Your comment, all new comics can't be keys is so true! Week after week, I see tons of books that sell for $10-$30, then after a few months they go back to cover price. You said it best, "Buy what YOU like!".
Variants are the worst in that regard. Until they aren’t. You win some, you lose some. I lost on Edge of Spider-Verse #2 and Ice Cream Man #1. Literally had them in my hands and decided to put them back the weeks they came out.
Guys I totally agree about not buying Hyped books. Why I dont like most speculator comic channels. Im buying for my PC not flipping. My closest LCS is not helpful or dont have back issues on the floor. I have seen the curtain drawn back seem like the good stuff behind that curtain. I'm trying to establish a relationship even thou I havent really bought much. The staff seem rude or distant. So unfortunately Ebay my source for silver bronze and copper. Why does it seem like the comic community and stores alike is not a friendly environment. For the exception of this show (informative) or Comic with Bueller also informative and fun to watch about comic news. Not about money or rude comments i read on CGC forum to a collector looking for the best inexpensive pressing machine. Everyone had a nasty answer like buy a clothes iron. Come on! I wanted to know too. Not happy with some people. This is BS!
@@spydorweb2008 unfortunately comic stores have long been stereotyped as inhospitable places. Dark and dingy stores full of unsavory characters. Thankfully, in today’s world, that’s not the case, but some have managed to keep the stereotype alive. As far as a press goes, I have a couple of Seal 160s. They aren’t as big or expensive as the 210s, but do just as good of a job. Paid around $300 for each of them, but shipping was ROUGH.
@@CoMoComicBooks Thanks Drew. I guess a pressing machine will be on a long wish list. In regards to variant there are few I really like. Alex Ross Timeless variant covers. I have 3. I would like to get a few more at a good price. Not all of them. As for Marvel vs Aliens I like only 2 covers Captain America and Venom. The other covers are not that great. Im looking forward getting the Aliens series to read. Everything I've been buying as to now far as books is based on cover art or books I owned and read in the past. Im rambling.
It can take a while, right? I still give my buddies a hard time about some things they collect and I get it from them some too. It’s all in good fun though. Thanks for watching!
So true as a person who works in a comic shop I couldn't relate more. I've seen so much hype in some titles and people going crazy in our pull lists an ended up with a disillusion. 100% true ! Only collect what you love ! Great video buddy thank you very much :D
all your advice is spot on .i felt like this was a therapy breakthrough for me .words i needed to hear .lol .i will be a stronger smarter collector moving forward now that ive subscribed to your channel.thank you
Excellent advice. It's hard to shake fomo sometimes, but we're all better off steering clear of it. Also, the advice about building a relationship with your LCS couldn't be more true. I'm fortunate enough to have 2 shops nearby, and I've built a relationship with the owners of both; there's nothing better than getting a text or message from one of them telling me they have a book I might want, or that they just bought a collection that I need to come see , or asking me if I want a book before it goes on the wall. Keep up the good work!
Great advice. One that hit home with me was building a relationship with your local comic book store. After not collecting for a few years I went into a comic book store and asking the owner, who I had known years prior as being a customer in the store I worked in and I asked him what was hot at the time. He said I should check out a new book called The Walking Dead#1, I bought it and began collecting comics again that day. What good advice, those books became VERY valuable. Only wish I had bought multiple copies, buy by then I wasn't buying stuff in large volume anymore. When Thor 337 came out we went around to 7 11's, stop and go's, pharmacy's, to buy them all up , it had sold out from the 2 comic book stores in a few days and they couldn't get any more from distributors, we wound up with over 80 copies, and began selling them for 5 to 15$ each the next day. I got to keep 5 for my collection. One of the perks of working in a comic book store.
Hey Shawn! Working at a LCS is definitely an experience that provides its share of memories! Thank you for watching and I’m glad you enjoyed the content!
Great info. I'm now a subscriber! I find a lot of what I'm looking for on eBay, but I hate bidding, and I'm cheap, so I don't usually want to pay high prices for shipping. So, I've been hitting up all of the local shops and they are getting to know me. I even traded in a book for in-store credit knowing that I was going to get much less than what I could've gotten on eBay, but I wanted to help the shop out, giving back so to speak. He in turn has given me deals on some other lesser value comics and we have a good relationship. I traded in a book that had a lot of value, but it didn't really mean that much to me. So, I gave up one "key" book and probably got 15 other books that I like more and those books are helping me to complete a run.
Good advice. I don’t necessarily agree with your first bit if advice, but I do understand that perspective. I do primarily collect what I like, but if I see an opportunity to flip a book, or purchase, grade, and profit from a book, I will buy that book even if I’m not necessarily interested in that book. It provides me with additional funds to buy more of the books that I am hunting for, without having to break the bank.
Everyone’s mileage will vary. It’s definitely not advised to let a good opportunity for a flip or a spec pass you by. We’re all in different seasons. I’m coming out of one where I was buying nearly 100% for the business/flipping, but nothing for myself. It sucked. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!
Welcome to the hobby! My advice would be to chunk things up. Something like these 50 issues here, that 100 issues there. Some of these title have 800-1000+ issues, and it takes a lot of time to track them down. You just have to eat the elephant one bite at a time.
Excellent vlog for newcomers (and some old). Your advice hits the mark. I , too, advise new collectors to get what they like because if it is not (or turns out not to appreciate in value), you still have a book that you enjoy. If it rises in value, it’s “icing on the cake”.
I only started collecting last year and I truly love it. The only rut I have is living in a not so major city and this there aren't that many options to buying comics. There's one major comic book shop in my town... I wish I could scour old collections in people's garages and such, but im not that good at finding the sources! Maybe in time I'll get better at it.
Welcome to the hobby! Finding collections is cyclical for me. I’m either getting call after call or the phone won’t ring for weeks. Thanks for watching!
These are great tips. My favorite place to look for comics is garage sales even though the payoff is really hit or miss. And this year it was a big miss. 😂
I'm definitely collecting what I like without going for trendy stuff. Last week at the counter at an LCS I got to hear the cashier say, "Alpha Flight... I don't see that everyday." lol I'm trying to rebuild the collection I had 30 years ago before losing about 60% of my comics, and complete runs that I gave up on in the early 90s. At the time, I had issues 1-99, but I ended up with only issue 99. Luckily, I've found about 20 issues in dollar bins in recent months. Same with Excalibur, and I'm only 8 issues away from having the full run now. For New Mutants, I'm only missing 4 issues (14, 16, 18, 19), but NONE of my local comic stores have them. I've checked about a dozen stores. Luckily, I still had 87 and 98 from when they were first released. I just wish I hadn't sold the first 50 issues of Wolverine for $1 each when I was poor in the early 90s. Ouch.
Hindsight is tough like that. I’m glad that you’re able to build most of those runs back affordably! I see Alpha Flight, Excalibur and New Mutants quite a bit around here, so hopefully you’ll be able to finish those runs off soon!
That's the hard part with me. My local comics shops don't deal in vintage or collectible comics. They only sell new ones. Second, One person says don't rely on Overstreet, the other says don't rely on eBay and another says don't rely on collectors. So figuring out what a good price for a collectable comic is seems to be completely arbitrary. So difficult to navigate these waters.
New book only stores are definitely a bummer. I think maybe the best way to look at it is: don’t solely rely on any one thing. Each of the things you mentioned can and probably should be used in concert with the others and any additional resources you have. If you’re trying to determine values, Overstreet would give you a rough idea, while eBay sold prices and GPA would be very specific, down to the individual sale. Thanks for watching!
Perfectly said. I just finished a small run of Godzilla books because I wanted the run, because I’m a huge Godzilla fan. Now I’ll keep those books in my collection and actually enjoy them.
That’s some classic 70s Marvel goodness right there! Congrats on finishing the run! I bet that took a fair amount of digging, as those things aren’t the most common issues to come by.
Your Tip #1 is my golden rule of collecting and has been for many, many years. I can't stress this enough if you are an actual collector, and not a speculator. Thanks again Drew, for another down-to-earth video.
I was a bit hesitant to watch this because the title is not very inspiring but I hit the play button. I was impressed by what you had to say and am in complete agreement until number three. I wish you would have been more specific for fear of intimidating some new collectors away from eBay. Ebay is absolutely the best place to get steals more specifically in auctions for any era of collecting. Although, if you are into collecting golden age comics it's the number 1 place to get golden age cheap.I come across sellers weekly who are antique or flea market dealers and list golden age comics at unbelievably low prices. Please, assume some of your viewers may be fresh golden age comic book collectors. I'm trying always to inspire people to get into this area because it's much more rich in history. As far as spec I just got out of buying new comics all together because the art and stories have become completely trash and if in rare cases it may be good the page count doesn't justify the cost. I've been much happier ever since. I've signed on as subscriber and look forward to more of your content.
Thanks for watching! I think the point of #3 that required more clarity was not to over-rely on eBay. It definitely has its time and place, but specifically when talking about true keys and hot books, it is not the place I would encourage people to solely rely on. For more obscure or harder to find issues, or as you specify: Golden Age, it is definitely more help than hinderance. That said, I can’t over emphasize the importance of building relationships within the hobby, whether it’s other collectors, store owners or the vendors you see at comic shows/cons. Thanks for subbing and I really do appreciate the comment!
Great advice I couldn’t agree more on the fomo part, but you can still find some good deals on eBay if your patient and wait for actions to come up. Unfortunately most of the comics I love to collect have gone up a lot in the past couple years and the only way I can afford to keep adding to my personal collection is by flipping spec books. It does take some enjoyment out of the hobby but it’s the only way I can buy low numbered X-men, Fantastic Four and Amazing Spider-Man.
eBay can definitely be good, especially if you’re not chasing the flavor of the week. If you’re chasing down books that aren’t in the spotlight anymore or just yet, you can definitely do well there. Thanks for watching!
I agree totally but a lot of our "local comic stores" these days will price you at the counter from ebay or goCollect even if there's a sticker on the book! I realize its been hard for the average old school lcs but I think that'll kill the hobby quicker than anything by driving people to online resources! The stores need to keep that reason for the customer to go there! Imho! Love your channel! Wish I lived in Missouri! 🥸👍
Thanks for watching! We have our fair share of eBay priced stores and even a few stores who always look things up on eBay before selling them and will change marked prices on books! I just don’t shop at those places! There is definitely a shift in the market. Retailers need to be more proactive in their pricing. Spend the $15/year or whatever it is for Key Collector and follow along. It’s not that hard.
Really appreciate this vid. It’s a must watch for me and something I’ll be rewatching every now and then as a reminder. #3 I think I got covered. Been working on #1 and #2 last year and will continue to do so this year.
Great advice. I sold off a 5500+ comic collection about 5 years ago as my son had no interest. He is in his 20s now and does his own thing and i have gotten back into comics. Collecting artists whose work I love and writers I enjoy. I read everything now and only buy what I like.
In my experience the LCS is not always better than ebay when it comes to price. Most LCS owners won't budge on a price on most books they have on the wall.
Sorry to hear that is your experience Raymond. It’s certainly not going to be universally true. Though, that is where the importance of building the relationship with them comes in. Hanging out in the store, getting to know the owner and employees can go a long way toward increasing your opportunities to negotiate a better price.
@@CoMoComicBooks Oh Yeah, for sure. I've been a customer at my LCS since 1985. After I had major surgery they held onto my pull for nearly a year & a half. That wasn't exactly the situation a was commenting on (maybe I should have been more clear). Every collector has a 2nd or even 3rd tier store they frequent, while I even maintain a friendly relationship even with these owners, sometimes they're just a little stubborn on those certain back issues ( I'm talking to you Ben. You could've come down a little more on that X-Men #94). Thanks for responding so quickly. I like your channel.
I appreciate the video, but I gave up on comic shops more than 12 years ago due to the unprofessional way they are run in my area. Not opening on time, being closed unexpectedly, overpriced & unwilling to move inventory... I just bought several perfect sealed Marvel Masterworks at 75% to 90% off on Amazon and Ebay. My LCS does/did not even carry those, and the trades & HCs there will be no more than 10% off of the SRP. So not missing the LCS, they never appreciated my business when I shopped there anyway.
Wait... the algorithm worked?!?!? 😉Welcome to the channel Steve! I look forward to seeing you around in the comments section! I appreciate the kind words.
I’ve bought plenty of issues I didn’t care about at the time. It started with Jim Comics but he really had a good record. I’m pretty happy with most of them. I at least have some Bragging rights because of him
Great video! My tip to share is create a Want List for the year to focus your comic buying. Stop spending money on the little fish comics to get your grails.
