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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 22:17:33 GMT -5
Just curious, when you collect comics or graphic novels, what condition do they have to be in for you? Does it always have to be NM/M or VF+? I find when I buy brand new trades or HC editions that I prefer NM/M, can tolerate a minor blemish as long as it is not very noticeable. Back issues I am not as picky these days as I used to be, but still prefer a VF copy of comics from the mid to later 70's and VF/NM for books in the 1980's. For older books I am ok with a solid VG+ or better, just depends. I don't buy a whole lot of back issues these days unless I find a good deal on ebay, mostly just prefer digital, but it is nice to also have print versions of books I really like. Back in the 80's & 90's when I was collecting in high gear I was sooooo picky with new issues & they just had to be MINT!! & I would obsess about any imperfections! The sad thing about being too picky with condition is that you really can't enjoy the hobby of collecting.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 22:18:11 GMT -5
No.
-M
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 22:19:10 GMT -5
To expand on that, I read, I don't collect so much so as long as I can read it in its entirety I'm good.
-M
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 22:20:32 GMT -5
It's so easy for you.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 22:23:20 GMT -5
To expand on that, I read, I don't collect so much so as long as I can read it in its entirety I'm good. -M Comics would probably be more enjoyable if the polybag & backing boards were never invented. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on Dec 13, 2015 22:23:30 GMT -5
Depending on the age of the book and how the rest of the run looks, I'm usually completely content with a FN or VF copy. For Golden Age, I'm even happy with a G+. Mostly what matters to me is that I can hold and read the book without having to worry about it falling apart or otherwise having the condition be a distraction to my enjoyment of the issue.
On the other hand, I generally avoid high value NM back issues, as I then have to worry about damaging them while reading and that, in itself, is a distraction.
The prides of my collection are my Batman #8-10, all in G to G+ condition. I've never once considered switching them up for a higher grade. They're all I need.
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Post by Pharozonk on Dec 13, 2015 22:26:21 GMT -5
I'm with shax on this. I generally am fine with settling with a VF to a low grade F on your average back issue. I also don't really collect pricey "key" back issues from the Silver or Golden Age so condition doesn't play a part for me there.
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Post by Warmonger on Dec 13, 2015 22:31:14 GMT -5
Anything VG or better is fine by me
I don't mind slight yellowing or a text smudge here and there, but I can't stand a bunch of writing or nasty crap stuck to the comic.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 22:58:18 GMT -5
to me, as a "collector". . if I'm buying it to fill a hole in my collection. . ie: I'm buying it for the collector in me, then yes, very much so. if I'm buying it just to read? Nope, not at all. I will buy in any condition if I'm getting it because I simply because I want to read the story. (ie: maybe buying a 2nd copy of one I have already somewhere in my boxes, or buying a comic of a series I don't collect) (and the condition of a trade never matters to me, because I buy those always to read, not to "collect") |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 23:38:13 GMT -5
Just curious, when you collect comics or graphic novels, what condition do they have to be in for you? Does it always have to be NM/M or VF+? I prefer those standards, but gradually relax them the older a book gets. But I'd estimate 99.95% of everything I own after 1980 is NM. |
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Post by batlaw on Dec 13, 2015 23:59:08 GMT -5
Simple answer... Yes. To an extent. I'm not a fanatic about it. My standards and expectations are simple. I just don't make a distinction between comics and anything else I buy. I want / expect adequate quality for the things I buy which I intend to keep and enjoy, and I take care of my possessions. I don't buy many back issues so it's not much of an issue for me. Most everything I buy and most everything I own is in the VF to NM / M range. At least in my opinion of them. I've known people who've driven me mad with how obsessive and unrealistic their expectations for comic and collectables "quality" have been. With me there's really only good or bad and I'll pick the good when possible.
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Post by Cei-U! on Dec 14, 2015 0:16:23 GMT -5
I only collect comics I want to read again and again. I'm also constrained by the tiny amount of my meager income considered "disposable." Plus the way I handle my books (with my mouth) means that a high grade book won't stay that way. So no, condition doesn't matter to me because it's impractical on several levels to care about it. If I can get a NM copy for a couple of bucks, great, but I'm happy with anything that's complete and not stained by anything nasty.
Cei-U!
I summon the modest standards!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2015 1:17:54 GMT -5
Yes, that's why I always buy two copies of the book and now I have the complete run of Batman 66 and having said that - I have one copy of the book never, ever read and it's in pristine shape and the other one is meant to be read over and over again. When, I have a series of books that means a lot to me - it's pays to buy an extra copy so that one is guaranteed to be kept in good order. That's my take on this subject.
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Post by Randle-El on Dec 14, 2015 1:24:11 GMT -5
Funny this has come up, since I just returned a copy of a new comic due to damage. It was a copy of Silver Surfer #15 (current run), and some of the pages were torn, with sections missing. It didn't prevent me from reading the story, but I returned it to exchange for an undamaged copy. If I am purchasing a new product from a store, the price I'm paying is based on the assumption that I'm getting a new, undamaged product. It doesn't matter whether it's a comic book, a car, or a toaster -- if I'm paying "new" price, I expect a new product.
If it's a back issue, then I'm generally fine with it being in a good enough condition for me to read and enjoy the story. Unless they are very recent, I don't expect back issues to be in pristine condition, but I'll also expect the price to reflect that, which I think is only fair.
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Post by tingramretro on Dec 14, 2015 2:54:02 GMT -5
I am a collector, but I don't obsess over condition. If i buy a new book, yes, I expect it to be pretty much perfect, but if I'm buying something thirty years old, the main thing is simply to have it. So long as the book is complete, I'm generally fine with it. My only real pet hate is water damaged books.
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