Yes, that's right. More comics!! C4 (Central Canada Comic Con) is swiftly approaching, and I'm taking stock of all my goodies that'll be for sale. Just to prove that I'm not a comic poser, and that I actually know some stuff about what I sell, here's a few more great examples of the kinds of comics that no true collector should be without. As always, I'm reluctant to part with a lot of them, since I love them so much. I just know I'm going to wake up one day at age 50 and weep uncontrollably at the loss of my only copy of Thor #337....
Lots of stuff has been done with the Hulk - several animated TV series, a live action TV series (who can forget Lou Ferigno?), two live-action movies, a couple of full-length animated features and about a million comics and graphic novels. This issue here is an example of some earlier stuff, just after the Hulk got his own series back from limbo in the mid-sixties. Back then he was just figuring out his hulkiness, and tons of bad guys were after him to try to make him do their bidding. Of course he schooled them all and kept on his merry hulky way, smashing tanks and buildings and making friends with little kids and weird aliens every chance he got.
In this issue, he fights the Mandarin, who's power is contained in his ten power rings, each one for a different use (freeze ray, fire beam, telepathy, telekinesis, etc.). Normally, this bad guy fights Iron Man, so it's nice to see him try to take on someone new. It's pretty standard super hero vs supervillain stuff, but it's well drawn and has a pretty heavy atmosphere for a 60's book. I picked this one up a while ago and I've been saving it for the con. It has a date stamp on the front cover (see photo) but it's still in FN/VF condition.
I love Thor. I am so stoked about seeing the movie next year! (Check out Marvel.com to find out more about it.)
Of all of the different comic titles that I have in stock, I must have more issues of Thor than any other. I've got Silver Age, Bronze Age, Copper Age (but not too many of those - they suck) and Modern Age. My favorites, as I've said before, are the Silver Age issues (ie: 1962 - 1971).
This one is pretty much action-packed: Thor goes into space and trashes an entire fleet of invading starship, only to learn that the aliens themselves are being menaced by far greater threat - EGO, The Living Planet! This is the first appearance of Ego, and this comic is worth more than a few bucks because of that. This copy is in sweet VF+ condition.
Once the movie comes out, old Thor comics are likely to be highly sought after, so get 'em now before the prices go up!!
If you thought Ego the Living Planet was cool, wait til you see Thor caught in the middle of a universe-shaking battle between Ego and Galactus, the gigantic godlike planet-eater! Galactus debuted in Fantastic Four comics, but he made some notable appearances in The Mighty Thor during the 60's as well. At first, he and Thor were enemies, but they eventually became uneasy allies in the task of saving the universe. I think this issue marks the beginning of the end of their rivalry. If I'm mistaken, please forgive me; I can't possibly remember every comic I've read over the years....
Anyway, the cover pretty much says it all. Lots of trippy visuals, and a lot of voice bubbles full of words like "thee" and "nay" and "doth"....You've gotta love the way this guy talks....I hope the movie Thor is equally verbose...
This copy is in FN+ condition, and will set you back a little over $20 (if I decide to let it go!).
Fantastic Four # 77This one is another Stan Lee/Jack Kirby classic, featuring the aforementioned Galactus and his former Herald, the Silver Surfer. The crazy-looking red dude in the middle of the cover is the Psycho Man - the tyrannical ruler of the bizarre sub-atomic Microverse (I'm not sure if this is the same Microverse that the Micronauts are from). For some reason, Mr. Fantastic, the Thing and the Human Torch travel to this strange dimension only to be captured by the P-Man. The Silver Surfer, who is enjoying his newfound freedom from his enslavement by Galactus, shows up and helps the heroes to escape. Meanwhile, Sue Richards (the Invisible Girl) is expecting hers and Reed's first child.
Oh, the Drama!
Nice comic. Beautiful art and a spectacular cover. Somewhere in the FN - VF range. Like most Silver Age Fantastic Four comics, it's ain't cheap, but it's definitely
worth its weight in pure adamantium.
The Uncanny X-Men # 120
Speaking of adamantium, in case you don't know what that is (rookie), it's the indestructible metal that Wolverine's claws and bones are coated with. If you don't know who Wolverine is, there is absolutely no hope for you, and you should just call it quits right now, man...
Wolverine's origins have been written and re-written a bunch of times, but this comic here is from 1979 - back before they decided to mesh the whole Wolverine/Weapon X/Sabretooth/Deadpool thing together, like they did in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This issue is probably one of the first to outline his Canuck heritage and his link to the Canadian government. You guessed it - X-Men #120 is the very first appearance of Alpha Flight - the official super-team of the Great White North!
As I understand it, John Byrne (writer/artist for this book at the time) is a proud Canadian himself, and it's not too surprising that he'd try and sneak in as much Canadian content as possible. Take that, CBC!
My copy is about a FN grade. Highly collectible not only for the Alpha Flight thing, but also for the excellent artwork and clever writing of Mr. Byrne, one of the most popular artists in X-Men history. Buy it! Buy it now! You know you want it!!
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Remember that these comics (and all of the others I've featured on this blog in the past) are only a small fraction of the great titles I'll have for sale at the con. I would love to give a great review and synopsis of everything, but I'm just one man! I find it amazing enough that I've actually found time just to read almost all of the 1400+ comics that I have.
Look for the sign for Rebel Alliance Canada at the convention. I'll give you more details when I know a little more myself. Hope to see you there!
May the Force be with you...
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