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Your narrator, the Leader
Metropolis Collectibles Inc. is one of the world's leaders in the rare comic books and movie poster businesses. The owners are the Julius Caesar and Mark Antony of comic book dealers, Steve Fishler and Vincent Zurzolo. The Leader has been collecting comic books for a long time and he remembers these men from way back when. I first met Steve Fishler at a comic book convention at the Jacobs Javits Center in New York City in 1994 and had caught glimpses of him at the San Diego Con in the 1980s. I first met Vincent Zurzolo at Heroes Con in Charlotte, North Carolina and bought several Konga and Gorgo issues with Steve Ditko art from him. Little did I know then that this young man was destined for bigger things. On 26 October 2012 I was in New Jersey to attend the Chiller Theater convention so I took the opportunity to visit Metropolis and take these photos of some of their resplendent collectibles.

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Hoyt Building at 873 Broadway in Manhattan
A premier comic books and movie poster collectibles company like Metropolis can't be located in a flea market or shabby warehouse. This lovely white stone building in the center of America's largest city serves as headquarters for the Fishler / Zurzolo empire.
Inside suite 201
Behind a metal door on the second floor of the Hoyt Building lies an enchanting room full of fabulous comic book and movie poster treasures.
Inside suite 201
Another angle on suite 201 showing more framed comic book original art.
Vincent Zurzolo
The boss posing with framed comic book original art.
Vincent Zurzolo with CGC 2.0 Action #1
The Leader suspects Vincent is no stranger to copies of Action #1.
Vincent Zurzolo with CGC 3.0 Detective #27
Vincent Zurzolo holding original art for early December 2012 ComicConnect auction.
Rare 1950s page 16 from Atlas comic Young Men #26 with art by John Romita on left. On right is page 2 from 1960s X-Men #18 with art by Werner Roth. On back wall at right is framed original art to the cover of the comic that introduced DC's Swamp Thing, House Of Secrets #92, 1971 with art by Bernie Wrightson. It's enough to make your head spin.
Doctor Strange splash page from Strange Tales #114, 1963
Doctor Strange art by Steve Ditko is extremely rare and expensive. Of course that doesn't stop Metropolis from having some.
Sub-Mariner splash page from Tales To Astonish #87, 1967
Art by Sub-Mariner's creator Bill Everett.
Thor page from Journey Into Mystery #83, 1962
Brandon Peck with 1960s Fantastic Four page
Art by Jack Kirby.
Splash page from Fantastc Four #37, 1964
Art by Jack Kirby.
Splash page from Fantastc Four #13, 1963
First appearance of the Watcher in a Marvel comic book. Art by Jack Kirby.
Cover to Tales To Astonish #67, 1965
The Leader is a big fan of the Hulk in this title and found this to be the most intriguing item on display. The estimated value of $60,000 disabused him of he notion of owning it anytime soon.
Duplicate covers to 1940s Timely comics Marvel Mystery and Mystic
Cover to EC comic Crime Patrol 15, 1950
The Leader is an EC fan and was glad to see a few covers to rare pre-Trend issues. Art by Johnny Craig.
Cover to EC comic Saddle Romances 9, 1949
Another EC pre-Trend comic.
Cover to EC comic Vault Of Horror 34, 1953
EC New Trend comic. Art by Johnny Craig.
Spirit Sunday Section
Now we are getting ridiculous. Artist Will Eisner's newspaper supplements featuring his Spirit character are very rare. Having the original art to one of them seems impossible, but here it is. Art by Wally Wood.
Cover to Action #318, 1964
Death of Lex Luthor issue. Art by Curt Swan.
Cover to World's Finest #141, 1964
Art by Curt Swan.