Some sweet ebay nabs, and almost completely up to date on NOW issues!! :) :)

I took a small break from buying lately.  Other hobbies need some love to...it's all about balance right? lol
I nabbed a couple Ebay auctions to get some wants off my list.   Adding to my addiction of the gatefold/prism/embossed/etc. covers, I nabbed a lot of various 90's goodness of Ebay....some I forgot about long ago. Nothing special, but they help feed the addiction  ;)







At the same time, I needed to catch up on all the Marvel NOW books that interested me:
So far I was already digging what little i read of Uncanny X-Men
I've been hearing a lot of good stuff about All New X-Men, and it looks AWESOME
Thanos Rising sounds like it will be a fun ride
Cable & X-Force has had some of the best looking cover art in awhile (sucks the shop were out of #2, and 3)
I nabbed Guardians of the Galaxy on a whim.....was a fan of the original series as a kid.







LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!

This last week brought me a comic book show, Ebay sale, tons of supplies, and 300+ comics!!!

Last week Friday (FINALLY.....slow shipping seller) I received a bundle of comics I had won on Ebay.  163 issues of X-Title goodness.   I got lucky as it was a solid deal, with some books I had really wanted to check out, and some to replace my old long gone collection.

UNCANNY
1) Uncanny X-Men #-1 (Flashback issue - 1997)
2) Uncanny X-Men #173 (1983)
3) Uncanny X-Men #218
4) Uncanny X-Men #254 (new team lead by Forge)
5) Uncanny X-Men #261 (1st App. of Hardcase & the Harriers)
6) Uncanny X-Men #282 (1st cameo App. of Bishop)
7) Uncanny X-Men #282 (2nd printing gold variant)
8) Uncanny X-Men #283 (1st full App. of Bishop)
9) Uncanny X-Men #284
10) Uncanny X-Men #285
11) Uncanny X-Men #300 (Giant-Size Anniversary Issue, Holographic Foil cover)
12) Uncanny X-Men #301 (App. of Mystique)
13) Uncanny X-Men #303 (death of Illyana Rasputin/Magik)
14) Uncanny X-Men #304 (Giant-Size 30th Anniversary Issue, Fatal Attractions crossover)
15) Uncanny X-Men #305 (1st App. of Phalanx)
16) Uncanny X-Men #306
17) Uncanny X-Men #308
18) Uncanny X-Men #309
19) Uncanny X-Men #310 (Cable & Cyclops vs. X-Cutioner)
20) Uncanny X-Men #311 (Bishop vs. Sabretooth)
21) Uncanny X-Men #312 (vs. Phalanx)
22) Uncanny X-Men #314 (Emma Frost possesses Iceman)
23) Uncanny X-Men #320 (Legion Quest storyline, vs. Legion)
24) Uncanny X-Men #326 (Gambit vs. Sabretooth)
25) Uncanny X-Men #343
26) Uncanny X-Men #344
27) Uncanny X-Men #351
28) Uncanny X-Men #357
29) Uncanny X-Men #358
30) Uncanny X-Men #390 (death of Colossus, Legacy Virus cured)
31) Uncanny X-Men #410
32) Uncanny X-Men #411
33) Uncanny X-Men #453
34) Uncanny X-Men #454 (App. of Hellfire Club)
35) Uncanny X-Men #456
36) Uncanny X-Men #457
37) Uncanny X-Men #458 (in Savage Land, App. of Hercules)
38) Uncanny X-Men #459
39) Uncanny X-Men #460
40) Uncanny X-Men #461 (vs. Mojo)
41) Uncanny X-Men #462 (House of M crossover, App. of Captain Britain)
42) Uncanny X-Men #463 (House of M crossover)
43) Uncanny X-Men #464 (House of M crossover)
44) Uncanny X-Men #466 (Decimation crossover)
45) Uncanny X-Men #482 (App. of Starjammers)
46) Uncanny X-Men Annual #15 (1991)
47) Uncanny X-Men Annual #16
48) Uncanny X-Men Annual #17 (sealed in bag w/ trading card)
49) Uncanny X-Men Annual #18 (vs. Caliban)
50) Uncanny X-Men Annual '95
51) Uncanny X-Men Annual '96
52) Uncanny X-Men Annual 2001

