I don’t go for the comic books but I read in collected editions. I have the same feeling just reading Batman. It’s enormous. All the reading I’ve done feels like a drop in the Atlantic.
Hahahaha I also read graphic novels and collected editions. Im not one to read the comic themselves and haven't been for a while. I do read digital versions but the actual comics? I like keeping them minty fresh
@@MintHunterComics I prefer reading the original comics, and get a bit of a thrill reading minty comics. The advertisements are absolutely critical to the experience for me, really bothers me how they strip out the ads in digital.
In the late 70's Batman Family was selling quite well but Detective Comics was loosing money every month. They almost cancelled Detective Comics but in the end they combined the two titles for about a year and then fazed out the Batman Family part. I enjoyed those old Batman Family stories.
I get collected editions cuz I’m collecting to read the books, not for the value or appeal of the collection. This list only really pertains to people who collect issue by issue. If your looking for an easier way to collect, move to collect editions. Also don’t torture yourself thinking you have to read every issue under the sun from a certain era. Find the key story’s and then squeeze certain runs in between. I’m in the process of collecting stories from the modern era all the way to rebirth that’s not too insanely extensive but is also comprehensive.
Batman has a really high percentage of good stories. I've loved Superman and Batman since I was about 3, and I'm in my 50s now, but I think there are way more really good Batman stories than Superman stories. I collect stories, not issues, so don't mind if I own them in reprint format. I don't need to own them all, I just want to read all of 'em.
See, I'm trying to collect to read and the issue I'm having is that stuff like George Perez's Wonder Woman is relatively easy to get in TPB format, but vol.5 is almost 4x more than it's retail value. Same problem with The New Teen Titans lol. I'd absolutely love to read these classic stories with the characters I've come to love but it may be easier to just collect newer runs and read the old stuff digitally. I'll be damned if I don't try though.
I collect only what i like of batman.Its freedom of choice.I dont need every batman comic or every batman figure or batman statue.If im out and about and if i run into some batman items i can aford,then ill pick it up.I dont need everything.I say, life is short,so just enjoy what you can find and dont let batman stress you out.I dont let collecting stress me out.✌😀
This goes SOOOOO far beyond just Batman. I tried to get back into collecting new books about 5 years ago, as I was a big X-Men collector in the 90's. Man... all of the limited series with the SAME names as previous limited series, all of the new peripheral series like you describe with Batman/Robin/Detective Comics, etc. It was just so overwhelming, I gave up. Now I just collect silver age books. SOOOO much simpler and straightforward.
I narrowed down to Batman (1940) and Detective Comics (1937). Without spending atrocious amounts of money o think I have a pretty solid collection. Not too many golden age issues, but enough to keep me happy, and of course I'm always looking for more. Plenty of first appearances. And the hunt is a giant part of the fun for me!
With books like DC27 I am fine with a nice reprint. Honestly I am fine with getting nice reprints for most books that get pretty pricey. Facsimile editions aren’t bad.
I also got a good replica of DC27 recently. The cool thing is I have nostalgia for the replica because I had it when I was a kid. So the replica actually has value to me and I don't mind collecting some other replicas.
Great video and your are 100% spot on! My daughter found my Batman comics from the 80's & 90's and she wanted to start collecting them. Well, we have bounced around different Batman at first but now we are focused on how many graded Vol 1's we can get. It does suck knowing there is a big portion of the set we will never get but it's still fun and we get to do it together which is the best thing about it.
Great video! I too am a Batman collector and I couldn’t agree more. This bubble in the market isn’t helping at all plus the fact a lot of people think all comics are worth at least $100 😂.
I only collect what I like and what I can afford, obviously I'm never gonna obtain Detective Comics #27 or any other golden age Batman comics when I can simply satisfy my collection with a nice reprint edition and I'm quite happy with my run of 80's Batman as that was my favorite era.
I've been collecting Batman since I was 10 years old. I've never missed a month of the main title. Im 43. Thats 33 years. And starting in the late 80s had its advantages but a lot of this is true. I have most all of tge family titles and Batman side books (same could be said about the X-titles and I have most of all the main books of them too) and while I'm okay knowing I'll never get the complete main title run...its the displaying that gets me the most. I do think after I buy a run or a key or a gorgeous cover that its just going into a long box and probably won't be seen again.
Stellar vid brother. This is why I switched to graphic novels 5 years ago. I discovered I just want to read great stories. But that’s just me. Fortunately for me, there’s no right or wrong way to collect.
Mint Hunter Comics you do you brother. I’m thinning the heard and only buying the stories I truly love. I still love the thrill of the hunt for keys but it’s mainly used to fund the collection.
I got into comics with Batman, started from the Grant Morrison run (omnibus edition) a year and half ago and i’m now in the rebirth era. I have every single new 52 title in cronological order and that was so hard to understand in the beginning, it took me like 6 months to find a proper reading order. Luckily i collect everything in English, in my country (Italy) i just couldn’t find anything before Rebirth and i think that’s insane. But man collecting comics in general it’s just so hard!
I've been collecting Batman for 5 decades. Timing helps. I didn't set out to own every comic or toy but do own Grails, including a tec27 & bat1 (×2). I agree, it's a challenge to display a ton of keys but I just displayed 243.
Hello Chaz and sorry for the delay to your response, wow a tec 27! Im not there yet, maybe never will be, but imma keep my head up high and keep climbing until I get it or close!
@@MintHunterComics No worries bro. It was restored before the grading systems were around. I actually like the look of low grade with the Golden Age books. It is frustrating trying to acquire all of Batman's keys, especially early Joker covers and Neal Adams run in high grade. For months I've been working on a display of Batman related keys in my living room, It can accommodate over 260 books now but I still feel like there's so much missing. I'll be making a video soon.
I've been following your channel for a few months and this video popped up. I've been collecting comics for 32 years. My first comic was a newsstand copy of Batman 443. A few years ago, I decided to stop buying most new books and to focus on collecting Batman and Detective Comics down through the month I was born, March 1970. That means collecting Batman to 220 and Detective to 397. I only need about seven Detective Books and 10 Batman books, but oh boy, they are expensive issues.
A few years ago I went to a DC/Superman exhibition in the UK (where I'm from) I picked up amongst other things a Superman Tee-shirt depicting the cover of Superman #201 a comic I had owned before selling my whole collection, about 4,500 back in '84 when I was 27. I did start collecting again in '87 and endeavoured to get the ones I missed for the 3 years before. But buying that tee-shirt got me thinking about buying that issue again, which I did, and then I thought about buying Action as well as Batman and Detective back to the early 60's late 50's duplicating those 4 of many other collections that I had. I've managed to get Supes and Action back to 1961 through to the present day. But Batman as you've said is a different animal all together, I've managed to get back to #230 with Batman, including a couple of facsimiles, I'm sure you can guess which ones! Detective I've back to #401 to the present day, with two exceptions, again I expect you know which ones! I've now got to the stage of wondering why I started this again, as shortly I will be 65, and have no one to leave them to? But hey-ho, once a collector always a collector I suppose!! Sorry this was so long, just to tell you I completely agree with all your points! I do also have most of the Batman family titles as well as all the in between Batman titles, but I was buying them as they came out, so no hunted needed!
Yeah, I once considered trying to collect JUST the Adams/O'Neal era, but…just too expensive for my level of commitment to single issues. Finally decided I could "get by" with the beautiful HC collections of that stuff.
A different kind of problem that frustrates me is comics with multiple variant issues. This sort of turned me off to Venom comics(a character I love). Variants accomplish 2 things...They make it all the more difficult and expensive to ever have a truly complete collection. And they confuse new collectors on what it is they’re buying and what it’s fmv should be. I really hate them!
@@MintHunterComics No. That's sweet!. concerning Deadpool, I used to have X-force 11 (First app of Domino) as a teen. Traded a lot of my comics for Magic the Gathering cards.
Been collecting for two years and you hit the nail on the head! I almost think people feel obligated to collect Batman if they collect DC or comics at all, and that has caused all these issues. I collect Batman but it's a pain. I mean I couldn't get the variant for legends because after I pre-order for $30, they upcharged it to $200. But I also think you have to consider that's not just Batman, you're hitting a lot of points that are true for the issues with speculation buyers period
True true, one thing thats very sad is that some of pre-orders were just flat out canceled! I got emails saying the books I bought got conaceled and I got my money back. But i didn't want my money back! Hahaha
@@MintHunterComics one point you didn't hit on, is the distributors and the companies need to do two things. One, honor pre orders and not keep the print run low intentionally. Two, give enough time to place pre orders, give shops necessary information. I wouldn't be surprised if the distributors and labels actually kept books to inflate prices on them.
@@MintHunterComics also respect for saying Batman is overrated. Pop culture and society have enormously changed our perception on certain characters. Batman shouldn't be a million dollar book. But it is because of the overall value even non comic fans place on Batman.
@@_C_Squared_ agreed, even my dog knows who Batman is. And while I love Batman I must note the obvious: hes overinflated and there's lots of other great characters!
Yup, it’s a long haul but stick with it. You’ll get there. Or you won’t, and that’s gotta be okay, too. I started collecting ASM thinking “maybe I’ll sell these one day to help fund my Batman collection”. Now I’m hooked on ASM. It’s a never ending obsession....but constant fun!
I just stick to comics that came out in my lifetime. It keeps me from going crazy, gives them more sentimental value, and fortunately since I was born in 85, it covers most of the best events.
Same - I reread all the 90s and late 80s comics I inherited as a kid back then. I do read a lot nowdays but I also go back to my Batman 400-600 range haha
This is so true 😂 I've collected Batman main title from Year One to Knightfall, but now I have some random 'tec comics from this era due to crossovers... so that'll be my 2nd big run 😂
I spent $200 trying to get the complete KnightFall 25th anniversary set just because prodigal and troika (the final two parts) are insanely rare and expensive online. The first seven parts are still easy to find
I've had these same conversations. Having to settle for 1st Silver Age appearance for most of the Rogue's gallery is a bit of a bummer. Batman is also a gateway drug into buying Golden Age, which are some scary waters! Great video Subbed. Karate Kev put me onto you. I have a channel as well.
Another great vid! I love that you're completely up front about all the issues with collecting Bats. Even just going after the keys can be s bit much sometimes.
I feel this, which is why I decided I am only going to religiously collect certain runs of Batman outside of some keys I may get lucky on. Currently working on getting all the 400s since it is one of my favorite periods of Batman. My favorite Batman pick up though has been that I bought a copy of that Scarecrow's first Silver Age App sometime last November for like $100. I decided to send it to CGC because it was pretty mint looking outside of the fact it had been owned by a soldier so he wrote his name and address on the cover in-between the bird and Scarecrow's hand that's holding the cape in pen because they were forced to do that. and at some point to hide the address he put paint or ink over the address. Leave it to the military to almost ruin such a beautiful copy of this book. Well, it's like 6 months later and CGC still hasn't sent it back to me for one reason or another but I'm excited to see what I get since this is probably the closest I'm getting to a nice Silver Age key of a Batman issue for a long while with how everything has shot up. I'm seeing graded 4.5 copies of this book now selling for like $500 so I must have gotten lucky getting this for only $100 when I did. I absolutely hate what the speculators have done to the prices of some of these books, especially back issues that were only fun readers until now that their very minor appearances have been dug up as the next grail for an unannounced movie or show.
HA HA ... I can totally relate to falling down the rabbit hole on a character and chasing those appearance issues and BOOM now I have to finish THIS run! This week I picked up SPAWN #309, the Gunslinger Spawn issue, with that stunning McFarland artwork THAT is why I collect. Having those ICONIC covers, artwork, and storylines makes it all worth it. THANKS for sharing.
That is why I don’t really collect older comics, the most I’ve spent on a comic was $65 and it is already graded, I buy cowls, movies, actual books and newer comics but I can’t spend too much money on anything, luckily my dad collected stuff from 70s, 80s, and the 90s, because he was some good stuff that is worth like $500 on eBay which I stupid for something that he bought for 25 cents
Figured it myself after preliminary research on Batman I realized it would be a behemoth task: challenging is an understatement which is why I split it into 4 'cheaper categories but not really" early (young man) Bruce, late older Batman, animated the Brave and the Bold and very few times delve into mainstream Batman for important crossover events/crisis. It means I miss a lot of current story arcs but it is manageable as I keep up with wikis ect on major changes. Yep, I am a sucker for collecting Batman XD Batfamily: narrowed down to Jason Todd/Huntress/Orphan/Spoiler and occasionally Batwoman. I "fight/combat" gateway drug comics by having a preset long list I almost always stick to so I am less tempted to sate my completist side.
I hate to say it, but you had to have "been there" to really make headway. I started "collecting" in 1984, but I had been buying Batman books since the 70's. As a result I own every Batman/Detective Comics from 1964 to present day (I had to pick a start point and the "new look" seemed like the best place). The real challenge is focus, as a result I don't own many Brave and the Bold, Justice League or World's Finest. I'm still going back and picking up harder to find, more expensive golden age books but prices have sky-rocketed in the last 10-15 years, especially since slabbing became popular. I know I'll probably never own a Batman #1 or Tec' #27, but I don't mind as I own many reprints of them. I'm more interested in reading the stories than slabbing them.
I started collecting comics actually with GI JOE. I have a complete run of the original Marvel run,but that's only 155 issues. I've been a Batman fan since I was a kid,but I submitted to the fact that certain issues I just won't have,I'm ok with that. I have a reprint of Detective 27,that will do. I like your self will keep buying what I can and be happy with what I end up with.
I’m glad I started collecting Batman back in 1986. Starting now would suck if you want every title including keys. I’m satisfied with having Batman 103- to now and Detective Comics 310- up. My advice to new collectors is start with New 52, then maybe get some of the vintage keys.
Yes. Batman is hard to collect. I was born in 67. In the 70s, I had the RC Mego, the Janex talking alarm clock, a 45 that came with a Batman story that had a B side song called "Batman's Grandmother", something I can't even find on eBay, now. I had that metal blue battery operated Batmobile that is occasionally popping up on ebay for $700 - $1000. Yep, I've been a fan for my whole life, but really didn't have the collector's mindset and now, time and time again, I see reminders of what I should've kept for the notable increase in value. So, I find resolution in the thoughtline of Deep Purple. "It's not the kill. It's the thrill of the chase."
Thanks for sharing your story Jim - I too did a quick ebay search for Batman's Grandmother hahaha. That would make a fun video for sure! hindsight is 20 20 though - If I had known what some books would do I def would have kept them but alas here we are
@@MintHunterComics - It was kind of a song like Mr. Jaws, before Mr. Jaws, where it would build up to Batman's Grandmother's telephone number, 634-5789. It had to have been early 1970s. Also, "AHI" is the maker of the Blue Batmobiles, if you are hunting vintage Batman merch, it may be of interest to you.
You make a ton of very good points....the key (IMO) is to try to not get discouraged and take one key at a time and enjoy the task you have created for yourself. The golden era is so cool but expensive...so try for non major keys in that era.. but you’re right....Probably not going to get Batman’s first appearance. You can rest assured that the books you do get will hold their value ;)
So I own a copy of Batman #1 (First appearance of both Joker and Catwoman) CGC graded 3.0. Found it raw at a garage sale along with an Incredible Hulk #1 Graded 6.5. payed $50 for a box with a hundred comics, those two were the best. so it is possible to get your hands on the rare Batman books, with a little luck.
I have narrowed my comic collecting to Bronze Age DC and anything drawn by Neal Adams. Still a tall order and at some point I will have to actively seek out Girls' Love and Young Romance, but still doable. I have been able to find some under- graded early Batman books on EBAY for decent prices. You just have to be patient and enjoy the hunt. A narrow collection will be a more complete collection and I decided on the Bronze Age because that is the era when I was first discovering and enjoying comics (Batman especially). I bookended my Batman run with #200-#356 which is the last book I remember buying as a teenager. Detective is #369 (Neal Adams first and only time drawing Elongated Man) to about #500. I will bookend the other titles as well at a later time. For the origin and early first appearances, the Omnibus Editions are fine with me. Love your channel!!
