AVAILABLE NOW! HOUSE Of SECRETS #92 FACSIMILE EDITION - NOT FORGETTING MARVEL COMICS #1000... (Updated)

Copyright DC COMICS

Cop a load of this, crazy Criv-ites.  Why, it's the DC Facsimile Edition of HOUSE Of SECRETS #92, first issued back in 1971 and featuring none other than the first (pre-ALEC HOLLAND) comicbook SWAMP THING. With matte paper, original ads and letters, great reproduction of the story pages themselves - why, strike my stunningly handsome fizzog with a wet kipper if it's not the next best thing to owning the original issue (which I do).

Just two things though: in earlier reprints, the words 'any more' in the first panel's caption box were revised to 'anymore', and it's that amended version that appears in this issue.  Also, clumsy retouching of lettering on page 5 has changed the word 'the' to 'me', making no sense at all.  If you can live with that, then this is the very chappie for you!  You can love it, hug it, kiss it, and call it 'George'.  (Personally, I'm just going to read it and then put it back in its poly bag, but hey - you might have your own ideas on how to have fun.)

The original and facsimile - side-by-side

But that's not all - take a look below at MARVEL COMICS #1000.  (Nah, I didn't see most of the other 9,999 either.)  This is an anniversary celebration of 80 years of Marvel (originally called TIMELY and then ATLAS, but their first-ever mag was called MARVEL COMICS), and includes MIRACLE(MARVEL)MAN and NIGHT RAVEN (yup, that's right - Night Raven) - as well as all the other Marvel heroes, I'm sure.

So why are you still hanging around this dump?  Rush out and buy both of these collectors' item classics today!

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Just for the hell of it - a recoloured, enhanced version of MC #1

PRESENTING: The DISPLAY CABINET Of Dr. CALIGORDIE (BE CHARITABLE NOW)...

Take a look at my new display cabinet housing some of my collection of diecast vehicles.  I say 'new', but it's actually secondhand, purchased from a charity shop.  It had lain unsold for months, probably on account of its £12 asking price, which is quite expensive when compared to wall-size bookcases going for £20 in the same place.  I asked them if they'd accept a tenner (no haggling, just a straight question) and they did, but upon arriving home, I discovered a few imperfections.

Firstly, the back was coming away, no doubt as a result of cars too wide for the compartments being placed inside and then having the door forced shut.  I remedied that with an upholsterer's staple-gun to secure it back into position.  Secondly, under the price label on one of the corners, was a missing piece of veneer, which I had to disguise with a furniture pen, then varnish over.  I checked, and there was no veneer under the label, so it hadn't come off when I removed the price.

Thirdly, there were little nicks in various places, which I again had to disguise with my furniture pen.  Also, the original price labels from when the item was brand-new (before it had been used then donated to charity) were still on the box, which I hadn't previously noticed.  It had started at £15, then been reduced to £9.99, then reduced again to £7.50, which is the price the original owner had paid.  I'd paid £2.50 more than when it was new and then had to spend time and effort making it presentable.

In reality, considering its condition, it really wasn't worth more than about a fiver, but at least I managed to tart it up, and its aged and worn appearance is now no longer obvious.  And, more importantly, don't my toy cars classic collectable diecast model vehicles look great in their 'new' home?  (Which is where charity should begin, isn't it?  At least it ended there.)