Comic Book Men s06e01 Episode Script
Bucket List
1 [upbeat music.]
I saw there was a store in town, uh, that it was for people who collected beads.
- Bees? - Beads, with a D.
- Like little beads you put on a string.
- [laughter.]
Got me thinkin'.
What are some of the lamest things you've ever heard anybody collect? Comic books.
[laughter.]
I think he meant other than comic books.
- Oh, okay.
- Yeah, you got anything? I always thought stamps were weird.
- Right? - Yeah, it's so lame.
There's a reason they came up with that term, uh, you know, "the size of a postage stamp.
" You can't even see anything on there.
[laughter.]
I always thought that was one of the dumbest hobbies.
But, uh, there was a time when they were super valuable.
I don't know what the state of the stamp industry is today, the hobby, but I would have to think it's on fumes, right? My grandfather passed on - his stamp collection to me.
- Oh.
The funeral wasn't even over before I was down at the shop seeing how much they were worth, and he was not a great stamp collector.
It turns out, he collected all the wrong ones.
Oh, really? So you had no valuable stamps.
I mean, since I didn't sell 'em, I was on food stamps, so they had some value.
[all laughing.]
[heroic music.]
[laughs.]
[upbeat music.]
Hello, and welcome to another episode of "Comic Book Men," the only show that bats the man, wonders the women, and flashes the Flash.
I'm Kevin Smith.
- Bryan Johnson.
- Walt Flanagan.
- Mike Zapcic.
- Ming Chen.
So what's been going on in the Secret Stash lately? Everybody knows if you're gonna collect the first appearance of anything, usually, you go for superheroes, but first appearance of super villains can fetch a lot of cash too.
Hey, how's it goin'? - Hey, how are you? - Good.
I have four key "Amazing Spider-Man" issues I think you guys'd be interested in.
- Ooh.
- They're all first appearances.
We got the first appearance of the Vulture.
First appearance of Doc Ock.
The first appearance of the Sandman, and the first appearance of Electro.
Wow, and the hits just keep on coming.
Oh, my God.
What a run right here.
- Some heavy hitters.
- Yeah.
Four issues, all four have key first appearances.
I mean, "Amazing Spider-Man" number 2, first appearance of the Vulture and the Terrible Tinkerer.
Mm-hmm, so terrible they don't even show 'em.
They just show his hand.
[laughter.]
Not impressed, I can tell.
Okay.
Just 30 days later, in 1963, "The Amazing Spider-Man" number 3 drops.
First appearance of Doc Ock.
- A name I recognize, actually.
- Right? And next month, "The Amazing Spider-Man" number 4.
The first appearance of the Sandman.
After Sandman, we go into issue 9.
The first appearance of one of Spider-Man's greatest villains, Electro.
I feel like probably issues 2 and 3 were conceived when these guys were at the beach.
[laughter.]
They were like, "I don't know, how "how about an octopus? How about a guy made out of sand?" [all laughing.]
I would put, ahh, Spider-Man's rogues' gallery up against any hero's rogues' gallery, even - the Batman's rogues' gallery.
- Really? Who gets the edge, you think, at the end of the day? To be honest, I I think Spider-Man does.
- I know - Sacrilege! I know that Batman has the Joker, but, you know, Spider-Man's got the Green Goblin, which Not nearly as iconic as the Joker.
I I I could sit here all day.
I mean, it's endless.
Venom, Carnage, - Kraven.
- Kraven.
- Black Cat.
- Kingpin.
I mean, there's I mean, that's what I'm saying.
His rogues' gallery has got to be the best in all of comic book history.
Certainly the most colorful.
Are we seriously not gonna give the Rhino his due? [all laughing.]
S where'd you amass such a collection like this? Uh, when I was younger, to for my mother to get me to go to karate class, I used to make her take me to the comic book store - downstairs first, and then - Oh, yeah? Once we started doing that, we started going on the hunt.
This one here was actually found in a dollar bin at a flea market, and the other three were purchased at, uh, in-house auctions.
What kind of belt are you? I I quit soon as I got - into the comic book collecting.
- [laughing.]
We needed the money for the comics.
No more karate classes for me.
Much like this gentleman, I had a choice between my mom said we could either take a trip to Florida, or you can get "Amazing Spider-Man" number 4.
I chose "Spider-Man.
" - So - Over Walt Disney World.
- Good choice.
- Wow.
[all laughing.]
So why you lookin' to sell 'em today? Uh, there's a lot of cons comin' up.
I'm looking to take that money, buy some other stuff - or possibly a number 1.
- Oh, yeah? Maybe just roll it all in to get that holy grail number 1.
What are you lookin' to get for 'em? I was looking to get, like, $1,700.
Ooh.
I mean, they are key, and if they were in mint condition, we'd jump on it in a heartbeat, but I mean, I see some serious issues with, uh, these books.