ADJECTIVELESS & NEW
53) X-Men #4 (Vol. 1, 1st App. of Omega Red - 1992)
54) X-Men #5 (Wolverine vs. Omega Red)
55) X-Men #30 (wedding of Scott Summers & Jean Grey)
56) X-Men #45 (Giant-Size 35th Anniversary Issue, Double Gatefold Prismatic Foil cover, Rogue vs. Gambit)
57) X-Men #110 (Colossus memorial issue)
58) New X-Men #114 (title change, by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely, 1st App. of Cassanda Nova)
59) New X-Men #150
60) New X-Men #151 (Here Comes Tomorrow pt. 1, by Grant Morrison & Marc Silvestri)
61) New X-Men #152 (pt. 2)
62) New X-Men #153 (pt. 3)
63) New X-Men #154 (pt. 4, conclusion)
64) New X-Men #155
65) New X-Men #156 (last New X-Men issue)
66) New X-Men #184 (1st App. of Sunspot as Famine)

X-FACTOR
67) X-Factor #1 (Vol. 1, 1st ongoing series, original X-Men team - 1986)
68) X-Factor #5 (vs. Alliance of Evil, 1st cameo App. of Apocalypse)
69) X-Factor #6 (1st full App. of Apocalypse)
70) X-Factor #15 ("death" of Angel)
71) X-Factor #18
72) X-Factor #23
73) X-Factor #24 (Fall of the Mutants crossover, 1st App. of Archangel)
74) X-Factor #71 (1st App. of new of Havok/Polaris/Strong Guy/Multiple Man/Wolfsbane)
75) X-Factor #100 (Giant-Size Anniversary Issue, Foil cover, death of Multiple Man)
76) X-Factor #111 (Strong Guy has heart attack & dies, lead-in to Age of Apocalypse)

ULTIMATE
77) Ultimate X-Men #1 (Free Comic Book Day edition - 2000)
78) Ultimate X-Men #40 (1st App. of Ultimate New Mutants including Angel)
79) Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #1 (by Lost creator Damon Lindelof - 2006)
80) Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk #2
81) Ultimate War #1 (of 4, Ultimates vs. X-Men - 2003)
82) Ultimate War #2
83) Ultimate War #3
84) Ultimate War #4 (of 4, conclusion)
85) Ultimate Power #1 (Ultimate Universe/Supreme Power Universe crossover - 2006)
86) Ultimate Power #2
87) Ultimate Power #3
88) Ultimate Power #4
89) Ultimate Power #5

EXCALIBUR
90) Excalibur Special: The Sword is Drawn #1 (Graphic Novel/Prestige format, 1st App. of the team, No cover price edition - RARE! - 1987)
91) Excalibur #1 (Vol. 1, 1st ongoing series, Captain Britain/Phoenix/Nightcrawler/Kitty Pryde, 1st App. of Widgit - 1988)
92) Excalibur #75 (Double-Sized Issue, Holographic Foil cover, 1st App. of Britanic)
93) Excalibur #1 (Vol. 2 - 2004)
94) Excalibur #2

ASTONISHING
95) Astonishing X-Men #1 (Volume 3, ongoing series, John Cassaday variant cover - 2004)
96) Astonishing X-Men #1 (Dell Otto Wolverine variant cover - RARE!)
97) Astonishing X-Men #1 (Director's Cut variant edition)
98) Astonishing X-Men #2
99) Astonishing X-Men #3
100) Astonishing X-Men #4 (return of Colossus)
101) Astonishing X-Men #5
102) Astonishing X-Men #6

X-MEN: PHOENIX ENDSONG
103) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #1 (of 5, return of the Phoenix force & Jean Grey - 2005)
104) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #1 (Green costume variant cover)
105) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #2
106) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #2 (sketch variant cover)
107) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #3
108) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #4
109) X-Men: Phoenix Endsong #5 (of 5, conclusion)

UNLIMITED
110) X-Men Unlimited #1 (Vol. 1, All Giant-Size Issues - 1993)
111) X-Men Unlimited #2 (origin of Magneto)
112) X-Men Unlimited #3 (Wolverine & Maverick vs. Sabretooth)
113) X-Men Unlimited #4 (origin of the Rogue/Mystique/Nightcrawler relationship, Mystique revealed to be Nightcrawler's mother)
114) X-Men Unlimited #38 (Colossus memorial issue)
115) X-Men Unlimited #1 (Vol. 2 - 2004)

SOLO, ONE-SHOTS & SINGLE ISSUES
116) Wolverine #80 (Vol. 2, 1st ongoing series, 1st App. of X-23 in a test tube - 1994)
117) X-23: Target X #1 (of 6 - 2007)
118) X-23: Target X #2
119) X-23: Target X #3 (vs. Wolverine)
120) X-23: Target X #4
121) X-23: Target X #5
122) X-23: Target X #6 (of 6, conclusion)
123) Magneto #0 (1st solo Magneto book, origin story, mail-away - 1993)
124) Rogue #1 (first solo series, gold foil cover - 1994)
125) Bishop #1 (first solo series, silver foil cover - 1994)
126) New X-Men: Academy X #1 (2004)
127) Black September Preview Book #1 (One-Shot, Marvel Comics/Malibu Comics crossover - 1995)
128) All New Exiles #1 (Giant-Size 64-Page Issue, Malibu Comics team lead by Juggernaut - 1995)
129) Mutants vs. Ultras: First Encounters #1 (One-Shot, 80-Page Monster, Prime vs. Hulk, Night Man vs. Wolverine, Exiles vs. X-Men - 1995)
130) Marvel & DC Present: Uncanny X-Men & New Teen Titans #1 (One-Shot - 1982)
131) X-Men: Ashcan Edition #1 (One-Shot - 1994)
132) X-Men 2099 #1 (Holographic Foil cover - 1993)
133) Alpha Flight #1 (Vol. 1 - 1983)

PHALANX COVENANT CROSSOVER/GENERATION X INTRO (COMPLETE)
134) Generation X Collectors' Preview #1 (One-Shot - 1994)
135) Generation X Ashcan Preview #1 (One-Shot, HARD TO FIND! - 1994)
136) Uncanny X-Men #316 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover, 1st App. of M)
137) Uncanny X-Men #317 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover, 1st App. of Skin)
138) X-Men #36 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover, 1st App. of Synch)
139) X-Men #37 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover)
140) X-Factor #106 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover)
141) Excalibur #82 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover)
142) X-Force #38 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover)
143) Wolverine #85 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover)
144) Cable #16 (Phalanx Covenant crossover, Holographic Foil cover)
145) Generation X #1 (Chromium Foil cover, 1st App. of Chamber, 1st App. of Penance - 1994)
146) Generation X #2

MUIR ISLAND SAGA/NEW X-MEN INTRO (COMPLETE)
147) Uncanny X-Men #278 (pt. 1, Shadow King possessed Strong Guy vs. Rogue - 1991)
148) Uncanny X-Men #279 (pt. 2)
149) X-Factor #69 (pt. 3, Shadow King vs. Professor X)
150) Uncanny X-Men #280 (pt. 4, Professor X crippled - yeah, again, Legion left in catatonic state -> lead-in to Legion Quest/Age of Apocalypse)
151) X-Factor #70 (epilogue, original X-Factor join the X-Men creating a super team, lead-in to X-Men #1)
152) Uncanny X-Men #281 (1st App. of Blue & Gold X-Men teams, 1st App. of Trevor Fitzroy)
153) X-Men #1 (by Chris Claremont/Jim Lee, Deluxe Edition, fold out cover - 1991)
154) X-Men #1 (Professor X/Jean Grey/Storm/Beast/Archangel variant)
155) X-Men #1 (Gambit/Colossus/Psylocke/Rogue variant)
156) X-Men #1 (Wolverine/Cyclops/Iceman variant)
157) X-Men #1 (Magneto variant)
158) X-Men #1 (Gambit/Colossus/Psylocke/Rogue variant signed by Jim Lee, with Certificate of Authenticity/COA)

