What's Got Everyone Talking This Week

So it’s been a pretty busy week in the nerdy geeky world. A lot has been going on in a number of different areas. So what’s everyone talking about? Well the blogverse, Twitterverse, and other websites have picked up on a number of things; therefore, I’m only going to highlight the top five. Here’s a look:

The New Mutants Trailer

Part horror movie cut and part superhero trailer, the first trailer for the 20^th Century Fox film “The New Mutants” has managed to get people talking. Are they talking good or bad? Well, that largely depends on how you take the two minute trailer (I’ll add a duh right there). For me, the trailer seems cut in a way that puts the movie on par with some sort of 1980’s horror movie, and that might just be a good thing. Check it out for yourself:

Another Walking Dead #100 Variant

Yup, it happened. Just when you think things couldn’t get any more confusing in the Walking Dead comic book collecting world, now seventy some issues later another variant of the first appearance of the man with the bat wrapped in barbed wire has made an appearance. With the release of the “Here’s Negan” book, Barnes & Noble has managed to score an exclusive variant ofWalking Dead #100. The hardback book is available at the website for under $19, while the comic enclosed with the book is selling on eBay in the $40 range. Amazing, eh?

The Last Jedi Trailer

No matter how you feel about Star Wars, there is little chance anyone in this particular circle has escaped the latest trailer for The Last Jedi. So what’s up? Well, if you missed it here it is, hold on:

Hard to say how to judge this one, but like most Star Wars trailers, it looks EPIC.

Marvel Lenticular Covers

Marvel has found a way to alienate comic book shop owners by putting some really strange buying requirements on the Marvel Legacy Lenticular covers. What this has done is forced stores to sell the books above cover price (unlike DC that simply charged a little more cover price for the lenticular books BTW). If you are a comic book collector, the 3D or Lenticular covers are pretty cool, but with the books failing to really strike a chord on the secondary market most of these books look to be dead on arrival. That is if your local comic book shop even ordered any to begin with. Look for more on this topic over the coming week.

Disney Epcot 35 Figment Funko

Hey, Disney is cool, and that little purple dragon that inhabits the World of Imagination is pretty popular. So when you combine the 35^th Anniversary of Epcot with a pretty cool Funko Pop of Figment, you get mass hysteria. Well, you get a lot of folks cashing in is what you get. Despite costing $19.99 retail, the Figment Funko has been ringing up twice that on secondary markets. That number was really crazy over the course of the Epcot anniversary with some sales approaching the $75 range. Things seem to have toned down for now, especially with fans waiting until the next shipment from the manufacturer. Still, if that ship doesn’t come in, buyers can expect a nice bump in price (on the secondary markets that is) prior to the holiday.

Hey, that’s the rundown on what has gotten everyone talking this week. Who knows what the next week holds, but I’m betting a certain God of Thunder or a Prince from Wakanda will be at least mentioned in the next few.

It's Time for the New Dimension Comics Legendary Basement Sale Again!!!

Every section of pop culture has a certain mythology about it. There’s Bigfoot, Mary Black, trolls, dragons, and the New Dimension Comics Legendary Basement Sale. You know, you’ve got to see it to believe it.

What’s that? You’re not familiar with the NDC Basement Sale? Well, to make a long story shorter (okay, it’s not that long anyway), the basement of the Ellwood City mega-store of New Dimension Comics catalogs and curates over a half-million comic books. Two or three times a year, that basement is open for the shopping public.

Since I am an honored employee at NDC, I’m largely responsible for filing into what I consider the personal collection of the owner and probably the finest selection of back issues that I have EVER seen. Factor in three decades worth of collection up and down the East Coast, and that statement should really mean something.

The New Dimension Comics Basement contains pretty much all the popular titles you would expect, Spider-Man, Hulk, Avengers, etc, but this place is also home to some of the more obscure and difficult to find titles. Looking for The Human Fly? We’ve got that. Looking for Starriors? Yep, we’ve got that too. What about such modern hard to find fare like Rick and Morty, Beavis and Butthead, or even Alf? Yep, we’ve got those too.

What about the people behind the books? Garth Ennis, George Perez, Ron Lim, Todd McFarlane, Warren Ellis, Frank Miller, and many many more are all represented in the basement with various works associated with each artist or writer. Your favorite is probably there as well.

The best thing? All of these issues are only $1 each. Now that’s cool.

This is one of the best chances collectors, fans, and enthusiasts have to pick up runs of titles without spending a ton of cash. This is likely the last chance of the year to have some ease plucking those issues you’ve been trying to get your hands on for years.

The New Dimension Comics Legendary Basement Sale starts at 8AM and runs until 7PM on September 30, 2017, and with Fall Fest taking place around Ellwood City that day parking might be a bit of a challenge, but this is one date that collectors should try to make.

After all, seeing is believing. So grab your checklist and stop by, you might be surprised to check off some pretty impressive boxes. I’ll be there to help you find as many treasures as possible so feel free to ask or just say hi. There is A LOT to see and pick through.

Infinity War #1 Talking Points

Infinity War #1

One of the hottest comic books heading into 2018 boasts a familiar storyline and a bunch of familiar characters. Infinity War #1 is starting to trend in chat rooms, forums, and comic shops across the country. Yes, the Jim Starlin story combined with art from Ron Lim (on a really cool gate-fold cover) has taken on something of a minor hot streak in the world of collectability. Of course that all stems from a little movie due May 4, 2018 called “Avengers: Infinity War Part One.”

So why all the fuss over a comic book that is priced at about $8 according to Comic Book Realm. The fun part is that this particular series has actually maintained a little bit of affordability over the years. While the original tale of “The Infinity Gauntlet” remains the measuring stick for Marvel cross-overs in this particular series, this second take on the glove that everyone seems to be after is definitely worth a read and an investment. Oh, and the big reason is that next year's third Avengers movie is titled: Avengers: Infinity War.

The really huge caveat associated with this book is that the story will have pretty much nothing to do with what takes place on the screen in the Infinity War movie. Doppelgangers and evil twins take center stage in the story (and the associated Marvel crossover books), and it seems like the film will be a bit closer to the "Gauntlet" story, but with several key players in the comic book series not being introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe major changes are likely going to happen. 

