Help Me Organize My Comic Books, Please!!!

[Nate C.]

I am lazy. And extremely busy. And anal retentive obsesive compulsive about my comic book organization ing ing.

So, I need your help. I need two things.

1. To help me find web sites that list data on comic books, numbers, important issue numbers, alternate covers, etc. so that I can analyze it, possibly print out the information and work it up into a database.

2. To point me in the right direction as to organizing my comics. You can tell me what you do, what you would like to do, what others do, etc. You can show me your spreadsheets, explain how you organize your collection, etc. Keep in mind that I will not be entertaining notions of paid for databases. I am also cheap.

Some of you have walked this way before. In the past, I have utilized three ring binders and plan on housing the information in one again, but am open to any and all hard copies/software options you might have.

Here are the titles I'm most concerned about.

Spider-Man (all titles)
Daredevil (all titles)
TMNT (all titles)
Usagi Yojimbo
Groo
Nexus
Avengers (all titles)
Fantastic Four (all titles)

And a way to organise comics by creator (Moore, Miller, Aragones, etc.)

And by company (First, Eclipse, Pacific)

and by similarity (independents, mini-series, genre)

and by single issues or short runs. (for example, all of my DC books)

Nate.

[Sir Tim Drake]

1. To help me find web sites that list data on comic books, numbers, important issue numbers, alternate covers, etc. so that I can analyze it, possibly print out the information and work it up into a database.

I use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to index my collection. Whenever I need information not appearing in the comics themselves, like credits for uncredited stories, I consult the GCD (www.comics.org). There are some commercial comics database programs, like ComicsDB, that also include much of the same information as the GCD. If you look through the last few pages of posts on the Classic Comics board, you'll see a few threads discussing these programs.

2. To point me in the right direction as to organizing my comics. You can tell me what you do, what you would like to do, what others do, etc. You can show me your spreadsheets, explain how you organize your collection, etc. Keep in mind that I will not be entertaining notions of paid for databases. I am also cheap.

My spreadsheet includes one row for each story within a comic book, and the following columns: series title, issue number, publisher, cover date, story title, writer(s), penciler(s), inker(s), cover artist, editor, miscellaneous information, where the story is reprinted from, and notable letter writers.

I organize my collection in strict alphabetical order by title, with a few exceptions (e.g. I keep my Action Comics in the S boxes, not the A boxes). It's kind of annoying to maintain the alphabetical order, because it means I have to keep moving comics between boxes. But one advantage of this system is that I always know where everything is.

And a way to organise comics by creator (Moore, Miller, Aragones, etc.)

And by company (First, Eclipse, Pacific)

and by similarity (independents, mini-series, genre)

and by single issues or short runs. (for example, all of my DC books)

Nate.

I'm not sure how you could use all these options at once, since they conflict with each other. For example, if you have issues of Miracleman, are you going to file them as Eclipse comics or as Moore comics?

[Expletive Deleted]

I use Excel (well, Calc actually). I keep meaning to switch to Access (or Base), but I never seem to get around to it. I have tabs for series, annuals, one-shots, mini-series, and trades. Columns are series name, volume, issue number, "real" issue number (if not for restarts and taking into account extended crossovers - it's one of my nerdisms), company, imprint, price, writer, artist, inker, and a field for general comments (usually story-related). A few charts and formulae track my spending habits, and I'm good to go.

For my physical collection, I go with loose alphabetical order. ACTION COMICS under 'S,' and so on. I do tend to clump some smaller works together by the creators and file them accordingly (ie. MYSTERY PLAY and KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND under 'M' for Morrison), but that doesn't come up too often.

[Nate C.]

Thanks, Aaron and Expletive.

Any advice on how to use Excel? That's the one that comes bundled with Microsoft Works, right?

[Dennis K]

I am lazy. And extremely busy. And anal retentive obsesive compulsive about my comic book organization ing ing.

So, I need your help. I need two things.

1. To help me find web sites that list data on comic books, numbers, important issue numbers, alternate covers, etc. so that I can analyze it, possibly print out the information and work it up into a database.

2. To point me in the right direction as to organizing my comics. You can tell me what you do, what you would like to do, what others do, etc. You can show me your spreadsheets, explain how you organize your collection, etc. Keep in mind that I will not be entertaining notions of paid for databases. I am also cheap.

Some of you have walked this way before. In the past, I have utilized three ring binders and plan on housing the information in one again, but am open to any and all hard copies/software options you might have.

Here are the titles I'm most concerned about.

Spider-Man (all titles)
Daredevil (all titles)
TMNT (all titles)
Usagi Yojimbo
Groo
Nexus
Avengers (all titles)
Fantastic Four (all titles)

And a way to organise comics by creator (Moore, Miller, Aragones, etc.)