Another tip is make a list of comics you want and stick to it. It will reduce the impulsive purchases by making you do the homework and research books before you go out and shop blindly.
100%! I do that before every show I walk into to shop at. It is nice to have an idea of what you’re looking for going in, but I also like to give myself a little leeway for coming across something unexpected.
It would be nice if someone or some group would break down the preview guide and the info it provides that should help new collectors on what is coming outd- that preview guide needs a major overhaul, it’s 2021 and that thing looks like it did 30 years ago
Sound advice, but what do you do when you live in a rural area and the closest comic shop is 100 miles away? eBay then becomes a necessity. My closet best shop is actually 300 miles away from my home.
I’ve been there Allen. In the boom times of the 90s it was still an hour drive to the closest LCS. If it wasn’t on the spinner racks of my local grocery stores I had to turn to mail order services. In your circumstances, you’ve only got so many options. Hopefully there is an occasional show or con within driving distance for you. Thanks for watching.
All great advice but yes def get to know your local comic shop owners! "The Comic Book Shop!" Is mine in DE and they know me by name as i come in the door. I always have random cool books they know id like waiting for me in my box behind the counter. Yes got my own cubby box at my local shop.
I am trying to get off ebay. I've managed to completely stop buying run fillers and bargain bin books on ebay, but I still see deals on keys, figures, statues, collected editions and stuff that is by nature more expensive than bargain books. The key is patience and I will defer to purchasing something I'm camping for on ebay at a brick and mortar store if I see it at a price I like.
I will say I was able to find some bargains on eBay over the years as I went back and filled in holes in my collection. For example I got my hands on an XMen 100 in 8.5 condition for $75 a year back. It's rare but if you look u can find the occasional steal on eBay. I do suggest making sure you are buying from a seller with a good history and reviews. I try to stick with comic dealers on eBay.
I 100%. The intent of the tip wasn’t to encourage people to stop using eBay at all, but not to forgo the others in favor of eBay. The key with being successful with eBay is patience. If a collector can stave off impulse buying and has the willpower to wait for the right deal, eBay is a great tool to have in your tool belt. I’m just encouraging everyone to have more than one tool in that tool belt. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment Eric!
🤯 Wow! I’m sorry to hear that Tony! Down here I had a harder time finding issues 427-441 than I did anything under 100. Do you have any cons or comic shows up that way?
I buy stuff as an investor that I don’t like. But I only buy bronze or earlier. Newer stuff is a bad investment because the market is so volatile it could be worthless tomorrow. Take a look at The Strain #1 from Darkhorse. Once upon a time CGC 9.8 went for around $300. I wanted one so I waited. Then I picked up a near mint copy raw for about 12 bucks.
FOMO sucks. We know we shouldn’t care, but it just nags at you. If you’re like me, you’ll never be completely rid of it, but hopefully we can mostly keep on top of it.
I am a new collector. GoCollect has an option for keys based on the comic. Ex. Amazing Spider-man or X-Force and it lists all the keys. What does everyone think about collecting only keys listed on that site as one way of collecting? Is this a good way to collect longterm or is this a waste of money? Obviously major keys like Ultimate Fallout 4 are in high demand, but what are your thoughts on just going after all the keys possible for books like Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, X-Force, Captain America, Punisher, Wolverine, New Mutants, Ghost Rider, New Teen Titans, Wonder Woman (Major characters/books)? I have a local comic store that is a honey hole for keys, but I don't want to waste cash. Please let me know
Welcome to the hobby. Right now the hobby is in a weird space where profitability has overtaken desirability. In other words people are collecting what they think they can cash in on more than they are collecting what they like or enjoy. Very few collectors are focused on building runs of titles or characters. The word key is also thrown around WAY too much these days. We’re to the point where there is a list of “keys” released every week according to various sources. The truth is: very few true key comics are published each year, never mind each month or each week. My advice would be to collect what you like and collect whatever way you get the most enjoyment out of. It’s your money, time and your effort going into the collection after all, not mine or anyone else’s.
You can find a deals on eBay on raw keys if you know auction bidding strategies. No deal on hot books, but on other books, lots yes. Shipping costs might eliminate the deal sometimes
100%. Ebay is still a valuable tool, in the right circumstances. Shipping can definitely be a killer. Price and handling between the seller and the buyer. Thanks for watching!
I totally disagree that deals cannot be found on eBay. I have purchased most of my “keys” by being vigilant on eBay and routinely pay 20-30% less than through an LCS, convention, or online site. I am completely more likely to find myself a deal there than any of the other options as people on eBay typically are willing to make an offer to sell a book whereas the other options want you to believe that their inflated prices are the best deals you will find.
Thanks for watching! I’m not saying go cold turkey on eBay and never buy a book off of there again. I 100% agree that there are deals to be had, but it all depends on what you’re currently collecting. Vigilance and patience definitely have their rewards, especially on eBay. I love OBO and have saved major bucks with it in the past. It’s the only way to fly on eBay.
Thank you for the tips. I listen to your Ebay which is true. However, my LCS does not have an expansive volume of books. I don't have any LCS who carry back issue bins.
Ugh... those are the worst. In those circumstances you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get the goods. Thanks for watching and happy hunting Logan!
Another great video thank you.. but I must say I found some amazing deals on eBay..my local comic book stores have to charge more because they have to pay rent and employees. I'm not saying you can't find a deal there but personally I find better deals on eBay
There is definitely opportunity on eBay for certain elements of your collection. Keys and “hot” books are really what I was referring to. If you’re off on a spec nobody else has thought of yet or collecting your thing that is not super well known or popular, and most of all you’re patient, there are deals out there. I’ve been buying comics off of eBay since 2002 and the stories I could tell you... Thanks for watching!
My experience with comic shops is that some of them have 'dollar bins' where you can get discounted books. Some of my finds in these include a vintage "Classics Illustrated" from the 50s, and a comic autographed by Neal Adams.
That’s a tough thing, but something I consider from time to time, as I’m in the same boat. I think the equation looks something like this: at what point does the joy you get from your collection get outweighed by the things/experiences you could have with the revenue generated from its sale? If you’ve noticed it, my sign off line is: Collect Responsibly. The reason I approach the hobby that way is, that in my view we never really own these books. We’re simply their caretakers. Our job is to enjoy and preserve them for the next collector. And a big part of that is knowing when it’s time to let go. If the books bring you more joy than what you can do with the money they would bring, keep them. If you’re worried about the sale of the collection being mishandled after you’re gone, it may be time to figure out where you draw the line and take action yourself, so you can oversee the process. Thanks for watching and apologies for the long winded reply!
