Suicide Squad #1

The comic book community is all abuzz about the new Suicide Squad movie coming out late in 2016.

Many fans are excited because the popular DC Comics villains Harley Quinn, The Joker and Deadshot will appear in the film along with other DC villains.

The Suicide Squad #1 issue from 1987 is now on everyone's 'must have' list: written by John Ostrander, drawn by Luke McDonnell and inked by Karl Kesel.

The new film owes much of its premise to the series.

The Suicide Squad appeared first during the Silver Age, albeit in slightly altered forms: first as a band of ordinary intervals battling super-villains and threats and then as paramilitary group fighting during WWII.

Neither series struck a cord with fans, had limited issues and were relegated to second-tier status in the DC Universe-until 1987.

Issue #1 of the Suicide Squad, as it appeared in 1987, consisted of a band of malcontents (Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and Bronze Tiger among them) who are given the opportunity to shorten or eliminate their jail time if they agree to work for a covert government agency, headed by Amanda Waller, fighting super-powered or conventional threats to the U.S. and the world.

There's one catch though: each Suicide Squad member wears a bracelet that will explode and either kill or severely injure them should they decide to try to escape.

Without going into specifics the Squad performs its first task, somewhat haphazardly, and reluctantly bands together to accomplish their assigned goal.

While super-villain team-ups have existed in the past they were never formed to help people and defuse volatile situations.


If the premise works in the upcoming movie then expect to see more SS adventures and other comic book based movies following a similar formula.

Batman Bad Blood

Three super villains set Gotham ablaze for unknown reasons.  Tusk, Firefly and Killer Moth are suddenly interrupted by a caped figure who proceeds to trounce them. 

From out the shadows the figure appears-it's Batwoman.  But who is she and what connection does she have to Batman?

At a critical moment in the tussle Batman appears and joins in the fight.  As things get heated Batwoman finds herself flung away from the battle by one of Killer Moth's drones. Batman takes chase.  He disappears.

Later when the Bat Signal shines, Batman does not show.

It's left to Nightwing, Robin and two new caped crusaders: Batwoman and Batwing, to join together, albeit reluctantly, to fight crime, protect Gotham and find Batman.

What they discover is a sinister criminal plot, mind control and a new villain, Heretic.

Who is he/she?  Does Heretic's appearance coincide with Batman's disappearance?  Are they related?  That's just of the few questions that face the new Bat team in the new Warner Bros. Animation/DC Universe Original Movie: Batman Bad Blood.

Look for plenty of mystery, mayhem and some of the most spectacular fight scenes ever seen in an animated movie.

Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital HD extras include a Fight featurette, a Batman Family featurette, two classic bonus WB cartoons and a special sneak peek at the upcoming Justice League Vs. Teen Titans animated film from WB.  

The Last Witch Hunter

Live forever, hunt forever with Vin Diesel as he stars as legendary witch hunter Kaulder, the heroic warrior who swore to protect mankind from the treacherous Queen Witch and her diabolical black magic.

For centuries Kaulder hunted evil as it raised its hungry head seeking to devour all that is good and just.

Resurrected by a legion of witches the Queen Witch commands a horrible power that threatens to envelope mankind into the dark depths of evil and unimaginable horrors.

Joined by a small band of misfits Kaulder must battle for the very future of mankind using every means at his disposal.

Packed with stunning special effects and horrific monstrous visions this pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat movie is now on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD courtesy of Lionsgate.


Extras include a 'Making of' featurette, some animated short films, a Sizzle Reel, a commentary and deleted scenes. 

Barclay

When I visited my aunt in Kentucky during the early 1960s one of my favorite things to do was to go to the local Five & Dime Store with my mom.

After shopping my mom would treat me to a banana split at the soda fountain and give me 10 cents to buy some candy at the candy counter.

In those days candy was stored in large open front glass containers arranged around a counter.
I would chose my 10 cents worth, have it weighed out and put in a bag by the store employee.

Often I would opt for something else other than candy.  Alongside of the candy containers was a glass case filled with die-cast little cars.  For ten cents I could by four of the little cars.  They were Barclay cars and I loved them.  They were small but rugged with working wheels and real axles.

Nowadays Barclay die-cast toys are much sought after by collectors.  Over the 39 years Barclay was in business they manufactured four types of vehicles: transports, cars, trucks and trains-in large varieties.

