DC Comic Bombshell Variant Covers - June 2014

In June DC Comics released bombshell variant covers for a number of their major titles.
These covers are perfect homages to World War II and a great way to spot light all their female characters.  I have two daughters and showcasing the strength of the female characters is something that should be done more often.

Here is a complete list of all the issues, good luck on hunting all these variants down.

• Action Comics #32
  

• Detective Comics #32

• Green Lantern #32

• Batgirl #32

 

• Batman #32

• Green Lantern Corps #32

• Justice League United #2

• Superman/Wonder Woman #9

• Batman and Ra’s al Ghul #32

• Batman/Superman #12

• Batwoman #32

 

 

• Harley Quinn #7

• Red Hood and the Outlaws #32

• Wonder Woman #32

• Aquaman #32

• Catwoman #32

• Justice League Dark #32

 

• Superman #32

 

• The Flash #32 

• Good luck on your hunt!

#jointhehunt

Comc Shop Review - Sci-Fi City, Orlando

If you were ever planning on opening up a comic book shop at anytime take trip down to Sci-Fi city to see how to do it right.

Loaded with reasonable priced back issues from as far back as the Silver Age. Loaded with not only current issues but also the hard to find variant covers, which most comic shops do,not carry. And added with a good mix of old and new toys.

We spent about an hour and a half looking through the back issues, which were arranged in alphabetical order down an entire huge aisle. The cost per issue was, wait for it....... original cover price. We bought about 30 issues of mostly 1980's comics for $1 or $1.25. We did have a hidden gem  find, Jack Kirby's New Gods issue #7 and #8 for $1 each. Original cover price was .25 but they round  any cover price less then $1 up, I will still very happy with the deal. Yet another treasure we dug to find, you have to love the spoils of hunting. A future post will detail all issues we picked up.

 

We were shocked to see not just the regular new releases but also the variant covers of many titles. We picked up the two of the DC comics bombshells covers, Earth 2 and Batman/Superman. We like these covers because of the strong role models they present to young female fans, I have two hunters in training who need to see more these.

We also found a hard to find Justice League of America Flash paper weight. I have been looking for this item for sometime now, to get it for $12  was awesome. I also think I might start collecting the new DC Comics movie line of figures. The Zod looks great.

Things gathered on this hunt = 33

Comic Shop Grade = A

This is worth some travel time if you are ever near Orlando Florida. All the pieces you want from a good comic shop. Friendly staff, large selection of items and lots of space. The shop has 10,000 square feet of space.

Brief history of Sci-Fi City
Originally open in 1978 as Enterprise 1701, Sci-Fi City changed its name in 1998 and moved to its current larger location. They have hosted events including guest appearances with  many industry big shots.
When a store has the longevity like Sci-Fi it just proves they are doing something right and have been for four decades.

The simplest way to say it is, GO TO SCI-FI CITY as soon as you can, it is a true comic hunters paradise.

Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt

Happy 4th of July - Batman #18

In celebration of the 4th of July we present Batman #18. Why you may ask did we pick Batman #18? Simple because the cover mentions the 4th of July and it shows a large firecracker taking out Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito.

Released in 1943 the cover also promotes war bonds and stamps. As we mentioned in previous post involving comic history, comic books played a large part in the push to sell war bonds to help pay for World War II.

About Batman #18, cover price was .10, issue is 60 pages long and includes 4 stories.
Cover art by Ed Kressey, Dick Sprang, and Stan Kaye
The Secret of Hunter's Inn! starring Batman and Robin, script by Joe Samachson, art by Jerry Robinson (signed as Bob Kane). 
Robin Studies His Lessons! starring Batman, script by Joe Samachson, pencils by Bob Kane, inks by Jerry Robinson. 
The Good Samaritan Cops starring Batman and Robin, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Jack Burnley (signed as Bob Kane), inks by Jack Burnley (signed as Bob Kane) and Ray Burnley. 
The Crime Surgeon! starring Batman and Robin, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Bob Kane, inks by Jerry Robinson. 

If you would like to add this historic issue to your collection to help celebrate the 4th, it's going to run you about $6,400. 
Let your search begin.

Good Luck on your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Lou Gehrig in Comic Book - 75th Anniversay of his speech

Today, today, is the day that we remember the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's famous speech. Gehrig one of the greatest baseballs of all time was forced to retire due to a debilitating disease, which has since been named after him.

Gehrig's likeness has been included in comics especially during the early days of comics when true sports stories were very popular.

Published in 1940 by Street & Smith, Sports Comics #1 was one of the first titles dedicated to sports stories. This inaugural issue consisted of six stories  and was over 68-pages long. It featured the New Lou Gehrig on the cover. One of the stories re-tells the Yankees great life story.

