As I grow older, oft times I find myself remembering the days when I was a little kid. It’s kind of funny to think back on the things that so fired up my imagination and filled my life with excitement.
Sometimes, I find myself wondering just what was such a big deal about some of those things. Maturity has such an effect on one, yet…one must not forget the awe and wonder of a young mind. And as of late, that little boy in me had been reawakened by, of all things, movies. But not just any movies. I’m speaking of movies based on characters that filled my mind and free time when I was that once-upon-a-time little boy, the denizens of the wonderful world of Marvel Comics Group.
It was in 1963 that I first discovered this world, thanks to my uncle. He gave me the first two issues of a new Marvel comic, Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos. As a kid who was so enthralled with military history, I was a goner from the get-go. And it was from that point I was introduced to the other Marvel characters, such as The Amazing Spiderman; Fantastic Four; Hulk; Iron Man; X-Men; and oh so many more marvelous creations.
I loved these comic books and I had a monthly ritual of going to Chilton’s New Stand on College Street in Asheville the first Tuesday of each month because that’s when the new issues came in. I can’t remember exactly when I began drifting away from the fantasy world I lived in with these characters, though I do imagine turning 16, getting a driver’s license and a job hastened that departure. But now in my later years, I find myself anxiously awaiting the newest release of a Marvel movie though, unfortunately, they don’t come out the first Tuesday of every month. But, man-o’-man, what I would have given back in my little boy days to have seen my hero characters on the big screen though, obviously, with today’s special effects and computer animated technology, today’s movies are more spectacular. What’s so cool is that Stan Lee, the founder of Marvel Comics Group and the creator of these fantastic characters, has been seen in a cameo appearance in most of the Marvel movies, just as Alfred Hitchcock was so notoriously known to do in the movies he directed.
Just this past week, Lynndee, Yogi and I watched The Avengers, featuring four Marvel superheroes – Thor, the Hulk, Captain America and Iron Man, all of which have had their own separate movies produced. Of all of them, however, it’s Iron Man who takes me back to my younger days.
From that time I do have a special treasure, a copy of Tales of Suspense#39, published in March of 1963, a couple of months before the first issue of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos. In that issue is the origin and first appearance of Iron Man. I got it from an elementary school classmate, trading him something for it, not knowing at the time that it would eventually become a collectors’ item.
What a cool article! I have to admit, I never really read comic books, but I LOVE the Marvel movies. I guess I’ll have to read some of the comic books that started the whole thing!
Seeing the movies after having been a fan all those years reading the comics is fantastic.
I love all the Marvel movies and TV shows. I never read any of the comics.
Too bad, but it’s not too late to start reading them.
Awesome comics. They are in great condition for the age. Wooza!
Actually, you’d have to see ’em to know they’re not in that great a shape but…they’re still priceless to me.
I was never one to read comics but I do love the movies!! I’m sure reading them would be just as fun! My dad was always into comics so we had them but I never read them
The reading is definitely fun.
My boys have a bunch of comic books. I think they are all pretty cool, so I encourage the boys to read and share theirs with each other.
These comics are great to collect as their prices increase over time. They are also a good investment so when you grow tired of them, you can easily sell them online.
Well, seeing I’ve kept them for over 50 years, you can see I’ve never grown tired of them. And there’s no way I’d ever sell them.
I love the Marvel movies. Not sure how it all ties in together but they are very entertaining.
The tie in is in the fact that all the characters at some time or another make an appearance with each other, in the books and the movies.
That is amazing that you still have those! My husband has some of his fathers comics. My husband has been getting comics since before he was born lol we have a rather large collection of them. I am pretty sure he has some treasures in there. He has a lot of old Captain America as that is who he has been collecting himself since he was about 7 or so. He loves that all the Marvel movies are out and people love comics now.
I’m sure he has some treasures, especially if he has some early Captain America’s.
We are a comic book family. 🙂 We get excited every time a new movie comes out.
Just as we get excited.
When I was a kid, I used to read comics. That’s the only thing I could afford to rent (25 cents only, lol).
25 cents?!?! My Howling Commandos and Iron man cost only 12 cents. Inflation, huh? (“,)
It amazes me that those comics that even I read on occasion go for that much money now–I think I gave mine to a neighbor who probably swapped it out to another neighbor. We really did help each other out back then! I wonder what those old Nancy Drew books go for now? Not that I have them anymore——I hear and see that she is still around also. I guess that adage is true–those oldies are definitely goodies and have stood the test of time!
No kidding. If only we had known back then what treasures we had in our hands. And, yeah, I remember Nancy Drew. My girl cousin gave me some of those, even though I was a boy. Plus, I had a huge Hardy Boy collection, long gone to parts unknown.
The boyfriend would absolutely be crazy about these comic books! I can imagine his face!
Wow, now those are vintage! Iron Man is my fave super hero!
Yeah, vintage is a good word to describe them. Ironically, that makes me realize I’m even more vintage than them since I’m even older than them…(“,)
Wow! more comic book treasures! So awesome!!! My siblings collected comics and they kept them in pristine condition. I only have a few…Death of Superman and the first time Star Wars was released.
Well, unfortunately as you can tell by the photos, mine aren’t in pristine shape. Still. they’re priceless to me.
Wow! 52 years old that is great that you still have those. My brothers loved getting comic books when we were kids.
As the old saying goes, they’re not getting older, just better.
I do like how they interweave the characters. I love Marvel comics.
Yes, it’s great how all the characters from the different comics interact over time. That’s the genius of Stan Lee at work.
I was never into a comic books but hubby is. He has some that he had from years and years ago.
I grew up on Marvel comics. They are a great source of entertainment. Not only for young boys, but older ones too.
Yeah, big boys and their little boy toys.
I don’t had any comics before. But I think I must have one now.
Yeah, go for it. You’ll enjoy.
I had one comic in my life. It was a Creepshow comic that I insisted on getting when I was younger. It made me have nightmares and my parents had to burn it in the fireplace. I just read a headline that said Marvel was coming out with an all-girl Avengers…not sure if it was the comic or a movie.
I had that original Creepshow based on some of Steven King’s stories. Sure wish I still had it. Haven’t heard about the all-girl Avengers; interesting concept.
I have never read comic books, but I would love to see an old one like these! These look awesome!
They are awesome, and the older, the better. I’m unsure of how they read these days; haven’t bought one in years.
Ahhhhh when I was a kiddo my brother was all about comics!!! Since we were inky a year apart in age I kinda knew more about comics than most girls lol
Good girl. If I had had a sister, I would have wanted her to be like you.
These comics are so retro! I’ve actually never actually read a comic but I know my other half would love this.
I never really got into reading comics before, but my exhusband has a lot of them.
My boys are addicted to all the Marvel movies but I would love for them to start reading the comics. I love old school education and reading and I’m sure they would really get into them.
Chene