Time Capsule of Comics

[Kirk G]

It turns up every once in a while... a small collection of objects that take us back immediately to our youth.

No one else quite understands why this pushes our buttons the way that it does, but it's a strange feeling.

Today, someone called me into the back room of their store, and showed me a small cardboard box that someone had given them.

It was filled with old moldy comic books dating from about 1969-1972.

These were mainly Marvel comic books, featuring Iron Man, Submariner, Captain Marvel, the Fantastic Four, The Avengers, Thor, Steranko X-men and a handful of other scattered issues. ALL were in poor condition, rotting away, with most of the cover missing or the back cover of some issues stuck on the front of others. In short, they were worthless.

But instantly, I was transfixed. Immediately, I was transported by to my junior high days when I bought those issues of the comic spinner rack and put them away carefully in my bedroom.

Flipping through the reminants of these old tattered issues, I was reminded why some of the stories were so bad, and why others were so good. In short, the artist really influenced my enjoyment of these fantasy tales. I was only about a year from growing out of comics, when I realized that Jack "King" Kirby had left Marvel Comics, and the spirit that had held me to them was gone for two years now.

I put away childish things and moved on in my life in high school.

But today, I was a child again, and I felt so bad to see these abandoned remnants from someone else's childhood that had laid in a damp basement for 35+ years.

There were still a few gems from 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967 scattered throughout the pile, but no one would ever read them again, sell them, trade them, or enjoy them again.

Except for maybe this weekend. The new "Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer" movie is about to be released.

Maybe, just maybe, my kids will catch part of the excitement that I felt reading Jack Kirby's original work that the movie is drawn from.

It made me want to cry to see his prime work laying in tatters in that back room.

Sometimes the impact of a time capsule is unexpected.:(

[InfoBroker]

While unfortunate that the damp basement or storage facility took it toll on those newsprint gems, thinking on the brighter side of things, those comics were well read and filled someone's mind with creativity, grandeur and glory.

They got to do what they were created to do --> Entertain.

-jb the (glass is half full) ib -

[Kirk G]

OK, after some careful conversation with the clerk at this store, I have convinced him that if I buy a bundle of 100 silver age comic bags, I can slip those issues I can pry apart into individual bags, make a master list of them, and, if you all are interested, post the list here.

Expect that all issues will contain substanial cover damage and disintigrating back covers (many detatched!)...

The few that are in poor or fair condition, so as to be barely collectible will be noted as such.

And if I can talk him into it, I think he might offer these books for the cost of shipping alone..... that is, if you want to specify 5 or 10 or 12 books that you accept in such sh*tty condition, all you have to pay is shipping to get them into your hands. At least, that is my plan.

You might at least be interested in seeing what's included in this find.
And, you will cry....

[Kirk G]

Here's about 3/4rds of the list. Virtually all the rest are late 1960s Silver Age Marvels that are comparible to the list below. You'll see a pattern, I think.

Fantastic Four #61, 78, 81 (all feature Crystal)
Sgt. Fury & Howling Commandos Annual #6 (coverless) Fury opposes Viet Nam war!

Marvel Superhereos #16 - Phantom Eagle

Daredevil # 40, 46, 130 Annual #1
Human Torch #4 (Strange Tales & Golden Age reprint)
Black Panther #5
Hulk #125, 126 (coverless)
Sub-Mariner #33
X-Men #26, 37, 38, 40, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 96 (coverless)
Iron Man #24 and 25 coverless
Captain America #200 (cover missing chunk at bottom)
Tales to Astonish #34

Thor #139, 142, 145, 148, 179, 182
Thor Kingsize Special #1, 3, 4
Weird Wonder Tales #8
Phantom Stranger #40
Flash #200
Forever People #15 (cover missing chunk bottom)
House of Secrets #92
Plot #18 (badly damaged cover)
World's Finest #235
Jimmy Olsen #129
JLA #129
Teen Titans #34
Doomsday Plus 1 #2
Amazing Adventures #11 (Inhumans/Magneto)
Avenger #38 (1st Hercules- cover mostly covered)
Avengers #66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75
Batman #153
Detective Comics #456 with Batman
Astonishing Tales #30, 34 both w/Deathlock

Skull the Slayer #8

Now, if there's something that you really really want, and are willing to pay shipping for it, I'll ask for it for you, but first come, first serve. If there's more than one request for one of these books (and remember, they are generally worse than "poor" condition at this point, except for the first dozen listings)... I'll try to honor the first request I get.
Send me PM (private message) if you're interested, and I'll try to get back to you this week.

