Tag: reading

It’s been too long

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I am long overdue for a post… so here we go. Last Fall my father in law fell, which is bad enough however he has Parkinson’s. He fell in his home among the hoard and my mother in law couldn’t help him up. This incident spiraled into 10 months (and going) of eldercare. I’ve not had much energy to do anything besides help take care of two people who thought they would never get old (man these folks are 86, I have no idea what they are thinking); and work as a woman of color in a stressful role managing a team of people while keeping leadership at bay. It’s a lot. I miss weekly comic shop visits and I believe that would relieve some of my stress, just that I don’t have a shop and I don’t have the energy. Since October of 2021, there have been 8 emergency room visits, 4 rehabs, 3 hospital stays and countless social workers, doctors and shitty caregivers. What’s hardest for me is that these are not my parents, they aren’t nurturing or warm, makes giving them my time even more difficult.

To salve my comic soul I troll Instagram and try to catch cool variant covers. Mind you beautiful variants are addicting and expensive but I try not to deny myself if I really want something because i really love this hobby so much. Not to mention life has thrown come crappy situations my way, comics are one of the few things that bring me joy.
I was in Lincoln Nebraska for work recently, as such took the opportunity to visit a local shop. I was on the hunt for 8 Billions Genies (late to the game after the Amazon Prime announcement, thus couldn’t find a copy in any local shops). I looked for a copy, instead of doing the sensible thing and asking when I walked into the store. Someone else at the store with me, saw the last copy and picked it up. Ahhh such is life. I did eventually find a copy in the wild, paid more than I should for it but oh was it worth the read. It’s been a while since I said, ‘damn’ out loud on every page. It’s a really good story, pick up the reprints or a digital copy if you can.

Rainbow Comics Cards & Collectibles, Lincoln NE

I subscribe to CovrPrice, it is an online price guide that uses past sales of comics as a marker for value. I’ve been slowly trying to add my 7000 plus collection to this site to get up to date market values for collectible insurance. I have a number of comics that I’d like to have cracked (unslabbed), pressed and resubmitted. That will come down the road. But for now I’ve been scouring my collection for hidden gems worth pressing and grading.

I’ve been playing Magic the Gathering Arena like an addict. Because it’s free to play and online, I can play whenever I want, day or night. I dont know why I’m so addicted as I loose all the time, tons and tons of games. Every now and then, I have an epic win and those are the screenshots I take.

I started the turn with 1 life point left… so satisfying

Some thoughts on Comics

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I can’t believe how much time has passed since my last blog. I’m grossly overdue. It’s June 2021 and this time last year I was finishing my last round of chemo. In July, I go for my one year checkup and expect that I will still be cancer free so yay!

Recent adds to my graded collection

My job is still good, I’m still working from home and most recently leadership has decided that we can treat work with a hybrid approach. Basically what this means is we won’t be returning to the daily commute, we are not required to return to the office, if we want to work from home we can, if we want to work in an office, we can. I’m surprised and happy a this decision and hope all US companies consider it from now going forward. Work is good, feels so different when you have a choice.

I love graded comics!

I’ve had some thoughts on comics, it’s been a great time for speculators and flippers as more comic stories find their way to a screen whether large or small. As a collector it’s felt very much like the 90s when the market was flooded with tons of variant covers (no expense spared $$$) and print runs are huge. It gives me pause, I feel there’s no way this hyped atmosphere can hold over time. Also I’ve noticed a sad trend, new series start with a bang, solid good stories and as issues come out, they fizzle until the series just stops abruptly. Or the other trend has been a glut of limited series and issue 1s (for the money of course, who wants quality); series last about 8-12 issues and then start all over again with issue 1. What a racket? I’m a bit soured on this. Still I admit there are some amazing comic artists are there and I love collecting my favorites. Here are my latest additions, many from my personal collection that I had pressed and graded. This blog post feels like a contradiction = ‘what a time to be a collector (yay, great pressing companies, competitive grading market, gorgeous variants to your hearts content)’ versus ‘what a time to be a collector (boo, tons of reboots, tons of variants, a ridiculous speculator/flipping marketplace)’.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Dungeons and Dragons

I considered leaving the hobby all together but got immersed in it on social media and decided against leaving it. I would miss it, feels like a part of me would be missing. I still find joy in these floppy books, I love owning them, collecting them, hunting for missing issues, all of it.

