A Old Man's Story

[HipHopHead]

Close your mouth

I started collecting comics back in the 1970's when they were 20 cents. I was introduced to comics through Marvel and the Hulk was my favorite. I read some DC titles, but Marvel was for me. For those who know the timeline of price increases, you can easily chart my story. Anywho, I would find a dollar, usually in dimes, nickles and pennies (if you have seen Steve Martin in the Jerk...you know how I was "born") Even better analogy would be The Message by GrandMaster Flash & Furious 5 "..broken glass everywhere, people *SQUEE* on the stairs cause they just don't care.."
I would go to the local shop, where the books where way in the back and from a distance point and pick. We were not allowed to touch the books in this particular store.

The price increased to 25 cents, not a problem I could still get my hands on 4 books. Then the price increased to 30 cents, now I was down to 3 books. This was hurting as my taste was growing from Hulk to include Avengers, Spider-man, Fantastic Four etc. Then I believe in 1977 the price went to "Only 35 Cents" and my hobby died. I used to be really *SQUEE* when Marvel or DC would release the over-sized $1 books. Superman vs Spider-Man, Tarzan only two I can recall as I type. I would buy one those and couldn't buy anything else most times.

In 1993, I was flipping through the channels and saw Stan Lee on HSN selling signed X-Men #1. I had not been following any comic books since 1977. In 1993 the speculator bubble was about to burst. I had a co-worker (aka my pusher) who owned a comic shop...allegedly. In reality he was a speculator, he had obtained a retailer licencse and was buying comics in bulk with hopes of flipping for a profit. He had purchased a lot of the early Valiant titles, but because he did not have a shop had trouble unloading. I think the first book I read was an X-O Manowar , I loved the story. I went back to my "pusher" asking for missing issues and he would pre-order the new issues I wanted.

Internet accessibility was in the beginning stages and comic news was traveling faster than ever before. Since I came back to comics after Jim Shooter had formed the company, I knew nothing about his time at Marvel as E-I-C. Yeah that's right never read Secret Wars. I stayed with Valiant even after the ouster of Shooter. I did follow Shooter to Broadway Comics, Defiant Comics and his brief run at Dark Horse.

I found the early Valiant Comics to be interesting stories with interesting characters. I was not familiar with Magnus, Solar or Turok, but Valiant made them interesting along with Eternal Warrior, Geomancer, Rai, Archer & Armstrong, Harbinger, Shadowman etc. The art of the early Valiant reminded me of the comics of the late 1960 early 1970, very little splash. I should mention they were also a little more expensive than the big 2, but well worth the extra price (like today).

I have been collecting/reading since 1993 and heading more towards digital. Easier to access than 75 long boxes.

I think I may have about 95% or more of all published Valiant Comics (not the Nintendo stuff ). I am really liking the new books. The panel at LBCC has whet my appetite for the upcoming story lines.

[FormerReader]

Welcome to the boards!

[caniac]

Welcome to the board

[caxiotis]

Welcome

[Dr. Solar]

Welcome to the bored!

Glad you made it here, is was a pleasure to meet you and chat with you at Long Beach

-Sean

[Daniel Jackson]

Welcome.

[comicsyte95]

Welcome

[pixierosa]

Welcome!

[Blood of Heroes]

Welcome to the bored!

Glad you made it here, is was a pleasure to meet you and chat with you at Long Beach

-Sean

x2

[Carson]

Welcome aboard! Always great to have new voices in here.

[lorddunlow]

Welcome, although you pre-date me by 2 years. I guess you're quite the lurker.

[HipHopHead]

Thank you everyone!!

Going to have to re-read my Vailant books so I can really be part of the Valiant conversation.

[betterthanezra]

Welcome

-Brian

[Spylocke]

Welcome to the boards.

[myron]

and you're not that old...

[StarBrand]

Welcome abroad, fellow 70s collector! I started when they were 20 cents as well.

[grendeljd]

Welcome, long time lurker, first time poster!

My collecting days don't go back quite as far as you... but I was getting my own comics around when they shifted from $0.75 - $0.95 an issue. So, don't be feeling too old - you're in pretty good veteran company around here

[Man Of The Atom]

My collecting days don't go back quite as far as you... but I was getting my own comics around when they shifted from $0.75 - $0.95 an issue.

HAHA, you guys are old.

[MarkRoseHFX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=221mohEolWc

Welcome

[HipHopHead]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=221mohEolWc

Welcome

Thanks for the Neil Young "Old Man" song

[MarkRoseHFX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=221mohEolWc

Welcome

Thanks for the Neil Young "Old Man" song

A cool song for a cool old man that likes Valiant