The subject this time is Andrew Smith, better known to his readers as “Captain Comics.”

Why I collect comics is probably tied into my "secret origin."

When I was just the Li'l Cap’n, before I was in school, I discovered my older brother's stash of comics. I was amazed and thrilled by these four-color wonders, even though I couldn't yet read a lick. But these books gave me ample motivation to correct that. I wanted to know what these guys were saying!

For some reason, I was especially attracted to Fantastic Four, by Stan and Jack. Maybe because the flaming red guy and rocky orange guy (so colorful!) kept shouting the same thing over and over. I’d ask my brother what was being said, examine the letters, and start to put two and two together. By the time I went to school I was already reading far above a first-grade level, which delighted my teacher. (She was less delighted, though, at my propensity to shout “It’s clobberin’ time” during reading circle, instead of “See Jack run.”)

I imagine the thrill of discovery, love of adventure stories, and anxiety about “to be continued!” were all hard-wired into my DNA at that time. To this day I’m still fascinated by our four-color gems, and can’t wait to see what happens next month!

Andrew "Captain Comics" Smith is a Designer and Copy Editor for The Commercial Appeal, a columnist for the Scripps Howard News Service, and a Contributing Editor for the Comics Buyer's Guide. You can find him online at Captain Comics or CBGXtra.com.

If you’d like to share your origin issue, drop us a line with “Origin Issue” in the subject line. We’re looking for a maximum of 200 words addressing why you collect (and it doesn’t have to be comic books).