Why I read Marvel Digital Comics

Originally posted : By Tj Shields · Saturday, September 19, 2009
http://marvel.com/boards/viewtopic.php?p=4022144&highlight#4022144 - no longer exists because removed by Marvel Comics

Why I read marvel digital comics…….

In August 2009 I went to the Wizard World Comic book Convention in Rosemont IL, just outside of Chicago.

   I go to this event every year. Usually to pick up the comics I have wanted to get and to see all the cool people, costumes, figures, movies, etc. that are always at this event.   This particular year I was looking forward to the Marvel panel that was being held and the subject is on the ULTIMATE Marvel universe. 

  Now I had not finished reading ULTIMATIUM at this time, but I still love the series.  Which comes to my main point, I have primarily read almost all of the Ultimate Marvel Comics series through Marvel Digital Comics or digital media of one type or the other.

   This started when the Ultimate X-men series had come out on CD-ROM in stores.  Now I had been introduced to Ultimate X-men by a friend through his collection of trade paperbacks, but now I had a way of reading the whole series up to a point, so I purchased it and started reading.  Because of my busy schedule, it took me 3 months to read the whole thing. That’s 70 comic issues and I LOVED IT!!  By then I had gone out and purchased the Ultimate War trade paperback so I could fill in the blanks and thought about collecting the comic from then on.

    A week later, before I had a chance to start buying comics I got a notice from my Marvel Comics newsletter in my email.  Marvel is starting a Digital Comics Library.  My jaw hit the floor. I instantly looked at the site and was struck with awe.  This was the answer I was looking for. I now had a way to look at my favorite comics without having to go down to my storage area and pull out the comics from their storage bags and read them, and in the process get my greasy hands all over them and demean their value. Not to mention the chance of getting them dirty or catching a page on the scotch tape on the bag, which isn’t a big deal for some but for me it is a huge deal. Insert your “Mallrats”/“Jason Lee” joke here….

    Now I didn’t care about the subscription fee because of the possibilities that this library offered, so I signed up and have been happily paying my fee ever since.  Now because of this subscription, I had free access to all of the comics on the site and all the comics that I; already owned, had always wanted to read or didn’t even know existed.  Such comics were the Ultimate series.  As I read I found that I loved every single one of them but the collections were incomplete and I had to wait for months before the next issues came out.  Being the patient man that I am, I was able to push it aside, create my “Must Reads” list and wait.

   Now back to the convention and the Panel:  I walked in excited to learn what was going to happen and what I would learn about all the characters that I loved and hoped to hear about.  The panel starts and I listened intently and enjoyed all the jokes and comments that came from Mark Paniccia, Mark Millar and a very young and attractive woman, whom I’m sad to say I forgot to write her name down (please post if you know) as well as the rest of the panel. Then came the moment I had been waiting for, the open forum. I waited for a few people to get their questions out of the way before I stood up, walked over the microphone and nervously started to ask my question. “Hello, um…First off I would like to say I love the Ultimate comics series and I have read almost all of them on the Marvel Digital Comics site.  And…” Before I could get out my next word a Scottish/British voice comes up and says…. “CHEAP!” 

   I actually froze.  I felt myself freeze and from around me there was a chorus of laughter. I thought I was either going to burst into tears or pass-out from embarrassment.  But I sucked it back and continued on with “…I’ll let that go for now. But I wanted to know if there would be any exclusive Ultimate Comics releases on the Digital Comics Website?”  The panel then went into an answer which I can’t recall word for word but the gist was of no plans at this time but please purchase the comics from the stores.

   The rest of the questions sort of slipped past my ears as I sat cold and hurt in the room. I left at the end of the panel with the rest of the room but in a state of shock.

   It’s only now that I can truly say what I wish I had said at that moment when I had been called “CHEAP.” Talk about waiting till after the fact that the comeback comes to mind eh?

   I have my reasons for reading the comics through the Digital Comics and they are good ones. They are truthful, real and honest reasons.  It honestly has nothing to do with the money.  I’m not strapped for cash to the point that I can’t pay for my comics. I have several hundred comics that I have collected since I was 11 years old (34 now). My collection ranges from Alpha Flight to Transformers and Amazing Spider-man to X-Men and not just Marvel Comics.  This collection has grown to considerable size and I have had to let go of many because I just don’t have the room to collect all that I want.  Many great stories I have had to purchase through trade paperbacks because I can’t find all the issues to the series.  My collecting now is down to the comics that stand out as truly unique and special. Which is very small compared to the size it was 10 years ago. 