BLOODTIES CROSSOVER (COMPLETE)
159) Avengers #368 (part 1, Avengers/X-Men crossover, direct sequel to the Fatal Attractions crossover - 1993)
160) X-Men #26 (part 2)
161) Avengers West Coast #101 (part 3, War Machine vs. Exodus)
162) Uncanny X-Men #307 (part 4, vs. Exodus)
163) Avengers #369 (part 5, Giant-Size Issue, Foil Stamped cover, conclussion)

The next morning (Madison, WI) I went to my first comic book show in least 15 years.  A small show (one vendor room) run by a guy that does similar shows all over the midwest (http://epguides.com/comics/).

My nabs:

All issues in this next pic were half off ...except the Annual #14 (1st Gambit cameo), and the Secret Wars #8).  #201 1st Nathianel (Cable as baby), some Fall of the Mutants goodness... Annual #10 1st Longshot, #268 a long time fave issue...all in SUPERB shape....Uncanny #166, one of my favorite covers of all time...

CHEAP tpb's, and free issues for being on the mailing list.

A seller with 2/$1 boxes, and a Gladiator figure I found at Target afterwards (HAD to have it).

The rest of these pics were from the 50 books for $20 seller (who runs the shows):

Finally earlier today I stocked up on supplies needed for all the new goodness (and some random comics just happened to fall into my hands lol):

X-Men books GALORE (and a few Valiant for good measure) :)

I just received my bundle from brownies8701.  I can't say enough kind things about this cat, awesome prices, condition was as good/better than stated, great communication, SUPERB packing job...the REAL DEAL.

Plus LOOK at all this goodness I got, X-Men GALORE!!  A smattering of Valiant added for good measure (while Magnus is one of my favorite characters of all time, the X-series are more of a priority for now).

New nabs today

Half Price books was GREAT today ;)

First purchases now that I'm back into comics (pic heavy)

Within the last few weeks, I restarted my collection.... these are my new nabs :)

Back in the game after 14+ years!!

I grew up with comics.  As a very young kid, I wandered into my attic, and found a BIG box of my dads comics.  It was a treasure trove...old Gold Key Solar Man of the Atom, Magnus Robot Fighter, Thor, X-Men, Avengers, Dr. Strange etc, etc.  I read, and re-read this mountain of greatness many times over, learning more as I went.

Fast forward a few years, and I start buying my own comics at a local shop (that actually STILL exists).  It's slow going as even back when comics were a LOT cheaper, $ was also harder to come by as a kid.  I mainly stick with the X-Men titles until the late 80's/early 90's.   Marvel's reboot is ON. SO many variant issues (X-Men, Spiderman, X-Force)...then the Marvel Masterpiece card line comes out...I can't get enough.  Slowly but steady, the growing variant craze, story arcs that run loner/include more series, prices climbing, the start of Valiant, and Image just spread the time/$ WAY to thin...and I drop out of comics.

My newest issue was from the Battlestar Galactica (1997-1998) by Realm...and even then I only got issue 4 of 5.  Life moved on and comics completely fell by the wayside.

Mind you I still had some of my old stash:
Battlestar Galactica (1997 - 1998) Realm Press
Jay & Silent Bob (1998 - 1999) Oni Press
Resident Evil Magazine (1998) Image
Star Wars: Crimson Empire (1997) Dark Horse
Stargods (1998) Antarctic Press
Transformers: Generation 2 (1993 - 1994) Marvel   (just the first BADASS gatefold cover)
Transformers: The Wreckers (2003 - Present) 3H Productions

Star Wars Manga (that I can't seem to find on here).


