Always thought collecting was about the first print, but a guy at my local shop in Akron changed my mind.

I was only buying #1 issues, thinking they'd be worth the most. He showed me his collection, focusing on key story arcs like 'The Dark Phoenix Saga' instead. He said a complete, high-grade run of Uncanny X-Men #129-138 is way more satisfying and often holds value better than random first prints. Now I hunt for full storylines. What's a complete arc you think is worth putting together?

3 comments

3 Comments

lucas_bell16d ago

Yeah, that guy gets it. I did the same thing, chasing #1s. The story is what you actually go back and read. For me, it was the 'Kraven's Last Hunt' arc. Web of Spider-Man 31-32, Amazing 293-294, and Spectacular 131-132. Having that whole, dark story in one box is way cooler than a random first issue of some series that got canceled fast. It feels like a real book on your shelf.

rodriguez.diana15d ago

My dad's collection was all about those first issues, but I never understood it. He had boxes of number ones from series that lasted maybe three months. When he passed, I tried reading them and most were just setup with no real story. It made me switch to hunting for full runs of smaller titles instead, like the original Moon Knight series. Completing that 38 issue run felt way better than owning a dozen forgotten first issues.

henry_martinez7d ago

I used to be that guy too, hunting #1s like they were gold. My shelf is full of comics that never even got a second issue, it's kind of sad now!