Post by AC on Jan 21, 2015 22:10:15 GMT -5
Hey all,
Was telling a comic-centric-story to some family members a little bit ago wherein they could not fully appreciate the point I was trying to make. Figure some stories are only appropriate when surrounded by like-minded comic fan-types. Anyhoo, thought about the board when my story was met with blank stares, followed by polite chuckles, and faux head nods to pretend they got the gist. Figured other comic fans would better "get" the story, and see why it's... well, maybe not funny, per say... but, er... understandable?
Anyhoo...
Over the past few years I'd kinda fallen off buying back issues at the local comic shops... we've recently suffered several store-closures here, and those that remain are either fairly inconvenient to get to, or price their back issues as though we were still in the mid-nineties. That being said, I've been frequenting the used-book and record stores for my back issue needs. You can be assured that each visit you'll be faced with a fairly novel selection, and these stores don't often dig out the Overstreet, when pricing... they usually just stamp each bag with the same price... sometimes 50 cents, sometimes a dollar... sometimes, even FIVE dollars. There are actually days where EVERY book in their bins has a $5 tag on it. More often than not, however, the $1 sticker is what's gone with.
What's also neat about these stores is their 25 cent bins. Hundreds of books for a quarter each. Not just terrible old Image stuff, or books with torn covers either. Actual quality (in my opinion) books.
Now, all that having been said... the story.
One day at the local half-price books, I was flipping through the quarter bin. I found a few choice picks, including a couple of issues of Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN. I'd been picking this series up in bits and pieces, when I find them on the cheap.
I then moved on to the bins proper... and thought I was going to faint. (Uncanny) X-Men #141. Days of Future Past... One Dollar. Uncanny X-Men #142... One Dollar. Uncanny X-Men #201... One Dollar. The books were in fantastic condition, and I snatched them up like I was stealing something. Like an idiot, I went and found the wife browsing another section, and told her we had to go. It's crazy, I actually felt like I was doing something wrong.
Heading up to the register, the guy checking me out was about my age... dressed kinda hipster-y... so, I was kinda worried he'd know what he was looking at, and veto the transaction.
I dropped the small pile on the counter, and he proceeded to check my purchases. I fumbled with my wallet, and grabbed my debit card... and dude was like: "You gotta be KIDDING me."
I looked up, and asked what was up.
He picked up one of the issues of SANDMAN... and said he couldn't believe they put that in the 25 cent bin.
I laughed, and was like "Yeah, go figure..."
Didn't even phase him that he sold me three valuable X-Men books for a buck a piece.
Anyhoo... thought that was a neat experience, and as nobody in my family had any clue why I found this significant, I figured I'd share it here.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Was telling a comic-centric-story to some family members a little bit ago wherein they could not fully appreciate the point I was trying to make. Figure some stories are only appropriate when surrounded by like-minded comic fan-types. Anyhoo, thought about the board when my story was met with blank stares, followed by polite chuckles, and faux head nods to pretend they got the gist. Figured other comic fans would better "get" the story, and see why it's... well, maybe not funny, per say... but, er... understandable?
Anyhoo...
Over the past few years I'd kinda fallen off buying back issues at the local comic shops... we've recently suffered several store-closures here, and those that remain are either fairly inconvenient to get to, or price their back issues as though we were still in the mid-nineties. That being said, I've been frequenting the used-book and record stores for my back issue needs. You can be assured that each visit you'll be faced with a fairly novel selection, and these stores don't often dig out the Overstreet, when pricing... they usually just stamp each bag with the same price... sometimes 50 cents, sometimes a dollar... sometimes, even FIVE dollars. There are actually days where EVERY book in their bins has a $5 tag on it. More often than not, however, the $1 sticker is what's gone with.
What's also neat about these stores is their 25 cent bins. Hundreds of books for a quarter each. Not just terrible old Image stuff, or books with torn covers either. Actual quality (in my opinion) books.
Now, all that having been said... the story.
One day at the local half-price books, I was flipping through the quarter bin. I found a few choice picks, including a couple of issues of Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN. I'd been picking this series up in bits and pieces, when I find them on the cheap.
I then moved on to the bins proper... and thought I was going to faint. (Uncanny) X-Men #141. Days of Future Past... One Dollar. Uncanny X-Men #142... One Dollar. Uncanny X-Men #201... One Dollar. The books were in fantastic condition, and I snatched them up like I was stealing something. Like an idiot, I went and found the wife browsing another section, and told her we had to go. It's crazy, I actually felt like I was doing something wrong.
Heading up to the register, the guy checking me out was about my age... dressed kinda hipster-y... so, I was kinda worried he'd know what he was looking at, and veto the transaction.
I dropped the small pile on the counter, and he proceeded to check my purchases. I fumbled with my wallet, and grabbed my debit card... and dude was like: "You gotta be KIDDING me."
I looked up, and asked what was up.
He picked up one of the issues of SANDMAN... and said he couldn't believe they put that in the 25 cent bin.
I laughed, and was like "Yeah, go figure..."
Didn't even phase him that he sold me three valuable X-Men books for a buck a piece.
Anyhoo... thought that was a neat experience, and as nobody in my family had any clue why I found this significant, I figured I'd share it here.
Hope everyone is doing well.
