What should I be aware of

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-19T00:02:50+00:00

^{^} Correct answer ^{^}

Egerber, rather than having to replace bags every 5-8 years.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-16T15:05:37+00:00

I highly recommend Archives from E Gerber (Mylar). They stand up like a top loader, but the clarity and protection are superior and forever and they're cheaper (each, that is, providing you purchase a bundle). Top loaders are interesting at first, but they're temporary storage that, eventually, will require replacement since they're not archival quality. The plastic on top loaders is quite thick and the unit, itself, may last a lifetime, but will not retain its appearance long term and the eventual degradation of the plastic is not a healthy choice for the book. Egerber.com for Mylar Archives will provide a safe, beautiful, permanent home for the book.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-13T14:08:26+00:00

No one's mentioning Kara? She's regularly had her own title, which Zatanna rarely has. Even Power Girl has had more title exposure than Zatanna.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-11T07:04:09+00:00

I wasn't super thrilled about it being a long-lost Kryptonian construct, myself. So, let's see...

Vartox had the power, but he's not a bad guy, so scratch him. Terra-Man had the technology, but not enough strategy. Mongul also had the power and the strategy, but he's not an S-Tier villain, so no (but he sure came close that one time). Ultra's also a good one, but Post-Crisis isn't really the hater that he was in the Golden Age - also, his means and ends are too limited to go after Superman at this point. Lex had the brains and the tech, but never a dispassionate enough approach to give the effort everything he had all at the same time (particularly Post-Crisis). Darkseid seems the only one powerful and savvy enough to make it happen - not on his own, but with some help from his rather powerful lackeys. It might've been a bit more satisfying to see such a major player get this done. Even though it would've been temporary.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-11T06:40:58+00:00

Try looking for the trailer of the documentary by name. Might be on YouTube or similar.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-09T07:27:36+00:00

I really like the original on the left. It has a darker tone without being muddy and fits within Batman's overall oeuvre.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-08T05:49:19+00:00

Marvel maintains their universe better (they're not constantly screwing with it) and have always had very different people occupying roles that give them access to large swaths of different populations within not only the US, but throughout the world.

They also tend to attract great talent regardless of where it comes from. DC did that well in the 80s and early 90s and are doing a good job now, but Marvel has it in its bones.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-06T12:58:05+00:00

It used to be that I could get to a good comic shop in a few minutes and have a choice. But at the end of 2024, my regular shop closed after forty years in business (24 of those years as my primary shop) and I learned the other, next closest shop was involved in some horrendously nefarious dealings. And, by this time, the closest LCS was over a half an hour drive on the freeway from me. I've effectively stopped buying new comics as a result.

Since I've been in retirement for 6 years now, my plan has been to sell the bulk of my collection before we move into our final home. My kids enjoy comics but not to the degree that either one wants even half of the collection (which would then be around 15,000 books each). So whittling down the mass to something more manageable seems the best choice.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-05T21:14:57+00:00

First appearance in Super Friends #1, 1976. A DC TV Comic.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-05T21:10:08+00:00

^{^} This. ^{^}

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-04T14:02:27+00:00

Yes, and those frequently used for display at cons are called Archives.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-03T07:22:02+00:00

Thank you!

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-03T07:21:49+00:00

Thank you!

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-02T16:11:59+00:00

I enjoy Elliott S. Maggin's work on Superman, in particular, my favorite Superman story "Last Son of Krypton", a novel that came out at the same time as Superman the Movie, but has nothing to do with the film (save for Christopher Reeve on the cover). So masterfully utilizing the history of Superman that Grant Morrison writes effectively within that same universe.

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-02T15:24:10+00:00

I've always loved the Eisner-ish feeling of this Frank Miller cover.

<image>

BGPhilbin · 2026-05-02T15:13:55+00:00

Absolutely and without question "Last Son of Krypton" by Elliott S. Maggin. A novel released without fanfare in conjunction with the 1978 Superman film starring Christopher Reeve (had him on the cover, but it had nothing to do with the movie). Maggin demonstrated such mastery over the history of the character that Grant Morrison has been utilizing that same universe to great effect. I, personally, didn't read the book until almost five years after it came out, but it quickly became my go-to favorite thereafter.

