Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus – whatever makes you feel better!

Hi, Paul here … and a Merry Christmas to all of our followers on this site! Yep, I said it, “Merry Christmas”, even though there are those who believe it is not PC. If you are offended by this, kindly tell me why because I don’t have a clue. It’s just a wish that you have a joyous occasion. It is not meant to demean or diminish any happiness you may derive from another holiday you observe. Feel free to wish me a Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Panch Ganapati (note: these were listed in no particular order and excuse any spelling mistakes as I see some have variations). I will be grateful that you included me in your kind thoughts. ‘Nuff said? NO!

We have FESTIVUS !!. From what I understand, it did not originate on the Seinfeld show, but they added their twist to it – The Feats of Strength, The Airing of Grievances, and the unadorned Aluminum Pole. As in the past, we will observe this secular holiday with the pole, the airing of grievances, and a new addition – feats of strength! Mike Z. will be taking on all challengers in thumb wrestling! Look for the pole and a box up near the front showcase and drop in you grievances. You will not be asked to identify yourself and we ask for no personal attacks, please, … but Congress is fair game! We will share some of these on the website. For all of those who participate, a contribution will be made in your name to the HUMAN FUND – “Money for People”

On to other stuff-

The Mensa Super-Hero Bracket Challenge is down to the final two . It’s SUPERMAN versus ALBERT EINSTEIN. Voting is taking place this week, but Mensa says that it does not plan on announcing the overall winner until its March issue of the Bulletin. Do we have a winner in our local contest, yet? No, we don’t, but it is down to two, also. Should Albert Einstein win, Mike Ashley gets the prize. Should Superman win, Robert Madonna is crowned as champ. Neither picked Superman to go this far. Only one person did, and if Superman does win out, yours truly will end up losing to Robert by one point!

THIS JUST IN!! MENSA FOUND US! I just received an email from Mensa and evidently the organization was fine with me using the contest for our shop! In fact, they will be sending us some brochures and bookmarks to be given out at the store. I explained that I am sure there are customers who qualify (darn, good looking AND bright!? just doesn’t seem fair), probably even some closet members too shy to admit it! I’ll let you know when they arrive. Think you might qualify? Try the practice exam on the site. Type in “American Mensa” in your browser, and you should find it.

The Walking Dead TV show. I was never into zombies, so I have never read the comics/trades; but thought I would give the show a try. Loved it, loved it, loved it! Can’t wait for season 2, which will be 13 episodes!

DC announces a price lowering! Yes, they admit that perhaps that 33% increase might have had a damaging effect and have announced that many titles are reverting to the $2.99 cover price. For that vast majority who have hung in there, this allows you to try out some new titles. If you know of a friend who had left due to the increase, spread the word! Marvel has not made as definite a decision or description about exactly what they will be doing – but when one of the big two goes one way, the other usually follows shortly.

SHRINKAGE! I’m not referring to another Seinfeld episode, but “five finger discount” problems. Unfortunately, we have experienced some lost inventory lately and would appreciate your help in catching shop-lifters. Don’t get into any confrontation, just alert us if you see some suspicious activity and we’ll take it from there. Thanks.

NEW INVENTORY! Some more great deals on sets and runs are coming shortly as we sort through a large collection. In addition, we will be filling in some missing issues of a few major titles in the bins. For “first dibs”, if you have any requests for specific issues of Hulk, Fantastic Four, Green Lantern, Flash, Justice league, Justice Society, and All Star Squadron, let Paul know, as we have some nice long runs! Also, some more silver age DC’s being added. Keep checking back! Update: I just put the vast majority of the Hulks and FF’s out for sale in the dollar bins. Come and get’em! A few “key’ issues are in the showcase and in a box up front under “Manager’s Specials”

Have you “Twittered” or “Face Booked” us, yet? Me neither, but I’m an old coot, and haven’t entered the technological age. However, for those who are familiar and comfortable with these, check us out. There are going to be some incentives to partake, but you have to join to know what they are!

Finally, some recent news from my “picking” activities: I haven’t picked up any great acquisitions of gold and silver age comics lately, although I have managed to find some decent runs that I just threw up on eBay. Two interesting items (I think) that I managed to “flip” quickly were a group of old TV Guides and a pair of View Askew movie items.

Having collected Superman related items over the years, I knew that a copy of the TV Guide with George Reeves on the cover could fetch 100′s of dollars. A couple of months ago, I was at an auction and they had a large group of TV Guides from the early 50′s. Not wanting to look too anxious, I flipped through them casually (stupid, now that I think about it afterward) and did not spy Clark on the cover. It might have been in there, I don’t know, but I do like to get stuff sometimes just for that “gambler” part of me – as long as the price isn’t too great. I like finding “hidden treasures”. Anyway, an older woman (and that’s from MY perspective!) parked herself in front of these and I heard her tell a friend that she thought they would be fun to get. I’m thinking to myself, “Lady, I ain’t here for “fun”, I’m here to make a buck.” Well, evidently some people knew way more about them than I did. The bidding starting at $25 and another woman just stuck her card in the air and never put it down until she won. I dropped out at $175, and she took them home for $275. The lady looking for fun (we’re still talking about the TV Guides now) never even bid. I estmate that the winner paid about $3 – 4.00 each for them. Keep that in the back of your head when going to flea markets, yard sales, etc.

So, I learned a lesson. Two weeks ago, at the same auction, there was pile of TV Guides again. These were newer, 1962 – 1964. I got ALL of them for just 15 bucks. I scanned some of the covers with stars such as Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Jack Webb, The Munsters, Gomer Pyle, etc. and threw the lot of 91 up on eBay. All for one money. It was a 7 day listing and one hour before it was due to end, no one had placed a bid. I checked a little after all of my items were finished, and it sold for $125!

The View Askew lot consisted of two C.O.A.s from Kevin Smith’s company claiming that the pieces of film attached were used in the creation of the “epics” Clerks and Chasing Amy. One, the Clerks piece, actually had Kevin Smith’s signature! No one was paying attention, or that crowd was not into these movies, and I got them both for 5 dollars. They sold in 3 days as a “Buy It Now” item on eBay for $29. I had NO IDEA of their value, but at least they are finding a new home where they will be appreciated.

Dang, the word count below is approaching 1200 – better end it here. On a PC note, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL!