Top 5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known About Comic Book Collecting
Over the past decade, I’ve observed a significant growth in the comic book collecting community, both locally and on social media platforms. This trend brings me immense joy, as it potentially provides more opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals. However, there are several pros and cons associated with collecting and reading comic books that are often overlooked by newcomers. Let’s discuss the essential aspects of comic book collecting that I wish someone had shared with me when I first started. Here are my 5 things I wish I knew before beginning my collection.
5. There Are More Than Just Super Hero Comics Out There
I still recall my initial foray into non-superhero comic books with Velvet, created by Ed Brubaker, which follows a spy’s desperate struggle for survival against rival spies. My introduction to Velvet was purely by chance however after finishing the first issue, I was hooked and have remained a devoted follower of Ed Brubaker’s work. So, don’t be afraid to do some exploring or even ask question at your Local Comic Shop. Here are some exceptional non-superhero comic books that I highly recommend; Something is Killing the Children, Saga, Y The Last Man, East of West, Eight Billion Genies, and Killed or Be Killed.
4. Follow Writers & Artists
Even though names like; Spider-Man, Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man are popular in the comic book industry. Not every story is going to hit you in the feels or knock your socks off. But, the next time you read a comic and it made you think about it all week and you cant wait for the next issue to come out. Take note of the writer and artist, because I’ll bet if you were to look up that creators list of work. I know for sure you will find another story they wrote or drew on that is going to be your next favorite comic book story. Here are a few of my recommendations of writers; If you like deep character development;
Jonathan Hickman, Rick Remender, Charles Soule, James Tynion IV
3. Collecting Can Get Expensive…Real Fast!
If you’re a newbie to comics, take it one step at a time, especially if your shop uses an app to track your pull list. It’s crazy how easy it is to add new comics, and before you know it, you’re shelling out 190 bucks a week. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. While I can handle the cost, I hope you’re making smart choices about what you buy. Don’t feel pressured to get a book just because someone online is raving about it. That’s how things get out of hand, and next thing you know, you’ve got a real problem. Buy what you can afford, and keep it simple. I’ve got a weekly budget, and I stick to it. Consider buying collected editions if you want physical copies. Digital reading is the way to go, and it’s easier on the wallet. Plus, you don’t have to worry about storage. You can also find comics at cons or local shops. This hobby’s supposed to be fun, so don’t break the bank.
2. Have a Good Relationship With Your LCS
The decision to choose a Local Comic Shop (LCS) plays a significant role in shaping your experience with comic book collecting. For both newcomers and seasoned collectors with 30 years of experience, cultivating a strong relationship with your preferred shop is paramount. My emphasis on this relationship is not driven by a desire for free items, which would undermine the shop’s goals, but rather to promote a collaborative and communicative partnership. Effective communication, especially when collecting weekly pulls on time is not possible, is a cornerstone of this relationship.
Unless you’re buying numerous popular books, a pull list is likely unnecessary, but it provides a useful service for both you and the shop owner, securing your copy and assisting the shop in ordering accordingly for future weeks. Also, participating in in-store events, such as Table Top Game Nights, Movie Nights, Trivia Nights, or sales for Trade Paper Back and Hard Cover editions, and inviting friends is recommended. Your support, including buying additional items like action figures or comic supplies, is appreciated by the shop, but not necessary.
1. Your Passion For Comics Must Pay For It’s Self
Last but not least as I mentioned before, buying single issue comics can be a bit expensive. So, having extra funds for comics really helps so that you’re not going broke trying to buy comics. So, I sell comics to supplement to buy comics weekly and put it in an account just for my comic fix. I also do side jobs like painting, editing work, Gig jobs to save money for my comic book fix. I just want to say this out loud again. Comic Books will always be there for you granted some books will shoot up in price and it will be hard to find at a good price. However, that doesn’t happen often so if you are looking to get rich off of these comics cause of a movie or a tv show you will find yourself broke and homeless. Please be responsible when buying and adding comics to your pull list.
In conclusion, these are the top 5 things I wish I had known before starting my comic book collection. I hope this serves as a useful guide for those interested in collecting comic books. For more in-depth videos on comic book collecting, please visit my YouTube channel, juanreadscomcs, where you’ll find videos on topics such as being new to comic book collecting, creating a pull list, and storing and preserving your comics. If you have any questions regarding the topics I’ve discussed, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll do my best to provide a helpful response. Thanks for reading and remember…Read Your Comics!!
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