Imagine Scotty beams you into the middle of Chicago Comic con in 3 weeks. You have $100 in your pocket b/c you auctioned off your kidney. What do you buy?
If you don't like that one... When was the last time you were in a comic store (or approximation there of)? What did you buy?
My kidney only fetched $100-?? Geeze, I know I'm no prime specimen, but. . . that's it. . . ? And gosh--- $100 doesn't go anywhere near so far as it used to in the Comic Book world-- heck, if someone is buying 20 to 25 titles a month, that's what they're putting down. EVERY MONTH! (Whole different discussion, that---).
I would probably try to track down low-grade copies of the couple of NOT BRAND ECCH issues I'm missing. Catch-up/fill-in the various runs of ASTRO CITY. Ditto with JSA/Justice Society. I think. . . I think I would be kinda sad to be there, really. I don't "need" more comics, so the thrill of acquiring them has faded almost completely. What I have now does fulfill me, y'know? (Sorry to be kinda melancholy, CH47!)
Last in a LCS just two or three weeks ago to pick up a couple of storage boxes-- but that really was the first time in months. . . if not years. A very different type of store than they used to be. Zero floor space given over to back-issues now-- all about new books, collections, and TONS of merchandise. The nostalgia/collecting vibe is almost entirely absent. Much more main-stream appeal, I'd say.
Chicago Comic Con- Photo op with Gillian Anderson, that's all I need. Hey, I literally gave my left kidney to meet Gillian, HA!
Last time in a comic shop was last winter. The local shop was having a going out of business sale so I picked up a bunch of Marvel Masterworks #1's: Thor, Uncanny X-Men, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Sub-Mariner. Also got 3 or 4 pint glasses. All of it for 70% off!
HB is right, you could go through that 100 dollars mighty quickly. Anyway, I would probably try to get a sketch by one of the artists attending the show, which would probably leave me about 50 dollars. With that I'd pick up a "Sugar and Spike" and finish off with scouring the dollar boxes for some Bronze age readers.
Last time I was in a comic shop was last month. Bought the Batman wedding issue, a few other miscellaneous new comics, and couple back issues (a "Spawn" issue for my son, and an "Adventure Comics" issue with Black Orchid for myself). Unlike the store HB mentioned, and some others I've been in, this store has a very large back issue section with a nice, and ever changing, selection.
I was at my local LCS last week, and I'm going there again tomorrow. I'm as regular as Norm at Cheers.
$100 at a con can pretty much be scrounging money. I might be able to find those last few issues of Spider-Woman to finish out that series. Maybe an old Justice League or Avengers. But nothing more than say $50 worth before I head to that $1.00 back issues area and flip through the long boxes looking to fill in gaps.
I think with shopping at a convention you'd really want to focus on things that weren't otherwise readily available (at a reasonable price) via Amazon, ebay, MileHigh, or a zillion other internet resources. So, like, special convention-only deals on back-issues or TPB's/omnibuses; original art/hand-colored prints (HBSon got me a nifty Neal Adams Hulk print, signed and colored, at a local convention awhile back); and possibly "rare" books or merchandise that might not be offered on-line anywhere.
I'm of the age now where attending panels might even be the main draw, rather than the vendors. . .
Hmmm, interesting questions. It's been a while since my last LCS trip, since there's no comic store close to me. (I guess that removes the "L" from LCS in my case); plus the internet has made it a lot easier to get comics these days.
I'm not sure what I'd buy at a con; I'd have to look around and see what was on offer (and $100 doesn't go too far these days!) If it was in Chicago, I might hold back a few bucks and go out for pizza.
Okay, maybe I should have held out for $150 for the kidney?
I am thinking I may buy a classic Avengers or two for $100. Or, perhaps plug a few holes in my FF collection of early Cap America collection. Then again, maybe I can beg some dealer to sell me a Cpt Marvel Jr with a beautiful Mac Raboy cover golden-ager?
The LCSs by me are all carrying the $1 Marvel reprints of classic stories. I scored Marvel Super Heroes #10 reprint (only the Cap Marvel story is reprinted) last Saturday. It was reprinted because it introduces Carol Danvers. Man, I dig the sense of the story, the Colan art and the Sentry going beserk. But Stan/ Roy have enough holes in that story to drive a Sentry through, lol.
