|
Post by dlw66 on May 12, 2006 10:23:27 GMT -5
Anyone have a collection of those Slurpee cups from 7-11?
How about Marvel Value Stamps -- cut those out?
Third Eye blacklight posters?
|
|
|
Post by spiderwasp on May 12, 2006 10:47:04 GMT -5
Anyone have a collection of those Slurpee cups from 7-11? How about Marvel Value Stamps -- cut those out? Unfortunately, yes. Marvel Value Stamps were one lousy idea. I was just a kid in elementary school at the time, so if the thing said "Cut this out" I did. Now I have several otherwise great issues to have that have been badly damaged because they have big wholes cut out of them.
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 12, 2006 11:41:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Shiryu on May 13, 2006 8:16:47 GMT -5
You guys had all sorts of gadjets in the States, eh ?
|
|
|
Post by Van Plexico on May 13, 2006 11:26:01 GMT -5
Somehow, I never had any of that. Fortunately, I think the stamps thing ended just a year or so before I started reading Marvel comics (with AVENGERS 162, in 1977, as I think the whole world knows now... haha)
But, as mentioned previously, I did have a bunch of the Mego action figures. The fun thing was making costumes for, say, my Star Trek figures, so they could be Avengers, too. That was, um, after, um, I, y'know... destroyed... the original figures... in huge super-battles in my room... err. What fun, though! ;D
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 13, 2006 16:43:42 GMT -5
I still have a bunch of the original Marvel slurpee cups, as well as the second series. In the second series they also put out glasses with the same artwork for Cap/Falcon, Spidey, FF, and maybe a couple more. I have the three I mentioned.
I also used to cut out the Marvel icon figures in the top left corner of their mags. Many a 1971-74 comic was butchered by me until I met older kids who collected who told me what a complete idiot I was!! Always good to have good friends!!
|
|
|
Post by asgardian on May 13, 2006 21:32:55 GMT -5
I remember reading about all these goodies and being very envious, as I'm not based in the US. The Marvel Value stamps were certainly big in their day, and I remember that #100 was very hard to find as it was only printed in ONE comic. There were other goodies of course - masks; web shooters; cars and so on. There were a set of towels at one point, and the one with the Silver Surfer imprint really caught my eye as it wasn't a reproduced image. It appeared as though it had been drawn just for that towel.
And to this day I have yet to sample a Hostess Fruit Pie or whatever they were called.
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 13, 2006 22:04:38 GMT -5
Well, I just happen to have eaten a Hostess Fruit Pie today with my lunch! They are still the same mega-calorie, mega-fat treats that they always have been! I'm sure on some autopsies somewhere cause of death is written "body abused by Hostess"!!
Are any of our posters former members of FOOM?
I was a member of the Kiss Army...
|
|
|
Post by Shiryu on May 14, 2006 7:37:59 GMT -5
For the sake of my finances (and my health ^^ I could see myself eating Hostess fruit pies because they were advertised by Spidey or Thor) I'm happy I don't live in the States ;D
|
|
|
Post by Yellowjacket on May 16, 2006 8:37:53 GMT -5
Interesting informations about the Marvel stamps. I have only two or three books with missing stamps, so I´m quite contend with my collection (which starts with Avengers #102).
What I´m not sure about. Did you get anything other than the stamps and the stamp books? Any price, anything?
We had in Germany similar campaigns, nowhere as persisting but we did get something for the stamps - a very nice Captain Marvel poster for the first campaign and a so called Marvel pass for the second campaign.
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 16, 2006 8:42:04 GMT -5
No, the "cutter" didn't get anything other than a devalued comic for his trouble. The second series of stamps were puzzle pieces -- I believe it took 8 stamps to complete the picture.
|
|
|
Post by Bored Yesterday on May 16, 2006 12:56:09 GMT -5
The cups are very cool. I wants me some. I'd also like to see some FOOM paraphenelia, or even MMMS -- is that Merry Marvel Marching Society? One of those had a secret decoder thingie, didn't they? I remember reading in an old Bullpen Bulletins a secret message from Spidey.
And I'm thinking now of the classic 1960s covers that are obstructed with the Thing's gourd urging readers to join the MMMS.
But the marvel value stamp collectors did get a bonus in return. If you managed to collect a complete set and send away for the stamp book, I think you got free admission to a comic con or two -- if you were lucky to live near one. The Bullpen Bulletins during that era are full of Stan's hukstering for all the great surprise values you'd get if you collected them all -- but then hardly any mention of what you actually get, except for 1 or 2 free entries into a convention. Of course, for the poor kids who managed to somehow collect all of them, which required about every Marvel comic for an entire summer -- most would not have lived near any conventions. And to tell you the truth, I don't even think it was free admission. Might have been half price.
