Sliding the book from the Mylar sleeve, I stare at the cover. The image still gives me goosebumps. I'm not frightened by it but it intrigues me. When I was little, I stared at this cover for hours it seemed. The woman with gold coins over her eyes. Batman struggling with a mysterious man with a red scarf over his face, eyes in shadow under a green fedora. The edges are worn. The pages yellowed slightly. The cover has a crease on the front cover where I would fold the book back to read it. The pages smell musty and aged. I flip through the pages and look at the panels. I haven't read this book in nearly 30 years. I can for a fact state this is my very first comic I ever read and ever owned. There are no comics that date farther back and I can clearly remember they day I got it.
Being the only child to a single parent that worked everyday to support us, I found myself in the hands of a babysitter on most Saturdays and after school. One such Saturday I was in the care of Kristen. She was a lanky teenager that would watch not only myself but my best friend Shawn. I was a well behaved child and could entertain myself easily with a Star Wars figure or a box of crayons and paper. Shawn on the other hand was a bit more rambunctious. I can remember on that day, Shawn was giving Kristen an extra dose of behavior. Jumping around and yelling things like never fear Mighty Mouse is here!. Kristen in an effort of giving something for Shawn to focus on decided to take us both to ALCO. She promised both of us that she would buy us something if we remained good for the rest of the day. In the toy department there was a rack of comic book packs. My eyes fixed on that cover of Batman fighting some unknown thug in a green coat and the lady with coins for eyes. I picked it up and held it in my hands. Kristen asked if that was something I would want. I said, yes. It was a pack of three comics. The entire pack was only 97 cents. A Whitman Value Pack. Yet, I would have to share it with Shawn. He got one issue; I took the other two--including the one with the mysterious lady with coin eyes. (the other issue was #306 and I would assume Shawn got #305 or #308. 30 years has purged it from my memory) I think we got some penny bubble gum that day too. I went back to Kristen's house and read both issues. I was re-reading them when my mother arrived to pick me up.
The book rests in my hands. I feel magic tingling in my finger tips as I know this comic is a piece of my history. It was the first of many more comics. I scan the pages. The ads were different then. Crosman airgun rifle by Coleman, a Superman The Movie contest where the actual cape was the grand prize, a Star Wars digital watch if you joined the youth Opportunity Sales Club and footlocker of 100 toy soldiers for only a $1.75! The classified ads are also a incredible flashback-- ads for X-ray spex!, Kids, build your own flying saucer! and Muscles Fast! Free book for only 25 cents!
I must really stop and re-read this book again soon. But for now, I slide it back into the Mylar sleeve. It still holds the place of the first comic in my collection...
Denver Comic Con
