Traverse City Priest Donates 50-Year-Old Comic Book Collection for GTACS

Many are already talking about one big donation that will go up for auction at this year’s Gladhander.

9&10’s Caroline Powers spoke to a local priest who is passing on some of his most treasured items to help out the schools.

Check this out. This is every comic book lovers dream. Issues of Iron Man comics from the 1960’s and 70’s, but this longtime collector will soon be giving up his prized possessions for a cause that’s close to him.

“This is the Holy Grail. This is the one that would create the most interest because it was the birth of a hero that has become very popular,” says Fr. Greg McCallum.

Fr. Greg McCallum at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Traverse City has always had a love for comic books.

It started at the age of 5.

“I knew that when I could finally buy a comic book, I knew which one I would buy. It was going to be Iron Man,” Fr. Greg says. “It was always something beyond a hobby, it was more of a real devotion to a hero.”

Fr. Greg’s collection grew to around 6,000 comic books at one point, and while he hasn’t been able to keep his full collection over the years, he’s made sure to hold on to the issues of his hero.

“I couldn’t bring myself to liquidate these. There was too much sentimental value. Too much nostalgic value so I held on and held on, and finally I started thinking there’s got to be a time where I unload these, but I just wanted to make sure the time is right,” Fr. Greg says.

That time is this year’s Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Gladhander Auction.

“There are a lot of good causes, but the Catholic school system is entering into a critical campaign, capital campaign for a new school and I thought this might be the perfect timing to create a little interest,” Fr. Greg says.

So as difficult as it will be for Fr. Greg to let go of his childhood treasures, he knows they are going to a cause close to his heart.

“If the wider community can see that one of the priests is making a sacrifice that might inspire other Catholics in the community to make sacrifices so we can have a successful campaign and see a nice new school go up,” says Fr. Greg.

Fr. McCallum’s current collection is valued at just over $4,200.

You can bid on it at the Gladhander Auction on October 29.