And people complain about Marvel overhyping nowadays? The Marvel Value Stamps border on fraud.
|
|
|
Post by Yellowjacket on May 17, 2006 5:37:07 GMT -5
All in all it seems it was really no fan (not to mention the collectors) friendly campaign from Marvel. Buy all those mags, "destroy" your comics and get nothing in return otherwise than a stamp book (which I think you had to buy too?) with more or less stamps -- I´d think that was poor from Marvel.
What I´d like to know. What was the reaction in general from the fans/collectors? I don´t remember reading any letters to the editor in Avengers in this context. But then, I´ve only Avengers books from that time. Maybe, there were letters in other books?
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 17, 2006 7:36:30 GMT -5
I'm not sure of any fan unrest at the time. During the Marvel Value Stamps "period", I was but a mere boy of 7-10 years. So, to me it was no big deal. However, since in the late 1960's Marvel had marketed heavily toward college students, I wonder if when they became full-fledged adults if they were upset. My guess would be "no" -- if you wanted to cut them out you did, if you didn't then you just didn't.
|
|
|
Post by Bored Yesterday on May 17, 2006 12:42:48 GMT -5
Today the internet outrage would be ... uh, ... outrageous.
|
|
|
Post by spiderwasp on May 17, 2006 15:43:52 GMT -5
The main reason there was no outrage in the 70s was because the average readers were kids. As we grew into adulthood, the average readership age increased with us, but as kids, we didn't complain. Marvel said "Cut" so we cut. Also, collecting was done in a much more relaxed way. I remember getting together with my other friends who collected and trading comics. We still had no idea just how much these things would be worth one day. It wasn't until the late 80s that people began buying books as an investment.
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 17, 2006 22:12:16 GMT -5
Funny you should mention comics as an investment. Among those of us who post regularly who are "older" (yeah, 40 is about one month away...), I'd say all the mentions of Essentials, Masterworks, DC Archives, and the DVD-ROMs might say that we now read what we appreciate, and not for any potential future value. I still hang on to a bunch of older stuff, but a lot of it has sentimental value as much as intrinsic value. When I go to WizardWorld Chicago each August I rarely look at back issues. I'll leaf through pages at some of the art dealers, but I am mainly looking for killer deals on tpbs and hardcovers (Sundays you can usually get $50 hardcovers for around $30-35), as well as action figures from Marvel Legends and DC Direct. I guess I buy what I want nowadays, not what I think I should -- Lord knows I wasted so much money getting sucked into that in the early 90's!!
Your point about trading brings back a painful memory, too. But, it does speak to the lost innocence of comic collecting... When I was around 10 I was totally taken advantage of by some guys who were in junior high. I think I picked up around 40-50 current (at the time) Thors, etc. for 7-8 12-cent Marvels (can't even remember what they were, but they were in decent shape). My mom was so mad at me when I told her what I'd done!!
|
|
|
Post by The Night Phantom on May 18, 2006 20:05:13 GMT -5
Hey, all you jive turkeys! For a groovy time, check out the Marvel Legacy: The 1970s Handbook that came out yesterday (yesterday, not yesteryear!). It’s neato! Not only does it sport Handbook-style entries highlighting the state of the Marvel Universe during the Me Decade, but it also offers Marvel Value Stamp series A #101: Forbush Man! It’s the greatest thing since disco! Nanu, nanu!
|
|
|
Post by asgardian on May 18, 2006 20:38:06 GMT -5
Funny you should mention comics as an investment. Among those of us who post regularly who are "older" (yeah, 40 is about one month away...), I'd say all the mentions of Essentials, Masterworks, DC Archives, and the DVD-ROMs might say that we now read what we appreciate, and not for any potential future value. I still hang on to a bunch of older stuff, but a lot of it has sentimental value as much as intrinsic value. When I go to WizardWorld Chicago each August I rarely look at back issues. ] I hear you. My once proud collection is very small indeed. EVERYTHING is prestige format; trade or hardcover. I only collect the truly top shelf stuff. I look back sadly at what I read in the late 70's and through the 80's and wonder what happened. Titles that used to thrill me now seem silly and full of plot holes. What happened?
