen shot - you've got to tell us more about your CD) the lists of books published first in June 1972 or 244 books (of which I read 61 or 25%). 90% good would mean only 25 bad books. Mica, could you quote my post and honestly tell us which you would have no interest in reading. Then we'll check the 90% quote. Just for fun, not trying to hammer a point but to show as Rob mentioned that there were quite a few books out.

 

Action Comics National

Adventure Comics National

Amazing Adventures Marvel

Amazing Spider-Man Marvel

Archie and Me Archie

Archie Comics Archie

Archie Comics Annual Archie

Archie Giant Series Magazine Archie

Archie's Girls, Betty and Veronica Archie

Archie's Joke Book Magazine Archie

Archie's Pals'N'Gals Archie

Archie's TV Laugh-out Archie

Aristokittens Dell

Astonishing Tales Marvel

Attack! Charlton

Avengers Marvel

Baby Snoots Dell

Batman National

Beagle Boys Dell

Beep Beep, the Road Runner Dell

Beetle Bailey Charlton

Betty and Me Archie

Billy the Kid Charlton

Blondie Comics Charlton

Bobby Sherman Charlton

Boris Karloff's Tales of Mystery Dell

Brave and the Bold National

Brothers of the Spear Dell

Bugs Bunny Dell

Bullwinkle Dell

Captain America Marvel

Career Girl Romances Charlton

Casper and Nightmare Harvey

Casper's Ghostland Harvey

Cheyenne Kid Charlton

Chip'N'Dale Dell

Combat Kelly Marvel

Conan the Barbarian Marvel

Cracked (Magazine) -

Creatures on the loose Marvel

Creepy (Magazine) Warren

Daffy Dell

Daredevil Marvel

Dark Shadows Dell

David Cassidy Charlton

Dennis the Menace Fawcett

Dennis the Menace and his friends Fawcett

Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Fawcett

Dennis the Menace Pocketfull of Fun Fawcett

Detective Comics National

Devils Kids starring Hot Stuff Harvey

Donald Duck Dell

Drag'N'Wheels Charlton

Eerie (Magazine) Warren

Everything's Archie Archie

Falling in Love National

Fantastic Four Marvel

Fear (Adventures into) Marvel

Fightin' Army Charlton

Fightin' Marines Charlton

Flash (The) National

Flintstones Charlton

Forever People National

For Lovers Only Charlton

Friendly Ghost, Casper The Harvey

From Beyond the Unknown National

Funky Phantom (The) Dell

Geronimo Jones Charlton

Ghostly Haunts Charlton

Ghostly Tales Charlton

Ghost Manor Charlton

Ghosts National

Ghost Stories Dell

G.I. Combat National

Girls' Love Stories National

Golden Comics Digest Dell

Grimm's Ghost Stories Dell

Hair Bear Bunch Dell

Hanna-Barbera Parade Charlton

Harlem Globetrotters Dell

Harvey Marvel

Haunted Charlton

Heart Throbs National

Hero for Hire Marvel

Horror Tales (Magazine) Eerie

Hot Rods and Racing Cars Charlton

Hot Stuff Sizzlers Harvey

Hot Stuff, the little devil Harvey

House of Mystery National

House of Secrets National

Huey, Dewey, Louie Junior Woodchucks Dell

I Love You Charlton

Incredible Hulk Marvel

Iron Man Marvel

Jetsons Charlton

Josie and the Pussycats Archie

Jughead Archie

Jughead's Jokes Archie

Jungle Twins Dell

Justice League of America National

Just Married Charlton

Kid Colt Outlaw Marvel

Korak, Son of Tarzan National

Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp Dell

Laugh Comics Archie

Life with Archie Archie

Little Archie (The adventures of) Archie

Little Audrey and Melvin Harvey

Little Dot Harvey

Little Dot Dotland Harvey

Little Dot's Uncles and Aunts Harvey

Li'l Jinx Giant Laugh-Out Archie

Li'l Kids Marvel

Little Lotta Harvey

Little Lotta Foodland Harvey

Little Monsters Dell

Love and Romance Charlton

Love Diary Charlton

Mad (Magazine) EC

Madhouse Glads Archie

Mad Special EC

Magnus, Robot Fighter Dell

Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves Charlton

Marge's Little Lulu Dell

Marvel Feature Marvel

Marvel Premiere Marvel

Marvel's Greatest Comics Marvel

Marvel Spotlight Marvel

Marvel Tales Marvel

Marvel Team-Up Marvel

Marvel Triple Action Marvel

Mickey Mouse Dell

Mighty Marvel Western Marvel

Millie the Model Marvel

Mister Miracle National

Mod Wheels Dell

Monsters on the Prowl Marvel

My Love Marvel

Mystery Comics Digest Dell

New Gods National

New Terrytoons Dell

Nightmare (Magazine) Skywald

O'Malley and the Alley Cats Dell

Our Army at War National

Our Fighting Forces National

Our Love Story Marvel

Outlaw Kid Marvel

Partridge Family Charlton

Pebbles and Bamm Bamm Charlton

Pep Comics Archie

Phantom (The) Charlton

Phantom Stranger National

Pink Panther Dell

Playful Little Audrey Harvey

Popeye Charlton

Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny Dell

Primus Charlton

Psycho (Magazine) Skywald

Raggedy Ann and Andy Dell

Rawhide Kid Marvel

Red Wolf Marvel

Reggie and Me Archie

Reggie's Wise Guy Jokes Archie

Richie Rich Harvey

Richie Rich Dollars and Cents Harvey

Richie Rich Fortunes Harvey

Richie Rich Millions Harvey

Richie Rich Success Stories Harvey

Ringo Kid Marvel

Ripley's Believe It or Not Dell

Romantic Story Charlton

Sabrina the Teenage Witch Archie

Sad Sack and the Sarge Harvey

Sad Sack Comics Harvey

Sad Sack Laugh Special Harvey

Sad Sack's Army Life Harvey

Sad Sad Sack World Harvey

Scamp Dell

Scooby Doo Dell

Secret Romance Charlton

Secrets of Sinister House National

Sgt Fury and his Howling Commandos Marvel

Sick (Magazine) -

Smokey Bear Dell

Special Marvel Edition Marvel

Spooky Harvey

Star Spangled War Stories National

Star Trek Dell

Strange Adventures National

Submariner (The) Marvel

Superboy National

Super Goof Dell

Superman National

Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane National

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen National

Sweethearts Charlton

Tales from the Tomb (Magazine) Eerie

Tales of Voodoo (Magazine) Eerie

Tarzan National

Teen-Age Love Charlton

Teen Confessions Charlton

Teen Titans National

Terror Tales (Magazine) Eerie

That Wilkin Boy (meet Bingo) Archie

Thor Marvel

Three Stooges Dell

Time for Love Charlton

Tomahawk National

Tom & Jerry Dell

Tomb of Dracula Marvel

Top Cat Charlton

Treasure Chest -

Tuff Ghosts, starring Spooky Harvey

Turok, Son of Stone Dell

TV Casper and Company Harvey

Tweety and Sylvester Dell

Twilight Zone Dell

Two-Gun Kid Marvel

Uncle Scrooge Dell

Unexpected National

Up your Nose and Out of your Ear (Magazine) -

Vampirella (Magazine) Warren

Wacky Witch Dell

Walt Disney Comics Digest Dell

Walt Disney Comics and Stories Dell

Walt Disney Showcase Dell

Weird (Magazine) Eerie

Weird War Tales National

Weird Western Tales National

Wendy, the Good Little Witch Harvey

Wendy Witch World Harvey

Western Gunfighters Marvel

Western Kid Marvel

Where Monsters Dwell Marvel

Witches Tales (Magazine) Eerie

Witching Hour National

Wonder Woman National

Woody Woodpecker Dell

World's Finest National

X-Men (The) Marvel

Yogi Bear Dell

Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny Dell

Young Love National

Young Romance National

 

 

 

Now for June 1962, there were 234 books of which I don't think I have read a single one but for reference's sake, here they are:

 

