ORIGINS OF A COMIC BOOK JUNKIE: A COMIC BOOK CONVENTION
BY JENNIFER M. CONTINO
If I went wild when I first set foot in a comic book store, you should have seen me when I went to a local comic book convention and saw a whole firehall filled with comic book and comics related items for sale! I was in seventh heaven. I was so thrilled. I couldn't wait to see everything -- and I did!

Shortly after Todd McDevitt opened up his first New Dimension Comics, he began to hold small conventions at a local firehall to showcase comics and other items. I remember not being able to sleep before the first show I was going to. It was worse than Christmas Eve, because I'd imagined that the books I'd dreamed about owning for so long and ones I never knew existed would be at this show. I couldn't wait to see who was there, the books everyone had and what else might be available as well.

I remember waking up early, a few hours before the show. I spent all the time before the show started just looking at my comics I had and thinking what I needed to fill in the blanks, to make my collection more, and to make this young super comics fan even happier.

At that point in time, I dreamed of old Silver Age Batman comics, the ones I'd seen covers of in Batman From The '30s to the '70s. Recently I'd got the chance to buy that book, so I had it at my beck and call whenever I wanted to recall the covers that kept me imagining so long. Not that I actually needed the book to imagine such things -- I mean, the cover of Robin Dies At Dawn was enough to haunt me for years, wondering how Robin died and how he lived again. I also wished to own original Teen Titans books from the Silver Age, specifically the one that had Wonder Girl on the cover as the Demon of Dog Island and the issue where The Titans Kill A Saint.

At that point in time, those covers were super small images, and I couldn't tell issue numbers or anything specific about the books, other than the titles; which were almost always in large print on the covers. I also imagined finding the continuation of stories that a cousin-in-law gave me. I didn't know what would be there, but, as with most things like this, the fun for me was in imagining what I might see or be able to buy at a place like this.

My father took me to the convention shortly before it opened. I think I was one of the first people in line to get into the show. It might have been free or cost a dollar to get inside. I don't recall that detail specifically. But I do remember seeing tables and tables of people selling everything from comic books to sports cards to dolls and other toys.

I went through each row and looked at the books and magazines. Some of the prices were very costly -- US$5.00 to US$10.00 for one comic book. I couldn't imagine spending that. Now-a-days, US$5.00 is looking more and more to be the next usual cover price on select books. But, in the late '80s, that was too high a price for me to pay. I was looking for the quarter books or things like that. However, I did spend a few bucks on some very special books. A pair of brothers (I think) had some Best of DC Blue Ribbon Digests for sale. I think they sold me a stack of them for like three or four dollars. Among them was one that featured my beloved Batman Family.

I pretty much spent all the money I had on those Blue Ribbon Digests and I'm glad I did. Each book contained seven to ten stories, lots of classic adventures and more. I still have all of those books, too. In fact, I'm always looking to buy more Digest comics. I wish DC would start the line up again. I think almost all of us would be willing to pay three bucks for digests full of classic superhero stories. Maybe we all should write in and suggest that to Mr. Dan DiDio, ya think?

The first cons I went to were similar to the ones you describe -- little day events at a some local hotel with an array of comics/memorabilia dealers. The most dangerous dealer was the Golden Age/Silver Age group that had my back issues of Adventure/Action for Legion appearances. But the bargain bins were great too. I remember once snagging the first Supergirl series out of one of those.

Those Blue Ribbons Digests were so great, especially for seeing an array of older stories. They'd be a fun color alternative to the Showcase volumes now. Some digests were themed, which made it easy if you liked certain characters. I know I snagged a bunch of the Legion oriented ones.

Before my first con in 1993, I spent the night writing a list of things I wanted to buy. Naturally I didn't stick to the list, and instead bought a ton of $1 books, some action figures, and spent $20 on Batman #300. I met Jae Lee and he signed a copy of Namor for me, that made my year.

I still love the small shows - one room, packed with dealers, each selling books at bargain prices.

I only have one of the Christmas themed digests. The one George Perez did the cover of. Those are my current "holy grail" books I'm looking for. Unfortunately, for some reason, those digests are going for like 20 - 40 bucks a pop and that's just insane!

I wish DC would do reprints again like Archie's Digests -- at the same price point.

Jen

Yeah. Gets your blood going, right?

Jen

I love it when you write about Batman. I heart Batman. And you talk about it with the same excitement you had at that first convention!! I am writing my letter to DC now.
x
Gina

Yeah, Pre-Crisis Batman, especially Silver Age Batman is my favorite of all time. I think Batman worked best when he was Batman And Robin .... The original Batman and Robin!

Jen

I remember those Batman covers. My mom bought me The History of The Dark Knight when the first Burton movie came out.

The Silver Age Batman is my favorite too. Bat-mite, the original Batwoman and Batgirl and colorful villains like Professor Double-X.

I always wanted to find out how Batman got turned into a giant genie. I was shocked to find out that this era was a low point for Batman sales.

I got the first three Showcase Presents ... Batman for my birthday. I love reading them.

I wish the Showcase Presents ... Batman had started with the '50s stories though. I have a lot of the original Batwoman stories, but not all of them. I wish DC would do a trade of those