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.
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.
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.
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 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.✌😀
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.
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 😂.
@@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.
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!
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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!
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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".
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!
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'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.
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!
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!
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...
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 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.
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!
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
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 ;)
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Working hard to get a full silver and bronze age run then plan to start hitting the modern stuff hard. Have atleast a good 300 of the silver and bronze age and most of the notable bronze age keys like first black flash and impulse
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.
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.
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 🤔
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.
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.
The question is not difficult. All a fan has to do is pick their favorite version of the character and begin. The end. It all depends on where one's interest lies. It can be exciting. It will never suck if ur really interested
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.
As a kid in the 80s and 90s I made the wrong decision and chose to collect detective comics over Batman, I should have just collected Batman lol so much more keys in that run
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.
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...
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
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.
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
So so true! I was laughing out loud at this because of how on point it was. I'm trying to stick to the seventies era cuz blue Bats is my fav but I have a little of everything, even golden age. In fact that Superman #76 you showed is on my radar big time. Real "Bat Fan" struggles. 😆
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 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.
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.
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 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 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'.
batman being a gateway drug is the truest point in this video i started by saying i just want batman. now here i am with justice league, superman, wonder woman, green arrow, etc. oh boy
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 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
Drives me crazy when I go to buy a Batman 394 and fair market value has that book at 5 or 6 bucks and everyone wants 10 dollars or 15 dollars for it cause it’s “Batman”
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?
that is my approach also. I have gotten some nice issues without breaking my bank account, too. For example, I recently picked up a 1970 "Man-bat" issue with Neal Adams art for only 5 bucks (altho I was sort of 'cheating' a bit - the store was having a half-price holiday sale). Granted, one can't expect to get a bargain-basement price for the vintage 1939 or 1940 issues, but that is what the archive editions are for. I say 'buy what you can afford, get the reprints of the issues too expensive for you'. Since there is so much to choose from with this hero, it gives the average collector much to explore. Giving everyone my regards from (ahem) Gotham! :-)
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.
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!
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'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
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.
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 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
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 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
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
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.
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!
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!
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
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.
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'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.
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
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.
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 🙏
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.
Never looked at it that way. I completely agree, great episode.👍
Thanks Chuck!
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
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 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
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.
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?
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!
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!
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!
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 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.
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
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!
Millionaire playboy vs teenager photographer
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'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
I collect the Newsstand Canadian Price Variants in the highest grades which is really rewarding and tough to find like heck
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!
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!
Great video. Batman is my favorite hero as well and I will never stop collecting. Just subbed your channel.
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!
I snagged Batman 423 in very nice condition at a pawn shop a few years ago. For $1. I'll never get that lucky with Batman again.
The comparison between Amazing Spider-Man and Batman is spot on
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 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!
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!
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
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
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.
I love collecting Batman …. But then decided to only collect from Bronze Age Batman so I started with issue 200 and going up … much
more attainable
I absolutely love your videos; happy holidays to you.
Happy holidays! I don't know how you did that but thanks so much!!!
Batman can NEVER be overrated, PERIOD!
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
Thank you. I needed this for a challenge. Cause now it's gonna happen.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
Big flash fan I felt that "You'll never have the first appearance" struggles of being born 50 years to late 😂
Working hard to get a full silver and bronze age run then plan to start hitting the modern stuff hard. Have atleast a good 300 of the silver and bronze age and most of the notable bronze age keys like first black flash and impulse
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 🔑
Hilarious I would tell anybody getting into any collecting start slow dont get discouraged and collect what you like
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.
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.
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!
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!
i'm only collecting Batman 300-500 and detective comics 400-600
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.
The question is not difficult. All a fan has to do is pick their favorite version of the character and begin. The end. It all depends on where one's interest lies. It can be exciting. It will never suck if ur really interested
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
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 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.
As a kid in the 80s and 90s I made the wrong decision and chose to collect detective comics over Batman, I should have just collected Batman lol so much more keys in that run
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.
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...
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
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!
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
Good video dude.
Thanks for the support mate! I submitted those free comic book day Venoks, should get em back soon!
MintHunter Comics oh nice! Hope you get all high grades on those bad boys.
So so true! I was laughing out loud at this because of how on point it was. I'm trying to stick to the seventies era cuz blue Bats is my fav but I have a little of everything, even golden age. In fact that Superman #76 you showed is on my radar big time. Real "Bat Fan" struggles. 😆
Hahahaha and oh yes 70s Batman is my fav looking Batman for sure, but a nightmare to collect
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 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.
This is why I stick to collected editions for DC and only collect single issues of Spider-Man lol
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.
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
So damn accurate…great (and depressing) video!
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
Part of the beauty of being a batman fan I'd knowing you can't do it but you still do it and you buy another comics because batman is the best
Amen!
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!
batman being a gateway drug is the truest point in this video i started by saying i just want batman. now here i am with justice league, superman, wonder woman, green arrow, etc. oh boy
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 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!
Drives me crazy when I go to buy a Batman 394 and fair market value has that book at 5 or 6 bucks and everyone wants 10 dollars or 15 dollars for it cause it’s “Batman”
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?
Grest video. Been collecting for 20 years myself and completely agree...the batman rabbit hole is a deep and dark one...I stick to his villains
Haha truer words! Such a rabbit hole
Haha truer words! Such a rabbit hole
that is my approach also. I have gotten some nice issues without breaking my bank account, too. For example, I recently picked up a 1970 "Man-bat" issue with Neal Adams art for only 5 bucks (altho I was sort of 'cheating' a bit - the store was having a half-price holiday sale). Granted, one can't expect to get a bargain-basement price for the vintage 1939 or 1940 issues, but that is what the archive editions are for. I say 'buy what you can afford, get the reprints of the issues too expensive for you'. Since there is so much to choose from with this hero, it gives the average collector much to explore. Giving everyone my regards from (ahem) Gotham! :-)
what are your thoughts on foil covers, reprints, and "remastered" edition covers?