Seven Secrets #1

 

Comic: Seven Secrets #1

Where Purchased: Online at Rubber Mallet Comics via Comic Collector Live

When Purchased: May 2, 2021

When Read: November 12, 2024

I am not sure if I mentioned that I like Tom Taylor's writing.  He has a strong handle on characters and his stories really pop.  Somehow I missed this series when it started in August of 2020 and it looks like I bought the first 7 issues in May of 2021 from two different vendors on Comic Collector Live before adding it to my pull list in June of that year with issue 8.

From there, I finished buying the series and bagging and boarding them....and setting them aside.

And now having finally read issue one...wow!  I wish I had jumped into this sooner.  The book just STARTS and doesn't let go.  There is no cabbage-heading here.  Buckle up and let's see everything unfold.

The overall premise is that there are "seven powerful secrets-words, wonders, weapons, and worse-with the power to change the world."  According to a press release from publisher BOOM! Studios:

In the world of SEVEN SECRETS, the Order has trusted in Keepers and Holders to guard the Secrets in seven briefcases against all harm for centuries but when their stronghold is attacked and the secrets put in peril, the entire Order must face their greatest fear—an enemy who knows too much and is willing to kill to get what he wants.

Now, the Order’s newest member, Caspar, must discover the truth of the Secrets before the enemy does, or risk losing everything.

This was a solid 9 out of 10.  I'm going to make time over the next week to finish this series.  I will probably skip reviewing each issue but maybe do some sort of wrap up post when I finish.

Feeding into my collector mentality and coupled with the overwhelming fear of missing out that often accompanies it, I went with the variant cover for this issue.  I did the same with four of the others that I bought online three and a half years ago.

This issue's cover is by InHyuk Lee.  According to the interwebs, InHyuk Lee is an illustrator from Seoul, Korea, who is known for his digital artwork.  He has contributed covers to 8 comics in my collection...five of which are variants and three of which are the main cover.

E-Man #6

 

Comic: E-Man #6

Where Purchased: The Joker's Child in Fair Lawn, New Jersey

When Purchased: September 4, 2024

When Read: November 11, 2024

I do not know anything about E-Man.  When I started collecting comics, I stuck mostly to mainstream superhero books you could find on the newsstand.  

As an unabashed fan of John Byrne and currently on a quest to collect all of his published work, I purchased this comic for its back-up story which features his professional comics debut.  It is about what you'd expect from a recently turned pro who would go on to have a nearly 50 year career in comics.  It is enjoyable but a far cry from the artist he would become.

As of the time of this post, I only have one more John Byrne drawn book on my want list.  It is a 1992 colorized reprinting of a story that first appeared in 1980's "The Art of John Byrne".

I have never seen a copy in the wild.  There is one copy for sale on the comic marketplace "Comic Collector Live" right now for only $2.00 and the seller has 2 other books on my wish list but the three in total does not meet their minimum order amount.  It is way too expensive on eBay.

A recent work trip had me in New Jersey with a lot of extra time on my hands.  The Joker's Child had popped up in my research for other trips but it was either too far from where I was going or it was closed on the day I was near enough to justify stopping in.

It is a neat little shop.  The day I visited there were several kids with their parents poking around.  Back issues were reasonably priced and the layout was conducive to browsing.  In addition to this issue, I was able to get two decently priced issues of X-23 that I needed.

This was one of five (!) stops I made this day.

Marvel Two-In-One #23

Comic: Marvel Two-In-One #23

Where Purchased: Anytime Antiques in Wells, Maine

When Purchased: May 30, 2024

When Read: November 11, 2024

Another recent addition to our lives has been finding antique stores during our travels.  In all honesty, I don't think I ever really shopped at one until Nan discovered Five Corners Antiques in Essex Junction, Vermont before we moved.  

I can't remember why or when exactly she went but she texted me pictures of comics that she found there.  After that, we went somewhat regularly and I would try to find something worth picking up.

From there, and especially while we were house-hunting and after the move, antique stores have become a fairly regular staple for us.  On longer trips it gives us a chance to stretch our legs and get some steps in.  There is more than enough for Nan to search for and I can speed through to find any hidden cache of comics.

Most places are hit or miss.  Often times places will vastly overprice the most common or worthless comic.  Some times I will find something worth purchasing but it comes with a degree of impulsivity or regret later at the condition or price I paid.

But I do enjoy looking and the thrill of just finding some is always a treat...even if it is rare for me to find something that is actually on my want list.