At a sub-$10 price, this issue has the ability to double in price heading into the spring or summer of 2018. Speculators will without a doubt drive the price of this book into the $20 level come February and March of 2018, and all of that is simply based on the name. While “Infinity Crusade” and “Infinity Gauntlet” can expect some minor bumps in price as well, all eyes will be on the rather easily obtainable “Infinity War” series.

While the set is still most desirable, Infinity War #1 will be the one most collectors will start chasing. After all, those number ones are always high on everyone's checklist. So with that in mind, collectors should keep an eye out for this issue at their local comic book retailers with a keen eye pointed at the price tag. Not only is this a great issue thanks to Starlin and company, but the story helps drive a lot of the friction seen across a lot of series in the Marvel Universe for the time period.

July 2017 Reading List: Batman, Thanos, & More

Collecting and reading comic books is one way to experience a number of different storylines in a fast and furious manner. The cool part is that several of the books can escalate in value, which gives collectors a little something to bank on. Of course, since comics are a print medium, reprinting classic and popular stories allow readers to experience some great issues without the added cost of putting together those scarce runs.

Here is a look at my top five recommendations for trade paperbacks for July of 2017. All are available at Amazon (some are selling fast), and just about all of them will likely be available at your local comic book shop. Here’s a look:

The Killing Joke

Of all the Batman stories that have been told over the years, and there are A LOT of them, “The Killing Joke” remains extremely popular among collectors and readers. The story was actually made into a grittyanimated film in 2016 for anyone trying to skip the reading assignment, but experiencing the words of Alan Moore on a new level can help readers appreciate the fine line between Batman and The Joker a little bit more (see what I did there?). After Barbara is on the receiving end of some nasty business from Mr. J, Batman embarks on a new level of brutality against a foe that just might be capable of pushing him to his limits. Simply a great read from cover to cover.

The Infinity Gauntlet

Of all the questions I get about comic books, this six issue limited series is among the most popular. “The Infinity Gauntlet” brings readers closer to the madness of Thanos and his quest to kill off half the population of the universe. With his trusty Infinity Gauntlet, he accomplishes the task with a literal snap of his fingers. With some major players in the Marvel Universe taking center stage, this story brings the Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock, and more to the front of attention for readers of all ages. Of course, with a major movie being released next year, this one is more homework assignment than anything else. The original issues are increasing in value and will likely retain those lofty levels.

The Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 1

Of all the superhero books around, there are so many characters that can trace their roots to the Fantastic Four. This series launched some of the heavyweights for sure, and the first twenty issues are combined here for the enjoyment of readers of all ages and budgets. Since putting together the actual first twenty issues will set you back like twenty grand, picking up the trade paperback for under twenty dollars is a pretty safe way to experience some of the golden age of comic book lore and set the tone for decades of great things to come.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

A lot different than the movie that received some praise and some criticism, the original “Days of Future Past” story from Uncanny X-Men 141 & 142 involved a whole lot of Kitty Pryde. While going back in time to prevent a terrifying future is one of the staple storylines of several properties (the Terminator, Flashpoint, etc), the X-Men offer up their own take on internment camps, sentinals, and the brink of extinction. The story is quite legendary in the Marvel world, and is a must read for any X-Men fan.

Daredevil: Fall From Grace (The Epic Collection)

I’m always amazed that Daredevil has achieved a level of notoriety that equals a lot of other top tier Marvel characters. It’s not that he’s a bad character, it’s that he toiled as a second or maybe even third tier character for decades, and I’m not really sure why. He’s brought several great characters along for the ride, including Bullseye and Elektra. Of course, Elektra gets reintroduced to the Marvel Universe in this race against the clock to stop the Hand from taking over the world (at least New York anyway) with a super-virus. This story is a great time for any fan of the Netflix fan, because it showcases the character in one of his greatest stories.

So there you have it folks, five great stories with some of the most legendary characters around. All available on one of the largest websites around and ready to be delivered to your door. Experiencing one or two of these trade paperbacks is something that every fan should check out. Better yet, they might inspire you to chase down the actual issues they were printed in, and that my friends is a very very good thing indeed.

Inhumans Trailer Lowers Expectations

Let’s get one thing straight out of the gate, the Inhumans are not the X-Men. These characters can probably not even lay claim to being as popular as the Fantastic Four. In fact, Black Bolt, Medusa, Lockjaw, and the other characters that make up the “team” are at best third tier characters in the Marvel Universe.

Now before all the hate comments start, there have been some great stories including Black Bolt and crew. Along those lines, anyone that likes the characters can relax, because I’m not going to hate on the Inhumans. Quite the opposite. Like any comic book based characters, the tools are only as good as the creative team behind them.

The upcoming television show on ABC (which seems to be a place for the other Marvel shows) dropped its first trailer recently. As you can tell from watching the few minutes of footage, you are likely in line with what many Marvel fans have thought. It looks, well, not very good.

Of course, it’s unfair to judge a series, even one with a theatrical debut ahead of a television debut (seriously, what is that all about~$$$$$), but right now Inhumans looks as good as Iron Fist. Since they are both from pretty much the same showrunner, fans can be forgiven if they take a pass on this one.

Marvel had been pretty flawless on Netflix until Iron Fist trotted on by, and now Defenders looks to be okay in the early going, but this ABC marriage does not look to be going so well. While Agents of Shield continues to build, err, momentum (okay, we will go with that), this particular offering looks a little stale.

Again, the lack of costumes and masks are a little glaring, and since Black Bolt offers nothing in the way of the spoken word, there will be A LOT riding on his facial expressions and general skills of the actor. The returns look sub-par in this trailer, but who knows, this could end up being the show of the year.

It’s weird how DC shows are excelling on broadcast and the movies (at least until Wonder Woman) were average, but Marvel has been redefining movies and less than stellar on anything but Netflix. Quite the head scratcher?

Anyway, the first trailer is here for Inhumans, and after that Black Panther footage, well, fans were expecting a little more. Hard to say where this one will end up.

