What type of comics should you collect? Before you drop US$50 on a shiny new omnibus, ask yourself one thing: Are you collecting comics you actually enjoy or just what the internet told you to buy? That answer’s different for everyone, and honestly, it should be.
My first comic wasn’t Spider-Man, Batman, or some grail-worthy key issue. It was The Thing. Mid-70s. I was a kid, saw this rocky fella on the cover, and thought, “This guy definitely solves things with his fists.” Not exactly poetic, but it stuck. That feeling, that spark, is what you want. Not hype. Not FOMO. Just fun.
Why It Matters: Know Thy Comic Self
Here’s how most new collectors start: they walk into a comic shop, see five different foil covers, and think, “Maybe I need all of them.” (You don’t.) If you don’t figure out what type of comics you should collect early on, you’ll end up with stacks of regret and a short box full of impulse buys you don’t even like.
Finding your niche early helps you:
- Spend your money on stories you’ll actually read
- Stay excited, even when new releases slow down
- Avoid comic burnout (yes, it’s real, and it usually starts after buying Spawn #1 for the third time)
Unless your long-term financial plan involves retiring off 1990s Spawn issues, in which case… godspeed, investor.
Comic Book Genres 101: What You Read Says More About You Than Your Spotify Wrapped
Superhero Comics
The classic. The default. The reason most of us even started collecting. If you enjoy watching people in capes yell about justice while punching aliens into the sun, welcome home.
- Popular titles: Spider-Man, X-Men, Batman, Wonder Woman (a.k.a. your comic starter pack), and Spider-Man & Wolverine (me)
- Good for: Fans of legacy, drama, and multiverse migraines
- Starter picks: Ultimate Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel (Kamala), Superman: Birthright
- Hot right now: DC Absolute Universe
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Comics
If your dream comic involves dragons piloting spaceships, secret government experiments, or an interdimensional romance that makes you cry, you’re in the right section.
- Popular titles: Saga, Star Wars, Monstress
- Good for: World-builders, RPG lovers, and anyone who thinks “real life is too boring”
- Starter picks: Saga Vol. 1 (bring tissues), Paper Girls, The Department of Truth (get ready to question everything)
Horror Comics
Love a good nightmare? Horror comics are where beautiful art and deeply unsettling vibes shake hands and ruin your sleep schedule. Great if you enjoy asking yourself, “Why did I read this before bed?”
- Popular titles: Something is Killing the Children, The Walking Dead, Harrow County
- Good for: Fans of tension, trauma, and things with too many eyes
- Starter picks: Locke & Key (trust me, it’s a trip), The Nice House on the Lake (bring a blanket, for comfort, not protection)
Slice-of-Life & Drama
No explosions. No spandex. Just heartbreak, awkward silences, and emotional trauma wrapped in beautiful linework. These are the comics that whisper “feel something” and then gut-punch you in the last five pages.
- Popular titles: Blankets, Persepolis, Heartstopper
- Good for: People who like their comics like their coffee, emotionally heavy and occasionally sweet
- Starter picks: Daytripper (you will cry), Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (we’ve all dated someone like that)
Comedy & Satire
Sometimes you just need a comic where a squirrel beats up Thanos or a chef solves crimes using food powers. These are your palate cleansers. No homework, just chaos and punchlines.
- Popular titles: Deadpool, Squirrel Girl, Chew (yes, the one with the food detective)
- Good for: Anyone who laughs at their own jokes or needs a break from multiverse breakdowns
- Starter picks: I Hate Fairyland (it’s as unhinged as it sounds), Snotgirl (yes, really — it slays)
Indie & Creator-Owned
This is where the weirdos shine. No capes, no corporate mandates, just raw creativity. If you want stories about immortal bartenders, haunted suburbia, or depressed robots with feelings, indie is your playground.
- Popular titles: Bone, Radiant Black, Black Hole (NSFW and uncomfortably brilliant)
- Good for: People who treat comics like indie films, weird, risky, and occasionally genius
- Starter picks: Ice Cream Man (every issue a Twilight Zone twist), Descender (robots and feelings), Hellboy (for occult nonsense done right)
Beginner Hack: If you’d watch a movie in that genre, you’ll probably enjoy the comic version too.
Format Counts Too: Single Issues, Trades, or Digital?