[Kirk G]

Here's about 3/4rds of the list. Virtually all the rest are late 1960s Silver Age Marvels that are comparible to the list below. You'll see a pattern, I think.

HERE IS THE EDITED LIST:
Fantastic Four #61, 78, 81
Sgt. Fury & Howling Commandos Annual #6 coverless

Marvel Superhereos #16 - Phantom Eagle
Hulk 125, 126 (coverless)
Daredevil # 40, 46, 130
Human Torch #4 (Strange Tales & Golden Age reprint)
Black Panther #5
Journey into Mystery #19
Sub-Mariner #33
X-Men #26, 37, 38, 40, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 96 (coverless)
Iron Man #24 and 25 (coverless), 26, 27, 28
Captain America #200 (cover missing chunk at bottom)

Thor #139, 142, 145, 148, 179, 182
Thor Kingsize Special #1, 3, 4
Weird Wonder Tales #8

Flash #200
Forever People #15 (cover missing chunk bottom)
House of Secrets #92
Plot #18 (badly damaged cover)
World's Finest #235
Jimmy Olsen #129
JLA #129
Teen Titans #34
Doomsday Plus 1 #2
Amazing Adventures #11 (Inhumans/Magneto)
Avenger #38 (1st Hercules- cover almost completely covered)
Avengers #66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75
Batman #153
Detective Comics #456 with Batman
Astonishing Tales #30, 34 both w/Deathlock
Skull the Slayer #8

Now, if there's something that you really really want, and are willing to pay shipping for it, I'll ask for it for you, but first come, first serve. If there's more than one request for one of these books (and remember, they are generally worse than "poor" condition at this point, except for the first dozen listings)... I'll try to honor the first request I get.
Send me PM (private message) if you're interested, and I'll try to get back to you this week.

OK, Nine books were requested so far, and have been packaged ready to ship. If anyone else wants anything, I've confirmed you can have them for the cost of shipping, but I must request and check to make sure they are still there before committing. So, send me a Private Message and tell me what you want and where you want it sent. -Kirk

[Kirk G]

You're not going to believe this.

Saturday at 4pm, I secured some of the above comics for those who had asked for them, bundled them into a postal delivery envelop and went home, waiting for the post office to open Monday morning.

Sunday at 3:30 p.m., the owner of the comic shop closed and locked it up, after doing some routine clean-up.

At 4:15 p.m., he received a phone call that the store was on fire.
By 5:00 p.m. the fire department had put it out.
Nothing is left.
All the books, the original artwork, the bagged books, the current shelf, the vintage silver age books, bagged and boarded on the wall, the shirts, the action figures, the graphic novels, the DVDs, the office computer, the pull lists, the pull boxes, and almost everything else is gone.

Surviving the fire are the objects in the front window display, all the pewter warhammer figures, and everything that was in the back staff room (though very smokey and sooty) and....perhaps the box of moldy comics that we were discussing. The manager's tux and his wife's new blazer are smoke damaged, hanging in the back room since their wedding two weeks ago.

It would appear the fire started in the electrical wiring beneath the cash register area. Arson is NOT suspected. $137 was found still in the cash drawer. NO ONE was injured. Six part-time employees are out of work.
One half-time manager is immediately out of work.

The staff has decided to accept shipment of this week's books and sell them to loyal regular customers on the curb on Wednesday or Thursday. As the pull list is gone, they will sell what they can on the honor system. Future shipments have not been determined at this time. We hope they continue.

The shop was about to change hands from the current owner to one of the part time employees, who had just returned from active guard training in Austrailia for the prior three weeks. He was sleeping off jet lag for two days four hours west of town in his parent's house when he received the call.

Our town is very sad, as the shop was there in one form or another for the last 25 years under three different owners.