Schiffer Publishing and author Howard W. Melton have assembled (for the first time) a comprehensive catalog and price guide for all things Barclay.

Resplendent with color photos and extremely comprehensive text about the history and variations of each Barclay die-cast genre the book also contains price guides based on condition, type and rarity.   

Toy Forts & Castles

When I was a kid (many decades ago) I loved building things out of Lincoln Logs and an Erector Set (there were no LEGOs).

Two of my favorite things to construct were make-believe forts and castles.  I loved building them so much that for Christmas my older brother bought me one of those Military Army Kits that were advertised on the back of comic books.

You could also buy a Wild West Fort set, a Medieval Castle Set and a Civil War Fort Set.  I was a big WWII fan so I received the Army Military Fort/Base that included soldiers, cannons, jeeps, tanks and other artillery.

As much as I loved building forts and castles they weren't very sophisticated or realistic-even the ready-made kits looked cheesy.

Sometimes I'd walk by department store windows or small toy stores and spot these incredible, realistic fort or castles sets and wish I had the money to get one.

I never did, but my love for forts and castles has never died.  I'm fascinated about their construction, history and hidden secrets-in spite of what era they were constructed.

Author Allen Hickling and Schiffer Publishing share my love of forts and castles as evidenced by their new oversize hardbound book: Toy Forts & Castles: European-Made Toys Of The 19th & 20th Centuries.

Inside are dozens of full-color photographs of toy forts and castles ranging from the very simple to the incredibly detailed.

Each fort or castle is documented by year and decade, provides full historical information about each including manufacturer, country of origin and construction and contents and original prices.


If you love forts and castles toys then this is the book for you.  Relive the past and your childhood as you peruse each page, immerse yourself in the details and learn something along the way. 

Hatched

Sean Astin and Jeff Foxworthy are just a few of the top talent lending their voices to Cinedigm's latest computer animated DVD film: Hatched-that's fun for the whole family.

Chickens can fly!  That's the truth young Cluck, Chickpea and Tiny SchwarzHENeggar are determined to prove it to everyone.

They get to put their assertion to the test when a notorious 'bad'egg and 'fowl villain threatens both their neighborhood and their alien friend, Magic.

Join the feathered trio as they join their feather and furry friends in a brand new exciting adventure featuring cutting-edge computer animation and spectacular visual effects. 

It's chicks gone wild and you're invited along for the flight.

Batman, Superman And Origami

Comic books are bigger than ever.  Movies, TV shows, toys, games, apparel-anything and everything have jumped on the super hero bandwagon.

DC Comics characters can be seen everywhere.  Superman, Batman and other DC Comics heroes and villains have become pop culture icons.

DC Comics are some of the most popular in the world.  New readers sign on every day.  It's a veritable super hero cornucopia.   There is one problem however.

Most DC comics are written for older readers.  The art, while stunning, is extremely detailed and not all of it is kid appropriate.  Comic books have grown up and have almost left their original audience behind-young children.

Capstone/Stone Arch Books has remedied that problem with its delightful new series of Chapter, You Choose and Adventures books specifically designed and written for young readers.

Each book features simple to read text (written for the very young to young reader) and simplified but beautiful artwork reminiscent of the animation art seen on the WB DC various animated series such as Batman and Superman.

The clean, less cluttered art makes it simple and enjoyable for young readers to follow along in each story.

Recently Capstone/Stone Arch Books sent me a sampling of their DC Comic Book titles and I have to say I am impressed.

As a longtime comic book reader I enjoyed looking through each book.  I was immediately struck by the quality of the art, the engrossing text and the overall high standard of printing and binding.

Two Batman Comic Chapter Books and six Batman You Choose Books capture the look and feel of the Dark Knight's adventures.

The two Chapter Books have full-color comic book pages intermingled with high-adventure text and include bio pages of the main characters along with a comic book art breakdown. 

Adventures follow Batman against Man-Bat and Poison Ivy and Batman versus the Scarecrow.
Batman You Choose adventures pit Batman against Bain, Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, the Joker, the Riddler, Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze.

Each book offers young readers multiple outcomes for each story depending on what selection they choose.  It allows young readers to take part in the story and creatively draw out a conclusion. 

Full-color, full-page illustrations move each story along.
Like the Batman Chapter Books the Superman Chapter Books intermingle full-color, full-page, multi-panel comic book pages with the text stories.

