Wednesday Open Forum

Wednesday
 
Wednesday, the best day of the week, new comic book day. It is like your birthday in the middle of each week (well, one where you buy your own presents.)
We open things up to hear from you. A free for all.
The 127th edition of the open forum!
I have no conversation starters this week. With the change of the clock, please note site updates will be at 8 Pm and Not 7 Pm (Like during daylight savings time.)
As always we also want to hear about your weekly pickups.
So, What were your pick ups?
What had disappeared off the shelves?
What was sitting on the shelves?
What back issue deals did you grab?

104 thoughts on “Wednesday Open Forum”

  1. Books I’m picking up:
    American Gods #1 cover A
    Batwoman #1 Jones cover B
    Harley Quinn #16 Cho cover B
    Super Sons #2 cover A+B
    Trinity #7 Sienkiewicz cover B
    Red Sonja #3 Campbell 1:50
    Vampirella #1 Campbell 1:50
    God Country #1 3rd print
    God Country #3 cover A+B
    Amazing Spider-Man #25 Immonen 1:50
    Deadpool the Duck #5 Chin 1:25
    Monsters Unleashed #5 Video Game 1:25
    Monsters Unleashed #5 Pichelli 1:100
    Punisher #10 Jusko Corner Box variant
    Venom #5 Crain 1:100
    Also grabbing all Super Sons #1-2 newsstand editions I can find.

      1. What is the difference between newstand version and what is sold at comic store? Different cover? Smaller print run? Thanks

      2. The newsstands cost one dollar more, and if you don’t get to them in the first day or two they will be trashed.

        1. Books A Million and Barnes and Nobel carry them. DC still does news stand while Marvel no longer does. Books a million carries Marvel books but they are all direct market.

      4. Update: found 3 copies of the newsstand super sons #1. 1 was damages so I got the other 2.

      1. I was there this past weekend. I may go back up there in the morning and see if they have any.

  2. This week’s pulls
    Cavewoman Monster Dreams #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Conny Valentina)
    Neil Gaiman’s American Gods Shadows #1 (Cover B David Mack)
    Harley Quinn #16 (Cover B Frank Cho)
    Red Sonja #3 (Cover B J. Scott Campbell)
    Vampirella #1 (Cover B J. Scott Campbell)
    Monsters Unleashed #5 (Of 5)(Francesco Francavilla ’50s Movie Poster Variant Cover)

      1. The cover drew me in. It will be my first time reading the character. That title has some really tiny variants coming out with the Cavewoman title.

  3. Just got back from seeing Kong. It was way better than I thought, and for those who do see it make sure you stick around for after the credits. Does anyone know if Marvel is going to release King’s Vision in a complete hardcover?

    2. Yeah, my 11 year old is dying to see Kong.. so we’ll likely see it at the theater.

        1. Yeah, might be the type of movie a parent has to go check out first to make sure it’s good for the little ones under 10 or so.

          1. PG-13 movies are hit and miss. Some are ok; some aren’t. I usually end up on Common Sense Media before letting them watch things just to get an idea of what’s in there (assuming I haven’t seen it myself first of course.

          1. All of my kids have seen Jurassic world. Even the 4 year old. But it was at home where we could cover her eyes or make split second pause decisions. I’m a little more weary of taking them to the theater where things are a little more out of my control.

            1. We have now allowed our kids to listen to music with explicit lyrics. They know to not repeat it or they lose it. We feel, introducing harder language and such makes it a no big deal later in life. I think too much oppression can back fire down the road.

      3. Some how I managed to see one of my favorite movies ever Re-animator when I was in 5th or 6th grade……ah the good old days.

  5. Nothing for me this week, just been stocking up on the 2013 New Avengers #8 and #10 and Infinity 1:50 and 1:75 variants.
    I saw Logan and it’s one of those rare movies that was so good I’ll go again

  6. This week:
    Harley Cho cover
    Vampi & Red Sonja Campbell variants
    God Country 3
    Jusko Punisher variant
    Superman
    Took advantage of Midtown’s sale last week, picked up some Mark Brooks variants dirt cheap. Renew your Vows #1 Black Cat & SpiderGwen NYC variant. Also got a really sharp Convergence #6 Steve Rude Kirby tribute variant.