   The digital comics gave me a way to purchase my comics and read them over and over and over again without fear of damaging them or losing them or missing out on issues I couldn’t find.  It’s a wonderful dream come true for a fan of comics like me.  To have a way to not only read all my comics whenever I want, but I can now access them from wherever I am!  All I need do is open my laptop, open a my Android or iPod-Touch app, and there they are!

    But I’m “CHEAP” because of it.  I go months without reading my comics because my schedule is so crazy I don't have time to pick them up from the store.   I not only pay for my Subscription to Digital Comics but all the series I collect from the same comic book store that I have been getting my comics since I was small. (Comic Collector - Harlem Ave. Riverside, IL. Deadpool and Ghost Rider to name a few.)

    I would pay the cover prices online if they would give me the comics.  I’ve emailed into Marvel asking to make individual subscription plans for people who want to get specific series. I’ve called in pleading for the comics to be made available for whatever price I need to pay to get them. Yet nothing has changed, and I’m called “CHEAP”.

    Because of this I have had to start purchasing the new Ultimate Comics series to keep up.  Unfortunately I can’t read them yet, because I haven’t finished reading the series behind them. I love my comics stories they fill me up with creativity and life that is beaten down so many times by the world.  The art work, the characters, the stories, so masterfully written and drawn and I love them all. I love reading them, collecting them and hopefully one day they will return the favor.

   I’m not writing this to start a fight or cause a ruckus. I just want to say what I have been thinking and plead for peace of mind.  Let me pay for my comics and read them digitally.  I’m still going to buy other comics because I just want to read them in hand, but let me get the others online so I can collect ones and enjoy the others.

   I know I’m not the only one who enjoys this convenient and fun way of reading comics. I’m not trying to steal money from the artists and writers, I just want an easier way to store and read my comics. 

   Oh and just for the record…..On average I pay between $40-$50 dollars a month on Comics add in my subscription to Digital comics and that goes up to around $60 a month and $720 a year. 

   And I’m “CHEAP”!?

  As my favorite Merc-with-a-Mouth would say:  “YEAH RIGHT! And Bea Arthur was just another Pretty Face you irishsprings'mellin, whiskey'swillin', leprechaunkissing, cornedbeefandhashmicrowaving', mutantscum --taunt me, will you?! I'll show you taunting! I'll taunt you till you bleed out of your ears and run home to mama!” - (Deadpool - Wade Wilson, The Crimson Comedian, The Regeneratin' Degenerate,The Merc With A Mouth. Marvel's Ultimate Slapstick Killing Machine and My Favorite Marvel Anti-Hero!) 

  

    

A DREAM

From Facebook Notes by Tj Shields on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 9:16pm

A DREAM

I dreamed a dream 
a beautiful may flower glowing in the dawn sunlight
dew glistened on its pedals
she sways in the gentle breeze
Surrounded by soft green grass, the ground swells just to be near.
The trees bow to her magnificence, allowing the sun to feed her.
I see her and long to be near.
Wanting to touch her softness.
Needing to smell her sweetness.
I dreamed a dream 
but now that dream is gone from my mind.
I search now for you and can't find you.
the trees have withered.
the grass is gone and the ground is spoiled.
The sun doesn't shine and all is darkness.
I dreamed of you my Beautiful May Flower of Love.
Why Can't I find you now?


I'm a hunter of peace and love. On a quest for the elusive mayfly known as Love. we are searching for a place where we can live our lives in peaceful days. With no wars, no killing and no stealing, a place  that isn't run by fear. A place where people can live and actually trust other human beings. - Vash the Stampede

The Funniest Chilli Contest Ever

From Facebook Notes by Tj Shields on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:35pm

The Funniest Chilli Contest Ever

I didn't write it but I was laughing at it :)


If you can read this whole story without laughing, then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end. This is an actual account as relayed to paramedics at a chili cook-off in New Mexico.


Note: Take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better.
For those of you who have lived in New Mexico, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Santa Fe Plaza.
Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chile taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL. Frank: 'Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native New Mexicans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge #3. 




Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These New Mexicans are crazy.




CHILI # 2 - EL RANCHO'S AFTERBURNER CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw he look on my face.


CHILI # 3 - ALFREDO'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer.


CHILI #4 BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman is starting to look HOT ... just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?


CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Jalapeno peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the jalapeno peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.


CHILI # 6 - VARGA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?
Judge # 3 -- No report

Funny story a friend sent me

From Facebook Notes by Tj Shields on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 10:43am

Funny story a friend sent me

A stranger was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the stranger turned to her and said, 'Let's talk.
I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger..' 

