Brave and Bold #121 Cover by Jim Aparo - HISTORIC Trifecta Achieved! 35 PLUS year journey!
Artists: Jim Aparo (All) , Bob Haney (Writer)
40 Comments - 493 Views - 24 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionWow, this is almost impossible. I say almost, because it happened, and this should never have happened. The way it happened was more luck than anything on this cover and the cover before it.Please read entirety if you have the time. Over the years I've been trying to place together as much of Brave and Bold #121 to #123 as possible. A huge goal! I didn't think I would hit it. I had the cover to #122 on a trade that I made with Rich Donnelly a few years ago. About 20 months ago I got the last page that I needed to Brave and Bold #123 from CAF Con Live from Larry Wilson. So all of the interiors were completed. Then Bill Cox put me on his show to talk about getting the missing page with Larry during CAF Con Live during one of his weekly updates. Rob Hughes was also there who I bought an Adventure Comics page, that helped me complete a boo. But that's a story for another day. So while on the air with Bill, Marcus Wai started mentioning too bad I didn't have the cover to #123. I agreed, but didn't really think about it. Keep in mind one of my philosophies is be happy with what you have and not jealous of what you do not have, and was very happy with Brave and Bold #121 to #123 complete issues and the cover to #122. Some time passed, and then I think late last year Marcus mentioned that he had the cover. Pretty nuts. So we worked out a trade that finished at SDCC. Now here's where it gets trippier. I had asked Albert Moy to bring back the art I got at the show as I didn't want to carry it on the plane as you are allowed only 2 carry ons and I try to not check baggage. So that would have taken a few weeks from Albert's art leaving San Diego to get back to him, and for him to ship to me. But then Joe in my office was on the same flight as me, and said that he only had 1 carry on, and he could bring it on the plane and then give it to me. That worked out perfectly and shaved the two weeks. The following Friday was my regular Original Art Experience show but I was too tired and behind on work to prep for it, so asked Spencer Beck to do it for me. Even though I wasn't supposed to appear, I went on the air to thank Marcus for the trade. I mentioned that the only piece missing was the cover to Brave and the Bold #121. Then Spencer exclaimed that he knew where the cover was. That took me by surprise. Mike Carlin had bought it 35 to 38 years ago, and it was hanging on his wall. Mike is a HUGE Metal Men fan and wrote a mini-series back in the early '90's. They are his favorite characts. Spencer said he would reach out to Mike, but I didn't think that Mike would sell since it was on his wall and favorite characters. Spencer called him, mentioned that I had the entire book, and Mike agreed to sell me the cover to go with the book. So, this is where the sliding doors happened, and how almost impossible this was. if I had not been asked by Bill to appear on his show to talk about the missing Brave and Bold #123 page, which made Marcus aware that I wanted/needed the cover, and had I not made the trade with Marcus which took months to finalize AND that it happened at SDCC, and if Albert shipped the art with his art and Joe had not been on the same flight with me to carry the art, and had I not decided to appear on the air for 5 minutes to thank Marcus, then Spencer would not have known that I was missing the cover, which he sold to Mike Carlin 35 to 38 years ago, then I would not have the cover to Brave and Bold #121. So now I have Brave and Bold #121 to #123 complete stories and covers! Wow, I am truly blessed and while there are others to thank, right now I want to thank Larry Wilson, Bill Cox, Marcus Wai and Spencer Beck and Mike Carlin! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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James S 
Member Since 2017
Posted on 8/18/2024
Sincere Congrats, Nick! Thirty-five years is a lot of steak dinners!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
Posted on 8/18/2024
You have so much to be thankful for already, Nick, so this is just another feather in your cap. I just want to say, now that's it's a done deal, that as soon as it was mentioned by Spencer that Carlin had it and that he doubted Mike would ever sell it, I KNEW it would be yours as long as you made the effort to reach out to him. Congrats, man!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
Posted on 8/18/2024
A 35 year plus journey? That must be the slowest train ever. Explains why steam locomotives are no longer used commercially...Wait a minute, you were talking about the artwork...
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/18/2024
This is pretty cool Aparo cover in itself! The runaway train and the Metal Men bailing on Batman is a nice touch. Completing 3 issues is cause for a month long celebration at steakhouses across the continent!
Jeffrey Wedding
Member Since 2009
Posted on 8/18/2024
Congrats Nick! A deacades long quest finally achieved!
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
Posted on 8/18/2024
That is a GREAT story! I know how hard it is to build just ONE book, and you did it with THREE SEQUENTIAL ONES! It's so wild how many pieces fell into place for you to achieve your dream. And by the way, what a GREAT Metal Men cover to put the final icing on the cake. Really love this one. CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS!!
Eric B
Member Since 2014
Posted on 8/18/2024
That's a beautiful piece and an uplifting story, Nick! Big congrats!
Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020
Posted on 8/18/2024
Hot dayummmmmmm! Mad congrats on making your Odyssey full circle. Jealous and inspired at the same time!
Bill Cox
Member Since 2003
CAF Administrator
Posted on 8/18/2024
The butterfly effect of comic art collecting! Congrats,Nick!