  7. Picking up this week:
    I Hate Fairyland 11 (my full run is of the non-kid friendly varriants)
    Sex Criminals 17 (I’m surprised the Ghost variant of #1 by Yuko Shimizu hasn’t taken off yet.)
    American Gods 1 (I’m torn because I’m a huge Neil Gaiman fan but American Gods is not my favorite. 27 issues at almost $4 a pop is a bit of an investment and I’m getting a Fight Club 2 vibe from this. Also, I really like Dave McKean’s work, but I think I like the David Mack covers better.)
    Maybe:
    Head Lopper 5 (I really want to like this but have a strong feeling that Andrew MacLean is a second rate Mike Mignola. I do have the pre-Image issues.)
    God Country 3 (I have 1 & 2 but haven’t read them yet. It’s hard for me to read comics as my eyes are adjusting to the LASIK I had around Thanksgiving. I’m waiting for the changes to stop so we can do round the second round of LASIK that is sometimes required. But I’m temporarily back in glasses.)
    Notes:
    I’ve got a ticket to see John Cleese tonight. Even though the Holy Grail is one of my daughter’s favorite movies, no one else in the family wanted to go. So, I spent the money I would have spent on all three of us to go for one good ticket. I saw Eric Idle the last time he came around.

    1. I really wanted to like Sex Criminals but not even their crazy variants can get me back into it at this point. I may have to pick up a collected edition sometime down the road just to see whatever the conclusion of the series ends up being.

        1. Same here…. The story started to get all convoluted and with the delays…. I lost interest.

      2. Matt Fraction is local, so that is a plus for me. Also, he and Kelly Sue have projects in the pipeworks with Universal TV. I don’t put a lot of cred in potential TV deals, but having met them a couple of times, it appears they both have the drive to get it done.

  8. Just enjoying the beginning of my week off. Been taking the time to do some cleaning and hanging out with my niece! Aahhh good times.
    About to head out to the shop as it opens. Man I love it when I can do that!
    This week I’m getting:
    All star Batman – francavilla
    Back to the future
    Batman
    Batwoman
    Deadpool the duck
    Green lantern
    Fairyland
    Justice league
    Manifest destiny
    Nightwing
    Superman
    Asm
    Thor
    Punisher
    Uncanny avengers
    Wild storm.
    Hitting up the post office after Tony!

    2. Didn’t get punisher, but did get sex criminals and super sons – Nguyen variant.
      Also, package has been mailed Tony. I went no frills so no tracking. Fingers crossed everything arrives ok. 🙂

    1. My LCS told me that American Gods cover A was shorted this week. I think it’s expected next week.

      1. Ughh.. I think I do recall my shop mentioning they were shorted a box but it was all DC books that were entirely missing.. maybe these got shoved in it as well.

  10. I found some good deals on some more X23 books this week from an eBay seller that’s located close to me. Bought them on the weekend, and they arrived today, all NM and individually triple boarded in their bags. Great stuff. I got: (all prices are CDN)
    X23 Marvel Next (2005) #1, #1 red 2nd print variant + #3-#6, $40
    X23: Target X (2006) #2-#6, $40
    X23 #1 Woman of Marvel Variant, $27
    Harley Quinn #1 Artgerm B&W, $22.5
    Skaar: Son of Hulk (2008) #1 Pagulayan Variant, $6.5
    From another online store, I got:
    ASM #650, $10
    ASM #583, 5th print Obama cover $4
    ASM #696 $4
    Uncanny X-Men #316 reg and var, $12
    Pulse #1, $10
    Wolverine #20-#25, complete Enemy of the State story arc, $25
    X-Factor #24, NM+, 1st Archangel, $30
    X-Factor #17, NM-, 1st Rictor, $2
    Wolverine #23 (1988), cool cover
    Avenging Spider-Man #1D
    5x Superior Spidey back issues for my PC
    And for some reason which I can not remember, I also got a Captain Marvel #7, $2
    From the LCS’ today, I got:
    Red Sonja #3 JSC x2
    Vampirella #1 JSC x2
    God Country #1 3rd x3
    God Country #3 A&B
    Superman #19B
    ASM #25, reg and Venom
    Green Valley #6
    All New Wolverine #16 bengal connect
    Batman #19A
    All Star Bats #9C
    Venom #5
    American Gods #1C
    I also stashed a Nightwing A&B. Does anyone read this title? I’m curious about the new villain that’s on the cover? Anyone got any info on this dude?