Bob Ross Funko Gaining Huge Momentum

 

One of the more interesting trends to pop up in the world of pop culture and collectability over the past few years is the emergence of Funko Pop figures. The little cartoonish plastic figures have become a hit with collectors of all ages and niches. Like any trend staying on top of what seems like thousands of figures can be a challenge for anyone, and that challenge is about to be stepped up even further.

The big item that everyone seems to be talking about is the Bob Ross Funko. Yes, the “Happy Trees” guy from the show “Joy of Painting,” that became a Netflix phenomenon. The tween and teen section of collectors has been buzzing about this figure for a few weeks, and pre-preders are already skyrocketing in demand. Make sure you order yours, or one for a Christmas present, very soon. Amazon is currently offering a nice pre-order price.

The other series that is getting some traction with collectors of all ages features the “Terror that flaps in the night.” That’s right, Darkwing Duck is making a Funko Pop debut along with Launchpad, Gosalyn, and even Negaduck. While admittedly, the Darkwing set of characters will not be nearly as popular as the Bob Ross, the chase and variant crowd is likely in for an adventurous fall collecting season.

With limited editions, exclusives, and chase variants also making waves, just about every Funko Pop has the chance to offer some sort of collectability. What really drives that market is variants and versions of popular figures. While it’s always tough to gauge popularity, these fall releases seem to be generating a whole lot of interest.

Pre-orders at comic shops and collectible centers are heating up, and it seems likely that the pre-order price will get altered on Amazon at some point. Bob Ross has managed to jump into the pop culture conversation, and his popularity will likely make these impossible to find around the holiday season. Jump on them now collectors, or pay the price (quite literally) in a few weeks.

Trade Paperbacks Offer Limited Collectible Value But Major Win for Readers

Anyone that has been to a comic book shop or book store has likely realized something that gets missed a lot—There is a lot of stuff on the shelves. Comic books present a lot of options for readers of all tastes and personalities. Not everything is for everyone. Since comic books are built around on going stories, readers are also presented with another interesting challenge, and that is jumping into a title without knowing what is going on.

It’s intimidating jumping into like issue #300 or so of a series and playing catch up with characters, events, and other situations. This is something that has become less of a problem these days thanks to what seems like a brand new #1 every other week or so. Is it working? Well, I don’t really have the answer to that.

The easiest way to get caught up on a series are those trade paperbacks that can be found in most comic shops. These hard or soft-bound tomes contain a year or more of the designated series. Furthermore, these cost-effective books can get readers acquainted with special events or crossover events. Stories like The Infinity Gauntlet and more can be picked up for one low price rather than collecting each individual comic, which can cost significantly more.

Of course, trade paperbacks (trades or TPB as they are often referred to) have a pretty big downside for investors in the hobby. The secondary market value of these types of publications rarely rises. It’s not that they don’t (a few in fact do climb in price over the years), but from an investment perspective trades are rarely worth it. From a reader’s perspective though, trades are invaluable.

So Can Trades Affect Collectibility?

This is a tricky question. It’s no secret that supply and demand drive the prices of comic books, so along that line a trade can affect the price of a certain issue. The thing is, most collectors want the actual comic rather than the trade containing every other issue as well. After all, anyone can buy the TPB of early Amazing Spider-Man comics, but few can actually own those books.

The reverse of that equation is also true. In talking with another comic book professional recently we touched on the subject of the Marvel Comics mainstay Alf. That’s right, Alf the fifty issue run that dates back to 1988. There is a TPB of these books somewhere, several different ones comprising a whole lot of the issues, but the chances of Alf being reprinted are pretty slim. Therefore, the chances of Alf comics holding value is a bit better than say, some nominal X-Men run, that could be trotted out at any given moment in TPB form. Does that mean Alf is going to skyrocket in value? Well, probably not, it just means that demand is going to stay fairly steady. (Unless he joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe~again, unlikely).

So there you have it. Instead of plunking down what could be thousands of dollars for a classic comic book run, think about picking up the trade paperback version to experience some great stories. Find an issue you like? Hey, try to pick up that original issue.

Trades are a great part of the hobby, and while some collectors take a solid pass on them, others are happy to scoop them up. It’s all about what you are into and what you like, because there is no wrong way to collect and no wrong way to read. Just take a look at what you might be missing, you might be surprised.

New Defenders Trailer More Helpful Than You Think

Well, it’s a been a while since any updates have been made to my geeky side of the world. Life and work have taken their toll on my availability, it happens. Still, it’s okay to dive right in and see what the latest and greatest things are that are shaking in the world of pop culture.

As you might expect, over the last twenty-four one new trailer is dominating talking points in a lot of circles. That would be the newest trailer for the Marvel Netflix series “The Defenders.” Take a look:

At first glance, the sixteen second spot seems a bit on the boring side. After all, seeing all four characters standing together in an elevator with Danny looking a bit more worse for the wear BTW, is really nothing special. Luckily, the folks at Fnga Bang have dissected the trailer and uncovered a few Easter Eggs. Here’s a look at the break down:

I don’t want to steal their thunder and credit where credit is due, but like most of the Marvel fan population, a lot of those hidden gems were right there in your face. Still, lots of folks likely missed them the first or even the second time around. The real important one is probably the expected release date of 8/18/2017, because that means “The Defenders” will be dropping during those hot August nights where most of us just want to curl up with a blanket and the AC blasting with some popcorn, Butterfingers, and a Coke. (Okay, maybe that’s just me, but you can’t blame a guy).

I’m excited for “The Defenders” on a few levels: Four interesting characters, a villain from the off-the-page world, setting up a larger world.

Four Interesting Characters

Daredevil, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Jessica Jones really do make quite the team. Each character has seen their individual Netflix series received with a fair bit of acclaim and even a touch of criticism. Yes, Iron Fist was a bit slow, Luke Cage was a bit uneven, etc, etc. Seeing these four interact, and probably especially how they meet should be pretty entertaining.

An Off-the-Page Villain

While The Hand will probably pop up with several ninjas (or is it just ninja for plural?) for the characters to do some fighting with, news of Sigourney Weaver will be playing Alexandra, the main villain of the series. Since Alexandra is not a Marvel villain, this off-the page concept is a bit on the daring side as Netflix is going with something that is an unproven commodity. How’s it going to work? Who knows, but this could be magic, as Weaver’s reputation precedes her, I know I’m expecting something great.

Setting Up the Larger World

The Netflix world of Marvel characters is set to expand with “The Punisher” series later this year as well, and with characters getting their own series after appearances in other Netflix series, the “network” has proven to be a launching pad of entertainment. I look at Netflix as the first real live-action comic book publisher. I think of “The Defenders” as an 8-issue limited series from a larger line of products. After all, it all started with comics, so it might just launch some additional stories.

All the positive set aside, there are a few reasons to be nervous about “The Defenders” as well: that villain, the length, and how big can the world really get?

The Villain

Yep, excited and nervous about anything that has not been established (in some form or another) on the comic book page. Maybe it’s my age, maybe it’s something else, I’m not sure. One thing I do know from just about every form of entertainment imaginable is that a property is only as good as the villain. That hangs quite a bit of responsibility on the writers of the show to really do it some justice.

The Length

Eight episodes is not a lot of time. With four great characters, one new villain, and hopefully some great deep storylines, there is A LOT that is going to be packed into “The Defenders.” With so many faces needing to chew up some screen time, this could be a competition more than a show. Directors and writers are going to have to make sure everyone has just enough to do without shadowing everyone else.

How Far is Netflix Willing to Go?

I often wonder about just how far Netflix is willing to go with these Marvel properties. You could say that the company has been successfully mining the C-List of characters for a few years. Sorry fans, Daredevil and Frank Miller were brilliant, but the character has had more valleys than peaks. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist are all great characters, but aside from outworldly geeks like myself (and no doubt several of you reading this right now) the characters were largely a mystery before their Netflix bows. So I ask Marvel and Netflix, who or what is next, because the big screen is going to be packed with Avengers and Guardians over the next few years. That’s a lot of A-List (and B-List) characters shaking up the world (quite literally in a few cases), Netflix and Marvel seem committed to a darker grittier world than the unicorns and cotton candy at the box office, just how far are they willing to go?

So, “The Defenders” will be dropping this summer, it’ll be binged by millions of fans, it’ll be judged by thousands of them, it might work, it might not. With more than four months to go, more trailers are likely on the way. This is more of a pivotal point in the Marvel/Netflix partnership than many people realize, and there is a lot riding on the success (or failure) of this single series. I’m rooting for the show to be a runaway (see what I did there?) hit. Seems like the answer is not all that far way.

Reviews of Star Wars: Ahsoka Fills In Some Gaps & Offers a Fun Read

Well, I just finished of Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston. The story bridges some of the gap from the point where she jumps out of the Clone Wars animated series and reappears in Rebels. To say the least, Ahsoka has been pretty busy. To put in bluntly, the book serves fans well. The focus on the former Jedi Padawan as a main character has really been too long in coming, and these 350 or so pages really help round out the character. In case you are wondering, there will be no spoilers here so read on with little fear. (that would be the Dark Side)

The story catches up with Ahsoka shortly after her abandonment of the Jedi Order, which as many already know came at pretty much the right time, as Order 66 pretty much caused the death of every Jedi in the galaxy. What Johnston demonstrates several times throughout the story is the pull Anakin Skywalker’s former pupil still feels for the Jedi despite not technically being one. Got to say, I’m not a fan of the storyline that saw Ahsoka tossed from the Clone Wars series, but I can respect someone’s vision. I don’t have to agree with it either.

That being said, Ahsoka Tano has other things to do. After pretty much growing up in some pretty big shadows, the young girl has found herself questioning any number of things. Since she’s not a Jedi, exactly what is she supposed to do? Johnston decides to give her something worthy of her skills. The story explains just enough of what happened to help any reader unfamiliar with the character understand exactly what is going on. That’s a pretty impressive feat for any author, and let’s face it, the Star Wars fans are not always forgiving when it comes to messing around with characters.

The one issue with the book might center on pacing. I kind of felt like I was waiting for something to happen in a few cases, which was strange because there was plenty actually going on just nothing that particularly, interested me. I wonder if this story could have been done as six or ten issue limited series in the comic book world where some incredible art could have accompanied a fabulous story with a familiar face. Well, maybe Marvel and Disney will get together on that.

What seems readily apparent is that Ahsoka has the ability to carry a story by herself. Hard to imagine that many did not like her when she first appeared, but her quick wit and pretty much fearless banter have helped endear her to a generation of fans. The character has come a long way, and with the Star Wars Universe going back through to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, I would not be totally shocked to see Ahsoka Tano pop up again.

Star Wars: Ahsoka is definitely worth the time. It’s not a hard read, and it’s a pretty entertaining affair. Give it a chance, and never forget the words of Master Yoda “Do or Do not, there is no try.” 

Taking a Timeout for Reflection

This has been a pretty quiet week across all the Jasgal142 Media network of blogs, news, and updates. I’m going to take a break from our regularly scheduled content of comic books, movies, products, and assorted things to talk about something that is a real priority for me—family.

Last week my world was rocked by a simple phone call. Now many of us have been there. The phone rings early in the morning or late into the night, only to be informed of the death of a family member or loved one. It’s a traumatic experience both for the person receiving the call and the person making the call. Personally, I hate being the one delivering bad news, but it’s part of life (and you make more and more of these the older you get).

My aunt had called earlier than usual to inform me of the death of my cousin, Vincent Stanton. Of all the people I expected to hear passed, 23-year-old Vince was not on the list. It was simply stunning, and after making my required contacts to pass on the news (see how it works), I went to see my aunt and her daughter (my cousin and Vince’s mother). Obviously, when a son and grandson passes away unexpectedly it is a fairly difficult time. It was an uncomfortable couple of hours, and it set the tone for a sad week.

When anyone dies, there is a tremendous ripple effect. Often there is enough sadness to go around—two or three times. In this case, I grew up with Vince’s mom, Becky as well as her two sisters. They are like sisters to me, and their mother (my mom’s sister) is like a second mother to me. I hold them in high regard, and I’m sure, or at least I hope, that all of you have similar relationships with family and friends.

