Store Review: BRAINSTORM COMICS- Wicker Park, Chicago

I wrote this review back in April 2013 before I had the blog up. I've updated it at the end.

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Store Review: BRAINSTORM COMICS- Wicker Park, Chicago 04.20.13

I took a trip to Wicker Park's BRAINSTORM COMICS this past week. What I found was a pleasant comic buying experience in a solid shop.

It's a nice size, and features the usual racks of current issues. I don't really buy a lot of that stuff, but if that's what you're looking for it's there.

As for the things I like, it goes a little something like this:

They had nice-sized stacks (6-12 issue) of many BRONZE AGE titles, reading copies mostly. The prices were good. I generally expect to pay $2-5 per issue (unless it's something special), and that's about what they had. Picked up CONAN 53, 54, 83, 99- they had at least another 10 issues for sale. Picked up SGT. FURY 110, 126- they had an above average stack of SGT FURY issues, including some early ones.

A big score for me was a beater copy of MONSTERS ON THE PROWL #27 from 1973 (reprinting a Jack Kirby monster story from 1963). I've started collecting a lot of Marvel's Bronze-Age horror and monster comics, which can be hard to find these days.

I'm one step closer to my goal of getting every Marvel NEW UNIVERSE comic,
picking up NIGHTMASK #6.

And finally, and this is huge, I picked up 5 back issues of NATIONAL LAMPOON comedy magazine! Aug 1971, Sep 1971, Dec 1971, Nov 1977, April 1978. $1 each!

I had always heard about this magazine, which was responsible for spawning such comedy classics as ANIMAL HOUSE and VACATION. The comedy is purely demented 70's! There's a sort-of Playboyish overtone to the magazine, but also mixed with some real oddball shit. Too cool! And I true find, as I am beginning to venture into the world of comedy writing myself.

They had some late 90's back issues of 2000AD. A mouth-watering stack of KAMANDI, which I may raid if it's there on a future expedition. Some back issues of DOCTOR WHO magazine that looked good. A pretty cool video section, and they offer rentals.

Anyway, I purchased about a quarter of the stuff I wanted, which is a good, solid ratio. This seems like a place I am definitely gonna hit 2 or 3 times a year. I walked out with a nice stack of things I wanted...all for $17!

Brainstormmcg.Com 
BRAINSTORM MOVIES, COMICS & GAMING

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UPDATE: BRAINSTORM has moved a few blocks up to the Flat Iron Fine Arts Building 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. They traded their street level location for a third floor suite (#321). The new space seems spacious, light and airy.

The selection remains good. This trip I scored back issue reading copies of KAMANDI (yum!), Don McGregor's KILLRAVEN and SGT FURY, all off the wall for $2-3 bucks an issue.

I just took a quick glance at their DVD rental section, and they have a nice amount of racks. Based upon the rest of the store I'm sure they've got a lot of  good and obscure titles. Their flier boasts of having hundreds and hundreds of horror films.

The counter guy is very amiable and helpful. If you're a real comics head you'll enjoy this store!

Recommended film: TREK NATION (2011)

If you're a fan of the STAR TREK universe, it's worth giving the film TREK NATION a viewing. I caught it streaming on Netflix.

To the extent that I've cared, I've been mildly dissatisfied with most documentaries about and media portrayals of STAR TREK fandom. While at times funny, they often come across as juvenile and rarely focus on the deeper philosophical appeal of STAR TREK. This documentary does the subject matter justice.

It follows STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry's son Rod as he attempts to learn more about his father by speaking with those affected by the show: writers, actors and the fans.

Roddenberry passed away at age 70 when his son was just 17 and going through a rebellious stage. The two never had that period of reconciliation and deeper bonding that likely would have occurred with time.

I learned a lot of behind-the-scenes information by watching this film. Of course, the brief interview with STAR WARS creator George Lucas speaking about the influence of STAR TREK on him also stands out.

This film will remind you of why we all fell in love with this iconic series in the first place.

http://treknationmovie.com/ 

And if you're looking for the stand out film on STAR TREK fandom (and sci-fi fandom in general) it's always worth giving this classic a whirl!

I didn't know Tim Allen had it in him! I thought this film was very well cast.

From My Collection Round 1: Ranking Paperbacks and Comics

Escape From New York paperback!

Starts with the original bank robbery scene that was deleted from the film

Taxi Driver paperback

Picked this up in near mint condition for $3 at a Lakeview used book store a few years back. Sweet

 Welcome Back Kotter comics (DC; 1976-1978)

10 issues- full run 

I was born in the 1970's and raised in southern Brooklyn.

Here we were, represented for the world.

Kotter was coming back to the old neighborhood to school us!

Welcome back! 

As good as it got!

You thought classic literature was Tolstoy and shit

It's not

"Up your nose with a rubber hose"

Paperbacks from largely forgotten AWESOME 80's TV show

Ex-spy uses his contacts to help solve everyday people's problems

In crack cocaine late 1980's NYC

Is that the most total bullshit TV show concept ever? Haha

And yet Ed Woodward pulls it off

So many awesome guest stars and amazing NYC location shots!