      2. Midtown’s listing for Nightwing this week says he’s facing off against his own great, great grandfather: the Talon known as Willaim Cobb. Hey, maybe it’ll be a hot 1st appearance…LOL.

  11. All Star Batman #8
    Angel City #6
    Batman #19
    Eclipse #5
    James Bond Felix Leiter #3
    Kill or Be Killed #7–this is still a homerun!
    Punisher #10–This book has a really cool cover.

  12. My professional life and my comic hobby life crossed over a little at work this week.
    A project related to the Hastings bankruptcy crossed my desk. That’s about all i can say, but it was just interesting. Sometimes a connection as small as that is all it takes for me to get interested in a project and help me get through it.
    I picked up Poe Dameron regular and Bengal variant this week. That’s all.
    I also scored about 160 Impel Marvel Trading Cards from 1991 that are completely worthless off the free rack at my LCS. Hahaha I’ll probably end up decorating a boring white short box with them.

  13. This week pickups were:
    Kill or Be Killed #7-one of my favorite series to read!
    Punisher #10
    God Country #1 (2nd print)
    God Country #1 (3rd print)
    God Country #3 (B)
    Redneck Ashcan
    Nightwing #16 (Reis variant) X3-Quitely homage cover

  14. The last week or so I’ve been finding issues of Groot # 4 & 5 at LCS’s in the area. Wondering if I should get them listed or wait for GOTG2 to drop. Thoughts?

    1. I’ve been selling sets of Groot 4 and 5 steadily at $19.00 together for the past 3 months. My LCS still has an ample stack in back issues. I think there will be a small spikie closer to the movie. Once the movie drops, the spec will burst. I give it 5-7 days after the movie release before it’s back down to cover or worse, dollar bin.

  15. Ended up picking up Harley Quinn 16 Cho cover as it was the only one in the store at opening. Passed on the one copy of Red Sonja JSC cover. No copies of the Vampi JSC cover. Picked up Mirror 6.

  16. Today’s pickups included….
    H.Q. #16b
    God Country #1 3rd, #2 2nd
    Dollface #1 2nd I don’t see many Action Lab/ Danger Zone comics going to 2nd prints
    Will be around some stores tomorrow so I might pick up a couple more things.

  17. Thought I add something a little different to the board this week (at least since I have been reading).
    What was your first comic book?
    Mine was Wolverine (Vol 2) #6 which I got from the local drug store. Still have it, though wish I would have taken better care of my comics as a kid.

    1. My first comic was actually a group of comics. It was back in 1984. I got a Sears Comic Collecting Kit that came with a short box, some bags and boards, and 100 comics. A bunch of older stuff was in it including , believe it or not, was the first silver age appearance of Two Face.

      1. I’ve never heard of early collecting kit that came with a short box. Batman 234!!!? That is awesome and I bet there were some other gems in there. How much of that survived through the years (did you hold off for the long term spec, haha)?
        I just found out that the local Con that is coming up this weekend is going to have Chris Claremont, who did the script for my first ever comic ever. Should I go buy another copy (better condition) and get him to sign it or sign my original (strictly for PC purposes; PC=kids inheritance)?

        1. None of it sadly. I sold all those old books years ago. Many of which I have replaced. Some like the Batman I have never gotten again.

        2. Also. As a word of advice with Chris Claremont. He had a stroke about a year ago. Make sure you book is firmly secured and do not allow him to take the books out of the bag. Cut a window. He may ask you if it is for grading, be honest if it is or isn’t. He is a very nice man but I have heard recent nightmare stories of him handling books.

