BAB Re-Run: How Do You Interpret the Word "Collecting"?

Doug: We are re-running a post that originally appeared in the dawning of this blog, back in November of 2009. At the time it got no comments -- probably due to the fact that we had not-too-many readers back then. Several times in the past few weeks, our readers have commented on various purchases they've made lately that hearken back to the Bronze Age. I commented that Karen and I, too, are always looking for that next nugget that we'll parlay into a post or comics review. So, it sounds like we're all still, to some degree, buying old comics. And that brings us to today's (or way-back-when's) topic, which I've turned into an Open Forum question -- How do you interpret the word "collecting" in regard to your buying habits these days?


Doug: Thanks in advance, as always, for your participation.

Doug: Several posts ago, I made a remark about collecting comics. My posit was that I am more of a "possessor" than a "collector". I related a story about my mission of the late 1980's-early 1990's to amass a complete run of my favorite title, the Avengers. While I didn't chase after "reading copies", I was willing to accept some issues in the Good to Very Good range. Obviously, Fine or better was preferred, but as I got closer and closer and it was the very early issues that remained to be purchased, I compromised any investment potential.

Doug: While I was building the Avengers run, my friend Don was seeking to buy the entire Lee/Kirby run of the Fantastic Four. However, he was much stingier than I; consequently, he never achieved his goal -- but what he has (including FF #4) is in really, really nice shape.

Doug: I guess I somewhat fancy myself these days as having a comics library. I own a fairly nice collection of books about comics history, creator biographies, encyclopedias, and trade paperbacks/hardcovers from favorite stories/series. I would say the cornerstone of my collection these days are the four Marvel DVD-ROMs that I own -- complete collections (through about 2006) of Amazing Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and Iron Man. These discs have largely turned me away from collecting comic books themselves.

Doug: Of course the complaint about the DVD-ROMs is that you have to have a computer handy, and if that computer isn't a laptop then you can be talking about doing some uncomfortable reading. However, I'd argue that just the fact that each disc contains approximately 500 issues of continuity makes them a no-brainer economically. At the retail price they originally sold at, my four discs give me around 2000 comics for roughly $200. Do the math -- 10 cents an issue? DC's Archive Editions and Marvel's Masterworks offer you 10 issues for about $55 ($5.50/issue) and DC's Showcase Presents and Marvel's Essentials reprint 25 comics for around $16 (a little over $1.50/issue).

Doug: Now I do own several Archives (the complete Legion of Super-Heroes, for example) and Masterworks, as well as Essentials -- these are great things. The Essentials are especially nice, as they include complete stories, even when crossovers were involved. That would be one of the negatives about the DVD-ROMs -- no Giant-Size issues, for example. But here I am back to my original suggestion that I have become more of a possessor than a collector (as that term is generally applied to those who buy comics). To have, regardless of the format, has become my goal.

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Doug: And therein lies part of the problem: what about that issue that can't be acquired in reprint form? A few posts ago we discussed the Secret Society of Super-Villains -- not available (to the best of my knowledge). How about some of the other short-lived series of the 1970's? Black Goliath, The Cat, and others? Not available. So, am I saying that I would never buy back issues that might rekindle those childhood four-color memories? No. But I guess I no longer go out of my way to find them. I sort of envy those fans who browse through the dollar boxes to find that hidden gem. But somewhat-sadly -- it's just not me any more.

Karen: I think I am now a possessor as well. While I like having the original comics, it's just too expensive for me to try to buy them all, even in Good condition. Now that I have the DVDs, and a number of Masterworks, I feel I've filled in a lot of gaps. I can see myself spending my comics money on Masterworks for more obscure titles, or buying original comics of series that aren't too expensive. I just don't feel the need to have a NM copy of Avengers #1 - I just want a copy I can read, whatever the format.

Karen: That being said, I wish the Masterworks were like the DVDs and included ads, bullpen bulletins, and letter pages, or at least the letter pages. I like the ease of the masterworks (no computer necessary) but miss those elements.