She-Hulk #11

 

Comic: She-Hulk #11

Where Purchased: Earth Prime Comics in Burlington, Vermont

When Purchased: May 6, 2023

When Read: October 27, 2024

When I first started reading comics, She-Hulk was new to the Avengers.  I didn't know much about her but she fit into the group well.  I was intrigued when she joined the Fantastic Four and thought Byrne did a great job using her in that group's dynamic.  Her second solo series by Byrne was a delight.

She was on the Avengers again when I started collecting again in 2002 but her solo books didn't hit my radar again until a few years ago.

I am pretty far behind on a lot of books, hence this one sitting on my shelf for over a year.  Which is a shame because it looks like I was really enjoying this series when life got a little out of hand and reading new comics wasn't a priority. 

Which is a bummer because this issue reminded me of how much I've missed it.  Rainbow Rowell has a good grasp on this character and the supporting cast.  It is a lot of fun, there is a little bit of mystery, some romance, some fighting.  I gave it an 8 out of 10 and will be back before too long!

I have more comics in my collection that were purchased at Earth Prime Comics in Burlington, Vermont than any other store.  About 1 out of every 6 comics I won came from Earth Prime.  It was the first comic store I ever visited, shortly after they opened in 1983.  When I was growing up, the folks at Earth Prime would hold direct sales only books (like Dark Knight and Watchmen) for me and my two best friends that my grandfather, who lived in Burlington, would pick up and hold on to until I visited.

I had a pull list once I moved to Burlington to attend college but when the two owners had a falling out, I followed one to their new venture (Crisis Comics) across town.

I stopped collecting for a while even before Crisis closed down in the late 90s.  When Nan convinced me to start getting books again in 2002, I went back to Earth Prime and started back in.

Early on, Earth Prime was great for back issues.  When I went back in 2002, it was for new books.  Back issues weren't their thing.

And there were some rough years.  It wasn't always inviting to "others"...especially women and kids which was...odd.  But through a host of managers and employees, I always liked shopping there.

The last year before we moved was harder, as employee turnover and changes to the business made me start to feel like an outsider.  But the place is ingrained in my DNA...even if I'll probably never visit it again.

The post script for this story is that Chris Farrell, one of the two original founders, passed away recently.  It was a poorly kept secret that she had a complete collection of every DC Comic ever published.

I wrote her a letter before we moved and I hope the employee I gave it to sent it to her.  While she would have no idea who I was, she was a very important person in my life.  From the kindness she showed my grandfather all those years ago up to providing me a place to keep up with my love of comics, I will forever be indebted to her.

Here are a few links about the store (https://sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/origin-story-how-burlingtons-earth-prime-comics-helped-unite-vermonts-comics-lovers-35006000), about Chris (https://vtdigger.org/2024/10/11/with-a-massive-comic-book-collection-up-for-sale-fans-remember-the-woman-behind-it/), and about her collection (https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/a-look-inside-christine-farrells-rare-comics-collection-42069251)

Saga #55

 

Comic: Saga #55

Where Purchased: Alliance Comics in Silver Spring, Maryland

When Purchased: February 24, 2022

When Read: October 27, 2024

Saga is one of those comics that show you the medium can be more than just superheroes but it is definitely not for everyone.  

I've liked Brian K. Vaughn's writing since I picked up "Y: The Last Man" on a whim.  About a year into that run, he did "Runaways" for Marvel and I was hooked.  Since then, I've added over 350 issues he has written to my collection.

Saga #55 is the beginning of a new chapter.  The previous issue came out in July 2018 and wrapped up everything in a heartbreakingly, beautiful and glorious manner.

And with this issue, just like that, we are back in it.  There is little to no cabbage heading...no "Previously On..."...you are dropped back into things and have to keep up.  

I gave it an 8 out of 10.  It is a solid issue.  The art and lettering is something to behold.  Everything is elevated.  

It is a marvel that the same 3 person creative team that started this journey in March 2012 have stayed together and produced every issue.  According to the letters page, we are now on the downward slope as we head towards the end of this planned 108 issue adventure.

I bought this comic at Alliance Comics in Silver Spring, Maryland during a solo work trip in February 2022.  The store was a little underwhelming...focusing more on Pop Figures and merchandise.  This was pretty much a sympathy buy, as the back issues were poorly maintained and I struggled to find something to purchase.  It was one of 5 stores I stopped at on this day, a total of four of which each only had 1 issue for me.

It looks like Alliance Comics closed within a year of my visit.  It is possible another shop is now open in the same location.

Aliens: Earth Angel #1

 

Comic: Aliens: Earth Angel #1

Where Purchased: JC Comics in North Plainfield, New Jersey

When Purchased: September 4, 2024

When Read: October 27, 2024

Without a doubt, John Byrne is one of my favorite comic book creators.  I think his art is fantastic and I enjoy his writing.  He has the most credits of any creator in my comic book collection database, with 2,222 appearances.  The caveat is that a  book where he is listed multiple times gets multiple listings, but the next five highest individuals with credits all served as either Marvel's Editor-in-Chief or only have credits as an Editor.

Regardless, I am on a mission to hunt down all of Byrne's work, focusing mostly on art credits.  Sometimes his writing only work isn't for me.

This comic was originally serialized two pages at a time over 13 issues in Diamond's Previews in 1993.  Looking in my collection, 1993 was the beginning of a dip in my comic purchasing habits.  It was the first year I bought fewer comics that the year before since I started collecting, so I am not surprised that not only did I miss this originally, I also missed the collected version from 1994.  I really didn't focus on finding it until earlier this year when I updated my want list.

I was definitely after it for the Byrne-ness of it, but the concept intrigued me as well.  I really enjoyed the move "Prey" which was a fun entry in the Predator franchise, as it changed up the time period and turned things on their head.  This is in that vein.

Set in the 1950's, Earth Angel features an Alien outbreak in a suburban America town.  It is a rarity in the ever growing Alien franchise as it is one of the few Aliens comics set in an era of the Earth's past instead of the future.

I gave this a 9 out of 10.  I am not deeply immersed in the world of Aliens but this is a fun romp with a neat little reveal on the last page.

I was so excited to stumble across this on a recent trip.  I had visited JC Comics about a year prior on a different solo work trip and thought the store was awesome, the selection impressive, and the prices reasonable.  When I realized I would be in the area again, I made the decision to make it a stop to stretch and get out of the car for a bit.

I had worked my way through the store and had a few gap filling books I had picked out.  I finally had copies of the first issues of both Marvel Team Up and Marvel Two-In-One and the last issue I needed of Black Lightning when I saw their "Aliens" box.  I hadn't been able to find this for awhile but figured I'd take a peek.

There is nothing better than finding something on your want list in the wild.  Flipping through the box with anticipation. Finding the title and number right where it is supposed to be.

There is nothing worse than flipping through a box of comics and coming to the place where the one you want should be but to find it missing.

On this day, I was so stoked to be able to celebrate finding this.

Mystique #1

 

Comic: Mystique #1

Where Purchased: Comic Kings in Virginia Beach, Virginia

When Purchased: October 21, 2024

When Read: October 26, 2024

Whenever I travel, I try to find a comic shop to stop in and visit.  There is a little method to my madness.  I'll search around an area with Google and Google Maps.  Take a look at the pictures that are available.  Do they have wall books?  Can I see prices?  Too many Pops?  Can I see the size of their back issue area?

We needed a stop on our way to the Outer Banks to break up the drive and stretch our legs before we found some lunch.

Well, Comic Kings had a lot going for it.  They have price tags on their wall books that you can clearly see via Google and things were reasonably priced!

So while Nan wandered a nearby Food Lion, I explored this cool store.  Back issues were reasonably priced and I filled a little gap in my Daredevil collection.  I also snagged an early Star Lord appearance in Marvel Preview.  

I also saw this issue of Mystique and grabbed it.  I am a sucker for variant covers these days.  And I do like Mystique.  So even thought this wasn't on my radar, I picked it up.

I miss the X-Men but couldn't crack the recent Krakoa era.  I have been picking up books from the new "From The Ashes" but this is the first one I've had time to read.  

I gave it a 7 out of 10 in my database.  This is a decent jumping on issue and I like the art.  Not a huge fan of using '90s creation Maverick, as I really don't know anything about him and not sure why I should care.  I'll come back for another issue, as the ending intrigued me enough to give it one more try...especially if I can find a cool variant cover.

As for the store, Comic Kings is worth a visit.  The owner was so nice and he shared that the price tags used to be hand drawn by his father until they decided to scan every number and print them out moving forward.  There is also some really cool art on the packages of bags and boards (which I am kicking myself for not getting, as they were also reasonably priced) all done by a younger, female employee who has a knowledge of older comic characters which wowed me.  Apparently, she has had some letters published in Saga giving Brian K. Vaughn the business!  I'll have to keep an eye out!

3,163 days later...

Last week, Nan and I decided it was time to unplug and hit the road again. Our destination? The beautiful Outer Banks....specifically Kill Devil Hills.

So how did we end up in the Outer Banks?  Well, when we first started dating, we took a big road trip.  We drove down to Savannah, Georgia and tented outside the city and explored all we could for a few days.  From there, we packed it up and hit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and did the same thing.

For some reason, we left Myrtle Beach late.  The drive to Ocracoke, North Carolina took longer than we planned and involved am unexpected ferry.  It all resulted in us setting up our tent in the middle of the night and collapsing into a deep sleep. 

We were jolted awake early by a storm—windy, heavy rains, and chaos as we scrambled to pack up. Poles snapped, fabric ripped, and everything got soaked. We tossed our drenched gear into the car and started driving north, feeling dejected and cold, unsure of what to do next.

That was when we stumbled upon a Days Inn in Kill Devil Hills.  We decided to take chance and entered to see if they might have any vacancies.  

It was nirvana.  There was a fire going in the fireplace...there were fresh baked cookies and lemonade set out on a table....and—thankfully—there was a room available.

We stayed for a week and had an incredible time, so much so that we revisited a few times with the kids, creating memories as a family.

Fast forward to earlier this fall. We received one of those emails from an airline offering vacation packages starting at $29! What they didn’t mention was the fine print: the cheap flights required you to leave in 15 minutes and return in 2027, with five layovers ranging from 7 minutes to 29 hours. You could choose from delightful destinations like Chernobyl, Mar-A-Lago, or Medellin. 

You begin to change the parameters and the whole deal begins to look less and less like a deal.

So, we asked ourselves, why not just drive to Kill Devil Hills? We live much closer now, our car is more reliable than any we’ve ever owned, and I have a silly amount of PTO accrued.

All of this means we did some driving, ate some good food, visited antique stores and comic shops, and met friends in person that we had only ever interacted with online.

As I reflect on this trip, I realized I wanted to share my thoughts on the stores I visit and the comics I buy. So, it makes sense to post something before jumping into all of that.

There will be no rhyme or reason to what comes next, but I hope it will be fun!