New York Comic Con

I resigned myself to the fact that I would be missing New York Comic Con this year. I was actually fine with it. I am saving my pennies for my trip to Los Angeles to see my baby at the end of the month, so I wasn't even thinking about trying to find a way in this year.

Then, around 4:30 PM Friday afternoon my buddy, Jose, texted me asking me to call him. I ran to my desk at the office and called him back. Turns out he had weekend passes and his friend cancelled for that evening and he wanted to know if I wanted to go.

Um, yeah.

So, after I got off work, I met up with Jose in front of Jacobs Javitz Center and in we went. Jose runs a website called Talking About Games, which talks about makeup and hair styles. Nah, it's a video game website. You can check out the website at talkingaboutgames.com.

Ok, enough of the props. On to the pictures.

I'm pretty much going to let the pictures do the talking here. Unfortunately, since time was limited, I didn't get to see everything I wanted, which is fine. I ha a blast in the time I was there and hope I can make another Comic Con in the future. If you are on my Facebook page, you already seen these, but if you aren't (shame one you), here they are.

Walking up to the entrance

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I would kill to own this.

This too.

I love this poster

Snootchie Bootchies

I still need that Art FX Batman statue.

Love these bust banks.

My favorite booth was the Toyworth booth, which displayed some sweet vintage stuff.

Check out that awesome vintage Batman and the Justice League playset. Drool.

Sweet vintage looking Spidey card from Hallmark.

Awesome Batman stuff. I want them all!

I will be reading this when it's released. I believe it's going to be put out by Dark Horse.

Lola from Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. made an appearance.

We end with Neil Adams. One day, I will have a commissioned Batman piece from Neil. Unfortunately, at $300.00 a pop, that will be a long way off.

Again, I want to thank my buddy, Jose from Talking About Games for the pass to get in. I really enjoyed looking at all the cool stuff. Go check out his website and listen to his podcast as well. I will guest on it one day and knowing the two of us, you never know what will come out of our mouths.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

O.K. I Want This And That And That....

It's auction time for us members of the League Of Extra Ordinary Bloggers. A time where we wish each other good luck in adding new and glorious pieces to our collections and then figure out a way to blindside each other for the same piece. It's a war and we have our war paint and fatigues on as we zero in on the pieces we wish to add to our collections and make sure we don't give up our first born to get that piece. This is eBay on steroids and I'm about to drop a few elbows to get what I want. O.K, maybe it isn't that vicious, but you get the idea.

Hake's Americana and Collectibles is holding another one of their fantastic auctions and is sponsoring this week's topic. Here is the link to Auction #209 in case you would like to drool all over your keyboard like I have so many times:

http://www.hakes.com/browse.asp?Auction=209&ListID=0

Now, I have never participated in a Hake's auction. A lot of the stuff they have up for bid is a bit out of my price range, but I do love to browse through their inventory and just play make believe in my mind and pretend I was Ted DiBiase and make a mental note of what I would buy if I was loaded. Unfortunately, once Mr. Rogers enters the dream, I pretty much end it 'cause that's just plain creepy.

For this week's topic, we are to go on an imaginary shopping spree at Hake's current auction and list what we would buy if we had the funds. I decided to pick pieces for collections I collect or picked pieces to start a collection I have always wanted. In some cases, they were pieces I had or come across as a kid or pieces that I have always longed to own. What did I pick? Well, you my dear reader are pretty nosy, but I will show you anyway.

Let's start with 2 pieces I would love to own for my Batman collection:

This is an animated cell from one of my favorite episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. Entitled "Legends Of The Dark Knight", the episode follows 3 kids as they envision what The Batman is really like. One kid imagines the Caped Crusader as something right out of a Dick Sprang drawn comic book with a heroic voice and all. Another visualizes Batman to be like Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, complete with mud fight with the Mutant Leader. I loved how the episode showed what Batman has looked like over the years and to add this piece to my Batman collection would be fantastic.

The Mego-head that I am would never be able to pass up the chance to be able to bid on and possibly own a boxed Batman Mego. The graphics on the box just pop out at you and the figure is mint and complete inside. This would be a great addition to the Batman shelf right next to the loose, not so mint Batman I do own.

I have never seen these before. Batman and Robin Jigglers from Fun Things. They're rubber figures with removable capes that you can hang on door knobs or other spots around the house. I'll just keep them carded and on my shelf, thank you. These pre-dated the Ben Cooper jigglers by about 7 years.