All of which brings us to this past May where we decided to take a mini-vacation to Maine.  After checking in to our hotel and before meeting Haley and Brian for dinner, we found an antique store in Wells.  We arrived right before closing so I did a hurried search through the boxes of comics they had.  I was happy enough with what I found that we went back the next day before leaving the area.

This issue of Marvel Two-In-One was on my want list in that I was actively trying to complete the series at this point.  I found three MTIO in total here, in addition to a slew of Captain America issues and a Rom Annual.  This was one of three issues I probably overpaid for but it is balanced out by the deals I got on the Captain America issues.

As far as issues go, this one is actually the conclusion of a three-part story.  That is fairly unusual for this book, as I always thought part of the appeal of this series (and Marvel Team-Up) was to rotate guest stars and focus on one-off stories.

It isn't a bad story.  It is fun to see The Thing team up with Thor and have them visit the Egyptian gods.

The Thing # 35

 

Comic: The Thing # 35

Where Purchased: Double Midnight Comics in Manchester, New Hampshire

When Purchased: May 10, 2023

When Read: November 10, 2024

I 100% picked this up on a whim.  I have the next issue, like the art on the cover, and the concept of the second Ms. Marvel always intrigued me.

The issue itself is...underwhelming.  Perhaps because it is the penultimate issue of a canceled series but I also remember one of the reasons I didn't collect this back in the day was the whole wrestling angle which was never really my bag.

There are some interesting themes here, as the new Ms. Marvel, Sharon Ventura, visits a shady figure in the Marvel Universe know as the Power Broker.  I surmise, as the Thing's potential love interest, she felt a need to find a way to enhance herself.  Her character is a stunt woman and always shown to be quite capable.

But it is another product of its time with some stilted writing and interior art doesn't live up to the cover.

I purchased this issue during our team's annual in person meeting last year.  I think it was about a week before we moved.  

Double Midnight is a great shop in Manchester, NH.  I've visited them nearly two dozen times over the years.  They recently moved closer to downtown and I really like the new spot.  I think they still have a second location in Concord, NH which I have been to once.

One of my first visits ever was sometime shortly after my son was born.  I remember chatting with one of the owners and telling him we named our son Logan.  He shared that his last name was Parker and was sorely tempted to name his son Peter.

Thing & She-Hulk: The Long Night

 

Comic: Thing & She-Hulk: The Long Night

Where Purchased: Time Capsule in Seekonk, Massachusetts

When Purchased: June 21, 2023

When Read: November 10, 2024

I think I mentioned that I have always been a fan of She-Hulk.  She was a member of the Avengers when I started reading comics.  After the events of Secret Wars in 1984, she joined the Fantastic Four, taking over for The Thing, who stayed behind on Battleworld.  As I was collecting the Fantastic Four at the time, this just meant I got to see her written and drawn by my favorite creator, John Byrne.

I also collected She-Hulk's solo book in, a comedy series that broke the fourth wall, when it debuted.  

But, there came a time where I stopped collecting and when I returned, it took me quite awhile to start gathering things I missed.  As I made an effort to collect the original She-Hulk run, I also started hunting down the more recent relaunches.

At some point, I was made aware of this title and added it to my want list.  I couldn't recall many stories with these two together and I really like the artist so it was a no-brainer to pick this up.

It really is a fun romp.  It requires a little more knowledge of Marvel history than one would expect from a one-shot and I am not entirely sure how self-contained the story really is.  But all things being equal it is a solid 7 out of 10.

I had forgotten that artist Bryan Hitch took over on the Sensational She-Hulk series when John Byrne quit in the first year.  There had been a rumor that the art for this book was from unpublished issues of Bryan Hitch's earlier run on Sensational She-Hulk.  It seemed likely, as he only drew the fist 25 pages, with the final 14 drawn by Ivan Reis, with inks by Randy Emberlin.

However, Bryan Hitch himself explained that these pagers were originally intended to be part of a Thing/She-Hulk miniseries that had been announced in the late 1990s.  That project was canceled before it could be completed.

You can read all about the origins of this one-shot here: https://www.cbr.com/she-hulk-thing-bryan-hitch-mystery/

I bought this issue on my first work trip after we moved last year.  Time Capsule has two locations, one in Seekonk, MA and one in Cranston, RI.  I have been to both of them twice over the years.  They are great places to stop for back issues.

Infinity, Inc. Annual #2

 

Comic: Infinity, Inc. Annual #2

Where Purchased: Online - DMosco via Atomic Avenue

When Purchased: October 8, 2024

When Read: November 7, 2024

One of the first comics I ever bought off the newsstand was a Justice League of America issue.  It was part of what I later learned was an annual team up of the JLA from Earth-One and their counterparts from Earth-Two, the Justice Society of America.  This time, they were also teaming up with the All-Star Squadron, another group from Earth-Two to fight a group of evil beings from Earth-Three.

