

by Beau Smith

Comic books used to play a major part of my Christmas morning. Sure, toys were always the main load of my Christmas wishes, but I always made sure that a few comic books were on the list to make it a top notch Christmas morning.



As I got older, and my comic book collection grew to hoarder levels, I asked for long boxes and bags to insert my comics into. In light of my recent birthday, and the Christmas that is less than a week away, I’ve come to realize that my Christmas mornings are lacking the comic book excitement that were once a part of it.

Part of it is that I have so many comic books and comic book related items. Part of it is that I have become more select with my current purchases. If I’m going to spend just under $5.00 per comic book, I want to make sure that comic book is truly worth it. There are also so many more pop culture related items to woo my attentions, not counting my outdoor interests and books in general. I’ve been vexed as to how I could recapture some of that Christmas morning, comic book excitement. After a lot of thought (any amount of thought is a lot for me), I figured out something that covered all the bases.



I’ve been buying and collecting comic books since 1958. I have most everything that I’ve ever bought. I toss little away. (There’s that hoarding feeling again.) So what I have done this year is randomly reached into various long boxes that hold older comics of mine. Random is a key word, because I do not and never have organized my comic book collection. It’s a real Grab-Bag of order…disorder. Anyway, I grabbed an unseen handful of comics and wrapped them up and put them under the tree with my name on it. Come Christmas day, I will re-gift those comic books to myself for re-reading. I will try and recapture my youth in this act. I will make comic books once again a part of my Christmas morning.



I also took the time to select a few well chosen comic books from my collection and set them aside for friends and family members I am giving as gifts. With each comic is a note telling them when, where, and how I bought that comic book and what it means to me. It’s my way of sharing my comic book enjoyment with them and hopefully passing on a bit of what I felt about comic books as a kid and as an adult.



I also hope that those who receive these gifts will enjoy these comics half as much as I have. Perhaps they will do the same with parts of their comic book collection and let it live on through others. I know that sounds a little like tree huggerery, but when comic books mean as much to you as they do to me, well, then I don’t mind humping a tree a little.

Granted, I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy folks new comics or get new comics for Christmas. I’m just suggesting that you find and promote a new way of comic book giving. Others will appreciate it and you’ll be surprised at just how much it’ll mean to you.



From all of us here at The Flying Fist Ranch, Merry Christmas and have the best New Year ever. Please know that you are in my personal prayers and thoughts and I want the best for you and yours….

And I also want lots of fun stuff for Christmas, so get out there and SHOP!

Your amigo,

Beau Smith

The Flying Fist Ranch

www.flyingfistranch.com