What kind of price you think would be fair for this gentleman? Ah, for this one, I'd say, like, $125.
For this one, it's completely detached.
- I don't know, about $75? - Okay.
- Number 4? - It's about a 2.
0.
So $125 would be fair.
- All right, and number 9? - And $75, 'cause of the the pen and the water staining on the back.
- So $400.
- So so so 400 bucks? What do you think? Uh I'd do $1,000.
That would be the the bottom that I could do.
I'd do I could do $700, but that's that's definitely as high as I could go.
I cannot go any higher than $700 Yeah, no, I have to stay at $1,000, though.
Thank you, though.
Appreciate the offer.
All right, well, thank you for bringing 'em in.
It never gets old, seeing key issues like this come through the door.
Come by and see us again anytime.
- Thank you very much.
- All right, thanks.
Have a good day.
- You don't know what this is? - No.
This is Duke the Super Action Dog.
Whoa.
What's it like being this close to the "Action Comics" number 1s? It's beautiful.
[upbeat music.]
- What's up, guys? - Hey, how are you? Ah, not too bad.
How are you? - Pretty good.
- All right.
Well, I was hoping you guys could help me out - with something.
- All right.
All right, so hitting up some garage sales in Nantucket, - and got a box of collectibles.
- Okay.
But I had no idea - what this was.
- Ooh.
And, uh, was wondering if you guys could help me out.
You don't know what this is? No.
[laughs.]
- I had this.
- Well, help a brother out.
- This is Duke Super Action Dog.
- All right.
And it was easily my favorite toy for years.
The whole concept behind this figure was, Duke would go out and rescue people who were stranded on a mountain - or, uh, you know - Yeah.
Lost in a forest.
He have a master or was he on his own, doing his own thing? He actually had his own lair.
He had his dog computer in there, and if somebody was in need of Duke's help, he would look up on the monitor and some hiker So, wait, the toymakers were like, - "Dog operates computer to go" - Sure.
He had an elevator in his lair.
An elevator.
Are we supposed to believe that Duke built all this stuff by himself? [all laughing.]
- It was an action figure - Yes.
- Of a dog.
- Yes.
But was he not a part of some larger world? Like, he didn't belong to the 12-inch G.
I.
Joe? No, he was his own stand-alone toy line.
Did he have friends? No, only people he would save.
They were never Did they sell them, like, "Save the victim.
- Victim one, two, and three.
" - [laughter.]
Or when you bought Duke, that was it? "Victims not included.
" [all laughing.]
You had your zip line.
You know, right here, you would hook this up to the one of the TV antennas.
Yeah.
- You know, the rabbit ears? - Yeah.
You would maybe rescue a Mego that was trapped behind the couch.
I mean, how lame were the superheroes that they need saving from this crappy dog? [all laughing.]
What a find, though.
I mean, I haven't seen one since I probably threw it out when when I was, like, 10 or 11.
I was like, "I'm too old for these dog toys, Ma.
" [all laughing.]
Well, I I'm definitely interested.
This one's going in my own personal collection.
Um what are you looking to get for it? Uh, well, since this is bringing back a lile bit of your childhood, I'm gonna go with 100 bucks.
So if I didn't wax about this dog Pretty much.
You were gonna come in with a lower number? Okay, I shouldn't have showed my cards, then, huh? Um would you take $50 for it? $75? How about $60? - All right.
- You'll do $60? - Yeah, I'll do $60.
- All right.
- You got yourself a deal.
- Done.
Oh, it's comin' out of the pocket.
Comin' out of the pocket, not even out of the register.
$10, $20 oh, maybe it better come out of the register.
[all laughing.]
Can I ask you guys a question? You guys heard of the bucket list, right? - Yeah.
- Sure.
Things to do before you die.
You guys have anything on your list? Uh, I'd like to see all the all the continents, like, including Antarctica.
You got one too? Yeah, and I'd just want to see the the Pyramids in Egypt.
Does your bucket list, uh, have travel involved in it as well? No.
Pretty much just buy a bucket that I can step off when I hang myself.
[all laughing.]
Your what what's on yours? I've always wanted to be in the presence of the comic that started it all: "Action Comics" number 1.
What, "Action Comics" number 1, the first appearance - of Superman? - Yeah.
You've never been in its presence? I mean, that's that's that's hard to believe.
I mean, I've I've held reprints in my hand.
I've seen pictures of it online, but I have never actually stood as close to it where I could feel it.
You know, I'm talking, like, up here feel it.
You know, like, just gaze upon it.
That's pretty, um "I'm gonna change around.
I don't want to see the Pyramids anymore.
" Inarguably, without "Action Comics" number 1, you don't get to the rest of them.
It's not just DC and Marvel.
You probably don't get to superheroes ever.
And then it all came from that one comic book story by Siegel and Shuster.
So makes sense in our world that you would want to be there to actually lay hands on the book or just see it.
That's truly - on your bucket list? - It is.