Superman faces off against Lex Luthor and the Parasite and Darkseid and his minions.  Both books are exciting and real page-turners. Four Amazing Adventures Of Superman mini-books are chapter books written by Benjamin Bird.

The text is simple, written for very young children and the spot art, once again, look very much like the WB animated style.  Colorful sound effects text blurbs are sprinkled throughout the text.

The four books spotlight Bizarro, Aquaman and Black Manta, Supergirl and Shazam! and Mister Mxyzptlk.  Young kids are sure to love them.

For something completely different check out the DC Super Heroes Origami book featuring 96 pages of illustrated origami for perfect folding projects for Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, other DC villains and heroes, weapons, vehicles, symbols, and more as only origami master John Montroll can provide them.

Easy-to-follow instructions allow kids to put together these exciting origami projects.  It makes for hours of fun and a great way to improve children's dexterity and assembly skills.  

Previews, February

COMIC BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Rough Riders #1 l AFTERSHOCK COMICS
Stargate Atlantis: Back To Pegasus #1 l AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY
Joyride #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS
Goldie Vance #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS
Over the Garden Wall #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS
Hellina #1 l BOUNDLESS COMICS
Lady Death: Chaos Rules #1 l COFFIN COMICS
Gold Key: Alliance #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Xena: Warrior Princess #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
The Nameless City GN/HC l :01 FIRST SECOND
Heavy Metal #280 l HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE
Disney’s Darkwing Duck #1 l JOE BOOKS INC.
The Mighty Zodiac #1 l ONI PRESS INC.
Vikings #1 l TITAN COMICS

BOOKS
Battling Beauties: The Art of Frank Thorne HC l ART BOOKS
Doctor Who: The Essential Guide HC (Revised 12th Doctor Edition) l DOCTOR WHO / TORCHWOOD
Star Wars: The Original Topps Trading Cards Volume: The Empire Strikes Back HC l STAR WARS

MAGAZINES
Star Trek Magazine #56 l STAR TREK
James Bond 007 Classics Trading Cards l RITTENHOUSE ARCHIVES
Topps Star Wars 2016 Evolution Trading Cards l TOPPS COMPANY

APPAREL
Deadpool: “2 Sword” Black T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Dr Strange: “Spells Strange” Black T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Marvel Heroes: “Iron On Man” Light Blue T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Jessica Jones: “Glass Entry” Black T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
The Flash: Zoom Symbol T-Shirt l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS
Dark Knight III: Man of Steel By Miller T-Shirt l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS

TOYS & STATUES
Batman the Animated Series Premier Collection: Poison Ivy Statue l DIAMOND SELECT

TOYS & COLLECTIBLES
Marvel Fact Files Special #14: Red Hulk l EAGLEMOSS
Marvel Fact Files Special #15: Daredevil l EAGLEMOSS
The Walking Dead Collection #7: Glenn l EAGLEMOSS
The Walking Dead Collection #8: Carol l EAGLEMOSS
Aliens Series 6: Alien Isolation Figures l ALIEN
Cinemachines Die-Cast Vehicles Series 1 l ALIEN
Aliens: Pulse Rifle Brown Bess Replica l ALIEN
POP! Fast & Furious Vinyl Figures l FUNKO
POP! Marvel: Deadpool “Thumbs Up” Vinyl Figure l FUNKO
POP! Sesame Street Vinyl Figures l FUNKO
Super Deluxe Vinyl: Marvel Deadpool Figure l FUNKO
Five Nights at Freddy’s Figures l FUNKO
One:12 Collective: Judge Dredd: Lawmaster Figure l JUDGE DREDD
The Loyal Subjects x Masters of the Universe Mini Figures Wave 1 l MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
One:12 Collective: Star Trek: Mr. Spock Figure l STAR TREK
Transformers Generations Voyager Action Figures l TRANSFORMERS

IMPORT TOYS
Dragonball Z Dramatic Showcase Season 1 V2: Super Saiyan Goku Figure l DRAGONBALL Z
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Artfx+ Statues l KOTOBUKIYA
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice MAF EX Figures l BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE
Bruce Lee 75th Anniversary Masterpiece 1/6-Scale Figure l BRUCE LEE
Berzerk: Guts 1/6-Scale Figure l THREEA/THREEZERO
Game Of Thrones: Jaime Lannister 1/6-Scale Figure l THREEA/THREEZERO