I didn't find much to add to my Luke Skywalker collection, but I did see this bad boy. As a kid, I had this and loved it. I would have lightsaber battles with the Darth Vader figure I owned, had him hang from his grappling hook or just sit on my desk looking cool as he was when he blew up the Death Star...ok, maybe he wasn't Han Solo cool, but he did shot at Stormtroopers, got into a cantina fight and blew up a couple of Tie Fighters. Makes him cool in my book.

For my Beatles Collection, I found this gem:

My vintage Beatles memorabilia is pretty limited and to be able to add this awesome lunchbox to my collection would instantly make it the crown jewel of my Beatles collection. This is a pretty expensive piece to own and right now its at a reasonable bid, although I don't expect it to be for much longer.

It even comes with the thermos. I want to say the picture has them in 1965. I think they wore suits similar to this at the famous Shea Stadium show on August 15th, 1965.

The last item I would bid on is a lot of DC Comics Hallmark statues, a couple of which would fit nicely in my Batman and budding Superman collection:

I simply love that statue of Batman and Robin running with the Batsignal displayed behind them. I have always wanted to add that statue to my collection, but either it's too pricey or I'm outbid on one. The Robin beside it is also a nice piece.

Can't go wrong with Wonder Woman, classic or modern. Love the vintage Wonder Woman piece.

I love this Superman statue which has him in that iconic pose from Superman issue #11 from 1941. A must have.

A very cool piece of Superman flying over the Daily Planet which would be a nice addition to the Superman Shelf. Plus, he is sporting a sweet mullet.

Speaking of Superman, I found a really cool piece for the Superman collection:

This tin piece was a toy that you would wind up and Superman would lift it up from the bottom and flip the tank over, then start over again.

I never got why Superman is wearing a yellow suit rather than the iconic blue uniform. I know I have seen an earlier version of him in the blue suit. Still, a vintage piece like this one would be a head turner in any Superman collection.

I would like to thank Hake's for allowing us use of the pictures from the auction. I have seen a ton of other pieces that I would love to have from Monkees to Green Hornet to even goodies for my baseball collection. I could go on and on and show off all the stuff I would love to own, but we all don't have hours to read the ramblings of a poor geek.

Now, go and bid, bid, bid!

Since you're still up, check out what my fellow League Members would bid on:

http://shezcrafti.com/a-bunch-of-awesome-crap-id-buy-from-hakes-if-i-wasnt-broke/

http://brandedinthe80s.com/11435/down-with-opp

http://gijigsaw.blogspot.com/2013/07/hakes-shopping-spree.html

http://mosespa.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/loeb-hakes-shopping-spree-redux.html

http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2013/07/league-post-return-to-hakes.html

Tell them The Sexy Geek sent you. I'm sure they won't know what the hell you are talking about.

Why?

This week's topic form League members to blog is another one word topic. Why? Now, when I saw the topic, I initially was going to pass on writing a blog on it, but then I thought about it and realized I can go several different ways with it. I ultimately decided to make this blog a rather personal.

The question I am hit with from a lot of people is why, at 42 years, do you still collect toys and read comics. Now usually when I am asked this question, the words have a ring to it. Like the person asking is shocked and appalled that a grown man would still rather read a Spider-Man comic than the latest best seller on the New York Times Best Seller's List. I usually just keep it simple and say "because I want to". Now, since this Why has become this weeks topic, I had a chance to sit down and think about why I collect.

Honestly, there are really 3 main reasons why. The first one being that I really didn't have a lot of toys growing up. My mom got me Star Wars, Spider-Man, Batman, Superman and other goodies, but since I was at a special school growing up, I wasn't home until the weekends and when I was home, it was usually baseball, baseball, baseball. I would watch the Yankee games as well as the Mets and the NBC Game Of The Week so my time with my toys was limited. I did play with what I had and I did watch all the Saturday morning cartoons. Since my mom worked long hours as a home attendant, money was tight and when birthdays or Christmas rolled around and I would ask for a new glove or the Star Wars Death Star Play set, she would go for the equipment every time. Her reasoning was I could get more mileage out of the equipment and she was right as I was using bats I had gotten when I was ten as a teenager. Plus, it got me out of the house. What sucked for me was my cousin got all the Star Wars play sets and figures, Mego dolls, Shogun Warriors and other toys I wanted and would be a bit of a jerk when it came time to share. I don't blame my mother for this. Maybe had I just chosen toys over baseball and, later, football, I would have gotten everything my cousin got and more. My mom was and still is an awesome mother and did the best she could which is more than anyone could ask.

