If you want to know what it was like to have attended the 1971 New York Comic Art Convention, which was held that year over the 4th of July weekend at the Statler Hilton Hotel, I’ve got two recommendations for you:

Either track down this guy wearing a headband and listen to his long stories of what it was like—

—and yes, that’s me, age 16, at that very con—

—or else (and this will likely be far more possible for most of you) buy a copy of Ron Kasman’s wonderful graphic novel The Tower of the Comic Book Freaks.

Because then you’ll really know.

See this page depicting the dealers room?

Kasman’s book had me feeling as if I was back there again.

The Tower of the Comic Book Freaks is the story of five Canadian friends who take a road trip from Toronto to attend that con, and how their lives are changed by the experience.

Well, my life back in 1971 was also changed by the experience, though my own road trip only took a subway token, because I lived in Brooklyn at the time.

I knew these guys, knew what they were going through, knew what it meant not to be able to spare $3.50 for a copy of Journey into Mystery #83.

Kasman’s book was filled with people I recognized, though the names and details have been changed to protect both the innocent and not-so-innocent. After 46 years, I was extremely happy to spend 224 pages with them again. Though you probably weren’t there, I suggest you order a copy so you can spend an afternoon with them, too.

The Tower of the Comic Book Freaks is as close as you’ll ever get to a time machine.