A time to give away...

My comic collection was decimated yesterday. It was two boxes of comics and 15 years of memories.

It was a little weird seeing them go out the door. Admittedly, I haven't really looked at them in years but as I sorted the lot out, I realised that I remembered each and every one of them like I'd bought them yesterday.

So, as I waxed lyrical about Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio and even the scourge of comic book anatomy, Rob Liefeld, I realised that in giving away my comic books, what I was actually doing was packing away my childhood. Weird feeling, believe you me. It's not that I miss it or anything. It's just a touch of nostalgia.

It would be a secondary school ritual to head down to the comic book store (back then it was Leisurecraft Orchard at Orchard Emerald) with all my allowance in tow and picking up my order. Yes, I actually had an account with Leisurecraft that meant that I would just head in and pick up my regular order. Friday would be new comic book day and that usually meant that my allowance went to my collection. (Secondary 3 and 4 were years where I would often go without lunch) But it all felt worth it. Sitting at Burger King with JL reading comic books was a secondary school ritual that was just about the best part of my teenage years in school. Geek in the making.

More than that, actually.

Fanatic.

I mean, I have X-men #1 in all five variant covers (in triplicate mind you). A couple of other regular orders and a sealed version of the first print of Superman #75. (Black mylar bag pristine and double boarded)

But they've all gone to better homes now. I donated my collection to a group of kids who will probably appreciate them a whole lot more than I can afford to now. I think of it as setting the next generation of geeks down the right path by starting them on some of the greats. And I'm surprisingly OK with that.

Because in packing up my childhood, I'm preparing some space so that my own kids have theirs. Shelving old memories and setting up a new home for new additions. And maybe, just maybe, if my kids start picking up comic books on their own, I'll bring some of my collection home.

But for now, fare thee well.