Fiona Staples is so talented

While I’ve cut back on comics, I’ve really been roped in by Magic the Gathering. Wizards of the Coast put out these limited edition cards called Secret Lair and man do they have my money on their latest drop. Look at these awesome cards depicting Saturday Morning Cartoon – Dungeon and Dragons. I loved this show as a kid. Also have I mentioned how big of a fan I am for Fiona Staples artwork? She draws one my absolute favorite comic books called Saga. She also happens to be a guest artist for one of the secret lair drop sets, see pic. Yeah, my wallet wept.

3 of my favorite comics ended recently

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First a digression:

A work colleague once told me getting fired was one of the best things to happen to her. At the time I was working at a toxic place and just couldn’t see losing my job as a good thing even though I was unhappy. I did eventually lose my job in 2016 and it was a hard pill to swallow.

Fast forward to 2017, I had a new job in a new state. Things changed for the better, then my cancer diagnosed in 2019. Since being in treatment and going for daily chemo infusions each day, I’m learning that getting fire may have just saved my life. In PA, employers are allowed to fire anyone who uses short term disability for whatever reason. If I were still working in PA, I would have been fired from my job, lost healthcare, had to figure out Cobra (which isn’t cheap) and apply for the Affordable Care Aid benefits. My cancer is fast acting, any unscheduled breaks in treatment due to say, lack of coverage would have been a death sentence.

New York state has laws that protect employees in these situations so while I’m dealing with cancer, I’m not also stressed over my income and benefits. So yeah, it can be said that getting fired was one of the best things to happen to me, it saved my life.

Now let’s talk about some comics:

Three of my favorite comic book series ended recently and though I am sad to see them go; I’m happy to have had the experience. The stories were original, not like the typical superhero genre but new and more engaging than the norm in my opinion. The artwork was breathtaking, unique and all together spellbinding. I really didn’t want to see the end of any of them but I understand all good things come to an end nonetheless.

The Walking Dead (October 2003 – July 2019)
I admit this isn’t an recent end, happening some eight months ago, it’s still a shocker for me. I remember walking into a comic shop on South Street in downtown Philly and seeing issue 1 on the shelf. Robert Kirkman didn’t stand out as a writer to me at the time and I’d never heard of Tony Moore. Still the cover was compelling and I love(d) anything zombies so I purchased a copy. I bought every issue afterward and when possible the variants as well. There were so many pivotal moments in that 193 issue run that I feel like the ones I mention may not do the series justice, yet I want to share so here we go.

Carl kills Shane. Shane and Rick argue over Lori and Carl. At one point Shane concludes everything would have been find for him if Rick was not around (as in dead) and he turn a gun on his ‘friend’. Young Carl, newly gifted with his own hand gun for zombie shooting, shows up and fires a round to protect his father. Some serious shock factor here and I was not prepared at the time. Little did I know Carl was soon going to be my favorite character of the series out pacing even Rick for that spotlight. The boy is badass.

IMG_4133Rick looses a hand. I was sure after witnessing the outright savage cruelty of the governor, by crippling Rick the main character of the series, I was done with this comic. Ha! I couldn’t stop reading just to see how the loss of a hand would effect Rick’s survival. I think it made him more badass then ever. Further in the series, Rick opens a can of stump whoop-ass on some would be hillbillies that planned to use Carl as a sex doll.

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Michonne pays a visit to the Governor. The gory details of Michonne’s torture at the hands of the governor are not for the faint of heart. Because of it, one can’t help but root for her when she pays him a vengeful visit to return in kind. It looked as though she did a little Home Depot shopping while explains every torturous tool at her disposal.