I am probably not the best person to explain the whole Earth-One/Earth-Two situation but I will try.  The first superhero comics came out in the 1930s.  This was when Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and other heroes hit the scene.  They eventually became embroiled in World War II.  

When The Flash #123 was published in 1961, Earth-Two was created to explain differences between the original Golden Age and then-current Silver Age versions of characters.  It shunted the versions who had fought in World War II off to Earth-Two and the modern versions now occupied Earth-One.  This also allowed both versions of the same characters to appear in stories together.

All-Star Squadron retroactively introduced new stories into DC's Golden Age history, mainly during World War II.

All of this fascinated me.  I gobbled up the All-Star Squadron back issues and started collecting it in earnest.  I loved stories that took place on alternate Earths.

Once the multiverse concept became unwieldly, DC Comics made an effort to clean up their continuity, resulting in the multiple universes combining into one during 1986's Crisis on Infinite Earths mini-series.  With that, the All-Star Squadron series had to end.  It was succeeded by a series called Young All-Stars.

I am not doing any of this justice (no pun intended) but it is background for this issue.  Infinity Inc. first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25.  The group is assembled when a number of JSA protégés were denied admission to the JSA and instead formed their own group.

Infinity, Inc. was a direct sales only title so it wasn't easily available to me when it first came out.  It became another case, recently, of a series that I had enough issues of that picking up gap-fillers were an easy way to make a sympathy buy at a comic shop that didn't have much for me otherwise.  Now I am trying to finish it off.

And that is how I discovered that there was a second annual issue!  I was psyched because the bad guy on the cover, Per Degaton, was one of the villains in that first JLA/JSA crossover I picked up!

The title page of this issue indicates that it is the sequel to Young All-Stars Annual #1, which is in my collection but I am not sure if I read it.  See, Young All-Stars was one of those series I bought out of habit.  Even after I stopped enjoying the writing or the art, I kept buying it because of the "completist" mentality.  I did stop shortly before the series was cancelled but it never made it onto my "must complete" list.

This issue...is not very good.  The writing is a bit stilted and the art is stiff.  I tried a few times to get into it...setting it down, walking away, and starting over.  But it's just so disappointing.

There is a back up story called "The Private Life of Wildcat" which isn't any better.  There are quite a few embarrassing cheesecake shots and a story that is so "80's" it is painful.

Alas, this whole thing gets a 2 out of 10.

I do not buy many comics online anymore.  I really like the thrill of finding issues out in the wild.  However, if the FOMO creeps in on something, I will snag them if I find them online.  That was the case with a bunch of issues of a different series recently.  I had stopped at a few stores on the way home from a work trip and hadn't found everything I had been looking for so I logged into Atomic Avenue and found a few books at a decent price.  I threw this in to lower the overall shipping cost because I hadn't had any luck finding it in the wild.

Oh...and I am only missing issue #16 of Infinity, Inc. to complete the whole run.

Joe Hill: Rain (Complete Series)

Comics: Joe Hill: Rain 1-5

Where Purchased: Earth Prime Comics in Burlington, Vermont

When Purchased: 1 - January 13, 2022 // 2 & 3 - March 19, 2022 // 4 - May 7, 2022 // 5 - June 29, 2022

When Read: November 3, 2024

I picked up this series as it came it out on the strength of the author's name.  Though I had not read anything by Joe Hill,  I knew who he was and had heard good things about his Locke & Key series.   It still took me over two years to sit and read this.

It is very good.  The story is from Hill's original novella, adapted by David M. Booher with art from Zoe Thorogood.  It fits into world-ending apocalypse genre but is a really intimate look at how that world-ending apocalypse impacts one person on the cusp of beginning her real life.

It involves a mini-journey through the ruins and focuses on only three characters.  There is a twist that I did not see coming.

The art is gorgeous but might not be for everyone.  There are some gruesome scenes.

I still get my comics in their traditional format but this might've been one to pick up in a collected edition. I am surprised that this didn't make a bigger splash when it came out. It is a solid 8 out of 10.

And a minor nitpick...the publisher lists this as Joe Hill's Rain while mycomicshop.com calls it Rain (2022 Image) Joe Hill's and my database software has it as Joe Hill: Rain.  The covers just say Rain, while the indica has both Rain and JOE HILL'S RAIN.