Vincent was one of those kids, yes at 23 he’s still a kid to me, that was fun to be around. He could be quiet or he could be loud, but in any event he was fun to be around. Always smiling, not unlike a lot of us at that age. Did he make mistakes? Of course he did. Just like I did, just like you have, and just like we all are going to keep doing. There are plenty of was to judge the circumstances of his passing, but in the end, none of them really matter. The “Why” in this case, and in many similar cases, simply does not have any bearing on the situation. A young life was lost, and the family and friends have to adjust.

His sisters, his parents, his aunts, his grandparents, all the lives he touched, and there are many, have to make a new day without Vince. The story I like to tell is running into him around our small town. Since I work part-time at a local comic book store, I actually ran into him a few times. Vince always took the time to say hi and strike up a short conversation. It was never anything deep or fondly prophetic, the usual banter an older guy has with a younger family member. “How are you?” or “How’s your mom?” or “Hope everything is well.” You know, that kind of stuff.

The point of the story gets lost on a lot of folks, and I don’t blame anyone for missing it because I don’t really throw it high enough. You see, Vince MADE the time to talk to me and my family. He crossed the street or walked hundreds of feet. He didn’t care what his friends or girlfriends would think of a person his age talking to a middle aged comic book store nerd looked like. He wanted to talk, to say hello. He was polite, he showed respect. And in a lot of ways, he showed me a thing or two about how everyone should conduct themselves. He will be missed—terribly—by everyone that knew him.

It’s a sad situation. It’s heartbreaking. It raises a lot of questions. It yields few answers. At his funeral, sadness and grief were prevalent in the room, as they should have been. That’s a touch interesting, because those two emotions were not necessarily parts of Vincent’s life that I could see. Perhaps, that’s why it affects me personally so much.

In the end though, the reality of the situation does indeed take hold. Grandparents, parents, and sisters are tasked with paying for services rendered. After all, the bills always come due. That’s a fact of life none of us can escape. A friend of Vince’s father has set up a GoFundMe accountfor the family, and I would ask everyone to take a look.

If you can not or simply do not want to make a donation, no harm no foul. I would ask though that you take a few minutes throughout the course of your day to consider those close to you in your life. They can kids, spouses, friends, dogs, cats, anyone or anything, because in the end, love does not judge. Hold them a little closer, tell them you love them, let them know what you feel and how you feel. Not because they could be gone in the blink of an eye, but because YOU can be gone in the blink of an eye. I implore you, make sure those you love and hold close know how you feel.

Frostbite Review: A Story Worth Reading

Frostbite #1

Of all the comic books that have been in the reading stack over the past few months, I was probably intrigued by Frostbite a little more than most. It’s a Vertigo title, and that label carries with it the Hellblazer and Swamp Thing cred that I have come to adore.

If you’ve seen Frostbite on your local comic book store shelves, then you already know the details. The story is by Joshua Williamson with art by Jason Shawn Alexander, and the duo is presenting some pretty riveting things in this series.

Frostbite #2

Basically, the earth has entered another ice age, and a mysterious disease called (you guessed it, frostbite) freezes people from the inside out. There was no cure, until a doctor and his daughter found one. You get where this is going, because it’s a storyline that a lot of us have seen before in comics, books, movies, and much more. The two need to get the cure to a location and hire a team of professionals to get them there. Unfortunately, (and a bit cliché) there is a big bad hunting down the doctor and his daughter. So out to the frozen tundra they go, being pursued on all sides by adversaries. Not exactly what anyone would call a good time, unless of course you’re simply reading the book.

The thing that puts Frostbite on the next level is the depth of Williamson’s story. There are heat booths, which emphasizes the mini-economy that has popped up around something we all take for granted—simply being warmed. There are breakouts of society, Jack Frosts, Snow Queens, Firemen, and much more that have taken root to find a new way of life. That depth is what helps sell, what is probably a pretty much well-trodden dystopian tale. The frozen world is a bit unique, but in a lot of ways the books is Mad Max in Antarctica with a bunch of crazy people running around.

Still, the art from Alexander is something that is pretty interesting all along the way. The characters take on lives of their own, which is really the point of a good comic book. When the writing and art combines effortlessly, the result can be something borderline poetic. Does Frostbite succeed? Well, it’s too early to tell only three issues in, but the early returns look promising.

Frostbite #3

Williamson manages to draw readers in by giving them a stake in the characters. Unlike the superhero books stacked up in reading piles across the world, the independent world is loaded with characters WITHOUT fifty years of canon backing them up. Simply caring about what is happening to these characters is a challenge many books aspire to, but simply fall short.

It’s not a knock, just a note on the state of the industry. It’s easy to care about Batman and Spider-Man, because they’ve been a part of your life for decades, Keaton (one of the main characters on the contracted transport crew in Frostbite) has earn years of respect in a few short pages or the book stays on the shelf never to be opened.

Without giving too much away, because I hate spoilers and the corresponding alerts, the story moves fast in issue number one and only accelerates from there, and that is exactly how a comic book should read. Put the action into the pages and let the narrative develop, this exceeds my Vertigo anticipation.

So by all means, give Frostbite a chance if you’ve liked the Mad Max worlds, Highlander stories, or even some of the Star Wars stuff. The world isn’t as well-developed as those, but it holds all sorts of potential and possibility. From an investment standpoint, Frostbite is probably a buy and hold. Without a major movie or TV series, it’s going to be limited in appeal based on the darker story and strong imagery. That alone should grant it some collectability, but in the end, this a story that I’m going to see through to the end. And the eventual sequels that is.

Classic Comic Book Cover of the Week: Star Wars #42 First Boba Fett

Star Wars Vol. 1 #42

A few years ago you could walk into just about any comic book shop and pick a bunch of the original Marvel Star Wars comic book run. Then, something tremendous happened, a new movie came out. A new comic series was released, and then another, and then another. Then another movie came out, and now another movie is due to come out. See the trend.

Star Wars is one of those entertainment properties that spans genres. Just about every type of memorabilia or collectible you could shake a stick at has some type of value. As far as comics book go the popularity of the original 1977 Marvel Comics series is pretty much unparalleled throughout all of the Star Wars books.

