Free Comic Book Day: A Roundabout Review

Where will you go May 4th 2014? Comic book stores across the country will be giving out free comic books. No gimmicks at all with the word free. Some comic book shops have sales to accommodate the throngs of customers coming into get their free stuff but what about all the juicy back stock, trades, and or special blow out sales. 

I work nights, but I plan on after leaning work at seven am Saturday morning to go home and change before going to my LCS Fat Jack's ComicCrypt on Sansom street in Center City Philadelphia. I've been shopping there for over three years, on a regular basis, of course this is every Wednesday. The kicker is it is one of the farthest comic book shops from where I live. So What makes the travel worth it. Other than having coffee with my dad.

Occasionally I make banter with the staff and the clientele. This makes it an ideal spot to go. I can find out about new books and tally the back issue bins for old ones. I tend to always attribute the seriousness of a comic shop by the back issues, in other words, no back issues means not a seriously good comic book shop.

I first found out about Fat Jack's over twenty-Five years ago when they were next store from their current location. My father worked around the corner and for thirty minutes I was allowed to peruse through the store. It was never enough. I still go and my father goes with. He's bored and for me there is still not enough time. 

I invite you all to go the first Saturday of May, but besides picking up the free comic books they'll have but maybe a back issue or two.

Thanks for Reading

Blog by Phone

I worked once again through the night. At the moment I am using my phone to enter another blog entry. Even though it is so much easier to use my computer to do my writing I am glad I am able to blog by phone. I only wish it was easier to add my journal entries on the CGC registry.

I could do it with the same difficulty I am having right now but with all the journals being added my mindset is to stay on the path. I do know once my computer is fixed then I should be back writing with a vengeance. I will also be looking for more CGC graded comic books. The short amount of time that I have been working a bit more than I have been is helping immensely in a financial capacity.

Every Wednesday I make this trek to my Father's for Coffee. A journey I cherish week in and week out. It isn't just the coffee, it is also because he joins me at the comic shop. Sure, he stays outside most of the times but occasionally he does come inside. If I am lucky maybe I can get him to go to the comic convention in New York. The New York part is easy, it's the comic convention that will be the challenge.

Thanks for Reading

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A needed time out

My computer has decided to take a holiday and although I have a smart phone there is only so much it can do. I am comforted by the fact I have an app that allows me to bid and buy things on ebay. It is the other sites that I can't function to well when I am seeking the comics I want.

So what happens now? Without having a computer for the next few days I will most likely save money. At times in the past I have imposed on myself a month hiatus on purchasing CGC graded books. This has not always been successful. I would discover a book that I just had to have. With my computer.... Vacationing I have to hope that I don't miss anything I want.

The more difficult part is not being able to write on Comicbooked.com like I have been, or a better example of my withdrawal and not being able to write on the registery as I have been doing for almost two years ago. There is a lot going on over there and I feel out of the loop. Wednesday can't come fast enough for me to not only get my comics fix but my computer fixed too.

Thanks for Reading

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What Happens when you Finish?

I am stuck. Out of the current set I am working to finish I only need five more. One is an upgrade and the others I do not have at all. Out of those remaining four, two of them do not currently exist. This might give me a moment to regroup my finances and start something new. I’d say I would give DC a chance but as I did in the past I just stopped collecting. It is nothing against DC, I just think that Marvel has captured childhood memories and I am trying to recapture those. He again I might collect them like I did with the Blackest Night story and get them in trade.

Daredevil is another character that has held solid for me….does that make sense? I only need three more out of the series. Tree more out of a series that went over 500 issues is not bad. Of course they did the unthinkable and started over with a number one…. again. I have wanted to get the Daredevil Miller years starting at issue #158 and ending at #191 in a 9.8. That will definitely add up, but I need a goal and that seems to be as good as any.

At times I have wondered why I collect. I never answered myself. In fact a friend I know hates that I collect, but I think that is only because she doesn’t understand. Have you ever had that, a friend that hates your collection and even more comic books themselves for no reason? This doesn’t bother me. I am old enough now to know comic books are cool, just like bow ties. One day I might find that woman who understands my craving for Wednesdays, and maybe she’ll have that craving too.

Thanks for reading.

When it's Pouring Down Rain

I hated when it rained on the comic book release date, especially when I was younger. The comic shop of choice at that time was ComicCards. This store is no longer around. It is also the store I base all other stores off of. At the time I walked there, cutting through side streets and a portion of woods called Pennypack Park. These days I would ask my retailer to double bag the comic books just in case. I wish I was smart enough to purchase bags and boards. Maybe if they would have sold them individually like my LCS does today I would have had my comics in better condition.

I would walk home with the double bagged comic books under my shirt. During my walk I would silently curse the rain. This wasn’t because it was raining because I love this aspect of nature. No, this was because I couldn’t read them on the way home. There was a spot I would stop at every week and read at least one or two because I couldn’t wait to get home. I can still read them when I pick up my books from my current LCS because I take public transit to and fro the shop, with a minimum amount of walking.

Since I started going to Fat Jack’s Comiccrypt in Center City Philadelphia I have been fortunate because it hasn’t rained that much on release date Wednesday. Today is the weekend, or a portion of it. The type of day that I was stuck inside and all I wanted to do was go to the comic shop. Days like this I would reread many of my comic books as I would listen to the pitter patter of rain knocking on my window. I am glad that it doesn’t rain as much when I do pick the books up in the first place because I do go through the scenario of what if? What if they get wet? What if I crease them? What if it is so bad I actually have to wait an extra day?

