Yesterday, I visited a local comic show put on by Shoff Promotions. I’ve been out of the comic book collecting game since the late 80’s, but it’s still fun to pick up random comics when the opportunity presents itself. I’m the worst kind of collector though — my purchasing decisions are based on the cover art alone. These comics are not being bought to read — that’s what trade paperbacks are for — and I’m not really buying them to complete a run or a set. Nope, I just buy the covers that grab my interest and will look good on display. Case in point…
The bargain bins are my friends. You know I’m not going to pass up a comic featuring super heroes AND super gorillas. There were plenty of high-grade, key issues all around the show room, but those comics far exceeded my limited budget, so for me, it’s all about the dollar bins.
There is nothing better than the cover art on an old comic book from the 60’s. Fantastic Four comics are one of the cheaper titles when it comes to old comics, but they have some of the most action-packed covers of the era.
I did bring home one “good” comic for my collection. No, it’s not good because Robin dies, it’s good because it is an awesome looking comic and will look great displayed with the rest of my vintage Batman collection. This one’s not going into a box.
The last thing I came home with was a stack of Batman trading cards. There are already a bunch of these cards in my collection, but I couldn’t remember which ones, so it was just easier to buy the bunch. I really need to start making lists.
Going to a comic show is a rare event for me, but I had a great time this weekend. Next month, there will be another Shoff Promotions show where Neal Adams will be attending, and while I’m not too keen on paying people for their autographs, it would be fun to see the legend in action.
Comic book dealers probably love me for buying comics that have collected dust for years. It’s clear that I’m a terrible collector, but I can’t be alone. What sort of comics do you seek out that might fall just a bit outside of the Overstreet Guide’s heavy hitters?
But you’re actually the *best* kind of collector. You know what you like and that’s what you collect. You don’t do it as a future investment (not that it’s wrong) or some OCD need to have a complete set even if you don’t like all of the things.
Rock on!
Hmm, I like the way you think Dex. 😉
Have to agree with Dex. In the 90s I switched from a “collector” to an “investor.” Bought multiple copies of a ton of comics, especially Image titles. Got totally burned on that. That, combined with my “investing” in the new Star Wars figures that were being released, made me stop collecting everything entirely. I missed out on a lot of cool things (at least 12 years worth) before I started collecting again a couple of years ago.
Actually, Brian, thanks to you, I’ve learned to focus my collection. Right now, aside from a couple of new comic titles I pick up every month, my focus is on a complete run of Uncanny X-Men. Will I ever get it? Of course not! While I’m not OCD about it and I agree that I didn’t like EVERY single issue, for me the fun is in the “hunt.” Once I hit about 95%, I’ll concentrate on another complete run. Right now I’m about 65%+. Thinking maybe Amazing Spider-Man or New Mutants.
Aw man, if you saw my cave, you would see that I am anything but focused! (But I am trying.) A complete run of a classic series is always a good thing, but my interest level stalls out around the late 80’s when comic prices hit 75 cents. A run of X-Men or Amazing Spider-Man would fit in just fine in my collection as well. 😉
My collecting focus has been laser beaming down to pre-1985 super hero items that look good on display, whether it’s toys, comics, or other strange things, and I’ve been having a blast hunting for new items and selling off some old ones. Circle of life.
Love these! Like them before me, I’d also like to point out that you’ve actually shown the rest of us the joy of collecting….ya know, just for the sake of collecting/self satisfaction and not for some other agenda e.g. investing or capital appreciation (*ugh*). Those comics are great. I spend most nights haunting a local comic auction page myself…..ya know, just to get hold of those rare vintage gems…..basically whatever that rocks my boat. Keep up the good work Brian!
Thanks Zack. I always enjoy reading about your collection because you have a totally different sandbox to play in. The more I collect, the more interested I get in items that were produced outside the U.S. One of these decades, I’m coming for a visit so you can take me on a tour of all the local shops you haunt, and I can stock up on vintage foreign goods. 😉
I am all about the cheap comic bins! I only wish there was anything even close to a comic show near where I live. So frustrating as a collector!
Robin Dies at Dawn is an awesome issue though, so your method clearly works 🙂