@@CoMoComicBooks I"m just one year older to Alex Ross. That means I"m in my 50s. I already start selling since last year. Takes time I guess. Thanks ! Great video.
For sure, but that is @ComicTom101 's focus: the newest/hottest books each week. When you're reporting on what the hot new book(s) are week after week, it can definitely contribute to the FOMO, because there is always the next hot book to talk about. Much love to Tom, Guru and Gem. Their content is important, we as collectors just have to remember to come up for air, on occasion, from the grind.
Thanks for watching! I don’t doubt that. We have a lot of opportunity here in the states. Even in places where stores are few and far between, we’ve still got it pretty good.
I see too many so called collectors or chumps let's say who buy ever week 10-20 books just to not miss the so called big book that could be.. This is a waste of time and money to buy minnow books hoping 1 in 20 books they pick up will make them 10-50.00 petty way to collect.. I collect for the love and with a passion on vintage comics like vintage hockey cards.. Only do I carefully buy on a rare occasion some variant modern books that could have a potential. But I buy the ones I like not what the masses or sheep are collecting
You’d definitely be better off to pick up the 1-2 books that jump to $10-15 in a month or two’s time instead of buying everything every week. I’m primarily a vintage collector and deal, so thankfully, I don’t have to play the game too much. Thanks for watching!
I grab 99% vintage Comic wine books. They have history and have established itself as mega key. I only purchase things I love not what I can flip it for.. You can’t gain knowledge by grabbing what others do. Be a leader not a follower
I got a serious problem i have been buying comics lie crazy these last few months and i am thinking i need to slow down cause i have dropped a lot of cash on books in the last few months
@@CoMoComicBooks lets put it like this i have spent at least $1500 on books in 2 months just buying keys and rare variant covers and there is 7 major books on my list which is Hulk#181,AMS#129,TMNT#1 2nd print,Giant Size X-Men#1,Green Lantern#76,Spawn#1 Black and White cgc ss and Superman Batman#4 German Variant and all of those books ate a thousand and up but i am also collecting any first apps i can get cheap.I used to have a short box with nothing but first apps,and deaths of chars but I needed the money and sold them i could cry cause i had just about every first app from 1980 to 2012 and now i could have doubled my money.I dis however get one of my grail books a Soulfire#1 virgin variant cgc ss 9.8 signed by Michael Turner.
Thanks Craigo! They tell me that if you click on the bell icon after you subscribe to the channel, that can be avoided. 100% hearsay, but I thought I would pass it along just in case. 😉
Variants are definitely a problem today, but I think FOMO is the real enemy. Key Collector is a tool, just like Overstreet or GPA, it’s all in how the tools are used. The downside to content creation is that we always need something new to talk about, which can drive attention to some weird places. I also cringe with how often books are declared to be keys in the current market. If everything is a key, then nothing is a key.
Absolutely loved this video, I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you for this great content that every collector should watch.
Bueller!!! Thank you so much for watching! I’m a big fan of your channel and content. Thank you for all that you do for the hobby!
sup bueller, bug fan
“Every hobby should have an outlet for self expression” Well said my friend! Loved the video!
Thank you so much for watching!
Your comment, all new comics can't be keys is so true! Week after week, I see tons of books that sell for $10-$30, then after a few months they go back to cover price. You said it best, "Buy what YOU like!".
I don't even buy new books because you can buy old books for a fraction of the price meaning reading more books.
Variants are the worst in that regard. Until they aren’t. You win some, you lose some. I lost on Edge of Spider-Verse #2 and Ice Cream Man #1. Literally had them in my hands and decided to put them back the weeks they came out.
Guys
I totally agree about not buying Hyped books. Why I dont like most speculator comic channels. Im buying for my PC not flipping. My closest LCS is not helpful or dont have back issues on the floor. I have seen the curtain drawn back seem like the good stuff behind that curtain. I'm trying to establish a relationship even thou I havent really bought much. The staff seem rude or distant. So unfortunately Ebay my source for silver bronze and copper. Why does it seem like the comic community and stores alike is not a friendly environment. For the exception of this show (informative) or Comic with Bueller also informative and fun to watch about comic news. Not about money or rude comments i read on CGC forum to a collector looking for the best inexpensive pressing machine. Everyone had a nasty answer like buy a clothes iron. Come on! I wanted to know too. Not happy with some people. This is BS!
@@spydorweb2008 unfortunately comic stores have long been stereotyped as inhospitable places. Dark and dingy stores full of unsavory characters. Thankfully, in today’s world, that’s not the case, but some have managed to keep the stereotype alive. As far as a press goes, I have a couple of Seal 160s. They aren’t as big or expensive as the 210s, but do just as good of a job. Paid around $300 for each of them, but shipping was ROUGH.
@@CoMoComicBooks Thanks Drew. I guess a pressing machine will be on a long wish list. In regards to variant there are few I really like. Alex Ross Timeless variant covers. I have 3. I would like to get a few more at a good price. Not all of them. As for Marvel vs Aliens I like only 2 covers Captain America and Venom. The other covers are not that great. Im looking forward getting the Aliens series to read. Everything I've been buying as to now far as books is based on cover art or books I owned and read in the past. Im rambling.
Great advice. It took me years of collecting to learn the first tip lol
It can take a while, right? I still give my buddies a hard time about some things they collect and I get it from them some too. It’s all in good fun though. Thanks for watching!
So true as a person who works in a comic shop I couldn't relate more. I've seen so much hype in some titles and people going crazy in our pull lists an ended up with a disillusion. 100% true ! Only collect what you love ! Great video buddy thank you very much :D
Hey Paul! Thanks for leaving a comment and for watching! I’m glad the content connected with you.
all your advice is spot on .i felt like this was a therapy breakthrough for me .words i needed to hear .lol .i will be a stronger smarter collector moving forward now that ive subscribed to your channel.thank you
Emilio!!! Welcome to the community! I’m glad the content connected with you. Thank you for watching, for the sub and for the kind words!
Solid advice especially for new comers to the hobby
Thanks for the feedback and for watching!
