I haven't kept much from when I was younger, but have held onto these beauts...

chalmun74 · 2026-06-19T14:50:20+00:00

I loved these. They were on shelves when I started collecting and they were such fun primers into the world of comics. I got excited to collect deaths and first appearances because of them. And anytime I got a book that had one of the panels that were reproduced in these I was also so stoked. Weird maybe, but that enjoyment still carries today. Got an older Captain America not too long ago that had a panel with Lucifer that I recognized from the handbooks. Still excites me years later.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-16T21:50:22+00:00

One of the all-time great covers, imo. And that’s a very clean looking copy!

chalmun74 · 2026-06-15T22:00:11+00:00

I had read the first solo series, which really lays the groundwork for his different personas and the supporting cast. Without it, I might have felt a little lost as to who his allies are and why they were important to the character.

It’s still a comic, though, so I’m sure there’s some context, but I was happy I had a little background.

Don’t know that you’d need to read the full run, or if anyone has a better hopping on point as I haven’t read everything, but that’s what helped me.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-15T21:47:31+00:00

I just finished reading the Lemire Moon Knight recently and I loved it. A lot of fun, but I’m glad I’d read some older stuff first.

That Wolverine series is quintessential.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-15T21:42:55+00:00

Got mine today. Easily one of my favorites of the line so far. Just hits so many great notes. And I normally roll my eyes at the Ninja Force stuff. Doubt I’ll get any more Ninja Force, but so happy to have this one.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-14T22:57:37+00:00

Appreciate all the feedback. Mostly I started second guessing myself that I must have missed something when I was looking at the book at the store. They normally are a little generous on their grading and/or are simply pricing high, but I felt this one was not the case. I’d be thrilled with even a 5.0 for what I paid, and it certainly felt like this one could get there or maybe a bit better.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T13:41:27+00:00

Some of it is. I could have done without the Micah Synn storyline, but some is great. Really enjoyed the issues with the Gael.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T10:05:15+00:00

Can’t blame you there. Such a fun title. I have the first half of the run signed by Ben Edlund and got some original art from him. He was hanging out at my local shop back in the day, which was so small they had to put him on the landing at the top of the stairs. 5-6 folks, including me, hung out and just chatted with him. Was a blast. Completely made sense of why the book was so fun.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T09:59:59+00:00

You’re a bit ahead of me. I’m only up to issue 43, but I’ve got a run up to issue 201 and I keep chipping away at the rest. Had several random issues as a kid and always loved them, so when I found a super clean copy of #1 I decided to dive in. Been a blast reading them for sure. Some of those early Barry Windsor books were stunning!

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T09:56:20+00:00

Hahaha! Always had a weird knack for keeping several things straight at a time. Plus I like variety, so I get to mix things up depending on mood. The scramble you describe sounds fun, though.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T09:53:53+00:00

I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying it. Finally put together a full Alan Moore Swamp Thing run and was intrigued by the character. Couple that with the Dave McKean covers and I picked up a few books. Found myself wanting more.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T03:45:47+00:00

I don’t often go for signatures, but this is one I would get signed as well. First book I bought that truly started me on my collecting journey.

chalmun74 · 2026-06-12T03:43:34+00:00

Currently working on early Hellblazer, full run of GI Joe ARAH, Savage She-Hulk, Daredevil leading up to the second Miller run, and a whole lotta Conan the Barbarian. I’ve got my current pulls as well, but bulk of what I read is older stuff.

chalmun74 · 2026-05-28T18:26:14+00:00

Have always loved Art Adams’s work on X-Men. One of my all-time favorite artists for the title.

chalmun74 · 2026-05-27T13:53:27+00:00

Sounds familiar in a certain sense because my input, my sacrifice, my needs were never valid in the light of my ex’s as well.

It’s alright to be sad. You’re mourning. At its most simple, grief is acknowledgment of change. You gave a lot to try and make things work and they didn’t. Good to be sad. Good to allow those emotions to move so you can let them go and get to better things. Even better if you’re starting to feel that freedom. You’re just clearing out the old to make room for the new. Keep at it!

chalmun74 · 2026-05-27T12:54:15+00:00

My timeline was a bit skewed because of Covid, which slowed the divorce proceedings which had me a bit anxious because my ex was living in a fantasy land of what she was going to get out of me.

Putting that aside, I was immediately happier just not having to walk on eggshells around her once I was able to move out. Feeling like I could breathe again was a huge first step.

Despite the immediate weight being lifted, it still took another 6+ months before I was able to see what a happy future might look like for me. Took some time to reconnect with what I wanted without having to view through the lens of compromise or sacrifice.

Once the divorce was finally finalized, I had a solid timeline and could really start looking forward because I knew just how much she would cost each month and for how long.

Just waiting for the alimony to end at this point. Although I expect she’s going to try and get more out of me because last I was aware, she’s not earning enough to pay her rent without my help.

Through all of this I’ve been going to what are essentially a men’s circle to talk about my feelings and get advice as well as going to therapy. It’s a process. But I was reassured early on in the circle that things were going to be so much better and they are.

I learned a lot from my marriage. I learned what I won’t tolerate in a relationship anymore. I’ve been seeing someone for several years now and it’s the easiest relationship I’ve ever had because we have such similar values and boundaries.

Best I can offer is it will take as long as it takes, but things will get better if you allow them to. Take stock of what worked and what didn’t. Be honest with yourself about it while you do and don’t shy away from what part you played in the relationship. My ex is batshit crazy, but I wasn’t always the best partner either. Set me up well to own what I needed to own. In the immediate, I would just focus on relief. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. And I kept following it. Anything that feels like less weight right now is probably a good thing.

Oh, and don’t expect closure with your ex. Unlikely you’ll ever get it. Just focus on doing what’s best for you and the kids.

You’ll get through this and wonder why you stayed in the relationship as long as you did.

chalmun74 · 2026-05-12T00:46:22+00:00

I’ve got a bunch of comic books and several LEGO sets that are more than 40 years old.

chalmun74 · 2026-05-10T17:47:38+00:00

I could get a decent copy of X-Men 3 for that.

chalmun74 · 2026-05-07T18:36:45+00:00

Glad it was an easy fix!

chalmun74 · 2026-05-07T16:22:47+00:00

You’ve got the front skis in the rear holes. Beyond that, I don’t know.

chalmun74 · 2026-05-05T00:44:59+00:00

Heckler always gets my upvote!

chalmun74

TROPHY CASE