Redartz: Hello again crew! To start with, given my fondness for alliteration, I was tempted to title this week's discussion " The Climax of Your Comics Fandom Career", but as 'climax' has certain other connotations, "pinnacle" was my choice. Granted, some of us may have a bit of experience with those rather 'adult' underground comix, so that other connotation might be relevant in some cases, but we'll keep this family friendly!
Anyway, onward. Over the course of several decades of comic fandom, I've had quite a few excellent experiences ;
Meeting some favorite professionals: especially William Messner-Loebs, whom I met at a convention in Dayton, Ohio. We had a great conversation, and I purchased a fine pen/ink drawing from him- he was the originator of one of my favorite "indie" comics of the 80's, "Journey".
Acquiring long sought-after treasures: for instance, finally locating a copy of the first comic I ever owned- an issue of "Casper's Ghostland" from 1967. The hard part was actually identifying the particular issue, then finding one. Not an expensive book, but some of those old humor books are tough to locate.
Discovering a book that really rocks you to the core: Upon reading Art Speigelman's "Maus", I was never the same again.
But if I had to name one event that was the ultimate best time I've had in comics, it would probably be taking my two sons to their first comic convention. Both of them had grown up knowing of my interest in comics, and that interest awakened in them as well. This culminated in the three of us piling into the car one Sunday morning in 2006 and driving to Chicago for Wizard World. They were both new collectors, and I was returning to collecting after a decade away. So it was an invigorating road trip: all of us discussing what we'd look to add to our collections, what pro's we'd meet, and just talking about comics in general. The 3 hour drive was a blast in itself, and when we got to the show, it just got exponentially better.
We accomplished all the things we'd discussed, among the highlights was meeting Todd McFarlane- who my older son absolutely idolized. We each came home with a stack of cool back issues, which we eagerly compared and ogled. And simply seeing their reaction to the gargantuan convention floor filled with everything comics- more than worth the price of admission.
That day remains one of the best days we all ever had together, and stands as the 'pinnacle' of my comics career. So you know what's coming next- it's your turn to consider, then discuss, the various high points of your years in the hobby. Can't wait to hear your stories...
15 comments:
Red - What a wonderful topic!
My pinnacle is rather simple...
It was laying in bed with my young son and daughter (probably around 5 and 7 years old) and reading Dennis the Menace to them.
This was Scotland's version published by D.C. THomson. It was one of their large, hardbound, annuals that were released each Christmas. We all laughed and laughed!
My kids did develop a taste for comics from that exposure, moving on to Archies. Their pinnacle was the Archie Married Betty and Archie Married Veronica series from maybe 10 years ago now? They still talk about it and how shocked they were that it was all "imaginary!" LOL
(Ironically both the US and Scotland Dennis the Menace made their first appearance on the same day like 65 years ago. But the Scottish Denis truly is a Menace, lol.)
Charlie is correct that the UK version of Dennis The Menace (and his faithful dog Gnasher) was created by the Scottish company D.C. Thompson but Dennis is famous and beloved over the whole of Great Britain.
I think my comics pinnacle was the day in July 1976 when I discovered American Marvel comics for the first time. I'd been reading Marvel comics since November 1974 (starting with Planet Of The Apes) but those were the British versions - b&w weeklies which reprinted the US comics and usually the story was split over two issues (but not always - sometimes the entire story would be printed in a single issue). Anyway, on this fateful day in July 1976 I was 10 years old and I was on a school day-trip to a zoo. During the journey the bus stopped so we could have a break, stretch our legs etc and I wandered into a newsagents (selling newspapers & magazines) and I saw to my astonishment that the shop also sold American Marvel comics (which weren't available back in my home town). It's difficult to describe how weird this experience was - I was already a huge Marvel fan so these comics were familiar yet alien at the same time. They were slightly smaller than the UK weeklies, they were IN COLOUR, they featured a single character (or team) in each issue rather than the anthology format of the UK Marvel weeklies and they were full of ads - every two pages, ads, ads, ads. So obviously I had to buy some of these strange-looking Marvel comics - I bought 10 (they were 10 pence each so I could get 10 for £1). The only two I can remember from that ten are Conan The Barbarian #62 and the Daredevil issue in which DD teams up with Uri Geller. Not long afterwards US Marvel comics started to become available in my home town but I'll never forget the day I first encountered them!
Hmmm, well, I've never been to a comic con, so maybe my pinnacle is still to come!
Actually, my other pinnacle was C2E2 in the March of 2019. The founders of this blog (Rob and Mike), Doug who founded The Bronze Age Babies blog that preceded this blog, along with Colin B from the UK, and moi got together to hit the convention and share a day of camaraderie! It was most enjoyable on so many levels. I'll never forget it!