I still haven't gotten this and I still want it!

That brings me to the second reason why I collect which is my fulfilling some childhood dreams and re-buying stuff I had as a child. Now, I'm sure that the amateur shrinks out there will say I have some psychological issues because after 36 years I still cannot let go of the fact that I never had the Star Wars Death Star Play Set or an X-Wing Fighter or a Land Speeder, or AT-AT and maybe I do. But when I pick up a piece, like the Spider-Man bank I used to own or the Batman hand puppet I have been wanting forever, it makes me feel very good. Almost like I accomplished something I have always wanted to. I realize there are a lot more important things in life to accomplish, but as long as I pay my bills and continue to be the best person I can be, I see nothing wrong with collecting toys as long as it makes me feel good.

Which brings me to my last reason. Collecting makes me feel good. When I see a package with my name on it at the post office or see a vintage toy at a toy show or flea market my heart races. To me, there is no bigger joy than to see a toy you have wanted on your toy shelf, proudly displayed in your collection. The thrill of the chase has a lot to do with it as well. I love surfing eBay, going to cons and flea markets and just hunting for something that is going to make me open my wallet and bring something home with me. I wish I could express just how I feel when I land an item that I have been wanting for a long time, but I'm sure my fellow collectors know what I mean. And this doesn't apply just to my toys. I feel the same way when I pick up a bobble head or find a baseball card or score an autograph I have been wanting for a long time. Collecting just makes me feel good.

Bottom line, I love to collect. I will continue to collect my toys, comics, sports items, sketch cards, autographs, bobble heads and whatever else I want. And I'm not the only one. Maybe other people collect things like first edition books or antiques or art. Whatever the reason, there is an answer for the "why" that is asked . Answers may differ, but there is always a reason and it's usually a good one.

If you liked this blog, you may like these from my fellow leaguers as well:

www.randomnerdness.blogspot.com

claymationwerewolf.blogspot.com/2013/05/why-this-not-that.html

www.diaryofadorkette.blogspot.com/2013/05/why-of-all-things-she-ra-fanfic.html

coolandcollected.com/why-do-hallmark-cards-always-make-me-cry/

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

League Of Extraordinary Bloggers-How I Spent Free Comic Book Day

Haven't posted in the league in a while. Once Brian put up this week's assignment, I knew I would be posting  this time around. The assignment was simple: Write about comic books. Now, I could have blogged about my favorite issues or my favorite characters. I could have written about comics I would love to own or the best stories I have read, But, I decided to keep it simple. I knew I was going to go and scarf up some free swag on Free Comic Book Day, so here is how my day went.

My first stop was Midtown Comics-Times Square. I woke up pretty early on Saturday and was at the store by 9:30 AM. Wasn't early enough, it seems.

This was the line in front of the store when I got there. I was told by one of the workers who I am pretty friendly with that there was a line at 6:30 in the morning. By the time I got inside, pickings was slim. Actually, I was just given a bag with 3 comics inside.

Got this sampler from Valiant Comics. Not too familiar with Valiant comics, but I did get to read it later in the day and liked 2 of the stories inside.

Got a preview of Marvel's big event this summer, Infinity. From what I read, it looks a it will be a good read. It also had an old Thanos story from the 70's.

The third book was Superman: Last Son Of Krypton. I will show that later in the blog.

After getting my bag, I decided to take a stroll around the store and take a look at what they were offering. I came across a case with some vintage goodies.

Super Powers and a 1989 Batmobile

Vintage Star Wars figures and carrying case. I believe the asking price was $500.00 for the lot.

Megos. Overpriced and incomplete.

Afterward, I decided to walk over to the east side of Manhattan and visit Jim Haley's Universe and check out the new location. They recently moved from W 33rd St to E 32nd St and this was their Grand Opening week. As you can see, there was a line waiting for me, but that was to be expected.

Even Spidey wants free comic books.

This location is smaller than the old one, but pretty well laid out. I stood outside for about 15-20 minutes, but once I got inside, the line moved pretty quickly. I amused myself by taking pictures of the statues that was on sale.

I really love those Spider-Man and Batman statues.

New Superman statue and Bane threatening to break Batman's back if he doesn't get some books.

Jim Haley's was offering 5 comics as opposed to the 3 I got at Midtown. And I got to pick out what I wanted. Here is what I went home with.

DC Nation Super Sampler. I want to check out that new Batman show that Cartoon Network will be showing later in the year.

