Took a long lunch from work yesterday and dropped by a comic store. Picked up a buncha' stuff at 90 cents a pop. I don't look for great bargains, just chances to fill holes in my collection or get sampling of a certain hero from a certain era. Don't know the exact issue numbers, but the years are usually vivid. Last time I visited this particular store, I picked up a buncha' crap from the early 80's. Most of which will be added as reviews to the site (like the DC Comics Presents stuff and the Mullet Superman). I seem to be a sucker for Pre-Secret Wars Marvel and pre-Crisis/post-Superman movie DC.
-3 Captain America comics, circa 1981-2. One features Red Skull messing with Cap and bringing back a phony Nomad (the CAP Nomad that popped up in the mid 70's)...about #255 or so. Picked up #281 and 282, which features Cap and the NEW Nomad taking on Viper and Constrictor. One issue features a guestspot from Spider-Woman, since this was the era when she was supposed to be Viper's "daughter". Important aside-- but holy cats, does Mike Zeck draw a SMOKING hot Viper! Really.
-Coupla' DC Comics Presents, circa 1984- Superman with Batman and the Outsiders. Jim Aparo cover sold me, but haven't scanned through it yet. Also picked up #91- Supes and Capt. Comet from 86, simply because I had no idea the title was still being published at that time. Finally, DC Comics Presents Annual #3, circa 1983-- Superman and Shazam! Looks like Sivana becomes an EVIL Shazam. I was tempted to buy the CURRENT Superman/Shazam series, but saved 2 bucks by opting for this, instead. Up yours, Judd Winnick!
-Defenders #100, 101, 112, 113, 114 from about 1983. Found the "Defenders" portion of the bargain box and went nuts. 112-114 features the Squardon Supreme/OVer-Mind story. The set-up for the 1986 Squadron maxi-series. Basically, Over-Mind completely messes up the Squadron's world. I've been wanting to locate this story for YEARS, so my anticipation's high.
-Incredible Hulk #469, from 1998. Weak story about Banner trying to find Betty's killer. He gets manipulated into re-building the Super-Adaptoid. Memory's foggy, but I always though the Adaptoid has to be close to someone to copy their powers. As soon as he's turned on he has all the Avengers' powers. Either the writer or ME is confusing him with Amazo. Banner has a beard, but when he changes into Hulk, the beard's gone! Really weak art, as it's half-cartoon, half-Image wannabe.
-Avengers West Coast #91 from 1992. Since my main Avengers run is complete, I've been relegated to filling in the fringe books. I stopped following AWC in 1992, so I've got roughly 10 or 12 issues to pick up. They all suck...so I figure this is the equivalent of an X-men completionist buying the reprint issues of the 70's. #91 features Ultron creating his "mate", known as Alkhema or War Toy. Yeah, he gave her TWO names. Of course, Ultron's master plan is to exterminate all organic life...but he creates a MATE...sort'a contradicting his beliefs that humans are worthless ("humans are completely worthless...yet I like that fucking concept"). It was believed that he used Mockingbird to create Alkhema, but Mockingbird pops up midway through the skirmish and says that she's fine...ruining the emotional hook from the story's set-up (see, Hawkeye was freaking out that his wife was turned into a robot. But that was quickly remedied).
-Avengers West Coast #101 from 1993- The elusive fourth part of 1993's shitty Avengers/X-men crossover. Nothing really happens, plot-wise. The story shows its age when Hawkeye compares Genosha to Bosnia. War Machine (Iron Man 2/Jim Rhodes) fights X-baddie Exodus. He gets pummeled and then Sersi pops up and says "it's time for some one-on-one with SERSI!!" Bad dialogue, bad art, bad comic. The cover is a slight homage to old JLA/JSA team-ups.
-Avengers #12 (vol 2). yes, the dreaded "HEROES REBORN" Avengers. I completely skipped the series, and figured I'd pick up the entire thing on eBay one day. I can't seem to find the entire set for less than 15 bucks (shipping included), so I figure it's time to start. This is from the final two months of "Heroes Reborn", when Marvel admitted it was a catastrophe and were trying to mercifully reset things.
-Luke Cage:Power Man #38 fro 1977- Sweet Chirstmas! Think I may have picked up an "..and Iron Fist" issue as well. Doing an upcoming column on these guys, so I wanted to do more research.
-Spectacular Spider-Man #197, from 1993. Don't think I have any Spidey titles from this year. Features the X-men in what was a deliberate attempt at a sales boost. Sal Buscema was still the artist and the wheels had definitely fallen off of his truck at this time. It didn't help that Marvel was probably in his ear, telling him to emulate the Image style, which was all the rage then.
-Marvel Two-in-One #80-something, circa 1982. Thing and Spider-Woman. Picked up a few of these back in the summer and enjoyed them alot. Back in the day, I preferred "Team up" over "Two-in-One", but the stories in "Two-in-One" are superior. There's a decent subplot about Giant-Man/Bill Foster and his cancer. I think Foster officially retires in this story, but I haven't read it yet.