Pretty much spot on lol. I love sick Grayson but I know his first appearance is way out of my price range. But I do have his first appearance as Nightwing which is my favorite version of the character. Constant renumbering/ relaunches are a pain too. Say you need Batman and Robin #5 and you get 8 different matches.
I would take your number 5 a step further and say speculators are ruining comics in general. And I agree with your statement that they buy up all the copies they can find and then start spec'ing to drive the prices up so they can sell for profit. They don't care about the comics. They don't care about the characters or the stories or the art. They only care a out how much money they can make. And it makes it more difficult for those of us who collect and don't flip to get ahold of some of these keys. Now it's most often based off of what's the next MCU movie coming out. Sad.
Lol. This is why as an older collector I streamlined a lot of what I collect. You'd need an infinite budget these days to compete some of these runs if you were even lucky enough to find the book you want. Speculation is running a lot of titles these days. Agree wholeheartedly.
Going back through your videos, Batman was also my gateway into collecting. 1990 when I got my first high school job, started reading Batman and thought at the time that was what I was gonna stick with. HA!
When I look to collect batman stories, I very rarely focus on key issues. Instead, I try to find quality issues that tell good stories or could be the best batman stories. As much as getting your first appearances sound cool and gives you a sense of accomplishment, my appreciation for comics are in their quality. That’s why year one is a great story to collect. If you’re looking for a series to fully collect that tells greta quality batman stories, I’d check out Legends of The Dark Knight. I’ve only read gothic, which I thought was pretty good, but next up for me are shaman and venom, which I’ve heard decent things about. Both are written by the legendary Dennis O Neil.
very well spoken, almost ended up buying some justice league today but I actually remembered this video. Sticking to the batman titles only! Well ok and his detective comics....sighs...
Sometimes I wonder (when I was a kid) what if I didn’t let sticker shock stop me and saved thousands of dollars for Batman keys when they were still obtainable 🤔
Well if you take just the Batman and Detective comic titles there is (if i did it right) 877 Books(Batman) and 1037 Books (Detective comics). That alone is a daunting number right there and yes theres probably another thousand or so books just with the other main Batman titles over the years. The best way to collect any comic is graphic novels or omnibus. that way you can still read the stories if you want to and not have to worry about damaging a thousand dollar comic.
Agree with all these...my uncle had the Guinness world record for 2013-2016 and he just gave up and sold it...I am a super Batman fan and if I see it and like it I get it...
I have to say, I bought a few comics last week just for the kicks because I grew up loving Batman. Then I read them and gained a greater appreciation for the story, art, and most importantly nostalgia. I went back to the known comic stores in my city immediately and bought all the Batman comics I could find. Your videos have been amazing to watch in helping me build my own personal collection. Definitely going to set my goal on collecting 80's-2010's era Batman and anything earlier. Thanks again for your content and may you have a prosperous year hunting Mints.
I just started collecting about 2 years ago, last year I watched this video and it helped me cut the fat off of my Batman collecting, I appreciate that. I really just buy the minor keys just like you said, the Black Mask, the Red Hood, 1st Jason, 1st, Damien, then it was particular artist as Miller, McFarlane, the others, and yes I am peppering in the older Batman books as well, The oldest one I have is Batman #70, but I may have one in the 50 - 60 range. And nw I am hunting the High Minor keys, I got the scarecrow issue & the Two face & a couple of others. I do have my eyes on a poison Ivy 1st app, but yes collecting Batman for me is collecting the highly wanted issues, anyways, again your were right on with this video.
This is why I do my best to limit my collecting to a few characters... But, when I buy in bulk I end up with other characters. Then I'm like "Well I guess I could collect that title too".
Could you maybe give a returning batman reader some advice? I read some batman over the years, but mostly the graphic novels here and there and never so consistent. But I really wanna get back into it. The new court of owls omnibus looks great and so does the one after that. (Eternal or something i think?). But idk if i should start there? Ive read killing joke, hush, under the red hood, dark victory and long halloween, all of war games, man who laughs and TDKR. But i really wanted to read knightfall too cause of the fanous bane story but damn theres three omnibus’s of that! Like what? And than theres a batman and robin omni bus and the grant morrison ones and idek where to start and i feel lost. Any help? It seems easier to stick to omnibuses since they compile everything but i wanna be able to understand what im reading if i need adequate backstory cause ive heard theres a lot going on in between the court of owls omnibus and the new eternal one
The vast amount of Batman comics to collect out there is precisely why I've only collected stories that I, as a new reader, feel are important, those being Year One, Long Halloween + Dark Victory (imo you just can't have one without the other), Batman Ego, and The Dark Knight Returns. I'm only currently hunting down the Court of Owls saga just so I can get a taste of the modern age, as that's the age I grew up with, and MAYBE I'll get The Man Who Laughs, then completely stop there, as this is a rabbit hole I do not want to fall into.
I’m glad I started collecting Batman just before the new 52 started. Allot of the books that are now $50 + I bought for $5-$10. I now have every detective from the silver age new look all the way to today. With some golden age sprinkled in
I add another age between COIE and New 52 and that's Zero Hour. I collect mainly Joker Family appearances (although not all of them - I passed on all Suicide Squad runs from the New 52 on except Tom Taylor's run) but I have a F/VF Batman 251 and the Chronicle Books reproduction of Batman #1 from 2000, I had to sell my newsstand 1st Harley a few years ago. One of my many, many foci are 1st & Deaths of Joker adjacent characters...so the 1st Boffo (The Last of the Jokerz) is Batman Beyond v6 #37 (also the 1st Batwoman Beyond (in costume) so it's semi-expensive. Also the 1st Joker in Batman Damned #1 is expensive because of the 'Batawang'.
I had a huge batman collection as a kid. Im 24 now and started collecting again. Im just getting all the major acclaimed graphic novels again I really do not wanna go back and get EVERYTHING I had 20 years ago
I tried to make my collection as simple as possible. I narrowed it down to just storylines and runs. If an issue is priced more than I feel it's worth, I'll buy the TPB. If the trade is more expensive than the individual issues, I go individual. I personally have taken a focus to modern batman, basically from Year One to Morrison Era Batman
Hi I watched your videos today. I have been collecting Batman comics and memorabilia since 1964. I purchased all the Batman titles new from newsstands and then comic stores. I also purchased all the Batman back issues. I have my Batman 1-100 and Batman 101-200 collection as a registered set on CG and I show these old comics on my RUclips channel.
I decided to torture myself too and am working on building full runs of Batman and Detective from the beginning of the silver age (Martian Manhunter and Ace). It's been quite the undertaking!
Batman is the main thing I collect. Because of similar points that you stated I also collect Master of Kung Fu and Ghost Rider because collecting a full run of those is much more obtainable
I tried to get back into reading comics when The New 52 started. I decided I was going to read Batman and related titles, Superman and related titles, and Justice League. In all I was buying 12 titles a month. With the Court of Owls, they were extending that into All Star Western which I wasn't buying. The same with Superboy. They were extending his storylines into Teen Titans, which I wasn't buying. At that point I decided I was done. I now subscribe to DC Infinite Universe.
God, I felt this video in my soul. I generally collect modern era, but every now and then I come across a silver age issue in my LCS that a reasonable price and I simply cannot pass it up. The real problem is where to put all my comics
Batman was my gateway drug in 1989 when the movie came out. I tried to focus on Brave and the Bold but those keys quickly got beyond my reach (a lower grade 34 was my best). I love the Bat, but it makes me sad to think I'll never own any of his top books. I've switch to Usagi Yojimbo and even that I realize Albedo 2 will likely never happen for me. Sigh. Maybe I should just collect Deadpool...
AS for what you said about there being a lot of Batman titles I'm fortunate enough to know which titles are cannon and not. Sadly people who don't know about them might not be as fortunate.
You are aFandom. Thank you for this video. I actually parted with my entire Batman collection when I had this realization. I don't need tons of physical stuff to represent my love for the character. Now I have a Batman podcast so I can share my love with others and get them hooked on this beautiful gateway Into comic fandom.