The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?' 

'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about nuclear power?' and he smiles..

OK, 'she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first.
A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass - .
Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass.
Why do you suppose that is?' 

The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.' 

To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified to discuss nuclear power when you don't know shit?

Big Bang Theory Quote...... The irony is so funny to me :)

From Facebook Notes by Tj Shields on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 11:21pm

Big Bang Theory Quote...... The irony is so funny to me :)

I believe that inherent within the God-given right to the pursuit of happiness, is the equally God-given right to the pursuit of unhappiness. That is why I support gay marriage. - Chuck Lorre Productions #231

If Hetoralsexual partners can be happy and miserable together, gay couples should be able too also. Heck they want to be part of the percentage of couples who get married and end up in divorce, more power to them. :)

THE LIST EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ!!!!

From Facebook Notes by Tj Shields on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 9:58am

THE LIST EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO READ!!!!

  I didn't write it, I'm just posting it.

The Man Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down
Finally, the guys' side of the story. ( I must admit, it's pretty good.)

We always hear "the rules" From the female side….Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules! Please note.. these are all numbered "1 " ON PURPOSE! 

1. Men are NOT mind readers. (FIRST & FOREMOST RULE) 

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. 

1. Sunday sports, It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be. 

1. Crying is blackmail. 

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it! 

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question. 

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for. 

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. 
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days. 

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us. 

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one 

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. 
If you already know best how to do it , just do it yourself. 

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.. 

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we. 

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default
settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is. 

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that. 

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle... 

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear. 

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Football or Hockey. 

1. You have enough clothes. 

1. You have too many shoes. 

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape! 

1. Thank you for reading this.. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;
But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping. 

All the things that frustrate me and cause the largest form of stress in my life.

From Facebook Notes by Tj Shields on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 9:10am

All the things that frustrate me and cause the largest form of stress in my life.

Here Are The Top Ten Reasons Why Men Fail With Women- And How To Make Sure YOU Avoid Every One Of These Deadly Common Mistakes…

-By David DeAngelo, Author Of “Double Your Dating”

MISTAKE #1: Being
Too Much Of A “Nice Guy”

Have you ever noticed that the really attractive women never seem to be attracted to ”nice” guys?

Of course you have.

Just like me, I’m sure you’ve had attractive female friends that always seemed to date “jerks”… but for some reason they were never romantically interested in YOU.

What’s going on here?

It’s actually very simple…

Women don’t base their choices of men on how “nice” a guy is. They choose the men they do because they feel a powerful GUT LEVEL ATTRACTION for them.

And guess what?

Being nice doesn’t make a woman FEEL that powerful ATTRACTION.

And being NICE doesn’t make a woman CHOOSE you.

I realize that this doesn’t make a lot of logical sense, and it’s hard to ACCEPT… but GET OVER IT.

Until you accept this FACT and begin to act on it, you’ll NEVER have the success with women that you want.

MISTAKE #2: Trying To
“Convince Her To Like You”

What do most guys do when they meet a woman that they REALLY like… but she’s just not interested?

Right! They try to “convince” the woman to feel differently.

Well, I have news for you… YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE HOW A WOMAN “FEELS” WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTION!

Never, ever, EVER.

You cannot CONVINCE a woman to feel differently about you with “logic and reasoning”.

Think about it.

If a woman doesn’t “feel it” for you, how in the world do you expect to change that FEELING by being “reasonable” with her?

But we all do it.

When a woman just isn’t interested, we beg, plead, chase, and do our best to change her mind.

Bad idea. One that will never work.

MISTAKE #3: Looking To Her
For Approval Or Permission

In our desire to please women (which we mistakenly think will make them like us), us guys are always doing things to get a woman’s “approval” or “permission”.

Another HORRIBLE idea.

Women are NEVER attracted to the types of men who kiss up to them… EVER.

Don’t get me wrong here.

You don’t have to treat women BADLY for them to like you.

But if you think that treating a woman well means “always getting her approval and permission for things”, think again.

You will never succeed by looking for approval. Women actually get ANNOYED at men who seek their approval.

Doubt me? Just ask any attractive woman if Wussy guys who chase her around and want her approval annoy her…

MISTAKE #4: Trying To “Buy” Her
Affection With Food And Gifts

How many times have you taken a woman out to a nice dinner, bought her gifts and flowers, and had her REJECT you for someone who didn’t treat her even HALF as well as you did?

If you’re like me, then you’ve had it happen a LOT.

Well guess what?

It’s only NATURAL when this happens…

That’s right, I said NATURAL.