A few of the issues have experienced a tremendous uptick in price and demand, and one of those issues in particular is the first appearance of Boba Fett in Star Wars Vol. 1 #42. Granted, it’s not the first appearance of the famous bounty hunter, because he made his debut in “The Empire Strikes Back” in May of 1980 (that would be a movie ladies and gents) and wouldn’t grace the comic book world until December of that year. Still this issue has climbed into the $100 club, according to Comic Book Realm. Toss in a CGC grade and prices go further north from there.

With cover art by Carlos Garzon, the issue has become a hotly traded commodity among collectors. The white background is especially prone to yellowing and general discoloration issues, which makes higher grade copies very scarce. A quick look at the CGC population report reveals 737 versions in the 9.0 to 9.6 range, but only 167 in the 9.8 grade and there is even one with a ridiculous 9.9.  What that really means is there are a little over 900 copies of this book graded out at VF/NM. That’s actually pretty impressive. Please note that those totals include signed copies that have been slabbed with the yellow "Signature Series" plate.

The popularity of Boba Fett helps sell this book, because he is after all on the cover. The interest in bounty hunter with few actual lines in the movies has soared to heights for a lot of different reasons, and this is as close as collectors can get to one of the first real limited release collectibles of the character. There’s that equation again of popularity versus limited supply, which equals a higher price.

In the end though, it’s a cool cover that can have major condition issues, which is one reason why discerning collectors might be able to argue down a price or avoid a purchase altogether. That background and the white pages are key to solid investment grade book, anything else loses that 9.0 possibility for the most part.

The 1977 Star Wars Volume 1 is set to heat up the charts for years to come. In you or anyone you know is a fan of the Fett you should probably check this book out.

The Max Bemis Foolkiller Finally Makes the Reading Pile

It’s been a while since I talked about anything I was currently reading. Sadly, my reading list has been trimmed due to lack of free time. However, I’ve been enjoying and buying a number of titles. Tokyo Ghost has been a fave, Frostbite has been interesting, Walking Dead has been okay, and the usual staple of Detective Comics, Batman, Flash, etc have been interesting since Rebirth.

Foolkiller #1

The one book I’m going to focus on today is one that a lot of people have likely seen but maybe have not quite popped on, and that is the new Max Bemis written Foolkiller. Three issues in and the current incarnation of the Foolkiller is still a bit unsteady but enjoyable.

Hot off his appearance in Deadpool: Mercs for Money, the Greg Salinger Foolkiller has taken up evaluating villains for SHIELD and deciding whether or not they should be, uh, vigilanted? Okay, murdered. Given the rather questionable morals of Salinger, it’s pretty easy to say that most of the fools, err, patients simply don’t make the grade. And there are some colorful and creative patients at that.

Of course, there is a big hiccup in the process that is revealed when the 1990’s Foolkiller (that would be the third version of the character Kurt Gerhardt) becomes a patient. In issue #3 some things are brought to life and the zaniness really gets going.

Foolkiller #3

Bemis is doing okay by the history of the character, making keen references and such. The pencils by Dalibor Talajic is interesting and just crazy enough to make the book fun to read. The covers by Dave Johnson have been equally as great. It’s not George Perez, but then again, this isn’t exactly a hot selling character book either.

This version of Foolkiller is very different from the dark world of the 1990’s version and a bit more tame than the Marvel Max version that popped up in the 2000’s. No this is a bit more of a zany Deadpoolish take on the character, at least so far. Does it have impact? Well, probably not so much. It’s been fun though, and the throwbacks via covers and characters are pretty cool.

Bemis is doing his take on the character, and I’m going to see it through before I pass a final judgement on it. I’m enjoying it so far, because of the irony of an insane person acting as therapist. I mean, that alone is a pretty interesting Dexter type of swing. I have a feeling it’s only going to get darker and a little more crazy.

The verdict is pretty simple: if you like Deadpool or have fond memories of the Foolkiller, this probably a book you'll want to check out, but if you prefer your heroes a little more on the Captain America side, this is likely a pass. Long-term investment potential is likely minimal, which makes it a work of passion.

Classic Comic Book Cover of the Week: Amazing Spider-Man #583 with Barack Obama

Amazing Spider-Man #583 second printing

After nearly three decades of collecting comic books, I’m still a sucker for a cool cover. Some covers have made more of an impact than others, with a few even managing to be iconic. There is little doubt that the cover exists to get the book off the rack and into the hands of the buyer. In highlighting great covers of the years, it’s pretty easy to get caught up in a lot of different hoopla and fads.

So this week, a book that hasn’t been out for years garnered my attention, mostly because of the upcoming presidential inauguration but more because the outgoing president is right on the cover. Amazing Spider-Man #583 has the recognition of having Barack Obama on the cover, and there are few people that were not swept up in the Obama-mania of the president.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the issue sold morethan 350,000 copies, which is about five times the normal rate of ASM during that time frame. The funny part is the Obama cover is a variant cover, and the actual cover of the issue is significantly lesser known. Hey, even Wall Crawlers need a little help sometimes. Of the five printings (all with different backgrounds and graphics) of the book (that’s five printings of the variant cover), the first printing is the most valuable fetching a $60 price tag according to Comic Book Realm, but there is some value throughout the different issues. Plus there is the added question of "how many of these survive in good condition?".

This book is less about the story and continuity of Amazing Spider-Man, Obama does not just appear on the cover. The story involves the Chameleon taking on the form of the soon-to-be president only to be foiled by Peter Parker’s alter ego. Amazing Spider-Man #583 is more about being the first time a president appears on a comic book cover and in a comic book. That kind of Americana is tough to come by in any industry.

The cover itself has the potential to be iconic and the fact that it has held a $60 tag for years is testament to the power of celebrity, even a political one. Is this a comic that everyone needs to own? Probably not, but the cool tie in from actual events and historical relevance make it one of the cooler covers from the 2000’s era.

That, and just about anyone that sees it will be asking about it. That makes it a great wall book for any collector.

