A guide to comic collecting sounds serious, right? Like something with homework and a required reading list. Don’t worry, this isn’t that.
If you’re here, chances are you’ve been bitten by the nostalgia bug or just walked out of Thunderbolts thinking, “Where do I even start with this stuff?” You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not too late.
This is a practical, no-nonsense walkthrough for comic collecting for beginners, the kind of guide I wish I had when I started. We’ll cover what to collect, how not to go broke, and how to avoid the rookie mistakes that turn a fun hobby into a storage nightmare.
I’ve seen it happen. One minute you’re picking up a Spider-Man #1 facsimile “just for fun,” and the next, you’re negotiating CGC slab prices like you’re bidding on cattle.
What Is This Beginner’s Guide To Comic Collecting, and Who Is It For?
So what is this guide to comic collecting, exactly? And who’s it really for?
Whether you’re in Shah Alam or New York, just found a stash in your cousin’s old bedroom, or decided it’s finally time to organize those 15 comics you bought over the years, this guide to comic collecting is for you.
It’s written for readers who feel curious but a bit overwhelmed. For people who want to start a comic collection without memorizing 80 years of X-Men continuity. For anyone asking, “Is this hobby for me?”
This is comic collecting for beginners, told by someone who’s made most of the early mistakes so you don’t have to. We’ll go over what to collect, where to find comics, how to protect your books, and why it’s okay to start small.
How to Use This Guide
You don’t have to read everything in order unless you’re one of those completionist types. Each article covers one part of the collecting journey. Think of it like a buffet line. Take what you need, skip what you’re not hungry for. Just don’t complain later when your comics end up yellowing on top of your router.
And please, never put any of your comics on your router.
Where Should You Start with Comic Collecting?
The biggest question in comic collecting for beginners is simple: Where do I even start?
Truth is, there’s no single “correct” way. You don’t need to hunt rare issues or buy everything from #1. The best way to start is by picking something you genuinely enjoy, one character, one team, one universe.
For me, it was Wolverine. Not because it was valuable, I just liked the grumpy guy with claws. That’s it. That’s where the joy comes from. Whether you’re into Batman, indie horror, or Malaysian titles like Ejen Ali, your collection should reflect your taste, not someone else’s checklist.
Don’t overthink it. Start small. Buy one comic that looks fun. Then another. You’ll figure it out as you go, and that’s the best part.
Where to Buy Comics
So you’ve picked a character or title, now where do you actually get comics?
For comic collecting beginners, this part can be weirdly intimidating. There’s the smell of old paper in used bookstores, the sea of long boxes at conventions, and the endless scroll of online shops. Here’s what you need to know.
Local comic shops (LCS) are your best starting point. They’re beginner-friendly, usually happy to recommend titles, and often have bargain bins where you can score good stuff for RM5–10 or a couple of bucks. Plus, you support small businesses.
Online stores (like Shopee, eBay, or specialty comic retailers) are great once you know what you want, but do your homework. Check seller ratings. Watch out for phrases like “vintage,” “rare,” or “hot pick” used as price bait.
Digital comics (via Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, or Webtoon) won’t give you anything to bag and board, but they’re fantastic for casual reading and exploring titles before committing to physical copies.
And finally, garage sales, Facebook groups, and flea markets sometimes hide gold, just don’t expect everything to be in mint condition. Sometimes the hunt is half the fun.
The 6 Core Articles (So Far…)
Each post below dives into a key part of comic collecting. You can read them one by one or jump straight to the section you need most.
And another please, if you are a collector, don’t drink coffee while reading comics. Seriously. One splash on a white cover and you’ll never emotionally recover.
1. Comic Collecting For Beginners
Start here if you’re brand new to the hobby. This article walks you through what comic collecting is really about, how to choose between digital and physical comics, how to pick your first titles, and of course, how to set a budget before your wallet develops superpowers.
Spoiler alert: It probably won’t.
Read this first Beyond the Pages: Comic Collecting For Beginners and then the related articles:
- Cost of Comic Book Collecting: A Brutally Honest Breakdown
- What Type of Comics Should You Collect to Maximize Your Enjoyment?
