So I have been reading this book and it makes me a little jealous, to be honest. While I know we gave more content than ever available, I miss the early days of comic book collecting and wish I was old enough to have been involved with those old fanzines.
I know my dad was fairly involved with some of the early Sci-Fi and Comic fanzines, and he contributed articles and
some spot illustrations to some. I once noted that several of his old Sci-Fi Digest magazines shelved in the basement
entrance way had an asterisk written in ink on the magazine spine. Those were issues he marked that had his letters
to the editor printed inside.
He was also in regular contact / penpals with Don and Maggie Thompson, and they routinely traded information. Still
have several stacks of old purple mimeographed printed fanzines on (now) brown brittle paper.
Dad also bought some of the later comic zines by Steranko like Comixscene. I got into fandom with F.O.O.M. and then
The Comic Reader and then The Comics Buyers Guide. I was rather involved in collecting zines and small press comics
in the late 1970s and early 1980s, having contributed a couple of letters, short articles, stories, and artwork myself. Wasn't
exactly quality work on my part, but it was nice to at least have been a small part of it over 40 years ago.
I know my dad was fairly involved with some of the early Sci-Fi and Comic fanzines, and he contributed articles and some spot illustrations to some. I once noted that several of his old Sci-Fi Digest magazines shelved in the basement entrance way had an asterisk written in ink on the magazine spine. Those were issues he marked that had his letters to the editor printed inside.
He was also in regular contact / penpals with Don and Maggie Thompson, and they routinely traded information. Still have several stacks of old purple mimeographed printed fanzines on (now) brown brittle paper.
Dad also bought some of the later comic zines by Steranko like Comixscene. I got into fandom with F.O.O.M. and then The Comic Reader and then The Comics Buyers Guide. I was rather involved in collecting zines and small press comics in the late 1970s and early 1980s, having contributed a couple of letters, short articles, stories, and artwork myself. Wasn't exactly quality work on my part, but it was nice to at least have been a small part of it over 40 years ago.
To me that is so frikkin awesome!
_________________ DISCLAIMER: Everything I say from here on in is my opinion, semantics be damned. Allen Berrebbi Owner KRB Media
So I have been reading this book and it makes me a little jealous, to be honest. While I know we gave more content than ever available, I miss the early days of comic book collecting and wish I was old enough to have been involved with those old fanzines.
Thanks for the link, Hanzo. Some FOOM issue there that I don't have. Too little interest, I guess to ever expect one, but I would early in the line to buy if Marvel released a FOOM Omnibus. But maybe… they are releasing a Marvel Age one.
So I have been reading this book and it makes me a little jealous, to be honest. While I know we gave more content than ever available, I miss the early days of comic book collecting and wish I was old enough to have been involved with those old fanzines.
Man, this is a phenomenal interview that recaps the rise of comics fandom and the genesis of the direct market. It goes all the way back to when Steve Geppi was a mailman!
I'm just old enough to remember seeing lots of mimeographed school and church bulletins. They always looked awful, and from what I've heard they were hard to work with. Those fanzine producers back in the day must have been dedicated to put up with all that.
That said, the mimeograph was a form of analog printing, and I've always found that technology kind of fascinating. Sometimes it gives me a little bit of that "born too late" feeling.
_________________ The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.
Man, this is a phenomenal interview that recaps the rise of comics fandom and the genesis of the direct market. It goes all the way back to when Steve Geppi was a mailman!
I miss those days. Just not the same in the internet age
_________________ DISCLAIMER: Everything I say from here on in is my opinion, semantics be damned. Allen Berrebbi Owner KRB Media
I'm just old enough to remember seeing lots of mimeographed school and church bulletins. They always looked awful, and from what I've heard they were hard to work with. Those fanzine producers back in the day must have been dedicated to put up with all that.
That said, the mimeograph was a form of analog printing, and I've always found that technology kind of fascinating. Sometimes it gives me a little bit of that "born too late" feeling.
And that strong, distinct smell. You could almost get high on it.
Quote:
The ink used in spirit duplicators contained methanol and isopropanol, which emitted a pleasant fragrance. This scent is deeply ingrained in the memories of those who worked with the machine.
They still use those old machines in some Third World countries, where photocopiers are too expensive or they can't get reliable electric current.
What's scary is that there were other duplicator machines and techniques that were apparently even worse! Some of the earliest fanzines were apparently done with something called a "hectograph." I've read that the great virtue of the hectograph was that early efforts at fan writing printed using that technique were easily lost to posterity, so that the creator didn't have to be embarrassed by them years later.
_________________ The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.
They still use those old machines in some Third World countries, where photocopiers are too expensive or they can't get reliable electric current.
What's scary is that there were other duplicator machines and techniques that were apparently even worse! Some of the earliest fanzines were apparently done with something called a "hectograph." I've read that the great virtue of the hectograph was that early efforts at fan writing printed using that technique were easily lost to posterity, so that the creator didn't have to be embarrassed by them years later.
My friend and I found a recipe for a hectograph in an old book. This would have been in 1973/4. We made it, no problem, but then couldn't get hold of the ink! It was called (I still remember it!) Methyl violet aniline, and in those pre InterNet days we failed to ever track it down. It became, for several months, our holy grail. The best we did was to get hold of some carbon paper that allowed us to make some copies of our own self made comic, albeit of pretty low quality.
Allen, you might be interested in this. They interview one of the creators from a fanzine done in the late 60s, POWER COMICS, which was created and published by 14 and 12 year old boys! Pretty impressive first effort and they both ended up working in comics.
I'm always amazed when I look at amateur comic work, that has that "off" look to it. I'm reminded just how good almost all pros are. The work of a pro mostly has that look doesn't look "off." When you see the meticulous work of an amateur, it just doesn't look right. It doesn't fool the eye. It looks like something somebody labored over, but couldn't quite make me forget I was looking at a drawing. Whereas, when a pro draws "guy jumping over a park bench," I think "hey, a guy jumping over a park bench."
Allen, you might be interested in this. They interview one of the creators from a fanzine done in the late 60s, POWER COMICS, which was created and published by 14 and 12 year old boys! Pretty impressive first effort and they both ended up working in comics.
Thanks bro, I’ll check it out for sure
_________________ DISCLAIMER: Everything I say from here on in is my opinion, semantics be damned. Allen Berrebbi Owner KRB Media
It's got more of a Silver-Age vibe than all the hordes of early Image imitators. It's fun to read. And check out the O-Force's answer to the Fantastic Four's Fantasticar!
It's a flying ring with seats in it. They all sit facing each other, instead of watching where they're going....
_________________ The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls who, when he found an especially costly one, sold everything he had to buy it.
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