Big Lick NOVA 2025, Part V - Jim Shooter Part II And Rick Leonard Part III, Prints, And Purchases

Today I pick up where I left off last week, continuing my signing fun with Jim Shooter.

Jim with his assistant, Brittany

First up was Jim's signature for The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book. For those of you who recall, this book hit my radar when I found out it was how Mark Bagley got hired at Marvel. That was all I needed to hear to add it to my want list. Mainly to get the people behind it to sign it, as well as Mark. Unfortunately, John Romita is no longer with us, so unless I come across anyone else who was hired at Marvel because of this book, my signature gathering for this one is done.

Speaking of people who got hired at Marvel from this book, I found out that Keith Williams was one of those folks. I not only got his signature on it at Awesome Con 2024, but picked up a second copy of this book to have signed for him by Jim. Al Milgrom will be back at Baltimore Comic Con 2025, along with Keith. I'll get him to sign it too, and then give it to Keith as a gift. Shh...it's a secret.

Next up was a series of mini comics, and I do mean mini. These first two Spider-Man ones were Wal-Mart exclusives, but I can't find any information on if they were sold like this, packed with something, or if there are any others.

These G.I. Joe books were individually packed in with the second wave of G.I. Joe Action Stars, and tell the tale of Starduster, a character created specifically for the cereal. There were three different comics in total. While I can't find any credits on who did the art, writing (probably Larry Hama), or any other aspects of the books, they were released in the time that Shooter was Editor-In-Chief at Marvel.

Speaking of Larry Hama, while speaking to Michael Watkins, I told him I'd love to see Larry Hama come back to Big Lick so I can get more comics signed by him. He replied, "He probably won't." He then elaborated saying that Larry wants to make a certain amount of money at conventions, and apparently Big Lick was not lucrative enough for him.

On a side note, I also heard Jim talking with someone else about Michael Zeck, an artist I'd love to get several signatures from. Jim stated that Mr. Zeck, who currently lives in Vietnam, would probably never come back to the USA. It's disappointing if that's true.

Here's a shot of the books next to a ruler to show you the actual sizes.

These next two sets are my latest obsession, The Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe. There have been multiple volumes of this series, the first two which Jim oversaw. However, as Mr. Shooter tells it, that wasn't initially the plan. Jim initially saw it in 1984 as a twelve issue one and done set. However, before it was even finished, the team asked if they could add three additional books based on the dead.

Based on its success, a follow-up second volume was produced in 1987.

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at
Big Lick Nova 2025

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at
Big Lick Nova 2025

Also signed by Rick Leonardi at
Big Lick Nova 2025

Jim wasn't at Marvel anymore by the time issue 19 and 20 hit newsstands. However, I got him to sign them for two reasons. First, he would have still been part of the conception of the entire series. Second, it simply made sense to have the entire run signed by him.

I get the feeling these books will become my new thing to take to conventions to get the various collaborators on them to sign.

The last two sets are in the same vein as the above, but ones I already had in my collection. Those are The Official Marvel Index to The Amazing Spider-Man, and Marvel Team-Up Featuring Spider-Man.

I also pulled a few prints off my wall from prior shows, deciding to add Jim's autograph to them.

Also signed by Jim Salicrup at
Awesome Con 2024

Also signed by John Beatty at
Big Lick Nova 2024

Also signed by John Beatty at
Big Lick Nova 2024

Also signed by Klaus Janson at
Baltimore Comic Con 2023

Wrapping up my time at Big Lick Nova 2025 was a series of purchases, most of which were picked up with Jim Shooter in mind.

I owned the Marvel Universe cards back when I was in high school, and again a few years ago when another blogger gifted me replacement sets. However, I ended up giving those to a kid in the neighborhood I lived in shortly thereafter. When I saw these two complete sets on a dealer's table, I made him an offer he surprisingly took. This will be the last time I obtain these sets. If I'm not smart enough to hold on to them, it will be my loss.

I then went on the hunt for more Marvel Tales. Not all of them were in the Shooter era, or reprints of stories he was part of, so not all of them got signed.

The New Mutants 86 is the last book in this series I was looking for in the Liefeld / McFarlane collaboration period.

Of course, I'm not leaving a show without picking up a Spider-Man number 1. This is the fifth unsealed newsprint copy I own, among the multiple other variants. I also almost gave in and picked up another platinum edition and second print gold cover, but thankfully pulled myself away from them.

And with that all said and done over the past several weeks, that wraps up Big Lick Nova 2025. For more Jim Shooter goodness, you can check out all the other great books he signed for me over the past years "HERE".

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