#comicscollecting

Pre-MCU comic book selfie

Flashing my collection of first print of the six-issue Marvel Comics mini-series 1991 “The Infinity Gauntlet” written by Jim Starlin (born 1949) and illustrated George Pérez (1954-2022).

I have always been a Marvel Comics fan, and I was very much aware of the characters and storylines used ever since MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) was introduced with the 2008 film “Ironman”. I also noted to newbie fans that much of the characters were based on the “Ultimates” universe (introduced in 2002), an alternative Marvel timeline where the heroes and villains would actually kill each other (Earth 1610 as compared to the prime continuity timeline in Earth 616).

Ever since Thanos was featured in the 2012 MCU film “The Avengers”, I knew that it would lead up to the “Infinity War”. Thanos was also created by writer-artist Jim Starlin, and he first appeared in "The Invincible Iron Man #55” (February 1973).

The “Infinity Saga” was not just limited to the six-issue mini-series, and parts of its storyline would crossover to various Marvel comic character books. This would be followed by the 1992 “The Infinity War” and 1992-1995 “Warlock and the Infinity Watch”, which I also collected. Take note, the “Warlock and the Infinity Watch”, would be the basis of the development of the MCU’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”. And now every fan is much aware of Thanos and the MCU films: 2018 “Avengers: Infinity War” and 2019 “Avengers: Endgame”.

Knightly comic book selfie

Holding up my 1988 Pioneer Comics reprints of “Prince Valiant: in the Days of King Arthur” by Hal Foster (1892-1982). The Prince Valiant comics ran from 1937 to 1971, and I am saddened that I was unable to preserve the 1960a-1970s compilation I had received from my maternal grandfather Ramón Tañedo (1920-1990).

Back then, I was then not a big fan of Prince Valiant because of his pageboy / bunót haircut, which reminded me of my own hated haircut in my youth. However, I loved the meticulous art of Hal Foster.

Real American hero comic selfie

Looking at my old 1985 “G.I. Joe Yearbook Volume 1 #2” written by Larry Hama (born 1949) and illustrated by Michael Golden (born 1955).

The Marvel Comics series began in 1982 and ran until 1994, which Marvel collaborated with the toy company Hasbro (Hassenfeld Brothers) to release a 3 ¾ inch tall or 1:18 scaled action figure toyline. The toys and comics were tied to the 1983-1986 animated series “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” produced by Tōei Animation Co., Ltd. (東映アニメーション株式会社) for Hasbro.

With the introduction of “G.I. Joe” to Philippine televisions, I was initially intrigued by the cartoon series as I always liked the 1964 to 1969 “G.I. Joe: America's Movable Fighting Man” (Action Man in the United Kingdom) 12 inch tall or 1:6 scaled action figures developed by Stanley Weston (1933-2017) and manufactured by Hasbro. In fact it was this toyline by Hasbro that created the concept of action figures that were separate for the traditional “dolls”. I never had “G.I. Joe” action figure, but I did play with the toys that my cousin had.

Microverse comic selfie

Finding my old Marvel comics of the 1979 first issue of “Micronauts” by written Al Milgrom (born 1950) and Dave Cockrum (1943-2006). The Micronauts is about a group of heroes from a multiverse in the microscopic scale, jumping off many of these multiverse threads in comic books and films.

So it was a great disappoint ment not to see any reference of the Micronauts in the 2023 film “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”.