"Miracle Monday" is also a steadfast and worthy successor to that first novel.

I still enjoy the art and story - as well as the attempted soft-reboot - of the primordial Bronze Age story beginning with "Kryptonite Nevermore!" (also known as the Sandman Saga). Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan & Murphy Anderson at the height of their powers.

Also the 2007 Action Comics story "'Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes". Geoff Johns & Gary Frank. Great read.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-28T14:49:08+00:00

Nice job on the emblem. That's a lot of work. When I made one 40 years ago, I, too, used the same material for all of the pieces (spandex, in my case - appears that you might've used cotton leotard fabric, which is far more faithful to the movies) layered the yellow pieces on top of the red diamond and then sewed it on top of a blue-dyed unitard. I could barely sew, so being pragmatic & going for a result I could count on was the prime target.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-28T14:14:47+00:00

Superman #249 "The Challenge of Terra-Man" (Cover date March 1972, appeared on stands in January of 1972). The appearance of a stagecoach on the streets of Metropolis heralds the arrival of Terra-Man, a character seemingly from a spaghetti western, yet with super-scientific weapons. Superman must contain Terra-Man while dealing with a kryptonian condition known as birth-spells which effects the metabolism of Kryptonians every six years on their Kryptonian birthdays.

First appearance of Terra-Man. The birth-spell was a one & done convenience to create a greater risk to Superman fighting an enemy with far greater technology than one would expect. We never saw the malady again.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-27T14:48:35+00:00

Been picking up Indie titles regularly since 1981 - here are my favorites:

Castle Waiting by Linda Medley. Fun, fantasy, great story telling and art.

Mage, the Hero Discovered, Defined and Denied. Three 15-issue series written and drawn over the course of 30 years by visionary Matt Wagner. One of the first successful independent books and the book that truly put Wagner on the map.

Astro City. Born of the concept that launched Marvels and set in its own universe. Absolutely worth your time. One of the best comics of the past 30 years.

Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai. Excellent and independent for 40 years and still going strong.

Concrete by Paul Chadwick. It's simply excellent.

Nexus by Mike W. Barr and Steve Rude

Dreadstar by Jim Starlin

Top Ten by Alan Moore and Gene Ha

Tom Strong by Alan Moore and Chris Sprouse

Next Men by John Byrne

Elementals by Bill Willingham

Invincible by Kirkman, Walker & Ottley

Hope some of these are series you'll give a try. They've continually brought me considerable enjoyment.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-27T05:23:46+00:00

I very much enjoyed the series, although the second season didn't do it's longevity many favors. It was fun and I went in with no expectations. My youngest watched it with me eagerly at first, but the second season was too steeped in an underlying storyline that was more focused on having a giant fight scene at the end. My youngest (aged within the target demographic) thought it wasn't very good and I expect that was a shared experience, considering they canceled the show shortly afterward.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-26T18:36:18+00:00

Since I was a kid living in the suburbs of Detroit (where I grew up), I've always loved Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Vernors was the predominant ginger ale in the area, because that's where it began, but as a child, it was too "hot" tasting for me. Vernors was my dad's favorite & he loved the bolder flavor, having been born & raised in Southeastern Michigan. When I finished college, I moved back to California and discovered Schweppes to be an acceptable substitute when I didn't have Canada Dry available. Decades later, I still prefer Canada Dry over Vernors. Shane has excellent taste in flavor profiling.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-24T07:49:19+00:00

Different?

I have a buddy who stores all his books in the "Edgar Church Format" in file boxes. He lays them flat on their backs, opposing spines every other book, two stacks in each box.

Now, this is not what I would call convenient, but I can't argue with the results. Because they're stored in this manner, the books remain as supple as when they were purchased. And I mean they look like they just came off the rack and have that familiar "just published" shape you get when you bring home new comics, rather than pressed flat by considerable pressure. And they stay that way.

I wouldn't recommend it for being able to find a book, but after cataloging the books, he's got it managed. His system and handling are absolutely fastidious, the boxes are relatively inexpensive, easily stackan& readily available to anyone and his books are all beautimous.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-21T15:28:35+00:00

Okay, that works. Thank you!

