In my ongoing hunt to obtain every comic book Bill Mantlo ever wrote, I’ve made it through most of the easy acquisitions and started working down the rare and obscure issues. I am unsure if and when I might own a handful of them, such as Uncanny X-Men #96 and Marvel Preview Presents #7, which is currently averaging several hundred dollars since it contains the very first appearance of Rocket Raccoon. Fortunately, I was able to fill in many of the gaps in my wish list for this campaign at C2E2, the Chicago comic book convention held in late April. One of the more pricey items I picked up is something I can now cross off that “hard to find” list, The Invincible Iron Man #86. Now, it wasn’t anywhere near the original cover price of 25¢, but I found it in immaculate condition. More importantly, it is a wonderful story from the greatest age of Marvel Comics, but since it did cost me so much, I drank my cup of coffee this morning BEFORE unpacking it from its protective sleeve. I happily bring you, “The Gentleman’s Name is BLIZZARD!”.
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Put Your Armor-round Yer Lady, Unless you Repulsor There are comics which make you excited, some you simply endure, and some which even make you tingle in that special way. Then, there are comics which make you think … where you ponder what super powers would mean to a world as complex as ours with all its hopes, dreams and variations of religion, politics and strife. When standard super hero fare becomes a lesson in morality and your humble author provides a rare spoiler, it must be another edition of Comics ‘n Coffee.
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