- Single Issues (Floppies): Perfect if you enjoy waiting a month to find out who survived the explosion… and then another month to find out it was a dream. Also great if you like long boxes and low-grade anxiety.
- Trade Paperbacks: The binge-read format. You get the whole arc in one go, no bags, no boards, no stress. Bonus: they look tidy on a shelf if you’re pretending to be a minimalist.
- Digital Comics: Cheap, instant, and space-saving. Great for binging classics or catching up on 20 years of X-Men trauma without wrecking your budget (or your spine).
Want to see a price breakdown? Check out our guide on How Much Comic Collecting Really Costs. Spoiler: bags, boards, and boxes add up fast.
Modern vs Vintage: Should You Go Old-School?
Modern comics are sleek, cinematic, and often read like storyboards for the next Netflix pitch. Vintage ones? They’re charming, nostalgic… and come with dialogue bubbles the size of Malaysia. You’ll get lore, exposition, and probably a recap of the last five issues, on page one.
So, should you go vintage? Depends. If you enjoy campy charm, oversized narration boxes, and the occasional ad for X-ray glasses or sea monkeys, absolutely. Just be ready to slow down and read like it’s 1965 again. No fast cuts here.
Still, a mix of both helps you understand the evolution of storytelling in comics.
And yes, vintage comics come with surprises. Like full-page ads for martial arts mail-order scams, body-building powder, or a live monkey for $18. No lie. Comics were wild back then.
Are You Reading or Investing?
Your goals matter.
- Reading-focused collectors: Chill. You follow your heart (and probably your favorite writer). You read what you enjoy, and maybe cry a little during Saga. No shame.
- Investment-minded collectors: You’re checking print runs, watching eBay trends, and debating whether that 1:25 ratio variant is worth skipping lunch for. Respect the hustle, but know the risks.
While it’s important to ask what type of comics should you collect for personal enjoyment, just don’t fall into the trap of buying every foil cover, thinking it’ll fund your retirement.
If you’re investing, study trends and consider grading your key books. But don’t forget: comics are meant to be read.”
What Type of Comics Should You Collect? How to Choose Without Overspending
- Start with 3–5 titles max (align this with your monthly budget)
- Visit a local comic shop and ask what’s popular or new
- Explore free or cheap options through apps and digital platforms
- Join Reddit threads, Discords, or use apps like League of Comic Geeks
- Don’t worry about what’s hot. Focus on what you enjoy.
- Keep a simple list of what you read and like—it helps avoid buying duplicates
- Read ComicsDeck.com
Pro tip: Some collectors build a “Comic Passport”, a mini notebook or app where they log issues read, creators loved, and wishlist items.
It’s Not Just What Type of Comics You Should Collect: Avoid These Pitfalls as a Newbie.
Look, getting into comic collecting is exciting, like opening a mystery box every week. But some pitfalls are as common as reboots in superhero comics. Here are a few traps to sidestep:
1. Buying Everything That Looks Cool
Yes, foil covers are shiny. No, they’re not automatically valuable. Focus your budget on titles you’re genuinely interested in. Your wallet (and your storage shelf) will thank you.
2. Speculation Overload
We all dream of finding the next Amazing Fantasy #15 in a dollar bin. But chasing every “hot” issue based on YouTube hype? That’s how you end up with a short box full of comics no one wants, not even you.
3. Ignoring Condition
That “great deal” on a key issue might not be so great if it’s water-damaged and smells like someone’s basement from 1992. Always check for tears, spine stress, or funky smells. Trust me, I’ve been burned. Twice. Preserve your comics.
4. Forgetting to Track Your Collection
You think you’ll remember what you own. You won’t. Use a spreadsheet or a collecting app early on; it’s much easier than explaining why you bought Daredevil #14 three times. (True story, not mine though)
5. Not Talking to Your Local Comic Shop (LCS) Owner
LCS folks are walking encyclopedias with opinions, and they remember faces. Build that relationship. Their expertise on what type of comics should you collect will prove invaluable, helping you stay on budget, find gems, and they might even hold back a rare copy for you one day. Or not. Depends if you skipped your pull list last month.
Follow Your Curiosity
Every comic collector starts somewhere. Don’t overthink it. Read what you like. Skip what bores you. And if you end up loving a duck in a suit? Own it.
Want more beginner tips? Jump back to our main guide: The Beginner’s Guide to Comic Collecting.
