0014 How 'Bout Them Marbles

How ‘Bout Them Marbles
David Chamberlain 12-09-2009

We get too serious about our marble collecting at times. They’re only marbles!

I’ve been a long-standing comic book enthusiast. I have a couple thousand. It seemed a natural to bring marbles and comics together in a novel fashion, thus the juxtaposition of sexy female comic book Action Figures and somewhat complimentary colored marbles.

I’m providing some prominence here to certain favored marbles. I should provide a disclaimer and say that in no way do I mean to slight any marbles that are not represented. I have favorites from almost all the Jabo runs going back to 1992. I regularly go through my approximately 150 Joker I (3/18/’08) marbles and marvel over them. I love the ‘Fall Harvest’ Experimental Run (10/31/’08). There’s a Mansion marble that I swear levitates! And I have 5/8” examples from the mid-1990s that scream to be appreciated.

Let me provide some notes on the photo sets (#s 1-9) provided herein; hopefully this will flesh matters out:

David Chamberlain How bout them marbles article

#1 ‘Fire’ Justice League International DC Comics ¾” Black-Eyed Peas Jabo 2003 Fall Classics.

I had a 25 lb box with a few of these sitting in the bushes a ¼ mile down the Entrance Drive for maybe 5 or 6 days before discovering it. Jabo shipments have always been an adventure.

#4 ‘Bunny Girl’ Sculpted: Bome, Produced: KAIYODO, Based on a character by Umetsu Yukmori, Sold by: XEBC and Distributed by ORGANIC. 5/8” Jabo 2003.

These were from Ron again and he claimed that this very group you had to be there to claim them and distinguish them from the other 2003 Jabos.

#3 ‘Belit’ Conan the Barbarian McFarlane Toys spawn.com. 5/8” Root Beer Swirls Jabo 2005 Classics.

Dave McCullough tossed these because he felt they were too dark. I forget who dug some out of the dumpster but I’m truly grateful because they rock!

#2 ‘Gail’ Frank Miller’s SIN CITYY graphic novel NECA/Reel Toys. 5/8” Lawn Chair Metallics Jabo Industrial Run

9-15-2009.

Ron Shepard sent me a small box of these along with a picture of the lawn chair. I’m assuming Dave McCullough doesn’t need the chair for the winter!

David Chamberlains How Bout Them Marbles article

#9 ‘Amazonia’ 19^th Century Wonder Woman/Elseworlds DC DIRECT/DC COMICS.

¾” Jabo Tribute-Legacy Classics Run 11-16-2009

What is it about the most recent run? I guess it’s that the marbles keep getting better and better. I got 62 from Duffy (Steve Pletcher) and 236 from my nephew Brett. From each group there were around 12 and 40+, resp. that truly excelled for a combination of reasons: Colors (bright and pastel), Color combinations, # of colors, patterns (especially topographical swirling), flaming and general all around aesthetics. And from these smaller groups were a number that clearly will stand the test of time. Simply stated it’s a case of knowing a good marble when you see one. Case closed!

#8 ‘Star Sapphire’ Green Lantern DC/DIRECT DC COMICS ¾” Jabo Foxfire Classic Run 5-14-2009.

This run literally made me stand-up and salute they were so outstanding. I was lucky enough to pick out favorites at Amana from Steve Smith’s cache and then Brian Estepp sent me 50+. Oh Boy!

#7 ‘Poison Ivy” Batman ‘Hush’ DC DIRECT/DC COMICS ¾’ Jabo Experimental Last Dance Run ‘Hip Hop’ 12-16-2008.

They are so many in this run I should/could have given special honor to but you can’t complain about the color match.

#6 ‘Wonder Woman’ DC DIRECT/DC COMICS 5/8”

I know they’re not Jabo but Dave McCullough made them!

#5 ‘Amberlash’ Demon Succubus World of WarCraft DC Unlimited 15/16” Jabo 12-9-2005 Red & Yellows

Dave McCullough sent Mike Johnson a 20 lb box from this special run. Mike and I split them up over his dining room table determining that these yellow and reddish ones trumped anything else. Of course this was after a pitcher of beer!