        3. Todd McFarlane did collectors kits as well with Spawn Comics, bags and boards, and a short box with a top that was attached. They were black and cool. KB toys used to sell them.
          Sent from my iPhone
          >

      2. Good to know. I found it a weird coincidence that I wanted to post something like this and I find out he is going to be in town. I’ll probably buy another copy (not too expensive) for him to sign.
        I know there is a lot of hindsight but hopefully those books helped you get to where your at know. In the case of the Batman book maybe Harvey is saying “Heads you loose”. haha.

      3. My first comic was Justice League of America #121 (with great artwork by the late Dick Dillin) from 1975 purchased off one of those spindle racks while on summer vacation in NH. It featured the wedding of Adam & Alanna Strange with villain Kanjar Ro. I’ve been a JLA and DC addict ever since. Also still have fond memories of purchasing Uncanny X-Men #111 (off a different spindle rack) which began my initiation into the great Claremont/Byrne run for that title. I was able to aquire all the Uncanny X-Men issues back to #94 and Giant Size Uncanny X-Men #1 featuring the new team…still have great nostalgia for that era. If I remember, comics were 35 cents then.

    2. My first 2 comics I got at a 711. One was Superboy #1 photo cover based on the tv series and the other was J.L. International Special #1, not worried about the spec. potential (I’m sure there is none) but they will always be in the PC.

      1. The 1990 World Tour!? Awesome. Do they still sell stuff at 711 (we don’t have them down here where I’m from so I have no idea).

      2. The World Tour, yeah that’s the one. No 711 does not have comics anymore(not in my area anyway) that is where I got the majority of my comics the first year or so when I started collecting.

      3. I’ve been thinking about asking my local corner store guy if he can order me comics through his store, to get newsstand editions.

    3. Justice League (vol 1) off a spindle rack in 75 while on family vacation. Thats awesome! I can see your parents being nostalgic being on vacation and being like let the kid get what he wants…. (unless you weren’t that young; forgive me I wasn’t born then and just daydreaming). Do you still have it or did it go through the pains of childhood?

      1. I still have it…would never part with my Dillin JLA’s or my Byrne/Cockrum Uncanny X-Men’s…they are priceless to me. I was 11 that summer. We used to go up to NH many weekends since my parents have a cottage near Alton Bay. Over the years I would nag them to stop at all the known shops along the way that sold comics. I used to drive them and my siblings crazy…but they usually tolerated my requests. There was no direct market then so finding comics could be haphazard. Still remember discovering Secret Society of Super Villains #1 (great cover) the following summer, and I was in total bliss when I finally found DC’s 5 Star Superhero Spectacular (a super-sized dollar comic from 1977) at Black’s Paper Store in Wolfeboro after a boat ride up Lake Winnipesaukee. I had not been able to find this book anywhere else and accidentally happened upon it. It had a Neal Adams (!) cover and one of the stories was drawn by (!) Mr. Dillin. I kept that book bagged and well protected during the return boat ride…no way was it getting wet on my watch! And I definitely still have it.

    4. I’m not sure but it could have been a Transformers (Marvel 3 pack),
      Further Adventures of Indiana Jones 8 (off a spindle rack) or
      Amazing Spider-man 244 (Which was maybe also in a 3 pack).
      I can’t remember which was first, but I still have them.

    5. My 1st comic was a G. I. Joe #21. I loved the Joes as a kid, had probably 100+ action figures, but I got this issue while up at the cottage and remember going through it so many times as a young kid. It is the silent issue, so there were no words spoken to ruin the story that I had made up in my head. Loved me some Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. I still have the comic, but it is beat to all hell. Water damage, tears, infinite color breaking spine ticks, loose pages. It sits in my PC, bagged and boarded, sitting as a monument to what led to all the surrounding chaos.

    6. It’s been so long but I’m pretty sure my first comic was an Amazing Spider-Man. I was picking those up off the spinner racks (like Tony mentioned) at the Eckerds about a half mile from my house. Back then, I had no idea of their release dates so I made sure to check every other day for new comics. Yes, I recall ASM 300 and all the other 80s goodies we all spend way too much money on nowadays.
      My other early love was Punisher. I loved Punisher War Journal as well. For the most part most of my early collecting was Spider-Man, Punisher and Batman.

