Mike Sterling, Comics Guy
@mikester.bsky.social
Owner of sterlingsilvercomics.com, blogger at progressiveruin.com, Mike Sterling-er at http://mikesterling.com
37+ years in the comics biz! (I used to work for other stores, now I have my own shop!)
Avatar by Daniel Butler
Bigots are dumb
he/him
37+ years in the comics biz! (I used to work for other stores, now I have my own shop!)
Avatar by Daniel Butler
Bigots are dumb
he/him
Pinned
Okay, I'm a dummy...I had a pinned post giving the wrong Threads account name. I'm at "mikesterjr," not the one I had noted here before. Ugh. Anyway, that'll be a bolthole in case anything happens to this platform.
I don't think there's going to be any overlap between HP product and my store's inventory, since I sort of sense comic books are "beneath" JKR, but in case they aren't...I will not carry them.
Hasbro and Warner Bros. Discovery have signed a multi-year deal starting in 2027 to produce Harry Potter film and television series dolls, role play, action figures, collectibles, interactive plush, board games, and more to be revealed later this year - bwnews.pr/45UKdKL
February 10, 2026 at 9:39 PM
I don't think there's going to be any overlap between HP product and my store's inventory, since I sort of sense comic books are "beneath" JKR, but in case they aren't...I will not carry them.
It was May 10th, 2018 when I first went to see doctors about my eye problems, and I talked about it on my site on May 11th: www.progressiveruin.com/2018/05/11/t... ...where I mention it's just one eye, but eventually both eyes started having issues.
THE MIKE WITH THE X-RAY EYES.
www.progressiveruin.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:29 AM
It was May 10th, 2018 when I first went to see doctors about my eye problems, and I talked about it on my site on May 11th: www.progressiveruin.com/2018/05/11/t... ...where I mention it's just one eye, but eventually both eyes started having issues.
I'm currently at stage 4.
February 10, 2026 at 7:54 AM
I'm currently at stage 4.
Age verification? [crumbles to dust, which blows away in the breeze]
Age verification? You tell your mother she’s a lovely woman and I enjoyed our time together. Tell her I’ll be in town soon, if she still likes salsa dancing.
Age verification? I got to see Superman the Movie in the theater for free because a poem I wrote about the planet Krypton won a contest they held at Kaufmann's department store in downtown Pittsburgh.
February 10, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Age verification? [crumbles to dust, which blows away in the breeze]
Big Bird at Jim Henson's Memorial
YouTube video by Peter Schultz
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:01 AM
All the talk about the Absolute line getting a whole lotta reprints again means it's a good time to link again to this post of mine about why ABSOLUTE BATMAN (and by extension, the rest of the line) is doing so well: www.progressiveruin.com/2026/01/26/b...
Batman, absolutely.
www.progressiveruin.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
All the talk about the Absolute line getting a whole lotta reprints again means it's a good time to link again to this post of mine about why ABSOLUTE BATMAN (and by extension, the rest of the line) is doing so well: www.progressiveruin.com/2026/01/26/b...
Looks like I'm going to go from "only occasionally using Discord" to "never using Discord" pretty soon.
February 9, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Looks like I'm going to go from "only occasionally using Discord" to "never using Discord" pretty soon.
waiting for that Super Bowl halftime show with Negativland
February 9, 2026 at 5:59 AM
waiting for that Super Bowl halftime show with Negativland
THE SALE, SHE IS OVER
Many, many comics sold, and I successfully cleared out the space I wanted to clear out!
Now to put the store back together, and then probably die.
Many, many comics sold, and I successfully cleared out the space I wanted to clear out!
Now to put the store back together, and then probably die.
February 9, 2026 at 2:30 AM
THE SALE, SHE IS OVER
Many, many comics sold, and I successfully cleared out the space I wanted to clear out!
Now to put the store back together, and then probably die.
Many, many comics sold, and I successfully cleared out the space I wanted to clear out!
Now to put the store back together, and then probably die.
Reposted by Mike Sterling, Comics Guy
Their reaction could have been worse...
February 9, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Their reaction could have been worse...
[my mask pulled aside so I can take a drink]
Customer [walking in]: "This is the first time I've ever seen your mouth!"
Me: [lifts up apron to cover face, runs out of room giggling in embarrassment]
Customer [walking in]: "This is the first time I've ever seen your mouth!"
