Marty Grabstein is a self-proclaimed comic book nerd. His childhood consisted of primarily Marvel comics from the 1960s - specifically when they cost 12 cents. From 1992-2004, his hobby was collecting complete runs from that specific time period. Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man, The Avengers…
It should come as no surprise then that fans of Courage the Cowardly Dog can find the voice behind the beloved character at any given comic convention. His introduction to the convention circuit was nearly 10 years ago at New York’s Big Apple Comic Con. With his friend posing as an agent, he was able to secure a spot as a featured guest.
“I was blown away by the fact that people wanted to get my autograph and get a photo with me,” he said. “I couldn’t even wrap my head around it, the reality of that.”
He also got to share his first convention with two of his biggest heroes: Frank Miller and Stan Lee. Both comic book legends had been announced as guests of the 2017 Big Apple Comic Con, but unfortunately Lee had to cancel due to health issues. Grabstein was able to meet Miller, however, marking his first comic convention as a truly unforgettable experience.
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Grabstein at Nightmare Weekend, Chicago. View the full gallery here. |
Throughout that weekend, and many weekends since then, Grabstein has met with a multitude of fans that express their deep connection to the show. He has lost count of how many times someone has been brave enough to share how impactful the cartoon was to an otherwise difficult upbringing.
“Somehow Courage rescued them,” he said. “People telling me that my show, the show that I got to act in, so impacted them that it helped… [I’m] holding them and feeling their bodies sobbing and healing them. It’s a very powerful thing. It reminds me of not only was it fun for them to get a kick out of it but how it emotionally impacted them.”
When he isn’t getting to know fans or taking photos with them, he is on the hunt to complete his 1960s, 12-cent Marvel collection. In 2005, the majority of his comic book collection was sold in order to pay for his son’s healthcare. It was both easy and difficult to part with, but he has once again acquired the entire run of Fantastic Four and numerous others. Getting the opportunity to wander conventions and dig through crates of comic books are just as fun as meeting and greeting fans.
He may not have the Spider-Sense or be able to stretch his body to incredible lengths, but Marty Grabstein does have a super power. The ability to connect with his audience on a personal level is no easy feat, yet he does it with ease.