Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I've recently re-discovered my love of comic books. I hadn't bought one since about '82; that's when the X-Men story arc I was into got just too convoluted and difficult to keep up with, with all the other titles I had to buy in order to get the whole story. Now, with all the Marvel movies and television shows, as well as all the other TV shows referencing comics, I thought I'd take a look back. The wife is a full-on Marvel geek-ette. This time, I've decided to focus on war comics, mostly because they have complete, non-serialized stories. I don't think I'll gather a huge collection; just a choice selection. Of course, I like the Naval variety best and I'm starting out collecting all 18 issues of DC's Capt. Storm. I got the wife a subscription to Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Rocket Racoon for me. The wife's birthday is coming up in June and I got her a copy of Tales of Adventure #77 (Iron Man and Capt. America) with the first appearance of Peggy Carter (she loves that character).

Has anyone else applied their hunter-gatherer skills to the pursuit of picture books?

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Back about the time Gutenberg invented The Fantastic Four I read a lot of comics, mainly your standard DC superheroes but also war comics like Capt. Storm and The Haunted Tank. Then, in drug-addled college daze, me and my afro'ed bro Luke Cage tripped into Marvel with the likes of Thor, Hulk, and Dr. whoa Strange. Following a long hiatus, Superman's untimely passing brought me back into the fold as a celebrant in comic's version of the cigar boom . . . a sad and frightful time indeed, Spawn-ing many new players and stirring up much foolishness. (Anybody remember pogs? No? I didn't think so, and that's good.) Thus, as delight mutated into disgust, I again followed Stan Lee's footsteps into the sunset, save for an annual raid on Free Comic Book Day.

A few years back, hearing of the ire and anger from the faithful vented towards DC for daring to publish a Before Watchman series . . . hey, Moore-heads are as loyal as any Gaimanite or Whovian, and meaner too, like Alan . . . my contrarian nature sucked, or suckered, me back in. Yes, I did the DC and Marvel thing, and still dip my toe into a smattering of their titles, but as both rely too much now upon multi-issue multi-title multi-month events now, forcing a reader to mortgage the house in order to get the whole story, I now find my geek mainly with the bit-players of pulp fiction, your non-standard valiant dark horse images of the genre. Not only are their offerings more focused and constrained, making them more affordable, they are also more literary and mature, two things (well, at least ONE thing) I myself am today. And Wednesdays, without fail, remain New Comic Book Day.

Or, short answer: Yes.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I would suggest subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. It's pretty much Netflix for Marvel titles. Almost the whole X-Men run is on there, as well as The Avengers, Iron Man, Thor, well more than I could read in a read in a lifetime.
But it's a good way to read rare comics I could never afford in real life.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

There's also a number of places you can read comics free. For instance:

http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/

https://digital.darkhorse.com/free/

https://www.comixology.com/free-comics

http://www.drivethrucomics.com/index.php

There's more, but that oughta keep you busy for a bit. :D

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Thanks guys! I've looked at Marvel Unlimited but I want to avoid the super heroes because I'm already following the movies and TV shows. I opted for a Rocket Racoon subscription because I know nothing of the franchise and therefore can't be disappointed. One thing that strikes me is the modern cover art; It's like they're trying to be "artsy". I miss the old gaudy colors and graphics. I got 10 Capt. Storm comics in the mail today so I've got to get them in bags tonight. :cl

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

So if I read you right, Darren, here's your Thing.

http://observationdeck.io9.com/bring...one-1696025035


:D

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

As long as they didn't try to go high-brow, that would rock!

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

High-brow? From a superhero who's catchphrase is "It's clobberin' time!"? Not bloody likely. :r

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

What I mean is, I would hope they kept it old-school with the graphics and such. However, I may start accumulating the vintage ones.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

As you've likely discovered, there's not much of a "collector's market" for titles like Capt. Storm, meaning you can acquire these vintage titles for a relatively small investment. The same is true for stuff like this, so you could probably find them for a buck or three each.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I just scored a dozen nice copies of Two in One on the 'bay for about $15, delivered, thanks for the tip! :noon
I've found that Capt. Storms can be a bit pricy for nice copies. I'm guessing that they may not have been very popular, hence the short 18 issue run. Having been a Sailor, they appeal to me. I got ten in the mail just yesterday and have five more coming, two are doubles. The ten cost me about $80, delivered. I've seen VF/VF+ singles go for $35, $60 and $100. There's a sharp drop off at VG+/Fine; in the $15 neighborhood, and that's where I'm hovering.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/pictur...pictureid=8819

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Nice score on those old Marvels, brother. Glad to be of "help" pushing you further down the slope. :r

Didn't realize that Capt. Storm had increased in value so much. Must be a recent boost, as they were all-but worthless before. Guess it's a good thing I bagged and boarded my old ones years ago. :tu

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I used to read G.I. Combat when I was a kid. Loved me some Haunted Tank!

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

This one's for you, Andy.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...&hsimp=yhs-001

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

have you ever heard of the Mile High collection? I only read the story today but heard about it ages ago when I was a kid collecting comics. Fascinating read- comic shop owner gets a call to haul away treasure trove of "old books" destined for the dump. Tens of thousands of Golden Age comics- every comic book printed from 1937- to the late 40's plus more.

http://www.milehighcomics.com/tales/cbg12.html

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Fascinating story. A mile too long, but fascinating.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I also got eleven of those in the mail last week along with ten Weird War Tales; nice copies, cheap. :tu I'm in "hunter gatherer" mode. Whee! :adam

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I need to get current on The Walking Dead, last issue I read online was #134 or #135, just read they are up to #141 :jd

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Actually, #140 hit the shops yesterday, so you're not quite that far behind. :r

And no, though I grabbed a number of Image titles this NCBD, this was not one. I don't do zombies. :D

Here's the latest Image link.

https://imagecomics.com/comics/new-r...13d5-156455117

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Lol, ok thanks

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Da nada, bro.

