Redartz: Welcome, everyone, to another little nook in our BitBA library: "Adventures in Comics". Under this banner, Martinex1 and I will be doing a little storytelling. Specifically, tales of our experiences in, with, and about comics. And, of course, we look forward to hearing about your experiences in response! Incidentally, let me take this opportunity to emphasize: we love your input and suggestions. If you have an idea, or a post you'd like to present, or a story of your own, please email us at backinthebronzeage@gmail.com . We'd love to hear from you!And now, to the subject for today: Comics we've received as gifts. You may recall our recent "Black Friday" post regarding what comic material you'd give someone. Today is the flip side; what treasures have you been the recipient of? My 3 stories follow...
When I first got hooked on comics, my parents weren't entirely convinced of the wisdom therein. But as antique collectors,it wasn't long before they were right on board with me. This hit home for me one weekend, when they returned home from an antiquing excursion. Among their pickups was a small bundle of comics; about 6 miscellaneous comics from the late 50's. One, I recall, was a Dell Giant Bugs Bunny issue. They had bought me vintage comics for collecting, as opposed to a newsstand book for a quick read on a trip. It was so gratifying that they recognized and supported my enthusiasm for the hobby. For years afterward we would watch for each other's interests as we worked our way through flea markets and antique malls.
A few years later, they gave me a biggie for Christmas: Avengers #1! My collection had grown quite a bit over the first few years, and my Dad was kind enough to drag me and my collecting buddy to the comic shop every now and then. On one of those trips I pointed out a few cool books, and lo and behold: come Christmas morning, one flat package opened to reveal that Lee/Kirby classic! Looking back from today's perspective, it's humbling to me how supportive they were, especially in an era when comics still carried a certain "throwaway" stigma among the greater populace. My comic hobby could never have been as rewarding had it not been for all their help and kindness. And boy, I wish I still had that book; it was another casualty in my early 90's selloff (you know, young parenthood, pay the bills, all that sort of thing).
The final story involves my youngest son. When he was a boy, I used to take him with me to work from time to time, as I worked alone in a frame shop. He would occupy himself with a supply of Legos, or toys, or comics (SOMEONE got him started reading those things). At lunch we would make a run down the street to a comic and ballcard shop, and pick up a few goodies. He was probably about 7 at the time. Anyway, that year he apparently got together with his mother and plotted a surprise. On Christmas morning, he gave me a small package; inside were two comics he'd picked out for me himself! One was Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #1, with Dr. Octopus. The other was Spectacular Spider-Man #77, with the Gladiator. He managed to get them on one of our trips without my knowledge. Knowing my fondness for the web-slinger, he picked a couple of winners for his old man. Those books still hold honored places in my comic bookshelf.
Yes, I've been very fortunate to have friends and family who have aided my collection many times and in many ways. How about you: did you ever open up any Christmas packages to find comic goodness awaiting? Gift us all with your stories!