2. How to Create a Comic Pull List (and Why It’ll Save Your Collection)
Did you know you can reserve comics at your local shop before they even hit the shelves? This article breaks down what a comic pull list actually is, why it matters more than most beginners realise, and how it quietly saves you from missed issues, overpaying online, and that sinking feeling when Issue #3 is suddenly “sold out everywhere.” Supporting your local comic store is also good karma. Unless, of course, you still owe them $30 from last month.
In that case… maybe settle that first.
If you’re serious about collecting, even casually, this is one habit worth building early. A pull list keeps your collection consistent, helps your shop know what to stock, and removes a lot of unnecessary stress from the hobby.
I walk through it step by step in How to Create a Comic Pull List, including how to talk to your shop, what to put on your list (and what not to), and how to avoid turning it into a monthly financial ambush. Trust me, your wallet and your future self will appreciate it.
3. Comic Book Preservation Hacks for New Collectors
Comic book preservation is one of those things everyone thinks they’ll “learn later.” Later, of course, is usually right after the first bent corner or mystery fingerprint appears.
There’s a right way and a very wrong way to flip through your comics. This guide shows you how not to treat your collection like old magazines at a mamak. Creased spines, oily fingers, and casual stacking? That’s how comics die. Slowly. Quietly. Painfully.
If you want to keep your books readable and collectible, take five minutes to read Comic Book Preservation Hacks for New Collectors. It covers simple handling habits, basic protection, and small mistakes that quietly ruin comics over time.
Coffee kills too.
Comics, I mean.
4. 7 Smart Comic Book Storage Ideas to Organize Your Growing Collection
Plastic bins? IKEA boxes? A shoebox from your birthday present?
At some point, every collector realises the pile has become a problem. Not a “panic” problem. Just a quiet, spreading one. Plastic bags on the floor. Stacks leaning against walls. A box you swear is temporary, but has been there for ages.
This article looks at real comic book storage ideas, not museum-grade nonsense, just practical solutions that actually work in normal homes. Boxes, bins, shelving, basic cataloging habits, and how to keep your collection organized without turning your bedroom into a filing room or your partner into your enemy.
If you’re running out of space, patience, or excuses, 7 Smart Comic Book Storage Ideas to Organize Your Growing Collection will help you get things under control before gravity, humidity, or a random spring cleaning does it for you.
5. Comic Book Grading Scales Explained: What Every Collector Should Know
What does “9.8 NM/M” actually mean? And why does a tiny spine tick suddenly matter more than the story inside the book?
This article breaks down comic book grading scales in plain language, so you’ll finally understand how condition is judged, what those numbers really represent, and why that random comic you found in great-grandma’s house, despite family legends, probably isn’t worth RM10,000.
Still a cool find. Just… maybe not retirement money.
6. When to Grade Comics: The Essential Guide
Just because you can grade a comic doesn’t mean you should. This is where a lot of new collectors burn money and learn painful lessons.
This guide helps you figure out when grading actually makes sense, when it’s a waste of cash, and how to spot the difference before you send a perfectly fine comic off to be sealed in plastic forever. Costs, risks, turnaround time, modern vs older books, it’s all laid out without hype or fantasy pricing.
If you’ve ever thought, “Should I slab this?”, especially after reading about grading scales, When to Grade Comics: The Essential Guide will save you from expensive mistakes and a very awkward conversation with yourself later.
This Guide To Comic Collecting Will Grow Over Time
This is just the beginning. As I (and my blogging friends) write more articles, maybe about comic conventions, online buying tips, or key issue hunting, I’ll update this page.
So go ahead, bookmark it. Or print it out and tape it to your fridge if you’re the analog type.
If you have questions or want to argue about why Wolverine is the best character (don’t @ me), drop by the comments or shoot me a message.
Now, ready to dive in?
Go on! Pick an article, grab a drink (maybe not near your comics, don’t follow my style), and let’s get collecting.
—
Juan,
Comic Collector. Occasional Sarcastic Uncle.