Brilliant advice! Comic collectors that don't sub to this channel are truly missing out. Thanks for sharing your experience based knowledge.
You are too kind! Thank you for the kind words and for being an active member of the community for the channel!
Excellent advice. It's hard to shake fomo sometimes, but we're all better off steering clear of it.
Also, the advice about building a relationship with your LCS couldn't be more true. I'm fortunate enough to have 2 shops nearby, and I've built a relationship with the owners of both; there's nothing better than getting a text or message from one of them telling me they have a book I might want, or that they just bought a collection that I need to come see , or asking me if I want a book before it goes on the wall.
Keep up the good work!
Nice work! That’s how you do it! When you have the right of first refusal, good things happen! Thanks for watching!
Needed this. Thanks CoMo! Great content!
Hey Kelz! I’m glad the content hit home for you. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
Great content. Thank you. If ever in mizzu, I will have to stop by your shop
Thanks for the kind words Chris! We don’t have a brick and mortar store, but can point you in the right direction if you’re ever in town!
Your 1st rule hit me hard lol...great video sir!!
Thanks Crumz! I have a good idea or point every once in a while!
Great advice. One that hit home with me was building a relationship with your local comic book store. After not collecting for a few years I went into a comic book store and asking the owner, who I had known years prior as being a customer in the store I worked in and I asked him what was hot at the time. He said I should check out a new book called The Walking Dead#1, I bought it and began collecting comics again that day. What good advice, those books became VERY valuable. Only wish I had bought multiple copies, buy by then I wasn't buying stuff in large volume anymore. When Thor 337 came out we went around to 7 11's, stop and go's, pharmacy's, to buy them all up , it had sold out from the 2 comic book stores in a few days and they couldn't get any more from distributors, we wound up with over 80 copies, and began selling them for 5 to 15$ each the next day. I got to keep 5 for my collection. One of the perks of working in a comic book store.
Hey Shawn! Working at a LCS is definitely an experience that provides its share of memories! Thank you for watching and I’m glad you enjoyed the content!
Great info. I'm now a subscriber! I find a lot of what I'm looking for on eBay, but I hate bidding, and I'm cheap, so I don't usually want to pay high prices for shipping. So, I've been hitting up all of the local shops and they are getting to know me. I even traded in a book for in-store credit knowing that I was going to get much less than what I could've gotten on eBay, but I wanted to help the shop out, giving back so to speak. He in turn has given me deals on some other lesser value comics and we have a good relationship. I traded in a book that had a lot of value, but it didn't really mean that much to me. So, I gave up one "key" book and probably got 15 other books that I like more and those books are helping me to complete a run.
Thanks for the sub Walter! You’re on the right track! Sounds like you’ve got a good thing going. Good luck with your collecting goals this year!
Good advice. I don’t necessarily agree with your first bit if advice, but I do understand that perspective. I do primarily collect what I like, but if I see an opportunity to flip a book, or purchase, grade, and profit from a book, I will buy that book even if I’m not necessarily interested in that book. It provides me with additional funds to buy more of the books that I am hunting for, without having to break the bank.
Everyone’s mileage will vary. It’s definitely not advised to let a good opportunity for a flip or a spec pass you by. We’re all in different seasons. I’m coming out of one where I was buying nearly 100% for the business/flipping, but nothing for myself. It sucked. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!
Awesome advices.
Thanks
You’re very welcome! Thanks so much for watching!
I find myself all over the place with not much near complete. I'm new to the hobby and really, I love the artwork! Thank you 😊
Welcome to the hobby! My advice would be to chunk things up. Something like these 50 issues here, that 100 issues there. Some of these title have 800-1000+ issues, and it takes a lot of time to track them down. You just have to eat the elephant one bite at a time.
Excellent vlog for newcomers (and some old). Your advice hits the mark. I , too, advise new collectors to get what they like because if it is not (or turns out not to appreciate in value), you still have a book that you enjoy. If it rises in value, it’s “icing on the cake”.
100%! I'm glad that the content provided value for you! Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!
Great insight Drew! Despite collecting for more than 10 years, I still find the first 2 points very challenging to overcome.
It’s a constant battle. All you can do is try your best. If you trip up one day, get back up and give it another go the next.
Golden tips man, thanks a lot
You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching and I’m glad you got value out of the content!
I only started collecting last year and I truly love it. The only rut I have is living in a not so major city and this there aren't that many options to buying comics. There's one major comic book shop in my town... I wish I could scour old collections in people's garages and such, but im not that good at finding the sources! Maybe in time I'll get better at it.
Welcome to the hobby! Finding collections is cyclical for me. I’m either getting call after call or the phone won’t ring for weeks. Thanks for watching!
usually, folks having garage sales advertise them, so that people know about them. if your town has flea markets, that might also be a source.
These are good tips. Especially the third one.
Thanks for watching Oliver! I’m glad that the content provided value for you!
Good stuff here Drew. I think I will subscribe to this channel.
Thank you so much Panther! You are more than welcome to subscribe and join the community! We’re happy to have you!
These are great tips. My favorite place to look for comics is garage sales even though the payoff is really hit or miss. And this year it was a big miss. 😂
Very hit or miss. I’ve seen some amazing things come out of a garage sale though!
@@CoMoComicBooks Yep, I recently sold a ton of my collection to invest and most of the pieces I kept were purchased at garage sales.
I'm definitely collecting what I like without going for trendy stuff. Last week at the counter at an LCS I got to hear the cashier say, "Alpha Flight... I don't see that everyday." lol I'm trying to rebuild the collection I had 30 years ago before losing about 60% of my comics, and complete runs that I gave up on in the early 90s. At the time, I had issues 1-99, but I ended up with only issue 99. Luckily, I've found about 20 issues in dollar bins in recent months. Same with Excalibur, and I'm only 8 issues away from having the full run now. For New Mutants, I'm only missing 4 issues (14, 16, 18, 19), but NONE of my local comic stores have them. I've checked about a dozen stores. Luckily, I still had 87 and 98 from when they were first released. I just wish I hadn't sold the first 50 issues of Wolverine for $1 each when I was poor in the early 90s. Ouch.
Hindsight is tough like that. I’m glad that you’re able to build most of those runs back affordably! I see Alpha Flight, Excalibur and New Mutants quite a bit around here, so hopefully you’ll be able to finish those runs off soon!