Action Comics National

Adventure Comics National

Adventures into the Unknown ACG

Adventures of Bob Hope National

Adventures of Jerry Lewis National

Adventures of Mighty Mouse Dell

Adventures of the Fly Archie

Adventures of the Jaguar Archie

Aggie Mack (FC 1335) Dell

All-American Men of War National

Amazing Adult Fantasy Marvel

Andy Griffith Show (FC 1341) Dell

Aquaman National

Archie Comics Archie

Archie Giant Series Magazine Archie

Archie's Girls, Betty and Veronica Archie

Archie's Joke Book Magazine Archie

Archie's Madhouse Archie

Archie's Pal, Jughead Archie

Archie's Pals'N'Gals Archie

Atom, The National

Atomic Mouse Charlton

Baby Huey and Papa Harvey

Baby Huey, the Baby Giant Harvey

Bachelor Father (FC 1332) Dell

Barbie & Ken Dell

Batman National

Battlefield Action Charlton

Beep Beep, the Road Runner Dell

Beetle Bailey Dell

Ben Casey Dell

Billy the Kid Charlton

Black Fury Charlton

Blackhawk National

Blondie Harvey

Blue Phantom Dell

Bozo the Clown Dell

Brain Boy (FC 1330) Dell

Brave and the Bold National

Brides in Love Charlton

Bugs Bunny Dell

Cain's Hundred Dell

Calvin & the Colonel (FC 1354) Dell

Car 54, where are you? Dell

Casper's Ghostland Harvey

Challengers of the Unknown National

Cheyenne Kid Charlton

Chilly Willy (FC 1281) Dell

Chip'N'Dale Dell

Classic Illustrated: Tigers and Traitors Gilberton

Combat Dell

Comic Album Dell

Confidential Diary Charlton

Cool Cat Prize

Cracked Major

Daffy Duck Dell

Dagwood Harvey

Dazey's Diary Dell

Dennis the Menace Hallden

Detective Comics National

Diver Dan Dell

Dr. Kildare (FC 1337) Dell

Donald Duck Dell

Drift Marlo Dell

Dunc and Loo Dell

87th Precinct (FC 1309) Dell

Falling in Love National

Fantastic Four Marvel

Fightin' Air Force Charlton

Fightin' Army Charlton

Fightin' Marines Charlton

Fightin' Navy Charlton

Flash, The National

Flintstones, The Dell

Follow the Sun Dell

Forbidden Worlds ACG

Short Ribs (FC 1333) Dell

Comanche (FC 1350) Dell

Fox and the Crow National

Freddy Charlton

Friendly Ghost, Casper the Harvey

Frogmen Dell

G.I. Combat National

Girl's Love Stories National

Girl's Romance National

Gorgo Charlton

Green Lantern National

Gunsmoke Western Marvel

Gyro Gearloose Dell

Harvey Hits: Stumbo the Giant Harvey

Have Gun, Will Travel Dell

Heart Throbs National

Hot Rod and Racing Cars Charlton

Hot Stuff Sizzlers Harvey

Hot Stuff, The Little Devil Harvey

House of Mystery National

House of Secrets National

Huckleberry Hound Dell

Hunk Charlton

I Love Lucy Dell

I Love You Charlton

Incredible Hulk Marvel

Johnny Jason (… Teen Reporter) Dell

Journey into Mystery Marvel

Justice League of America National

Just Married Charlton

Kathy (The Teenage Tornado) Marvel

Kid Colt Outlaw Marvel

Kid Montana Charlton

King Leonardo and his short subjects Dell

Kit Karter Dell

Kona (Monarch of Monster Isle) Dell

Konga Charlton

Kookie Dell

Lassie Dell

Laugh Comics Archie

Lawman Dell

Leave it to Beaver Dell

Life with Archie Archie

Life with Millie Marvel

Linda Carter, Student Nurse Marvel

Linda Lark Dell

Little Archie Archie

Little Audrey and Melvin Harvey

Little Dot Harvey

Li'l Genius Charlton

Little Iodine Dell

Little Lotta Harvey

Little Rascals Dell

Lone Ranger Dell

Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics Dell

Love Diary Charlton

Love Romances Marvel

Ludwig Von Drake Dell

Mad EC

Magic Agent ACG

Man from Wells Fargo Dell

Many Loves of Dobie Gillis National

Little Lulu and Tubby in Japan Dell

Little Lulu Dell

Maverick Dell

Mickey Mouse Dell

Millie the Model Marvel

Movie Classics: Prince and the Pauper Dell

Mutt and Jeff National

My Greatest Adventure National

My Little Margie Charlton

My Romantic Adventures ACG

My Secret Life Charlton

Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds Charlton

Mystery in Space National

Nurse Betsy Crane Charlton

On Stage Dell

Our Army at War National

