I had the privilege last year to peruse some mighty fine comic books in someone else’s collection. I thought I was a collector of comic books until I was able to see what this gentleman had displayed on his walls. He had so many key books (which is what he hunts for) that I want oh so very badly. He graciously agreed to let me take some photos and granted his permission for me to post the following.
Look at that iconic Avengers cover! The Vision is one of my favorite Marvel characters, so I would love to have this issue. That FF issue wouldn’t be too shabby either.
One of the things this collector looks for are first appearances, as you can see by some of the covers above.
This photo is mostly to show off that Brave and the Bold issue. Being the huge Teen Titans fan that I am, this is a key issue I wouldn’t mind having in a much better quality version that I do. But notice that Amazing Spider-Man cover and how Spidey’s webshooter is working, not to mention Jameson–it’s pretty gross looking all around.
Three great looking covers. Steranko’s Captain America is just lovely.
That issue of Weird Mysteries is important because a story in it was featured in Seduction of the Innocent.
The Golden Age Green Lantern is one of my all-time favorite superheroes, so it’s a no-brainer that I’d love to have that Gil Kane drawn issue. I bet the collector is liking the recent change of the Falcon becoming Captain America–that can only be good for the value of his first appearance, at least in the short term.
So which Egghead do you suppose is better? This one from Tales to Astonish #45, or the one portrayed by Vincent Price a few years later in the Batman ’66 tv series? And notice that on the Mister Miracle cover that the “Kirby’s here!” declaration is so small? Is that blurb an after thought? Did Kirby not want it on his cover?
And finally, more firsts! First appearance of Ra’s Al Ghul in Batman #232 and the first issue of Tomb of Dracula. My first introduction to Ra’s Al Ghul came in the form of Limited Collectors’ Edition (1973) C-51. How awesome that was to read that saga, presented in an oversize format, drawn by Neal Adams?! I did end up reading Tomb of Dracula when it was reprinted in 1991-1992.
Longbox Review 