A few weeks ago I was talking with a long time friend (FINALLY got him to watch The Avengers movie)...and talk fell on comics.  The more we talked, the more I missed the days of my youth reading, and looking for comics weekly.  The fire was re-ignited.

Now mind you, being out of comics for basically 14 years makes getting back into things a bit daunting.  I have missed a HUGE amount of MASSIVE storylines...so where to start?  I start talking to a few old friends that notice me posting some of my favorite art/covers from comics gone by.  I have a few that help get me back up to speed a bit, and I settle on the Avengers vs X-Men collection.  I can't stop there right?  So I order a collected Dark Phoenix Saga (aa BIG fave in my younger years). Then I hit a couple half price books, and start nabbing some random older stuff (a BIG Cable bundle, random X titles) for fun. Next I hit the local comic shop (hehehhe(.  I decide to get the first 2 issues of Uncanny Avengers...I was going to go with the All New X-Men, but they were out of 3 of the first five, so that has to wait a bit.  I start to peruse the variant boxes, and "clearance titles"...nab some SWEET variant issues of  Voltron (2011-2012) Dynamite Entertainment, and a  Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters (2011 - 2012) IDW Publishing #1.

I am back, and having a BLAST. (though catching up on SO many years of storylines, new characters, good people now evil (and vice versa) wil def take awhile LOL).

The Times Cinema, Larry Widen, and the beginings of my theater artifacts collection

 I have had a lifelong love of old buildings.  Growing up in Milwaukee gave me ample opportunity to find, explore, and learn about anything from old neighborhood houses, to sprawling brewery complexes, the backrooms of the MECCA,and Gran Avenue Mall....and of course the many theaters all over the city.

A few days ago I stumbled across the news that 2 Milwaukee area institutions were closing; The Times, and Rosebud Theaters.  Though I have been out of the city for 12 years now (!), I have spent many fun filled hours in both of these fine establishments.

To cut this part of the story down, I contacted legendary Milwaukee theater guru Larry Widen to send my condolences on the closings, and mentioned a piece of an old theater that was displayed at the Times.   It just so happens that the piece was for sale!!!  With a few emails back and forth we setup a time to meet this morning.  I honestly felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.  We arrive at the Times, and Larry, and 2 helpers already have the piece is already taken off, and halfway down the wall (we did indeed luck out...my sincere thanks to all).  I go to pull the van over in front to load it into the trailer.  After that is done we go back and inside and start chatting.  I brought his newest theater book with he, and he happily personalized it for me;

Silver Screens: A Pictorial History of Milwaukee's Movie Theaters

( http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whspress/books/book.asp?book_id=307 )




It was a blast talking with someone so knowledgeable about one of my (our) passions.  There's so many stories to hear, and information to learn.  At the same time we wander thru the Times, talking...while I snap pictures all over, listening to cool stories, and just taking the whole experience in. 


the main item I initially went for is:

Milwaukee Egyptian Theater Artifact

On top of that Larry had many more items of interest:

A piece (well 2) of the Princess Theater facade:

A piece of the "columns" from the facade of the Venetian Theater:

A piece of the floor(?) from the Uptown Theater

Curtains from the Riverside Theater:

Some Times Theater glasses, 35mm movie trailers, and some of the bathroom wall decorations:

My copy of Larry's AWESOME book personalized by the MAN himself with a message that is just to true:

Additional pictures of the Times cinema, and more fun from today's trip (click the link below)   :)

Times Cinema pics, and Milwaukee theater artifacts


A HEARTFELT thank you to the 2 gentlemen that helped take down, and load the Egyptian piece,  Larry's brother, and most of all to Mr Larry Widen...a true gentleman, and a scholar.

In the coming months I plan to expand on the history of all the above mentioned lost theaters (save the remaining Riverside).  I hope to obtain pictures, and info to share, and do my part to help preserve the memory of these lost movie houses.