Our Fighting Forces National

Outlaws of the West Charlton

Patsy Walker Marvel

Peanuts Dell

Pep Comics Archie

Playful Little Audrey Harvey

Popeye Dell

Quick Draw McGraw Dell

Rawhide (FC 1269) Dell

Rawhide Marvel

Real McCoys Dell

Reptisaurus Charlton

Richie Rich Harvey

Rifleman, The Dell

Rip Hunter Time Master National

Romantic Secrets Charlton

Romantic Story Charlton

Sad Sack and the Sarge Harvey

Sad Sack Comics Harvey

Sad Sack Laugh Special Harvey

Sad Sack's Funny Friends Harvey

Sea Devils National

Sea Hunt Dell

Secret Hearts National

Secrets of Young Brides Charlton

Showcase National

Sick -

Six-Gun Heroes Charlton

Space Adventures Charlton

Space Man Dell

Space War Charlton

Spooky Harvey

Star Spangled War Stories National

Strange Adventures National

Strange Suspense Stories Charlton

Strange Tales Marvel

Submarine Attack Charlton

Sugar & Spike National

Superboy National

Superman National

Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane National

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen National

Sweetheart Diary Charlton

Sweethearts Charlton

Tales Calculated to Drive you Bats Archie

Tales of Suspense Marvel

Tales of the Unexpected National

Tales to Astonish Marvel

Target: The Corruptors (FC 1306) Dell

Tarzan Dell

Teen-Age Diary Confessions Charlton

Teen-Age Love Charlton

Teen Confessions Charlton

Texas Rangers in Action Charlton

Thirteen ( … Going on 18) Dell

Three Stooges Dell

Timmy The Timid Ghost Charlton

Tomahawk National

Tom and Jerry Dell

Top Cat Dell

Treasure Chest -

Turok, Son of Stone Dell

Tweety and Sylvester Dell

Twilight Zone Dell

Uncle Scrooge Dell

Unknown Worlds ACG

Untouchables Dell

Unusual Tales Charlton

U.S. Air Force Comics Charlton

Wagon Train Dell

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories Dell

Wendy, the Good Little Witch Harvey

Wonder Woman National

Woody Woodpecker Dell

World's Finest Comics National

Wyatt Earp Frontier Marshall Charlton

Yak Yak (FC 1348) Dell

Yogi Bear Dell

Young Love Prize

Young Romance Comics Prize

 

Hopefully this post makes sense. I thought people would be interested by the listing themselves anyway ('cuz I like that sort of things)

[rob_react]

We really will just have to end it there because we have radically different ideas of what a good comic is.

Well I certainly hope I am in the right place for appreciating the Silver Age. Maybe I appreciate it more than you do. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Nor should anyone try to make me feel bad for liking this stuff.

 

There are of course varying ways to appreciate Silver Age books. Even though Rob is more or less correct that most of it was pretty mediocre (I'd've added the Avengers and Daredevil to the list of good books, though, along with some of Kubert's work)

 

I'd put both at the top of the "okay" category. I appreciate the heck out of the Daredevil issues (obviously) but I really don't think that title caught on until Colan took over. It's been a while since I read early Avengers so I might be underrating that book (or may be confusing it with another SA Avengers book.)

 

A lot of Silver Age has a certain naive charm that is worth the odd read if the mood takes you, but then there's Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, the Batbooks, drab Don Heck artwork, etc. that are cynically bad.

 

I too enjoy that naive charm (I collect SA DCs!), I just wouldn't say that my enjoyment of it means that it's "good."

[mica]

Great list of books...Brings back a flood of memories.

Of course I could lie and say I would love to grab and read all of those making this thread a joke.

But I also am interested in seeing how much of a fan I truly am.

I will list the ones I seriously didn't care for or have no interest at all.

Starting with your Bronze age list....You'll notice that I removed all of the magazines right off the bat.