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Carl kills Ben. Ben guts his twin brother Billy like a fish and doesn’t even bat an eye. He even confesses he left his brother’s brain in tack so he will come back, no harm done. While the adults stand around arguing over what to do with the little murderer, Carl steps ups and addresses the issue.

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Death of Glenn Rhee. One of the most likable characters in the series and someone who appears as early as issue 2 of the series is Glenn. He saves Rick from a zombie swarm in Atlanta and is instrumental in Rick being reunited with his Lori and Carl. Glenn is a steady staple throughout the series until issue 100 when he dies a very horrific death in front of friends, family and his wife.

There are so many more decisive moments in The Walking Dead that I could easily go on for months. Around issue 7, Charlie Adlard picks up artist responsibilities from Tony Moore but Kirkman never misses a beat. The series is heart-pounding in it’s intensity and finishes like a fine aged wine such that my head is still spinning.

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Black Science (November 2013 – October 2019)
When this comic series came out, I just started at the cover in awe. I’d never seen anything like it. I began to read the issue and was just blown way by the fantastical sci-fi. It’s the tale of a brilliant scientist and inter-dimensional travel, Lost in Space on steroids. I loved every issue and the artwork from Mattero Scalera was heart pounding to say the lest. Rick Rememder’s writing spun a web of super natural wonderment, something I don’t think comics will ever see again.

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East of West (March 2014 – December 2019)
I remember seeing the advertisement for this comic in Previews way back when. I was mesmerized by Nick Dragotta’s brilliant artwork and wanted to read the series just because of it. I was pleasantly surprised when Jonathan Hickman rocked my world with his amazing composition of the mythical world in East of West. I absolutely loved the Nation and the depiction of the four horsemen felt spot on.

And now… they are all gone. I don’t think there will ever be another book like The Walking Dead and I’m certain Black Science and East of West can not be duplicated. I will miss reading new issues of these series but, well, good things and come to an end, you know.

Sigh.

The Cancer

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It is difficult to express the feeling one has; what goes through one’s mind when a doctor calls to say you have leukemia. There’s really no preparing for it. Further, the disbelief that suddenly your life has a serious end date, something unexpected. Mid 2019, as I tried to visit a new comic book shop a month I started to feel really tired. I was so tired that after work each day, all I wanted to do was sit or sleep. Being an overweight person, I worried that I was getting too many carbs or too much sugar, so I scrutinized what I ate consistently. My diet consisted of chicken, turkey, fish and veggies, still I felt heavy and tired. IMG_2929

In the fall, I noticed something unusual, I had a huge bruise on my knee but I couldn’t remember hurting myself. I assumed, I must have bumped it at some point and just didn’t remember. Only, to discover that more bruises were appearing on my arms and on legs and I knew I wasn’t doing anything to cause them. I should have known there was something wrong because these bruises didn’t hurt. They were big, but they didn’t hurt and that seemed odd to me. I had a doctor’s appointment coming up and figured, I would wait and mention the bruise then. I got a blood test and received the typical message, ‘we will call you if something it wrong.’ I shrugged it off and figured my tiredness was because of my weight (trust me, the medical community is prejudice against fat people, any problem you have its cause you are fat, oh wait, I’ll use the medical term = because you are obese). So I really thought my problem was weight related and I just needed to keep using the stairs even though my fatigue was just shy of debilitating.

So yeah I got that call, that one I mention above; the cancer diagnosis. My life has been interrupted by “the cancer” and I’ve been learning to deal with it. First I should note that the rare form of cancer I have is curable, but only if my body doesn’t reject that treatment. I will spare the statistics of people who don’t survive and just say that I’m going to live. I spent over 30 days in the hospital, which was a horrible experience and not something I wish on people I mildly like. My enemies, yes I wish they had to spend a month in a filthy, dated and cramped hospital room in Bronx New York. Ok but back to the cancer. IMG_2854

When friends and family found out, I received mix responses, some were heart felt and made me feel loved and some were plastic and I really could do without. What do I mean about plastic? People who say ignorant stuff like, “you just have to stay positive” and “look on the bright side”. I can’t tell you how insensitive those words are. No one, not even other cancer patients or survivors should say you have to be positive about having fucking cancer. Its not helpful and further its invalidating. Going through this experience, there are ups and downs. My spouse and I try to keep our senses of humor about the whole thing. That is how we chose to deal with it, it’s not how others have to deal with cancer. Every person is different and that means how they approach their cancer is going to be unique. I wish people respected that and if they can’t think of something supportive to say, just don’t say anything at all.

