As anyone knows who has visited this site, I read and collect comic books. I love them – they take me places that are pure imagination and pure excitement. And I hate when my hobby takes a beating, as in the article that the Chicago Tribune printed earlier this week.
In these tough economic times, people are selling more and more of their “stuff” through Craigslist, eBay, etc., but more and more often, they are not getting the prices they expected for their crap. The main trust of the article focused on toy collectors especially action figures, and comics. Of course, the comics guys made all of the usual mistakes that people make when they try to speculate on comics. Let me give you the story…
Comics, especially from the “Golden Age” from Action Comics #1 in 1939 through the 1960s remain valuable because, wait for it, THEY ARE RARE! I have gotten tired of people my age regaling me with stories about parents throwing comics out from this period. Of course, my standard response is: if everyone had held onto their comics, they wouldn’t be as valuable because (here it comes again) THEY WOULDN”T BE AS RARE!
Over the years, people come into the hobby, some left, but there seems to always be approximately 250,000 to 300,000 people who read comics regularly. In the 1980s, with the advent of direct market comics stores, “back issues” became a viable alternative cash flow stream, and values of “important” issues rose accordingly. Some people made nice money buying and selling comics, but of course, these are the first ones on the bandwagon, fleecing the latecomers.
To try and exploit the sudden artificial influx on new buyers (they weren’t readers, they would take the book, slap it in a plastic bag and wait for appreciation to take over), the comic companies printed more copies, added gimmicks like multiple covers and special editions. Almost anyone with a pen and an idea was getting their own comic book, either at the major companies, Marvel and DC, or in the others like Valiant, Image, and so many more. There was so much product and so many copies, that then the eventual bursting of that bubble came, lots of people were going to be sitting on dozens of worthless comics.
And that’s what happened. By 1992, the “investors,” mostly kids and adults looking to make money had been burned by the comic companies and their own blind greed, and we went back to the old standby 250,000 or so comics readers.
So, let’s do the math – one of the big titles of the time was the marriage of Superman to Lois Lane. Over 2 million copies of this book were printed: some just a “regular” comic; and a deluxe edition in plastic bags with lace and other useless crap. Let’s assume that the 2 million copies were purchased by 1 million comics readers and speculators (counting multiple issues). Now, the speculators left the industry, leaving the intrepid 250,000. How many of them have a copy of this book? All of them; some have multiple copies. Which means, how rare is this book? The answer is: not very. As a result, what do you think the value is of the book? Do you even believe that you can get cover price for this issue? No.
I have a solid comic collection, better than many, not nearly as extensive as others I know that frequent my comics shop. I have some valuable comics; I have some that have not appreciated in value at all – in fact more of them have probably declined in value, but for every 12 cent comic that I own that is now worth $50 (or $1,500) makes up for the rest. Anyway, I repeat what I have told everyone who has inquired about comics: get in because you love reading the books. If they appreciate in value, fine; if not, at least you have something to re-read and enjoy. Comics aren’t cheap: the average price of a monthly book is around $3.00; so buy the books you like, and if you get $3.00 of reading and (re-reading) pleasure out of it, you have succeeded.
But we pity the poor shlubs who feel gypped in this. Two people interviewed for the Tribune article mentioned that they hoped to finance their kids college education with some comic books from the 1980s or 1990s and are now disappointed. Well, that’s what you get from trying a Flintstones/Honeymooners get rich quick scheme.

Long time readers know that I continually shake my head at the antics of the ultimate “tree huggers” – PETA or the People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals. While I’m as much for being kind to animals as the next person, the people at PETA have somehow swallowed the SUPER hallucinogens; requesting that organizations change their names to make them more “animal friendly.” To date, not one of these silly plans have worked or even been taken seriously, which is hurting the respectability of the organization.
In recent months, PETA has campaigned to re-christen fish as “sea kittens” because “who could possibly want to put a hook through a sea kitten?” This campaign asked Spearfish High School in Spearfish, South Dakota to change its name to “Sea Kitten High School.” The principal, rightly, told them to go away.
So now, PETA has asked the British pop duo Pet Shop Boys to change their name to the Rescue Shelter Boys. They sent a letter to Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe that the group posted on their web site. In it the PETA people acknowledge that the request, at first look, might appear “bizarre’ but, by changing its name, the band could raise awareness at every tour stop of the “cramped, filthy conditions” that breeders keep animals in before selling them to pet stores.
In these tough economic times, and with the whole record industry in chaos, a brand name is important, and the group, which has performed under its current name for more than 20 years and a brand new CD titled “Yes” due to be released April 21st, would be foolish to grant this request. But they did say no in a nice way…
The musicians said they were “unable to agree” to the request “but nonetheless think (it) raises an issue worth thinking about.” The polite “no” seems to have pleased the nuts at PETA, saying that they were pleased that the Pet Shop Boys had drawn attention to the issue by posting its letter so prominently on the band’s site.
The animal breeder issue is an important one, and one that deserves to be addressed (unfortunately, one of too many). I love animals and have had dogs most of my life, and it bothers me when one is hurt or killed, especially by human negligence. However, by coming up with stupid campaigns such as this, it may bring the organization attention, but to the common person, it makes them look like kooks who cannot and should not be taken seriously which hurts the message and prevents the important point of their message from getting through.
Until they understand that, they will continue to be considered a lunatic environmental fringe group.