Originally sold on news stands for .10, current value is about $300. A 2.5 recently sold on eBay for $85.

Expand your collection to include sports related comics as well, it's called diversification. 
The history of comics is an exciting thing, follow us for more history.

Good Luck on your hunt! 
#jointhehunt

Comic Shop Review - Zap! Comics, Orlando

When you enter Zap! comics in Orlando Florida a life-size Yoda statue greets you at the door, looking like he is ready to battle Count Dooku. Be careful not to get him angry.

Zap! is a very welcoming shop. Comic characters are penciled into the walls and it looks like you are inside a comic book. Walls are very DC Universe heavy, Batman, Superman and the Flash to name a few.

The store carry's  the regular run of current toy lines, including some high end figurines. They have all the latest titles and trade paper backs. The display of the new issues is one of the best I have seen. An entire wall is lines with black metal basket shelves and all the titles are lined up across. Could DC comics have more Batman titles right now.

Not to much in the way of back issues, a couple of boxes in the back of the store but mostly recent issues, no silver or Bronze Age stuff here.

I was impressed with a Deathstroke helmet they had for sale. I have never seen the piece before and am planning of doing more research to find out where I can get one at a reasonable price. It looked like the owners of the store defeated one of Slade Wilson's soldiers during the battle of Starling city and kept his helmet.  I need me of these.

Zap! Also has a nice selection of art prints showing characters as their alter egos and as the hero. Yet another item I have never seen before, if they had a Flash one I would have bought it. These really looked great. This is why I love visiting new comic shops you never know what you'll find that you didn't know existed.

Comic Shop Grade = B

We didn't buy anything on this hunt not because we didn't see anything we liked it was just most of the stuff was new or a little out of our price range. We did learn about some new things which is always good, always learning and improving our craft.

One of the best things about Zap! was its soda machine. It was a replica of the TARDIS, we are big Doctor Who fans. The sodas in the machine had a Doctor Who spin to them. This is the best looking soda machine I have ever seen, a truly unique idea.

Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt

Not Even London Can Forget Stan Lee Funko Pop!

Last month we blogged about how we had forgotten to include Stan Lee in our list of Funko Pop Vinyl figures, it was titled How could we forget king of comics stan lee

Well there is going to be another exclusive Stan Lee Funko Pop Vinyl Figure, this one will be made available at London Film and Comic Con which takes place July 11-13. It will be Stan Lees last European appearance. So if you can fly to merry old England go get the Funko Stan Lee and ask him to sign it.

Good luck on your hunt. London England consider yourself warned!

#jointhehunt

San Diego Comic Con Exclusives - Walking Dead Edition

It has become one of the most popular comic books ever created, Walking Dead has taken the living and undead world by storm. Hit TV show, hit toy line, games and other things, so why wouldn't there be a bunch of Walking Dead exclusives at San Diego Comic Con. Read below to find out what there will be and where you'll need to go to get them.

Diamond Select Toys -  Booth #2607

Walking Dead "Days Gone By" Black and White Minimates 4-pack. Set included Rick, Glenn, Shane and a Zombie as they appeared in the first story arc of the comic series which has reached it's 125th issue. Each 2-inch figure is fully posable, set is limited to 2,000 pieces. This SDCC exclusive can be ordered at Entertainment Earth

Sky bound- Booth #2729

Walking Dead Ezekial figure from McFarlane Toys both in color and black & white with blood splatter. Will  be available for $25 each. Comes with trademark sword-cane

Walking Dead replica Lucille bat, oh yes it's Negan’s favorite lady, Lucille,immortalized in vinyl and designed by the team at October Toys. This vinyl mini replica bat is limited to 2500 pieces. Priced at only $40.

Minis Rick and Invincible 2-Pack. A limited edition double blind box set of Skybound Minis, featuring Rick from The Walking Dead and Invincible from the self titled series. The minis were designed by Scott Tolleson and will be limited to 5000 sets. With six possible colors for each figure, each box is a mystery.

Walking Dead PVC two-packs (Abraham, Andrea, and Jesus). The Walking Dead  PVC Miniatures has become a very popular line. These three limited edition sets are Abraham, Andrea and Jesus each packed with a gruesome zombie. Each set comes in 4 different colors (Grey, Grey with blood splatter, Purple and Glow in the Dark). Limited to 500 of each color for Purple and GID, 250 each for Grey and Grey with blood splatter. Designed by October Toys. Each set is priced at $10.

Walking Dead #129 SDCC exclusive cover, cover connects with Manifest Destiny #9. Each will be sold for $10.

So if your a Walking Dead fan you'll have a lot of Zombie hunting to do in San Diego. Get your katana ready.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt