The Comics from the Runners

More Runner Explanations (by request!)

Okayeley-dokely.  Posted three photos to - hopefully - make what I am about to write easier to understand.

Several folk on the CBR site have asked for more information on the runners, so here goes.

I bought the wood from the B&Q chain, a UK-wide chain of diy warehouses.  They had a section with loads of different sections of pine wood and I just used what was there.  So, the wood was already cut into the sizes I needed, apart from the length.  It came in either one metre or 2.2 m lengths.  My runners are 2.1 long, as I wanted to keep the runners the same length.  I could, of course, have tailored the runners to follow the flow of the ceiling, which would have meant that the top row would have had held eleven comics, the second thirteen and the last fifteen.  I decided against that.  On a typical vertical wall, this won't be a consideration, though.

Anywho, for standard US Marvel comicbooks I used a base section that was 4.5cm broad and 0.5cm in depth.  (I cut 10cm off the length so it would fit the ceiling space.)  The middle section, which is where the comics rest, was only 1cm broad and 0.5cm deep.  The top section was shaped at the edge and was 2cm in breadth and only 0.25 deep. I matched the edge of the base, middle and holding part to create a neat edge.  As you can see from the close-up photo, I was able to tack this together from the back to hide the tacks.  As I have removed all the comics that were on display, you can also see the tacks holding the runners up onto the ceiling.  (Oh, the tacks were only 1.25cm long.)

The middle sections were slightly different, as you can see from the other photograph.  In these the middle part is in the centre and two edges of the holding section protrude (so that it can hold the bottom of one comicbook, and the top of another).

I stained the runners with walnut varnish, as the bannister was stained with this varnish, too.

Nothing much I can add.  It's pretty straightforward.  Once you do one, you'll be flying and do them very quickly.  Just be careful with hammering in the tacks; sections of pine this thinh can split easily, so gently does it!

Runner close-up

Middle Runner End

Runners without comicbooks

CBR Shelf Porn

My loft featured on the CBR Comics Shelf Porn feature on Saturday, 27th August 2011.

Go to

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/08/shelf-porn-comics-statues-and-a-no-prize/

Runner Explained

Sorry for the poor images of the runners.  Just couldn't get them to photograph clearly at all.  Awkward, too.

Anyway, you can hopefully see that they are made up of three sections.  The sizes of wood differed of course dependent on whether I was mounting standard comics, UK comics or Treasuries.  Mostly, I tacked the three sections together from the rear, so that you could not see any tacks.  The Treasuries were trickier and I had to tack front and rear to make them hold solidly.

Anyway, the base section is the section that attaches to the wall.  It must extend out beyond the holding part at the front so you can hammer the tacks in, so it's the biggest sections of wood.  This part of the runners and the tacks used to hold it up against the ceiling roof are obscured by the comics normally.  (I removed a Treasury so you can see.)  The middle part is the thinnest and on top of that I connected the holding part, which is larger than the middle section but smaller than the base section.  This was a little tricky as you want this part to reach out enough to hold the comicbook at the top and bottom but not obscure any of the front cover art or blurbs.  The base and middle section were just wood sections with squared-off edges.  The front part is the only part you really see, so it was rounded on the side facing inwards and I took care in choosing this wood.  The runner ends up like a sort of 'U', except one leg is longer than the other.

When mounting one row of comics you just repeat this format twice, one with the 'U' facing down and one with the 'U' facing up .  However, when putting up multiple rows, I used a slightly different system for the runner sections that had comics fitted above and below.  Middle runners are more like an 'H'.  Again, the holding part is not as big as the base section that holds the runner to the wall. 

Hope that is clear!

Runners 2

Runner

Mjolnir

World's Greatest T-shirt: Take 2!

Best T-shirt in the World?

Goblin Box for Toon

Okay, this will show up in no uncertain terms the difference between my work and a professional. The guy who did this is just an incredible artist.

Wolverine box for Toon

This is the Wolvie box lid. Clearly a professional paint job, I just don't like that costume...

Scale photo for Bagman, F.F.F.!

It's not deliberate at all, but it's ended up looking as if Terrax is eye-balling Reed...

Treasuries

This is a better photo of the Treasuries. City Centre Comics in Glasgow have put aside another Spider-Man edition with a Romita cover where Spidey is fighting the Sinister Six, so the Defenders will be going...

Wolverine 2

I also added the claws. I snipped little slivers of aluminium and then shaped them to fit onto the back of his hands.

Wolverine vinyl kit

Posted this for you, Toon, as a possible Wolverine pose. I modified this a little. I filled in the zig-zag indentations for his striped suit with filler and rubbed smooth. They were tricky and took a couple of goes to make them disappear. Then I painted him in the outfit I liked best. I don't care for his original costume much.

Modeller's Knife

Just so you can see the knife I used for applying clay and filler, Toon. I included Yellowjacket - who's had an orange ink wash to define him more - to give you some idea of size.

...and trays, for Toon

Paintbox...

Dry Brushing

And, an example of dry brushing, Toon. I was possibly happiest with this paint job (even if it's average by most standards). It looks better in real life as it is darker.

This model has been twice damaged in flits, so it's a bit patched up in places. One day I really need to repaint it.

Ben and Ink

Toon, look at the rocky arm on Super Skrull, then look at Ben. The rocky areas were originally the same. What do you think is different?

Dredd 3

Dredd 2

Dredd modification 1

The "Big Three" Avengers Mini-Mates

Johnny Alpha, Strontium Dog

Terrax

Judge Dredd's Lawgiver

Hulk

My modified Hulk figure.

Strontium Motorcyclist

This is my motorbike jacket, with Search/ Destroy (a.k.a. Strontium Dog) badge over the left breast and S.H.I.E.L.D. badge on right shoulder.

Doppelganger

Loki and Bill

Loki and Beta Ray Bill figures I converted into statues.

British Marvels

The UK Marvels, 2000ADs and other magazines and books that you couldn't see clearly before.

Dredd Meets Spidey

A Mike McMahon Judge Dredd beach towel and a framed scroll of Spectacular Spider-Man #200 by Sal Buscema

Spidey, DD and Adam Warlock

I missed these out earlier. These shelves, which are under the Captain Britains comics, hold my collection of the Amazing Spider-Man, complete runs of Spectacular and Web, as well as most of Marvel Team-Up. Also a fair chunk of Daredevil, all of Garth Ennis's Punisher and all Warlock issues from mid-1970s until mid-1990s. There's also a couple of shelves of Essentials.

Th-th-th-that's all, folks!

Well, hoped you enjoyed a tour of my loft. I managed to omit two whole shelf units with all my Spider-Man, Daredevil, Warlock, Punisher and Iron Man comicbooks! Not sure how I managed that!

Anyway, any items you want to ask about, feel free and I'll do my best to answer.

No-Prize from Stan THE MAN Lee

My favourite item is my No-Prize from THE MAN.

I probably shouldn't mention it, but I actually have a second No-Prize that is not framed or displayed.

Mods

Some of the modifications on the top of a shelf unit that sits under the Captain Britain comicbooks. These were poseable figures I turned into statues. The Iron Man was formerly a Stealth Armour Iron Man but some clay and four buttons helped turn him into the classic version.

The 1970s Live Again!

The 1975, 1976 and 1977 Marvel calendars, with the first few months of the UK Captain Britain series from late 1976. To the extreme left is a Jack Kirby Fantastic Four poster done especially for the UK market. To the right is Super Spider-Man and the Super-Heroes #176 (June 26, 1976). This has sentimental value as my grandmother bought this for me not long before she died.

Busts and Hollywood Spidey

Left, a Factory X Captain America shield. Centre, my full-size busts and a 6-foot tall Sal Buscema Spider-Man I bought on Hollywood Blvd. That's a Green Goblin model and Beetle conversion hanging from the ceiling. To the left you can just see some of the UK annuals.

FF and Hulk Comicbooks

There are two shelf units under the Treasuries. The FF, Hulk and Marvel Two-In-One collections are here along with some Captain America items, a few Avengers statues, Judge Dredd and Johnny Alpha conversions, a trio of Galactus figures and Stan Lee's autobiography.

John Romita Spider-Man kit

The John Romita cover art for the Spider-Man model kit from the 1970s.

Treasuries

A selection of 1970s Treasuries. A few lovely John Romita covers to admire.

Bench

This bench sits behind the desk and next to the FF and Hulk comics. There are a variety of items here including a Factory X Iron Man helmet, a Bowen Dr. Doom statue, a Wolverine vinyl model kit, an Iron Man statue, a Galactus figure from the Silver Surfer animated series, a Leonidas from 300, and a play Mjolnir. There's also a re-released 1970s Spider-Man model that I originally owned as a kid. Lastly, on the wall behind, there's an Avengers cover taken from a CMFC magazine.

The bench is such a mess you can't see the CD player and pair of speakers that are sitting on it.

Stan Lee's Autograph

Stan Lee's autograph. 'Nuff said.

Sal Buscema sketch

A note and Hulk head sketch from Sal Buscema. Practically since I first read a comicbook, Our Pal Sal has been my favourite artist. I wrote to him twenty years ago and he very kindly replied. It's one of my two most prized possessions.

CMFC Mods

I've repainted a few figures over the years and this is some of them. The Black Panther was a pain: I had to snip off his cape a bit at a time before filing it smooth and repainting. I know that technically he should be black but he looked blue in the comicbooks because they used to use blue to highlight areas.

Apart from a little alteration to the arm, the Recorder is a simple repaint of Machine man.

Oh, the classic Iron Man is from the Marvel Figure Factory series.

Desk Top

The original Avengers, with "Honorary Founder", Captain America. And Ben Grimm. The Hulk is a modified figure. It started life as a poseable toy and I used superglue, clay, filler and green paint to convert it into a statue.

The Galactus is from the Legendary Scale Bust series.

Panoramic View from the Papisan Chair

This photograph was taken from the reading chair. To the left is my desk and (very ancient) computer. You can see some shelving with my Hulk, FF and Marvel Two-In-One collections and a selection of 1970s Treasury editions mounted on the sloped ceiling. My busts are behind the banister and ladder that leads up into the loft. On the ceiling you can also see a Spider-Man standee, my UK annuals from the 1970s and my No-Prize. Out of view are shelves full of my UK reprint titles, 2000AD and various other books and magazines.

Favourite Covers

Along all four sloped sections of the loft ceiling I have mounted runners. On this wall above the Masterworks I display some of my favourite covers. I rotate this display every so often. As a general rule, the majority of the comicbooks are from the 1970s and Sal Buscema and John Romita appear most frequently.

The long framed item to the left of the runners is a Sal Buscema tie.

Marvel Masterworks

A complete collection of variant edition Marvel Masterworks and the bulk of my Thor, Captain America and Thor comicbooks. My Classic Marvel Figurine Collection figures are lined up along the shelf edges. Unfortunately, I just don't have space for a dedicated display area.

Papisan Chair

This is my reading chair. It's a papisan chair from Pier. I also had two cushions and a beanbag custom made. The cushions have the covers to Avengers #122 (Gil Kane) and The Incredible Hulk #179 (Herb Trimpe). The beanbag has Daredevil #114 (Gil Kane again), Captain America and the Falcon #154 (Sal Buscema), Iron Man #256 (John Romita junior) and The Mighty Thor #262 (John Buscema). Behind the chair is a John Cassaday Captain America scroll.

The hammer on the table was made with a friend back in the 1990s. I weighted the shaft so that it would balance on its corner, as I saw that in a story once and thought it looked cool. My Mjolnir is made entirely from recycled materials, mainly wood with metal plating around the head.