The Comicbook Detective

The story always starts with a dame. Or so it does in Alex Carter's imaginary noir-world.

Publisher Marketing: In The Comic Book Detective Al Clover invites us to leave loftier pursuits and enter his wacky world of off-beat good guys and comic book villains and the film noir fantastical imaginings of his loveably nerdy anti-hero. This is a delightful ditty, a box of Cracker Jack-sweet, salty, and a little bit nutty, best enjoyed while sipping on a Mtn. Dew. -Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, author of Fire & Water and Filling Her Shoes A fun read! A compelling mystery, a pulse-poundingly perfect comic collection and enough danger to it (never mind the people; the comics are what matter!) to give any collector palpitations, the whole adventure wrapped in the comforting aromas of Chinese food, fresh rain, and that lovely Golden and Silver Ages comic paper smell. Plus, a minor mystery; how does one man drink so much Mountain Dew and be okay? -Roman Stadtler, PMM (Permanent Marvelite Maximus), The Comics Place Heroes, villains, mayhem, and madness, The Comicbook Detective has it all. Follow Alex Carter, the quirky, loveable, would-be comicbook detective as he simultaneously navigates both the imaginary and actual worlds of comicbook collectors, investors, and thieves. Jump in, this is one ride you don't want to miss! -Lorinda Boyer, author of Straight Enough Brief Description : "It always starts with a dame. When she walked through the office door, he knew she was class. The dame's uncle had left her a big pile of treasure. Well, comicbooks may not seem like treasure to you but to Alex Carter, Seattle comicbook store owner, it was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. When the dame, Naomi Price, introduced him to the Museum of Comics, her uncle had built, he was head over heels in love. With the comics! She's engaged to be married. Come on! Naomi wanted Alex to help her sell the comics per her uncle's wishes. Alex, his best friends, along with some Mountain Dew, explored the Museum, finding millions of dollars' worth of comics. Naomi had mentioned her uncle's prized possession. Action Comics #1. An Action comic #1 had sold recently for millions on eBay. But Naomi didn't know where the comic was hiding. Could Alex and the gang find the Superman comic? Could Alex remember Naomi was engaged? Would Cyan Bloodworth, Alex's ex, make his life hell again? With his fedora and a Mountain Dew in hand Alex begins a perilous journey in the world of comicbooks. And love"-- Publisher Marketing : The story always starts with a dame. Or so it does in Alex Carter's imaginary noir-world. When Naomi Price walks into Alex's Comics Clubhouse one day asking for help cataloging thousands of rare, inherited comicbooks, Alex is sure he's hit the comics jackpot. Along with his two best friends and a ready supply of Mountain Dew, Alex embarks on a search for the elusive Action Comics #1, potentially worth millions. But when Alex meets Richard, Naomi's overbearing fiancé, he knows something's amiss. As he slips back and forth between personas-affable retailer by day, hardboiled detective by night-Alex has trouble keeping his conspiracy theories in check. Torn between the reality of completing the job and the fantasy of rescuing the damsel in distress, Alex finds himself in trouble with everyone. With his fedora perched askance, cold Mountain Dew in hand, Alex presses on. He sets out to be the hero of his own story-even if it means losing the dame. Contributor Bio: Clover, Al Born in the Midwest, Al came to the Pacific Northwest in the early '60s. Crossing the Lake Washington floating bridge he knew he wasn't in Iowa anymore. Growing up in the days of the 1960s, Al witnessed many historical happenings including a President being assassinated, and a man landing on the moon. Finding that neighborhood grocery store with the spin rack filled with comics was the dream of many a young person with an imagination beyond the usual. The twenty-five cents, his allowance that week, in his pocket would prove to be the beginning of the journey. With comic fueled imaginings Al made his way to present day. All the characters he encountered along the way added to his life and his imagination.

Format: Paperback | Pages: 244 | Publication Date: 2023-03-15