I heart comic books!

I really do. Ever since 1983 (or thereabouts) when I discovered a spin rack at a local depanneur stuffed with them. My pulse must have quickened (I'd been exposed to super-heroes on Saturday morning cartoons), and I was inexorably hooked for life.

I remember when I picked up my very first issues (a Fantastic Four and Incredible Hulk, because the covers looked cool) that I didn't feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the fact that these characters had been around for some nebulous period of time (Superman began in 1938, for example). As a matter of fact, I was intrigued by the 'history', as hinted at by thoughtful captions, thought balloons, and editor's comments sprinkled strategically throughout a given issue.

Comics have changed alot over the decades (a reflection of their times, I suppose), and have become souless, slick pamphlets with dense, multi-part storylines, and 'mature' anti-heroes with complicated problems. Bah, I miss the simple, fun charm of the comics I read as a youngster.

Thanks to Ebay, my collection continues to swell (I collect mainly 50s and 60s titles these days, tanned, four-color treasures that smell musty and absolutely wonderful) and I doubt I'll ever lose my passion for comics.