As a parent of two little girls, there is nothing that strikes me more than when a young person dies long before their time. There is hardly ever a good time to die, but when a person dies at 5, or 10, or even 20 or 25, you just have to feel sadness.
Such a feeling has come this week, as Nick Adenhart, the Angels’ 22-year-old starting pitcher, died Thursday morning after a drunk driver plowed into his silver Mitsubishi Eclipse in Fullerton, California, a mere eight miles from Angel Stadium.
The driver, like the pitcher, was 22 years of age. Adenhart was in the passenger’s seat, accompanied by three friends who were one half block from a nightclub to celebrate. Three of them died and a fourth remains hospitalized.
Adenhart, named the best high school pitcher in the country six years ago by Baseball America, appeared that he had finally overcome a bad elbow injury suffered just at the end of his high school career. The Angels had taken a chance on him, drafting him in the 14th round, knowing that he was going to be a long term project. Adenhart joined the club last year, but he was the team’s best pitcher in spring training and Thursday night against the Oakland A’s, the young man pitched six inning of shutout ball, scattering seven hits over six scoreless innings and escaped a pair of bases-loaded jams. He struck out five and walked three in his fourth major league start. Oakland stranded nine runners against the right-hander. The Angel bullpen gave up six runs split between the eighth and ninth innings to beat Los Angeles 6-4.
But, it was obvious that the young man had arrived. Angel manager Mike Scioscia, told him he was a major leaguer now. His agent, Scott Boras, told him he had “lats like a linebacker,” a credit to his offseason workout. But it was Boras, best known as the anti-Christ to many owners and fans who believe players are overpaid, but broke down several times in facing the media after the terrible accident.
Major League Baseball did a good thing in cancelling the Angels-A’s game for Thursday after the accident. A team lost a potential star; the agent lost another client; but more important a family lost a son for no good reason. The other kid who was driving drunk and killed three and potentially four people will face charges and probably get jail.
Some may say that this story gets attention because Adenhart was a star athlete, and they’re right – there will be much more national coverage and baseball may step up its efforts to combat drunk driving. And yes, there will be more kids who die needlessly in auto accidents, drug overdoses and drive-by shootings this Easter weekend. They are all equally sad.

Dear Patrick,

I know that you can’t even order a drink legally in a bar until November, but it’s time to really grow up. I also know that you are on pace to post similar scoring numbers as last year (69 now, 72 last season), and no one is happier to see the Blackhawks hit the 100 point mark and make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. But, in watching you for much of this season, I am worried that you are developing a bad habit – making too many moves with the puck.
I was at last night’s disappointing shootout loss to Columbus, taking away a point that could have clinched fourth place in the Western Conference, first round home ice advantage, and made the final two games of the season against the Red Wings meaningless. So now, we have to get at least one point in the final two games to guarantee opening the Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center, and there’s nothing Detroit would like to do more than beat us, as our dreaded enemies, but also to send a message. Last night, as I’ve seen numerous times during the latter half of the season, we’ve watched you try to stick handle the puck into the offensive zone single-handedly, only to have the puck poke checked away; you checked off the puck; or you get a weak shot off because the puck gets away from you.
In last night’s shootout, you deke’d too many times and Columbus’ goalie was able to make an easy save. In a road game earlier in the year, the team was down one goal, we had pulled the goalie and you tried to carry the puck in by yourself, got it taken away and the other team sealed the victory with an empty-netter.
I think I know what’s happened – perhaps you are still upset that the team fired Denis Savard. He was your first pro coach, and under him, you won the Calder Cup as the league’s best rookie. On top of that, Savard has a championship ring; is a small man like you; was one of the most spectacular play makers ever, and a Hall of Famer. He was in a no win situation, and got fired after the first four games, and perhaps you think that you can be a playmaker like he was, with his patented “spinner-rama” move.
However, despite the fact that no one “Committed to the Indian” as much as Savvy, the fact is that his Hawk teams never won a Cup (he won in Montreal) and all too often, it appeared to me that Savard’s best line mates, Al Secord and especially Steve Larmer would be occasionally frustrated, as they were in position, and Savard was still spinning around. So, they would have to either take a cross-check in the ribs; or move and try and set up again.
Patrick, you have great talent and tremendous skills, and at the age of 20, you have the makings of a terrific, perhaps even Hall of Fame career ahead of you. Let the game come to you; pass to your teammates especially Toews; don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself.