And by company (First, Eclipse, Pacific)

and by similarity (independents, mini-series, genre)

and by single issues or short runs. (for example, all of my DC books)

Nate.


Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.... just put them in alphabetical order by title, then by issue number per title.

[Ed Cunard]

Thanks, Aaron and Expletive.

Any advice on how to use Excel? That's the one that comes bundled with Microsoft Works, right?

It's like that, but it comes with Microsoft office.

Here's what I would do if I was the organizing type (it's actually what I do with something similar for work--keeping track of my movie syndication packages, titles, distributors and air windows).

Start with a blank Excel file. Give the first sheet a title like MASTER LIST. Make a header row with the following in whatever order you want:

Title, Issue Number, Volume Number (if applicable), Publication Month, Publisher, Writer, Artist...

Then input everything with the information you find at the sites Sir Tim suggests. Once you have all your books in (in, say, 2018), copy that sheet a few times. Once you have that done, you can sort each individual sheet however you want--title, artist, publisher, etc. That's what I do with my movie packages--one sheet sorted by distributor, one by air windows, one by titles, etc.

[Nate C.]

Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.... just put them in alphabetical order by title, then by issue number per title.

I'm talking about databases, Dennis. Not actual long boxes.

[Dennis K]

I'm talking about databases, Dennis. Not actual long boxes.


Well then, that's different. (It also makes me a dumbass) :)

[Nate C.]

Start with a blank Excel file. Give the first sheet a title like MASTER LIST. Make a header row with the following in whatever order you want:

I tried to make a header last night. How do you do that? It looked like I was just typing on the individual columns and not actually setting up designations.



Then input everything with the information you find at the sites Sir Tim suggests. Once you have all your books in (in, say, 2018), copy that sheet a few times. Once you have that done, you can sort each individual sheet however you want--title, artist, publisher, etc. That's what I do with my movie packages--one sheet sorted by distributor, one by air windows, one by titles, etc.

How do you copy the sheets? Why would you copy the sheets? It's still the same information, right?

I realize these are stupid questions, so no snark from the ususal suspects, please.

Thanks, Ed.

[Nate C.]

Well then, that's different. (It also makes me a dumbass) :)

nah, I'm the guy whose had these comics 20+ years, a computer for 10+ and is just now deciding to database his stuff.

[Ed Cunard]

I still haven't figured out if you're using Excel, or the spreadsheet embedded in Microsoft Works--if it's the latter, I can't help you and, if it's the former, I can set one up on my lunchbreak for you and e-mail it to you.

[Nate C.]

I still haven't figured out if you're using Excel, or the spreadsheet embedded in Microsoft Works--if it's the latter, I can't help you and, if it's the former, I can set one up on my lunchbreak for you and e-mail it to you.

Let me go check.

[Ed Cunard]

How do you copy the sheets? Why would you copy the sheets? It's still the same information, right?

It's the same information, yes--however, that way, you can have separate sheets organized by whatever method you choose--one list by publisher, one alphabetical by title, one by writer, etc.

[Nate C.]

yeah, I have the Microsoft Works spreadsheet.

I'll play around with it and see what I come up with.

[Nate C.]

Here's what I came up with.

The Comic Book Database for cover swipes and the Microsoft Works spreadsheet for the spreadsheet.

I tried to copy and paste here, but it was a mess.

Thanks everybody for the help.

If anybody else has some ideas, I'm wide open.

[K'Nort]

Frankly, I finally gave up and bought a $15 prefab system. It works great, however. And downloads things from GCDB, including cover shots. I figured I'll be spending enough time entering the stuff; to heck with setting it up. And they anticipate all kinds of cross-linkages.

[macul]

nathan,

You need a database. You can use a spreadsheet like tim does (you can sort and/or filter by author, genre, whatever), though a database is much more robust. At the same time there is a learning curve if you aren't familiar with them. The plus side is that once you enter all of your data you can literally construct a query to pull out any type of information you want.

[macul]

But one advantage of this system is that I always know where everything is.

Label each box. I label mine by number. Add a column in your spreadsheet to keep track of what box a title is located in.

[Gary Joyce]

I use this site to store my comics - http://www.stashmycomics.com/

[rebelchelle]

Thanks for the www.stashmycomics.com

I use a Microsoft Excel worksheet to keep up with limited series, one shots, books that have ended, and issues that I need.

I have also used the free online database www.nostomania.com

[Gary Joyce]

Glad it helped.

[Nate C.]

Frankly, I finally gave up and bought a $15 prefab system. It works great, however. And downloads things from GCDB, including cover shots. I figured I'll be spending enough time entering the stuff; to heck with setting it up. And they anticipate all kinds of cross-linkages.