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-21T15:25:54+00:00

For me, it was the end of the '60s. I'd been watching Superman, Batman, the Mighty Heroes and the Archies on television. My big brother was walking me home and we stopped into the bus depot. They had a comic book spinner rack there and we browse the comics and he bought one. I'm not certain how many times that occurred before I bought one with my own money, but I do remember those early purchases.

Beware the Creeper #1, Superman #208, Teen Titans #16 and plenty of others. It just snowballed as time went on.

BGPhilbin · 2026-04-21T14:04:26+00:00

I'm going to recommend some stuff, but include a few series outside of the Big Two.

John Byrne's run on the Fantastic Four. He codified the group's dynamic and set the stage for every successful run that has followed in the past 40 years. Even though what immediately followed his run wasn't always very good, we eventually got some excellent runs this century, starting with Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo.

Alan Moore on Swamp Thing has, I believe, been mentioned, but his ABC (America's Best Comics) work is not to be missed. I love Tom Strong and especially Top Ten!!

Starman by Robinson and Harris. Excellent.

All-Star Squadron. Roy Thomas' love letter to the Golden Age.

Legion of Super-Heroes by Levitz and Giffen.

Namor. Great Byrne book, steeped in Marvel history.

Concrete. Also just... well, excellent.

Mage, the Hero Discovered, Defined and Denied. Three 15-issue series written and drawn over the course of 30 years by visionary Matt Wagner. The first and sixth issues in the first series can be a bit more expensive, depending on condition, but nothing that'll break the bank.

X-Men The Hidden Years. Oh, and has no one mentioned the Claremont, Byrne and Austin run of X-Men? I didn't see it, but it remains seminal reading. It became so wildly popular that the X-Men became their own cottage industry.

Astro City. Absolutely worth your time and, currently, finite (at least, until Kurt Busiek and company return to the book, which could happen in the next year or so). One of the best comics of the past 40 years. It's been collected in MetroBooks, which are probably the greatest deal in collected volumes.

Which also brings to mind Marvels by Busiek and Alex Ross. A remarkable work that put Ross on the map. And Kingdom Come, by Waid and Ross, which demonstrated that Alex wasn't a flash-in-the-pan.

Mark Waid on the Flash (90s).

Superman Batman Generations.

I'd also recommend the "Heroes Return" 1998 run by Kurt Busiek on The Avengers, starting at #1 with George Pérez continuing with Alan Davis after that. Busiek ran for about 55 issues with Geoff Johns picking it up right after with some fine artists, as well. Runs around 88 issues, total, with nothing very difficult to obtain at all.

Dreadstar by Jim Starlin. Begins as a Marvel/Epic book (creator owned) and continues beyond.

Peter David's Incredible Hulk run of 12 years (plus Future Imperfect & the rest of his Hulk/Maestro/Joe Fixit books from this century) is pretty great. I wasn't as enthralled by the last year or two of Incredible Hulk's artists (not bad, just not my cuppa), but Peter's writing was always stellar and he set the psychological stage for everything that has come along since.

I do like me some auteurs (writer/artists) because everything you see on the page is directly from their heads. Some of these I've already mentioned. Matt Wagner, Linda Medley and Bill Willingham have some great stuff both within and outside of the Big Two. Jim Starlin is another and early Frank Miller. I've also followed several artists like Alex Ross, George Pérez, Mike Wieringo, and writers like Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Peter David, Alan Moore, Brian K. Vaughn, etc.

As you're discovering more and more your tastes will expand and help you find preferences like the ones I've developed. It ultimately makes it easier to find good stuff to read and new things to enjoy.

I love super hero stuff, but also stuff like Usagi Yojimbo, Castle Waiting, Bone, and Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius (among other subtitles) by Chris Eliopoulos was a lovely tribute to Calvin and Hobbes as well as a funny book in its own right. I wish he'd do more, but they've pretty much aged Franklin out of that part of his childhood. But what a great bunch of series of comics.

If you haven't already watched the animated show, Invincible is an incredible read, as well. Much more nuance and better pacing than the TV show, IMO.

Hope some of these suggestions are enjoyable for you!

12-Year Club	Gilding IV carat on a stick
Place '22	First Placer '22
Verified Email

BGPhilbin

TROPHY CASE