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 19, 2006 8:07:58 GMT -5
Phantom --
I was at my comic shop yesterday and my 14-year old son had that 70's book in his hand (I've taught him right -- read dad's stuff!!). Looked great: the Brute, Man-Wolf, and one of my favorites -- Black Goliath! I passed on it, however, due to the $5 price tag. Instead I spent $15 on the Alex Ross Wonder Woman figure from DC Direct. I may pick the handbook up next time I go to my shop.
|
|
|
Post by Bored Yesterday on May 19, 2006 8:13:22 GMT -5
Hey, all you jive turkeys! For a groovy time, check out the Marvel Legacy: The 1970s Handbook that came out yesterday (yester day, not yester year!). It’s neato! Not only does it sport Handbook-style entries highlighting the state of the Marvel Universe during the Me Decade, but it also offers Marvel Value Stamp series A #101: Forbush Man! It’s the greatest thing since disco! Nanu, nanu! Night Phantom's latest post ... or a Stan's Soapbox reprint? You decide! That's the kind of hype I like Phantom. Good on you. That Handbook sounds interesting. But speaking of investments ... you know ... what could have less value to a comic book reader than anything in mint condition? Can't read it. Can't hardly even open it. Pride of ownership only goes so far.
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 19, 2006 8:37:04 GMT -5
Ah, the reader vs. collector argument!
When I was building my complete run of Avengers, I had a buddy who at the same time was trying to do all of the Lee/Kirby FFs. I was more of an "acquirer", while he was "collecting". I got mine done pretty quickly (my #1 is VG, #2 is G, #3 is VG, and #4 is F for those who care), and he is still only about halfway. He does have killer copies of FF #4 (Sub-Mariner) and other keys, though.
|
|
|
Post by bobc on May 19, 2006 9:06:55 GMT -5
The first comic that sprang into my mind when I read the title of this thread (The Groovy 70's) was, for some reason, The Tomb of Dracula. Do you all remember that? It was really good back then when Gene Colan was drawing it. Whatever happened to Gene? Is he still around?
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 19, 2006 9:33:27 GMT -5
Yes, Gene's around. He was in poor health a few years ago, but has bounced back. He does commission artwork, but I don't think he's working regularly. Back Issue magazine did a short sketchbook feature on him last month.
I didn't really care for the monster books, although I did leaf through them from time to time. Colan's artwork was perfect for that book!
|
|
|
Post by bobc on May 19, 2006 9:38:30 GMT -5
I wasn't into the moster books either. other than Tomb of Dracula--but there's something about those monster books that says 70's to me! Werewolf by Night, TOD, Brother Voodoo. Brings up great memories of when I was a kiddie
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 19, 2006 9:44:19 GMT -5
Brother Voodoo -- now that is 70's!!!
When Wonder Man was resurrected, he was brought back by a voodoo cult with a leader named Black Talon. In the last couple of issues of DC's Infinite Crisis, there's a great exchange between Black Lightning and Mr. Terrific asking "why BLACK Lightning"? Mr. Lightning informs that back in the day, he felt it was a pride thing to be called Black Lightning.
|
|
|
Post by von Bek on May 19, 2006 13:02:04 GMT -5
Brother Voodoo -- now that is 70's!!! When Wonder Man was resurrected, he was brought back by a voodoo cult with a leader named Black Talon. In the last couple of issues of DC's Infinite Crisis, there's a great exchange between Black Lightning and Mr. Terrific asking "why BLACK Lightning"? Mr. Lightning informs that back in the day, he felt it was a pride thing to be called Black Lightning. Yeah, DC was trying to raise social issues. Remember Black Manta showing that he was really black (or should I say African American ). Even Lois Lane went black for an issue or two.
|
|
|
Post by bobc on May 19, 2006 13:26:27 GMT -5
What about Black Canary? Who's ever heard of a canary that's black? Plus, the Black Canary isn't even black!
Has teh whole world gone mad?
|
|
|
Post by von Bek on May 19, 2006 13:33:59 GMT -5
Black Condor wasn´t black either.
At least at Marvel when a character was named Black Panther or Black Goliath, you knew that to expect. ;D
|
|
|
Post by dlw66 on May 19, 2006 13:56:36 GMT -5
It's funny that you wrote "African-American". I teach high school, and in one of my classes we were discussing the plight of blacks in Europe. One of my students used the term "African-American" and I asked him why he'd say that when we were discussing France and Germany? Political correctness goes a little too far sometimes...
Black Orchid is purple...
|
|