$100 to spend at ChicagoCon. I'd probably try to find the Walgreens exclusive Thing Marvel Legend figure. It's not in stores in the U.S. yet, but they are selling on EBay from overseas buyers right now for around $50-$60. (Too rich for my blood). But if I had an extra $100 that I had to spend at a Con, I'd probably walk around and see if any of the vendors had one for sale.
The last time I was in my LCS was about 2 months ago (I think). I had not been there in quite a while (9 months or more), and I was passing right by there so I decided to drop in. I looked around for a while, but I actually didn't buy anything. These days I mostly buy action figures of classic Marvel and DC characters (and they didn't have anything that I needed).
As for books, I don't even buy trade paperbacks anymore. (I have an entire bookcase overflowing with them already). So these days I mostly get my comic reading material in digital format for my Kindle. I like the convenience of having all my books on one handy device that I can take with me anywhere. Plus, you can get some amazing deals on Amazon and Comixology. They have huge sales all the time on TPB collections for like 50%-70% off what the printed versions costs. For example I just picked up two "Avengers West Coast" volumes that feature John Byrne's entire run on the series for $5.99 each. And a little while back I downloaded "Avengers vs. Thanos", (which features over 20 classic comics) for FREE. Plus tons of other stuff. When they have these sales you can also purchase the single issues for .99¢. It's instant gratification with no waiting or shipping charges.
Well, I took the proceeds from my body part sales and plopped $20 on an Overstreet Guide for 2018-2019.
Not sure why... rather Pavlovian I suspect since I am intending to do the Chicago Comicon in 3 weeks and I always used to take one with me so I would not overpay for my impulse buys, lol.
I mean who wants to lug that thing around when I can google it on the smartphone? On the other hand the book makes for interesting reading when I'm doing the Archie Bunker Reading Room thing... lol.
Hey - ACS TV is running back-to-back Ronnie Wood hour-long shows tonight for all you Silver and Bronze age rockers! Mick Simply Red Hucknall is a guest for portion of one of them. Looks pretty fun.
Recent experience at Washington DC's own Awesome Con: I bought a beautiful print of Wonder Woman (based on Gal Gadot) by Neal Adams, which he signed for me on the spot! I was in heaven. That is the only time I've bought something other than comics at these things.
Last trip to a LCS: A couple of months ago to pick-up Action #1,000. And, by the way, Detective Comics #1,000 is not too far in the future (maybe a few months).
What would I spend my $100 bucks on? Typically, I get a few Silver and Bronze Age items, both DC and Marvel. I've recently been picking up early to mid-1960s Aquaman and Hawkman issues by Nick Cardy and Murphy Anderson respectively. I'll usually pick up one or two early Avengers issues (Stan Lee and Don Heck), and maybe a couple of Fantastic Fours. I just finished completing my run of Avengers #100 through 200, and a fair number of the mid-70s Fantastic Four are usually welcome. I also just got all of Byrne's short run on The Hulk from the 1980s, and I'm starting to fill in gaps in my Byrne FF run. These are usually pretty affordable.
Then, after the $100 is spent, I'll start digging into my food and gas money and get a bunch of $1 to $2 comics from the 1990s (Kyle Rayner Green Lantern by Ron Marz, Peter David-scripted Aquaman, etc.).
Sometimes I'll pick up a "Good" or "Fair" Golden Age comic, but but that would blow the whole $100 and more.
If my budget for a convention is $100, I can pretty much guarantee that I'll spend twice that. I'll find a way.
Charlie- can't blame you for picking up that Overstreet Guide. They do make perfect 'leaf through' reading. Also great for researching artists, appearances, series runs, and so on...
Terry From VA--- whereabouts in Virginia wouldja be, if you don't mind bein' asked? I'm assuming Northern VA, since you did make it in to AwesomeCon in downtown DC. . .
Say, totally random convention question. . . is there any such thing as tasty cuisine ever served at these events? I'm assuming with the truly captive clientele that it would usually trend toward lowest-grade fare for highest-sustainable prices. Like ballparks, say.
Since you asked so nicely: I've been in Alexandria for 4 years after almost 20 years in Arlington. Born in DC a looonnggg time ago. And I've been a volunteer/staff worker for Awesome Con since their first event in 2013!
T in VA-- Well heck, I was just in Old Town Alexandria on Wed evening, in fact. (Audition at 129 S. Royal St). There is no doubt that we've trod the same by-ways at some point. . . !
15 comments:
Hey Folks,
Imagine Scotty beams you into the middle of Chicago Comic con in 3 weeks. You have $100 in your pocket b/c you auctioned off your kidney. What do you buy?
