Getting Confirmation

Yesterday I picked up a copy of The New Ultimate Spider-Man and I heard that they were bagged because inside was a random chance of a signed variant by none other than Stan “The Man” Lee himself. I would like to tell you that after cutting the bag open carefully with scissors I discovered, that’s right, you read it here first I discovered an unsigned copy of the book. It wasn't like any other book either it was good, signed or not signed. This is the way a number one should start off, not mentioning any other comic book companies…cough cough.

After some people read my entry through comicbooked.com word came back after a day that they received a signed copy. If my internet wasn’t working so sporadically I would add the link to the picture on twitter. Congratulations to that guy. I can’t say that I am upset about not getting a signed copy especially since that is not the reason I got the book in the first place. Nope, I got it because I hope it would be a good read and I wasn’t let down. I really cannot wait till issue #2.

I don’t want to spoil anything but the ending was a classic ending of why I like comic books. I want to know what happens next. I might have to wait a month but I for one plan on rereading it just like my Locke & Key issues. Comics are becoming fun again. I have a few more to read including Fear Itself and Daredevil before going to bed this Thursday morning, late morning anyway. But I wonder with one more bagged number one coming out soon, will I be lucky enough to look in awe one of those coveted golden tickets, oops…sorry Willy Wonka just popped in my head.

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What about the Doctor?

What about the Doctor

On Wednesdays I buy comic book and on Saturday’s I miss the Doctor.  Every Saturday night Doctor who plays on the BBC. I was introduced to this sci-fi show when I was just a kid. My sister’s best friend told me about t Doctor and I was introduced to him first by the show, then by books, my first Doctor? Tom Baker. I followed him on the NJN which didn’t always have good reception and if I was really lucky I would find him on PBS but one of my most memorable moments of a memory I don’t fully remember was when my Father found me in the library and I lost track of time. Apparently even reading about the Doctor and the TARDIS I was transported through a full day at the library without realizing anything but pages were moving from one side of the book to the other.

I work overnights which is only one of the reasons why I miss the show on Saturdays, the other is I really don’t feel like paying for cable when I would only watch a couple of shows. These shows I would download of I-Tunes to own anyway. Case in point, I am downloading the latest Doctor Who show, I started this Sunday afternoon and my internet is just getting worse. I called my provider and I am still waiting for some resolve. Then a decision might have to be made. I mainly picked the wireless aspect because I wanted to use it on my lap top, but now I have a touch screen desk top, what do I need that for.

As much as I enjoy the television show and have only read the books in the past I don’t see why I don’t pick up a current novelization or even a comic book by IDW, after all I do enjoy Locke & Key as well as the Cape. I never realized how dependant I have become on technology whether it is through my computer or smart phone. The thing is, without these two items I would not be collecting the way I have been collecting nor have the best set of my favorite series with only a few more to complete them. I guess since I have an hour left to download this show, a download that should have taken no more than five minutes I will take a nap when it is finished, or maybe take a nap while it finishes and maybe six hours from now it will be done. As I mentioned I only had an hour left on the timer but this is the third day. 

Under Locke and Key

As much as CGC changed the way I collect comic books I wouldn't be collecting the way I am if they weren't good. A few months ago on FCBD I picked up a whole bunch of comics, both free and not. One of the books that I decided to try was Locke & Key. As with past FCBD’s the comic books were mostly reprints. This was true for Locke & Key but since I haven’t read it before I was enthralled. I was also skeptical…was it really that good. I read it again. It was a quick and easy read. When I read the original in its trade form I noticed the reprint was also edited (formatted to fit your screen). I read the comic book one more time when I realized I had to get this story.

I found book two in a Barnes and Noble and purchased the book deciding I would wait till I purchased book one. With Wizard World Philadelphia approaching the very next month I decided to wait to read it so I can purchase the trades at the show for a discounted price. Unfortunately the first and third trades were at full price (still a bargain at $24.99) when I bought them and I couldn't wait…. I already read book two. It was after I purchased the other trades that I decided I wanted to get this series in a CGC 9.8 “white pages” or better. I checked out eBay and found a Gem Mint ten. I bartered and bought the copy.

When I got the book in I was thrilled to have my second Gem Mint Book. I was going to check out the registry and add it right away when I saw the person who was in first. His set was amazing. I felt once again how I felt when I first saw Bagofleas in the lead of the New Mutants set, which was pretty much I’ll never be able to get a better set then this guy. I was ready to quit before I even started and didn’t even bother with adding the book. I have been checking out eBay and other sources and decided that it was worth collecting.

I started the New Mutants set not because I wanted to be first, but because I wanted them all. They were (and are) my favorite. So after some thought I decided to collect the Locke & Key books after all but I would on get them if they were a 9.8 SS or better. Something I started to do with the New Mutants. I hope to get no lower than a 9.9 but will settle for the 9.8’s. I knew if I was going to get a set of this series then it would be because I like the series not that I have to be the best. I added my set only recently and then saw the person that had the first place was gone.

I don’t know why he is gone but I wish him well. Many other people who are collecting Locke & Key have purchased books from him. The ones that I have noticed have even mentioned this thanking him. It will be a long time before my collection of this title goes anywhere since I will have to be patient. I have learned patience. I only need a handful more of the New Mutants so I feel comfortable in moving on. There are others I thought I would have enjoyed collecting and I might have before Locke & Key but now I feel like selling them off because if they are not something I want to collect, why should I?

Someone wrote how there are collectors who need to complete the whole series. ….. This is how I am for eighty percent of my CGC collection, okay maybe ninety. There are many DC comic books out there, yes DC that I want to get and have no desire o get anymore. I just want them because of the memories they bring. They are also a bit of money to just get and not have a set. I feel odd buying a book just for the one copy and then using it for points. I have to remind myself I am not using it for points. I am getting it because I like it, which of course is why I am starting with the series Locke & Key.

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