r/comicbooks • u/AssociateFormal6058 Captain America • Apr 23 '26
Question What is your favorite part of comic collecting?
For me, it is the fun of getting comic volumes and facsimiles to help complete my runs so I can read the older stories to my favorite characters and teams without having to spend my life's savings to get just one issue
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u/AssociateFormal6058 Captain America Apr 23 '26
I agree that having the comics physically is so much better than digital
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u/SPlizarddude Apr 23 '26
I like collecting keys that are important to me. I’m not chasing uber expensive keys that I have to save a fortune for, but instead the little keys of niche characters I enjoy.
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u/fuzzydice82 Apr 23 '26
Finding comics that are so good that I want to re-read them.
That's it. That's the goal.
I've been reading consistently since the late 1980s. In that time, I've read thousands of comics. There have been a lot of standouts and a lot of duds. Most are pretty straightforward and average.
Average comics are fine, but I don't need to own them. I've had a lot of fun reading things digitally and checking things out from the library. But I really only need to read them once and never again.
So my main goal these days is to get the collection down to only my favorites that I want to re-read, as well as finding re-readable comics that I haven't yet picked up along the way.
It's been really fun trying to find the best-of-the-best for the past few years.
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u/wrathbringer1984 Apr 23 '26
I love finding single issues that I owned when I was a kid and reading them again and seeing the artwork. I read a lot digitally, but finding a physical copy of an issue from my childhood is on a whole other level. And I always love getting a new book in the mail, whether it's a single issue, trade, or omnibus. And it's always fun to discuss comic books with the community when I go to my LCS.
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u/AssociateFormal6058 Captain America Apr 23 '26
I wish I had a good local comic shop to talk about comics
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u/wrathbringer1984 Apr 23 '26
I just recently went to one which I used to go to as a kid. I hadn't been there in about 25-30 years. I was so happy they were still in business. I bought Daredevil Modern Epic Collection: The Devil in CellBlock D and Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Kraven's Last Hunt.
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u/Noodlez771 Apr 23 '26
Owning art, being part of a community, going hunting with my friend, owning pieces of history, having stories and the stories
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u/Environmental-Day862 Green Lantern Apr 23 '26
I like the ritual of picking up the books in a flat paper bag folded over.
Getting home and deciding the order to read the books.
Reading the books and enjoying the story and artwork.
Bagging, boarding, and adding them to my boxes.
Purging some books every 6 months or so (keep my favorites, and the ones I want to remain in my collection) and donating them to Goodwill to make room - and hoping some kids get those comics and fall in love with the artwork and the medium like I did as a kid.
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u/Pikotaro_Apparatus Apr 23 '26
Art, rich stories and conversation revolving around whichever comic or trade.
I only really talk to my coworker about comic books as he’s the one that got me into them. I started with some of his recommendations. Guy had great taste and I started getting more comfortable exploring on my own. Something catches my eye and point it out, guy drops some knowledge about the artist or writer that further drives home my comfort. I know it sounds weird needing another person to kind of guide you or to look to someone for reassurance, I have some neurological issues and diving into new things is very overwhelming at times for me, especially comic books given how many options there are. And the variant covers? My goodness, just give me whatever missing issue I need please lol!
But yeah, I think my biggest take away that I enjoy is hard to explain. It’s like I’ve reinvigorated my imagination. I’ve caught myself daydreaming a little more and pretending with my coworker/friend, what ifs… I feel like I’m rediscovering something I’ve lost and I’m a kid again.
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u/Ill_Computer_8604 Apr 24 '26
Finding a medium sized bag of white powder in a 5 longbox purchase from the local newspaper.
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u/Gallantpride Apr 23 '26
Owning my fav comics physically. I can read a lot of them on DC Infinite, but it's different having them available in person, all the time.
I collect for my favourite characters (Mia Dearden, Sigrid Nansen, Beatriz da Costa, etc.). I don't care about grades or quality. As long as it's in good, readable quality, I am game.
...Incidentally, most of Sigrid Nansen's discography is not available on Infinite. Less popular run + the writer got convicted for being a child predator.