I'll let you know if anything else has survived...

[Sir Tim Drake]

Oh no! What a horrible disaster. Was the store insured at least?

[dan bailey]

Ghastly. As Aaron said, here's hoping he was insured ... unlike the owner of the store thbat burned a couple of years ago about 45 miles up the interstate from here.

[Kirk G]

Insurance inspectors went through the wreckage this morning. No comment was made, except to say "You can start cleaning up now". We assume there was insurance coverage, but the owner was not commenting until all the inspection and investigation is completed. We hope the answer is yes. Stay tuned.

PS: How do I post the original email to CBR news? Is there a separate forum or news email address?

[Aaron King]

This is definitely an awful story. My stepdad's grocery store burned down a few years back and it was very traumatic for him. Best wishes.

[Kirk G]

The good news is that no one was hurt.
The good news is that I am really not involved, except that our favorite hang out is gone.
The bad news is that all the inventory is gone.
The bad news is that I can't walk in with all the soot and smoke and that AWFUL smell, and so I can't help them clean up much at all.

(I offered to take all their shirts and clothing with comic logos etc, to go wash them at home, but was told there was noting but tatters and rags left, cause they all burned off the rack. Only the coathangers are left. How sad!)

Even more sad, local media has fallen back to sleepy summer schedules, and haven't covered the fire! ARRGGGHHH!

***EDIT: Front page coverage occurred in the Athens Messenger newspaper on Tuesday morning. Internal photo and the external photo of the storefront and assistant manager are visible on the front page. Go check it out. www.AthensMessenger.com

[Kirk G]

Front page coverage of fire aftermath: www.AthensMessenger.com
Make sure you click on the article to go inside the charred store. The photo is disturbing!

[dan bailey]

Having spent most of my adult years in newspapers, I'm glad to see the local guys did stir themselves from the silly season doldrums & do a story ...

[Kirk G]

Another front page story coming tomorrow in the Ohio University Post student newspaper that runs only once a week during the summer.
www.thepost.baker.ohiou.edu

Check it out on Thursday, June 28th edition.
In the meantime, look up www.AthensMessenger.com for their version.

[Kirk G]

The best coverage of the fire appears to be in the Athens News, alternative paper, which did a great front page photo and extensive inside photos. www.AthensNews.com

Good News, as will be found in the above article. The photographer next door has offered his storage room (a remodled garage stall IMMEDIATELY next door) to the shop, allowing them to set up folding tables, cash register and product from Noon to Six each weekday, to continue business temporarily!

Also, the Methodist Church has offered their game room each Wednesday night for the gaming/Warhammer crowd to set up and play for several hours!

The comic/coin shop in Lancaster, Ohio (about 45 minutes northwest) has DONATED empty comic boxes to assist in the recovery and help store salvagable product.

The staff has collected sooty graphic novels with singed spines and offered them on one side of the stall for "a donation". A volunteer list at the register is growing. Also, there are a handful of action figures, collectible figures and similar gaming product available for sale. These figures are intact, though the boxes are dirty or fire damaged. The content is usable. I scored a Dark Knight: Joker figure for dollars in a "heat shrunk" package today!

Bad News: Insurance will only cover the $200,000 structural damage to the building and apartments above. The $100,000 product inside is NOT covered.
The original art, signed original printings, and rare comics are all gone without a trace and without documentation... just memories now.

The community is coming together to help and restore, but it will be slow going this summer. Friends and volunteers are assembling this weekend for a massive clean-up effort to allow some design and reconstruction to begin.

There is a strange opportunity for internet friends here. As the shop's graphic novels were tightly packed on bookshelves on the floor during the fire, the books are intact, but the spines are all blackened. As a result, the shop is offering each graphic novel for "a donation". If EVER you wanted a recent graphic novel, and can ask for it by name, you could score one for the cost of shipping plus "a donation". I would write to: David Conario, Assistant Manager, Universe of Superheroes, 19 W. Washington St., Athens, Oh 45701
to request if a particular graphic novel still exists. You might be rewarded with a memento that reads well, though a charred, or dirty spine would marr it.