I haven't been reading any of the Age Of Ultron series, so I decided to get this Avengers preview of the event. If it's any good, I might wait for the graphic novel or pick up the issues in digital form.

I have never seen the show or read the books. This is my first exposure to The Walking Dead and I am looking forward to reading it.

I picked this issue of Mass Effect up because I do like Dark Horse stuff. It was either that or Boingo.

Since there was nothing else I really wanted, Jim Haley's was offering a free Iron Man 3 Heroclix, which would count as 1 book. Since I am always looking to add to my small Iron Man collection, I happily grabbed it.

I have never owned a Heroclix before. it's really small and I had a hard time getting a good shot of it with my camera on my Note 2. Trust me, it looks pretty cool in person.

Before leaving, I did manage to sign up for their free membership club. It offers discounts on comics, toys and 40 % off certain graphic novels. I will be back later in the week to grab a graphic novel to read on my plane ride to Los Angeles on Thursday.

After, I decided to hit Manhattan Comics to see what they had to offer.

God, I love that poster, I should see if they offer one for sale next time I go inside.

The store was offering up 3 free comics. It was pretty packed at the Free Comic rack, so I kind of had to slither in between people to grab the issues I wanted. Here's what I walked away with.

It's from a Halloween give away, but it's Batman so I don't care. Plus, it features a couple stories written by Spider-Man writer Dan Slott. I'm sold.

I was looking for this book at the previous two locations and struck out at both. This was the last copy on the shelf, so I was so glad I was able to grab it.

Grabbed this Teenage Ninja Turtles book to finish out my Free Comics spree. I did have a Buck Rodgers comic in my hand, but I put it down in favor of TMNT.

Manhattan Comics also had Nathaniel Burney, cartoonist of the non fiction webcomic "Illustrated Guide To Criminal Law". He had his son with him, drawing along side his pop. I struck up a conversation with the two of them since the boy had on a Darth Vader t shirt. I found out that Nathaniel is a lawyer who works on his webcomic in his free time. It just got published into a book. If your interested in checking it out, head on over to lawcomic.net. I also found out his son's favorite Star Wars movie is Episode 1. Kids.

Nathaniel was kind enough to draw me this sketch of the Batman for my sketch art collection.

Love it. Thanks so much Nathaniel. I know his son will realize that Empire is clearly the better movie in time.

For my last, and longest stop of the day, I headed over to Midtown Comics-Downtown for an autograph signing with two of my favorites in the comic industry, Jim Lee and Scott Snyder, who would be signing copies of the Superman; Last Son Of Krypton book that was given out. If you haven't read Snyder's Iron Man Noir, I urge you to do so. Jim Lee is the reason I got back into reading comics. I hadn't read one in a few years. The Batman Hush stories were the first books I read and I was hooked all over again. I had to meet them. They will be working on a new Superman story later in the year and I for one cannot wait to read it.

Now, I called Midtown before I went down and was told there was a line forming at 7 PM the night before. I decided to head over and see if I still had a shot.

When I got there, the line went up this alley and wrapped around again. I decided I would stay and wait. It was 3 PM when I got on. The signing would be at 7 PM. Luckily, I had a snack and some of the comics with me, which I read as well as book called The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Yes, I had a non comic book . Worst thing was I was freezing. I was only wearing a t shirt (Star Wars representing on May The 4th Be With You, Yo!) and was not smart enough to bring a jacket. But, 4 hours later, the line started moving and by 8 o'clock I was meeting Jim Lee and Scott Snyder.

In the picture, you can see DC Comics  Senior Vice President Dan DiDio talking to Scott Snyder. Talked to him for a while too. I barely got to tell him I loved Iron Man Noir. Lee was genuinely touched when I told him how Hush was the reason I started reading comics again.

After the brief meeting and getting my books signed, I took a stroll around as it was my first time there.

While on that long line, I read that Valiant book and really liked the Harbinger Wars preview, so I bought it.

And here's the reason I was there:

Even got Certificates of Authenticity

The cool thing is I was able to get a second book Superman: Last Son Of Krypton signed, which I would be willing to trade for something pretty cool.

So, that is my long, long day. But it was a productive day. I got 11 free comics, bought 1, started reading a book my friend lent me earlier in the year that I finally got around to reading and I met 2 superstars in the comic book world. Yes, Free Comic Book Day made me feel every bit of my 42 years, but it was a fun day. Needless to say, I am looking forward to next year's Free Comic Book Day and will willingly do this all over again.