Custom Flash Short Box

I have always looked at comic books as not only literature but also as art. The biggest problem I have always had with collecting this art form is how we store them.

White long or short boxes have always been rather dull and boring. There just plain white, BLAH

So I decided to take a day and create a custom short box, starting small, to house some of my Flash collection. I decided to make it a Wally West box.

Here is my quick step by step guide.

Step 1: get a comic box.

Step2: pick some comics that you don't feel bad about cutting up. (This was the hardest part, luckily I had some doubles.)

Step 3 : Buy some Mod Podge, there are so many cool craft related uses for Mod Podge.

Step 4: Cover one side of the box with Mod Podge and start putting the comic cut outs down. Then move to the next side and repeat.

Step 5: once all the comic cut outs are firmly in place go over the entire box again with Mod Podge, let it dry and you are done.

I also spray painted the lid gold just to add more color.

You now have your own hand made comic box it beats the boring white one.

Enjoy filling it up!

Detective Comics #140 - 1st Apperance of The Riddler

One of my favorite DC comics villians has always been The Riddler. Throughout the years I have enjoyed how the character has developed into one of Batman main antagonists.

As a result of the Riddler being my favorite villian his first appearance in Detective Comics #140 has always been a highly sought after issue. As you may know it is not easy to find. And when one comes up for sale it is usually of low quality. Only two copies have been graded over 8.0. So my search will continue.


About Detective Comics #140

Release in October 1948 Detective Comics #140 features the first apperance of The Riddler, written by the legendary Bill Finger with interior art Dick Sprang and Curt Swan, The memorable covet was done by Win Mortimer.
In the story "The Riddler" Edward Nigma is a cheating puzzle expert who becomes a costumed criminal identity for himself, the Riddler. He uses puzzles as clues for the Caped Crusader, which Batman is able to solve.  Riddler eventually leads Batman into a glass maze with a bomb inside. The bomb explodes, the  Riddler falls off a pier, leaving only a question mark behind. Batman is left wondering if his newest foe the Riddler survived.

Value

A copy of Detective Comics #140 can be obtained in lower CGC grade for less then $1,000. Ungraded can cost a couple of hundred. The highest graded copies so far have been graded 9.4, 2 copies currently exist. One sold at auction for over $19,000. This issue is very scarce only about 40 copies have been graded.

If you have a story about Detective Comics #140 or any other comic book hunting stories email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Original cover art from Action Comics #309

The story of Action Comics #309 has been told here before, see "The Sad Story of Action Comics #309", it is just coincidental that the original cover art from the issue recently came up for auction. the original cover art features original pen and ink art by noted Silver Age Superman comic book artist Curt Swan for the Feb., 1964 issue of "Action Comics" #309 published by DC Comics. 

The cover art has been inked by Sheldon Moldoff. The cover features Superman greeting a long line comprised of his alter-ego Clark Kent (w/whom he shakes hands), Lois Lane, Daily Planet newspaper editor (and Clark Kent's boss) Perry White, Supergirl, Batman, Robin, Superman's pal Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent's ex-flame Lana Lang, Legion of Super-Heroes members Saturn Girl, Element Lad and Chameleon Boy and Police Chief Parker. Clark Kent's former mermaid girlfriend Lori Lemaris is seen in a tank on the line. the issue is important from not only a comic book standpoint but also historical significance because  The issue President John F. Kennedy disguises himself as Clark Kent (as seen on cover), helping Superman retain his secret identity. The the issue hit stands just one week after Kennedy's assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.  DC was unable to recall the issue, the publication and distribution process was too far along.

Cover includes the "Action Comics" title paste-over as well as "Comics Code Authority" seal. It also contains the issue number paste-overs and word balloon connected to title paste-over, as well as some sign text below title paste-overs.


The original cover art Sold for an unbelievable $112,015. I guess the historical significance was not lost on collectors. This is a historically significant piece of comic book history.

Hunting for original comic art can be both rewarding and expensive. If you have a story regarding hunting comics or comic art please E-Mail us.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

DC Scribblenauts Series 5

The Scribblenauts continue with series 5. It continues to amaze at the number of  DC characters that are being included in the figure series. Series 5 is no different,  the World's Greatest Superheroes and Villains in Scribblenauts style. 

Series 4 contains  8 different 2 1/4-inch tall mini-figures (some rarer than others), including Swamp Thing, Harley Quinn, Deathstroke, John Stewart Green Lantern, Alloy, Gold Flash and more! 

Fans should be happy that Swamp Things is getting some love. His title is being canceled in April, his last figure which was supposed to be in the Medicom Line was canceled. He was also supposed to be in series 4 of Scribblenauts but got pushed back to series 5, fingers crossed.