That's the hard part with me. My local comics shops don't deal in vintage or collectible comics. They only sell new ones. Second, One person says don't rely on Overstreet, the other says don't rely on eBay and another says don't rely on collectors. So figuring out what a good price for a collectable comic is seems to be completely arbitrary. So difficult to navigate these waters.
New book only stores are definitely a bummer. I think maybe the best way to look at it is: don’t solely rely on any one thing. Each of the things you mentioned can and probably should be used in concert with the others and any additional resources you have. If you’re trying to determine values, Overstreet would give you a rough idea, while eBay sold prices and GPA would be very specific, down to the individual sale. Thanks for watching!
Perfectly said. I just finished a small run of Godzilla books because I wanted the run, because I’m a huge Godzilla fan. Now I’ll keep those books in my collection and actually enjoy them.
That’s some classic 70s Marvel goodness right there! Congrats on finishing the run! I bet that took a fair amount of digging, as those things aren’t the most common issues to come by.
Such great advice
Thanks Andrew! I’m glad enjoyed the content!
Your Tip #1 is my golden rule of collecting and has been for many, many years. I can't stress this enough if you are an actual collector, and not a speculator. Thanks again Drew, for another down-to-earth video.
Thank you for watching! Glad that the content is worth coming back for!
I was a bit hesitant to watch this because the title is not very inspiring but I hit the play button. I was impressed by what you had to say and am in complete agreement until number three. I wish you would have been more specific for fear of intimidating some new collectors away from eBay. Ebay is absolutely the best place to get steals more specifically in auctions for any era of collecting. Although, if you are into collecting golden age comics it's the number 1 place to get golden age cheap.I come across sellers weekly who are antique or flea market dealers and list golden age comics at unbelievably low prices. Please, assume some of your viewers may be fresh golden age comic book collectors. I'm trying always to inspire people to get into this area because it's much more rich in history. As far as spec I just got out of buying new comics all together because the art and stories have become completely trash and if in rare cases it may be good the page count doesn't justify the cost. I've been much happier ever since. I've signed on as subscriber and look forward to more of your content.
Thanks for watching! I think the point of #3 that required more clarity was not to over-rely on eBay. It definitely has its time and place, but specifically when talking about true keys and hot books, it is not the place I would encourage people to solely rely on. For more obscure or harder to find issues, or as you specify: Golden Age, it is definitely more help than hinderance. That said, I can’t over emphasize the importance of building relationships within the hobby, whether it’s other collectors, store owners or the vendors you see at comic shows/cons. Thanks for subbing and I really do appreciate the comment!
@@CoMoComicBooks I totally agree.
Great advice. My applause. 🙏
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback and your time!
Great advice.
Thanks Robert! I appreciate you checking out the video!
Great advice I couldn’t agree more on the fomo part, but you can still find some good deals on eBay if your patient and wait for actions to come up. Unfortunately most of the comics I love to collect have gone up a lot in the past couple years and the only way I can afford to keep adding to my personal collection is by flipping spec books. It does take some enjoyment out of the hobby but it’s the only way I can buy low numbered X-men, Fantastic Four and Amazing Spider-Man.
eBay can definitely be good, especially if you’re not chasing the flavor of the week. If you’re chasing down books that aren’t in the spotlight anymore or just yet, you can definitely do well there. Thanks for watching!
I agree totally but a lot of our "local comic stores" these days will price you at the counter from ebay or goCollect even if there's a sticker on the book!
I realize its been hard for the average old school lcs but I think that'll kill the hobby quicker than anything by driving people to online resources!
The stores need to keep that reason for the customer to go there! Imho!
Love your channel! Wish I lived in Missouri! 🥸👍
Thanks for watching! We have our fair share of eBay priced stores and even a few stores who always look things up on eBay before selling them and will change marked prices on books! I just don’t shop at those places! There is definitely a shift in the market. Retailers need to be more proactive in their pricing. Spend the $15/year or whatever it is for Key Collector and follow along. It’s not that hard.
Awesome video
Thanks for watching!
Good vid! Missed out on TMNT Ronin #1, but I’ve never read a single TMNT book so am I really missing out?
Nah, if you know the basic story of TMNT you can pick it up and enjoy it. I recommend it. I thought it was fantastic.
Digging thru the longboxes
Thanks for watching!
Aaaand you got a new sub
BOOM! Welcome to the community! I’m glad to have you with us!
Tip two is the best advice anyone can give. Love the content new sub here 👍
Thanks for the sub and the kind words! I’m glad that the content provide some value and excited to have you join our community!
Really appreciate this vid. It’s a must watch for me and something I’ll be rewatching every now and then as a reminder. #3 I think I got covered. Been working on #1 and #2 last year and will continue to do so this year.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad that the video provided some value for you! Good luck with your collection this year!
Wise words! Another excellent video. Even though I should know better, I also feel the vacuum pull of the "spec" of the day. The FORCE is so strong!
I hear you! It just nags at you in the back of your mind! Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you’re continuing to get value from the content!
Great advice. I sold off a 5500+ comic collection about 5 years ago as my son had no interest. He is in his 20s now and does his own thing and i have gotten back into comics. Collecting artists whose work I love and writers I enjoy. I read everything now and only buy what I like.
Welcome back to the hobby! Sounds like you’re having fun with it again!
In my experience the LCS is not always better than ebay when it comes to price. Most LCS owners won't budge on a price on most books they have on the wall.
Sorry to hear that is your experience Raymond. It’s certainly not going to be universally true. Though, that is where the importance of building the relationship with them comes in. Hanging out in the store, getting to know the owner and employees can go a long way toward increasing your opportunities to negotiate a better price.
@@CoMoComicBooks Oh Yeah, for sure. I've been a customer at my LCS since 1985. After I had major surgery they held onto my pull for nearly a year & a half. That wasn't exactly the situation a was commenting on (maybe I should have been more clear). Every collector has a 2nd or even 3rd tier store they frequent, while I even maintain a friendly relationship even with these owners, sometimes they're just a little stubborn on those certain back issues ( I'm talking to you Ben. You could've come down a little more on that X-Men #94). Thanks for responding so quickly. I like your channel.
Ben! What the hell! Hook Raymond up! Thanks for watching sir! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content!