That's the only thing you're gonna do before you die? We could literally go right now.
There's there's a copy on display at the Geppi Museum down in Baltimore.
- Really? - Yeah.
We should go this weekend.
- Why don't we all go? - Yeah.
I would love to.
Let's go.
It's an gonna be an honor to be in its presence, you know? Are you worthy? Are you? You might have to wait outside.
- [laughing.]
- In the car.
[all laughing.]
Got the Marvel folders.
God, I remember these, man.
This is amazing.
I just want to live here forever.
Whoa.
Wow.
I'd have to imagine there's nothing left on your bucket list, right? I would love to go see where this is stupid but where the cereal is made.
I always wanted to go to, like, General Mills or Post or Kellogg's and see how they make cornflakes and Cheerios.
They they do tours of that, I think.
I know, and one day, I'm gonna do it.
- [laughter.]
- It's on my bucket list.
I'll tell you, I came close in Buffalo.
I was doing some stand-up gigs in the middle of the night.
It was, like, 2:00 in the morning or somethin' like that, and the whole town smelled like Cheerios, and then the next night, whole town, seriously, smelled like Lucky Charms, and it turns out they have a factory that makes, on alternate days, Cheerios or Lucky Charms.
Could you imagine how happy you would be if you lived in Buffalo all the time, just like [inhaling.]
- That's heaven, right? - Right? That's gotta be what heaven's like.
Heaven on Earth is in Buffalo.
[chuckling.]
Said no one.
[all laughing.]
[upbeat music.]
- Hey, how are you? - How's it going, fellas? What's up? - I got Marvel folders.
- God, I remember these.
Got Thor, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Captain America, and of course, the Amazing Spider-Man.
Mm.
God, I remember these, man.
So these are just copies of the covers - and then some panels? - Mmhmm.
I mean, look at the simplicity of this.
You can go to school, and you could have this on your desk, and you could pretend that you're paying attention in class, but you could be reading a comic book.
I mean, granted, it was only a page and a quarter, but [all laughing.]
And it was the height of his rebellion.
[all laughing.]
I would've killed for those folders when I was a kid, man.
Just to be able to wear that with pride, be like, "Look at this.
This is what I believe in.
" And I did wear it with pride.
I mean, he he could attest to it.
I was the only kid wearing my comic book colors proudly, and I remember thinking, like, these are the tools that I need to, you know, get the most out of my education.
I went to Catholic school, so if I brought, like, "Look at this! It's got a superhero on it.
" They're like, "Jesus is your superhero.
" [all laughing.]
And why you looking to sell 'em today? I'm a teacher.
Uh, I teach eighth grade, and these folders actually were were in my classroom.
Kids would want to read them, and so I want to try and get the kids the books, the actual books, so they can actually - read these stories.
- Yeah, you see this? This is the road to the Ivy League right there.
- Yeah, it sure is.
- I could [all laughing.]
And what are you lookin' to get for 'em? I'm thinkin', uh, $150? Uh, I mean, these are in nice condition for the age, but they're - they're showing some spine wear.
- Mmhmm.
A collector is gonna expect them in mint condition.
I think if we were to to get these, - we would ask $150 for 'em.
- Okay.
Is there any chance you could do $75 for the set? Think about the kids.
- $120? - The kids.
- Won't you think about the children? - Kids, $120.
- The kids, man, you got - The kids, the kids.
You always gotta consider the children.
100 bucks is 'cause, you know, pay it back a little to the kids.
- 100 bucks.
Sold.
- Got it.
[cash register whirs.]
All right.
All right.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Have a great day.
- Thanks, guys.
- Thanks.
- All right.
[rock music.]
This is amazing.
Amazing.
Look at all this history.
You're seeing stuff from the '40s, the '50s, the '60s.
I mean, all the way up into the present.
What a museum.
Pop culture heaven.
Just filled with all your favorite movies, all your favorite stars.
The Museum of Natural History could take a lesson from Geppi's place, and if they could put some some comics and cool toys in the in the joint, they would they'd be they couldn't keep people outta that place.
Yeah, I know they're hurtin' for patronage at that museum, man.
[all laughing.]
I just want to live here forever.
Oh.
Oh, wow.
Oh, my God.
Oh, look.
Check it out.
"Amazing Fantasy" 15.
First appearance of Spider-Man.
First Iron Man.
"Tales of Suspense" number 39, yes.
"Fantastic Four" number 1.
"Captain America" 117, Ming.
The first Falcon.
The first appearance of Black Panther.
The first Batgirl.
"Sub-Mariner" number 1.
- Oh, my God.
- Yes.
The hits just keep on coming, man.
I don't know if there's ever been a more magnificent display of comic books on a wall, right? Comic books finally getting their due for what they truly are: works of art hung up for all to see.
Uh, you I could appreciate all those books, but we were there to see one particular book, and it was time to see "Action Comics" number 1.