I always thought of them on a whole different level, more of a novelty. (If they are included then my ratio will be off)

Cracked (Magazine) -

Eerie (Magazine) Warren

Creepy (Magazine) Warren

Nightmare (Magazine) Skywald

Psycho (Magazine) Skywald

Sick (Magazine)

Tales from the Tomb (Magazine) Eerie

Tales of Voodoo (Magazine) Eerie

Terror Tales (Magazine) Eerie

Up your Nose and Out of your Ear (Magazine) -

Vampirella (Magazine) Warren

Weird (Magazine) Eerie

Witches Tales (Magazine) Eerie

 

(Which brings us down to this list of comics that I don't care if I ever see.

Devils Kids starring Hot Stuff Harvey

Funky Phantom (The) Dell

Hot Stuff, the little devil Harvey

Jungle Twins Dell

Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp Dell

Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves Charlton (never heard of it)

Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny Dell (the Porky fans are going to be mad )

Primus Charlton

Wendy, the Good Little Witch Harvey

Wendy Witch World Harvey

Wonder Woman National

(There, are you happy? Now every one knows I read Baby Snoots Oh the shame.)

Seriously the above books I don't like or don't know anything about. I told you I am very eclectic.

As far as the Harvey stuff goes, I would read Richie and Spooky, but for some reason never cared for HotStuff or Wendy.

 

Now for the 1962 list.(which is a better representation of what we were referring to)

Aggie Mack (FC 1335) Dell

Baby Huey and Papa Harvey

Baby Huey, the Baby Giant Harvey

Barbie & Ken Dell(I would get this for my daughter but in the spirit of this thread...no I wouldn't get it for myself)

Beep Beep, the Road Runner Dell(bought it but wouldn't again)

Ben Casey Dell

Bozo the Clown Dell

Brain Boy (FC 1330) Dell

Cain's Hundred Dell

Cracked Major

Dazey's Diary Dell

Dr. Kildare (FC 1337) Dell

Drift Marlo Dell

Dunc and Loo Dell

Freddy Charlton (never heard of it)

Harvey Hits: Stumbo the Giant Harvey(never heard of it)

Hunk Charlton

I Love Lucy Dell

Johnny Jason (… Teen Reporter) Dell

Li'l Genius Charlton(out of boredom I would read it)

Little Iodine Dell

Mad??? Magazine?? (don't want to make the Mad folks Mad I would get this occasionally and a Cracked every now and then)

My Little Margie Charlton

My Secret Life Charlton

Nurse Betsy Crane Charlton

Sick - MAGAZINE??

Wendy, the Good Little Witch Harvey

Wonder Woman National

-------- There were more there than I figured. I was very honest.

[joe_collector]

I don't think the difference between today's comics and those of the Silver and Bronze eras has anything to do with quality. There is always good and bad, not matter the time period.

 

The main stumbling block is obviously cost, as I can remember being a little kid in the late-70's and being able to afford a stack of comics. There was no question of financial risk, as with a $5 weekly allowance and 30-35 cents a comic, I just bought a stack and hoped for the best. Cheap entertainment at its best.

 

You pull that stuff today and you'd be talking hundreds of dollars a month for the same number of modern comics. I would much rather put that money elsewhere, and I really cannot imagine anyone paying the piper to that tune.

 

Just putting "hundreds of dollars a month" and "modern comics" in the same sentence gives me the chills.

[That Ron Dude]

There are many things I buy that I can get joy from for a variety of reasons. Still, knowing that I can get some return on Silver Age Marvels is one of the reasons their purchase gives me joy.

 

And let me get this off my chest.

 

I make a good buck, I can't complain. But no matter who you are on this board you have a budget and have to make choices. My budget for comics is not very high compared to many of the people whose comments I have read.

 

I have decided that it is important for me to put 2 kids through university, live in a neighborhood that I like, have two cars and have a wife who has been able to retire from her job before she is too old to enjoy retirement.

 

I can't have things and buy every comic that's suits my fancy.

 

I am not ashamed of it.

 

And I am not ashamed of noting it under my real name.

[rjpb]

A lot of Silver Age has a certain naive charm that is worth the odd read if the mood takes you, but then there's Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, the Batbooks, drab Don Heck artwork, etc. that are cynically bad.