I appreciate the video, but I gave up on comic shops more than 12 years ago due to the unprofessional way they are run in my area. Not opening on time, being closed unexpectedly, overpriced & unwilling to move inventory... I just bought several perfect sealed Marvel Masterworks at 75% to 90% off on Amazon and Ebay. My LCS does/did not even carry those, and the trades & HCs there will be no more than 10% off of the SRP. So not missing the LCS, they never appreciated my business when I shopped there anyway.
Sorry you had that experience. Nothing worse than being let down over and over again by bad business practice. Thanks for watching!
Came because of the algorithm, staying for the videos. Good job!
Wait... the algorithm worked?!?!? 😉Welcome to the channel Steve! I look forward to seeing you around in the comments section! I appreciate the kind words.
I’ve bought plenty of issues I didn’t care about at the time. It started with Jim Comics but he really had a good record. I’m pretty happy with most of them. I at least have some Bragging rights because of him
It happens to all of us on occasion. Thanks for watching Becky!
I think every collector goes through these issues. It's better to Learn early on.
Very true!
Great video! My tip to share is create a Want List for the year to focus your comic buying. Stop spending money on the little fish comics to get your grails.
100%!!! Goal setting is so important. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment Scott!
Another tip is make a list of comics you want and stick to it. It will reduce the impulsive purchases by making you do the homework and research books before you go out and shop blindly.
100%! I do that before every show I walk into to shop at. It is nice to have an idea of what you’re looking for going in, but I also like to give myself a little leeway for coming across something unexpected.
Solid advice! I subbed the second you mentioned your first point!
Hey! Welcome to the community Comic Book Newb! I’m happy to have you with us! I’m glad the content hit home with you.
It would be nice if someone or some group would break down the preview guide and the info it provides that should help new collectors on what is coming outd- that preview guide needs a major overhaul, it’s 2021 and that thing looks like it did 30 years ago
That’s an interesting idea! Thanks for watching!
Sound advice, but what do you do when you live in a rural area and the closest comic shop is 100 miles away? eBay then becomes a necessity. My closet best shop is actually 300 miles away from my home.
I’ve been there Allen. In the boom times of the 90s it was still an hour drive to the closest LCS. If it wasn’t on the spinner racks of my local grocery stores I had to turn to mail order services. In your circumstances, you’ve only got so many options. Hopefully there is an occasional show or con within driving distance for you. Thanks for watching.
All great advice but yes def get to know your local comic shop owners! "The Comic Book Shop!" Is mine in DE and they know me by name as i come in the door. I always have random cool books they know id like waiting for me in my box behind the counter. Yes got my own cubby box at my local shop.
Hey Jimi! Thanks for the comment. Sounds like you’ve got it made up there! It’s good to be a regular!
Station! Great video and advice. Liked and subbed!
Welcome to the community Nick! Thanks for watching and the sub! Glad to have you!
I am trying to get off ebay. I've managed to completely stop buying run fillers and bargain bin books on ebay, but I still see deals on keys, figures, statues, collected editions and stuff that is by nature more expensive than bargain books. The key is patience and I will defer to purchasing something I'm camping for on ebay at a brick and mortar store if I see it at a price I like.
Patience is where it’s at! It’s a natural FOMO killer.
I will say I was able to find some bargains on eBay over the years as I went back and filled in holes in my collection. For example I got my hands on an XMen 100 in 8.5 condition for $75 a year back. It's rare but if you look u can find the occasional steal on eBay. I do suggest making sure you are buying from a seller with a good history and reviews. I try to stick with comic dealers on eBay.
I 100%. The intent of the tip wasn’t to encourage people to stop using eBay at all, but not to forgo the others in favor of eBay. The key with being successful with eBay is patience. If a collector can stave off impulse buying and has the willpower to wait for the right deal, eBay is a great tool to have in your tool belt. I’m just encouraging everyone to have more than one tool in that tool belt. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment Eric!
I live in a city of 250,000 in Canada with 6 comic shops and its IMPOSSIBLE to find any ASM dating before 1993. No chance at all
🤯 Wow! I’m sorry to hear that Tony! Down here I had a harder time finding issues 427-441 than I did anything under 100. Do you have any cons or comic shows up that way?
I buy stuff as an investor that I don’t like. But I only buy bronze or earlier. Newer stuff is a bad investment because the market is so volatile it could be worthless tomorrow. Take a look at The Strain #1 from Darkhorse. Once upon a time CGC 9.8 went for around $300. I wanted one so I waited. Then I picked up a near mint copy raw for about 12 bucks.
You’re not kidding there. I remember when I took the $75 price tag off of the high grade raw copy I had and replaced it with a $10 sticker. 😭😭😭
@@CoMoComicBooks lol. Yup
Great video we need more like this on RUclips
Thanks Comic Collector!
Great advice. I am,a victim of FOMO. trying to calm dow...
Always set a price and don't buy a book over that price
FOMO sucks. We know we shouldn’t care, but it just nags at you. If you’re like me, you’ll never be completely rid of it, but hopefully we can mostly keep on top of it.
@@CoMoComicBooks thanks. Actually, I've dropped Key Collector for that reason. Vids like yours are more helpful for me.
I am a new collector. GoCollect has an option for keys based on the comic. Ex. Amazing Spider-man or X-Force and it lists all the keys. What does everyone think about collecting only keys listed on that site as one way of collecting? Is this a good way to collect longterm or is this a waste of money? Obviously major keys like Ultimate Fallout 4 are in high demand, but what are your thoughts on just going after all the keys possible for books like Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, X-Force, Captain America, Punisher, Wolverine, New Mutants, Ghost Rider, New Teen Titans, Wonder Woman (Major characters/books)? I have a local comic store that is a honey hole for keys, but I don't want to waste cash. Please let me know
Welcome to the hobby. Right now the hobby is in a weird space where profitability has overtaken desirability. In other words people are collecting what they think they can cash in on more than they are collecting what they like or enjoy. Very few collectors are focused on building runs of titles or characters. The word key is also thrown around WAY too much these days. We’re to the point where there is a list of “keys” released every week according to various sources. The truth is: very few true key comics are published each year, never mind each month or each week. My advice would be to collect what you like and collect whatever way you get the most enjoyment out of. It’s your money, time and your effort going into the collection after all, not mine or anyone else’s.
You can find a deals on eBay on raw keys if you know auction bidding strategies. No deal on hot books, but on other books, lots yes. Shipping costs might eliminate the deal sometimes
100%. Ebay is still a valuable tool, in the right circumstances. Shipping can definitely be a killer. Price and handling between the seller and the buyer. Thanks for watching!
