It’s always hard to say what your first comic was. I’m sure we all grew up reading comics here and there, but what were the first ones to really make an impression and make you a “fan”? For me in the early nineties, it was apparently all about Marvel.
Growing up in Springfield, there wasn’t always a designated comic shop. A lot of the time I was picking up issues from the local grocery store or even Wal-Mart. Three from this period always stand out: Amazing Spider-Man #375, Ghost Rider #1 and Infinity War #1.
Amazing Spider-Man #375. What kid wasn’t going to buy this issue. Spider-man fighting Venom (for the “Final Confrontation”–lol) on a awesome shiny cover. Mark Bagley’s Venom has been my favorite Venom ever since. Ghost Rider #1 had come out a few years prior but I picked it up right around this time, it was also cover that was impossible to resist. Mark Texeira’s art was always so moody and interesting, his Ghost Rider just looked too bad-ass. My parents weren’t too sure if it was something I should read, which just made me more into it. And of course, Infinity War #1 was must buy territory. Everyone together in one issue, Ron Lim’s art, this issue would end up being my most re-read issue for a long time. So many good moments, I loved the evil doppelgangers, even though I knew almost nothing at the time of the cosmic marvel characters, it was everything I could want in a comic.
I still feel like the very early nineties was such a special time for Marvel in particular, and these three books will always have a special place in my heart as having begun a life long obsession with the Marvel universe.
Nick Lipe: Manager of Graham Crackers Comics Andersonville (Who will be doing a Detective Comics #1000 Midnight Release!)
“I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you’re looking for comics, I can’t tell you for sure I have them, but what I do have are a particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a long career. Skills that make me a dream for people like you. I will look for them, I will find them and we will talk about them. Honestly, I love nothing more than seeing all of you in here, talking for hours and hours. So I hope you don’t mind me excitedly asking about what you love, and letting you know what I’m into.”