My diagnosis was in September 2019, I haven’t been back to work since that time. Its been about 5 ½ months and I still have another 6 months of treatment to go. Most days, I’m tired but that’s from the poison on my body fighting the cancer. I take a serious cocktail of prescription meds and have to ask permission to take something over the counter for a headache. Everyday I go to the hospital to get stuck with a needle for my infusion. I thought being home would be ok, good even as I’d fill my time catching up on comic book reading, writing new blogs, cooking, grilling and watching Netflix. None of that has happened. I’ve been depressed and lost interest in most things that used to bring me joy; comics being one of those things. My hair hasn’t completely fallen out and I kind of wish that it had, instead it super thin and balding in weird patches around my temples. I have dark spots on my face and I look like I have two black eyes which are all side effects of the chemo. I mentioned said discoloration to the dermatologist who shrugged it off as me being black. Even when I said I didn’t have these before the chemo, he argued all my issues were either related to me being overweight or because I am black.

I just feel empty while I try and fight this stupid disease. I worry about getting back to life after cancer. I worry about returning to work, will I still be tired? Was all the tiredness the cancer? I worry about my hair growing back and no longer being thin. I worry that my skin will not return to its natural color but will have discoloration in odd shapes and in odd places permanently. I worry that my chemo brain won’t keep up with the fast pace of my demanding job. I don’t know what day of the week it is sometimes unless I look at my pill pack.

IMG_7871The entire time I was away from my local comic shop, the guys were kind enough to keep my comics instead of demanding I send someone to pick them up. This is what 3 months of comics looks like. That awesome person standing over my should, is Doug, he’s such a great guy. We practiced posing for the picture until you couldn’t quite see either of our faces.

IMG_3848Here are some pictures of all the comics I have yet to read. The books in the box that are not bagged and boarded and all the books on the table still in bags. I’ve been reviewing my pull list and cutting back. I fear my interest in this hobby is not long lived and that saddens me even more.

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I have been adding to my graded comics collection, this is a small stack I’m considering for my next submission. I love this Mark Brooks variant cover of Uncanny X-men issue 522, the return of Kitty Pryde. Underneath that is a first print of Once and Future; my goodness what a great comic. The first issue made me think of the first episode of the television show Grimm, really good stuff.

I was a bit emotional as I wrote this blog so please forgive the typos. I hope to do better next time and as far as I can tell, there will be a next time.

Comics and new shops

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If you’ve been reading my blog, I’ve been trying to visit a new comic book shop in New York each month. Seems like an easy task until you take into consideration the sheer number of shops there. Seriously, the east coast is a comic book fan’s smorgasbord. Just because I missed blogging in May doesn’t mean I didn’t get to a shop. I love visiting new comic shops, it’s like discovery a new story (comic book that is). And from my experience, every shop is unique, what’s not to love.

First up, Galaxy Comics! This place was amazing especially that front window display. Mind you I would look my mind if I exposed my collectible to those UV rays but for a shop? Well this works out great. Check it.

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Great window display…

 

 

The inside of the shop was just as fantastic. I, of course stood around with my mouth open in aw for all the cool things here.

 

 

I love $1 bins and there was plenty to look through. Plus some delicious Funko Pops, my latest addiction.