Never Underestimate the Power of Pop Culture

The influence of pop culture can be a powerful thing. When you are talking about the world of comic books, that influence can turn into a stirring storm of popularity that results in some truly high prices. At its heart, the comic book world is an entertainment business meant to dazzle, inspire, entertain, and display the talents of some of the most creative people in the world.

However, there is a second side to the industry that many people associate with it—collectibles. After all, comics have a limited print run, which translates into scarcity. Like any great collectible story, when that scarcity is combined with issues that get tossed, damaged, stored improperly, or generally destroyed, the number of copies of a certain title can vastly diminish. All of this underscores the limited supply.

Pop culture can light a character or property on fire. A television show, a movie, a cool animated series, or whatever your particular entertainment poison might be, has the ability to drive a character into the consciousness of the public as a whole. This process creates more fans. If those fans decide to pursue the comic book part of the equation, demand increases. All the while, supply stays pretty much the same.

While a certain part of that supply supposedly dries up when collectors have placed their comics into bags and boards and put them awaynever to be seen again, those issues can resurface in later years and often do. Of course, depending on how bright the fire of demand is, that can result in some terrific prices.

Think about it, if everyone kept a pristine copy of Action Comics #1, and there were millions available, would the book still be worth hundreds of thousands (and often millions) of dollars? Probably not, because it would be easy to get. So why is Action #1 worth a ton of cash? Why is Detective #27 legendary? What about Amazing Fantasy #15? They are first appearances for sure, but they are first appearances of Superman, Batman, and Spiderman. The pop culture hat trick of richness.

The characters where everywhere, and that’s kind of the point. Take a look at the current pace of pop culture. Five, maybe six years ago, the Flash was a difficult title to sell. Pop a hit television show onto the airwaves, and poof, any issues featuring the Scarlett Speedster are incredibly difficult to come by. The list goes on and on, but any little boost in popularity can have a dramatic impact on prices.

The caveat is that it can decades for that boost to happen. New Mutants #98, the first appearance of Deadpool, was the most valuable issue of New Mutants for years. The Deadpool game and movie happened, and a $70 book was elevated into the $300 to $400 price range. That being said, there is a New Mutants movie coming out, which has ignited interest in that series.

There are comic book series that follow the further adventures of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, and more, there are also series that fill in the gaps of popular television series, Flash and Arrow, and even the Vampire Diaries. Heard of show called The Walking Dead? Yeah, that comic book series is incredibly collectible (read: expensive).

Like all collectibles, values can fade. Like some fads, values can dive quickly. In some cases, those values can be salvaged, in others, well, not so much. Pop culture is a fickle girl or guy to take to the big dance, and comic book collectors know this and comic book dealers, successful ones anyway, have made their lively hood on it.

Just like every other aspect of business, timing is everything. Quality is everything. However, entertainment endures. There is a reason why comic books can trace their ancestry back nearly a century, they are fun. The blip of movies, TV shows, shirts, and toys, are all small hits on the radar of history. All it takes is one hit to drive something huge, it’s all about being relevant.

So never underestimate the power of pop culture, because that can be something that leaves collectors of any level really appreciating their collections for the long and short term. Having fun, well, that’s the plus side of any hobby and business, because chasing those issues is what really makes it a good time. Meeting some cool and interesting people along the way? Well, every industry has its bonus.

Comic Books You Need to Own: The Infinity Gauntlet #1

The Infinity Gauntlet #1

Comic book crossovers can be a tedious thing. Picking up a number of issues of series that you normally would not just to continue a story is a way that companies try to expose different characters to a new audience. One of the most interesting methods to compliment this strategy is to offer a limited series in a stand alone title with a number of adventures or tie-ins offered in other books.

Without a doubt, one of the most popular limited series of the past few decades features Thanos, Silver Surfer, Mephisto, and several other Marvel characters fighting over a glove. What? That’s right, this week’s edition of Comic Books You Need to Own centers on The Infinity Gauntlet #1. This was already one of the hottest back issues of 2016 and it will likely continue that run into this year.

Admittedly this one features one of my favorite openings of any comic book in the history of comic books. However, this book is the first adventure of all the characters in the Marvel Universe banding together to fight off the threat of the Infinity Gauntlet, and it was a pretty deal then.

Now with “Avengers: Infinity War” coming to theaters in the next few years, fans have caught on to just how important this series is. It’s already difficult to find, and will likely become impossible to find. With a current value of $35, according to Comic Book Realm, the first issue is this series (with art from the legendary George Perez BTW) is pretty much the most valuable in the run. The cover is pretty amazing as well featuring a number of Marvel heavies.

Infinity Gauntlet #1 was released in 1991, and the entire series has been available a few times in trade paperback form which is a great way to experience the story, but there is nothing like owning the original. It can still be found for $10 or so occasionally, but those are rare instances. Plus, with Thanos and company making appearances in the Marvel films, this book will likely join the $50 club before the end of the year.

The interesting thing with this issue is the two part formula being used for the film. This will be the first big time two-part comic book movie release, which means things that pop up in the first part might just skyrocket in value prior to the second installment of the film. It’s always hard to say about value, but this is one comic book that is loaded with potential and ready to climb quickly in value.

All the ingredients are here: great art, great writing, fabulous characters, decent opening value, etc. This is one comic book that belongs in everyone’s collection, and it might just be the crown jewel of the collection one day.

Second Printings and Reprints: Whats the Difference?

One of the more common questions to come up with new collectors, speculators, or buyers in the comic book collecting world is the subject of second prints. When a book sells in high velocity with relation to its anticipated print run, the publisher inevitably orders up a second printing. So the question arises: Are second printings worth buying?

The Difference Between Reprint and Second Printing

The Flash New 52 #1 Second Printing

In a world where terminology is pretty much everything, reprint and second prints can get a bit
confusing. The basic difference is that second printings, third printings, and even in some cases fourth printings are released in rapid succession of the first printing. Plus, the issue is nearly identical to the first printing. That "nearly" is important, because there are usually notations in the UPC code, the color of the book, or some other inkling to let buyers and collectors easily identify the comic as a second print or beyond.

