I know there are so many podcast options available that it can be almost overwhelming, but a cause near and dear to my heart compelled me to create my own. My podcast show Be Bitwise with my friends Bevan and Jennifer is all about technology and how easy it can be to learn its ins and outs. Give us a listen!
Exercising: Not Just for the Gym
Life is hard, but that’s relative for those of us with #FWP. I woke up complaining that I had woken up later than my usual 3:30am start time to begin my daily workout. For a brief moment, I considered skipping altogether, instead, I got up and did 10 minutes of pull ups and 20 minutes of pushups. Let’s focus on success, not failure.
The Cold Hard FACTS About Variants
I’m gonna break with my 61-word format and post up this long-form article. I hope it helps you all think a little bit about the comic book buyer’s market and how it has evolved with the evolution of technology.
I keep reading comments all over the Internet that talk about the disgust with “all these variant covers” and the impending implosion of the variant market. Let’s get a little into human psychology and explain why allusions to the 90’s market are unfounded in today’s setting. In fact, let’s break with the typical angst of the Internet and have an intelligent conversation and identify the factors. Bear with me here. Continue reading “The Cold Hard FACTS About Variants”
Pressing: And The Results Are In
I heat the press up to 175 degrees and put the comic sandwich in for 15 minutes. Then I shut it off and let the comic and press cool down for 2 hours. This process ensures that the comic doesn’t revert to it’s previous shape and prevents curling.
Pressing can only raise a comic in the same range (e.g., 9.0 to 9.6), but it can significantly improve a low grade book.
Below is my press of Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1
Before (Whole book)
Before (Middle Right)
Before (Bottom Right) 
Before (Top Right)
After (Whole Book)
After (Middle Right)
After (Bottom Right)
After (Top Right)
Pressing: Creating a Masterful Comic Sandwich
Presses are great, but other materials are necessary. The ordering is important:
- Release Paper
- Magazine Backing Board
- Tissue Paper
- Front Cover
- Backing Board
- Tissue Paper
- Backing Board
- Back Cover
- Tissue Paper
- Magazine Backing Board
- Release Paper
Pressing: Get to Know the Science
Delving into comic book pressing, I realized that advice was coming from journeymen who learned through experience – at some time, they were amateurs, like me. However, some referred to experts in paper conservation to be
informed. I did some of the same research and am including links to these studies with attributions. I used these findings to develop my own processes.
Practical Considerations for Humidifying and Flattening Paper
A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Pressing on Comic Book Paper
CCS Comic Pressing Services (Specifically speaks about CGC’s stance on comics and what defects are good candidates for pressing)
Pressing: Start with the Right Equipment
There are some great postings that offer great advice on pressing.
Amateurs tempered my fear to get started with my own books. The key I’ve learned is to start with good equipment. Stick with a good quality, sturdy dry mount press that can go down to around 150°F. Try to find one cheap on Craigslist, otherwise, the shipping will kill ya.
Pressing: Not Just for the Pros
Such a frenzy and secrecy about such a straightforward process – not taboo topics like weapons, politics, or religion, but comic book pressing. Yep, this process of improving a book’s quality by pressing out its imperfections. I’m going spread the word about my findings on this website where it can be shared, improved upon, and contribute to the community. Here goes nothing!
Shame on You, Sensational Tech Journalists
Why do flaws or glitches now get the “gate” suffix, thus associating it with a devious plot by the most powerful man in the world?![a24775a8ac4204806cf17e25f06cdd05[1]](http://www.alondo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/a24775a8ac4204806cf17e25f06cdd051.jpg)
Enthusiasts hell-bent on being on the bleeding edge should expect problems, not allusions to conspiracies. The Takata airbag scandal didn’t get such notoriety, even thought it was far more deserving than “tattoogate“.
Shame on you, journalists.
Fear of Black Men – Hosted Discussion
Beginning Monday, NPR began covering the common practice of fearing black men. I’ve read a few accounts from people on both the website and Twitter, and points from both the positive and negative light make me question my own feelings about how I am perceived. I
highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys an intelligent conversation about such a taboo topic.