COLLECTIBLES & NOVELTIES
Arkham Origins: Deathstroke Bust Bank l DC HEROES
DC Bombshells: Batwoman Vinyl Decal l DC HEROES
DC Bombshells: Lois Lane Vinyl Decal l DC HEROES
Deadpool: “I’m on a Mug” Coffee Mug l DEADPOOL
Daredevil Bust Bank Red Ver l MARVEL HEROES
Marvel Now: Ms. Marvel Vinyl Decal l MARVEL HEROES
Marvel Now: Spider-Gwen Vinyl Decal l MARVEL HEROES

GAMES
Magic the Gathering TCG: Shadows Over Innistrad l WIZARDS OF THE COAST
Marvel Heroclix: Captain America: Civil War l WIZKIDS/NECA

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dice Masters l WIZKIDS/NECA

Wheelie And The Chopper Bunch #1

He became a comic book artist superstar in the Bronze Age, continued to work through the Copper Age and still publishes today.

He revitalized Superman, updated the Spider-Man mythos, reworked the Wonder Woman legend, broke the 4th Wall with She Hulk, made the X-Men excellent, brought the Avengers up to date, took Alpha Flight to new heights, put the 'fantastic' back into the fantastic Four. He has drawn almost every major comic book superhero from DC and Marvel Comics, created his own small press titles and tackled a large percentage of small press characters.

He's outspoken, opinionated, talented, an excellent writer, a cutting-edge artist, a comic book historian and is not shy about taking on controversial subjects and other writers and artists.

He's John Byrne and there was a time when he was an unknown talent from Canada hoping to break into the comic book field.

John got his start professionally at Charlton Comics on a Hanna-Barbera licensed property based on a Saturday morning kid's cartoon show. In Wheelie And The Chopper Bunch #1, dated May,1975, John provided both pencils and inks.

While the stories were less than memorable, John's style was already starting to assert itself, even though the comic was drawn in a more cartoonish style befitting the title.


For any fan of comic books, or of John's work, this is a pivotal issue in that it contains the first work of an artist/writer who during his career changed the face of comic books much more than he is given credit for.

Ford Fusions

 If you're a novice when it comes to putting together plastic model kits or if a young child shows interest in modeling the hardest things to tackle are assembling, painting and decaling.

Given time and experience novice model-makers mature and master all three areas.  But, getting started can be frustrating and many a model-maker wannabe has given up plastic model kit making out of pure frustration.

Never fear! Revell Models understands such a dilemma and has a line of plastic model kits that are pre-painted, pre-decaled and require no glue to assemble.

Hard to believe?  Not so!  Revell's SnapTite MAX series of model kits makes assembling terrific looking model kits a breeze.

Two such models features Ford Fusion racing cars as driven by #2 Brad Keselowski and #22 Joey Logano.

Both feature full interior and exterior details, 35 pieces and easy instructions for assembly.
Whether you choose Joey's Shell Pennzoil, red and yellow Fusion or Brad's white and black Fusion (or both) each 1:24 Scale racing car replica delivers on all accounts. 

In no time at all you'll have a model kit on display any model-maker would be proud of.

Fond Memories

I love reading comic books.  I have since I was a kid of five.

Comic books are responsible, in large part, for my career in graphic design and commercial art. 

Growing up I had my favorite comic book characters: The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Batman, Magnus, Nick Fury, the X-Men--anything drawn  by Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Gene Colan, John Buscema, Bernie Wrightson, Barry Smith and Steve Ditko.

I devoured each comic book I read.  Perused each page, analyzed panels, marveled at the creativity and imagination displayed in each issue and wished I could be a comic book artist one day.

Sadly, that did not happen-for a variety of reason-mainly lack of talent.

Still I had my favorite runs of comic books and fortunately I have most of those issues today.

I've never been a big spender when it came to comic books.  I usually bought them off the shelf new or managed to find them at garage and yard sales, flea markets and occasionally at a friend's or relative's home.

Believe it or not, I've never paid more than five dollars for any old comic book, and that was only once for Uncanny X-Men #108.

There are three runs of comic books that I still get a kick out of reading and looking at.  All of them were found at the locations I previously mentioned.  Needless to say I was thrilled each time I came across them.

They are the Green Lantern/Green Arrow run by Neal Adams and Denny O'Neil, Roy Thomas' and Neal Adams' Uncanny X-Men and Jim Steranko's Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. series in Strange Tales and in his own title and Steranko's Captain America classic issues.

