The Villages - June 2018 - 22

The AmAzing
Spider-mAn no. 121
Release date: June 1973

The death of Peter Parker's
girlfriend, Gwen Stacy. Her
death was controversial
because it was the first
mainstream comic where
an established hero was
unable to stop the death of
a loved one. It was a turning
point for comic books
becoming more mature
and a reminder that the
hero does not always win.

TeenAge muTAnT ninjA
TurTleS no. 1
Release date: May 1984

Originally created as a
parody of the grittier,
darker comics of the 1980s,
Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles became incredibly
popular, spawning
animated television shows,
multiple movies and an
abundance of branded
merchandise.

BATmAn: A deATh
in The FAmily
date: 1988

DC Comics allowed
readers to decide the
fate of Batman's sidekick,
Robin. In a controversial
and highly publicized
campaign, fans could
call in and cast their vote
whether Robin should
live or die in an upcoming
issue. More than 10,000
votes were cast, with the
narrow majority -
5,343 to 5,271 - in favor of Robin's death.
As a result, he was killed in "Batman No. 428."

JUNE 2018

While a comic from Marvel or DC Comics often has one
or two writers and perhaps three to five artists, each book
makes its way through dozens of editors and touch-up
artists before it reaches the hands of readers.
With the amount of effort and care that goes into
producing comics, it's no wonder collectors go out of their
way to get their hands on any part of the comic that might
be collectible.
Even though Barnes sold most of his comic collection,
he still enjoys collecting comic artwork. In his home, he
proudly displays folders full of original page proofs and
sketches used in the final art process for a comic book.
The proofs are one-of-a-kind collectibles that Barnes
holds in high regard. Since he always had an interest in
comic artwork, collecting the page proofs was a natural
evolution.
"I've met so many of the artists while going to
conventions, and that's kind of what drew me into comics,"
Barnes said. "I was an aspiring artist myself, so I thought
those bold lines and dramatic figures that were drawn just
sucked me right in."
Many of the major comic retailers sell comics with special blank covers, allowing artists like Barnes to adorn the
cover with their own unique comic art.
Barnes has dozens of hand-drawn comic books with personalized covers that
he often sells or gives away.

I was an aspIrIng
artIst myself, so I
thought those bold
lInes and dramatIc
fIgures that were
drawn just sucked
me rIght In.

Barnes holding
an original
art panel of
"Toadswart
D'Amplestone,"
a gothic horror
comic popular
in the 1980s.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - June 2018