Comics Buyer's Guide (1971) comic books 1971

Alan Light's "The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom" made its debut with this issue which featured a John G. Fantucchio's iconic cover, a nice introduction article by Jan Steven Strnad, and, of course, ads. Most of the biggest ads were for various fanzines available at the time, such as Bill G. Wilson's "The Collector," various Captain George publications, "Helix," "Infinity," and others. Circulation, according to Light's editorial info in the indicia on Page 2, was "approximately 3,500." Also on Page 2 were the ad rates -- $16 for a full page ad, and $9 for a half-pager. 20 pgs, B&W on newsprint.

This issue, like the first issue, was distributed FREE to potential subscribers. In the "Mail Bag" section, a letter from Buddy Saunders to Alan Light, congratulating him on publication of the first issue of The Comic's Buyer's Guide". 20 pgs, B&W on newsprint.

The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom #3 (May, 1971) is an early-era comics ad zine featuring comic for sale lists and ads for the many fan publications of the period. This issue features a really cool Dan Adkins cover. 16 pages, black and white on newsprint, tabloid 11.5-in. x 17.5-in. NOTE: Early issues were mailed free to interested comic collectors; back issues could be ordered at 25c ea. Later the publication moved to paid subscriptions.

Column by Mark Evanier and Steve Sherman (MESS). Tim Kirk illustration. Neal Pozner fanzine ad. Full page ads were just $16.00 and you could have ordered an Avengers #1 in VG to NM condition (that's how much looser grading was back then!) for just $5.00. Who was the seller? None other than Buddy Saunders, the owner of Lone Star Comics and Mycomicshop.com. We've been in the comic books business a VERY long time, almost as long as we've been collecting comics! 16 pages, black and white on newsprint, tabloid 11.5-in. x 17.5-in.

The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom #5 (August, 1971) is an early-era comics ad zine featuring comic for sale lists and ads for the many fan publication of the period. This issue features a snazzy Bob Kline sci-fi cover. Also features a cool Berni Wrightson drawing in an ad for Metro-Con '71. Page 3 features a half-page ad from Buddy Saunders, who several years later would open the first Lone Star Comics store in Arlington, Texas. 12 pages, black and white on newsprint, tabloid 11.5-in. x 17.5-in. NOTE: Early issues were mailed free to interested comic collectors; back issues could be ordered at 25c ea. Later the publication moved to paid subscriptions.

The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom #6 (September, 1971), and early era comics ad zine featuring comic for sale lists and ads for the many fan publication of the period. This issue features a Dan Adkins science fiction cover. Page four features a half-page ad from Buddy Saunders who six years later would open the first Lone Star Comics store in Arlington, Texas. Buddy also appears in the letters section along with Jan Strnad (Dalgoda creator). 16 pages, black and white on newsprint, tabloid 11.5-in. x 17.5-in. NOTE: Early issues were mailed free to interested comic collectors; back issues could be ordered at 25c ea. Later the publication moved to paid subscriptions.

24 pgs, B&W on newsprint.

Add to cart Very Good $27.00 View scans Water damage: Slight.

"The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom" #8, Oct. 1971. On Page 22, publisher Alan Light printed a half-page editorial/letters feature titled "Editor's Space." It was not a regular item, and did not last long. He crammed a fairly lengthy editorial and letter's column in the space, reducing it quite a bit to make it fit. But the feature is interesting today for a number of reasons: First, based on Alan Light's comments, it's clear he and Gary Groth were still pals, so it pre-dates their massive feud a couple of years later. Second, among the letters is one from longtime comics retailer Buddy Saunders (he has a half page ad in this issue). Another of the letters is from a 16-year-old fan publisher named Paul Levitz, who wrote to say his ad in TBG #2 for his fanzine "Etcetera" (which he co-edited with Paul Kupperberg), was still generating orders. Third, there's a nifty little illustration by Sam de La Rosa and Ric Cruz, who teamed up three years later to draw the cover for TBG #66. Eventually, de la Rosa turned pro and is still drawing comics to this very day. Finally, there's a letter from Jerome Sinkovec, who, like Levitz, had no idea at the time they would both later become editors of "The Comic Reader." Sinkovec's letter was in regards to an ad he was purchasing for his venerable newspaper reprint enterprise at the time, "The Menomonee Falls Gazette." 24 pgs, B&W on newsprint.

20 pgs, B&W on newsprint.

The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom #10 (Dec, 1971) is an early-era comics ad zine featuring comic for sale lists and ads for the many fan publication of the period. This issue features a Donald Newton cover featuring the Sub-Mariner and Human Torch in battle over the Statue of Liberty. Page 10 features a half-page ad from Buddy Saunders who, years later, would open the first Lone Star Comics store in Arlington, Texas. 24 pages, black and white on newsprint, tabloid 11.5-in. x 17.5-in. NOTE: Early issues were mailed free to interested comic collectors; back issues could be ordered at 25c ea. Later the publication moved to paid subscriptions.