I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the price tag; one that I could never stretch my budget for.
Wednesday provided an enjoyable hiatus from work and visit to a favorite bookshop courtesy of a work-related meeting with a former college-mate.
There it was, slotted next to a host of Marvel Omnibus (whatever that means) series: Secret Wars by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck and immediately, my heart skipped a beat.
Alas, for the second time this year, I have had to forgo wishes in deference to stark economic realities.
RM341 is a whole month’s groceries and more. It’s a sum that could easily cover the petrol and toll bill, with extras for breakfast and lunch.
A figure that would buy me the full set of Geoff Jones’ highly acclaimed “Blackest Night” with extras for, perhaps, a Burger King set meal and the parking fee.
Yet, my fingers felt leaden when it came to re-slotting the phonebook–thick miniseries into its place in the rack.
Instantly I wished I was in Singapore, or back in the UK which would reduce substantially the cost of adding such a classic to my collection.
(Of course this is based on the proviso that I am earning in SGD and Sterling, that is.)
I never did manage to get a single issue of Secret Wars as the mini-series came out when I was still relatively wet behind the ears and pretty much (ahem!) penniless.
(Scrolled Amazon and saw the same being retailed at USD70 (around RM230 at current conversion).
Still way too expensive to make sense, unless, that is, you’re an American buyer. Wonder of anyone of my friend’s going to the US… Hmmm…)
I took stock at my wallet-situation and decided instead on the reprinted copies of Marvel 1602 (Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert) and Arkham Asylum (Grant Morrison and Dave McKean).
There was also Kabuki (David Mack), the aforementioned GJ’s Blackest Night’s series, parts 1 and 2 of Old Man Logan (Mark Millar and Steve McNiven), the New Krypton (GJ, again!)... the list goes on and on…
Next occasion considerations.
Yep. It’s been a while since I hung around the aisle of Kinokuniya’s comics’ section.
Perhaps the next visit will see even a paperback compendium of Secret Wars?
That'd be nice.