70's Bronze Age Marvel Comic Titles I Collect

I remember the very first comic I bought. It was a battered copy of SGT FURY & HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS #38. I picked it out from row upon row of beat-up, quarter comic books from DISCOUNT BOOKS WAREHOUSE on Nostrand Ave. in Sheepshead Bay. I was accompanying my older brother, 4 years my senior, on one of his regular comic buying trips. The year was 1977, and I was 4 years old. Thus began a lifelong interest in Bronze Age Marvel comic books (or rather...CERTAIN Bronze Age Marvel titles).

Here are the ones I collect:

SGT. FURY & HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS

May 1963- Dec 1981

167 issues + 7 Annuals/ King-Size Specials

STILL love Sgt. Fury. "C'mon you goldbricks! You wanna live forever?!". So cliche! Slaughtering Nazis! Kids love it!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN 

Oct 1970- Dec 1993

275 issues + 12 Annuals

A further title that resonated with me in elementary school was CONAN THE BARBARIAN. The early 1980's were a big period for the fantasy genre, and I was an avid DUNGEONS & DRAGONS player. CONAN stormed my imagination.

As time has passed my interest in CONAN continues. I like his approach to problem solving. Sometimes I feel it's what's missing in this world!

Marvel Premiere featuring Iron Fist

#15-25 (May 1974 – October 1975) have 'em all!

Iron Fist

#1-15 (November 1975 – September 1977) missing 3

Another comic I started collecting early on was IRON FIST. Even in elementary school I was fascinated by martial arts, which I would go on to study throughout my life. The fact that the main character was named Daniel (my name!) meant I had found a masked, suited champion that fought for me.  

LUKE CAGE, HERO FOR HIRE/ POWER MAN/ & IRON FIST

June 1972- Sep 1986

125 Issues

Through IRON FIST I began collecting POWER MAN, his soon-to-be partner. At a certain point Black super heroes became my thing. 70's Marvel comics were so of the times, so FUNKY. In retrospect it seems amazing to me that these were the first Black super heroes to appear in print in their own titles! What took society so long?!

THE HANDS OF SHANG-CHI: MASTER OF KUNG FU

Begins issue #15 Dec 1973- #125 June 1983

+ four giant-size issues & an annual

Continuing is the martial arts genre I began collecting MASTER OF KUNG FU at the young age of 5! Another character very much of the time! Part of the KUNG FU/ Bruce Lee craze of the 1970's.

JUNGLE ACTION Featuring BLACK PANTHER

#5 July 1973- #24 Nov 1976

BLACK PANTHER #1 Jan 1977- 15 May 1979

My interest in the BLACK PANTHER (and his original solo book JUNGLE ACTION) would come later in my life. But, to repeat what I said above, for someone that was raised in multi-racial Brooklyn it seemed amazing to me that Black super-heroes only began to star in their own titles in the early 1970's. Many of these characters were born into their first books around the same time I came into this world (1973). I feel a kinship with them!

Still, if you're gonna have the first Black super-hero with his own comic BLACK PANTHER is one hell of a name to start with! Better late than never!

And last but not least, a title I have all the issues of because there aren't many,  BLACK GOLIATH. There were 5 issues published in 1976, but I guess the character wasn't popular enough to sustain his own title. He also did appearances in Power Man #24, Marvel Two In One #55 and Champion #11.

 

There you have it, the 70's Bronze Age Marvel titles I collect. Sgt Fury, Conan, Black super heroes, martial artists.

In recent years I've started to pick up other offbeat 70's Marvel Comics, especially those with a horror or macabre tone. The post-1960's loosening of the Comics Code made for an interesting generation of books, experimenting with new found creative freedom. I'm sure parents were excited their kids' hero was a flaming skull riding a chopper motorcycle, a living vampire, the son of Satan (!) or a big green creature from the swamp!

A good reason to collect 70's Bronze Age Marvel titles is that reading copies of a lot of these books can still be found without having to break the bank. I usually aim to spend $3 for a basic issue of any of these comics. If you want to complete your collection you'll have to splurge on the rarer issues, but think about it...Once your set is complete you'll be the coolest kid on your block!

My Favorite B&W Comedy Television Shows (1950's-Early 60's)

The Phil Silvers Show aka Sgt. Bilko

"You'll Never Get Rich!"

AMAZING writing. Amazing ensemble. Amazing comic timing!

 Car 54, Where Are You?

Another Nat Hiken classic

The Honeymooners

Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows

True Brooklyn style!

These shows are FUNNY. Ridiculously funny. 

Riotously funny!

The Jack Benny Program
A masterful variety and sketch comedy show
 With one slight expression Jack Benny could have the audience jumping out of their seats with laughter!
One raised eyebrow or surly look
Brilliant

The Journey Continues...

I needed an outlet to express my love for a bunch of interests from my adolescence that never quite went away.

They are as follows:

-70's Bronze Age Marvel (and a few DC) Comic Books

-Classic Sci-Fi TV & Films (mainly 70's-80's-90's)

-Classic Sitcoms (50's-60's-70's-80's-90's)

-70s-80's-90's 2000AD British Comics

-Animation/ Cartoons- from their inception to 2000

-1980's Sword & Sorcery/ Fantasy films

-Classic Horror films

-Classic Television 50's-2000 

-70's Detective Shows

-70's-80's Anime & Manga 

-80's Action TV Shows

-80's Marvel New Universe comics

-80's/ 90's Independent Publisher comics

Yes, I have pretty specific tastes!
But it's what I'm into, and I'd like to share it with the world!