Thanks for Reading

Almost Like Christmas Morning

Every Fed Ex Shipment I have ever gotten was always in the morning, a Wednesday morning. I remember this mainly for the fact that they always had to redeliver since I was with my Father for coffee. This time it was different. This time they delivered in the afternoon…when I sleep. Which let’s face it, how many of you as a child had trouble sleeping before Christmas morning.

My seven New Mutants graded in a 9.8 arrived a little past four in the afternoon. I should have went back to bed because I can only sleep about an hour more before going and hanging out with my best friend. I tossed and turned for fifteen minutes before realizing there would be no sleeping for me. My Christmas package had arrived and was silently pleading for me to open it. Who am I to deny a good package what it wants.

I opened the box, popcorn peanuts, bubble wrap, and comic books are what were inside. I ignored the invoice. Did I really want to recall what I paid? I did make sure all eleven books were in there and decided to start placing them on the registry, which coincidently thrusts me into first place. There are still a few others that I need but it feels so good that the number has diminished. With a series that spanned 100 issues, 7 annuals, 1 Special (by Art Adams no less) and a Graphic Novel for a total of 109 issues. If I don’t have them in a 9.8 I don’t have them at all with the exception of the graphic Novel. The best I have so far is only a 9.4.

The best part about them getting to me in the afternoon is I still got to have Breakfast with my Dad, my Wednesday comic pull list completed, and my package without having to wait an excruciating extra 24 hours.

Thanks for Reading

Coffee with My Dad Part II

Every Wednesday without fail a package is due to be delivered. Let me explain further because that sounds like I get a package once a week. Whenever I order something, it seems without fail I will have this package delivered to me on a Wednesday. I don’t trust the USPS, they have proven themselves to be unreliable and sneaky even with a signature required. These days I ask for the package to be delivered to my father’s or through Fed Ex. My latest package was ordered over a week ago and somehow I knew it was to be delivered on a Wednesday.

After getting my confirmation that the package was picked up on a Saturday from Ohio I was overjoyed that I would be getting it Tuesday, my weekly Wednesday curse was broken, until I read closer. It stated that the package would be picked up the next business day due to the time. I was foiled again. Don’t these people know that I get my new comic books on Wednesday? Not only do I get my comic books on this day but I also see my father for coffee. I just never had an order this large come in before, or one that I want so bad.

I tend to be ritualistic. Every Wednesday morning the comic books shop, Wednesday night and I hang out with my best friend, Tuesdays and Thursday evenings I play pool, and so on. This package gives me pause. Two reasons both I hinted at, one I been wanting these comic books for so long and two I am afraid I won’t get them…..so what am I going to do Wednesday morning? I am going to go get coffee with my Dad.

Thanks for Reading

Monday, Monday

Every Monday I know I only have a couple days until comic books come out. This seems unusual for someone who doesn’t collect but no different than someone who can’t wait till Friday to start the weekend with a drink. We all have our rituals weather it is weekly, monthly or even daily. The comic books I choose are the ones I enjoy to read, I tend to stop collecting something if it loses my interest. I just don’t have the extra funds to purchase comic books in that way. I used to. I bought things just to help my collection grow.

I buy trades now on certain Mini-Series rather than get all issues with all variant covers. I want the story. I want to be entertained. Many smaller publishers will have limited series and only limited series. I enjoy this more than someone starting over. I know I am going to get a full story. It is going to start and it is going to end. Many titles that are continuous have added limited runs to add to their story; Magic was such a title for the New Mutants. It nestled in between a few panels of New Mutants #14.

Monday is also that strange day because it is not a day that I wake up and have to start a first day of the week. I have one day off and that is Thursday. My work day starts on a Sunday at 11 and end early Monday morning between 3 and four, this makes it my shortest work day. I also tend to edit some of my articles. In other words what you read is either a first draft that I tend to post and then rehash it over and over for it to be perfect.

Comic books are a simple means to tell a story. Sometimes these stories are grand in scope over decades of writing. Other times they are a small tale that will ripple across a lake. But every Wednesday I make the trek to my comic shop with the full intent to buy new comic books for the day and then on my way home amongst the bustle of public transportation I start to read a few rewarding my week not with a beer but with a story.

Thanks for Reading

Release Date Wednesday

After working the night shift from Tuesday night into Wednesday Morning I go see my father for coffee. This is followed by standing outside my Local Comic Shop’ Fat Jack’s. I prepare myself by using Comixology by clicking of the books I want and referring to the e-mail I get to see what books I am going to purchase. Today I am not able to do that.

I am picking up an extra shift at work. When things are slow and money gets tighter the things to usually go first are the luxuries, in this case comic books. I vowed I would never be in that kind of position again. I might not be able to get all the books I want or to be able to try out a new book. The there are the CGC graded books I lie to collect. These are even more expensive. So here I am working 24 out of 32 hours and pushing back when I get my new comic books by one day.

I already know the amount of work I will need to do, I just don’t know how much money I will make. I will struggle; I will prevail tomorrow, slightly tired, partially worn, but most defiantly eager to get my comic books one day late on Thursday Morning. What days do you go get your comic books, and what happens when you don’t get to get those on the day you plan to have new comic books in hand?