Action Comics #1 50th Anniversary Reprint

Reprints can be printed at a much later, sometimes years later, date. For example, the Marvel Milestones collection is a reprint of some of the most key issues in Marvel Comics history. While still ranging in value from twice cover price to the $15 range, the Milestone issues with those awfully sensitive gray borders BTW, are worth a fraction of the actual issue being mirrored. The same can be said for Action Comics #1 which has seen a few different printings over the years, which is important because not a lot of collectors can plunk down thousands (and yes sometimes millions) of dollars for a comic.

So Really What’s the Deal?

Like all things in the comic book collecting world, the value of second printings is something of a crap shoot. In most cases, the second printing is not nearly as valuable as the first printing. However, like every other industry, there are exceptions to this rule where the second printing (or any additional printings) can dwarf the first printing in value simply because of scarcity.

One example in particular is Gotham City Sirens #1, where the second printing is worth about $10 more, according to Comic Book Realm, and another example, and one of the most sought after examples, is Superman: Man of Steel #18 (the first full appearance of Doomsday) where the fourth printing is way more valuable than even the first.

That’s the Opposite of What I Thought Though?

Hold on there buddy, and cool off those jets so to speak. Just because there are exceptions to the rule does not in any way mean that exception applies to all second printings and beyond. The vast majority of second printings hold a fraction of the value of first printings, especially on books with large print runs. The downside is that it’s really too late when the second printing arrives to know if speculators and hoarders have driven the price of an issue out of the stratosphere or if the book is really valuable. There’s always a catch after all.

The thing is, the number of copies (aka the print run) of the second printing can be a serious factor in driving up the price of a second print, or a third print, or beyond. It's all about the scarcity factor and demand for that particular issue.

So the final word is pretty much the only word-- Buy what you like and buy what you can afford. Collect what you like, and let your geek show on your own terms. The secondary market always sorts itself out after a while, and that can take weeks or even years. Second printings and reprints are great ways to experience some great stories without investing a ton of cash--usually.

Comic Book Cover of the Week: Crisis on Infinite Earths #8

Crisis on Infinite Earths #8

Without a doubt one of the hottest comic books gracing the stacks of your local comic book stores is the Rebirth: Flash series. Whether it is the Wally West or Barry Allen Version of the famed character, all the books are pretty consistent sellers. This is one character that did not always sell well, but recent events have helped to change all of that.

The CW Television series has brought new life to The Flash. The New 52 series remains popular with fans, and the Flash Rebirth One-Shot remains one of the hottest comics around. The series sells well, but like many collectors know already, Flash actually did die once. And the funny part about comic books being comic books is that DC Comics actually kept the character under wraps for a few years.

The death of the Barry Allen Flash takes place in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 with some great cover art by the legendary George Perez. The book has become one of the most valuable issues of the limited series with a value of $25 according to Comic Book Realm. Lower than Near Mint copies can still fetch $10 to $15.

The cover itself is a nice little piece of art, which is a fact that only helps its collectible value in the long run. In the short run, the title has spiked over recent years. Granted it doesn’t hurt that the book was printed in 1985, which makes it about three decades old. That kind of scarcity married to demand almost always yields higher prices, which means Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 has all the ingredients to really make a serious impact in the coming years.

So come for the great cover and reasonable price, and stay for the long term investment potential. Either way, the death of the Flash is a great issue to add to any collection.

A Look Ahead at 2017: Five Comic Books with Impressive Upsides in the Coming Year

New Warriors #1 (first printing)

Looking ahead is always a difficult task. Nobody really knows what will happen. Those words ring pretty much true regardless of which industry anyone is talking about. The comic book world and the world of investing in those ultra-cool colorful pieces of awesomeness is really no different. After all, if anyone had a crystal ball, those would be the chosen few knowing far in advance what books were going to be hot.

The coming year holds A LOT of comic book movies and television shows, and a whole lot of promise. Pop culture has an enormous impact on the comic books world, because popularity drives demand, which turn drives price. Scarcity matters too, but in the end, it’s all about what people want. The big books will always be hot, those comic book gold mines, but with the year just beginning to unfold, here are five issues you will want to keep your eyes out for at your local comic shop.

New Warriors #1

What? Really? Yep, with a television show from ABC in the works (an animated comedy it looks like), the upside to this already difficult to find 1990 series is actually pretty positive. There are even two printings to chase to make it a little more attainable, but either one is a buy rated title at the $5 and under level.

DMZ #1

Yep, another title with a television show in the works. DMZ #1 currently sits with a $4 value on Comic Book Realm, but that value could change drastically with the fortunes of the series. In any case, with suck a low purchase price the upside of finding it in dollar bins is increased, which means the chances of it vanishing quickly and reappearing with ten dollar plus tag is extremely likely.

The Question #17

With another cryptic television show announcement, DC has ignited the collecting world on fire. The Watchmen has already gained some pretty serious traction thanks to some interesting rebirth tie-ins, but The Question #17 features the first inclusion of Rorschach into the mainstream DC Universe. Already a $15 book, look for interest and prices to climb as the year and Rebirth storylines continue to heat up.

Uncanny X-Men#267

First appearances are always a hot commodity, and Uncanny #266 is already a high priced book thanks to the first appearance of Gambit. The second appearance of Gambit occurs one issue later in #267 (this all goes against the whole annual first artwork of Gambit BTW). This particular issue has a great chance of getting boosted to the $15 or $25 level with the inclusion of the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie centered around the character could really bump up the value, and it probably will.

Anything with X-23 in the Title

X-23 will be in the new Wolverine movie, and the early trailer received some pretty good reviews, which means may collectors are jumping all over X-23 books. It simply does not matter which ones these days, because everything with the character is seeing a boost. Since she was already featured in one, two, what is it now? Three or four video games?, X-23 is moving closer to Deadpool status by selling simply with an appearance. If you see any of these priced sub-five bucks, pick them up, you’ll likely not get a chance again at that price point.

So again, 2017 looks like another year where pop culture will influence the price of comic books. It’s not a real surprise since popularity is tied directly to price, but with so many great comics being printed each and every month, taking a few minutes to look at what your LCBS has priced in the dollar bin or below can really make a staggering impact on your collection. These can be some of the best books with regards to turn around or flip value.