I know that this posted three years ago. I collect Batman, but I focus only on Neal Adams books, 1st appearances, and Joker covers. I don't buy modern age books and their variants.
True I think thats why it's good that there is a new 52 and rebirth much smaller runs but when throw legacy numbers it can mess u up on detective. They over did GL for a bit there too I couldn't keep up and titles lost quality.
This has to be one of the most painfully honest fact about comic collecting I've ever seen. Especially for the average blue collar worker that collect. Some of these books if you got it when you was kid good for you, but now prices are going to the high roller collector. Which make me sad. LOL Nice topic! I'm still hoping for a Hulk #1.
I have collected stamps, British Eagle Comics and a children’s book series dating back from 1936….the thing is it’s the JOURNEY!! once you’ve acquired the set it’s game over and it’s a little bit of a letdown. And you’re not likely to sell any of these precious acquisitions. This is why people go to yard sales. They don’t know what they’re selling it’s either your grandpa’s or your uncles collection and you can’t be bothered. And that’s what’s happened to your collection when you’ve left this earth. Somebody else will profit from your hard work but you take with you memories of the journey and that is what counts.
Novembers solicitations have 40+ Batman titles/related titles including 5 or more $5.99 annuals. I'm Canadian so I pay the exchange rate and taxes which means they are around $8.75 each! I get Detective, Batman + the Black label which are all $5.99/$6.99. Batman #117 the end of 'Fear State' and James Tinion IV's run is going to be a higher price...aaaah! The 8 issues will set me back $60 dollars. Oh and I don't just collect Batman.
I can relate to this video as bc Batman is my favorite superhero. I pretty much settled for the death in the family, batman #608, 244, and then reprints of major keys. And I collected every issue of the Snyder/Capullo run as it was coming out.
Speculation is killing all comics not just Batman... I'm at my LCS most Wednesdays within an hour or so of opening, I ask for such and such book and he doesn't even have them to put out in the shelf, all sold to pre-orders that they take online. Total BS!!! A brick and mortar store should hold back at least a handful of copies for its regular customers and not cater to someone in a different state who they're shipping it out to only to have it resold on eBay the day it arrives!
MintHunter Comics 1st interior page which is also the first appearance of the joker so that made it more pricey. There was a listing for only the cover of Batman 1 for like 40,000
For some reason I haven’t found collecting Batman that difficult I just started collecting DC in the last 4 years and have a bunch of the books he said he’s after. I focused on Neal Adams work first as a starting point then went backwards and forwards collecting keys and important creative runs like Miller etc. I have extras if anyone needs any I started off with a VF Batman 251 now I’m at a NM copy. Just get a copy and trade up is what I do. My base grade is a fine or F/VF on all books unless they’re modern or not expensive.
I only started reading batman graphic novels a few years ago and the first one I got was a death in the family I’ve collected a few over the couple of years now and recently I’ve been collecting the caped crusader graphic novel but it’s a pain as I have 2 and 3 but not 1 it’s always super expensive and they never rarely seem to restock it at a good price I’ve also wanted to collect the no mans land saga but I can’t collect one book which is cataclysm as it’s so rare I hope dc restock some of these batman graphic novels so collectors like me who have only just started can get them and check them out
I started out collecting Batman in the late 1980s, but there were too many comics to collect, even back then, so I switched to Daredevil, which was much easier to collect. I could NEVER find Death in the family #1. I could find #2, 3, qnd 4. So I know why he put Death in the Family on his desk. I looked all over for it when it first came out...couldn't find it. But the next month, Death in the Family #2 was everywhere. There were too many yearly holes in my Batman collection - like Death in the Family 1, so I simply stopped buying Batman and switched to Daredevil, which even the old comics were everywhere back then.
James,I gotta say this is my favorite video you made and it is so true but after 15 years and four short boxes full of keys,low print runs and rare variants and a few books cause I liked the cover art but I know if I ever well my collection I will make money and I have been collecting the books I like but still on the hunt for my 5 major grailsTMNT#1,AMS#129, Detective Comics#168,Cerebus#1 and Hulk#181 and then go back to getting all the cheap key's.
@@MintHunterComics James,if you was me which book would you try to get first TMNT#1,AMS#129,Cerebus#1, Detective Comics #168 or Hulk#181? Those are my grail books to get but they cost thousands and I could sell all my comics to get them but that isn't an option so which one would you go after first?
I was so frustrated trying to read the Modern age in order. Realizing most comics that are key to the storyline are out of print. I ended up just getting the DC comics AP. It's like 7-8$ a month but has every issue (I think) not as special as reading from a physical book tho
I've been collecting batman for 3yrs now I only collect the figs an statues only from the 60s the tim button Nolan movies arkham etc diamond select an mcfarlane items too coming along nicely
I've been a Batman fan for years that's why I AGREE 100%! I've avoided most of it by focusing on my favorite BAT WRITERS instead of various "keys"! From Bill Finger to Gardner Fox to Don Cameron down the line to Tynion! Trades, comics.. whatever!
I don’t go for the comic books but I read in collected editions. I have the same feeling just reading Batman. It’s enormous. All the reading I’ve done feels like a drop in the Atlantic.
Hahahaha I also read graphic novels and collected editions. Im not one to read the comic themselves and haven't been for a while. I do read digital versions but the actual comics? I like keeping them minty fresh
Comic vine put together a reading list for Batman. A lot of help reading him.
Collecting vise it's better but not much. Good luck paying 100 dollars for a 100 page book which is not even that much important. 😃😃
@@MintHunterComics I prefer reading the original comics, and get a bit of a thrill reading minty comics. The advertisements are absolutely critical to the experience for me, really bothers me how they strip out the ads in digital.
thats not collecting
In the late 70's Batman Family was selling quite well but Detective Comics was loosing money every month. They almost cancelled Detective Comics but in the end they combined the two titles for about a year and then fazed out the Batman Family part. I enjoyed those old Batman Family stories.
I get collected editions cuz I’m collecting to read the books, not for the value or appeal of the collection. This list only really pertains to people who collect issue by issue. If your looking for an easier way to collect, move to collect editions. Also don’t torture yourself thinking you have to read every issue under the sun from a certain era. Find the key story’s and then squeeze certain runs in between. I’m in the process of collecting stories from the modern era all the way to rebirth that’s not too insanely extensive but is also comprehensive.
Same
Batman has a really high percentage of good stories. I've loved Superman and Batman since I was about 3, and I'm in my 50s now, but I think there are way more really good Batman stories than Superman stories. I collect stories, not issues, so don't mind if I own them in reprint format. I don't need to own them all, I just want to read all of 'em.
It's honestly like 70-80 percent great and 10 percent 10 and 10 bad. Love Batman haha
See, I'm trying to collect to read and the issue I'm having is that stuff like George Perez's Wonder Woman is relatively easy to get in TPB format, but vol.5 is almost 4x more than it's retail value. Same problem with The New Teen Titans lol. I'd absolutely love to read these classic stories with the characters I've come to love but it may be easier to just collect newer runs and read the old stuff digitally. I'll be damned if I don't try though.
The golden age Batman stories are about the only really good stuff from that era. They really do a lot with six or seven pages.
Glad I grew up collecting in the 80's and a lot of the majors were just pure easy to get. I still have them and I appreciate them every day.
I remember back in 1987 I got a VF copy of Captain America #100(#1) for $40!
I collect only what i like of batman.Its freedom of choice.I dont need every batman comic or every batman figure or batman statue.If im out and about and if i run into some batman items i can aford,then ill pick it up.I dont need everything.I say, life is short,so just enjoy what you can find and dont let batman stress you out.I dont let collecting stress me out.✌😀
Amen to that man, life is short! collect comics! lol
This goes SOOOOO far beyond just Batman. I tried to get back into collecting new books about 5 years ago, as I was a big X-Men collector in the 90's. Man... all of the limited series with the SAME names as previous limited series, all of the new peripheral series like you describe with Batman/Robin/Detective Comics, etc. It was just so overwhelming, I gave up.
Now I just collect silver age books. SOOOO much simpler and straightforward.
I narrowed down to Batman (1940) and Detective Comics (1937). Without spending atrocious amounts of money o think I have a pretty solid collection. Not too many golden age issues, but enough to keep me happy, and of course I'm always looking for more. Plenty of first appearances. And the hunt is a giant part of the fun for me!
I have a decent amount of silver and a couple golden - it's tough!
Books allow you to collect them affordibly
@@michaeldy3157 I love the thrill of hunting down the original single issues. I have most of them as trades too, but the joy isn't the same!
With books like DC27 I am fine with a nice reprint. Honestly I am fine with getting nice reprints for most books that get pretty pricey. Facsimile editions aren’t bad.
Thanks for sharing!
I also got a good replica of DC27 recently. The cool thing is I have nostalgia for the replica because I had it when I was a kid. So the replica actually has value to me and I don't mind collecting some other replicas.
Great video and your are 100% spot on! My daughter found my Batman comics from the 80's & 90's and she wanted to start collecting them. Well, we have bounced around different Batman at first but now we are focused on how many graded Vol 1's we can get. It does suck knowing there is a big portion of the set we will never get but it's still fun and we get to do it together which is the best thing about it.
"I've been collecting Batman for TEN years"
"That's adorable"
-Me at age 53 who's been collecting Batman since he was FIVE
Hahaha hell yeah Murray! I bet you have a sweeeet collection!
Would love to see this collection
Great video! I too am a Batman collector and I couldn’t agree more. This bubble in the market isn’t helping at all plus the fact a lot of people think all comics are worth at least $100 😂.
I'm patiently just waiting for the bubble to pop haha
I only collect what I like and what I can afford, obviously I'm never gonna obtain Detective Comics #27 or any other golden age Batman comics when I can simply satisfy my collection with a nice reprint edition and I'm quite happy with my run of 80's Batman as that was my favorite era.
Exactly - right now all I can afford is some gum so I'm putting some things on hold for the moment lolol
I've been collecting for nearly 3 Years now and I agree with all these points. Great Vid man!
Thanks so much! This was a lot of fun to make and a lot of it unfortunately is true
I've been collecting Batman since I was 10 years old. I've never missed a month of the main title. Im 43. Thats 33 years. And starting in the late 80s had its advantages but a lot of this is true. I have most all of tge family titles and Batman side books (same could be said about the X-titles and I have most of all the main books of them too) and while I'm okay knowing I'll never get the complete main title run...its the displaying that gets me the most. I do think after I buy a run or a key or a gorgeous cover that its just going into a long box and probably won't be seen again.
Nice Robert! I recommend collecting Batman in pockets so like 20-400 or 404-600 - stuff like that
Stellar vid brother. This is why I switched to graphic novels 5 years ago. I discovered I just want to read great stories. But that’s just me. Fortunately for me, there’s no right or wrong way to collect.
I do the stupid route and I collect comics AND the graphic novels 🤣 going forward in 2021 I'm really trying not to spend as much
Mint Hunter Comics you do you brother. I’m thinning the heard and only buying the stories I truly love. I still love the thrill of the hunt for keys but it’s mainly used to fund the collection.
I got into comics with Batman, started from the Grant Morrison run (omnibus edition) a year and half ago and i’m now in the rebirth era. I have every single new 52 title in cronological order and that was so hard to understand in the beginning, it took me like 6 months to find a proper reading order. Luckily i collect everything in English, in my country (Italy) i just couldn’t find anything before Rebirth and i think that’s insane.
But man collecting comics in general it’s just so hard!
Oh my goodness this is perfect timing. I bought the main Batman new 52 run but nothing from everything else, can you spill your reading order 🙏
I've been collecting Batman for 5 decades. Timing helps. I didn't set out to own every comic or toy but do own Grails, including a tec27 & bat1 (×2). I agree, it's a challenge to display a ton of keys but I just displayed 243.
Hello Chaz and sorry for the delay to your response, wow a tec 27! Im not there yet, maybe never will be, but imma keep my head up high and keep climbing until I get it or close!
@@MintHunterComics No worries bro. It was restored before the grading systems were around. I actually like the look of low grade with the Golden Age books. It is frustrating trying to acquire all of Batman's keys, especially early Joker covers and Neal Adams run in high grade. For months I've been working on a display of Batman related keys in my living room, It can accommodate over 260 books now but I still feel like there's so much missing. I'll be making a video soon.
I've been following your channel for a few months and this video popped up. I've been collecting comics for 32 years. My first comic was a newsstand copy of Batman 443. A few years ago, I decided to stop buying most new books and to focus on collecting Batman and Detective Comics down through the month I was born, March 1970. That means collecting Batman to 220 and Detective to 397. I only need about seven Detective Books and 10 Batman books, but oh boy, they are expensive issues.
A few years ago I went to a DC/Superman exhibition in the UK (where I'm from) I picked up amongst other things a Superman Tee-shirt depicting the cover of Superman #201 a comic I had owned before selling my whole collection, about 4,500 back in '84 when I was 27. I did start collecting again in '87 and endeavoured to get the ones I missed for the 3 years before. But buying that tee-shirt got me thinking about buying that issue again, which I did, and then I thought about buying Action as well as Batman and Detective back to the early 60's late 50's duplicating those 4 of many other collections that I had. I've managed to get Supes and Action back to 1961 through to the present day. But Batman as you've said is a different animal all together, I've managed to get back to #230 with Batman, including a couple of facsimiles, I'm sure you can guess which ones! Detective I've back to #401 to the present day, with two exceptions, again I expect you know which ones! I've now got to the stage of wondering why I started this again, as shortly I will be 65, and have no one to leave them to? But hey-ho, once a collector always a collector I suppose!! Sorry this was so long, just to tell you I completely agree with all your points! I do also have most of the Batman family titles as well as all the in between Batman titles, but I was buying them as they came out, so no hunted needed!
Yeah, I once considered trying to collect JUST the Adams/O'Neal era, but…just too expensive for my level of commitment to single issues. Finally decided I could "get by" with the beautiful HC collections of that stuff.
That's the problem! you try to stick to just one era but you ALWAYS will branch out hahaha
A different kind of problem that frustrates me is comics with multiple variant issues. This sort of turned me off to Venom comics(a character I love). Variants accomplish 2 things...They make it all the more difficult and expensive to ever have a truly complete collection. And they confuse new collectors on what it is they’re buying and what it’s fmv should be. I really hate them!
First Spider-Man came out in 62 in Amazing Fantasy 15.
Indeed!
Starts collecting Deadpool. 1 month later- "what am I doing with these new mutants comics?"
Hahahaha
Did you see deadpools first app just hit $3,000 for a 9.8?
@@MintHunterComics No. That's sweet!. concerning Deadpool, I used to have X-force 11 (First app of Domino) as a teen. Traded a lot of my comics for Magic the Gathering cards.
great video. this is why i’m only focusing on collecting major stories/ storyline’s as they are far easier to purchase and aren’t absurdly expensive.
Been collecting for two years and you hit the nail on the head!
I almost think people feel obligated to collect Batman if they collect DC or comics at all, and that has caused all these issues. I collect Batman but it's a pain. I mean I couldn't get the variant for legends because after I pre-order for $30, they upcharged it to $200.
But I also think you have to consider that's not just Batman, you're hitting a lot of points that are true for the issues with speculation buyers period
True true, one thing thats very sad is that some of pre-orders were just flat out canceled! I got emails saying the books I bought got conaceled and I got my money back. But i didn't want my money back! Hahaha
@@MintHunterComics one point you didn't hit on, is the distributors and the companies need to do two things. One, honor pre orders and not keep the print run low intentionally. Two, give enough time to place pre orders, give shops necessary information.
I wouldn't be surprised if the distributors and labels actually kept books to inflate prices on them.
@@MintHunterComics also respect for saying Batman is overrated. Pop culture and society have enormously changed our perception on certain characters. Batman shouldn't be a million dollar book. But it is because of the overall value even non comic fans place on Batman.
@@_C_Squared_ agreed, even my dog knows who Batman is. And while I love Batman I must note the obvious: hes overinflated and there's lots of other great characters!