I can't count the number of times, as a boy and young man, I'd marvel at every page I'd turn in each series.  I'd copy the art, emulate the styles and dream of working with the creative crew at both Marvel and DC Comics.

Originally I bought each issue off the newsstand when they were first published, but like all young men my attention drifted toward girls and cars.

Thankfully as I grew older I was able to obtain almost every issue in each selection.  I have no doubt that one day I'll find hidden away in some musty old box, footlocker or stack of magazines the issues I'm missing.  But isn't the hunt a part of the fun of collecting?

As I've always said, "Somewhere out there is a box filled with old comic books with my name on it.  I just have to be there at the right time and place."

Statue Of Liberty And Austrian Infantry

Italeri has just released two new plastic model kits: one born of war and the other of peace.

Never in the history of mankind has a single statue represented the best of man. 

A symbol of freedom, opportunity and peace the Statue of Liberty has shown as a flame-bearing beacon to weary pilgrims traveling to the United States looking for a better life for themselves and their families.

The Statue of Liberty model kit recreates in miniature scale the neoclassical copper statue given to the United States in 1886 from the grateful people of France.

The robed Roman goddess Libertas bears a torch and a Tabula Ansata (evoking the law) inscribed July 4, 1776, the date of the American Declaration of Independence.

A broken chain at her feet symbolizes freedom:  of speech, religion, race, gender and social status.

The Statue of Liberty model stands on a reproduction of its famous multi-tiered masonry base and ten-sided star-representing Liberty Island in New York City.

Included with the easy-to-assemble model is a full color Reference Leaflet filled with historical facts, features, instructions and color guide.  Let freedom reign!

Wherever there is peace, war is not far behind-unfortunately.

Every nation has taken part in bloody battles and needless lose of life and property.
Austria is no exception. The Austrian Infantry clashed against Napoleon troops in Marnego and lost, but not for the lack of trying.

Resilient, courageous and brave the Austrian Infantry 1798-1805 fought valiantly.

Dressed in their customary white and black attire, resplendent in short leather caps and brass front plates bearing the Imperial Eagle, the Austrian Infantry was impressive.

Forty eight unpainted figures are included in the model kit along with full paint instruction on the back of the kit box. 

Fantastic Four #232

It's no secret that artist John Byrne and writer Chris Claremont were often at odds with each other when it came to the stories and their contents during their historic run on The Uncanny X-Men.

Not long after they finished their stellar storylines of The Dark Phoenix Saga and Days Of Future Past both artist and writer came to a creative loggerhead.

Claremont's prima-donna attitude tended to rub Byrne the wrong way because he considered himself just as important as Claremont when it came to plots and character development.

When Claremont decided to take the characters in a completely different direction than Byrne agreed with, that was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Byrne quit The Uncanny X-Men and requested to be both writer and artist on Marvel's flagship title: The Fantastic Four.

Byrne believed, and rightly so, that the FF no longer held the magic and wonder it did during the Lee/Kirby years.  The sense of wonder, adventure and especially its daring had been lost over the intervening years.

Considering that the FF was responsible for introducing so many important storylines and characters, the title had devolved into little more than a superhero soap opera.

Byrne changed that with his very first issue as writer/artist: issue #232.

Byrne brought back one of the FF's classic villains: Diablo.

With its stunning cover showing effigies of the FF lit aflame by Diablo, illuminated in light with heavy shadows, the book hits the ground running as Diablo lets loose his elementals, matching them against the FF's individual powers.

Only by switching elemental opponents does the FF win the day.

Often this issue is overlooked in its importance.  Having just come off the X-Men's ground-breaking run, Byrne's FF work tended to take a back burner.

And yet, if you examine each issue's storylines you'll discover how the glory of the FF is brought back to the forefront.

Many old and familiar characters are brought back, new ones introduced and galaxy-spanning storylines were hatched that still affect the Marvel Universe until this day.

In fact, Byrne's FF run rivaled the sales figures of the X-Men, at times almost matching it or overtaking it.


For a true re-igniting of the fantastic that is the Fantastic Four John Byrne's run is almost as impressive as the Lee/Kirby classic issues.

Star Trek Voyager: A Pocket Full Of Lies

A lot has changed since the starship Voyager returned from its seven year voyage in the Delta Quadrant.  Ship personnel have moved on, some have retired, while others have taken new assignments on other ships or stations.

The Federation's Full Circle Fleet has been formed to explore the Delta Quadrant and the former Borg space.

