Recommendations for the serious comic collector! 1 1

[DarkKnightReturns]

Yes the title sounds a bit snooty on purpose but its really more about curiosity of peoples opinions.

What do you guys and gals recommend that every collector should own? What are some must buys for the comic fan?

ex. I think everyone that is interested in collecting comics needs to own a set of Golden age Gerbers! Such a valuable reference for any collector.

Maybe you think everyone should own comic "x" or have read article "x" or needs to attend a certain show, watched that one movie etc

State your recommendation and reason!

(not asking what to buy to make money) 

Edited September 3, 2017 by DarkKnightReturns
not about..investing...

[Dick Pontoon]

Men of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Men-Tomorrow-Geeks-Gangsters-Birth/dp/0465036570

[oakman29]

Kind of a loaded question really.

[kav]

GL 76

[ADAMANTIUM]

10 minutes ago, kav said:

GL 76

I don't know why you always say that but know that you do

 

[kav]

Just now, ADAMANTIUM said:

I don't know why you always say that but know that you do

 

And I dont even own one.  I donated all my GLs to neal adams in the 70s when jeanette kahn was trying to get him all his books-he never obtained them when they came out.

[ADAMANTIUM]

17 minutes ago, oakman29 said:

Kind of a loaded question really.

Svengoolie is coming on at a new time fyi on Sep 9th.....7pm central... I'll have to stay updated on the rest of the line-up....hopefully Batman will come on earlier and they'll keep wonder woman 

[oakman29]

16 minutes ago, ADAMANTIUM said:

Svengoolie is coming on at a new time fyi on Sep 9th.....7pm central... I'll have to stay updated on the rest of the line-up....hopefully Batman will come on earlier and they'll keep wonder woman 

Svengoolie rules! I love B movies.

[scooter99]

Action 1.  Judgment day is coming and Daddy needs a spanking.  Or something like that.

All precode horror keys along with Bats 227, GS X-men 1, HOS 92 and most of the Bronze Age keys. 

[ThothAmon]

Buy what's available for the best price possible. Can't go wrong with a TMNT 1 first print also. 

[Ken Aldred]

11 hours ago, DarkKnightReturns said:

I think everyone that is interested in collecting comics needs to own a set of Golden age Gerbers! Such a valuable reference for any collector.

Exactly why it's too broad a topic to generalise and make recommendations that would suit the majority.

Great, very interesting books but inessential unless, maybe, you're a Golden Age collector.

As a Bronze Age specialist I can do without them.

Edited September 3, 2017 by Ken Aldred

[ADAMANTIUM]

I would say an assortment of different artists of different titles, don't focus so much on first issues-maybe more first appearances, origins, don't limit yourself, and bother to read something to see if it stands the tests of your liking.

Reading can affect your gut for future investments/likable issues. Also seeing if it stands the test of time.

A lot of these seem like generalizations, but things like Ghostbusters 1, still holds up by today's standards.

Things like that, know a character, and take time to understand his/her origin or likely plot scenarios, does it have the right stuff to keep going or at least be enjoyable to the next generation? The comic doesn't necessarily need a movie, but it needs good readership!  that's all I got for now 

[DarkKnightReturns]

1 hour ago, Ken Aldred said:

Exactly why it's too broad a topic to generalise and make recommendations that would suit the majority.

Great, very interesting books but inessential unless, maybe, you're a Golden Age collector.

As a Bronze Age specialist I can do without them.

no way jose, you need those gerbers, imo, if you don't know the past how do you know where you're going? 

what was that wolverine issue where he's holding sabretooths head? Crime suspense stories #22 swipe? ...Ill bet a bunch of kids had no idea where that came from...

Speaking of bronze, what was that neal adams detective cover swipe...How many people out there had no clue until they were told? Wouldn't it be nice to know? Not everyone is exposed to golden age classics   

I feel like some people have taken this topic wrong...

Its not a "what should i invest my money in?" topic

Its simply what do you recommend real comic book hobbyists read etc etc 

ie. You need to read Comic book marketplace #..., you need to read article "X" from fanzine "..."

[DarkKnightReturns]

Okay...so not a "please tell me what to buy thread"

What do you recommend actual comic book hobbyists have, read, watch etc

It could be a thread on the boards here..."Golden age collection"...that one was okay  

Maybe a documentary, maybe some rare...., lets hear about it

[GearheadPT]

So you're asking "What is the essential reading list for the comic collector?"

[DarkKnightReturns]

43 minutes ago, GearheadPT said:

So you're asking "What is the essential reading list for the comic collector?"

sure, what do you recommend comic book hobbyists read?

[FSF]

12 minutes ago, DarkKnightReturns said:

sure, what do you recommend comic book hobbyists read?

 

It sounds like the title should read:

"Recommendations for the serious comic [reader]"

 

Also, that would be very difficult to answer considering everyone has such varying tastes.  It would be much more analytical and objective to discuss what is the best investment.  If you're looking for titles to read, I think you should at least throw out something about yourself and/or the comic titles that you enjoy that you have already read.

 

 

 

[GearheadPT]

Ok.  I'll give it a go. Mind you, I have predominately read superhero genre comics.  I am limited.

I think that when we are younger or new to comics, it's very character driven.  Character in a sense of what the lead hero has as special abilities, how relatable they are etc. My answer to this would be much different 20 years ago.  I grew up in NY.  Spider-man was it.  Now, for me, the writer leads the way.

Speaking from a plot driven perspective my examples would be: Frank Miller Daredevil, Silver Surfer (vol 1), any Dark Knight, Preacher, Amazing Spider-man/'The Last Hunt' with Kraven, Lone Wolf and Cub.  Some of Mark Millars stuff is good.  Early Avengers, Claremont X-men. Don't laugh, I liked Year of the Rat by Crossgen. 

From a cultural view, Marvel introduced inter-racial relationships with Powerman and Ironfist in the '70s as well as the liberated professional woman with Ms. Marvel.  Reading them with regard to the era they were written has been interesting for me. Claremont's X-men was a tone set against racism as well. I haven't gotten into War comics but they encompass a huge genre.  Seems like they should be mandatory reading.  Batman and Superman had a hand in selling war bonds I believe. John Carter of Mars was written in the early 1900's.  Read those with regard to what classified as science fiction for the time.  

I think its important to read some amateur comics.  Maybe pick up some indies with mediocre art.  The professional stuff tends to shine better afterwards.  It helps you figure out what you like.  

I don't know much about the Golden Age. I just starting to dig a bit. Just picked up a few Batman, Superman, and Mystery in Space. I'm happy to take your recommendations on others.  

To answer the question, look for what has been popular by each publisher in every genre and era that you can afford.  

Sorry the post is so long. Remember, I'm a newb. 

[delekkerste]

Every serious collector should read Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay. 

[1950's war comics]

10 hours ago, kav said:

And I dont even own one.  I donated all my GLs to neal adams in the 70s when jeanette kahn was trying to get him all his books-he never obtained them when they came out.

Must have for all serious collectors................