Even more stuff.
It's just too much to soak in.
- [laughing.]
- Oh.
- Walt.
- Oh.
- There you go.
- Wow.
It's it's it's beautiful.
Just seeing this book here I mean, the only thing that could make it better and, you know, I know it can't happen is, you know, if if I could smell it.
You like smellin' 'em? [upbeat music.]
- Walt.
- Oh.
- There you go.
- [sighing.]
Wow.
It's it's it's beautiful.
[whispering.]
Wow.
It was, uh - it was glorious.
- [laughs.]
I was, like, you know, "Am I dreaming right now? "Am I actually this close to an 'Action Comics' number 1?" He pinched me a couple times.
Yeah, and I think there are only around a hundred known copies in the world.
I heard, a couple years ago, one that was graded a 9.
0 sold for $3.
2 million.
Wow.
Wow, really? That's what that book's up to now? $3.
2 million.
[soft classical music.]
What what's it like being this close to the "Action Comics" number 1? I mean, I don't know about you guys, but I'm hearing, like, trumpets blaring and angels singing.
I can't can't believe it's right in front of us.
The Declaration of Independence, okay.
Maybe a little bit more important, but not much more.
Everything that we believe in stems from this.
[record scratch.]
This isn't a cult, right? - Because - [laughter.]
We're talking about a comic book.
Everything leads back to "Action Comics" number 1.
- Everything.
- Yeah.
I just want to give thanks for this moment.
We can go now, right? Give him a minute to soak it in.
Hey, guys, how's it goin'? Hey, how you doing? You're Mr.
Geppi? - Yeah.
Nice to meet you.
- Oh.
- My name's Walter.
- Nice to meet you guys.
Pleasure.
I appreciate you coming here today.
Steve Geppi, for those out there that don't follow this sort of thing he owns Diamond Comics Distributors, which is the only comic distribution company left in the United States, am I right? - You're right.
- He's a big fan as well.
He's a comic book enthusiast, and I always love hearin' about when a fan takes their collection public, because not only does it tell the story of that world, but it tells the story of your life as well.
How much you know about that book? [exhales sharply.]
Well, I mean, without Superman, - there is no superhero, right? - That's pretty well said.
I mean, these guys, Siegel and Shuster, hustled for five years to try to get somebody to take Superman, and nobody would.
In fact, "Action Comics" number 1, he's on the cover.
He's not on the cover again till number 7, 'cause they didn't get the sales reports back, and then suddenly realized, holy crap, he was a smash success, and the rest, they say, is history.
"Action" still runs till today.
Just seeing this book here this is why we came, just to be in its presence.
I mean, the only thing that could make it better and, you know, I know it can't happen is, you know, if if I could smell it, but I mean So you're a believer? You you like smellin' 'em? Oh, I love smellin' 'em.
I mean - I'm in.
Hey, high five.
- Yeah.
I like that.
A good good man.
I don't understand this whole smelling thing.
Like, they smell like my grandmother's attic, and she died in her attic.
[all laughing.]
- I don't get it.
- You're my kind of guy.
You're a kindred spirit here.
I think maybe we can arrange that.
Smelling? That's what you wanted to do? You didn't want to hold it or read it? You just wanted to inhale it? Well, I didn't want to touch it.
I don't know if these hands are worthy to hold it, but you know how much I dig the smell of old comics.
It's it's an aroma that is, uh, unlike any other on the face of the planet.
Oh, yes.
It it could bring you back to the the greatest moments of your life.
You know, the most fun times of your childhood.
Well, here it is.
I'm gonna let you Ooh-hoo-hoo, whoa.
It's best to get it to the center fold, because that's usually where the best aroma is.
Be careful, man, 'cause the first sniff is free.
Then you're gonna be coming back.
[all laughing.]
Here.
Mosey up here, bro.
[uplifting music.]
Careful.
Oh, man.
- That's that's that's - God is what, my son.
That has got to be the sweetest scent.
- You gonna remember that? - Yeah.
It was the smell of of of a million wildflowers.
The eloquence that spills out of you when you're talking about something you're passionate about, comic books you're like Lord Byron at that moment, man.
A thousand florists making a thousand arrangements in a thousand years could not match the smell of this book.
Really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Oh, my pleasure, and I gotta thank you, because it isn't often that I'm making somebody's dream come true, so thank you also.
Congratulations.
Your life is meaningless from here on out.
[all laughing.]
It's something every geek should have to do in their lives.
Eventually stand before a copy of "Action Comics" number 1, because every hero bends a knee at the last son of Krypton.
Without him, there is no superhero community.
And all night, we've been "Krypt-on," but it's time for the show to go "Krypt-off.
" For "Comic Book Men," I'm Kevin Smith.
- Bryan Johnson.
- Walt Flanagan.
- Mike Zapcic.
- Ming Chen.
Remember, kids, the S stands for "hope," even though "hope" begins with an H.
