Comic Collecting
I've been collecting since I was a sophomore in high school (1984). I have a few initial issues, like New Mutants (Marvel), Blue Devil (DC) and Star Man (DC). I also have the issue of Spiderman where he has a change of costumes, to the white on black suit.
I have approximately 2500 comics in my storage shelter. I also have around 500 here with me in Japan, uncatalouged. I collect comics because of the artwork. Besides, after reading some of the storylines, some are very interesting.
My favorite Marvel comics titles are The Submariner, The Mighty Thor, Iron Man, Spiderman, The Uncanny Xmen, The Avengers, Silver Surfer, and Captain Marvel. My favorite DC comics are: Hawk and Dove, The Teen Titans (now Titans), Firestorm, and JLA. Most of those are "old school," and I'll wager that some of you Generation X types haven't seen or heard of those titles.
My favorite characters are Wolverine, Rogue, Thor, Iron Man, Namorita of the New Warriors, and Spiderman.
The coolest comic series I've seen thus far was printed back in the late 80s, Star Brand. This comic dealt more with real life topics...I mean, yeah, how many people get superpowers in real life? BUT, this particular comic theme dealt more with ordinary type people making bad decisions in life, making bad decisions with their newfound power and things of a similar nature. You don't see all that many comic books now that focus as much on the bad parts of a character's life as the good he does (at least with Marvel and DC...dunno about the other comic makes). The power that the main character uses is actually a transferrable tattoo that the wearer controls. It gives you almost infinite speed, invulnerability, and strength. The wearer has to be confident when using his power or the power wanes.
I tend to lean more toward Marvel when it comes to taste in artwork and characters. The only thing I hate about Marvel is the fact that they are putting out so many new characters that it's hard to keep track, especially in the mutant arena. Also, some of the mutant powers they come up with are a bit cheesy....for instance, the character 'Maggot.' He used to be one of the Xmen's heavy hitters, another strong man. He had these creatures that look like huge blue cockroaches that would eat anything at his bidding.
What I've noticed lately also (in the last year or so) is the way Marvel is printing it's artwork. The coloring is nasty in some books.....it just sucks. The artwork also looks kinda funky in a few books. It's almost like they are relying too much on today's technology. I realize this is the Computer Age and that computers are being used for almost anything, but it's starting to detract from the comics' traditional looks. The first thing I look for when I'm at the comic stand at a store is the artwork and coloring. If it looks crappy, I don't buy it, no matter what comic it is and what topic it's covering. I collect mainly for the artwork.
Also, I've heard a rumor that DC is coming down hard on websites using their logos and artwork. What's all this about? In this day and age, comic books aren't that popular and DC starts hammering their fans? We'll see how DC's outlook on things change when they finally figure out that they are hurting the hands that are feeding them.
On that note, I've just read the latest Justice League and I'm seriously stoked that DC casted the Hawk and Dove characters, though the characters were only back for an issue or two. Come to think of it, I only saw Dove...I'd thought Hawk was the main bad guy of that issue but it turned out to be some other baddie. I cut my comicbook teeth on Hawk and Dove! My only problem is that it is hard to keep current with titles here in Japan. The military stores will carry one title on a given month and the next month won't carry that title. This problem includes all magazines. I'm seriously thinking on subscribing for some of my favorite comics and mags.
I used to watch
The Submariner, The Almighty Thor, The Incredible Hulk, and Iron Man on television
as cartoons when I was a small kid. They used to air on the Armed Forces Network
in Europe when we lived there. I guess that's why I now have a comic fetish.
Since I've married, I've had to tone down on the purchase of comics. When I
was single and a young Private in the U.S. Army, I would get paid every 2 weeks
and I would spend up to $50 on comics every payday. Comics were cheap back then.
Back in 1984, a single mainstream comic would cost approximately $1. Now, comics
run upward of $2, and even more for an Annual.
What I haven't seen in ages is the Marvel Universe catalogs that cover every
single Marvel entity and their history, from A-Z. I have one set that I bought
at a comic shop about 12 years ago, though it's not a complete set...I think
I'm missing one issue. Those catalogs are awesome! I recommend you grab a set
if you see one.
Here are a few comic book sites. Let me know if any of the links are down:
UPDATE: I checked the links above about
an hour ago and NONE were working any longer. I don't know how long they'd been that way but
I just finished fixing them (as of 3 April 2002, 6PM). The link subjects stayed the same, but the
links themselves changed. It wasn't all that difficult to find new links and link them. I'm
sorry that it took me so long to check the links for functionality.
1.
WIGGLIT's Xanga Web Log
2. Motorcycles
3. Cars I've Owned
4. Other Hobbies
5. Drag Results
6. Impressions of Japan
7. TALON LINKS !!!
8. MISCELLANEOUS LINKS !!!
9. SCC Is Unprofessional
10. What Stock DSMs are good
for in Quarter Mile Times
11. WIGGLIT's Archives
12. Lt. Sinclair's Enemy Engaged:
Comanche Vs. Hokum Page
13. Wigglit's Bio Page
Copyright
© 2001-2004, Ronald Sinclair
Revised: 22 March 2004
URL: http://www.unixfool.com