You should do a video starting with batman 1, and then go through your collection showing your let’s say 50-100 earliest issues. Would be fun to watch
Yup, it’s a long haul but stick with it. You’ll get there. Or you won’t, and that’s gotta be okay, too. I started collecting ASM thinking “maybe I’ll sell these one day to help fund my Batman collection”. Now I’m hooked on ASM. It’s a never ending obsession....but constant fun!
I think Batman collecting is at least a 15 year deal to really get far
I just stick to comics that came out in my lifetime. It keeps me from going crazy, gives them more sentimental value, and fortunately since I was born in 85, it covers most of the best events.
Same - I reread all the 90s and late 80s comics I inherited as a kid back then. I do read a lot nowdays but I also go back to my Batman 400-600 range haha
This is so true 😂 I've collected Batman main title from Year One to Knightfall, but now I have some random 'tec comics from this era due to crossovers... so that'll be my 2nd big run 😂
Batman's a tough collectors item!
I spent $200 trying to get the complete KnightFall 25th anniversary set just because prodigal and troika (the final two parts) are insanely rare and expensive online. The first seven parts are still easy to find
Those are TOUGH sets for sure. a shame
I've had these same conversations. Having to settle for 1st Silver Age appearance for most of the Rogue's gallery is a bit of a bummer. Batman is also a gateway drug into buying Golden Age, which are some scary waters!
Great video
Subbed. Karate Kev put me onto you. I have a channel as well.
Golden age is SCARRYYYYY waters. Relationships die over boyfriends trying to get golden keys! Hahaha. Gotta be careful! And lucky
Tell me about it i have 3 of the Batman the golden age volumes and i almost feel like i need to buy every hero in the JSA now.
Another great vid! I love that you're completely up front about all the issues with collecting Bats. Even just going after the keys can be s bit much sometimes.
Honest is the only way to be when it comes to this stuff! I feel like i said here what most people are afraid to admit haha
@@MintHunterComics you really did! Collecting Bats ain't easy. Lol
I feel this, which is why I decided I am only going to religiously collect certain runs of Batman outside of some keys I may get lucky on. Currently working on getting all the 400s since it is one of my favorite periods of Batman. My favorite Batman pick up though has been that I bought a copy of that Scarecrow's first Silver Age App sometime last November for like $100. I decided to send it to CGC because it was pretty mint looking outside of the fact it had been owned by a soldier so he wrote his name and address on the cover in-between the bird and Scarecrow's hand that's holding the cape in pen because they were forced to do that. and at some point to hide the address he put paint or ink over the address. Leave it to the military to almost ruin such a beautiful copy of this book. Well, it's like 6 months later and CGC still hasn't sent it back to me for one reason or another but I'm excited to see what I get since this is probably the closest I'm getting to a nice Silver Age key of a Batman issue for a long while with how everything has shot up. I'm seeing graded 4.5 copies of this book now selling for like $500 so I must have gotten lucky getting this for only $100 when I did. I absolutely hate what the speculators have done to the prices of some of these books, especially back issues that were only fun readers until now that their very minor appearances have been dug up as the next grail for an unannounced movie or show.
speculators have really hurt batman - but they've hurt marvel much more so ironically there's even harder things to collect than Batman right now!
The old age saying applies here "the richest person is the one who is happy with what they have!". You've got an amazing collection man, be happy.
And I was super happy! so I win I suppose!
HA HA ... I can totally relate to falling down the rabbit hole on a character and chasing those appearance issues and BOOM now I have to finish THIS run! This week I picked up SPAWN #309, the Gunslinger Spawn issue, with that stunning McFarland artwork THAT is why I collect. Having those ICONIC covers, artwork, and storylines makes it all worth it. THANKS for sharing.
Thanks Scott! I've been seeing that cover it looks dope. What a great addition! Who says collecting isn't rewarding?
That is why I don’t really collect older comics, the most I’ve spent on a comic was $65 and it is already graded, I buy cowls, movies, actual books and newer comics but I can’t spend too much money on anything, luckily my dad collected stuff from 70s, 80s, and the 90s, because he was some good stuff that is worth like $500 on eBay which I stupid for something that he bought for 25 cents
Its the much safer way to collect, i agree
MintHunter Comics but the golden age is the best for Batman, just unattainable
Figured it myself after preliminary research on Batman I realized it would be a behemoth task: challenging is an understatement which is why I split it into 4 'cheaper categories but not really" early (young man) Bruce, late older Batman, animated the Brave and the Bold and very few times delve into mainstream Batman for important crossover events/crisis. It means I miss a lot of current story arcs but it is manageable as I keep up with wikis ect on major changes. Yep, I am a sucker for collecting Batman XD Batfamily: narrowed down to Jason Todd/Huntress/Orphan/Spoiler and occasionally Batwoman. I "fight/combat" gateway drug comics by having a preset long list I almost always stick to so I am less tempted to sate my completist side.
I've been there! I used to collect EVERYTHING. Now my collection is a lot more focused
I hate to say it, but you had to have "been there" to really make headway. I started "collecting" in 1984, but I had been buying Batman books since the 70's. As a result I own every Batman/Detective Comics from 1964 to present day (I had to pick a start point and the "new look" seemed like the best place). The real challenge is focus, as a result I don't own many Brave and the Bold, Justice League or World's Finest. I'm still going back and picking up harder to find, more expensive golden age books but prices have sky-rocketed in the last 10-15 years, especially since slabbing became popular. I know I'll probably never own a Batman #1 or Tec' #27, but I don't mind as I own many reprints of them. I'm more interested in reading the stories than slabbing them.
I started collecting comics actually with GI JOE. I have a complete run of the original Marvel run,but that's only 155 issues. I've been a Batman fan since I was a kid,but I submitted to the fact that certain issues I just won't have,I'm ok with that. I have a reprint of Detective 27,that will do. I like your self will keep buying what I can and be happy with what I end up with.
There are certain things we can aim for. Poisoj ivy, Freeze, Ras, they are all super expensive but at least could be obtained one day
I’m glad I started collecting Batman back in 1986. Starting now would suck if you want every title including keys. I’m satisfied with having Batman 103- to now and Detective Comics 310- up. My advice to new collectors is start with New 52, then maybe get some of the vintage keys.
Exactly. -it's better to stick to a set period - you can't do it all!
Never looked at it that way. I completely agree, great episode.👍
Thanks Chuck!
Yes. Batman is hard to collect. I was born in 67. In the 70s, I had the RC Mego, the Janex talking alarm clock, a 45 that came with a Batman story that had a B side song called "Batman's Grandmother", something I can't even find on eBay, now. I had that metal blue battery operated Batmobile that is occasionally popping up on ebay for $700 - $1000. Yep, I've been a fan for my whole life, but really didn't have the collector's mindset and now, time and time again, I see reminders of what I should've kept for the notable increase in value. So, I find resolution in the thoughtline of Deep Purple. "It's not the kill. It's the thrill of the chase."
Thanks for sharing your story Jim - I too did a quick ebay search for Batman's Grandmother hahaha. That would make a fun video for sure! hindsight is 20 20 though - If I had known what some books would do I def would have kept them but alas here we are
@@MintHunterComics - It was kind of a song like Mr. Jaws, before Mr. Jaws, where it would build up to Batman's Grandmother's telephone number, 634-5789. It had to have been early 1970s. Also, "AHI" is the maker of the Blue Batmobiles, if you are hunting vintage Batman merch, it may be of interest to you.
You make a ton of very good points....the key (IMO) is to try to not get discouraged and take one key at a time and enjoy the task you have created for yourself. The golden era is so cool but expensive...so try for non major keys in that era.. but you’re right....Probably not going to get Batman’s first appearance. You can rest assured that the books you do get will hold their value ;)
Staying the course is paramount when it comes to collecting Batman
So I own a copy of Batman #1 (First appearance of both Joker and Catwoman) CGC graded 3.0. Found it raw at a garage sale along with an Incredible Hulk #1 Graded 6.5. payed $50 for a box with a hundred comics, those two were the best. so it is possible to get your hands on the rare Batman books, with a little luck.