Good night.
I saw there was a store in town, uh, that it was for people who collected beads.
- Bees? - Beads, with a D.
- Like little beads you put on a string.
- [laughter.]
Got me thinkin'.
What are some of the lamest things you've ever heard anybody collect? Comic books.
[laughter.]
I think he meant other than comic books.
- Oh, okay.
- Yeah, you got anything? I always thought stamps were weird.
- Right? - Yeah, it's so lame.
There's a reason they came up with that term, uh, you know, "the size of a postage stamp.
" You can't even see anything on there.
[laughter.]
I always thought that was one of the dumbest hobbies.
But, uh, there was a time when they were super valuable.
I don't know what the state of the stamp industry is today, the hobby, but I would have to think it's on fumes, right? My grandfather passed on - his stamp collection to me.
- Oh.
The funeral wasn't even over before I was down at the shop seeing how much they were worth, and he was not a great stamp collector.
It turns out, he collected all the wrong ones.
Oh, really? So you had no valuable stamps.
I mean, since I didn't sell 'em, I was on food stamps, so they had some value.
[all laughing.]
[heroic music.]
[laughs.]
[upbeat music.]
Hello, and welcome to another episode of "Comic Book Men," the only show that bats the man, wonders the women, and flashes the Flash.
I'm Kevin Smith.
- Bryan Johnson.
- Walt Flanagan.
- Mike Zapcic.
- Ming Chen.
So what's been going on in the Secret Stash lately? Everybody knows if you're gonna collect the first appearance of anything, usually, you go for superheroes, but first appearance of super villains can fetch a lot of cash too.
Hey, how's it goin'? - Hey, how are you? - Good.
I have four key "Amazing Spider-Man" issues I think you guys'd be interested in.
- Ooh.
- They're all first appearances.
We got the first appearance of the Vulture.
First appearance of Doc Ock.
The first appearance of the Sandman, and the first appearance of Electro.
Wow, and the hits just keep on coming.
Oh, my God.
What a run right here.
- Some heavy hitters.
- Yeah.
Four issues, all four have key first appearances.
I mean, "Amazing Spider-Man" number 2, first appearance of the Vulture and the Terrible Tinkerer.
Mm-hmm, so terrible they don't even show 'em.
They just show his hand.
[laughter.]
Not impressed, I can tell.
Okay.
Just 30 days later, in 1963, "The Amazing Spider-Man" number 3 drops.
First appearance of Doc Ock.
- A name I recognize, actually.
- Right? And next month, "The Amazing Spider-Man" number 4.
The first appearance of the Sandman.
After Sandman, we go into issue 9.
The first appearance of one of Spider-Man's greatest villains, Electro.
I feel like probably issues 2 and 3 were conceived when these guys were at the beach.
[laughter.]
They were like, "I don't know, how "how about an octopus? How about a guy made out of sand?" [all laughing.]
I would put, ahh, Spider-Man's rogues' gallery up against any hero's rogues' gallery, even - the Batman's rogues' gallery.
- Really? Who gets the edge, you think, at the end of the day? To be honest, I I think Spider-Man does.
- I know - Sacrilege! I know that Batman has the Joker, but, you know, Spider-Man's got the Green Goblin, which Not nearly as iconic as the Joker.
I I I could sit here all day.
I mean, it's endless.
Venom, Carnage, - Kraven.
- Kraven.
- Black Cat.
- Kingpin.
I mean, there's I mean, that's what I'm saying.
His rogues' gallery has got to be the best in all of comic book history.
Certainly the most colorful.
Are we seriously not gonna give the Rhino his due? [all laughing.]
S where'd you amass such a collection like this? Uh, when I was younger, to for my mother to get me to go to karate class, I used to make her take me to the comic book store - downstairs first, and then - Oh, yeah? Once we started doing that, we started going on the hunt.
This one here was actually found in a dollar bin at a flea market, and the other three were purchased at, uh, in-house auctions.
What kind of belt are you? I I quit soon as I got - into the comic book collecting.
- [laughing.]
We needed the money for the comics.
No more karate classes for me.
Much like this gentleman, I had a choice between my mom said we could either take a trip to Florida, or you can get "Amazing Spider-Man" number 4.
I chose "Spider-Man.
" - So - Over Walt Disney World.
- Good choice.
- Wow.
[all laughing.]
So why you lookin' to sell 'em today? Uh, there's a lot of cons comin' up.
I'm looking to take that money, buy some other stuff - or possibly a number 1.
- Oh, yeah? Maybe just roll it all in to get that holy grail number 1.
What are you lookin' to get for 'em? I was looking to get, like, $1,700.
Ooh.
I mean, they are key, and if they were in mint condition, we'd jump on it in a heartbeat, but I mean, I see some serious issues with, uh, these books.
What kind of price you think would be fair for this gentleman? Ah, for this one, I'd say, like, $125.
