Indeed… expectations exceeded dramatically.
As I said last entry, EvilGuy and I were slated to make one of our public appearances at St Barnabas for a comic book show that generates charity for hospice care. While there’s no doubt this is a worthy cause, I must confess that my expectations were not very high. “Charity” sales sometimes have an air of desperation and sadness, limited offerings, not well traveled, and in the end you make a donation because it’s the right thing to do. Just being honest. I had also attended this show once, many years ago, and it was a bit sparse even if the mood was high.
However, this was a very different ballgame in 2012.
I was greeted by Paul Castiglia (Archie Comics) as soon as I came in the doors of the clinic, and was immediately given my choice of table spots from which to broadcast the show – either from the lobby (quieter, among the other artists) or in the dealer room. One quick glance across the dealer room told me this was the place to be.
Can you say "Where's the ATM?!?"
As you can see, the room was lined up and down with long boxes filled to the brim – and that’s just the Marvels and DC’s. Another row of at least 50 more long boxes of indies awaited in the hallway. The sheer volume was something to be reckoned with. The pricing scheme was simple – $20 for 20, $40 for 80, and $60 for 160 comic books (and 20 cents each above that). Without even looking, EvilGuy, Syxx Gage (our trusted cameraman and general lackey) and I agreed to split the $60 and seek out about 53 1/3 books each. If we came up short, no big deal, it was for charity.
That’s what we call “foreshadowing.”
Mmmmm... Fig Newtons....
EvilGuy started setting up the recording equipment while I displayed some of my sketch cards and comics. Fortunately EvilGuy came prepared so we would not have to leave to seek sustenance. He brought Fig Newtons and water. A meal fit for a king. If only he’d remembered the Yoo-Hoo. We sat for a while and chewed the fat,when we were approached by a lovely lady who was interviewing attendees at the show, along with her young nephew, Liam. We had a very fun conversation with her as she was trying to build up some publicity and awareness for the event. I even banged out a lightning-fast sketch of Mace Windu for Liam while she took pictures.
Once that excitement was over, and we were finished patting ourselves on the back for just how downright awesome we nailed that interview, we started to notice SyxxGage sifting through the boxes and coming up with some treasures. Hmmm… maybe all these boxes aren’t just sheer bulk. Armed with my trusty iPad which is armed with my Comic Collectorz app, I started poking around. That was around 11AM.
I don’t think we came up for air until around 1:30 when Syxx was starting to look a little lonely and forgotten at the table.
The pickings were anything but scarce. Granted, the offerings were chiefly in the range of the last three decades (with some very damaged oldies along the way). But if you knew what you were looking for, chances are it was out there. In a collection this sie for what they were selling it for, you’d expect them to just throw it in the box all mish mosh. You’ve heard those dealers at shows I’m sure. “Feh! At these prices I don’t have time to alphabetize ‘em! Harumph!” Not so here. A team of volunteers had descended days before to get them in ABC order as best they could, and they did an admirable job. Made for some easy cherry picking off the old want list. And I didn’t just find a stray issue here and there – I handily completed entire runs and filled in several annoying gaps in my collection.
Remember that hallway full of indies? Yeah – sorted by PUBLISHER. Sweet! Do you know how easy it is to find hunks of comics like this? I was finding those last couple of “Welcome to Tranquility” comics while Liam found some “Star Wars Old Republic” books in the Dark Horse boxes. I even found a recent issue of Dark Hose Presents with a $7.99 cover – I’m almost ashamed at what I bought it for. Almost.
The day was drawing on and it became apparent that if we didn’t start the podcast we were going to run out of time, so EvilGuy dragged me back to the mics and we kicked things off. The first half of the show is chiefly devoted to what we had found during our shopping spree, as well as what we’re both reading these days. We kept sending Liam off on quests to find us examples. I’m sure that’ll be up real soon.
But then it got weird. See the beauty of doing a show out on the floor like this is that, well, there are people there. And people like to talk. And I find people endlessly fascinating. So randomness ensured. Interruptions became surreal, charming experiences. It was crazy fun.
First, an old man asked us our recommendations to buy comics for his grandchildren. We probably didn’t do a really great job directing him, in hindsight, which I regret. As longtime readers and promoters of all things comicky, our fans know us as experts, and we should have come to this man’s aid a little better. I think at first we were just rattled by the interruption, but this was something we rapidly got used to.
Along the way a few others asked us what we were doing, checked out the art, chatted for a bit. I don’t know how much the mics picked this stuff up, but it was just good, genuine artist alley kind of stuff. Again, we will learn from experience, but next time, we will have a third mic ready for anyone who wanders by to capture these great moments.
Speaking of great moments, another character came by. You know, this is why I love comic shows. Guaranteed at every show there will be at least one really smelly guy (at this show he had on a Green Lantern sweatshirt) and one off the wall wacko, and sure enough, the wacko surfaced. Decked out in heart-shaped sunglasses and a rhinestone-studded black tux shirt and straw cowboy hat, he made a b-line for our table. I’m not really sure where his train of thought was going, but Ozzy, it was a crazy train for sure. He said he had come to the show to become part of a team (oh how I wished I’d asked him his super powers). He donned a silver disco-ball domino mask that he produced from his bag o tricks, and began waving around a magic wand to demonstrate… something, i’m not sure. Paul Castigila was standing behind him the whole time about 10 feet away, helpfully giggling his butt off.
After the magician left, Paul came over and said, “Guys, are you up for an interview? I’ve got a guy that would be excellent, he’s a real character and he’s very knowledgeable, he’s like a historian of comics. Let me go get him.” A moment later, a man in a white suit, sideburns, and a long red Superman cape comes strolling over, and this is how we met the notorious Arlen Schumer, author of books such as “The Silver Age of Comic Book Art” and “Neal Adams the Sketchbook.“ That will be the second part of the podcast from that day – and Arlen, well, he can talk, so EvilGuy and I become footnotes in our own show for that one. Worthwhile, though – Paul was right, it was great stuff.
Once we finally wrapped up the show, we scrambled for our last few comics, a mad desperate dash for the last few treasures. In the end, our 160 comics between us had swelled to nearly 300, plus four graphic novels and a Yoda keychain. Liam, our new buddy, picked up about 80 himself, veritably doubling his collection.
Oh, you remember last year I won a longbox full of comics for $4 at East Hanover? Yeah, donated it. Holy tax deduction Batman!
The day ended with beer and man food at Miami Mike’s on Route 10.
The only shot in which we were both able to suck in our guts and not laugh
In the end, kudos to the volunteers and personalities that made this show a reality. A heartfelt thanks to Spiro, who humbly and actively did everything in his power to make every guest guest feel special and meet all our unique needs, and has a wonderful gem of a bargain show that not enough people know about. We will be back in June for more, you can bank on it.
Goodguy
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #12 – I don’t know if the price tag of $7.99 is holding anyone back – it shouldn’t. This is a graphic novel length anthology by some of the best talent in the industry. This issue packs a double whammy. John Laymen (Chew) and Sam Kieth unite for a new Aliens story, and Baron and Rude present a new Nexus story. If you’ve been skipping DHP for any reason, now is the time to correct it. If it’s a price issue, drop two or three Marvels or DC’s and treat yourself to something great.
AMAZING SPIDERMAN #686 – Slott continues to ramp up Spiderman’s role in the bigger picture, and Parker has been earning more and more respect. Could this turn it all around? The wrap up for Ends of the Earth. Next issue: nothing?
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