 

 

Next up was a wonderful shop that I want to give kudos for holding a weekly comic swap where anyone can participate. Plus if you are a fan of the mystery/block figures and you purchase a duplication, you can leave said dup behind the counter in hopes someone will trade for a figure you are looking for. Okay not sure that makes sense but, I’m going with it. Anyone Comics, isn’t huge but it’s just right. (I didn’t take any inside shots)

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Are you ready? I was not prepared for the plethora of comic righteousness that I discovered at Bullet Proof Comics in Brooklyn. Not going to lie, this shops name made me think of Bullet Proof Monk, but I digress. Okay so first, yes there are comics, tons and tons of lovely comics. But then my eye catches on something in the display cabinet, yep videos games. I look up and there’s some rad skateboards. So now, I’m realizing this shop has split personalies and is in the truest sense, a pop culture mecca.

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Comics piles for days in this shop and I was happy to look my fill. Spot the games in the display?

I have to be careful when visiting a new shop or I’ll throw my credit card on the counter trying to buy up the place.

I’m convinced that this shop had as many skateboards as it did comics. I spent the most money at this shop by the way cause I couldn’t pass up some sweet, sweet variants.

I probably owe February an apology

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Okay so here’s the thing, I’ve kept up with my promise to visit new comics shops, at least one per month. However, I have failed at posting these visiting in a timely manner, thus my title above. See I visited a new shop for February, but forgot to post it in that month. I tried to recover by posting it in March; but then I forgot to post March’s visit and well, notice a pattern? That’s fine though, cause here I am, posting in April and man have I had some fun visiting new comic book stores. New York, you are a brilliant mecca for pop culture goodness physically embodied in some of the coolest comic shops this collector has had the privilege of visiting. So shall we begin?

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I’ve been using Google to randomly select comic shops based on reviews, pics and web presence. And so far it really has worked out. First up is Silver Age Comics and man does this store not disappoint. IMG_0868If assessing this shop from the street, you may be a little confused (I know I was) cause the GPS did not lead me to a comic store front, but rather a subway staircase. Not put off though, I traversed the stairs to find this fantastic comic shop just off the N or the Q line in Astoria.

 

What a great store run by Gus Poulakas, a super friendly shop owner willing to bargain on just about any comic in he has in stock. And many what stock he has, so many books, I didn’t have time to get through half of his inventory. IMG_0869Too, he has a healthy supply of graded comics as well, mostly high-grade depending on the age. I could have spent days looking through the various books at this location. It didn’t hurt that I didn’t feel rushed to buy something or pressured to talk.

I plan to visit this shop again in the months to come, so I can preruse more of the back issues I saw there. Plus, Gus gave me a great deal on this lovelies?

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I finally wrote a blog but can’t think of a title so… Comics!

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IMG_7269I’ve started a new blog so many times this year that it’s laughable. In the end, I don’t complete it, I don’t follow through and I regret letting another week, month go by without posting. I hope to change that today. I have been recovering from the mental abuse at the hands of a former employer. One of the most damaging things that happened to me during that time (2016) was an attack on my love for comics, comic cons and pop culture.