For this one, it's completely detached.
- I don't know, about $75? - Okay.
- Number 4? - It's about a 2.
0.
So $125 would be fair.
- All right, and number 9? - And $75, 'cause of the the pen and the water staining on the back.
- So $400.
- So so so 400 bucks? What do you think? Uh I'd do $1,000.
That would be the the bottom that I could do.
I'd do I could do $700, but that's that's definitely as high as I could go.
I cannot go any higher than $700 Yeah, no, I have to stay at $1,000, though.
Thank you, though.
Appreciate the offer.
All right, well, thank you for bringing 'em in.
It never gets old, seeing key issues like this come through the door.
Come by and see us again anytime.
- Thank you very much.
- All right, thanks.
Have a good day.
- You don't know what this is? - No.
This is Duke the Super Action Dog.
Whoa.
What's it like being this close to the "Action Comics" number 1s? It's beautiful.
[upbeat music.]
- What's up, guys? - Hey, how are you? Ah, not too bad.
How are you? - Pretty good.
- All right.
Well, I was hoping you guys could help me out - with something.
- All right.
All right, so hitting up some garage sales in Nantucket, - and got a box of collectibles.
- Okay.
But I had no idea - what this was.
- Ooh.
And, uh, was wondering if you guys could help me out.
You don't know what this is? No.
[laughs.]
- I had this.
- Well, help a brother out.
- This is Duke Super Action Dog.
- All right.
And it was easily my favorite toy for years.
The whole concept behind this figure was, Duke would go out and rescue people who were stranded on a mountain - or, uh, you know - Yeah.
Lost in a forest.
He have a master or was he on his own, doing his own thing? He actually had his own lair.
He had his dog computer in there, and if somebody was in need of Duke's help, he would look up on the monitor and some hiker So, wait, the toymakers were like, - "Dog operates computer to go" - Sure.
He had an elevator in his lair.
An elevator.
Are we supposed to believe that Duke built all this stuff by himself? [all laughing.]
- It was an action figure - Yes.
- Of a dog.
- Yes.
But was he not a part of some larger world? Like, he didn't belong to the 12-inch G.
I.
Joe? No, he was his own stand-alone toy line.
Did he have friends? No, only people he would save.
They were never Did they sell them, like, "Save the victim.
- Victim one, two, and three.
" - [laughter.]
Or when you bought Duke, that was it? "Victims not included.
" [all laughing.]
You had your zip line.
You know, right here, you would hook this up to the one of the TV antennas.
Yeah.
- You know, the rabbit ears? - Yeah.
You would maybe rescue a Mego that was trapped behind the couch.
I mean, how lame were the superheroes that they need saving from this crappy dog? [all laughing.]
What a find, though.
I mean, I haven't seen one since I probably threw it out when when I was, like, 10 or 11.
I was like, "I'm too old for these dog toys, Ma.
" [all laughing.]
Well, I I'm definitely interested.
This one's going in my own personal collection.
Um what are you looking to get for it? Uh, well, since this is bringing back a lile bit of your childhood, I'm gonna go with 100 bucks.
So if I didn't wax about this dog Pretty much.
You were gonna come in with a lower number? Okay, I shouldn't have showed my cards, then, huh? Um would you take $50 for it? $75? How about $60? - All right.
- You'll do $60? - Yeah, I'll do $60.
- All right.
- You got yourself a deal.
- Done.
Oh, it's comin' out of the pocket.
Comin' out of the pocket, not even out of the register.
$10, $20 oh, maybe it better come out of the register.
[all laughing.]
Can I ask you guys a question? You guys heard of the bucket list, right? - Yeah.
- Sure.
Things to do before you die.
You guys have anything on your list? Uh, I'd like to see all the all the continents, like, including Antarctica.
You got one too? Yeah, and I'd just want to see the the Pyramids in Egypt.
Does your bucket list, uh, have travel involved in it as well? No.
Pretty much just buy a bucket that I can step off when I hang myself.
[all laughing.]
Your what what's on yours? I've always wanted to be in the presence of the comic that started it all: "Action Comics" number 1.
What, "Action Comics" number 1, the first appearance - of Superman? - Yeah.
You've never been in its presence? I mean, that's that's that's hard to believe.
I mean, I've I've held reprints in my hand.
I've seen pictures of it online, but I have never actually stood as close to it where I could feel it.
You know, I'm talking, like, up here feel it.
You know, like, just gaze upon it.
That's pretty, um "I'm gonna change around.
I don't want to see the Pyramids anymore.
" Inarguably, without "Action Comics" number 1, you don't get to the rest of them.
It's not just DC and Marvel.
You probably don't get to superheroes ever.
And then it all came from that one comic book story by Siegel and Shuster.
So makes sense in our world that you would want to be there to actually lay hands on the book or just see it.
That's truly - on your bucket list? - It is.