If you don't like that one... When was the last time you were in a comic store (or approximation there of)? What did you buy?
Cheers!
My kidney only fetched $100-??
Geeze, I know I'm no prime specimen, but. . . that's it. . . ?
And gosh--- $100 doesn't go anywhere near so far as it used to in the Comic Book world-- heck, if someone is buying 20 to 25 titles a month, that's what they're putting down. EVERY MONTH! (Whole different discussion, that---).
I would probably try to track down low-grade copies of the couple of NOT BRAND ECCH issues I'm missing. Catch-up/fill-in the various runs of ASTRO CITY. Ditto with JSA/Justice Society. I think. . . I think I would be kinda sad to be there, really. I don't "need" more comics, so the thrill of acquiring them has faded almost completely. What I have now does fulfill me, y'know? (Sorry to be kinda melancholy, CH47!)
Last in a LCS just two or three weeks ago to pick up a couple of storage boxes-- but that really was the first time in months. . . if not years. A very different type of store than they used to be. Zero floor space given over to back-issues now-- all about new books, collections, and TONS of merchandise. The nostalgia/collecting vibe is almost entirely absent. Much more main-stream appeal, I'd say.
HB
Chicago Comic Con- Photo op with Gillian Anderson, that's all I need.
Hey, I literally gave my left kidney to meet Gillian, HA!
Last time in a comic shop was last winter. The local shop was having a going out of business sale so I picked up a bunch of Marvel Masterworks #1's: Thor, Uncanny X-Men, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Sub-Mariner. Also got 3 or 4 pint glasses. All of it for 70% off!
HB is right, you could go through that 100 dollars mighty quickly. Anyway, I would probably try to get a sketch by one of the artists attending the show, which would probably leave me about 50 dollars. With that I'd pick up a "Sugar and Spike" and finish off with scouring the dollar boxes for some Bronze age readers.
Last time I was in a comic shop was last month. Bought the Batman wedding issue, a few other miscellaneous new comics, and couple back issues (a "Spawn" issue for my son, and an "Adventure Comics" issue with Black Orchid for myself). Unlike the store HB mentioned, and some others I've been in, this store has a very large back issue section with a nice, and ever changing, selection.
I was at my local LCS last week, and I'm going there again tomorrow. I'm as regular as Norm at Cheers.
$100 at a con can pretty much be scrounging money. I might be able to find those last few issues of Spider-Woman to finish out that series. Maybe an old Justice League or Avengers. But nothing more than say $50 worth before I head to that $1.00 back issues area and flip through the long boxes looking to fill in gaps.
I think with shopping at a convention you'd really want to focus on things that weren't otherwise readily available (at a reasonable price) via Amazon, ebay, MileHigh, or a zillion other internet resources. So, like, special convention-only deals on back-issues or TPB's/omnibuses; original art/hand-colored prints (HBSon got me a nifty Neal Adams Hulk print, signed and colored, at a local convention awhile back); and possibly "rare" books or merchandise that might not be offered on-line anywhere.
I'm of the age now where attending panels might even be the main draw, rather than the vendors. . .
HB
Hmmm, interesting questions. It's been a while since my last LCS trip, since there's no comic store close to me. (I guess that removes the "L" from LCS in my case); plus the internet has made it a lot easier to get comics these days.
I'm not sure what I'd buy at a con; I'd have to look around and see what was on offer (and $100 doesn't go too far these days!) If it was in Chicago, I might hold back a few bucks and go out for pizza.
Okay, maybe I should have held out for $150 for the kidney?
I am thinking I may buy a classic Avengers or two for $100. Or, perhaps plug a few holes in my FF collection of early Cap America collection. Then again, maybe I can beg some dealer to sell me a Cpt Marvel Jr with a beautiful Mac Raboy cover golden-ager?
The LCSs by me are all carrying the $1 Marvel reprints of classic stories. I scored Marvel Super Heroes #10 reprint (only the Cap Marvel story is reprinted) last Saturday. It was reprinted because it introduces Carol Danvers. Man, I dig the sense of the story, the Colan art and the Sentry going beserk. But Stan/ Roy have enough holes in that story to drive a Sentry through, lol.
