On my back home from Bowling Green, Kentucky, I couldn’t pass up the chance to stop at The Great Escape’s second location. It was a smaller shop in a strip mall in Bowling Green a short distance from the highway. Given my proclivity for Bargain Bin shopping, I was hoping that this second location hosted a bunch of bargain boxes also.

I was in luck! Not only did this store have dozens of 49 cent bins, but they also had 35% off all back issues in honor of the most ludicrous shopping day of the year.

Before I got to the bargain bins, I was struck by a comic book they had on the wall. It was Marvel Spotlight #28, a book I’ve been eyeing for years. It features the first “solo” appearance of one of my favorite Marvel characters, second only to Ka-Zar, Lord of the Hidden Jungle…the Moon Knight.

It was marked at the low price of $49. With the 35% off, it would have only been $31.85. Keep in mind my monthly comic budget is (wait for it) $20. After taking a close look at the book, it appeared to easily be in what CGC might call an 8.0 or higher condition. It was the nicest copy of the book I’d seen and actually held in my hand. But with a deep breath, I put the book back on the wall and pressed on to the bargain bins. I am sure I will regret this when the Moon Knight series comes out on Fox…

At the bins, I was in luck! Although these bargain bins were not as well kept as the Great Escape in Madison, TN (many more coverless and raggedy books here) there were still some gems to be had. At 49 cents apiece, I was able to scoop up even more goodness than at the main location. Today’s haul included:

• Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters #1-3 (EXC) (Eclipse Comics)
• Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1-6 (VF) (Marvel Comics/Complete Mini Series)
• Silverblade #1-12 (EXC-NM) (DC Comics/Complete Mini Series)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8 (With Cerebus) (EXC) (Mirage Studios)
• Death Rattle #8 (1st Xenozoic Tales) (VF) (Kitchen Sink Press)
• King Conan #4-12 (VG-F) (Marvel Comics)
• Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle #22 (VG) Marvel Comics
• Turok, Dinosaur Hunter #1 (EXC-NM) (Valiant Comics)

So today’s total was $16.17, and I walked out with 33 comics.


The big surprises to me were Death Rattle #8 and the Silverblade series. All of the SIlverblade issues looked untouched, and if I actually had money, I’d shoot them over to CGC just because I don’t see them anywhere. The Death Rattle #8 features a sneak preview of the hit Xenozoic Tales, which would later go on to become the cult classic Cadillacs & Dinosaurs. Given that Death Rattle #8 sells for $14-16 online in even good condition, I think that paid for the trip.


What a blessing for a shopping trip. Comic budget now cashed in until after Christmas, but it’s been a fun end-of-the-year round up.


As always, I am – Wally (AKA Paint Monk)