Good luck on your hunt!

DC Comics March Variant Covers - At the movies!

DC comics continues to provide fans with great variant cover ideas each mont. March variant covers are possible one of the best themed so far.

22of DC comics most popular titles will showcase classic Warner Brothers movie poster on thier variant covers. Okay to be clear some are classic movies, some not so much classic as iconic. The one thing that can't be disputed is the re-imagined movie posters all look fantastic.

Here is the list of comics with the movie they are aligned with. I have my favorites, I am sure so will you.

Green Lantern #40 mirrors 2001:A SpaceOdyssey

Green Lantern Corps # 40 iconic Forbidden Planet

Sinestro #11 as underrated West World ( if you never saw it rent it now)

Justice League Dark #40 a the great Bettleguise

Justice League #40 in Magic Mike (Not a Classic but funny)

Justice League Unlimited #10 it's Mars Attack ( get it Martian Manhunter)

Action Comics #40 Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure

Superman/Wonder Woman #17 a Great nod to Gone with the Wind

Batman/ Superman #20 The Fugitive (Should have been The Flash)

Superman #40 as Superfly

Supergirl #40 The Wizard of Oz

Wonder Woman #40 as "300"

Batman #40 doing his best Jim Carry as the Mask

Detective Comics #40 The Matrix (Batman is the one)

Harley Quinn #16 jailhouse Rock

Catwoman #40 Steve McQueens Bullet

Grayson #8 Enter the Dragon

Batman/Robin # 40 Harry Potter

Batgirl #40 Purple Rain

Teen Titans #8 by far my favorite, the Titans as the Lost Boys

Aquaman #40 Free Willy ( what a great idea)

The Flash #40 North by North West ( Catch me if you can would have been better)

New Batman Animated Series Figures

It has recently been revealed by MTV news that DC Collectibles will be debuting a new wave of figures from Batman: The Animated Series.

This new round of figures will include the original version of Batman from the series, as well as Penguin, The Riddler, and Batgirl. Ranging from 4.5" to 6" in height, the figures will hit shelfs for $24.95 each.

My two cents, we continue to live in the new golden age of comic book heroes, a new line of Batman figures are announced and MTV, yes hip, cool MTV reports it. 

Good luck on your hunt!

Another Action Comics #1 Sells at Auction

As part of their November auction, Heritage Auction House sold another copy of Action Comics #1, the historic first appearance of Superman. This copy was graded CGC GD/VG 3.0, with Cream to off-white pages. 
As we have discussed as part of our "Stories of Action Comics #1", with the increased prices realized through recent auctions more copies of Action Comics #1 are bound to pop up.
Here is a good example, this 3.0 copy sold for $310,700. Lower grades are what most collectors are interested in as they are more affordable then the high grades. Well at least they are now.

If you happen to see any copies drop us an email, we would love hearing from you. Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Action Comics #1 - Batman & Robin #39 pays homage

A lot of space here at Comic Book Hunter & Gatherers has been spent on the first superhero comic book ever made, Action Comics #1. You can read all about our past posts in "Stories of Action Comics #1"

Coming this February, Batman & Robin  #39 will pay homage to this historic cover. The last comic to pay homage was Multiversity #1.

In future posts we will be looking at other comic covers that have honored Action Comics #1.

Until then keep an eye out for Batman and Robin #39.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

DC Comics January Variant Covers - Flash Take-Over

If you have spent any time reading Comic Book Hunter & Gatherers then you know that I am a huge Flash fan. A large part of my collection and Wantlist consists of Flash related comics and collectibles. I am currently trying to complete the entire run of Barry Allen's Flash, only 35 to go.

When I heard that DC would be starting off 2015 celebrating The Flashes 75th Anniversay by doing a Flash variant cover month I was excited to say the least. Now that it is almost here I am looking forward to a big hunt for all the variants.
Each of the Flash variant covers are reimagined classic covers from comic history with the Flash inserted. Some such as the Detective Comics and Green Lantern are really great.

 To help other fans I have compiled a list of the Flash variant covers coming in January.

Good luck hunting them all down.

Justice League #38

Justice League Dark #38

Justice League United #8

Aquaman #38

Teen Titans #6

Wonder Woman #38

Superman #38

Action Comics #38

Batman #38

Detective Comics #38

Superman/Wonder Woman #15

Supergirl #30

Batman/Robin #38

Batgirl #38

Grayson #6

Catwoman #38

Harley Quinn #15

Green Lantern #38

Green Lantern Corps #38

Sinestro #9