$100 to spend at ChicagoCon. I'd probably try to find the Walgreens exclusive Thing Marvel Legend figure. It's not in stores in the U.S. yet, but they are selling on EBay from overseas buyers right now for around $50-$60. (Too rich for my blood). But if I had an extra $100 that I had to spend at a Con, I'd probably walk around and see if any of the vendors had one for sale.
The last time I was in my LCS was about 2 months ago (I think). I had not been there in quite a while (9 months or more), and I was passing right by there so I decided to drop in. I looked around for a while, but I actually didn't buy anything. These days I mostly buy action figures of classic Marvel and DC characters (and they didn't have anything that I needed).
As for books, I don't even buy trade paperbacks anymore. (I have an entire bookcase overflowing with them already). So these days I mostly get my comic reading material in digital format for my Kindle. I like the convenience of having all my books on one handy device that I can take with me anywhere. Plus, you can get some amazing deals on Amazon and Comixology. They have huge sales all the time on TPB collections for like 50%-70% off what the printed versions costs. For example I just picked up two "Avengers West Coast" volumes that feature John Byrne's entire run on the series for $5.99 each. And a little while back I downloaded "Avengers vs. Thanos", (which features over 20 classic comics) for FREE. Plus tons of other stuff. When they have these sales you can also purchase the single issues for .99¢. It's instant gratification with no waiting or shipping charges.
Well, I took the proceeds from my body part sales and plopped $20 on an Overstreet Guide for 2018-2019.
Not sure why... rather Pavlovian I suspect since I am intending to do the Chicago Comicon in 3 weeks and I always used to take one with me so I would not overpay for my impulse buys, lol.
I mean who wants to lug that thing around when I can google it on the smartphone? On the other hand the book makes for interesting reading when I'm doing the Archie Bunker Reading Room thing... lol.
Hey - ACS TV is running back-to-back Ronnie Wood hour-long shows tonight for all you Silver and Bronze age rockers! Mick Simply Red Hucknall is a guest for portion of one of them. Looks pretty fun.
From Terry in Virginia
$100 at a Comicon?
Recent experience at Washington DC's own Awesome Con: I bought a beautiful print of Wonder Woman (based on Gal Gadot) by Neal Adams, which he signed for me on the spot! I was in heaven. That is the only time I've bought something other than comics at these things.
Last trip to a LCS: A couple of months ago to pick-up Action #1,000. And, by the way, Detective Comics #1,000 is not too far in the future (maybe a few months).
What would I spend my $100 bucks on? Typically, I get a few Silver and Bronze Age items, both DC and Marvel. I've recently been picking up early to mid-1960s Aquaman and Hawkman issues by Nick Cardy and Murphy Anderson respectively. I'll usually pick up one or two early Avengers issues (Stan Lee and Don Heck), and maybe a couple of Fantastic Fours. I just finished completing my run of Avengers #100 through 200, and a fair number of the mid-70s Fantastic Four are usually welcome. I also just got all of Byrne's short run on The Hulk from the 1980s, and I'm starting to fill in gaps in my Byrne FF run. These are usually pretty affordable.
Then, after the $100 is spent, I'll start digging into my food and gas money and get a bunch of $1 to $2 comics from the 1990s (Kyle Rayner Green Lantern by Ron Marz, Peter David-scripted Aquaman, etc.).
Sometimes I'll pick up a "Good" or "Fair" Golden Age comic, but but that would blow the whole $100 and more.
If my budget for a convention is $100, I can pretty much guarantee that I'll spend twice that. I'll find a way.
Because I have to.
Charlie- can't blame you for picking up that Overstreet Guide. They do make perfect 'leaf through' reading. Also great for researching artists, appearances, series runs, and so on...
Terry From VA--- whereabouts in Virginia wouldja be, if you don't mind bein' asked? I'm assuming Northern VA, since you did make it in to AwesomeCon in downtown DC. . .
Say, totally random convention question. . . is there any such thing as tasty cuisine ever served at these events? I'm assuming with the truly captive clientele that it would usually trend toward lowest-grade fare for highest-sustainable prices. Like ballparks, say.
HB
Hey, Humanbelly:
Since you asked so nicely: I've been in Alexandria for 4 years after almost 20 years in Arlington. Born in DC a looonnggg time ago. And I've been a volunteer/staff worker for Awesome Con since their first event in 2013!
Terry in Virgina
T in VA-- Well heck, I was just in Old Town Alexandria on Wed evening, in fact. (Audition at 129 S. Royal St). There is no doubt that we've trod the same by-ways at some point. . . !
HB
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