I grew up with comics. They were always a large part of my life, of my entertainment. They weren't just an escape or an impermanent item that I bought weekly... I started to collect them. I bought expensive ones. I bought ones I respect. I bought ones I cherish. I bought
a ton speculatively thinking "they'll be worth something one day" (note: after a recent re-cataloguing, only 1... yep, only 1 comic had a large increase in value). Eventually I grew up, kinda, well at least I graduated high school, moved out of my parents' house and realized I couldn't afford both rent and comics. 10 years later, my wife bought me a trade paperpack of something that had piqued my attention (
JSA's "Return of Hawkman")... and before that summer was done, I was right back into my regular Wednesday pick-up. I was doing my rounds through all the local shops to see which one best suited my needs, which one had the titles I prefer, and which ones carried a good longbox catalogue so I can track down all the ones I missed.
Through it all I have always been a DC fan. Marvel was always that splashy jock who got all the girls and was fun for a weekend or two... but would probably end up a drunk abusive father. DC Comics was that quiet humble and funny grandfather who sat you down and told you fantastic stories of youth, who would fill your mind with imagination, make you laugh, make you angry, even make you cry... and still be able to surprise you when he pulled that quarter from behind your ear. DC was home.
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| DC logos through the years |
It was also the home of some of the most well-known superheroes in any literature (and now film): Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Even home to the lesser heroes: Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Hawkman. These names were brought together in print as the even lesser known Justice League. I'm sure that's the reason that when the DC decided to relaunch their entire line, the first publication is
Justice League #1... with the "World's Greatest Heroes".
