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“I have A Dream….and you’re not in it.” –Beau Smith, Day Dreamer
by beloved Smith
Growing up in the 1960s, before the internet, direct market comic shops, as well as Westfield Comics, I had to search down my comic book repair at the supermarket, the newsstand, the medication store, as well as by trading with other youngsters in the neighborhood. I understand that seems barbaric to a few of you, however in reality, there’s a huge part of me that misses “The Hunt.”
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #11
Back then, The search put more value on your comic books, not so much in dollar signs, however understanding that you did some pedal time on your bike, burnt some rubber in your Converse or P.F. Flyers tennis shoes, or just got lucky as well as hit the grocery store before some other faceless youngster got there to snatch that problem of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents from your hungry hands.
I’m not going to get into the cover value of comics then being 12 cents as opposed to the near $4.00 cost they bring today. trust me, in 1965, 12 cents was just as difficult to find by as $4.00 is today, perhaps harder. I’m sure those of you a bit younger than me who grew up before the Web as well as comic shops, together with cover costs from 15 cents to $1.00, understand what I mean as well.
Daredevil #15. (One of my all-time preferred comics.)
We re-read out comics during those times. I mean truly re-read them. There weren’t as many comics being published. Marvel, at the time, perhaps had 12 books a month, as well as you were extremely lucky if you might discover three of them, let alone in any type of consecutive order. I would buy, say, Daredevil #15 at the drugstore. perhaps if all went perfect, I’d discover problem #16 the next month. long odds, however you played the game just the same. during those 30 days of waiting, I would checked out as well as re-read that problem up until I might recite dialog much better than anything my instructors would dictate in school. I would be able to present my 12 inch G.I. Joes as well as Captain action into those famous John Romita as well as Jack Kirby fight poses from the panels of my comics. It was a innovative time to be a visitor of comic books. As I mentioned before, it not only added value, it added the most important weight to those comics, memories.
I likewise utilized my comics to trace the panels into my institution notebook. I would likewise free hand the scenes, however that lasted up until about 9th grade when I lastly realized my career as an artist was past its peak. I truly began focusing on my composing then. I keep in mind as Jr. High student, composing to Stan Lee at marvel as well as Robert Kanigher (Sgt. Rock) at DC Comics asking them if they might please send me a copy of a comic book script so I might discover to compose in that format. I didn’t get one from Stan, however he did send me a nice postcard. Kanigher on the other hand did send me a script as well as it has always been the basis of my script mechanics ever since. I must add that many years later in the early 1980s, Walt Simonson was kind sufficient to send me a copy of what a proposal appeared like (Thor) as well as that was, as well as still is, my foundation for comic book pitches. during that exact same time period, Mike Baron sent me his thumbnail scripts for Nexus as well as The Badger that I likewise discovered a great deal from. generosity like that is not forgotten, at least not by me.
Letters Column. Dignity & Civility. No Snark Allowed.
Back in the 1960s, I utilized to sometimes compose to other readers. Comic books had letter columns in every problems as well as I must state that the letters of comment then were head as well as shoulders above the Web postings of today. You not only discovered exactly how to compose a letter of comment, however you likewise were taught exactly how to compose constructive criticism with civility. since of those printed teachings, I began composing my own letters of comment in the 1970s with the 80s as well as had over 300 printed. It likewise assisted me network my method into comics as a profession. Again, more added value to my comics.
Amazing Spider-Man #4
In some ways, we as comic book visitors were like the American Indians of the plains in the method that they utilized every bit of the buffalo that they hunted as well as killed. nothing went to waste. The exact same with the comics that we bought. That’s why today they are so well read, creased, dog eared, as well as with rolled spines. To me, that comic book is worth more than one that was bought, never read, as well as put in a plastic bag. Yes, I comprehend that my problem of incredible Spider-Man #4 would be worth a great deal more if I hadn’t re-read, traced, as well as rolled it up in my back pocket, however exactly how was I to understand that back in the early 1960s? understanding me, even if you would’ve come from the future as well as told me it would be worth countless dollars in 2013, I question if 1964 beloved Smith would’ve been able to not checked out that problem as well as put it away safely somewhere. Yeah, I’m out over $7000.00, however in other ways, I’m so much richer.
I have no concept if visitors today re-read as well as memorize their comics. I don’t understand if they memorize dialog or try as well as redraw what’s on those pages on their iPad, I likewise don’t understand if they reenact the stories with their action figures, if those action figures are even out of the boxes. part of me truly really hopes that somewhere there are people that still utilize that problem for whatever that it’s worth. I pray that they get every cent out of that $4.00 cover price. It’s a daydream, however it’s MY daydream, as well as those daydreams have had me working in comics for 26 years.
Dreams do some true.
Always the child,
Beau Smith
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