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I was so damaged and depressed from the whole thing that I considered walking away from comics all together. That though, is in the past. I had a transition year in 2017, I got a new job, a new car, changed states and have been in therapy. It’s 2018, I’m doing way better and I’m finding my old self; more importantly though, thanks to encouragement from my spouse and my doctor, I kept collecting comics. As things improved for me mentally, the joy I got from comic books returned. I decided to skip attending a comic con this year, instead focusing on my collection, my new job and my new home in New York.
IMG_7273So what have I been reading? Lots of stuff, though I’m still behind in my reading by about 2 months…it happens. I loved the crazy over the top fun of Shirtless Bear Fighter, from his love of pancakes and syrup to his weakness of having clothing put on this comic tale had me laughing and ready to read more. What could go wrong with wrestling bears, family drama and a tragic love story? Plenty of puns and laughs galore, Shirtless Bear Fighter remained on my pull list until the end of its limited run.
Rock Candy Mountain; man I did not see this intriguing, hilarious and action packed comic coming at all. Since my move to NY, I have yet to find a good comic book shop to call my own, for me this means new comic book day waits until I travel back to PA to visit my old faithful comic store. IMG_7292If a comic sells out and I neglected to put it on my pull list, I’m out of luck. The first issue of Rock Candy Mountain sold out at my shop, however thanks to one of my Twitter comic bros, I have a copy; signed by Kyle Starks no less. Imagine never losing a fight, any fight but specifically hand to hand combat. Imagine having this unique talent during World War II. Imagine what kind of deal was made to gain said talent. The devil has arrived to collect, can he take on the world’s toughest hobo? So many great one liners and just down right entertaining, Rock Candy Mountain rocked my world. IMG_7290There are tons of new books out that I am looking forward to reading here are a few on my pull list. Mark Millar moved his wildly popular franchise to Image Comics and I have to say Patience Lee looks fantastic in Kick-Ass. Definitely #BlackGirlMagic! I’m not sure that Robert Kirkman will ever be able to repeat his success from the Walking Dead however he is writing a new series called Oblivion Song. IMG_7291It’s on my list of books to read and I’m hopeful that it’s just a good comic. I tend not to pass up anything with Jeff Lemire’s name on it so Gideon Falls is in my read stack as well. Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl release the most amazingly stunning book I’ve seen since Monstress. Isola is a visual masterpiece that I felt compelled to own once Image Comics recommended it for Studio Ghibli fans. I have yet to be disappointed in any comic book written and drawn by Terry Moore (my hope is, I never will). A new chapter in Strangers in Paradise; I’m on board for that. I’m still reading and enjoying these old faithfuls: Monstress, Descender, Harrow County, East of West, Saga and of course The Walking Dead.

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Comics are awesome

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Since November 2016, my social media has been overshadowed by politics. I feel I would be remiss if I ignored what’s happening from the executive branch in Washington DC so I’m not apologizing for the attention I give politics on on my twitter page.

Still I look at my stack of funny books and smile knowing they bring me some measure of happiness. So here is a current pic of the comic cave. IMG_5988I’ve a lot of books to put away. In the mean time here are some of the awesome titles I’m currently reading. Oh and I also collect Funko Pops, I specifically like exclusive. Though I’ve been in love with #StrangerThings since it’s release so I indulged myself with these awesome toys.

I’ve been reading and enjoying Gail Simone’s Clean Room since issue 1. It’s been funny, dark, scary and brilliant all at once. The main character Astrid Mueller is amazing but I admit my favor is Killian who I see as a total badass. Clean Room is comprised of nightmares, death, dreams and redemption. Standing between us and certain annihilation is Astrid and her army of rooks. I’ve tweeting about this comic since it first appeared in Previews. Not one issue has been disappointing. It’s full of twists and turns, heroics and betrayal. I admit I’m in love with this book and will collect it until Gail doesn’t write it anymore.

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I love a good mystery and murder mysteries are my favorite. So of course Matt and Sharlene Kindt have roped me in with #DeptH. I’ve blogged about this comic before and my praise still stands. This books is amazing. An advance science team is living on the ocean bottom while exploring and discovering it’s many mysteries. During routine exploration and analysis a portion of the under water station explodes. There is only one casualty of the explosion…the smartest man on earth. Enter Mia, a scientific genus in her own right; to investigate the suspicious death. Was the explosion just a freak accident or is there more sinister plan in effect? Mia suspects everyone including her own brother, for when it comes to this investigation, she will get to the bottom of who killed her father in this suspenseful tale.

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Wildstorm is a new book I’ve been reading, written by the great Warren Ellis. I’ve only read issue 1 but I admit this comic has all the makings of something grand. Here are a couple if pages that I enjoyed from the book. I will definitely be reading issue 2.

There’s no comic more full of rich charaters and all things fantastic than Monstress. Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda immerse the reader in a fantastical world of witches, beasts and spirits set to a steampunk backdrop. Everyone has a angle and none is more driven to achieve her goal than Maika Halfwolf. She has and will sacrifice any and all to get answers to her mother’s mysterious death. This comic is Anthropomorphism done right with an opulent array of diverse characters. There’s something for everyone small cats with three tails, large cat in business suites, wizards who sprout wings, pirates with shark crewmen, its eye-candy for the mythical soul.