Kristen, is that 15$ a one time pop, or annually?

And does it update the new issues as they come out or do you have to buy updates?

I'm interested in this, if you have more answers.

[Nate C.]

nathan,

You need a database. You can use a spreadsheet like tim does (you can sort and/or filter by author, genre, whatever), though a database is much more robust. At the same time there is a learning curve if you aren't familiar with them. The plus side is that once you enter all of your data you can literally construct a query to pull out any type of information you want.

macul, what's the difference between a database and a spreadsheet?

[Slam_Bradley]

I'm talking about databases, Dennis. Not actual long boxes.


Oh. Ok. I was going to suggest my filing system.

Various piles about the house.

[Nate C.]

I use this site to store my comics - http://www.stashmycomics.com/

that has real possibilities. I am going to spend a little time there and see how easy it is to navigate.

One question, can you print out a list of what you have?

[Nate C.]

Oh. Ok. I was going to suggest my filing system.

Various piles about the house.

You subscribe to the Jim MacQuarrie system of filing, eh?

[Nate C.]

I have also used the free online database www.nostomania.com

I don't care for nostomania. What is it you really like about it?

[Gary Joyce]

that has real possibilities. I am going to spend a little time there and see how easy it is to navigate.

One question, can you print out a list of what you have?

It is pretty easy to navigate through which is good for a computer idiot like myself.As for printing out your lists i assume there will be a way to do so.

[macul]

macul, what's the difference between a database and a spreadsheet?

Spreadsheets are generally used for calculations, such as budgets. You can plug in amounts in cells A1, A2, A3, and tell A4 to be the sum of A1-A3. You can also use that data to create visual representations, such as pie charts or graphs.

Databases are used to hold and retrieve data. The database stores information of some type (text, numbers, pictures, et cetera) and you have a front end application that retrieves that data. Every dynamic website you go to, such as CBR or Amazon, utilizes a database.

Make sense?

[K'Nort]

Kristen, is that 15$ a one time pop, or annually?

And does it update the new issues as they come out or do you have to buy updates?

I'm interested in this, if you have more answers.

One-time charge. Upgrades are free.

Not sure what you mean about whether it updates the new issues. You have to enter them as you get them, I think, although I know there are some "subscribe" checkbox options so maybe it can get even fancier.

If you mean does the GCDB (http://www.comics.org/index.lasso)regularly update itself, it's a completely independent project and updated by volunteers, so it's not always totally current, no. But that doesn't interfere with you entering the stuff you're willing to type yourself, and just updating all the extras later on, in a batch. (And you can do batch updates from GCDB; it doesn't have to be one-issue-at-a-time.)

[Nate C.]

Spreadsheets are generally used for calculations, such as budgets. You can plug in amounts in cells A1, A2, A3, and tell A4 to be the sum of A1-A3. You can also use that data to create visual representations, such as pie charts or graphs.

Databases are used to hold and retrieve data. The database stores information of some type (text, numbers, pictures, et cetera) and you have a front end application that retrieves that data. Every dynamic website you go to, such as CBR or Amazon, utilizes a database.

Make sense?

it does, but would Microsoft have a database function or is that something for the big boys/online?

[Nate C.]

One-time charge. Upgrades are free.

I'm interested in this. Can you tell me the name and where you got it?


Not sure what you mean about whether it updates the new issues. You have to enter them as you get them, I think, although I know there are some "subscribe" checkbox options so maybe it can get even fancier.

That answers my question.

[K'Nort]

I'm interested in this. Can you tell me the name and where you got it?

http://www.realmsofwonder.com/

The first 200 issues are free. So that gives you a lot of opportunity to experiment. And actually more if you do a bunch at a time. It's just the first time you log back on after passing the 200 mark, it won't let you add more without buying it.

I ended up with it via recommendations in a thread on the Classics board.


And Microsoft Office does include a very popular database -- Access. But I don't think MS Works has an equivalent.

[macul]

it does, but would Microsoft have a database function or is that something for the big boys/online?

Microsoft Access is a database. It isn't hard, though there is a learning curve involved. The main advantage of creating the database yourself is freedom of choice. You can create whatever type of query you want, organize the database however you want, and so on. If you have the time and desire to invest, I think it's the better option. If not, then go for one of the pre-fab choices.

[Nate C.]

Macul and K'Nort,

thanks for all the advice. I'm going to look into both.

[macul]

Macul and K'Nort,

thanks for all the advice. I'm going to look into both.

If you are interested in seeing what I use shoot me a PM. I can probably set it up so you can access my server at home and take a look. It isn't much and it isn't pretty, but I go for functionality over cosmetics.