Access to every single DC comic published since 1938 - DC Comics Message Boards

DC Universe [all categories]

DC Universe Archives

Access to every single DC comic published since 1938

profile | register | preferences | faq

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: Access to every single DC comic published since 1938
Aldous Member	posted March 10, 2003 02:26 PM When I was a young kid reading DC comics, I used to daydream about having access to the DC vault -- you know, that really big room under the DC offices which is fireproof and flood-proof, where a copy of every single DC comic ever published is stored, going all the way back to Action Comics Number One. How I wished I could somehow get to that place, and that they would let me in to read the old comics. I don't think I ever would've come out! Well, the "DC vault" was the daydream of a young comics fanatic living on the other side of the world. It was what I imagined MUST be at DC headquarters. But I wonder what the reality is? IP: Logged
Two Face 22 Member	posted March 10, 2003 03:12 PM I think something llke that does exist to a certain extent. Maybe not every issue, but a lot of them. In his introduction to his Encyclopedia Of Comic Book Heroes, Michael Fleisher, told stories of being led to the basement strongrooms of DC by the Custodian of the books. There he was given unlimited access to whatever he wanted to look at. This was the seventies, and perhaps things have changed (stored off site etc.) but it's a nice story anyway! Lucky, lucky man!!! I have heard stories that DC do not possess every issue, especially of the Golden Age, simply because they weren't keepng copies in the old days. I think they went through a stage where they were buying issues off collectors - perhaps they still do this?? IIRC correctly, Michael may have had to view some other collections to compile his very comprehensive books. IP: Logged
Two Face 22 Member	posted March 10, 2003 03:15 PM Thinking about it , what a great couple of jobs - comic book researcher and custodian of DC's vaults. Makes you green thinking that people have held jobs like this. IP: Logged
Dr. Van Thorp Member	posted March 10, 2003 10:22 PM Michigan State University Library has an extensive collection of comic book material including Microfiche and actual comics, and not just from one publicher. Seems like this would be as good as working in the DC "vault". IP: Logged
srca1941 Member	posted March 10, 2003 10:27 PM Want a peek into the DC library? Well, here it is courtesy of former JSA artist Steve Sadowski! He was given the tour of the offices and was kind enough to post pictures in his fan club! Enjoy! http://home.insightbb.com/~srca1941/DCLibrary.html -Steve PS-The librarian looks eerily like my high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Downs... They could be twins (if the librarian was blond)... ------------------ Visit "The Golden Years" http://www.goldenyears.cjb.net My "Future Archives" Page: http://www.dcarchives.cjb.net IP: Logged
dylanfan Member	posted March 10, 2003 11:20 PM Please tell me those storage units are fireproof, waterproof, earthquake stabilized and capable of withstanding alien laser guns. What a collection.......... ------------------ Visit the Marvel Masterworks fansite and Message Board: Go to www.marvelmasterworks.freeservers.com IP: Logged
Owen Cardiff Darcy Member	posted March 11, 2003 12:59 AM quote: Originally posted by srca1941: Want a peek into the DC library? Well, here it is courtesy of former JSA artist Steve Sadowski! He was given the tour of the offices and was kind enough to post pictures in his fan club! Enjoy! http://home.insightbb.com/~srca1941/DCLibrary.html -Steve PS-The librarian looks eerily like my high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Downs... They could be twins (if the librarian was blond)... Thanks, Steve. When were those pictures taken? I noticed that your site has no index page. Is there a "site map" or a page listing your site's contents? IP: Logged
James Friel Member	posted March 11, 2003 02:41 AM quote: Originally posted by Dr. Van Thorp: Michigan State University Library has an extensive collection of comic book material including Microfiche and actual comics, and not just from one publicher. Seems like this would be as good as working in the DC "vault". My comics distribution business used to be in Lansing MI, right next door to MSU, which is my alma mater in any case. Randy Scott, who's now the head of Special Collections at MSU Libraries, was at the time (late 1970s) an old friend and a pretty junior librarian in the system. The Russel Nye Collection (named after an American Studies professor who was one of the first really respected academics to pay respectful attention to comics) is his baby. He may not have started it (though maybe he did--I forget), but he certainly pushed and prodded and fought for it for years. One day around '79, I guess, he called me and asked for a donation. I told him to come over to the warehouse, and we went through my stock together. We pulled five boxes of stuff out, one copy each of most DC and Marvel comics from about 1974-79, and a bunch of other stuff too, including the good stuff that was already going for more than cover from my retail boxes. At the time, he told me it added a significant fraction to the collection's size, and I've always been proud to have been in on helping it along. Don't know what Randy was thinking of, coming on a mororcycle, though... IP: Logged
srca1941 Member	posted March 11, 2003 08:15 AM quote: Originally posted by Owen Cardiff Darcy: Thanks, Steve. When were those pictures taken? I noticed that your site has no index page. Is there a "site map" or a page listing your site's contents? There's no index page because that site is just a hodgepodge of small stuff like this that I post for people as needed. There is no organization to it. I have 6 10 meg. accounts with my ISP, 5 for my Golden Years site, and this one for misc. items. As for when the pictures were taken, I'm not sure, but they were posted April 27, 2002. I'd imagine they were made not TOO long prior. -Steve ------------------ Visit "The Golden Years" http://www.goldenyears.cjb.net My "Future Archives" Page: http://www.dcarchives.cjb.net IP: Logged
CMCINTYRE3600 Member	posted March 12, 2003 10:07 AM I have defenelty always dreamed of being admited to "the vault", where, in my mind, they of course had a copy of every single comic they ever published. Not to mention a bunch that were finshed but never published, like the CCC material. Ah, to be a kid again.... Chris IP: Logged
Gillesia Member	posted March 12, 2003 11:22 AM wow!! WHAT A GREAT JOB TO HAVE!!!!! I would spend the rest of mu life reading DC!!!! What a job!!! Thanks for the links readers!!! They were great!!!! JRG IP: Logged
Drumore01 Member	posted March 13, 2003 02:22 AM I'm not certain, but I THINK I have heard that the library volumes of older material is photocopies, not actual comics. This would make sense because of their value, rarity, and condition. There might be another offsite vault where things are kept as well. IP: Logged
zigdaddy Member	posted March 13, 2003 02:35 PM quote: Originally posted by CMCINTYRE3600: I have defenelty always dreamed of being admited to "the vault", where, in my mind, they of course had a copy of every single comic they ever published. Not to mention a bunch that were finshed but never published, like the CCC material. Ah, to be a kid again.... Chris I know. One thing I've always wanted to see was the "other" Batman #429. That's the issue where Jason Todd kicks the bucket. Denny has said that he had 2 stories prepared for that issue, one if Jason had lived, and the one we saw. Denny also said that the unused version would stay locked away in his file cabinet. MAN would I like to see that issue, just to see how it might have gone. Ah well. Dreaming's free... dave ------------------ Sumus quod sumus "We are what we are." "When you have to choose between friendship and pride, choose friendship. Because you can't pick up the phone and talk to your pride." --Matthew H. Lindsay IP: Logged
IndianaBoo New Member	posted March 13, 2003 09:19 PM If you can't wait for golden age archives: MicroComics Inc. PO Box 243 Ridgewood, NJ 07451 1-800-666-4054 201-445-3450 201-445-2924 (fax) arah@aol.com (email) Tell them Don Powers recommended MicroComics to you. Comics from DC since Action 1 on microfiche. IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Contact Us | DC Comics

Copyright � 2003 DC Comics
DC COMICS PRIVACY INFORMATION

Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47