Go.

It's the era when I became a regular comic reader. And although every era has both good and bad stories, there was a lot to enjoy about that decade: our host's runs on FF and SUPERMAN; Frank Miller's DAREDEVIL; some pretty good Batman tales; and a lot of licensed properties such as G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS.

Also, it was the era where my enjoyment of the comics was enhanced by the merchandise. Kenner did a fantastic job with their "Super Powers" range whilst Mattel did the same with the "Secret Wars" toys. So not only was it a good time to be enjoying the comics, but there was plenty else to enjoy: the toys, the VHS releases of films like SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and countless other forms of merchandise.

As my big brother had a lot of comics, it's when I learned to appreciate the smell of old comics (still my favorite smell).

***

Do I have your permission to travel back to that era and "leap into" your body (i.e. QUANTUM LEAP) and relive it just a little?

I began reading comics regularly in the early 80's. In 1982 my nana moved to Long Island from Jersey City. I was 10 years old. Before than I found comics in drug stores and corner markets. Nothing too spectacular most of the time. 

Every summer and holidays we would trek out to see her and spend sometime with her. Just off of Canal Street in NYC there was a little funky shop that caught my eye. It was called ZooZat. My first actual comic store. My father got me a few comics of my choice. I was in geek heaven. Every time we traveled to see nana dad would stop at ZooZat.

One Thanksgiving vaction while shopping not to far from nana's house I saw a comic shop. Wall to wall back issues. I had 20 dollars in my pocket. Birthday money from nana. I was in the store for over an hour hunting thru the rows and rows of back issues. There was a sale going on 50 % off back issues. I turned that 20 dollars into about 50 comics.

I discovered John Romita, Gil Kane, Herb Trimpe, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, John Buscema Gene Colan, Jack Kirby, Steranko, Neal Adams Frank Robbins.

The Invaders, Werewolf By Night, Tomb of Dracula, Daredevil, Son of Satan, Ghost Rider, The Spectre, Dr. Strange, The JSA,  The Avengers. Marvel's Captain Marvel. DC's Captain Marvel, Nova.

That was my golden Age. My casual collecting now a days is done in an attempt to recapture that golden era in my life. I touch it every now and then. 

Yeah, 80's were the best for me.

Wish I could say something else, but hey, I was born in 1985, so... 

My dad introduced me to the works of Lee and Kirby, but they always seemed like his comics and stories, not mine. Buying Superman comics by JB, Jurgens and Bogdanove...those felt like my comics. 

Going to comic cons and stores was also one of the very few ways my brother and I bonded, and I will always be grateful to comic books for that opportunity.