❌ - The Enduring Influence of X-Men: The Animated Series

DID YOU KNOW?

In Today’s Email:

• Top Story - A look back at X-Men: The Animated Series

• A Community Member in Need

• Exclusive Interview - Doc Cop Comics

• Community Sales and Deals 

• Comic Conventions You Need To Attend 

This Week’s Trivia Question (answer at the bottom): What is the name of the interdimensional demon who serves as an enemy of the Justice League Dark in DC Comics?

TOP STORY

❌ - The Enduring Influence of X-Men: The Animated Series

With the recent release of X-Men 97, the enduring impact of the 90's X-Men cartoon series is being felt once again. Drawing in fans old and new alike, this classic animated series is back in the spotlight. Long before Hugh Jackman and the crew brought the X-Men to live action for the first time (remember how exciting that was?), the X-Men animated series brought our heroes to life like we had never seen them before.

But what really set this series apart from typical cartoons of its time? X-Men: The Animated Series (XMen: TAS) wasn't just your average children’s cartoon. It was a groundbreaking show that dared to tackle mature themes and social issues head-on. From exploring the complexities of topics such as divorce (Proteus) and religious oppression (Nightcrawler and Bloodlines)  to confronting the horrors of the Holocaust ("Enter Magneto", "Deadly Reunions", "Days of Future Past" and "The Phalanx Covenant"), and even the AIDS epidemic  (Time Fugitives), the series pushed the boundaries of children's television. It even satirized the television medium itself in episodes like "Mojovision" and "Longshot." This mature approach to storytelling not only captivated audiences of all ages, but also influenced modern comic book storytelling in significant ways. Check out a synopsis of every episode here.

XMen: The Animated Series masterfully adapted multiple core story arcs from the comics team’s history. Take "The Dark Phoenix Saga," for example. This iconic storyline from X-Men #129-138 is revered among X-Men fans for its emotional depth and epic scope, both of which are faithfully captured in the animated series. It's an essential addition to any X-Men comic collection, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of X-Men lore.

Of course, "Days of Future Past," originally depicted in Uncanny X-Men #141-142 was another master adaptation. This dystopian tale of a dark future where mutants are hunted down is a gripping read and a prime example of the edgier themes explored in the 90's cartoon. These books have always been high on the list for hunters and considered iconic within X-Men history due to the groundbreaking story they tell and their impact on the X-Men mythos.

And then there’s the variants. So many variants. With the resurgence of interest in the 90's X-Men cartoon, variant covers are becoming increasingly valuable. Keep an eye out for rare variants from that era, like holographic covers or special foil editions. These variants add an extra layer of collectability to your X-Men comic collection. Plus, they are just really fun.

The return of the classic team in X-Men 97 shows us that the legacy of X-Men: The Animated Series lives on. For comic collectors, this resurgence presents a golden opportunity to dive into the nostalgia and excitement of collecting X-Men. So keep an eye out for those key issues, hunt down rare variants, and embrace the rich history of the X-Men as you add to your collection. Happy hunting, collectors!

A COMMUNITY MEMBER IN NEED

I don’t do this often but I love Corey’s optimism and hilarious memes. He is battling cancer and has a (modest) gofundme set up to help offset costs of treatment. Please share the below link and help out a fellow community member: https://gofund.me/1ec17bd6

If you can’t donate but want to help in other ways, you buy books from his IG account here: happydragoncomics

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Doc Cop Comics!

Where can the community find you online?

My YouTube channel at Doc Cop Comics and Instagram at Doc Cop Comics.

What is your origin story and where does your online name come from?   I grew up on Long Island, NY and like most teenagers delivered the local newspaper for some spending money. I remember buying .25 cent comic books and loved trading with other paper carriers. As I got older I got into more collectible comics and eventually started selling at  local comic conventions. I opened an LCS in 1990 in Bethpage, NY - timing wasn’t my forte! We closed the shops 3 short years later with the crash of the comic industry. I lost my PC to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and didn’t return to the hobby until 2017. I currently sell books on the Strictly Comix YouTube auctions on Tuesday nights. 

I am a retired NYPD detective and since retiring I worked investigating health care fraud hence my online name Doc Cop!

What’s in your personal collection? What are you collecting, reading, or hunting right now? 

Mostly Silver Age and Bronze Age keys. First appearances of Ghost Rider, Blade, Conan, number one issues of Iron man, sub-mariner, are some of my favorite PC books. I only collect keys, I’m currently reading the Man-Thing Omnibus. I am hunting for an FF 52! 

What are some valuable lessons you have learned along the way? Advice for someone looking to get into comic book selling? 

I’m a firm believer in buying the highest grade you can afford, sticking to keys, stay with blue chip investment books. I advise new collectors to stay away from speck books and stick to books that have already proven themselves. Always buy at a discount meaning try and pay below FMV.

What are the best platforms right now for selling?  YouTube auctions are the best, also Instagram. 

What tools do you use? What is your tech stack?

I use Comic Book Collector app, the Go Collect website and eBay’s sold history.

What challenges have you faced in the last year?

In the last year, books have declined, especially the flash in the pan specialty covers. Buyers are looking for high grade key books for half FMV. 

Do you have any predictions for 2024?

I’m expecting more of what we saw in 2023.

What services does the comic book community need that currently don't exist?

Training on grading. I’m currently writing an E-book on how to grade a comic as well as step by step cleaning and pressing comics. 

COMMUNITY SALES AND AUCTIONS

sandzgroup_collectibles

sandsgroup_collectibles is having 2 shows this week on YouTube:

• Saturday, 3/20 - Saturday Morning Milk, Cereal, and Cartoons Comic Auction

• Wednesday, 4/3 - Blank Cover Battles and Wine Cheese and Comics Please - don’t miss this as the special guest judge will be Kyle Willis (@artofkylewillis)

Strictly Comics

Pop-Up Auction from Strictly Comix Group! Saturday 3/30.

THIS WEEK’S COMIC CONVENTIONS

March 29-31: WonderCon 2024 - Anaheim, CA
March 30: My-Con Spring 2024 - Orlando, FL
March 30-31: - Superfancon 2024 - Miami, FL

Big Announcement From Shortboxed!

Something is Killing the Children will continue to ramp up in popularity as news of the Netflix show continues to trickle out. Shortboxed made a major announcement this week and secured Jason Shawn Alexander for the April conference in Santa Clara, CA.

From their blog:

SBXLIVE24 @boom_studios convention exclusive! 🔥 'Something is Killing the Children' #36 with a breathtaking variant cover by the incredible Jason Shawn Alexander. 🎨 Available exclusively at SBXLIVE24! Don't miss your chance to grab this! Get your tickets now at Shortboxed.com/LIVE

Trivia Question Answer: Neron

Lot’s of jokes this issue but some serious stuff too. Please donate to Taylor’s GoFundMe if possible and send us news or anything you want to promote: [email protected].