When I’m not reading comics, but still want some comfort, I snuggle with my 4 year old.

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21 Comics that are better than DJT or How I spent inauguration day 2017

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Rather than give the media any of my time this day, I chose instead, to spend my time in the comic cave reading some of my favorite comics. Some of the comics held a special political meaning for me while others were just plain fun to read. In any case, here’s my list:

img_58221. Wolverine vol. 3 “Old Man Logan” Issues 66-72
Mark Millar can have my money; I will throw it at him if he keeps writing great stories such as this. The premise: Logan has long since given up the Wolverine mantle and lives life on a post-apocalyptic frontier as a pacifist farmer. Enter Hawkeye with the promise of adventure, mayhem and some much-needed cash. img_5823

2. The Killer vol. 1
An assassin with no moral compass is available to the highest bidder in this tale of espionage and murder. Matz and Luc Jacamon provide an in-depth look at a man who operates in the shadows of the underworld, who kills without mercy and never asks questions.

img_58163. Granville vol. 1
Scotland Yard, chief inspectors and world domination on steampunk steroids. Granville is s tale of conspiracy and government covers up shown through the lens of anthropomorphic splendor by the talented Bryan Talbot. img_5819

4. Wild’s End
The country side of England is quiet, peaceful and full of fire from the sky. An unassuming retired community is terrorized by an invader from out of space. Afternoon tea will never be the same thanks to Dan Abnett and INJ Culbard.

img_58155. Mind MGMT
Matt Kindt takes us on a journey of mind control, secret societies, political espionage  and world domination. We are all being controlled, convinced that what we see isn’t really happening and what’s happening is beyond imagination. So, what’s to stop an investigative reporter from blowing the lid off the whole thing? img_5820

6. Just a Pilgrim
The world burned and took mankind with it. Staying alive is a daily goal, eating a decent meal is a distance second. Still, the Pilgrim isn’t phased, for he had a purpose and a guide through the good book. Will anything shake is faith? From the brilliant mind of Garth Ennis, prepare for the end is nigh.

img_58177. Proof vol 1 “Goatsucker” Issues 1-5
The government has a secret program used to address unnatural phenomena where ever it occurs. In this world created by Alex Grecian and Riley Rossmo, Big Foot has a name, wears a suit and fears nothing as he protects mankind.screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-8-39-24-pm

8. Superman: King of the World
Superman takes over the world in a power grab to protect the innocent and thwart evil. Karl Kesel shows us what can happen when the man of steel takes over as ruler of Earth.

screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-8-42-02-pm9. Y the Last Man
Brian K. Vaughan is no stranger to a well written saga (see what I did there?). In Y, we learn that a disease has wiped out all species with the y chromosome. Well except Yorick Brown, who wakes up and finds he is the last man on earth. How will the survivors, all women receive him?screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-19-26-pm

10. Rotten
It’s the wild west; guns, horses, cowboys, hold-ups and zombies? This comic was written back when a non popular vote president took office during the 2000s. Mark Rahner and Robert Horton pull no punches with political satire and familiar zombie faces.

screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-22-01-pm11. Mystery Society
When Nick and Anastasia win the lottery, they pursue their dreams. They chase down conspiracy rumors, thwart the government and break into Area 51. What fun! Nick and Anastasia’s antics are beautifully illustrated by the fabulous Fiona Staples and wonderfully penned by Steve Niles. screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-25-45-pm

12. The Cape
What happens when a loser learns his childhood blanket posses super powers? He turns his life around, rights wrongs and fights for justice right? No that’s not how Eric does things. Joe Hill and Jason Ciaramella take us on a dark ride of vengeance led by a man with super strength and the ability to fly.

screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-26-44-pm13.  Astonishing X-men vol. 3 “Gifted” Issues 1-6
Cyclops forms a new team of X-men to watch over mutant youth. The team’s first assignment, stop an alien holding human hostages. Oh and a mad scientist has come up with a cure for the mutant gene. Joss Whedon writes the return of Kitty Pryde with style and flair.screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-18-22-pm

14. Rachel Rising
Go out for a night on the town and wake up in a shallow grave with a noose still tired around your neck; thus the beginning of Rachel Rising by the illustrious Terry Moore. Its a murder mystery and so much more as Rachel tries to find her killer while fighting the likes of Lilith and Malus.

img_582115. Superman: Red Son
In 2003, Mark Millar penned an elseworld story that imagined a baby Kal-El landing in the Ukraine during the age of Stalin. Comrade Superman is an easy pawn for a communist regime. screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-30-05-pm

16. All Star Superman
There’s nothing like a Superman comic written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quietly. Clark/Superman is oh so human, so compassionate, he shows his vulnerabilities, offers his powers to Lois and makes the ultimate sacrifice for a stranger.

screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-30-42-pm17. Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft
A tragedy in their home forces a family to relocate to an estate in Lovecraft, Massachusetts. Soon it’s discovered there are forces in play that manipulate everyone associated with Key House. It’s the ultimate fight between good and evil, thanks to Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez. screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-33-50-pm

18. Stuff of Legend
Into the Dark to rescue the Boy, a group of toys and his pet dog venture to fight The Booegyman. Mike Racist, Brian Smith and Charles P Wilson compose a melancholy tale of courage and betrayal.

screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-37-19-pm19. 30 Days of Night
It’s a vampire’s dream, a remote town full of warm blood and no sunlight in sight. All that’s needed is to cut off all communication inside and out and let the feeding begin. A master of horror tales Steve Niles hones a vampire narrative for the modern age; Ben Templesmith aptly provides the images.screen-shot-2017-01-20-at-9-36-51-pm

20. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 “Long Way Home” Issues 1-4
Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty bring us the eighth season of everyone’s favorite vampire slayer. Buffy is operating in a world full of other slayers yet the threat of world annihilation has not lessened. This comic picks up where the television show left off.

img_581821. RASL
On the surface, Jeff Smith introduces a character that appears to be a raging alcoholic art thief who has the means to travel between dimensions of earth. Who is RASL and how did he come upon The Drift?

All in all it was a day well spent.

Ahh the smell of Speculation

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I try not to speculate about comics as I was one of many who was burned during the 90s bad girl foil limited edition variant cover shenanigans. I remember when Image had a few titles and Todd McFarland was still writing and drawing comics. That said, each Wednesday I check out Comic Book Scalping for shits and giggles.

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Image from Comic Book Scalping December 2016

Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised by finding something interesting to add to my hunt list. Other times, I’m tickled to find that a comic I own is a hotly sought after item with high resale value. Screen Shot 2017-01-11 at 10.07.10 AM.pngTake for instance this blurb about #GothamCitySirens. I had no idea it was so popular among speculators. Why? Because there’s going to be a movie with the same title, staring Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. For me, it feels a little bit like The Walking Dead boom all over again (granted on a small scale but still). I picked up the variant back when it first hit the shelves because I liked the way J.G. Jones draw the ladies. Even if the suggested speculation price is inflated, any price over the $5.99 I paid is a bonus.

 

Many of the comics I like to read, turn up on this speculator’s list of books to look for; case in point “Postal” by Matt Hawkins and Bryan Hill.

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Image from Comic Book Scalping September 2016

Oh yeah and last week when I finally got to my local comic shop and discovered that I had 2 copies of the recalled issue of Saga… imagine my happiness! Seems I will soon be sending a group of books off to CBCS for grading!

Yes, I have been living under a rock as I was not aware that Skybound now has a quarterly subscription box service. If I had the spare cash, I would definitely sign up for this. Here is a link to the cool write up in Comic Book Scalping Skybound MegaBox.