To be honest, I did collect the first issues of this zombie title, as it was too odd to miss:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife_with_Archie

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Love the title heh

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

You like that, Mickey? Well, this comes out next week. :r

http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/...ator-1-preview

FYI, the artist Fernando Ruiz will be in my local shop on the 25th to sign copies. :)

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

No Sgt. Rock or Unkown Soldier yet?

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Or Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos, apparently.

Yes, THAT Fury, when he was still white. :D

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

You may not know Superman is flying out of Metropolis, but they know it in The Baxter Building.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/...ye-to-new-york

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Here's your weekly preview of what is hitting the racks this Wednesday. Click on the blue Item Code next to a title you find interesting, and check out a few pages on those in orange highlights.

http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/952

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Jeez, I feel horrible reading all this cool stuff. All I ever had was Richy Rich and The Archies.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

What? No Little Lulu or Hot Stuff? Not even Uncle Scrooge?

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Thanks Thomas! That's good info to have. I got in 28 Marvel Two-in-One's a few days ago and a Captain Storm #2 today. :banger I'm still waiting for another 12 Two-in-One's. Thanks for turning me on to them. :tu

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

:r

You're welcome? Glad I pushed you further down the dangerous slope. Collecting comics is a perfidious habit which can easily become an addictive obsession.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

You don't say...:hm

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

For me, it was Sgt. Fury, Sgt. Rock, G.I. Combat around the early to mid 60's. I believe around 64 or 65, a really cool short lived series appeared called M.A.R.S. Patrol Total War. I was living in India at the time when the series appeared, and read the first two comics in the series, and then could not find any more. Really enjoyed Total War:tu

Yeah, I'll confess too. Richy Rich and I'll thrown in Casper the Friendly Ghost:rolleyes:

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I have a bunch of G.I. Combat and Weird War, too. I tend toward the war books because they usually contain complete stories and not serials. This is gettin' bad, quick. :r

I just looked up M.A.R.S. Patrol Total War, the 'bay has bunches of them!

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

:D...I know Darren!

Wiki has a nice summary about the M.A.R.S. Patrol series:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.A.R.S._Patrol_Total_War

My imagination ran wild with this comic, as I thought, how easy (during this period in time possibly) it would have been for an unknown invading force to invade the USA, have gas stations, natural gas/oil, food, distribution centers conveniently located for their utilization during a strike.

Always thought this would have made an interesting movie series, especially with todays special effects capabilities...

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Ah comics, another fun hobby. I used to buy but they just got so expensive :)

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

For a sad reason, some of those Marvel Team-Ups may have just increased in value.

http://comicsalliance.com/herb-trimp...letter_4573509

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Did you get your copy of Archie Vs. Predator yet? No? Well maybe you are holding out for this.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/ar...aking_bulletin


:lr

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

The linky quoted updates automatically each week, so you'll find this Wednesday's new releases there. I mentioned Uncle Scrooge above, and not totally by happenstance. :D

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I saw that, but I'm not an Archie fan. Bizarre stuff, though. I'm focusing primarily on vintage stuff but my one concession to modern comics is a subscription to Rocket Racoon.

Mark: You know, Hollywood ran out of new ideas years ago, so maybe...

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Understandably, it is difficult to get one's mind around preconceptions of a new-and-different Archie, for both the few rabid fans and the much-larger group of scoffing detractors. Yet I'll point out that the first issue of Archie Vs. Predator was universally hailed by reviewers as among, if not THE, best comic released last week. Who'd a'thunk? Maybe this wise man would.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKeUNmRShlU

:D

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

There are a double-handful of sites where one can get news and updates on comics and related media, but this one is the closest to the mindset of The Asylum. :D


http://www.theouthousers.com/

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

This is gonna seem like splitting hairs but...I'm not happy with the new style art work. It's not that it's not good, it is, but it doesn't give me the same pleasure as the comics I grew up with. It seems as though they're trying too hard.
BTW, I like Zack, he's a good peripheral character.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Darren, you are free to like or dislike anything you choose. But Jack Kirby and Curt Swan are dead, and won't be penciling any new pages. Joe Kubert is dead too, but his sons and his school live on, with said school producing artists who'd like to eat on occasion. As a number of these are neighbors of mine, I don't mind helping them a tiny bit by buying comics not yet yellowed with age. That's just me. :D

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Good new and odd news for you Marvel fans out there.

http://marvel.com/penny?utm_source=N...arvelUnlimited

That's the good news. The odd?

http://www.comicbookresources.com/ar...aking_bulletin

Really? Not exactly type-casting, you ask me.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I have started to read more modern comics. I have a sub to Moon Knight and also buy Unbeatable Squirrel Girl from Marvel as well as Providence and War Stories from Avatar.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Providence? You mean the new Alan Moore title? Yeah, I grabbed issue 2 today myself.

I found a NSFW explanation for that strange Spider-Man casting. No nudity, sorry, but some foul farkin' language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPpsI8mWKmg

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Yes! It's based on H.P. Lovecraft's stories. I love the cover art on these. I used to read him a lot in the Navy. I didn't think that #2 was out yet; time to hit the LCS.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

Amongst many announcements at Comic Con was the following.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/ar...aking_bulletin

Cool, or lame? I'm torn.

Re: Comic Books (Like I need another slope)
 

I've never followed either title but both have a big following; I'm sure they'll have a market. At least the Turtles will have someone to pay for all the pizza.

Speaking of Comic Con, Haley Atwell (Agent Carter) is gonna be at Boston this year. Sadly we can't make it.