That's the only thing you're gonna do before you die? We could literally go right now.
There's there's a copy on display at the Geppi Museum down in Baltimore.
- Really? - Yeah.
We should go this weekend.
- Why don't we all go? - Yeah.
I would love to.
Let's go.
It's an gonna be an honor to be in its presence, you know? Are you worthy? Are you? You might have to wait outside.
- [laughing.]
- In the car.
[all laughing.]
Got the Marvel folders.
God, I remember these, man.
This is amazing.
I just want to live here forever.
Whoa.
Wow.
I'd have to imagine there's nothing left on your bucket list, right? I would love to go see where this is stupid but where the cereal is made.
I always wanted to go to, like, General Mills or Post or Kellogg's and see how they make cornflakes and Cheerios.
They they do tours of that, I think.
I know, and one day, I'm gonna do it.
- [laughter.]
- It's on my bucket list.
I'll tell you, I came close in Buffalo.
I was doing some stand-up gigs in the middle of the night.
It was, like, 2:00 in the morning or somethin' like that, and the whole town smelled like Cheerios, and then the next night, whole town, seriously, smelled like Lucky Charms, and it turns out they have a factory that makes, on alternate days, Cheerios or Lucky Charms.
Could you imagine how happy you would be if you lived in Buffalo all the time, just like [inhaling.]
- That's heaven, right? - Right? That's gotta be what heaven's like.
Heaven on Earth is in Buffalo.
[chuckling.]
Said no one.
[all laughing.]
[upbeat music.]
- Hey, how are you? - How's it going, fellas? What's up? - I got Marvel folders.
- God, I remember these.
Got Thor, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Captain America, and of course, the Amazing Spider-Man.
Mm.
God, I remember these, man.
So these are just copies of the covers - and then some panels? - Mmhmm.
I mean, look at the simplicity of this.
You can go to school, and you could have this on your desk, and you could pretend that you're paying attention in class, but you could be reading a comic book.
I mean, granted, it was only a page and a quarter, but [all laughing.]
And it was the height of his rebellion.
[all laughing.]
I would've killed for those folders when I was a kid, man.
Just to be able to wear that with pride, be like, "Look at this.
This is what I believe in.
" And I did wear it with pride.
I mean, he he could attest to it.
I was the only kid wearing my comic book colors proudly, and I remember thinking, like, these are the tools that I need to, you know, get the most out of my education.
I went to Catholic school, so if I brought, like, "Look at this! It's got a superhero on it.
" They're like, "Jesus is your superhero.
" [all laughing.]
And why you looking to sell 'em today? I'm a teacher.
Uh, I teach eighth grade, and these folders actually were were in my classroom.
Kids would want to read them, and so I want to try and get the kids the books, the actual books, so they can actually - read these stories.
- Yeah, you see this? This is the road to the Ivy League right there.
- Yeah, it sure is.
- I could [all laughing.]
And what are you lookin' to get for 'em? I'm thinkin', uh, $150? Uh, I mean, these are in nice condition for the age, but they're - they're showing some spine wear.
- Mmhmm.
A collector is gonna expect them in mint condition.
I think if we were to to get these, - we would ask $150 for 'em.
- Okay.
Is there any chance you could do $75 for the set? Think about the kids.
- $120? - The kids.
- Won't you think about the children? - Kids, $120.
- The kids, man, you got - The kids, the kids.
You always gotta consider the children.
100 bucks is 'cause, you know, pay it back a little to the kids.
- 100 bucks.
Sold.
- Got it.
[cash register whirs.]
All right.
All right.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Have a great day.
- Thanks, guys.
- Thanks.
- All right.
[rock music.]
This is amazing.
Amazing.
Look at all this history.
You're seeing stuff from the '40s, the '50s, the '60s.
I mean, all the way up into the present.
What a museum.
Pop culture heaven.
Just filled with all your favorite movies, all your favorite stars.
The Museum of Natural History could take a lesson from Geppi's place, and if they could put some some comics and cool toys in the in the joint, they would they'd be they couldn't keep people outta that place.
Yeah, I know they're hurtin' for patronage at that museum, man.
[all laughing.]
I just want to live here forever.
Oh.
Oh, wow.
Oh, my God.
Oh, look.
Check it out.
"Amazing Fantasy" 15.
First appearance of Spider-Man.
First Iron Man.
"Tales of Suspense" number 39, yes.
"Fantastic Four" number 1.
"Captain America" 117, Ming.
The first Falcon.
The first appearance of Black Panther.
The first Batgirl.
"Sub-Mariner" number 1.
- Oh, my God.
- Yes.
The hits just keep on coming, man.
I don't know if there's ever been a more magnificent display of comic books on a wall, right? Comic books finally getting their due for what they truly are: works of art hung up for all to see.
Uh, you I could appreciate all those books, but we were there to see one particular book, and it was time to see "Action Comics" number 1.
Even more stuff.