Me: [lifts up apron to cover face, runs out of room giggling in embarrassment]
February 9, 2026 at 1:34 AM
[my mask pulled aside so I can take a drink]
Customer [walking in]: "This is the first time I've ever seen your mouth!"
Me: [lifts up apron to cover face, runs out of room giggling in embarrassment]
Customer [walking in]: "This is the first time I've ever seen your mouth!"
Me: [lifts up apron to cover face, runs out of room giggling in embarrassment]
Today, the day I'm having my Big Sidewalk Sale in order to clear out boxes of excess comics from my backroom, is not the day to try to dump your own boxes of excess comics on me.
February 9, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Today, the day I'm having my Big Sidewalk Sale in order to clear out boxes of excess comics from my backroom, is not the day to try to dump your own boxes of excess comics on me.
I believe I have determined the correct market value for BATMAN: THREE JOKERS with my sale,and that value is "50 cents each."
February 8, 2026 at 10:20 PM
I believe I have determined the correct market value for BATMAN: THREE JOKERS with my sale,and that value is "50 cents each."
Here's another post of something similar happening over at Marvel, re: Ben Grimm and his military service.
www.progressiveruin.com/2009/05/20/a...
www.progressiveruin.com/2009/05/20/a...
February 8, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Here's another post of something similar happening over at Marvel, re: Ben Grimm and his military service.
www.progressiveruin.com/2009/05/20/a...
www.progressiveruin.com/2009/05/20/a...
Reposted by Mike Sterling, Comics Guy
I'm getting out of the hospital today and I could use some help, if you're able. Even taking the time to check it out or share means more than I can say.
gofund.me/1c96e422c
gofund.me/1c96e422c
Donate to Help Paul Allor Afford Life-Saving Insulin and Meds, organized by Paul Allor
My name is Paul, and I'm a comic book writer who has worked on some of … Paul Allor needs your support for Help Paul Allor Afford Life-Saving Insulin and Meds
gofund.me
February 8, 2026 at 6:41 PM
I'm getting out of the hospital today and I could use some help, if you're able. Even taking the time to check it out or share means more than I can say.
gofund.me/1c96e422c
gofund.me/1c96e422c
Anyway, back to the shop for Day Two of my Big Sidewalk Sale, which, yes, I know, it's the Super Bowl® today, but I've had busy days at the shop on previous Super Bowl® Sundays, so we'll see how it goes.
February 8, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Anyway, back to the shop for Day Two of my Big Sidewalk Sale, which, yes, I know, it's the Super Bowl® today, but I've had busy days at the shop on previous Super Bowl® Sundays, so we'll see how it goes.
"hi, I'm going to generate a novel a day using A.I., yes I'm very proud of this, nothing to be ashamed of, for the love of God don't use my real name in your article"
February 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
"hi, I'm going to generate a novel a day using A.I., yes I'm very proud of this, nothing to be ashamed of, for the love of God don't use my real name in your article"
February 8, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Day one of the sale is over. My back feels okay but my legs aren't happy with me.
Moved out a lot of back room comics which was the goal!
Moved out a lot of back room comics which was the goal!
February 8, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Day one of the sale is over. My back feels okay but my legs aren't happy with me.
Moved out a lot of back room comics which was the goal!
Moved out a lot of back room comics which was the goal!
The sale is proceeding swimmingly.
February 7, 2026 at 9:11 PM
The sale is proceeding swimmingly.
February 7, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Okay, about to take off to work and haul longboxes around some more to prepare today's Big Sidewalk Sale. Everyone please send hopes and prayers for my back.
February 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Okay, about to take off to work and haul longboxes around some more to prepare today's Big Sidewalk Sale. Everyone please send hopes and prayers for my back.
whoops, almost clicked on a Substack link, that was a close one
February 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
whoops, almost clicked on a Substack link, that was a close one
Reposted by Mike Sterling, Comics Guy
a comics tragedy in five words: christmas issue out in february
February 6, 2026 at 10:18 PM
a comics tragedy in five words: christmas issue out in february
hey I got one of these
(and about two dozen reprints of the Swampy story inside)
(and about two dozen reprints of the Swampy story inside)
House Of Secrets issue 92 (1971), first appearance of Swamp Thing. Bernie Wrightson cover and interior art. Story by Len Wein
February 7, 2026 at 7:41 AM
hey I got one of these
(and about two dozen reprints of the Swampy story inside)
(and about two dozen reprints of the Swampy story inside)