Beau Smith

by Beau Smith

I’m lucky when it comes to being a comic book collector. I was a kid growing up in the 1960’s when, if I kept my comic books and sports cards neat and off the floor, my parents promised not to throw them away. It was a really good deal. I kept my room clean and they let me archive more stuff than any kid should ever archive.

SIDEBAR: I learned the word “archive” from reading Stan Lee’s writing in issues of The Fantastic Four. Reading Stan’s work always had me looking up words in the dictionary. That was always a good thing. I would then flaunt the new word at home and at school until everyone threatened to disown me or kill me.

Daredevil #1

As an “archivist” of comics, I was able to have near complete runs of key Silver Age books such as: The Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos, and many other Marvel and DC books. By complete runs I mean issues #1 through #100. In some cases I have more, but even at an early age I always thought that issues #1 through #100 would be the best. In the case of Daredevil I have every issue up until a few years ago when it got really dark and ugly. Daredevil was THE book that got me hooked on Marvel Comics back in 1964 and, for some reason, I was always able to find the latest issue in my area.

Once I broke into the comic book business as a professional, both in marketing and writing, my heavy travel schedule took me all over the USA. In 22 years I have gotten to know a lot of retailers, dealers, publishers, creators, and wonderful comic book readers. These travels to stores and conventions enabled me to fill in gaps to my comic book collection that would’ve been nearly impossible if I had just stayed in my area. (Most of this was VERY pre-internet/eBay.)

I have been able to find a lot of Silver Age, Bronze Age, and even Golden Age comics that have really enhanced my collection. If you would’ve told me I would have this kinda collection back in 1964 my pointy little head would’ve exploded… in a good way, of course.

My taste in comic books have changed a lot in the last 22 years. I have become a bit more selective. The cover price of comics has caused that as well. Also, by having filled in the gaps on so many comic book series that I loved brought up a whole new problem, “WHAT COMIC BOOKS ARE LEFT TO COLLECT??”

Please don’t get me wrong, I do buy, collect, and read new comics, just not as many as I did pre-1980. Ever since I was a young kid I’ve always been drawn to old things. I’m very fond of old books, trucks, guns, knives, and most anything with a little wear and tear. New is nice, but I favor character.

Vigilante ad from 1983

I’ve found a new twist to add to my need to collect and read comic books. I’ve been haunting the various “Four For A Dollar” boxes and other such cut-rate deals when I attend a convention or store. I have been putting together what I call mini-runs and specialized collections. I put together complete runs of post 1980 comics. I read them and keep them if I enjoy them. I also herd them up and make them gifts to my friends in comics, kids, or my non-comic reading friends. Our business could always use new blood. Recently I put together runs of Vigilante (the first DC series) DC’s IMPACT line, Blue Devil, Grimjack (#1 through #25,) and Various Marvel and DC mini-series from 1980-the present.

The cost is next to nothing. Recently at Mid-Ohio Con I was able to buy tons of back issues for a dime each from one dealer. At that price it was like being thrown back to 1964 again.

I now have the thrill of the hunt back. It’s a great feeling. I continue to buy trade paperbacks and hardcover collections. It’s a wonderful way to always have my own easy to get to library of older comics, but I also have the new thrill of looking for single issue comics and putting together a whole new puzzle. I have once again become Indiana Jones. Speaking of, I recently put together that collection!

Comic Boxes!

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your collection of comic books or just the hunt for them, then please, give my new way a try. It’s fun, cheap, and you get to meet a lot of nice folks. At the next convention, look for me. I’ll be the guy hunched over on the floor digging through the Four For A Dollar Boxes.

Your amigo,

Beau Smith

The Flying Fist Ranch

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10 cent back issues!

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