An American Superhero in Europe
Here are a few examples of DC and Marvel comics that I’ve collected along the way, during my European travels over the years. In some cases it was a pretty dumb idea considering I was often backpacking, and adding a few of these to my rucksack made a considerable difference to the weight I was hauling around.
There's something particularly pleasing about this first example, because it's such an odd size; 8"x 6" and it's thick like a paperback. I bought this on my very first trip... abroad! A big deal in 1972. The family went to Majorca, just like every other Tom, Dick and Harry at the time. I wasn't really interested in bullfights or donkey rides up the mountain, I was only interested in seeking out weird looking, undecipherable comic books, because that just made them so much more appealing.
The donkey ride up the mountain however, did become more interesting at one point. There was a rather small donkey carrying a rather large woman, and halfway up the mountain it decided to drop its head to eat something. This wouldn't normally be a problem, but that something was on the edge of a cliff, and she started screaming horribly, while sliding down its neck towards the gaping abyss. She survived, thanks to fast action by our guide and a carrot, but it was very, very close. Anyway, she was given a plush donkey with a straw hat to compensate for the trauma. Bargain!
Die Fantastischen Vier (Bit of a mouthful!) #8 - "Prisoners of the Puppet Master!" I got this while backpacking in Germany, natürlich!
Next up, L’Uomo Ragno. Probably not worth as much as the American version.
Summer, 1982. These three Italian classics I found in Italy during a rather eventful road trip with my pal, Dave Brain, from London to Rome in this rather battered Bedford van. 1,099 miles. The optimism of youth!
Back to Britain…
I rediscovered three boxes of my old British Marvel comics in my parent’s shed, and in pretty okay nick, considering they must have been stashed away out there for nearly 50 years.
Also, these copies of Super DC. I don’t remember this comic lasting long.
We also had Alan Class Comics. As Wikipedia states ‘During the 1960s and 1970s, these reprints were the main medium through which British children were introduced to American monster and mystery comics, as well as most non - DC or Marvel superheroes.’ They were black and white inside, but well worth a shilling!
Last up, a couple of Dutch reprints I bought in Amsterdam, Holland. I’ve no idea why Kryptonite translates as Kryptonoide!
Used to pick up Alan Class comics as a child on family holiday at Butlins, didn’t know until reading this they were Alan Class comics!? Knew they were reprints but starved of regular American comics they were a good holiday read - especially the sometimes disturbing horror stories.
Used to do exactly the same on foreign hols. I actually have the same copy with Rhino of L'Uomo Ragno. As you suggest, it was a bit of a waste of bloody time really, but that was being a Marvel fan for you. FOOM's the only club I've ever joined.