Cover prices have climbed quite a bit since my earliest days as a comic collector. But I find it comforting that quarter comics can still be purchased at almost every comic book convention in the country. If you’re willing to dig a little bit, you can find complete runs of some terrific books. Each week, I’ll highlight a worthwhile title you can scoop up by the pound for just a few of your shiny coins.

In 1984, a new slogan appeared on ads for DC–”We’ve made comics fun again!” Few comics lived and breathed that motto as thoroughly as Blue Devil. Here’s the (delightfully bizarre) set-up for this series:

Hollywood effects artist and stunt man Dan Cassidy is cast as the Blue Devil for an upcoming movie. For the role, he creates a monstrous exo-skeleton, complete with servo motors and pyrotechnics to enhance his strength and add some sizzle to the film (oh, if only more modern movies relied on such effects in lieu of poorly done CGI). For an added dose of authenticity, the film is being shot on location near a ruined temple that would have done Cthulhu proud. This, of course, leads to the release of a very real demon, Nebiros, and only Dan and his souped-up monster suit can save the day. Dan defeats the demon, but the price is high. During the battle, Dan is mystically trapped in the suit–becoming the Blue Devil for all time. To make matters worse, the magical energy somehow turns him into a beacon for weird events, drawing them like moths to a flame.

How’s that for an origin story?

Blue Devil goes on to fight supervillains and demons and aliens over the course of 31 issues. The stories were goofy, light-hearted, and kinda funny (although sometimes the jokes are a bit forced). Fun stories with nice, clean, easy-to-follow artwork. Not a bad combo, and a great find at less than 8 bucks for the entire run!

Read something new this weekend. Every Friday, I’ll recommend a short story, novel, comic, or graphic novel that’s sure to tickle your fancy and help you forget the trials and tribulations of the previous week.

I gotta admit, I bought Toupydoops for Cindy, and I had no intention of reading it myself. But every time she sat down to read the book, she started laughing out loud. If the book was that funny, I figured, I might as well give it a try. I’m glad I did. Kevin McShane’s graphic novel is like a high concept situation comedy in comic book form. In a Hollywood ruled by comic books, superheroes are the biggest celebrities, and everyone is trying to get published (hmm … sounds a bit like Comic-Con). Enter Toupydoops, aspiring actor, and his bear-like companion, Teetereater. Together, they look for work, look for love, battle giant cockroaches, and talk about funny books. McShane obviously has a great deal of love for comics, but even if you aren’t familiar with some of the in-jokes, the story will draw you in and keep you entertained … if not laughing out loud.  I think writing comedy (especially in comics) is next to impossible, but McShane has a knack for wit and comic timing.  Enjoy.

Cover prices have climbed quite a bit since my earliest days as a comic collector. But I find it comforting that quarter comics can still be purchased at almost every comic book convention in the country. If you’re willing to dig a little bit, you can find complete runs of some terrific books. Each week, I’ll highlight a worthwhile title you can scoop up by the pound for just a few of your shiny coins.

Arak: Son of Thunder was a unique sword and sorcery book that debuted from DC in 1981. It follows the adventures of Arak, last of the Quontauka tribe, through an alternate Dark Age. Rescued at sea by Vikings, raised as a slave, and schooled in the ways of war, Arak faced witches, dragons, beast-men, knights, amazons, and vampires. I know what you’re thinking. What’s a Native American doing hanging with Vikings and their ilk in eighth century Europe? It’s a wild ride, but it works, and the unusual characters and “real world” locales afford a special charm to this entry in a tried and true comic genre. A lot of story (and quite a bit of exposition) is packed into the pages of Arak. In the first issue alone, he is rescued as a child, raised as a slave, captured by a beautiful witch, and attacked by a sea monster. Whew!

A bunch of non-superhero DC books from around this era really captured my imagination, and they are common finds among cheap back issues. Don’t be surprised when some of Arak’s sibling titles show up here in the future.

Arak ran for 50 issues, meaning you could get the entire series out of the quarter bin for a mere 12.50 … even less if you find a dealer willing to cut a deal.