I have narrowed my comic collecting to Bronze Age DC and anything drawn by Neal Adams. Still a tall order and at some point I will have to actively seek out Girls' Love and Young Romance, but still doable. I have been able to find some under- graded early Batman books on EBAY for decent prices. You just have to be patient and enjoy the hunt. A narrow collection will be a more complete collection and I decided on the Bronze Age because that is the era when I was first discovering and enjoying comics (Batman especially). I bookended my Batman run with #200-#356 which is the last book I remember buying as a teenager. Detective is #369 (Neal Adams first and only time drawing Elongated Man) to about #500. I will bookend the other titles as well at a later time. For the origin and early first appearances, the Omnibus Editions are fine with me. Love your channel!!
Pretty much spot on lol. I love sick Grayson but I know his first appearance is way out of my price range. But I do have his first appearance as Nightwing which is my favorite version of the character. Constant renumbering/ relaunches are a pain too. Say you need Batman and Robin #5 and you get 8 different matches.
As a Batman fan who's been collecting since 1973 I can certainly say that I've had my ups and downs where Batman is concerned.
Indeed Indeed
I would take your number 5 a step further and say speculators are ruining comics in general. And I agree with your statement that they buy up all the copies they can find and then start spec'ing to drive the prices up so they can sell for profit. They don't care about the comics. They don't care about the characters or the stories or the art. They only care a out how much money they can make. And it makes it more difficult for those of us who collect and don't flip to get ahold of some of these keys. Now it's most often based off of what's the next MCU movie coming out. Sad.
Lol. This is why as an older collector I streamlined a lot of what I collect. You'd need an infinite budget these days to compete some of these runs if you were even lucky enough to find the book you want. Speculation is running a lot of titles these days. Agree wholeheartedly.
Speculation us turning me off from brand new books sadly sigh
Going back through your videos, Batman was also my gateway into collecting. 1990 when I got my first high school job, started reading Batman and thought at the time that was what I was gonna stick with. HA!
Hahaha, it's a gateway drug for sure!
Good stuff!! Saw Kevin’s post about your channel!! Batman is still my favorite. And I am keeping on trucking with you man 💪
Ayyyy welcome my bearded friend! Batman is still my fav no matter what!
When I look to collect batman stories, I very rarely focus on key issues. Instead, I try to find quality issues that tell good stories or could be the best batman stories. As much as getting your first appearances sound cool and gives you a sense of accomplishment, my appreciation for comics are in their quality. That’s why year one is a great story to collect. If you’re looking for a series to fully collect that tells greta quality batman stories, I’d check out Legends of The Dark Knight. I’ve only read gothic, which I thought was pretty good, but next up for me are shaman and venom, which I’ve heard decent things about. Both are written by the legendary Dennis O Neil.
very well spoken, almost ended up buying some justice league today but I actually remembered this video. Sticking to the batman titles only! Well ok and his detective comics....sighs...
Batman's a tricky one!
Sometimes I wonder (when I was a kid) what if I didn’t let sticker shock stop me and saved thousands of dollars for Batman keys when they were still obtainable 🤔
Hindsight is always 20 - 20 in comic collecting!
Well if you take just the Batman and Detective comic titles there is (if i did it right) 877 Books(Batman) and 1037 Books (Detective comics). That alone is a daunting number right there and yes theres probably another thousand or so books just with the other main Batman titles over the years.
The best way to collect any comic is graphic novels or omnibus. that way you can still read the stories if you want to and not have to worry about damaging a thousand dollar comic.
Jsut looking at the 90s with all the mini series and one shots it's def daughnting right there! hahaha
Agree with all these...my uncle had the Guinness world record for 2013-2016 and he just gave up and sold it...I am a super Batman fan and if I see it and like it I get it...
Oh wow! that's impressive
I have to say, I bought a few comics last week just for the kicks because I grew up loving Batman. Then I read them and gained a greater appreciation for the story, art, and most importantly nostalgia. I went back to the known comic stores in my city immediately and bought all the Batman comics I could find. Your videos have been amazing to watch in helping me build my own personal collection. Definitely going to set my goal on collecting 80's-2010's era Batman and anything earlier. Thanks again for your content and may you have a prosperous year hunting Mints.
I just started collecting about 2 years ago, last year I watched this video and it helped me cut the fat off of my Batman collecting, I appreciate that. I really just buy the minor keys just like you said, the Black Mask, the Red Hood, 1st Jason, 1st, Damien, then it was particular artist as Miller, McFarlane, the others, and yes I am peppering in the older Batman books as well, The oldest one I have is Batman #70, but I may have one in the 50 - 60 range. And nw I am hunting the High Minor keys, I got the scarecrow issue & the Two face & a couple of others. I do have my eyes on a poison Ivy 1st app, but yes collecting Batman for me is collecting the highly wanted issues, anyways, again your were right on with this video.
This is why I do my best to limit my collecting to a few characters... But, when I buy in bulk I end up with other characters. Then I'm like "Well I guess I could collect that title too".
I agree, these are the times where I wish I had just collected let's say Walking Dead
Lol I feel u man started with batman now im with dc multiverse etc
Could you maybe give a returning batman reader some advice? I read some batman over the years, but mostly the graphic novels here and there and never so consistent. But I really wanna get back into it. The new court of owls omnibus looks great and so does the one after that. (Eternal or something i think?). But idk if i should start there? Ive read killing joke, hush, under the red hood, dark victory and long halloween, all of war games, man who laughs and TDKR. But i really wanted to read knightfall too cause of the fanous bane story but damn theres three omnibus’s of that! Like what? And than theres a batman and robin omni bus and the grant morrison ones and idek where to start and i feel lost. Any help? It seems easier to stick to omnibuses since they compile everything but i wanna be able to understand what im reading if i need adequate backstory cause ive heard theres a lot going on in between the court of owls omnibus and the new eternal one
The vast amount of Batman comics to collect out there is precisely why I've only collected stories that I, as a new reader, feel are important, those being Year One, Long Halloween + Dark Victory (imo you just can't have one without the other), Batman Ego, and The Dark Knight Returns.
I'm only currently hunting down the Court of Owls saga just so I can get a taste of the modern age, as that's the age I grew up with, and MAYBE I'll get The Man Who Laughs, then completely stop there, as this is a rabbit hole I do not want to fall into.
I’m glad I started collecting Batman just before the new 52 started. Allot of the books that are now $50 + I bought for $5-$10. I now have every detective from the silver age new look all the way to today. With some golden age sprinkled in
That's the way to do it man!
I add another age between COIE and New 52 and that's Zero Hour.
I collect mainly Joker Family appearances (although not all of them - I passed on all Suicide Squad runs from the New 52 on except Tom Taylor's run) but I have a F/VF Batman 251 and the Chronicle Books reproduction of Batman #1 from 2000, I had to sell my newsstand 1st Harley a few years ago.
One of my many, many foci are 1st & Deaths of Joker adjacent characters...so the 1st Boffo (The Last of the Jokerz) is Batman Beyond v6 #37 (also the 1st Batwoman Beyond (in costume) so it's semi-expensive. Also the 1st Joker in Batman Damned #1 is expensive because of the 'Batawang'.
That's a good era to collect!
I had a huge batman collection as a kid. Im 24 now and started collecting again. Im just getting all the major acclaimed graphic novels again I really do not wanna go back and get EVERYTHING I had 20 years ago
That's a very similar story to mine actually! I loved Batman as a kid, but I lost touch and only recently reignited it
I tried to make my collection as simple as possible. I narrowed it down to just storylines and runs. If an issue is priced more than I feel it's worth, I'll buy the TPB. If the trade is more expensive than the individual issues, I go individual. I personally have taken a focus to modern batman, basically from Year One to Morrison Era Batman
Great video. Batman is my favorite hero as well and I will never stop collecting. Just subbed your channel.
Hi I watched your videos today.
I have been collecting Batman comics and memorabilia since 1964.
I purchased all the Batman titles new from newsstands and then comic stores.
I also purchased all the Batman back issues.
