The stores which were open until late I might add, where a source of getting rid of my boredom and I would spend ours there flipping through various comic books make sure I had filled my head with great dreams before I would go home. Comic stores have provided me with a sanctuary where I could hide and set my worries away. I dont do much reading of comics nowadays since I actually moved on to novels and real life stuff, but I still pick up a comic from time to time never forgetting my superhero friends that helped me out during my childhood. In fact I can truly say that they saved me which means they actually where heroes in my book.

Comic stores are a dime a dozen nowadays but there are a few in every neighborhood and they are the best place to go look for your favorite comic book, whether its DC Comics own Batman, Robin and off course Superman or it is Marvel comic the Avengers, Spiderman, X-Men and many more. No matter what superhero my comic store was where I would find them.

Of course, that’s not something that can be easily discerned, if it even can at all. Things like this are largely subjective, and no study in the world could possibly gauge the reasons behind all the buyers of Marvel comic books purchasing the books. But one can look at the market, and look at the books being produced by Marvel and by other companies and develop their own opinion.

Naturally, though, opinions are completely polarized between fans of Marvel comic books and fans of DC comic books, each despising the other. There are plenty of fans that enjoy books from both companies, mind you, but generally even these fans have their loyalty to one company or the other. Then there are those fans who hate superhero comics altogether and choose to make all their purchases in the indy market. But marginally, this is a small group compared to those who are fans of the Big Two. Even the market shares of the two largest indy companies, Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics, while competitive, are still far below the massive shares Marvel and DC claim.

But listening to the complaints of fans, at least on the internet, and sometimes in the local comic shops, there are many dissatisfied customers with many of the books from both companies. But since the topic is Marvel comic books, the major crossover events of the past few years bare mentioning, as they have gained equal amounts of acclaim and disdain by Marvel fans and non-fans alike.

Many are sick and tired of the massive crossover storylines that, because of the problems of the 90s, feel like they are merely thinly veiled marketing ploys to force readers into buying more books than they normally would to get the full story. Others enjoy their superhero comic universe being united and the effects of world events materializing throughout all the Marvel comic books. But most agree, outside of these crossovers, and of course the main books (the Spider-Man books, X-Men books and Avengers books) not much else is that great right now, nor has it been for sometime. There are exceptions, like Runaways and Thunderbolts, but by and large its substandard fare. Even the major books, like Uncanny X-Men and Amazing Spider-Man, weren’t that great a couple of years ago by the standards and opinions of many.

So why do Marvel comic books outsell all others and remain the dominant brand in American comics? We may never know for sure, but one can guess that it’s a combination of all the reasons mentioned above.

Not much different than African Americans felt not too long ago, or even how Native Americans felt when their land was stolen from them. Wolverine and The X-Men suffered the same type of bigotry, abuse and segregation from the get go. But despite their tribulation, they still helped anyone they could. Some, like Wolverine, became bitter for a time. But by and large, they lived their lives the best way they could, proving humans wrong in the process.

Over the years, the X-Men became more accepted by society for a time, but eventually it would all come crumbling down. A radical church group would crucify some of their ranks, then the majority of the mutant population suddenly became powerless and normal. This reignited the hatred for mutants, because most had just come to accept their existence, not like it. With the possibility of “no more mutants” a reality, closet hatred came to the forefront again.

Still, the X-Men maintained their cool, for the most part, and proved to be better people than those spreading their messages of hate with words and weapons.

The X-Men are a symbol in comics, and in society as a whole. They show how hatred and ignorance can be overcome, and how being different can be a great attribute and not a flaw that we need to expel or feel sorry about. There is strength and power in being unique that those who allow fear and hate to run their lives will never understand. Maybe they should crack open an issue of X-Men from time to time. Maybe seeing their ignorance and stupidity displayed in full color will somehow enlighten them. Maybe, just maybe, by reading the stories of how these unique and wonderful beings are harassed and persecuted on a nearly daily basis will make them think twice about their own actions. One could only dream.

Smallville fans were more than just excited when it was announced last month that Chloe Sullivan will become part of the Superman comic books in issue number 674. Unfortunately, DC Comics Executive Editor Dan DiDio recently announced that the move from television to comic books isn’t going to happen. Apparently fans were misled and are now out of luck.

