Dollar Bin Diving
The greatest form of comic-conning
One of the best things about going to a comic book convention is the dollar comic bins. I’m talking about the crusty, yellow toned, half torn books that are entombed with children’s handwriting all over the cover. Sure, your item of choice may be the first appearance of Globbityguk or Blobbityboop’s variant cover, but for me, the dollar books are the prized possessions.
I find so much value in these books as a creator. Not only are they on the cheaper side, but they also serve as sparks of inspiration and reference. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about an accidental rip or a bent corner, just throw them on the art table and gawk at those wonderfully news-printed pages. I usually pick up totally unknown books or books that I have slight knowledge of but always wanted to read - that’s the thrill of digging through the dollar bins. For example, I came across DC’s Captain Carrot at Eastern Rim Con last weekend. The cover was essentially an action shot of Bugs Bunny in a cape standing next to his amazing Zoo Crew. It looked like a blast so into the buy pile it went. It’s the books that I would never look for in a typical comic shop that excite the hell out of me.
Having these items in hand feels like a snapshot of history. Some kid in the early 70s grabbed this Beetle Baily comic, read it to pieces, then wrote his name on the cover to make sure that his older brother didn’t steal it during nap time. This book should be stowed away, right there next to Action Comics #1 and the Declaration of Independence.
But seriously, the history behind comic characters is amazing, and reading these books as an appreciator of the medium, not just as a collector, can be done so on a deeper level when rummaging through the dollar bins. Indie books, underground comix, classics, modern era, they all reside in the dollar bins, free and outside of a bag and board just to let you know that these labors of love are meant to be read.
With that said, lace up your sneeks and start digging at your local comic book store or convention. I promise that you'll find the next great thing that you never knew you needed.
Thanks for your time,
Nico