Reading a comic book is more then just reading the book. It takes a cretin amount of time and care to keep your books in tip top shape. But I get ahead of myself. The first thing you have to do is find a book to read.
Finding a book can be tough in it self. The best way to do this is go to your local comic book shop and brows through the different books. You can also check online at the Marvel and DC comics web sites. You will see a lot of their books and get a good idea of what is good.
Another good way is to check out the Trade Paperbacks or Graphic Novels. Most comic books have gone on for more then 60 years and the trades can be a good way to play catch up. When you look for a trade make sure it is the first one in the set just to get the beginning of the story. Sometimes it is not so bad to get one in the middle because most stories told are complete in each volume of the book. Getting the trades is sometimes the best way to go, especially if you come in late on something like a mini series.
When collecting comic books you have to remember not everything you get will become valuable. Also remember to just read and collect for fun. I find it more enjoyable that way. I have met people that only collect and not read a single thing they buy. That is something I do not advise. But if value is all you are concerned with then by all means go ahead.
Now, remember that comic books come out every week on Wednesday. And that it takes one book, like say Batman, to come out every month. This is the schedule of comics provided they are not late.
Once you pick the titles you want to get you need to start taking care of them. They make special boards and bags to help keep in good shape. The bags keep the book clean and free of dust and dirt and the common mistake of water damage. The back board keeps the book from binding in awkward positions. The bags and boards come in different sizes. These sizes are for the ages of the book. The older the book the wider it is. Comics in the ’40s could be the size of a magazine now. And in fact a comic book is still called a magazine, although by very few people.
You may now begin the quest for great knowledge in the sequential art form. Please remember to have fun and take care of what you read. Or you can care for them in another way. Take the book with you wherever you go, fold it up and stuff it in your back pocket, and show it to people who you care for and show them that you care about what you read…not just that you can or cannot keep it in good shape. I like those people. You can really see the joy in the eyes of someone who cares.