I totally disagree that deals cannot be found on eBay. I have purchased most of my “keys” by being vigilant on eBay and routinely pay 20-30% less than through an LCS, convention, or online site. I am completely more likely to find myself a deal there than any of the other options as people on eBay typically are willing to make an offer to sell a book whereas the other options want you to believe that their inflated prices are the best deals you will find.
Thanks for watching! I’m not saying go cold turkey on eBay and never buy a book off of there again. I 100% agree that there are deals to be had, but it all depends on what you’re currently collecting. Vigilance and patience definitely have their rewards, especially on eBay. I love OBO and have saved major bucks with it in the past. It’s the only way to fly on eBay.
Thank you for the tips. I listen to your Ebay which is true. However, my LCS does not have an expansive volume of books. I don't have any LCS who carry back issue bins.
Ugh... those are the worst. In those circumstances you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get the goods. Thanks for watching and happy hunting Logan!
Another great video thank you.. but I must say I found some amazing deals on eBay..my local comic book stores have to charge more because they have to pay rent and employees. I'm not saying you can't find a deal there but personally I find better deals on eBay
There is definitely opportunity on eBay for certain elements of your collection. Keys and “hot” books are really what I was referring to. If you’re off on a spec nobody else has thought of yet or collecting your thing that is not super well known or popular, and most of all you’re patient, there are deals out there. I’ve been buying comics off of eBay since 2002 and the stories I could tell you... Thanks for watching!
My experience with comic shops is that some of them have 'dollar bins' where you can get discounted books. Some of my finds in these include a vintage "Classics Illustrated" from the 50s, and a comic autographed by Neal Adams.
Great tips. Any advice what age one starts selling their collections when there is no one to handed down?
That’s a tough thing, but something I consider from time to time, as I’m in the same boat. I think the equation looks something like this: at what point does the joy you get from your collection get outweighed by the things/experiences you could have with the revenue generated from its sale? If you’ve noticed it, my sign off line is: Collect Responsibly. The reason I approach the hobby that way is, that in my view we never really own these books. We’re simply their caretakers. Our job is to enjoy and preserve them for the next collector. And a big part of that is knowing when it’s time to let go. If the books bring you more joy than what you can do with the money they would bring, keep them. If you’re worried about the sale of the collection being mishandled after you’re gone, it may be time to figure out where you draw the line and take action yourself, so you can oversee the process.
Thanks for watching and apologies for the long winded reply!
@@CoMoComicBooks I"m just one year older to Alex Ross. That means I"m in my 50s. I already start selling since last year. Takes time I guess. Thanks ! Great video.
Comic Tom does enhance FOMO. Key collector also imo.
For sure, but that is @ComicTom101 's focus: the newest/hottest books each week. When you're reporting on what the hot new book(s) are week after week, it can definitely contribute to the FOMO, because there is always the next hot book to talk about. Much love to Tom, Guru and Gem. Their content is important, we as collectors just have to remember to come up for air, on occasion, from the grind.
Can I add one more?
Don't give up too soon. A story may take some time to bring in new characters.
Patience is definitely important. Thanks for watching Craig!
I’m from New Zealand, tip 3 definitely does not apply here
Thanks for watching! I don’t doubt that. We have a lot of opportunity here in the states. Even in places where stores are few and far between, we’ve still got it pretty good.
@@CoMoComicBooks For us, USA eBay is the best for finds... unfortunately the shipping is horrendous! I’m enjoying your videos by the way, so thanks
I see too many so called collectors or chumps let's say who buy ever week 10-20 books just to not miss the so called big book that could be.. This is a waste of time and money to buy minnow books hoping 1 in 20 books they pick up will make them 10-50.00 petty way to collect.. I collect for the love and with a passion on vintage comics like vintage hockey cards.. Only do I carefully buy on a rare occasion some variant modern books that could have a potential. But I buy the ones I like not what the masses or sheep are collecting
You’d definitely be better off to pick up the 1-2 books that jump to $10-15 in a month or two’s time instead of buying everything every week. I’m primarily a vintage collector and deal, so thankfully, I don’t have to play the game too much. Thanks for watching!
I grab 99% vintage Comic wine books. They have history and have established itself as mega key. I only purchase things I love not what I can flip it for.. You can’t gain knowledge by grabbing what others do. Be a leader not a follower
I got a serious problem i have been buying comics lie crazy these last few months and i am thinking i need to slow down cause i have dropped a lot of cash on books in the last few months
I’ve been there man. Setting boundaries is important. Do you have a budget for your hobby spending? I can’t recommend it enough.
@@CoMoComicBooks lets put it like this i have spent at least $1500 on books in 2 months just buying keys and rare variant covers and there is 7 major books on my list which is Hulk#181,AMS#129,TMNT#1 2nd print,Giant Size X-Men#1,Green Lantern#76,Spawn#1 Black and White cgc ss and Superman Batman#4 German Variant and all of those books ate a thousand and up but i am also collecting any first apps i can get cheap.I used to have a short box with nothing but first apps,and deaths of chars but I needed the money and sold them i could cry cause i had just about every first app from 1980 to 2012 and now i could have doubled my money.I dis however get one of my grail books a Soulfire#1 virgin variant cgc ss 9.8 signed by Michael Turner.
@@jarredsmith4629 it’s tough out there right now. Happy hunting, but be careful not to get in too deep.
It brings to mind the well-known saying 'moderation in all things'.
👍
Thanks for watching Travis!
I have a FOMO ON COMO!
Thanks Craigo! They tell me that if you click on the bell icon after you subscribe to the channel, that can be avoided. 100% hearsay, but I thought I would pass it along just in case. 😉
@@CoMoComicBooks I never rely on the dreaded They. Having said that, I did subscribe.
That’s awesome! Thank you for the sub! I’m excited to have you in the community!!!
I blame this bullshit variant and everything is a key craze on key collector and comic Tom that guy singled handedly ruin the hobby
Variants are definitely a problem today, but I think FOMO is the real enemy. Key Collector is a tool, just like Overstreet or GPA, it’s all in how the tools are used. The downside to content creation is that we always need something new to talk about, which can drive attention to some weird places. I also cringe with how often books are declared to be keys in the current market. If everything is a key, then nothing is a key.