I just rediscovered comics for the first time all over again...

[NeverWanderer]

Remember when you used to be able to go down to the local family-owned liquor store/grocery store/video store/print shop/deli/kwik-e-mart and you'd find a row of plastic bags containing three random comics that you could buy for a couple bucks?

At first there was always a reason to get them... One or both of the comics showing on either side that you wanted, and were willing to accept whatever mystery meat was sandwiched in between them. Of course, after a while, you lucked out on enough mystery meat that just decided to buy every one you came across, just because?

Remember that?

Well that happened to me today.

My wife and I were picking up dinner from the Thai place on the corner, and we stopped in the little liquor-mart to get something to drink.

I approach the register, and underneath it, tucked in a corner next to out-dated magazines and indian DVDs and music CDs...

Were exactly FIVE of these bags, touting 3 comics for $2.99.

Two of the facing issues were comics that I, amazingly, REALLY wanted, and had wanted for quite a while (years, in one case).

How could I resist? I got them. Grinning ear to ear, I left the store, having decided I would come back later in the week and buy the rest of them, just for old time's sake...

But then I got to thinking. When I was a kid, these little grab-bag deals were EXACTLY how I rediscovered and fueled my love of comics once upon a time. How could I deprive some other kid of the opportunity to discover these comics? To fall headfirst into our favorite addiction?

So, no, I will not be getting the rest of them, tempted as I may be.

Besides, these six were a pretty decent haul.

These are the comics I was after:

(That first issue of Wonder Man is the one that really floored me... HOW many people in the WORLD even gave a shit about that series? And y'know how I discovered it? The 3 for $1 bin at the neighborhood copy place back in Queens. That is the ONE issue I was missing, too! FATE!!!)

These were the comics on the other side:


And these were the mystery meats:


Twelve-year-old me is satisfied.

[Dave Carrig]

That is pretty cool - There is a street vendor just outside of Jefferson Hospital on 11th street here in Phili that sells these things - and he has a ton of em! My wife was in the hospital for a six week stint a couple of years ago and I would stop by that stand quite often. Some of those old comics got me through some pretty tough times. If you ever get to Phili check it out - you'd love it!

Thanks for putting up the pics -

[c. page]

Remember when you used to be able to go down to the local family-owned liquor store/grocery store/video store/print shop/deli/kwik-e-mart and you'd find a row of plastic bags containing three random comics that you could buy for a couple bucks?

At first there was always a reason to get them... One or both of the comics showing on either side that you wanted, and were willing to accept whatever mystery meat was sandwiched in between them. Of course, after a while, you lucked out on enough mystery meat that just decided to buy every one you came across, just because?

Remember that?

Well that happened to me today.

My wife and I were picking up dinner from the Thai place on the corner, and we stopped in the little liquor-mart to get something to drink.

I approach the register, and underneath it, tucked in a corner next to out-dated magazines and indian DVDs and music CDs...

Were exactly FIVE of these bags, touting 3 comics for $2.99.

Two of the facing issues were comics that I, amazingly, REALLY wanted, and had wanted for quite a while (years, in one case).

How could I resist? I got them. Grinning ear to ear, I left the store, having decided I would come back later in the week and buy the rest of them, just for old time's sake...

But then I got to thinking. When I was a kid, these little grab-bag deals were EXACTLY how I rediscovered and fueled my love of comics once upon a time. How could I deprive some other kid of the opportunity to discover these comics? To fall headfirst into our favorite addiction?

So, no, I will not be getting the rest of them, tempted as I may be.

Besides, these six were a pretty decent haul.

These are the comics I was after:

(That first issue of Wonder Man is the one that really floored me... HOW many people in the WORLD even gave a shit about that series? And y'know how I discovered it? The 3 for $1 bin at the neighborhood copy place back in Queens. FATE!!!)

These were the comics on the other side:


And these were the mystery meats:


Twelve-year-old me is satisfied.

how many kids are stopping by the liquor-mart in your town?

i think you're probably safe in grabbing those books.

[Kingsumo]

That is awesome Wanderer.

And hopefully some wide eyed 12 year old will go and find them

[NeverWanderer]

how many kids are stopping by the liquor-mart in your town?

i think you're probably safe in grabbing those books.

It's a liquor store/grocery store. I just picked up some gatorades and a diet coke there, and there WAS a kid leaving the store as I went in.

There is hope!

[NeverWanderer]

I just flipped through that Bisley comic.

Christ, that would have defined my entire outlook on comics when I was 12.

I'm glad one of the facing comics in the other three was another Melting Pot issue.

[PimpSlapStick!]

Damn man you seriously brought back some memories, they should bring those back.

With good comics of course

[Kman00001]

Melting Pot! Nice!

The Wonder Man series was referenced quite often in the Avengers Two: Wonder Man/Beast mini that came out 10 or so years ago, drawn by Mark Bagley.

[greg donovan]

i remember the local toys r us had some grab bags liek that a while back.

[Corwin: Bear Fighter]

I blame these 3-packs for my obsession with Kirby's Fourth World. I got a few as a kid that had actual 70s Kirby Miracle Man issues in them. Blew my mind.