OCD About Condition of Comics? - Gen. Discussion

#1 Edited by saiyanzzrage (20 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

For one reason or another, I've got it stuck in my head that every comic book I buy needs to be in near-mint condition (and that I need to maintain that condition). It's almost become borderline OCD for me: I am apprehensive about reading books more than once (even though I really want to), I try to move my hands often while holding/reading a comic to avoid oily-residue from marking/staining my book, and I dont open the book all the way in fear of damage to the spine.

On Wednesdays when I buy my new books, I am "that guy" that goes through all the books of a particular issue until I find one I am satisfied with, and doesnt have any creased corners, cracked spine, etc..

Am I going too far? I don't envision myself selling my collection in the future, but I am fairly certain my obsession with keeping comics in near-mint condition is attached to the worth or value of any given book. Heck, I'd be thrilled if 40-50 years from now one of my books is worth a few thousand dollars, but I highly doubt any of the books I have will ever be worth that much. In other words, I think the lengths to which I go to maintain the condition of my books is irrational, not to mention the longboxes, bags, and boards I have spent so much money on to keep the comics in the shape I want them to.

How do you handle your comic books? I have considered going completely digital just to not have to worry about the condition anymore, and can re-read them whenever I want without fear of damaging them...

Any advice? I do read the books and do so for enjoyment, I just dont get why I am being so OCD about them.

#2 Posted by The_Tree (4409 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

I'm pretty average when it comes to handling my comics, but I do try to move my hands to keep from ruining my books (after I accidentally left a giant white hand print on my cover of Invincible #84), and I try to do my best to keep pages from getting bent, something about bent pages gets me raging.

Online

#3 Posted by Manwhohaseverything (968 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

I'm careful, but not OCD. Like with my sports cards, i came to realize there is no such thing as mint condition, for all practical purposes. I just want my copies to be "clean"

#4 Posted by spider-man 2996 (660 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

I can relate to you. I look through all my stack when I get them and make sure to check spine, bends etc. Have you have though of getting the trades? That would help you with making sure about the spine and bends.

#5 Posted by Duke_Nasty (1017 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

I dont plan on selling my books anytime soon but I know how you feel. I usually read carefully them bag and board them and throw them in a longbox. Most modern comics wont be worth selling anyway.

#6 Posted by saiyanzzrage (20 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

@spider-man 2996 said:

I can relate to you. I look through all my stack when I get them and make sure to check spine, bends etc. Have you have though of getting the trades? That would help you with making sure about the spine and bends.

Yeah I have thought about trade-waiting, but I am more of an instant-gratification kind of guy, so like I said, I might just end up going all digital (live i an apartment now, but moving to a house next month, and I have 5 longboxes and growing, so storage may become an issue soon)

#7 Posted by Kallarkz (3301 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

I suffer from that as well unfortunately =(

#8 Edited by RScottH08 (249 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

@Manwhohaseverything said:

I'm careful, but not OCD. Like with my sports cards, i came to realize there is no such thing as mint condition, for all practical purposes. I just want my copies to be "clean"

Ya, I pratically dont think thers a mint condition on most things anymore either. As soon as you open the book, it aint mint no more.

On the care side of things i do bag and board but beyond that not much. Although i must admit sometimes i do have a hard time lending old issues out, ones that arent exactly in great condition.

I wouldnt want to go digital though, i mean i think its good for some books you may get that arent as good or you only get every once in awhile, but still i think have a good old copy is definetly better and you never when a book you buy may be worth something someday.

#9 Posted by Queso6p4 (1130 posts) - 11 months, 29 days ago - Show Bio

@saiyanzzrage: This does seem a bit much, especially that you know that comic probably won't be worth selling in the near future but I have to ask: 1) do you wash your hands before reading? 2) do you wear powder free gloves when handling comics? If you do both then this you might be a little on the extreme side. :) Given what you've said, digital may be the way for you to go with future purchases.

I've started washing my hands every time I go to read a comic I have to go pull out from the "archives," especially issues from the 70s. Other than that, I'm pretty much like what Manwhohaseverything said.

@spider-man 2996: This is a good point and I was wondering if he's compelled to buy single issues rather than trades.