"Confessions of a Graphic Novel / Trade Paperback Junkie!!!"

I have not actively collected regular comic books for several decades; in fact I've been gradually selling off my classic collection of 50's, 60's & 70's comics (mostly DC & Marvel). Apparently, I still haven't totally gotten over the enjoyment I had reading and collecting them, but now it has channeled into a more expensive (but very related) hobby: Graphic Novels & Trade Paperbacks!!!

        It started out innocently enough. I found out where I could get 3 inexpensive paperback volumes of my favorite artist's (Neal Adams) classic stories of my favorite superhero (Batman), so I purchased them. My research for this blog also opened up my curiosity for some of the more modern Batman masterworks by writers and artists like--- Frank Miller; Jim Lee; Scott Snyder / Greg Cappulo; Jeph Loeb / Tim Sale; Grant Morrison; Tony S. Daniel; and so many more. I found reasonable prices on them at my local bookstore or on-line, so I began to acquire some of them.
       I then began to find classic Spider-Man (another favorite) books such as---"Death of the Stacys"; "The Original Clone Saga" "The Wedding"; "Kraven's Last Hunt"; and "Spider-Man Blue". I also found the modern "Superior Spider-Man" (Doc Ock as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, by mind-swap) intriguing and fun to read!

     If that wasn't bad enough; I discovered the "Marvel Essentials" books, featuring B&W reprints of classic Stan Lee masterworks, such as---Fantastic Four (Jack Kirby art); Spider-Man (John Romita Sr.art); Iron Man (Gene Colan art); The Avengers (Don Heck art); and others! I also began to acquire some of DC's counterpart B&W reprint books, "Showcase Presents---", featuring 60's & 70's classics like---Batman; Green Lantern; Hawkman; JLA; and others. These books struck a nostalgic cord, because I used to own many of the original comics that these are reprinted here.

   I also hunt for rare graphic novels, TPB's & some hardbacks in collector's shops and used book stores. I've found some real treasures, such as "Sword of the Atom" (pictured above, top); "Ultimate Spider-Man: The Death of Spider-Man"; "Watchmen"; "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"; and many others (all at very reasonable prices).

   I'm still collecting occasional graphic novel / TPB treasures. Hey, I'm the first to admit that I'm a total addict, but I'm having a blast!!! Come join the fun!