Here is the official write up from Image Comics (https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/rain):

On a seemingly normal August day in Boulder, Colorado, the skies are clear, and Honeysuckle Speck couldn't be happier. She's finally moving in with her girlfriend Yolanda. But their world is literally torn apart when dark clouds roll in and release a downpour of nails-splinters of bright crystal that shred the skin of anyone not safely under cover. RAIN makes vivid this escalating apocalyptic event, as the deluge of nails spreads across the country and around the world, threatening everything young lovers Honeysuckle and Yolanda hold dear. So begins a gripping 5-issue presentation of New York Times bestselling author JOE HILL's acclaimed novella, adapted by rising stars DAVID M. BOOHER , ZOE THOROGOOD, and CHRIS O'HALLORAN.

 

Marvel Team-Up #13

 

Comic: Marvel Team-Up #13

Where Purchased: Most Excellent Comics & Gaming in Enfield, Connecticut

When Purchased: September 26, 2024

When Read: November 2, 2024

I've never been a huge Spider-Man fan.  Only one series ever was in my pull list and that was 2019's  Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.  And that I picked up because of the writer...which I am pretty sure I told him on social media when it was coming out and had a pleasant back and forth with him.  

Marvel Team-Up is another one of those books that I had picked up issues here or there...when a character I liked would guest star or if I needed a sympathy buy at a store I stopped in.  And then it reached the point that I had enough of them to justify adding the missing ones to my Want List in an effort to complete the series.

Which brings us to issue 13.  This was a fun little romp.  I like the way the story unfolds in that Spider-Man comes across some bad guys who exclaim "No...not him!  Not him, too!?!" when they see him.  I like that, in theory, there could've been a whole other comic running parallel to this that meets up at this point (ala Avengers Annual #14 and Fantastic Four Annual #19 in 1985) as Spider-Man finds out a few panels later that Captain America is fighting them.

I am not sure why I didn't pick this up sooner in my collecting history.  Avengers were my go to group (despite not collecting any of the solo titles) and the villain of this issue is the Grey Gargoyle who was the baddie in some of the first back issues I ever bought.

All in all, a story indicative of the time and a way to show the interconnectedness of the Marvel Universe.  I gave it a 7 out of 10 in the database.

I bought it at a cool little store in Connecticut called Most Excellent Comics & Gaming.  I first visited the store on Nan's birthday in 2019, at which time I picked up 15 gap filling comics.  I went back in November 2022 while Nan attended a photography class in Brattleboro.  I grabbed 33 gap fillers on that trip (and more at three other stores the same day!).  I am pretty sure I snagged a few action figures, too.

When we moved last year I was closer and able to go again in October after giving blood nearby.  The shop had changed a bit...back issues were a little less organized and a little less robust.  I was still able find some comics I wanted.  And when I stopped in around a work trip this past September, I found this issue along with some other issues on the want list.

As of today, this was the most recent issue of the title I have purchased.  With being able to check this off my list, I am only missing issues 2, 3, and 15.  All are obnoxiously hard to find at a reasonable price right now.  But my fingers are crossed.

Marvel Two-In-One #90

 

Comic: Marvel Two-In-One #90

Where Purchased: Richie's Comic Cabana in Waterbury, Connecticut

When Purchased: May 4, 2024

When Read: October 29, 2024

For the longest time, for series like this or Marvel Team-Up, I would get the issues that either had characters I liked as guest stars or featured a creative team that I enjoyed.  And then titles like this became easy books to snag if I visited a shop that didn't have much to offer me but I wanted to buy something to support them.

Then I'd assess my collection and recognize that I was getting near a full run so the missing issues would end up on my want list so that I could complete the run.  This series is now on the "Need to Complete" list so when I found this in the wild it was an easy pick up.

This is a fairly standard, straight-forward comic from the era.  Basically, Spider-Man and the Thing team up to fight a medieval wizard that possess a Renaissance Fair magician. Written by Jan Strand who also wrote a mini-series about the Atom for DC around this time that I really liked and have been hankering to reread for a while now.

I gave it a solid 6 out of 10.

I picked it up on Free Comic Book Day this year.  One of the benefits of our move is the proximity to so many comic shops.  I'll save the big story about this year's adventure for another time.

One of our stops was at Richie's Comic Cabana.  I had ordered a few comics from Richie's via eBay the previous August.  I'll share all about that purchase sometime soon, too.

But I knew about the physical location and we made it one of our three stops.  It was delightful chaos.  So many great books and such great prices. 

And after a few other recent purchases, I am only missing issues 2, 3, 6, and 8 of this series!  Nothing too crazy so I should stumble across them any day now!

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!