Redartz, as my supreme comics-mania started in the early 60's and was in overdrive till late 70's (damn motorcycles, cars, "sex,drugs,and rock & roll..."), my pinnacles happened a few times at an early age.
Living in deep wilderness and only being exposed to civilization once or twice a month, the availability of comics was slim.
That and having frugal parents, the only money I could scavenge to buy books was from returnable bottles found along our country road & in couch cushions.
In 3rd & 4th grade my mom, who hates to prepare food, decided it would be easier for her to give us kids 30 cents for school-made lunches each day. I didn't eat lunch at all from grades 3 to 6. Just to have dough for comics.
I'd buy when I could, but the "pinnacle" was when my parents would let me go on my school's picnic at the Connieaute Amusement Park.
Great little park. Had quite a few fun rides. Wild Mouse, Hell Hole, Jungle Cruise, Airplanes, and more.
They also had "dark rides". A Funhouse, Devil's Den, & Dracula's Cave.
On the outside edge of the park they had an arcade. Loaded with pinball, and probably the first interactive video game where you gun-down outlaws on a big projection screen.
Saw my first motion pornography there, on a old viewing machine (kinescope?) and it took only pennies and it was hand cranking. After that, before going to the bus, was....
Kemper's Family General & Drug! Just right around the corner of the arcade!
They had a huge magazine rack BURSTING with comics!!! I made lunging sacks of quarters all day in my pants worth it!!! My pals and I would each take a small bale of books back to the bus.
After the first year I cashed in all that change first moment at customer service. Lol!
Had to set-up as a dealer at about a dozen comic cons, during the late 80's early 90's. Needed cash for motorcycle/car repair.
Hated selling pieces of my childhood.
Some fine storytelling today, guys! Many thanks.
Charlie- great call on both your tales. Reading with the little ones is always a deeply pleasurable activity, and it really promotes bonding. And I also agree with your enthusiasm for our C2E2 experience(S). Definitely a high point in my comics life as well. Truly amazing how something like comics can lead to substantial friendships. And, 2021 is getting closer (if Covid 19 allows)...
Colin- your comment about the abundance of ads in American comics made me smile. Over here we were used to having to skip over ad pages frequently to continue with the story. It was a strange sight to these eyes, the first time I encountered one of your UK editions- black and white with no ads! There seems to be a certain exotica to 'something different', as we experienced the same sensations from opposite sides of the issue...
Mike W- if you're ever down this way at convention time, I'll buy your ticket and we'll hit the local show. You just gotta experience one. And you make a fine point too; the best may yet lie ahead!
KD- love your story; comics at the amusement park- talk about fun overload! And no doubt the difficulty with which you acquired those comics made them all the more valuable to you...
Yeah, Redartz, during the course of my early collecting I could remember which store/shop I got each book from.
Guess that's why I started buying other folks collections in the early 80's. The economy wasn't very good, and I could pick up piles cheap. I got too read alot of issues I missed.
Man, I loved the ads in the comics from the silver/bronze age!
Though if I sent away for anything, and was usually disappointed with the product (using pennies better spent on comics), it was fun to get stuff in the mail.
Gotta give it up for Marvel, though, on their mail order items.
MMMS membership kit, poster and sticker offerings were well worth the dough that was scrounged up.
I ordered just one set of the 2 sets of statues offered by Marvel, as it took me time to scrap up the $1.50 + p/h.
They sent me BOTH SETS!! My mom told me "If they sent them to you, they're yours." I was exstatic!!
Still wish I hadn't sold them, but I got $300 for them when I really needed cash.
I'm afraid I don't really have a pinnacle. My comics-reading experience was more of a high plateau. However, my sister once had a letter printed in Spider-Man Comics Weekly, so I shall put that down as my pinnacle.
KD- you had the plastic Marvel figures? Impressive! I can sympathize with your regret at selling them, I've parted with many things that I wish I'd kept. But at least it sounds like you got a good price for them...
Steve DC- very cool about your sister. So she was a comic reader too? Excellent. Makes me wonder how many of us had siblings that shared our interest. My brother read a few comics, but I don't recall my sister ever doing so.
Apparently we've lost another great. Joe Sinnott reportedly passed away today. Condolences to his family, friends, and legions of fans. Rest well, Joe...
Surely Steve's pinnacle was creating Steve Does Comics.
Thank you, Colin. :)
Surely Steve's pinnacle was creating Steve Does Comics, and acquiring a bunch of goofballs that vex his site. Lol!
Joe Sinnott. I thank him for years of enjoyment. RIP.
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