I have my Batman 1-100 and Batman 101-200 collection as a registered set on CG and I show these old comics on my RUclips channel.
I decided to torture myself too and am working on building full runs of Batman and Detective from the beginning of the silver age (Martian Manhunter and Ace). It's been quite the undertaking!
what are your thoughts on foil covers, reprints, and "remastered" edition covers?
Batman is the main thing I collect. Because of similar points that you stated I also collect Master of Kung Fu and Ghost Rider because collecting a full run of those is much more obtainable
I collect the Newsstand Canadian Price Variants in the highest grades which is really rewarding and tough to find like heck
Hilarious I would tell anybody getting into any collecting start slow dont get discouraged and collect what you like
I tried to get back into reading comics when The New 52 started. I decided I was going to read Batman and related titles, Superman and related titles, and Justice League. In all I was buying 12 titles a month. With the Court of Owls, they were extending that into All Star Western which I wasn't buying. The same with Superboy. They were extending his storylines into Teen Titans, which I wasn't buying. At that point I decided I was done. I now subscribe to DC Infinite Universe.
I'm a Vampirella collector, I'm lucky that her stuff is still reasonably priced. My biggest bad habit is collecting those sweet variant covers
God, I felt this video in my soul. I generally collect modern era, but every now and then I come across a silver age issue in my LCS that a reasonable price and I simply cannot pass it up. The real problem is where to put all my comics
Batman was my gateway drug in 1989 when the movie came out. I tried to focus on Brave and the Bold but those keys quickly got beyond my reach (a lower grade 34 was my best). I love the Bat, but it makes me sad to think I'll never own any of his top books. I've switch to Usagi Yojimbo and even that I realize Albedo 2 will likely never happen for me. Sigh. Maybe I should just collect Deadpool...
AS for what you said about there being a lot of Batman titles I'm fortunate enough to know which titles are cannon and not. Sadly people who don't know about them might not be as fortunate.
You are aFandom. Thank you for this video. I actually parted with my entire Batman collection when I had this realization. I don't need tons of physical stuff to represent my love for the character. Now I have a Batman podcast so I can share my love with others and get them hooked on this beautiful gateway Into comic fandom.
Thanks for sharing! and for the kind words!
I know that this posted three years ago. I collect Batman, but I focus only on Neal Adams books, 1st appearances, and Joker covers. I don't buy modern age books and their variants.
True I think thats why it's good that there is a new 52 and rebirth much smaller runs but when throw legacy numbers it can mess u up on detective. They over did GL for a bit there too I couldn't keep up and titles lost quality.
I very much agree with this unfortunately
This has to be one of the most painfully honest fact about comic collecting I've ever seen. Especially for the average blue collar worker that collect. Some of these books if you got it when you was kid good for you, but now prices are going to the high roller collector. Which make me sad. LOL Nice topic! I'm still hoping for a Hulk #1.
I absolutely love your videos; happy holidays to you.
Happy holidays! I don't know how you did that but thanks so much!!!
See, this is why I collect Captain Marvel/Shazam. Most I ever paid was $400 for issue 6.
That's the move, if I were to do it all again, which I am, I'd collect something else! Lol
I have collected stamps, British Eagle Comics and a children’s book series dating back from 1936….the thing is it’s the JOURNEY!! once you’ve acquired the set it’s game over and it’s a little bit of a letdown. And you’re not likely to sell any of these precious acquisitions. This is why people go to yard sales. They don’t know what they’re selling it’s either your grandpa’s or your uncles collection and you can’t be bothered. And that’s what’s happened to your collection when you’ve left this earth. Somebody else will profit from your hard work but you take with you memories of the journey and that is what counts.
Novembers solicitations have 40+ Batman titles/related titles including 5 or more $5.99 annuals. I'm Canadian so I pay the exchange rate and taxes which means they are around $8.75 each! I get Detective, Batman + the Black label which are all $5.99/$6.99. Batman #117 the end of 'Fear State' and James Tinion IV's run is going to be a higher price...aaaah! The 8 issues will set me back $60 dollars. Oh and I don't just collect Batman.
I just buy collected editions and random issues that I come across. I don't go for a "collection" per se just buy whatever I find. I just love Batman.
The comparison between Amazing Spider-Man and Batman is spot on
Do you have a video touring all the comics you own?
I can relate to this video as bc Batman is my favorite superhero. I pretty much settled for the death in the family, batman #608, 244, and then reprints of major keys. And I collected every issue of the Snyder/Capullo run as it was coming out.
I’m a Deadpool collector and I always hop on a new book when a number 1 comes out but Deadpool only has like 2 expensive 🔑
Speculation is killing all comics not just Batman... I'm at my LCS most Wednesdays within an hour or so of opening, I ask for such and such book and he doesn't even have them to put out in the shelf, all sold to pre-orders that they take online. Total BS!!! A brick and mortar store should hold back at least a handful of copies for its regular customers and not cater to someone in a different state who they're shipping it out to only to have it resold on eBay the day it arrives!
I know how you feel. I was biding on 1 page for Batman 1, it got over to almost 5,000 on Ebay.
I belive it! Was that a full page? Or was it the cover page or interior page?
MintHunter Comics 1st interior page which is also the first appearance of the joker so that made it more pricey. There was a listing for only the cover of Batman 1 for like 40,000
For some reason I haven’t found collecting Batman that difficult I just started collecting DC in the last 4 years and have a bunch of the books he said he’s after. I focused on Neal Adams work first as a starting point then went backwards and forwards collecting keys and important creative runs like Miller etc. I have extras if anyone needs any I started off with a VF Batman 251 now I’m at a NM copy. Just get a copy and trade up is what I do. My base grade is a fine or F/VF on all books unless they’re modern or not expensive.
I only started reading batman graphic novels a few years ago and the first one I got was a death in the family I’ve collected a few over the couple of years now and recently I’ve been collecting the caped crusader graphic novel but it’s a pain as I have 2 and 3 but not 1 it’s always super expensive and they never rarely seem to restock it at a good price I’ve also wanted to collect the no mans land saga but I can’t collect one book which is cataclysm as it’s so rare I hope dc restock some of these batman graphic novels so collectors like me who have only just started can get them and check them out
cataclysm is underrated - same with no mans land and a lot of those later 90s arcs
I started out collecting Batman in the late 1980s, but there were too many comics to collect, even back then, so I switched to Daredevil, which was much easier to collect. I could NEVER find Death in the family #1. I could find #2, 3, qnd 4. So I know why he put Death in the Family on his desk. I looked all over for it when it first came out...couldn't find it. But the next month, Death in the Family #2 was everywhere. There were too many yearly holes in my Batman collection - like Death in the Family 1, so I simply stopped buying Batman and switched to Daredevil, which even the old comics were everywhere back then.
It's a huge financial investment... like HUGE
James,I gotta say this is my favorite video you made and it is so true but after 15 years and four short boxes full of keys,low print runs and rare variants and a few books cause I liked the cover art but I know if I ever well my collection I will make money and I have been collecting the books I like but still on the hunt for my 5 major grailsTMNT#1,AMS#129, Detective Comics#168,Cerebus#1 and Hulk#181 and then go back to getting all the cheap key's.
I hear ya Jared!
@@MintHunterComics James,if you was me which book would you try to get first TMNT#1,AMS#129,Cerebus#1, Detective Comics #168 or Hulk#181? Those are my grail books to get but they cost thousands and I could sell all my comics to get them but that isn't an option so which one would you go after first?
I was so frustrated trying to read the Modern age in order. Realizing most comics that are key to the storyline are out of print. I ended up just getting the DC comics AP. It's like 7-8$ a month but has every issue (I think) not as special as reading from a physical book tho
I've been collecting batman for 3yrs now I only collect the figs an statues only from the 60s the tim button Nolan movies arkham etc diamond select an mcfarlane items too coming along nicely
I've been a Batman fan for years that's why I AGREE 100%! I've avoided most of it by focusing on my favorite BAT WRITERS instead of various "keys"! From Bill Finger to Gardner Fox to Don Cameron down the line to Tynion! Trades, comics..
whatever!