Why are men collecting old girls' comics these days?

[Lew Stringer]

I went to comic fair in Manchester on Saturday - bought some Misty. Was talking to dealer I know well - knows I collect the girls stuff & we discussed the collecting for a bit.

Unfortunately as we did an acquaintance I knew from many yeras ago said hello & stood next to me as we chatted.

Oh no I was thinking later - he'll know my secret & likely will tell his mates whom I also knew - some are very loud mouthed too.

It's not easy keeping this hobby a secret! Never live this down if people where I work find out (if not already)!

Why should you be made to feel ashamed for having an interest in comic art? In my experience, those who sneer usually have no hobbies and are complete dullards. You might even find kindred sprits who reveal their own interests in comics. That's what happened to me when I had an office job back in the 1970s. I tried to keep my interests in comic collecting secret (as I knew no other collectors and was unaware of fandom at the time) but when they found out they started recalling comics they'd read and we could have good conversations about them.

As collectors we're interested in the stories, art, and history of comics. It's not like we're reading them in the same way as we did when we were kids, just for the thrill of the story.

[Phoenix]

It's not easy keeping this hobby a secret! Never live this down if people where I work find out (if not already)!

Why should you be made to feel ashamed for having an interest in comic art?

This is a fundamental issue for male collectors to deal with. The reverse does not affect female readers of story papers for boys. This is why men say that they used to read their sister's/s' comics. It's as if they are coming out of the closet, but only like a rabbit pausing at the exit from its warren to check whether it is safe to emerge further. There have even been quite a few instances of this type of admission on Comics UK, where the poster is among friends, or at least like-minded members. I really don't understand this need to conceal. It's a groundless fear. If you are a burglar, an embezzler, a paedophile, an individual obsessing about killing someone and then cooking them, then you would certainly want to keep those things quiet, but feeling guilty about reading comics or story papers for girls is not only not in the same league, it isn't on the same planet.

P.S. The timing-out issue is rearing its ugly head again, Al.

[Lew Stringer]

It's not easy keeping this hobby a secret! Never live this down if people where I work find out (if not already)!

Why should you be made to feel ashamed for having an interest in comic art?

This is a fundamental issue for male collectors to deal with. The reverse does not affect female readers of story papers for boys. This is why men say that they used to read their sister's/s' comics. It's as if they are coming out of the closet, but only like a rabbit pausing at the exit from its warren to check whether it is safe to emerge further. There have even been quite a few instances of this type of admission on Comics UK, where the poster is among friends, or at least like-minded members. I really don't understand this need to conceal. It's a groundless fear. If you are a burglar, an embezzler, a paedophile, an individual obsessing about killing someone and then cooking them, then you would certainly want to keep those things quiet, but feeling guilty about reading comics or story papers for girls is not only not in the same league, it isn't on the same planet.

P.S. The timing-out issue is rearing its ugly head again, Al.

I thought David was talking about collecting comics in general, but perhaps I misunderstood. I can understand how non-collectors might view men collecting girls comics with suspicion. They shouldn't, but they will, especially in the current climate.

However, art is art, and there should be no difference between appreciating artwork and storytelling techniques in comics for girls, boys, women or men.

[Phoenix]

I thought David was talking about collecting comics in general, but perhaps I misunderstood.

As I understood it, the context was David buying some issues of Misty, and chatting to the dealer who was aware of his interest in comics/story papers for girls, when his acquaintance turns up. At this point David gets embarrassed, no doubt wishing he had a phial of invisibility potion, and becomes panic-stricken in case his interest in such papers is broadcast in the pubs and clubs where he lives, and on the local radio station. Outed big style.

I can understand how non-collectors might view men collecting girls comics with suspicion. They shouldn't, but they will, especially in the current climate.

I imagine that thinking on your feet in a state of panic might be difficult, but for future reference your suggestion, Lew, that anyone caught in flagranti from now on should stand their ground, point to some of the artwork and talk briefly about its qualities, should be used to give themselves an excellent default position. Having a couple of issues of The Victor in their possession that they had had the foresight to bring with them would be a clincher.

[Lew Stringer]

I thought David was talking about collecting comics in general, but perhaps I misunderstood.

As I understood it, the context was David buying some issues of Misty, and chatting to the dealer who was aware of his interest in comics/story papers for girls, when his acquaintance turns up. At this point David gets embarrassed, no doubt wishing he had a phial of invisibility potion, and becomes panic-stricken in case his interest in such papers is broadcast in the pubs and clubs where he lives, and on the local radio station. Outed big style.

I can understand how non-collectors might view men collecting girls comics with suspicion. They shouldn't, but they will, especially in the current climate.

