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)