DoomDoomDoom

This user has not updated recently.

2959 11817 10 206
Forum Posts Wiki Points Following Followers

Organizing Comic Book Short Lists.

By DoomDoomDoom 12 Comments

Over the last couple of days I've been throwing together a short list of comics I want to buy. A lot of them which are older issues I'll more than likely have to hunt for. For shorter series, with twelve issues or less, I just jotted down the name of the title and number of issues and called it a day. However, when it came to titles with larger numbers of issues I found it hard to keep track of what issues I have and don't have without digging through my boxes. So my question is when you guys are out hunting for comics do you keep any type of list or or use any type of system to make it easier to tell what issue #'s you have and which ones you need to buy?

Personally I use charts like this with the "X" symbol notating which issues I have.

12 Comments
12 Comments
Posted by Billy Batson

TPBs make it easier :p
BB

Posted by DoomDoomDoom

@Billy Batson: That's the truth but I have certain titles like Amazing Spider-Man and others I dream of having the entire run in singles. It really depends on if I buy a TPB or a single issue of a series first, to decide how I'll collect it if I enjoy it. I hate having half of a series in TPB and half in singles. little OCD? Maybe lol.

Posted by TheOptimist

In terms of single issues, I document most of my collection through excel charts, using color codes to indicate the location, with other font alterations (italics, bold, underline, etc) to explain elements like variants, duplicates and the like. Using this system, it becomes pretty easy to sort data and identify holes. Once I have them, I collect them all into one unified place, after which I prioritize into three groups of must have, would like and don't care, which also similarly suggests the prices I might be willing to settle for in the hunt. These I then either print out straight or isolate into separate word documents which I print and carry, particularly at cons.

Posted by DoomDoomDoom

@TheOptimist: I used the table function in Word since I'm not going into as much detail as you. I might switch over to Excel though I think I can import the tables I have. I imagine at a convention where almost anything you can think of is a available a list of some sort is pertinent.

Posted by turoksonofstone

Comicbase is the ultimate collection management system IMO. U Need a solid and sound computer for it though.

Posted by The Poet

@DoomDoomDoom: thats an interesting way to do that...

you're way more orginized that I am when it comes to check lists (most mine are up here in my noggin...which is challenging at times...)

Moderator
Posted by DoomDoomDoom

@turoksonofstone: I've checked out there site before and read about the service but I just don't want to pay for it, It does look amazing though and really thorough.

@The Poet: I'm only organized when it comes to comics, my house is a mess. I can have a list in my head for months but as soon as I get in front of a box of comics it's gone so I have to write stuff down.

Posted by B'Town

When I am on the hunt to collect a bunch of issues, I have always made a hand written list, of what I needed and checked them off as I get them.

I really like your chart method though. Much easier, I think then my hand written scrap of paper that can really become a mess by the time I have gathered everything. Really, all dog eared, doodled on, with coffee rings and chocolate and such. I've even had to rescue a list from the puppy. ha.hah.

Posted by DoomDoomDoom

@B'Town: Thanks, I know it's odd but I started out scratching them out on paper like large tic-tac toe boards. I have a cat who destroys anything paper so I know how it is lol.(comics get shut in the closet)

Posted by Raven0207

I keep a list on my Iphone so even when I'm out of town and drop into a comic shop I still have it with me.

Posted by fury714

That chart method looks good :D but im bare bones when it comes to this, I just keep a saved text message on my cellphone to document the stuff I need to pick up or hunt :)

Posted by DoomDoomDoom

@fury714 said:

I just keep a saved text message on my cellphone to document the stuff I need to pick up or hunt :)

Use your keyboard!

  • ESC