When the U.S. S Demeter, under the command of Commander Laim O'Donnell, manages to make first contact with reclusive species Nihydron.  

His mission was to ask for assistance about the history of that region of space.

Admiral Kathryn Janeway is chosen to take part in the first formal meeting.  When the Nihydron meet her they are taken aback.

It seems they have met Janeway before, or at least her doppelganger, as the leader of the Rilnar who are taking part in a conflict on the planet Sormana against the Zahl.

It turns out she is not Janeway's double, but Janeway herself, created during a dimensional/time shift when the Voyager was still stranded in the Delta Quadrant.

But what happened?  Why is she the leader of the Rilnar?  What caused her to abandon the Federation and what will the repercussions be?  Is the universe ready for two Janeways, especially during a planetary conflict?

A Pocket Full Of Lies by Kirsten Beyer and published by Pocket Books successfully brings readers up to date on the exploits of the crew of Voyager and what occurred during the intervening years since their return.

The author fills in the gaps and recounts past pivotal incidences aboard the Voyager during its exiled years, its return and the events set in place. 

It's a 'must-read' for any Voyager fan. 

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction #723, January/February

NOVELETS

Number Nine Moon

The White Piano

Telltale

SHORT STORIES

Vortex

Rockets Red

Smooth Stones And Empty Bones

Caspar D. Luckinbill, What Are You Going To Do?

Robot From The Future

Squidtown

Touch Me All Over

The Visionaries

Braid Of Days And Wake Of Nights

DEPARTMENTS

Books to Look For

Books

Films: The World, The Flesh, And The Apocalypse

Science: Welcome To Pleistocene Park

Coming Attractions       

Curiosities

CARTOONS

Mark Heath, J.P. Rini, Arthur Masear

COVER

"Martian Vortex" by Bob Eggleton

A Big 'Thank You'

Recently a good friend of mine traded and sold me an impressive selection of Silver and Bronze Age comic books.

My friend stopped purchasing comic books going on five years ago and what comic books he does have he has stored them away in his 'man cave' and in a storage unit outside.

I called him up the other day wanting to trade some of my recent comic books (I stopped buying them in June) for some of his older comic books.  I wanted something to read and wasn't particularly interested in 'hot' titles as I was in something new to read.

Packing up a short box of comic books I went to my friend's house and after several hours of sorting through his comic books, I picked out the equivalent amount of books and came home and enjoyed reading them over the next several days

While at my friend's home I noticed his 'man cave' was in a state of disarray.

I called him up, after I indulged my comic book reading addiction, and offered to come over and clean up his room as my friend and his wife have not been in the best of health recently.

While on the phone my friend told me he and his wife decided to sell me as many comic books I wanted at an unbelievably low price.

Asking his why he would do such a thing he replied, "I'd rather they would go to someone who will take care of the books and besides I'm no longer interested in comic books and don't want to take the time to sell them off.

Needless to say I was thrilled.

I went over to his house and came back with another batch of books.

Here's a partial list of the books I traded or purchased.  The majority are Silver and Bronze Age.

Avengers, Fantastic Four, Luke Cage, Legion of Super Heroes, Superboy, Wonder Woman, 

X-Factor, Captain America, Machine Man, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Daredevil, Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Two-In-One, Dazzler, Defenders, Batman, Detective, Superman, Action, Secret Origins, Howard The Duke, Rocket Raccoon, Iron Man, Atlas titles, E-Man, Black Panther, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Green Lantern and much more.

A big 'thank you' to my friend and his wife.  I promise I'll enjoy reading each and every issue and will make sure they are well taken care of.  

Collector Resolutions

Now that I'm retired I'm able to dedicate more of my time to collecting-specifically comic books-old comic books, toys and other pop culture items.  I also plan to reorganize and revamp Collectors' Corner.

In 2016 I'm determined (God willing) to accomplish the following items.

1. Expand my Silver and Bronze Age comic book collection.

2. Sell off some of my non-essential' comic books (about 20 long boxes full).

3. Attend more comic book shows.

4. Increase the readership of my website, blog and Facebook.

5. Convince more manufacturers and publishers to send review material.

6. Investigate and explore the possibility of starting a You Tube channel.

7. Sell off the majority of my toys, trading cards, model kits and diecast.

8. In general become more involved in collecting and establish myself as a 'legitimate' authority on comic books
and their history.