So, the Baltimore Comic Con is right around the corner. Naturally I’ve begun compiling my list of what issues, comics and trades I’m looking to pick up. And I’ll probably share that with you in next week’s column.
But this week I’m devoting the column to a problem with collecting comics.
Actually I’m sure that you can think of tons of problems with collecting comics. Some problems that I can think of off the top of my head are; the cost, storage, moving and finding the time to read the things. And those are just problems affecting me currently.
But I’m not going to complain about any of those things. My complaint is more about impulse control. And it’s a problem I have with every convention I attend.
My problem is that I want to buy comics that I love. Now again, I’m sure you’re thinking “Mathan, what’s the problem with buying comics that you love?” Well, the problem that I tend to buy comics that I love, even when I already own them, maybe even a couple times over.
For instance, I love Wildcats 3.0. My pals over in our dear defunct forum recommended that I try it out. I tracked it down and fell deeply in love with the book.
But since that time I’ve literally purchased complete or near complete runs three separate times. I know for a fact that I’ve got two complete runs in my possession and that’s including the recently released trades. My best friend has an addition run that I’ve picked up.
Despite that, I can guarantee that when I hit up the Baltimore Comic Con next weekend, I’ll come across a few issues of Wildcats 3.0 and I’ll feel the urge to snatch them up. I’ll justify it by saying that they’re only $1 or 50 cents. And eventually I’ll fight back that urge, but that urge will still be there.
And the thing is that I feel this way about a dozen series. I know for a fact I feel a similar impulse when I encounter 5YG Legion, Chase or anything Ambush Bug related. It’s practically a sickness.
Honestly, it’s not even just those titles; it’s any title that I enjoyed reading and that I can find a decent run of issues. If I see a years worth of issues of the original Resurrection Man, I’ll be tempted to pick them up and get another complete run. And the more issues I find the more it seems like I’m supposed to pick them up. If I saw 20 issues of 100 Bullets, I’d give serious consideration to scooping them up, despite my having a my complete run with me and my current investing in the deluxe hardcovers.
But that’s the kind of collector that I am; I love to support what I love.
Of course there’s also the part of me that knows that I’m being selfish and an effectively denying someone else of the chance to complete a run of books that they may be trying to piece together. So, I try to rein my impulses in and not throw money away on books that I already own. But it’s a battle.
Ok, so that’s my confession this week. Anyway, it’s Wednesday which means that there are new comics out there for you to purchase. Go out and buy some already.
