c/comic-book-fans

My entire long box of 90s X-Men comics got water damaged in the basement flood

It happened two nights ago when that huge storm hit and the sump pump gave out. I went down there and the cardboard was just mush, some of the bags had fused to the covers. I spent about $400 over the years at garage sales putting that run together. Has anyone managed to save books from something like this, or are they just gone?

Overheard a dad at the comic shop telling his kid to 'just read the good ones'

I was at The Dragon's Hoard last Saturday, and this guy was pointing at a wall of back issues. He told his son, 'You don't need to read everything, just find the good runs by writers you like.' It made me think about how I used to feel like I had to buy every #1 issue. Now I just follow a few artists, and my pull list is half the size. How do you decide what's worth keeping up with?

Spent $300 on a custom comic book framing job and it was a total bust

I had a mint copy of Amazing Spider-Man #300 I wanted to display, so I paid a local shop to do a custom UV-protected frame with acid-free backing. The glass had a weird glare in my living room light and the whole thing just looked cheap, like it cost $30, not $300. What's a better way to show off a key book without it looking tacky?

I used to think the 'no bags' rule at my local shop was dumb

Then I saw a guy drop a stack of mint condition X-Men #94s trying to cram them into a backpack. The owner just sighed and said 'third time this month'. Anyone know a good shop with decent bag policies in the Chicago area?

The great comic book storage crisis of my tiny apartment

So my collection hit about 300 books, and my one shelf gave up the ghost. I was faced with a choice: buy a second, matching $150 shelf from the same store, or get a cheap $40 utility rack from the hardware store. I went with the cheap rack, thinking 'it's just storage, who cares?' BIG mistake. I set it up last weekend, loaded it with my X-Men and Spider-Man runs, and the whole thing started to lean forward like the Tower of Pisa after 20 minutes. My roommate walked in, looked at it, and just said, 'Dude, your heroes are trying to escape.' Had to empty the whole thing and prop it against the wall. Anyone else have a comic storage solution that doesn't look like a safety hazard?

Just blew $80 on a 'mint condition' comic that was clearly a reprint

The seller swore it was a 1975 original, but the paper feels wrong and the colors are too bright. I should have checked the indicia page before handing over the cash at the convention. Anyone know a good way to spot a fake before buying?

Warning: My aunt almost gave away my comic book stash

My aunt came by to help me sort through some old stuff in my basement. She spotted my long boxes full of comics and thought they were just junk paper. Before I knew it, she had a pile ready to go to her church rummage sale. I had to quickly explain that my Amazing Spider-Man issue 300 was not for free. She just stared at me and asked if I was still into kid stuff. We both ended up chuckling, but I moved my boxes to a closet after that. Now I keep a better eye on my collection when she visits.

I'm starting to worry that comic book fans are forgetting how to have a civil conversation.

Warning: My recent con visit felt more like a mall than a fan meetup

I remember when folks would trade comics and argue about story arcs for hours. These days, it's all about merch lines and celebrity photos. Sure, it's bigger and flashier, but the core fan connection seems weaker. Do you prefer the old way or the new scene?

My friend's quiz on comic artists made me realize I was missing half the fun.

I always just followed the stories and never looked at who did the art. Now I try to notice things like how they draw faces or action scenes, and it adds a whole new layer. How did you start paying attention to the artists in your comics?

Just finished labeling my longboxes. The cat hasn't knocked them over yet.

Parking meters went up outside All-Star Comics, hurting our weekly visits

The city doubled meter rates on Oak Street last week, making it pricey to park for Wednesday new releases. This hits regulars who drop in for pulls and chat. Has your local shop dealt with similar parking issues?

Rant: My kid sister turning our closet into a comic book shrine is actually kinda awesome

She's only twelve but she saved up allowance for MONTHS to buy back issues of Spider-Gwen. Now the whole closet is covered in posters and boxes, floor to ceiling. Our parents were annoyed at first but they see how happy it makes her. I even caught my dad sneaking a peek at one of the books last week. It's cool how something so simple can get the whole family talking about stories and art.

PSA: My turn on fan gripes about artwork changes

I used to shrug off complaints about different artists on a series... but a new run with messy panels has me siding with the critics now.

Totally bombed my attempt to introduce comics to my niece by picking a bad starting point.

Any tips for choosing a first comic for a kid that won't scare them off, lol?

How I deal with pals pressing for comic plot details

I steer the chat toward character designs so the story stays a surprise and no feelings get hurt.

Found out the writer of my go-to comic has some real-life drama, now I'm stuck

Part of me wants to keep reading for the story, but another part feels icky supporting them, so what would you do?

After my first out-of-state con, I'm rethinking fan travel priorities.

Do big trips enhance your fandom or distract from the comics?

My daughter found my comic stash and now I'm panicking about how to share it

I've been a comic fan for over twenty years, and my collection takes up half the garage. My seven-year-old daughter noticed the boxes and asked what's inside. When I tried to tell her, I just stumbled over my words and couldn't find a simple way to explain. I'm excited she's curious, but I'm scared of overwhelming her with all my old stuff. I think she might like the colorful art, but I'm not sure which comics are good for her age. Has anyone else been in this situation? How did you introduce your kids to comics without making it a big deal? I'd love some tips on where to start.

Pro tip: Skip the huge cons and scout local comic shops on vacation

Some friends swear traveling for mega-cons is the peak fan experience, but I love discovering oddball issues in a city's hidden store. Which camp are you in, lmao?