BHOC: THE GREAT COMIC BOOK HEROES

In January of 1977, I turned ten-years-old. And around that time, I would up getting my second book collection of vintage comic book stories–a book that, up until that point I didn’t even know existed. We found it in the remaindered section at Two Guys, a regional low-rent department store chain, kind of like the … Continue reading BHOC: THE GREAT COMIC BOOK HEROES

BHOC: SPIDEY SUPER STORIES #17

I recently became aware that I had missed one additional comic book that had come into my household a few months earlier. It was this issue of SPIDEY SUPER STORIES, which was bought for my younger brother, Ken. It did eventually end up with me as well, but only after it had been reduced t … Continue reading BHOC: SPIDEY SUPER STORIES #17

BHOC: MARVEL TALES #53

The other comic book that my Uncle Jerry Blazer gave to me that summer Saturday was this issue of MARVEL TALES, reprinting a classic Stan Lee and John Romita issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN from the pinnacle of their run. This was the real stuff, and so surely this was the comic book that finally changed … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TALES #53

BHOC: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #159

Now, this comic book I know was purchased for my brother Ken, as at this point I was still an avowed Marvel-hater, and even reading SUPERMAN VS THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN had not swayed me. It’s worth noting that this issue still cost a quarter, whereas DC’s books were going for thirty cents at this time. … Continue reading BHOC: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #159

BHOC: SUPERMAN VS THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

It came out right around the time of my 9th birthday–in fact, that may have been the reason it was bought for me, given its hefty cover price. At a time when regular comics cost a quarter (and were right on the cusp of increasing to 30 cents–my most recent subscription issue of FLASH carried … Continue reading BHOC: SUPERMAN VS THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

BHOC: CAPTAIN AMERICA #183

As I wrote about last time, it was getting a pair of Marvel comics that put me off of the brand for several years. One was an issue of THOR, and the other was this issue of CAPTAIN AMERICA. I should mention, for context, that this is the final part of Steve Englehart’s long Watergate/Secret … Continue reading BHOC: CAPTAIN AMERICA #183

BHOC: THOR #233

I can remember it very clearly. We were coming back from someplace and my Dad stopped at the 7-11 to pick up cigarettes. The family stayed in the car–but I asked him to get me a comic book. He came back with two–thinking about it, I expect that one of them was intended for my … Continue reading BHOC: THOR #233

BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #17

A month later, and back at my Grandparents’ house and back at that same candy store that only stocked Marvel Comics, I had the opportunity to pick up the second half of the MARVEL TEAM-UP story that I’d begun previously. This would be my final such chance, though, as the store shortly thereafter stopped carrying … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #17

BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #16

There was a candy store near my grandmother’s house that we used to walk to when we would visit her, which was frequently. We’d go there and get a candy bar, or play some pinball. And it turned out that they carried comics–but only one kind of comics, Marvel Comics. And so, this was the … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TEAM-UP #16

Great Covers – AVENGERS #223

A famous AVENGERS cover by Ed Hannigan and Klaus Janson whose concept we know from trailers will be enacted in live action during the CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR film. It’s a great, simple idea, the white background makes everything pop, and the cover copy plusses it up an extra bit. Hannigan was one of the … Continue reading Great Covers – AVENGERS #223