Inaugural Post - Would You Rather...?

Doug: As we do around here from time to time, we'll throw something up against the wall and see if it sticks. The conversation prompt we're going to test drive is a play on that wonderful teenage game "Would you rather...?" For example, as I was searching for some images to use in the logo to the right, I came across one meme that queried, "Would you rather lick the pole on the subway or would you rather let five people on the subway kiss you?" Man... talk about a choiceless choice!

Doug: We'll take it just a bit easier on you here on the BAB. Today I'm going to ask you about two of the most famous, most valuable, and most significant comics of the Bronze Age. Now some of you may have had (or have) both of them, so you'll have to find your way into the conversation through your own experiences and perceptions. But considering the hobby of collecting, of monetary value, and of cultural significance, today we want to know --

Would you rather own Incredible Hulk #181 or Giant-Size X-Men #1?

The Numbers Game

Karen: I was working on a report the other day at work and the number '162' came up as part of the data, and instantly a little voice in my head said, "Incredible Hulk #162, first appearance of the Wendigo." Of course it had nothing to do with the subject at hand, but my brain made the connection regardless.  This happens to me all the time. I can be getting change at a restaurant, or pumping gas, or reading a license plate, and I'll see a number that I automatically associate with a particular comic book. If it's 94, I think of X-Men #94, the first regular issue to feature the all-new, all-different team. Or if I see 181, well then, Incredible Hulk #181 and the first appearance of that lovable psycho, Wolverine, pops into my head. The number 121 brings back memories of the death of Gwen Stacy. If it's 346, then the Legion takes center stage, with Adventure Comics #346 and the introductions of Karate Kid, Princess Projectra, Ferro Lad, and Nemesis Kid.

You see what I'm getting at here. These numbers, most of them in triple digits, beckon forth pivotal moments in comics history for me.  I think of this as 'The Numbers Game.' You could probably take almost any number and see if you can come up with some significant comic with that issue number, but I prefer the spontaneous occurences.Maybe some of you have experienced similar moments. Please feel free to share your experiences and thoughts.

And here's a question: now that comics are constantly starting over at number 1, it keeps the issue numbers low -as well as making for numerous issues of the same number within a given title. Does this make for fewer of these 'Numbers Game' moments for younger readers?