I imagine that thinking on your feet in a state of panic might be difficult, but for future reference your suggestion, Lew, that anyone caught in flagranti from now on should stand their ground, point to some of the artwork and talk briefly about its qualities, should be used to give themselves an excellent default position. Having a couple of issues of The Victor in their possession that they had had the foresight to bring with them would be a clincher.

Or move to a country that respects comic art.

[DavidKW]

I'm an alpha male beer & football loving red blooded hetero who just happens to like comic art & well written stories starring great female characters; a true heroine addict, which I never thought would lead to comic collecting.

I'm not that too worried about the acquaintance as we have not lived in the same area for many years; now many miles apart. Still a chance of bumping into him or one of his group when visiting nearby area; that's just a risk you take (could be worse - in place I grew up down South chances of bumping into narrow minded people from past I'd rather forget is high).

I work inn an office and have mentioned I collected old British comics but don't specify and am not asked to as no ones interested (virtually all are married with kids anyway, so no room/partners' approved for comics).

I do like and enjoy to talk to other collectors and dealers face to face about what I'm collecting though.
All this is leading up to my bit on what started me collecting and shyness of it which I'm editing at moment.

[Phoenix]

I went to comic fair in Manchester on Saturday - bought some Misty. Was talking to dealer I know well - knows I collect the girls stuff & we discussed the collecting for a bit. Unfortunately as we did an acquaintance I knew from many yeras ago said hello & stood next to me as we chatted. Oh no I was thinking later - he'll know my secret & likely will tell his mates whom I also knew - some are very loud mouthed too. It's not easy keeping this hobby a secret! Never live this down if people where I work find out (if not already)!

I'm not that too worried about the acquaintance as we have not lived in the same area for many years; now many miles apart. Still a chance of bumping into him or one of his group when visiting nearby area; that's just a risk you take

Which of the above views represents your true feelings, David, the first, seriously-troubled one, or the second, casual, more laissez-faire one? Did you take the opportunity to chat to your acquaintance, perhaps to express surprise that he was also attending the comic fair, and to ask him what he had bought? After all, why would he have been there if he wasn't interested in comics? I would have thought that fact alone would have given both of you some common ground.

[DavidKW]

I didn't get chance to speak properly to acquaintance as he hurried off to next stall to search, just as I was in middle of conversation with vendor. (or hurried off after he heard what I collect?).

It's a long story but last time I went out with acquaintance & his mates many years ago was not a happy experience, and that could get brought up again when he'd plead in conversation for me to go out with them again. There's past, present & future & him & his mates still hold onto past & seeing things just based on assumptions of what they want to see.

As for type of collector - was afraid but not these days. When dealers mentioned its the men who are the main collectors of girls comics I relaxed a lot more.

Still hope no one at work finds out my little hobby just yet.

[stevezodiac]

A few years ago Ken Graham told me that some men buy Girls comics for those pictures on the back where you cut out the clothes and put them on the undressed figure - they get a thrill out of it he said. As he was telling me this a bloke turned up asking about girl's comics.

On a different note my mate Steve got a few very early Buntys from ebay a couple of weeks back including number 1 and only paid about £40 for them. I got my Bunty no. 1 for a fiver. I will probably put it on ebay one day.

[Tammyfan]

A few years ago Ken Graham told me that some men buy Girls comics for those pictures on the back where you cut out the clothes and put them on the undressed figure - they get a thrill out of it he said. As he was telling me this a bloke turned up asking about girl's comics.

On a different note my mate Steve got a few very early Buntys from ebay a couple of weeks back including number 1 and only paid about £40 for them. I got my Bunty no. 1 for a fiver. I will probably put it on ebay one day.

They could make quite an investment. Misty is a huge one.

[Phoenix]

As for type of collector - was afraid but not these days.

Still hope no one at work finds out my little hobby just yet.

Do you not realise, David, that your second comment above completely negates your first one?

[DavidKW]

I'm contradicting myself a bit so I'll re-word:

I'm not afraid to talk to like minded people, especially comic dealers.

I'm hoping some people who will not understand why I collect will not find out - many connected with where I work, where I will not live it down everyday.

[Lew Stringer]

A few years ago Ken Graham told me that some men buy Girls comics for those pictures on the back where you cut out the clothes and put them on the undressed figure - they get a thrill out of it he said.

Creepy, but at least it keeps them away from the school gates.

[JT Mirana]

Anyone in Glasgow, the 1979 MISTY Annual is in the Oxfam bookshop on Byres Rd.



They're asking £19.99 for it.

Yes, £19.99.

[DavidKW]

I once got a good condition 1981 Misty annual from a Stockport Car Boot sale for 50p! Still pinching myself over that bargain.

Shows what you can find when you look around and not expect.