 

I honestly get more enjoyment out of reading the more absurd JO,LL, and "old direction" Batbooks, than I do DC's more "serious" output from the SA.

 

As for SA Marvel, quality aside, one of the big appeals is/was the sense that you are/were watching a cohesive universe unfold. Something impossible today, because there is too much history involved, many more writers, and as JC notes, buying every Marvel is financially difficult for younger fans.

[joe_collector]

and as JC notes, buying every Marvel is financially difficult for younger fans.

 

Younger fans? I can't see myself ever spending that much on new comics books.

[rjpb]

and as JC notes, buying every Marvel is financially difficult for younger fans.

 

Younger fans? I can't see myself ever spending that much on new comics books.

 

Me either - but it's a matter of priorities - many of us here spend hundreds a month on comic books - just not moderns - and some spend hundreds on slabbed moderns. I do see adults buying pretty much everything that Marvel and/or DC puts out every week when I drop buy my LCS to pick up the paltry handful of titles that interest me.

[Scrooge]

Hey Mica,

 

thanks for the effort. I am glad this gave you a blast from the past. I don't know about Baby Snoot. I only have ever seen the covers and never dared to crack a comic open. Also I agree with you about the mags. I haven't picked up one other than Mad for the collection. I just am not as interested in them (plus they are tougher to find).

 

So if I count right (eliminating those pesky mags) there are only 26 books you wouldn't bother reading. Yup, that's dedication.

 

Now to be serious, Rob will say that the parameters of our discussion have changed from "good" comics to "enjoyable" comics. You will find 90% of the comics enjoyable to some degree and Rob will find 5% to be good comics. I will probably fall in the 15% good and 75% enjoyable category and every one else scattered thereabout with their opinion.

 

To finish, my intention had never been to claim moderns are the best but that some are better than 80+% of what was put out in the SA. Never had it been our intention to come to the SA forum and bash SA. Heck I started to "defend" moderns just to be the devil's advocate in what seemed a clear case of wanting to not like moderns. I don't visit comic book stores. I have an old store from several states away mail me my monthly comics and magazines one every three to four months and I certainly don't spend over $45 on moderns on any given month.

 

Now, I am going back to reading the Gold Forum as always. Better you guys go looking over there. There's a smoking GGA thread going on. Cheers,

 

Scrooge

[bobpfef]

Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny Dell (the Porky fans are going to be mad )

Why you ...

[the blob]

"Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves Charlton (never heard of it)"

 

i'm getting off track, but it was a series that ran for about 20 years with over 100 issues (I think) from the 60s through the mid-80s. may have been charltons biggest success other than maybe some westerns. if you rummage through bins that's a tough comic to have never seen before.

 

some standard formulaic terror/ghost stories, average art for that era. ditko may have done some issues, i forget and don't have my OPG in front of me.

 

I read some new comics now and then -- conan, eric powell stuff, fables, etc. I don't feel like paying $3 for most of the usual marvel and DC new comics, although occasionally some of the cover art on some DC stuff knocks my socks off and i buy. i'll mainly fish new stuff out of the overstock bargain bin though.

 

some new stuff is unreadable because it takes itself so seriously, etc. the old stuff is generally readable (other than maybe some charltons) because it's simple, kitchy, etc.

[Aman619]

I make a good buck, I can't complain. But no matter who you are on this board you have a budget and have to make choices. My budget for comics is not very high compared to many of the people whose comments I have read.

 

that sounds reasonable and universally true, but it isnt. Not everybody live with a budget, That is, a houslehold where 'X' comes in every week/month and gets divvied up between this that and the other. Many people just have assets that dwarf any comic purchases thay may like, and pull the trigger any time they want to or when presented the right books. Sorry, but Ive met a few. Life's not fair.

[Aman619]

To finish, my intention had never been to claim moderns are the best but that some are better than 80+% of what was put out in the SA.

 

every age has its share of great comics, okay comics and crapola: that goes for GA, SA, BA, and today. Comics have changed and evolved along with popular culture and society in the past 60 years. I grew up with Silver. I remember many stories that excited or moved me and stuck in my mind. But 90% of the stuff I have no recollection of.