“Chloe is an exciting character on the television show, and we had hoped to work her into DC continuity,” DiDio said in a recent conversation with Newsarama.com. “Unfortunately, the stars did not align properly, and even though we had announced it, she will not be appearing in any of the issues of Superman or Action Comics.”

That was all DiDio had to say about Chloe’s sudden disappearing act. It was probably some sort of rights issue, or that Superman writer Kurt Busiek just found no way of incorporating the teenage character into the adult world of Clark Kent. Initially, some fans were disappointed to hear that DC Comics wanted to repurpose the character, as they believed that Chloe’s original traits was what made her memorable and special.

BuddyTV readers also reacted intensely to this issue, as they aired their thoughts through their comments. Gen717 said, “”Whoever this character is they chose to call Chloe in the comics is NOT our Chloe. They are basically going to strip her of everything I love about her, make her a different character and call her Chloe? No, I’m not buying a comic that grossly distorts a character I love. Sorry DC, but what on earth are you thinking?”

cecil44 shared the same sentiments, saying, “I’m actually really really disappointed at the DC version of ‘Chloe’! They want to strip her off everything that makes Chloe Sullivan on Smallville such a special character! There is no way I would buy a comic book that distorts her character like this. The whole reason that Chloe is soo great and soo special is the fact that she’s a reporter first and Clark ’s best friend! But like someone else said, I guess we can’t really know until we see how they will introduce her.”

Well, we won’t be seeing how Kurt Busiek and the DC Comics team will be introducing Chloe, as they already postponed the adaptation. Having seen their plans, Chloe might as well stay inside our television screens.

For more resources about Smallville or for the full story of Smallville: Chloe Sullivan Not Appearing in Comic Books please review http://www.buddytv.com

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In a tough economy, we find ourselves looking to make a buck. We act like superheroes trying to fight this volatile economy. Well, why not look to the superheroes themselves? Comic books make for a great investment. They are lucrative and can be worth a lot of money. However, investing in comic books may not bring a big payoff right away. It can take fifteen to twenty years for a comic book to be valuable. Who wouldve thought that a childhood pastime would make you some money, and at the same time you get to have fun while purchasing comic books that bring some joy into your life.

Comic books are rising in value because of the increased popularity of them. Hollywood producers are making recognizable comic books heroes the stars of their movies. For people who are not familiar with the characters, they soon find themselves becoming more interested in them. Or people are reminded of characters they loved as a kid after seeing movies such as Ironman, Wonderwoman, and Superman. They are inspired to buy the comics after watching the movie.

Investing in comic books requires some work and dedication from the collector. They keep their value when they are in good condition and stored properly. There is also researched involved. How popular is the comic, what is the initial cost, what is the current value, how rare is the comic? You also have to decide what type of collector you want to be. There are different types of ways to be an investor for comics.

Investors simply care about the bottom line. They dont have an emotional side attached with the comics and look to see how much money they can make from selling the comics. Another form of the investor is the person out to make some quick cash. This comic collector buys and sells in bulk tying to make fast money. Usually they are selling the most popular comics, not rarities. The EBay investor is closely related to the person trying to make some fast cash. They auction off their comic books on EBay. Usually they read the comics first and then sell them to get money back, but of course at a higher rate. Unlike the other investors they enjoy reading the comics and have some emotional attachment. Excitement not only comes from the comic but also the auctioning off of the book. Another type of investor simply looking at the bottom line is the inheritor. There is no sentimental value for the comics that were passed on to them. They want to get rid of the comics, but at the same time make a profit.

On the other hand, there are the emotional types of investors. To these types of people, there is sentimental value to the comics and they invest, trade, and purchase comics with value. The reader has the comics for their traditional purpose, reading. They dont care about preserving the comic and enjoy the superheroes come to life as they read through the colorful pages of a comic. A step down from the reader is the part time reader. They enjoy comics but pick up and leave the hobby when it suits them. Last but not least, are the obsessive collectors. They dream, live, and breathe comic books. They categorize their comics, preserve the comics, and are the go-to guys for comic information.

Investing in comics has its rewards. Those rewards come in the form of money, joy, or excitement. Which collector are you and will you invest in comic books?

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