Sincerely,

Tony

We all know that athletic prowess and intellectual acumen are not often found in the same person. Most often, brains and brawn are mutually exclusive traits. Otherwise, we probably would never have heard of Mike Tyson, or Steve Carlton, or Maurice Clarett. Yes, I know that Wade Boggs injured himself falling off a pair of cowboy boots (not to mention the long term affair he had); I know the quotes of Yogi Berra; and the posturing of Jose Canseco. And I also know that I may be engaging in hyperbole of the highest order the title of this piece, but I do believe that we have found the dumbest athlete in all of sports….
The winner is pitcher Kyle Farnsworth. Yesterday in the White Sox opener, Farnsworth hung a fastball to designated hitter Jim Thome in the eighth inning with two runners on and a one run lead, and Thome lifted his 542nd home run into the stands and the Sox won 4-2 over Kansas City.
The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers wrote a good piece in today’s paper about how Farnsworth’s powerful arm keeps teams hoping that he’ll turn around and become an elite middle reliever/set-up man, or even a top closer. But in stops with the Cubs, Yankees, Detroit and Atlanta, Farnsworth has earned millions of dollars ($17 million from the Yankees, and $9.25 million for this year and next from Kansas City, not to mention the money he earned from the Cubs and Braves), but he has displayed a 30-49 career record and a 4.50 ERA. Why is this?
Of course, Cub fans remember Farnsworth blowing the Cubs’ lead in game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins. A co-worker mentioned to me today that he had a friend who bought Farnsworth a shot in a 5 AM bar on the morning before one of the games in that series. But that’s not why.
Rogers described an incident in which Farnsworth and former cub manager Dusty Baker had a “bonding” session at a shooting range in Atlanta. According to Mr. Rogers, Farnsworth not only out-shot Baker, but set the all time record for the range in the accuracy and deadly shooting. Even policemen and agents came down to see the pitcher on the range that has targets appear from behind buildings: some being “bad guys” and others being women, children and other innocent bystanders. Everyone can see that Kyle Farnsworth is a tremendous physical specimen, and obviously, many teams and coaches have staked reputations and money on trying to harness that tremendous ability. But Rogers never comes out and states what appears obvious: very little grey matter.
My reasoning – when Farnsworth was still with the Cubs, the coaches and front office were at their wits end in trying to figure out the key to this guy. So, they asked Greg Maddux, the only pitcher in MLB history to win at least 15 games in 17 consecutive seasons, winner of 4 Cy Young Awards, and certain Hall of Famer, to work with Farnsworth. The quiet Maddux agreed to work with him; to teach him how to pitch, not just throw. Farnsworth refused, saying that he didn’t need the help.
Was it pride that caused this man to refuse assistance from a pitcher who never had the most dominating stuff, but moved the ball around and changed speeds enough to clock the second most wins (355) of any pitcher in the post-1920 “live-ball” era (only Warren Spahn has more career wins – 363)? Perhaps. Was it youth? I say no because so many smart coaches like Joe Torre and baker and their staffs have tried to work with him, and he isn’t getting better and one would think that with age comes wisdom, but Farnsworth shows no improvement.
Or was it stupidity? There was the “quote” of Sherlock Holmes from “The Sign of Four”: “when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” That’s my vote.

That was my quote as I was driving to pick up The Indignant Children yesterday. I was listening to WXRT (didn’t feel like hooking up iPod) when the DJ announced that there was some breaking news. Well, I usually think it’s bad: war; death; Republicans. So imagine my surprise when Jason Thomas introduced a sportscaster, who went on to announce that the Bears; yes, the CHICAGO Bears, had made a trade to pick up disgruntled Denver quarterback Jay Cutler. I didn’t stop driving, or narrowly avoid an accident, but I did say “Holy $#@^” several times in the car.
The whole Cutler situation has been bizarre. From new Bronco coach Josh McDaniels trying to get Matt Cassell, who remains an unknown commodity despite filling in well for Tom Brady last year, when they already had a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback in the prime of his career (Cutler) was silly to me. Cutler is big, smart, has great arm strength and can move in the pocket. Plus he’s 25 years old with lots of upside. Meetings between the parties only furthered the chasm, so, earlier this week; the Broncos announced that they would give in to Cutler’s trade demands.
Immediately, a number of teams expressed interest, including the Bears, but, like most Bear fans, we knew that it would be token interest: a phone call or two and then, when the Bears found out the high price tag on any deal, they would thank the Broncos for their time and then someone like Washington owner Daniel Snyder would come in and make a huge deal. It was inevitable – the Bears, who haven’t had a superior quarterback for more than one year at a time since Sid Luckman, wouldn’t pull the trigger on any deal; they were too sedate; too set in Bear football – run the ball, pass only when necessary, play good defense. Besides, GM Jerry Angelo would never surprise us (except with how poor his first round draft pick would turn out.
So that’s why I was yelling at my dashboard yesterday. Angelo made the biggest trade in team history – sending first round draft picks in 2009 and 2010, a third-round pick in the upcoming draft and quarterback Kyle Orton to Denver, and the Bears get Cutler and a fifth rounder this coming draft. On the same day, the Bears go out and sign former Pro Bowl, probable future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace to play left tackle and protect Cutler’s blind side.
The person smiling most should be running back Matt Forte, who gained 1,400 yards last season despite facing defenses that did not fear the Bear passing attack. With Cutler at QB (who grew up a Bear fan in nearby Indiana), Forte may add 300-400 more yards to last year’s total.
The other smiling people are Angelo, who was getting ready to be run out of town after drafting busts like Cedric Benson, Mark Columbo (both of whom have turned into productive players elsewhere), and produced one playoff and Super Bowl appearance in his term with the team; and Lovie Smith, who, right or wrong, has been tied by Angelo’s personnel decisions.
I’m not saying that the Bears are Super Bowl bound, but they now have the best quarterback in the division, and should be interesting to watch on offense for a change. Now, can Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner work with an excellent quarterback instead of the mediocre signal callers of the past?

I did get a response on my comments about the fallacy of the World Baseball Classic from my dear friend and rabid baseball fan Susan Yerby:

“Have to strongly disagree with your opinions on the WBC. Did you watch any of the games? Don’t let your opinion of Selig come into it.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching playoff caliber baseball in March (and a true “World Series” for once), and not just because my favorite player ended up being the difference in the final (Ichiro Suzuki). I would have watched it no matter who was there. After stumbling upon one of the earlier games while channel surfing earlier in the month, I was hooked. And definitely better than watching boring spring training split squad games on WGN.
So, Derrick Lee didn’t want to play. No great loss in my opinion and not what Team U.S.A. really needed, which was more quality pitching than trotting Roy Oswalt out every other day.
The format is now going to be once every four years. I don’t think it’s too much to ask players. It’s not like it’s happening every year. The schedule affects other countries’ schedules too, and they’re able to deal with the logistics. I believe they’ll shorten the time between rounds the next time around. Of course, I’d like MLB to shorten their schedule to make it easier on the players, but I don’t see any flying pigs going past my window.
There were over 54,000 fans in attendance at Dodger Stadium for the final. If some American players want to pass playing for their country and chauvinist U.S. fans choose not to watch next time, it’s their loss. The world will move on without them.”

Good points made. I think that if the WBC were to be every four years, it might be worthwhile, but as an every year event, I don’t like it. Yes, I’m not for meaningless spring baseball games either (although I do watch them occasionally if just to see baseball being played in warm weather as a harbinger of summer)., but I just don’t want the best players hurt in a meaningless tournament either. If they get hurt in spring training, the team doctors can take care of them. Also, I don’t like the idea of players potentially burning out in late August or September because of the extra 2-3 starts they made in the spring.

Have a comment – e-mail me at tonyfed1@yahoo.com. Comments may make the site (edited potentially).