 

But as times change, we change with them, so today, I cant re-read the stories I grew up with. They are far too simple and silly or crude. (Mostly the DCs, Marvel took itself a lot more seriously as they built a cohesive universe.) I read many of today's comics. And many some are great, many are okay and some are barfably bad. Same deal as ever. But today, as Ive absorbed books movies TV etc in the past 40 years, I like that the plots have gotten more detailed, touching realistically on themes similar to other mass media. And I like that the creators grew up reading tons of craap too and try to steer away from the trite and hackneyed plots of the SA.

 

But the comics business is still just that - - a business, set up to make money and not art. So only sometimes do we get both, mostly I think thanks solely to the efforts of the creators to make something more memorable than a paycheck. But as we all know now that we are grownup in the world, sometimes a paycheck every month is good enough w/o trying to re-invent the medium!

[Jeffro.]

As a mostly Silver and Bronze age collector myself, I was wondering if anyone on the Silver age board still buys new stuff?

 

 

If today's comics were more like those from 20 years ago (or older) I'd still be buying them.

[adamstrange]

Perhaps my love for Silver -Age (and fondness for Gold and Bronze) makes viewing Moderns out of focus.

 

Is there a book being printed today that has the feel of the first 300 issues of Fantastic Four? Is there a book that is being printed today that has drawings that fit into actual panels?

 

For all the modern readers that are reading this post, I am not slamming your books that you love to read. I walk in to the LCS and I don't see anything that I really like. Believe me I've tried.

The New Marvel super hero stuff seems cartoonish in style. (everyone's entitled to an opinion)

I am grateful for the recommendations of this particular book or that particular title, and I will still glance at them, but I've found what I like, and that's books that are printed before 1991.

I would still buy Disney if any American group would publish them. I miss Gladstone. I know they are still publishing small paperbacks but it's not the same.

 

The moderns I still get are powerpuff girls for my daughter. But that's about it.

 

Again, this post is not intended to pick a fight.

 

Maybe this is a repeat, but here are some books I've gotten for my nieces that I would highly recommend for your daughter. You might even find you like them:

 

Akiko

Leave It to Chance

Fairytales of Oscar Wilde (P. Craig Russell)

Wind in the Willows (Plessix)

Herobear and the Kid

Scary Godmother

Bone

 

Lesser but still good:

Alison Dare

Amelia Rules

Courageous Princess

 

Also, they continue to publish new books in the Asterix series by Uderzo (Goscinny died ).

 

Most all are available in TPB collections.

 

Disney comics (full size) are being published by Gemstone and you can still find the Gladstones on ebay.

[That Ron Dude]

I make a good buck, I can't complain. But no matter who you are on this board you have a budget and have to make choices. My budget for comics is not very high compared to many of the people whose comments I have read.

 

that sounds reasonable and universally true, but it isnt. Not everybody live with a budget, That is, a houslehold where 'X' comes in every week/month and gets divvied up between this that and the other. Many people just have assets that dwarf any comic purchases thay may like, and pull the trigger any time they want to or when presented the right books. Sorry, but Ive met a few. Life's not fair.

 

Thanks for the comment Aman. I suppose that there are a few like the ones you mention but I have yet to meet one myself. (I did share an elevator with Steve Geppi-- do we count that?) The fellow I know who has spent the most money on comics is rumoured to have spent his inheritance after the passing of his parents. He essentially traded in the family home for comics. He sure made his choices. There are many other people in the area who seem to invest wisely, live middle class lives and through buying and selling manage collections that impress the hell out of me.

 

Collecting is important to me but so are many other things. I think I do well with my budget.

 

I spent about $240 Am. at the Chicago convention last week. I bet I had as much fun as the fellows who spent $10,000. Now, they may be able to make a fancy profit on their books in years to come which I won't be able to. But maybe not. I am buying my books because I care about them. Whatever happens to their price they will always have a value to me.

[Norrin_Radd]

I spent about $240 Am. at the Chicago convention last week. I bet I had as much fun as the fellows who spent $10,000. Now, they may be able to make a fancy profit on their books in years to come which I won't be able to. But maybe not. I am buying my books because I care about them. Whatever happens to their price they will always have a value to me.

 

What did you buy in Chicago?

[Earl Davis]

There is a new Asterix book by Uderzo due in the next couple of months.

 

Earl.