[Aaron King]

I have comics to give them if they're looking to restore some back issue stock. Nothing great or valuable, but if they're just looking to get some stock...

[MichaelMogg]

Wow, what a story. So odd to read this thread, how it begins one way and ends very differently.

About the fire, I don't feel gut wrenched when reading about it perhaps because of the strong sense of community. Things – even seemingly irreplaceable ones – are not as important as the community spirit, and by the sound of it, it's thriving. It may sound strange, but a burned down store is probably not as bad as one that fades out of existence as a result of apathy.

[Kirk G]

Thanks for the offer of back stock. I don't know if they'll need t hem yet... they STILL are attempting to clean out the burned out stock that was in the store.

However, those graphic novels with sooty spines or discolored spines are being sold off for a donation of $4 or so per book. The inside pages are perfect, and the books are tight. A bit of windex or baby wipes and the book could be a great addition to your shelf!

To inquire if your favorite item is available (we're talking graphic novels and collections within, say, the last five years or so) you could call 740-593-5297 and leave a message for Universe of Superheroes. Or, drop them a line at Universe of Superheroes, 19 W. Washington St., Athens, Oh 45701 and ask if your desire is in the singed donation box yet! First come, first served!

(Today, I spotted a complete run of Bendis' "Powers" Graphic novels in that bin. Also, Spidey's "Powerless", and multiple Green Lantern graphic novels.
Check it out!)

[Kirk G]

The best coverage of the fire appears to be in the Athens News, alternative paper, which did a great front page photo and extensive inside photos. www.AthensNews.com

Good News, as will be found in the above article. The photographer next door has offered his storage room (a remodled garage stall IMMEDIATELY next door) to the shop, allowing them to set up folding tables, cash register and product from Noon to Six each weekday, to continue business temporarily!

The bar around the corner is allowing them to set up on the dance floor daytimes before the bar opens for drinking... so kids can enter during the day to buy comics or whatever, and the bar functions at night when the stuff is moved out again! (the staff there are comics fans and offered to help!)

Also, the Methodist Church has offered their game room each Wednesday night for the gaming/Warhammer crowd to set up and play for several hours!

The comic/coin shop in Lancaster, Ohio (about 45 minutes northwest) has DONATED empty comic boxes to assist in the recovery and help store salvagable product.

The staff has collected sooty graphic novels with singed spines and offered them on one side of the stall for "a donation". A volunteer list at the register is growing. Also, there are a handful of action figures, collectible figures and similar gaming product (and card decks or packs) available for sale. These figures are intact, though the boxes are dirty or fire damaged. The content is usable. I scored a Dark Knight Returns: Joker figure for just a few dollars in a "heat shrunk" package today!

Bad News: Insurance will only cover the $200,000 structural damage to the building and apartments above. The $100,000 product inside is NOT covered.
The original art, signed original printings, and rare comics are all gone without a trace and without documentation... just memories now.

The community is coming together to help and restore, but it will be slow going this summer. Friends and volunteers are assembling this weekend for a massive clean-up effort to allow some design and reconstruction to begin.

There is a strange opportunity for internet friends here. As the shop's graphic novels were tightly packed on bookshelves on the floor during the fire, the books are intact, but the spines are all blackened. As a result, the shop is offering each graphic novel for "a donation". If EVER you wanted a recent graphic novel, and can ask for it by name, you could score one for the cost of shipping plus "a donation". I would write to: David Canaro, Assistant Manager, Universe of Superheroes, 19 W. Washington St., Athens, Oh 45701
to request if a particular graphic novel still exists. You might be rewarded with a memento that reads well, though a charred, or dirty spine would marr it.

[Kirk G]

Fire Aftermath Update:
A Serv-Pro disaster recovery truck arrived outside the burned out husk of the comic shop today.
We interpret this as either getting quotes from fire clean-up pros, or the start of the serious clean-up.

Either way, it's a good sign.

In the meantime, the comic shop has set up some salvaged items as well as all new issues to be picked up at a bar around the corner from the comic shop. As the bar doesn't open for business until after 5pm, Noon to 5pm shopping for the comics, cards, toys, etc poses no conflict, and all merchandise is removed each day. So, it's a nice arrangement.