    7. I didn’t buy comics when I was a kid. I spent all of my allowance on Star Wars bubble gum cards. When I was older and had a car and a disposable income, I started with Sandman and Cerebus somewhere in the middle of their runs in the late 80’s.

  18. LCS
    Spookhouse 3
    Batman 19 reg
    Detective Comics 950 var
    Sex Criminals 17 xxx
    IDW Insider
    Manifest Destiny 27
    Batwoman 1 var
    Harley Quinn 16 var
    God Country 3 var
    Online
    Action Comics Vol 2 #973 Cover A Regular Clay Mann Cover
    All-Star Batman #7 Cover C Variant Tula Lotay Cover
    Alters #4
    Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows Vol 2 #4 Cover A Regular Ryan Stegman Cover
    Birthright #22
    Black #4
    Black Science #28
    Black Widow Vol 6 #11
    Blubber #4
    Comic Shop News #1553
    Deadman Dark Mansion Of Forbidden Love #3
    Dollface #2 Cover E Variant Ray A Height Artist Cover
    Flash Vol 5 #16 Cover A Regular Carmine Di Giandomenico Cover
    Gamora #4 Cover B Variant Stephanie Hans Venomized Cover NEXT WEEK
    Great Divide #5 Cover B Variant Javi Laparra Homage Cover
    Green Valley #5 Cover A 1st Ptg
    Hard Case Crime Triggerman #5 Cover A Regular Tomm Coker Cover
    Inhumans vs X-Men #4 Cover B Variant Michael Cho Cover
    Invisible Hands #1 NEXT WEEK
    Jessica Jones #5 Cover A Regular David Mack Cover
    Justice League Of America Rebirth #1 Cover A Regular Ivan Reis Cover
    Lost Boys #5
    Moonshine #5 Cover B Juan Doe
    New Super-Man #8 Cover A Regular Viktor Bogdanovic Cover
    Ninjak Vol 3 #24 Cover A Regular Ryan Bodenheim Cover
    Power Man And Iron Fist Vol 3 #13
    Powerless (Vault Comics) #1 NEXT WEEK
    Red Hood And The Outlaws Vol 2 #7 Cover A Regular Giuseppe Camuncoli & Cam Smith Cover
    Red Sonja Vol 7 #2 Cover D Variant Mel Rubi Subscription Cover
    Scooby Apocalypse #10 Cover A Regular Howard Porter Cover
    Star Wars Darth Maul #1 Cover A Regular Rod Reis Cover
    Star Wars Doctor Aphra #4 Cover B Variant Pepe Larraz Star Wars 40th Anniversary Cover
    Suicide Squad Vol 4 #11 Cover B Variant Lee Bermejo Cover
    Supergirl Vol 7 #6 Cover B Variant Bengal Cover
    Superwoman #7 Cover A Regular Andy Kubert Cover
    Unworthy Thor #4 Cover A Regular Olivier Coipel Cover
    White #3 NEXT WEEK
    Wonder Woman Vol 5 #16 Cover B Variant Jenny Frison Cover
    Zombie Tramp New Years Eve 2016 Special Cover A Regular Dan Mendoza Cove
    Bombshell Funko sweeps
    http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/03/13/dc%E2%80%99s-funko-pop-hereos-dc-bombshells-sweepstakes

  19. American Gods #1, Dave McKean cover
    Amazing Spiderman #25, Venomized cover
    Batwoman #1, J. G. Jones cover
    God Country #1(3rd print), #2(second print), #3.
    Red Sonja #3, J. Scott Campbell cover
    Star Trek Green Lantern: Stranger Worlds #1
    Star Treck Deviations One Shot
    Vampirella #1, Philip Tan Incentive Variant cover(cover price)
    I was looking for Punisher #10, Jusko cover, not found!

  20. Latest pickups, all online since shops are about an hour from me no matter which direction.. lol
    American Gods #1 cover A
    Batman #19 A
    Batwoman #1 A&B
    Cadmus #1
    Cavewoman #1 cover A
    Dollface #1 2nd print
    God Country #1 3rd print, #3
    Punisher #10 Jusko
    Red Sonja #3 J Scott Campbell
    Vampirella #1 J Scott Campbell

  21. I picked up:
    American Gods
    Super Sons 2
    Kill or Be Killed 7
    God Country 3 A+B
    Harley Quinn 15 B (my shop didn’t get their copies in two weeks ago)
    And my first CGC comic! It’s nothing to big, don’t think it’ll ever really be of “value” but it’s my favorite comic and that’s Vision 1. I’m relatively new comic reader, but all in all I’m just ecstatic over it.

      1. Got a 9.6, I know it’s not a “9.8” but hey I’m super happy about it and it’s part of my PC. And it’s more than good enough for me.
        How do you guys store these things? I’m surprised by how huge these cases are lol.

    2. Nice. I’m not big on graded books, I think I have about 30 or so out of the 10k books I now own.. but I remember the first I submitted myself. Rat Queens #1. It’s too bad that book lost it’s steam… came back a 9.8 though so I was happy. I have the regular and Staples variant #1 both CGC at 9.8 grades.
      And yeah, the slabs are big. They sell short and long boxes to store them in. I haven’t budged myself since I don’t have enough yet to fill a box, mine are in a closet nicely stacked in a corner.

      1. there definitely seems to be the 2 schools on this. There are your CGC collectors and your raw collectors. I’m not big on the CGC books either, but did buy one the other week, my first. I haven’t submitted one myself yet, but have been thinking about it with my McGuiness Hall of Comics Hulk #1 BW&R. How do you submit your own? Do you send them yourself? Do you get them at Cons? Do you get a local shop to submit them? What’s the most economical from people’s experience?

        1. I did mine at a Con. Saves on the shipping to costs and you only pay the return shipping costs. Mine was also used with a coupon so I only had to pay the return shipping costs. Wizard World a few years back is when I did mine. All my others I’ve just purchased.
          Honestly I’d only send off books to get graded if a) it’s a really old book and I want to get it authenticated, protected and it’s valuable and or b) if i was doing books in bulk to sell.
          Other than that, I prefer my books raw for the most part.

      2. I tend to buy old books slabbed only so I know there has not been any restoration. HOS 92 for example.

        1. Yeah, that’s another reason to buy slabbed for sure as well. If I’m buying anything from the 70s and back, depending on value.. I’d likely only go slabbed to make sure it’s authentic, not restored, etc.

      3. I was kinda upset when I bought my first CGC book a few weeks ago, only to come home and discover/realize it didn’t fit in my boxes. I really want the book to sit in its proper chronological order with the rest of my PC. Do I buy a CGC box for the one book and then fill it with raws? Lol

    3. If you were to buy a cgc box wouldn’t it be too big for raw copies to fit snugly in side?
      I don’t think I’m ever gonna get around to buying that many graded comics to justify buying a cgc box.

      1. For sure it would be to big. You would have to customize it. In my case, I would have literally 1 slot for 1 CGC, then have the rest of the box strapped to raw comic size. I would then need to store all books, in chronological order, based around the position of said slot. As my collection grows, all books would be centred around ‘the slot’, as it would become to be known as. ?

  22. I got a chance to go to a shop a couple hours away, and I found……..
    Grass Kings #1a, b and c
    Superman #10 every time I see a copy I buy it
    American God’s #1a

  23. Finally got out to the comic store and bought…
    Aquaman B
    Batman A
    Batwoman (both covers)
    Harley Quinn B
    Justice League A
    Nightwing B
    Super Sons A (B’s were dented)
    Superman B
    Trinity B
    Spidey – Ron Lim classic variant
    Monsters Unleashed – video game variant
    Awesome Hulk – Venomized variant
    Poe Dameron – 1 in 25 variant
    U.S. Avengers
    Uncanny X-Men
    God Country B
    Will probably pick up American Gods Shadows (cover A) which was shorted and a few other independents (like Invincible and Eclipse) next week. The Venoms at my LCS looked like someone had punched the stack…so I passed…will have to find it elsewhere. Was looking for a Grass Kings (cover A) but skipped it given they all had the creases running across the cover…picked up cover C last week. Have yet to find the Redneck ashcan…and have asked at several stores…still on the hunt!

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