J. Lim
Member Since 2008
Posted on 8/18/2024
Abolutely awesome and massive congrats in completing this!
S Riz
Member Since 2014
Posted on 8/18/2024
Good things happen to good people but great things happen to great people. Glad you were able to accomplish your dream Nick!
Ryan DS
Member Since 2022
Posted on 8/18/2024
WOW, major congratulations on this accomplishment. It's almost impossible to complete a book now let alone 3.
Kasra Ghanbari
Member Since 2004
CAF Administrator
Posted on 8/18/2024
Incredible art and story, massive congrats!!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/19/2024
What an incredible story and journey. Big time congrats! I am so, so, happy for you. What's truly amazing to me is that you were able to put, not one, not two, but THREE complete Aparo books together. And here I am collecting for 40 years now and still don't have a single Aparo piece. Hmm, maybe I need to start appearing on some of those YouTube shows and plead my case. Anyway, congratulations again. This is one of the best collecting stories I've ever heard. So glad it had a happy ending.
Tom McDonald
Member Since 2019
Posted on 8/19/2024
Wonderful story. Hard to believe Carlin would part with something on his wall that he owned for 30 years. I did that once and it still stings. Spenser must have used a dealer Jedi mind trick.
Michael Lovitz
Member Since 2003
Posted on 8/19/2024
Quite the tale - and better for the happy ending!
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
Posted on 8/19/2024
Superbe image! the Drama is at 11! Love everything about this one. Huge Congrats!!
Redhead Demiurge
Member Since 2008
Posted on 8/19/2024
Congratulations! You've got me beat, as I thought getting all the interior pages for the first two stories my favorite character appeared in was an accomplishment. I'm glad synchronicity allowed you to complete your quest!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 8/19/2024
Redhead Demiurge wrote:
Congratulations! You've got me beat, as I thought getting all the interior pages for the first two stories my favorite character appeared in was an accomplishment. I'm glad synchronicity allowed you to complete your quest!
Thank you for the kind words. And very happy to hear that you were able to complete your first two books. It's a great hobby, and it's nice when we all can get the books/art we love.
* bronze-is-gold
Member Since 2007
Posted on 8/19/2024
Simply amazing you were able to put these three issues together in full complete with covers. Congrats! Those three issues are my first three issues of Brave & Bold when I first started collecting and they couldn't have been found by a better caretaker to preserve those precious gems.
Aidan (Re-Legion ) Lacy
Member Since 2005
Posted on 8/19/2024
Wow. The twists and turns of this saga are unbelievable. The more eyes and ears you put on a quest, the better the chances. It's great seeing folks helping others in this hobby. I am so happy for you. It's a great accomplishment and gives the rest of us seekers hope. If you can complete such a mammoth project then I can find two Avengers 26 pages. Well deserved and well done Aidan
Miki Annamanthadoo
Member Since 2003
Posted on 8/19/2024
Congrats again for this once in a lifetime feat!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
Posted on 8/19/2024
Great cover!!! A fitting final piece of the puzzle goes into its proper place!!! Very happy for you, Nick! And it was very cool to see it in person for me, thank you and Congrats again!
Ian Saint
Member Since 2021
Posted on 8/19/2024
Such an accomplishment and congrats! An amazing collection!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 8/19/2024
Many congratulations, Nick! Nothing happens by coincidence. I believe that you were destined to succeed in this journey and you should be commended on your perseverance. Oh, by the way, did I mention that I love the Metal Men too?
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
Posted on 8/19/2024
Comicart Boston wrote:
Many congratulations, Nick! Nothing happens by coincidence. I believe that you were destined to succeed in this journey and you should be commended on your perseverance. Oh, by the way, did I mention that I love the Metal Men too?
You are very kind CAB, thank you. And no, you did not! That is fantastic to hear!
Byron Hamm
Member Since 2006
Posted on 8/20/2024
Such an incredible journey an confluence of circumstance to make this come together. I'm chasing a similar completion on a smaller scale so maybe some of your luck may rub off if I say I'm looking for the cover and a few remaining pages to New Titans 71 by Tom Grummett and Al Vet to complete the book!
Robert Binkley
Member Since 2011
Posted on 8/20/2024
Great Aparo Cover ! And Great Story .... Congrats Nick !
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 9/6/2024
Wow! Quite the story! What a wild and crazy ride you've been on for all these years. Congratulations for landing the final covers to the books you've been slowly assembling. I can't even imagine the patience you've shown as you've put the pieces together one at a time. Beyond all that, let me compliment you on the fantastic cover you've just acquired. I enjoyed reading stories about the Metal Men when I was a kid and remember them fondly. And this is a marvelous example of the wacky adventures the Metal Men used to find themselves on. Gorgeous art by Jim Aparo, who doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves for all the wonderful art he created. Thanks for sharing the art and the story!
Jared Simmons
Member Since 2004
Posted on 9/17/2024
Great end to your collecting journey. Best part is all that fantastic art! Congrats!
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