When you do these things, you send a clear message:

“I don’t think you’ll like me for who I am, so I’m going to try to buy your attention and affection”.

Your good intentions usually come across to women as over-compensation for insecurity, and weak attempts at manipulation. That’s right, I said that women see this as MANIPULATION.

MISTAKE #5: Sharing
“How You Feel” Too Early In
The Relationship With Her

Another huge and unfortunate mistake that most men make with women is sharing how they “feel” too early on.

Attractive women are rare.

And they get a LOT of attention from men.

Most men don’t realize this, but attractive women are being approached in one way or another ALL THE TIME.

An attractive woman is often approached several times a DAY by men who are interested. This translate into dozens of times per week, and often HUNDREDS of times per month.

And guess what?

Attractive women have usually dated a LOT of men.

That’s right. They have EXPERIENCE.

They know what to expect.

And one thing that turns an attractive women off and sends her running away faster than just about anything is a guy who starts saying “You know, I really, REALLY like you” after one or two dates.

This signals to the woman that you’re just like all the other guys who fall for her too fast… and can’t control themselves.

Don’t do it. Lean back. Relax.

There’s a much better way…

MISTAKE #6: Not “Getting” How
Attraction Works For Women

Women are VERY different from men when it comes to ATTRACTION.

You need to accept this fact, and deal with it.

When a man sees a beautiful, young, sexy woman, he INSTANTLY feels a sexual attraction.

But does the same apply for women?

Do women feel sexual attraction to men based mostly on looks? Or is something else going on?

Well, after studying this topic for over five full years now, I can tell you that women usually have their “attraction mechanisms” triggered by things OTHER than looks.

Have you ever noticed that you see a lot more average and unattractive men with beautiful women than the other way around?

Think about it.

Women are more attracted to certain qualities in men… and they’re attracted to the way a man makes them FEEL than they are to looks alone.

If you know how to use your body language and communication correctly, you can make women feel the same kind of powerful sexual attraction to you that YOU feel when you see a hot, sexy young woman.

But it’s not an accident. You have to LEARN how to do this.

And ANY guy can learn how…

MISTAKE #7: Thinking That It
Takes Money And Looks

One of the most common mistakes that guys make is giving up before they’ve even gotten started… because they think that attractive women are only interested in men who have looks and money… or guys who are a certain height… or guys who are a certain age.

And sure, there are some women who are only interested in these things.

But MOST women are far more interested in a man’s personality than his wallet or his looks.

There are personality traits that attract women like a magnet…

And if you learn what they are and how to use them, YOU can be one of these guys.

YOU DO NOT have to “settle” for a woman just because you aren’t rich, tall, or handsome.

Let me say this again: If you know how to use your body language and communication correctly, you can make women feel the same kind of powerful sexual attraction to you that YOU feel when you see a hot, sexy young woman.

MISTAKE #8: Giving Away
All Of Your Power To Women

Earlier I mentioned that it’s a mistake to look to a woman for approval or permission.

Well, another similar tactic that a lot of guys use is GIVING AWAY THEIR POWER to women.

Said differently, guys try to get women to like them by doing whatever the woman wants.

Another bad idea…

Women are NEVER attracted to men that they can walk all over… Women aren’t attracted to Wussies!

MISTAKE #9: Not Knowing
EXACTLY What To Do In Each
Type Of Situation With Women

Now I’m going to blow your mind…

A woman ALWAYS knows what you’re thinking.

Women are approximately TEN TIMES better than men at reading body language. That’s ten TIMES.

I know, it might be hard to believe. But for example, if you’re out on a date with a woman, and you want to kiss her, she knows it.

And if you don’t know exactly what to do and exactly HOW to kiss her, and you just sit there looking at her and getting nervous, she won’t help!

And this goes for ALL aspects of women and dating…

Approaching a woman, getting her number, asking her out, kissing her, getting physical… everything.

If you don’t know what to do in each situation, you will probably screw it up… and LOSE EVERYTHING.

And you KNOW it.

It is VITALLY important that you know EXACTLY how to go from one step to the next with a woman… from the first meeting, all the way to the bedroom.

MISTAKE #10: Not Getting HELP

This is the biggest mistake of all.

This is the mistake that keeps most men from EVER having the kind of success with women that they truly want.

I know, guys don’t like to make themselves look weak or helpless. We don’t like to ask for help.

Hey, I’ve been there myself.

Let me tell you a little about me and how I figured out how to be successful with women…

About five years ago I became fed up with the fact that I didn’t know how to approach, meet, and get dates with women that I was attracted to.