I have been into comics for almost 6 months now. My physical collection is DC compacts and some trades of the absolute universe.
Digitally I got a bundle from image comics and have been reading all the volume 1s slowly.
I want to expand my horizons more, pick up hellboy, the energon universe, see more things. However I am on a budget. I want to pick up more physical comics but it's hard to justify it and to budget for them. Any tips ?
This. My taxes pay for my library and not everything is worth a re-read. I’m a regular there 😭
OP if you have to own everything you read (which I personally reserve for only my absolute favorite runs that I plan to re-read) then definitely check out instocktrades, used book stores near you, eBay, or FB marketplace. Amazon also occasionally has better prices than instocktrades for new books.
I have gone and bought some books after reading and loving them, but library is the way to go. Hoopla, an ebook (and more) platform that libraries can partner with, does a great job of collecting trades in the past few years. I read a lot of monthlies that I missed, either by time or them just not making the pull cut, that way
There's a mysterious patron who regularly donates TPB's to my local library, who then sells them for $1 or less each. If you're lucky, you can build your collection out quick.
From that article it seems that Marvel Unlimited will continue to exist, but will be getting some upgrades and access to additional content in some form.
Used bookstores near you might carry trades too, I got few good deals this way. Also check if your library sells discarded copies, sometimes they have sales in certain days of month.
this! And doing your research. Especially for older series, you can often save a lot if you're willing to buy a mix of volumes, issues, omnis, etc. Only downside is the series doesn't look as cool on a shelf.
I was in your spot for decades: didn’t make much money so couldn’t justify buying comics.
I became really good at finding sales. Used book stores, estate sales, library sales, etc. It used to be much harder pre-internet. Now you can frequently find excellent deals online. CheapGraphicNovels.com always has “scratch and dent” sales with books at serious discounts. I’ve bought a few of them and they’re perfectly fine, certainly in better shape than most of the old library books I’ve bought over the years.
Other than that, I mostly got my comics from the library.
Library, library, library. While it’s not the same as ownership, this can be a great way to read tons of stuff (depending on your library system) and ensure you’re spending what budget you do have an stuff you really like and will re-read.
I blind bought so many comics when I first caught the bug, and while it’s awesome having lots of stuff on the shelf, I wish I’d been a little more intentional with my purchases. I own some comics that I don’t even really like, which could have been avoided if I’d first checked it out from the library to try them out beforehand.
I've found lots of bundles on eBay, I buy the first and then if I like it, search for as many volumes as I can in one bundle then fill in the missing volumes if there are any. It is more economic if you have the cash for the bundle otherwise you have to find them individually and pay more shipping etc.
The lcs I go to has a used section. People sometimes trade in their old trades and a lot of them go out for like 5 bucks or you can find hardcovers for like half the price. If your LCS doesn’t have a used section for graphic novels, check if there are any used book stores near you
FB Marketplace - You can find some good deals here, just have to look. I usually don't message anyone unless the TPB is about $5, but sometimes you can find them even cheaper. I even found a local liquidator that has a shop open once a week that sells $3 TPB and Dollar Single issues.
Half Price Books - Pretty good deals on some TPB's, and singles are $2, but it can all be hit or miss.
Kindle Unlimited -- For a monthly fee, you get access to so many TPB's, its pretty awesome. Most of these are the first TPB in a series which would be great for you as a new fan, but I also am currently reading through the entire Tom Taylor Nightwing run on there.
Local LCS sales -- Cruise the dollar bins, follow them on social media to know when their sales are. I have one local LCS that has a sidewalk sale a couple times a year where you buy comics by the pound. Last weekend I got 25 issues for around $20 bucks. Another has a big Labor Day sale, and I found a bunch of autographed issues, along with some keys for $2 each.
Library -- As others have said, check out your local library. I live in a small suburb outside Austin, and mine is a goldmine for TPB's. In larger cities, I'd expect its even better. You already pay taxes for the library, so use it!
Get a better job. Until you get one, just be happy with the books you cam buy. It took me 20 years to complete my first shelf. 10 years later I have 5 shelves full of books.
Instocktrades.com is a good site I have ordered from. Panelbound seems to have competitive pricing. I have an order in the mail from worldofbooks as well. If possible, try and find comic shops that buy comics, one near me offers cheap comics and 50%off retail all trades and omnis.
Some of my best finds have been yard sales and facebook posts, good to check this as regularly as you'd like. People getting rid of collections or other fans sharing the hobby. Also as a newly returning frugal reader myself, I now have my eyes out for compendiums. Best of luck
Only buy things during sales or if you're worried they will go out of print. instocktrades is usually the best place to order from. I try to only get books when they're 50% off these days.
Patience. Watch for sales. Look for stores that sell used. Black Friday, boxing day sales .
Look for discount stores that may have comics from time to time.
Search your whole are for all the places that have them, and visit regularly because you never know what they may have.
Check if you have chains like Half Priced Books or 2nd and Charles. They sell stuff used and it can be a pretty good deal sometimes. Best piece of advice is research what you want to get, sometime the online retailers have buy two get one sales and such.
I like to keep an eye on the websites of my favorite publishers because they sometimes have massive sales and discounts.
As long as you can find a copy in great condition, I also like to buy used comics on eBay or Facebook marketplace. Often super cheap and great way to find out of print comics at times.
I also like to get my comics from a site called Alibris. New comics tend to a few dollars off retail and there are frequent coupons that discount it further. I often end up buying 5 or or 6 volumes for the price of 3 basically.
I find my Kjndle Scribe Colorsoft to be very close to reading on real paper to me, large initial outlay but I’ve already enjoyed so many comics on it and it’s so much nicer than reading them on a tablet
Get a side hustle for fun money. Thats what I did. I sell single issues as my side hustle. Yesterday I had an inventory of about 45 longboxes(it took 3 years to build this up)
Work more ? Otherwise you dont. Its gonna cost money if you dont have it now you never wil. Its hard but real. You dont want to live on water and bread all month so you can spend more on a hobby.
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u/DamageJack 4d ago
Library