It's just too much to soak in.
- [laughing.]
- Oh.
- Walt.
- Oh.
- There you go.
- Wow.
It's it's it's beautiful.
Just seeing this book here I mean, the only thing that could make it better and, you know, I know it can't happen is, you know, if if I could smell it.
You like smellin' 'em? [upbeat music.]
- Walt.
- Oh.
- There you go.
- [sighing.]
Wow.
It's it's it's beautiful.
[whispering.]
Wow.
It was, uh - it was glorious.
- [laughs.]
I was, like, you know, "Am I dreaming right now? "Am I actually this close to an 'Action Comics' number 1?" He pinched me a couple times.
Yeah, and I think there are only around a hundred known copies in the world.
I heard, a couple years ago, one that was graded a 9.
0 sold for $3.
2 million.
Wow.
Wow, really? That's what that book's up to now? $3.
2 million.
[soft classical music.]
What what's it like being this close to the "Action Comics" number 1? I mean, I don't know about you guys, but I'm hearing, like, trumpets blaring and angels singing.
I can't can't believe it's right in front of us.
The Declaration of Independence, okay.
Maybe a little bit more important, but not much more.
Everything that we believe in stems from this.
[record scratch.]
This isn't a cult, right? - Because - [laughter.]
We're talking about a comic book.
Everything leads back to "Action Comics" number 1.
- Everything.
- Yeah.
I just want to give thanks for this moment.
We can go now, right? Give him a minute to soak it in.
Hey, guys, how's it goin'? Hey, how you doing? You're Mr.
Geppi? - Yeah.
Nice to meet you.
- Oh.
- My name's Walter.
- Nice to meet you guys.
Pleasure.
I appreciate you coming here today.
Steve Geppi, for those out there that don't follow this sort of thing he owns Diamond Comics Distributors, which is the only comic distribution company left in the United States, am I right? - You're right.
- He's a big fan as well.
He's a comic book enthusiast, and I always love hearin' about when a fan takes their collection public, because not only does it tell the story of that world, but it tells the story of your life as well.
How much you know about that book? [exhales sharply.]
Well, I mean, without Superman, - there is no superhero, right? - That's pretty well said.
I mean, these guys, Siegel and Shuster, hustled for five years to try to get somebody to take Superman, and nobody would.
In fact, "Action Comics" number 1, he's on the cover.
He's not on the cover again till number 7, 'cause they didn't get the sales reports back, and then suddenly realized, holy crap, he was a smash success, and the rest, they say, is history.
"Action" still runs till today.
Just seeing this book here this is why we came, just to be in its presence.
I mean, the only thing that could make it better and, you know, I know it can't happen is, you know, if if I could smell it, but I mean So you're a believer? You you like smellin' 'em? Oh, I love smellin' 'em.
I mean - I'm in.
Hey, high five.
- Yeah.
I like that.
A good good man.
I don't understand this whole smelling thing.
Like, they smell like my grandmother's attic, and she died in her attic.
[all laughing.]
- I don't get it.
- You're my kind of guy.
You're a kindred spirit here.
I think maybe we can arrange that.
Smelling? That's what you wanted to do? You didn't want to hold it or read it? You just wanted to inhale it? Well, I didn't want to touch it.
I don't know if these hands are worthy to hold it, but you know how much I dig the smell of old comics.
It's it's an aroma that is, uh, unlike any other on the face of the planet.
Oh, yes.
It it could bring you back to the the greatest moments of your life.
You know, the most fun times of your childhood.
Well, here it is.
I'm gonna let you Ooh-hoo-hoo, whoa.
It's best to get it to the center fold, because that's usually where the best aroma is.
Be careful, man, 'cause the first sniff is free.
Then you're gonna be coming back.
[all laughing.]
Here.
Mosey up here, bro.
[uplifting music.]
Careful.
Oh, man.
- That's that's that's - God is what, my son.
That has got to be the sweetest scent.
- You gonna remember that? - Yeah.
It was the smell of of of a million wildflowers.
The eloquence that spills out of you when you're talking about something you're passionate about, comic books you're like Lord Byron at that moment, man.
A thousand florists making a thousand arrangements in a thousand years could not match the smell of this book.
Really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Oh, my pleasure, and I gotta thank you, because it isn't often that I'm making somebody's dream come true, so thank you also.
Congratulations.
Your life is meaningless from here on out.
[all laughing.]
It's something every geek should have to do in their lives.
Eventually stand before a copy of "Action Comics" number 1, because every hero bends a knee at the last son of Krypton.
Without him, there is no superhero community.
And all night, we've been "Krypt-on," but it's time for the show to go "Krypt-off.
" For "Comic Book Men," I'm Kevin Smith.
- Bryan Johnson.
- Walt Flanagan.
- Mike Zapcic.
- Ming Chen.
Remember, kids, the S stands for "hope," even though "hope" begins with an H.
Good night.