Although I am a big fan of Silver Age comics, I'm a child of the 70's. I grew up - or rather, tried not to grow up - during the Bronze Age of Comic Books (1970 - 1985). Marvel Comics were always my favorite and made up the bulk of my collection, but looking back now, DC Comics had some pretty cool stuff too. In the Bronze Age, these two comic companies were really the only choices out there. Of course there were always Archie, Gold Key and Harvey comics too, but if you wanted super-hero type comics, DC and Marvel were where it's at......or where it was... (Personally, I have no use for Jughead or Richie Rich and the like, so I'll probably never mention them again.)
I'm proud to say that I have a good selection of Bronze comics, and a lot of the landmark #1s and 'key' issues as well. Here are just a few of the awesome 70s and 80s books that I'll have for sale at the Central Canada Comic Con (Winnipeg Convention Centre, Oct 29-31).
Once again, look for the table that says Rebel Alliance Canada. I'll have comics galore, action figures, toys, cards, books, movies and games, as well as original photographic art for sale. Stop by and say hi, even if you don't buy anything. (Of course, we might get along better if you did...)
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The AVENGERS
Annual # 10
....and King-Size, no less! This is a key issue because it's the first appearance of Rogue.... you know, Rogue... the X-Man(woman?)... played (crappily) in the movies by Anna Paquin? She's a mutant who can steal the powers and abilities (and memories) of those she touches. Later on in other comics, when she becomes a good guy and joins the X-Men, we get to know her better and learn that her mutant power is as much a curse as a blessing. Although I'm not current on my X-Comics right now, I'm sure she's still around somewhere, and is still a good guy.
Anyway, this issue has the Avengers being attacked by a mysterious mutant who's stealing the powers of the whole team... they all go after her and kick her ass. Rogue is the villain in this one (along with Mystique and some others) and here she really seems to enjoy being evil, in sharp contrast with her more carefree 'tomboy' demeanor in later X-Men appearances.
I've always loved Annuals, because they're almost always a complete story unto themselves - you can pick one up from any series you like, and you don't have to keep buying the series to find out what happens. The Avengers always had great annuals too - being a super-team, you always get some coverage of all team members, usually followed by the big mega-battle at the end.
This copy (actual scan above) is by no means mint, but it's still in nice collectible shape and reasonably priced for a great Bronze 'key' comic. It probably rates as about FN condition. This one will definitely be in my bin (not for long!) at the Con this year.
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WHAT IF...?
# 1
This is the first issue of an intriguing comic series that explores the possibilities of what could have happened in the Marvel Universe if things played out just a little differently.... It features a different set of characters in just about every issue, and every story is complete unto itself (and sometimes there's more than one per issue). This one is all about exactly what the cover states - Spidey joins the F. F. shortly after both of these have just begun their careers, and they save the the world (and the entire universe) together. It's a pretty cool read, and it's fun to see how they'd all work together as a team.
About this series, I like the fact that (again) you don't have to keep buying the series to follow along with a continuing storyline. (I guess I have commitment issues when it comes to buying comics.....) Anyway, if you're only going to buy only one issue of What If..? , you may as well get the best one; the one that started it all... and you should probably get it from me (at the Con).
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The INCREDIBLE HULK
# 271
Okay, so this is technically a 'key' issue because it's the first appearance of Rocket Raccoon, but c'mon.... Rocket Raccoon? Although I enjoyed this comic and even have a few issues of Rocky's own series, I realize that this isn't exactly for everyone. It's pretty goofy talking animal stuff, with the Hulk dropped in from outer space. The Hulk sure logged a lot of light years around the universe in the Bronze Age.... seems like every other month he'd arrive on a different planet and kick some alien ass. In this case, he's beating up on evil talking rabbits and making friends with a Raccoon and a Walrus. All this to free the world from the clutches of a megalomaniacal mole.......
Yeah, it's weird. But fun!
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GREEN LANTERN /
GREEN ARROW
# 112
I don't have much to say about this comic, because I haven't actually read it. I like Green Lantern just fine, and his teaming up with Green Arrow was one of the smartest things DC Comics had ever done in the Bronze Age. I want to read this comic, but the thing is, when I bought it, I started to take it out of the bag and noticed that it was too perfect to handle. The pages were still so crisp and the cover and spine were completely flawless - it felt like the cover had never been opened before. I immediately (and carefully) put it back in its bag and have not touched it since. Definitely in at least NM (9.4) .
Add to that the fact that it's a key issue for re-telling the origin of Green Lantern, well, it's pretty valuable for a Bronze book.
It just sucks that I can't read it.... I'll reserve that pleasure for whoever buys it. I'll pick up a crappy copy to read for myself.
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Marvel Super
Heroes
SECRET WARS
# 1
This in itself is not a particularly valuable comic, but the whole 12-issue series is awesome - one of my favorite 'events' in the Marvel Universe. A handful of the most powerful heroes and villains are whisked away to another world to battle for the ultimate prize. Issue #1 sets up the whole thing, and is noteable for that, but the real gem in the series is....
Marvel Super
Heroes
SECRET WARS
# 8
This is the real and true beginning of Spider-Man's 'black suit' storyline. The suit is of course an alien symbiote that Spidey sort of accidentally bonds with after his normal costume is shredded in battle with the bad guys on the Beyonder's planet. The alien symbiote did not conveniently crash-land on earth inside a meteor as depicted in the film Spider-Man 3. This here is the real deal.
If you're familiar with Spidey and the black suit, you know that it starts to try to control him and he tries a few times to get rid of it, finally doing so in Web of Spider-Man #1 (another great Bronze key issue, which I also have for sale). The symbiote then moves on to another host - Eddie Brock, a.k.a. Venom. This is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man #300, an uber-valuable issue which sadly I do not have.
I do have the entire series of Secret Wars, and I'll probably want to sell it as a set, but I might let #8 go individually for the right price.
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The Mighty
THOR
# 337
I'm sure I've mentioned this comic on my blog before, so I won't bore you with a description of the story. Let's just say that it's a key issue because it's the first appearance of Beta Ray Bill (depicted on the AWESOME cover). It also marks the beginning of an excellent run of Thor written and drawn by Walt Simonson. This is some of his best work and certainly the coolest that the series ever got, in my opinion. Simonson had a way to portray, through his stories and (especially) artwork, the epic feel that a character like Thor deserved. The current writers and artists on the title are pretty amazing too but nothing beats the Simonson run. At the time when issue #337 came out, it sold out quickly and shot up in value within a couple of months. This is noteable to me as the first time during my comic buying years that I remember seeing an issue on the shelves at regular price (.75c in Canada) one week, and then suddenly selling for something like $30 a month later.
If you're unfamiliar with the character, do yourself a favor and buy a whole bunch of Thor comics (from me) before you see the movie next year. Then you'll see what Thor is really supposed to be like, and you'll have a reason to complain.....
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As I said, these are but a few....Bronze Age comics make up the bulk of what I have for sale, and I have a pretty good selection spanning the entire era. More Marvel than DC of course, but all good....I wouldn't try to sell you crap!!
Feel free to comment on the blog, and I hope to see you this Halloween! All comics and photos (at least the ones of my own) are for sale from me at negotiable prices, so contact me for more info. If you can't get to the con, email me for some prices.
Thanks again for your time. On behalf of Rebel Alliance Canada
(still an Alliance of One)
May the Force be with you...
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