what would you do if you lost your entire collection?

[nubly]

i used to live in california i've been seeing in the news how homes are being destroyed. if something similar happend to you, would you start up your collection again? i think i would probably just give up comics

[Nate C.]

Start again, very, very slowly. I have almost ten thousand and some days I would sell them for the first decent offer that would come along. Collecting is a disease. I can't stop...

[Giant Guy]

I would probably give up too. I may come back in and pick up a trade here and there, but I doubt I would rebuild my collection.

[UncleBob]

I'd keep on going.

Cause... yanno... there's some good stories in these books, even the ones that aren't worth much :D

[Arvandor]

Kill myself.

[TJ Shoun]

I'd become extremely depressed.

I'd probably not start collecting again, but I think I'll always wanna read comics, at least to some degree.

[Deathstroke]

I think that would be it for me. Not because my love of comics would be gone but it would be impossible to rebuild the collection and I'd be depressed over it.

[Jake V]

I'd just keep going, probably re-collect some of my favorite stories in trade form. It would suck to see all the money I spent with nothing to show for it, but I don't buy comics simply to have them.

Though, if I caught myself buying comics for the sake of a collection instead of buying them because I like reading them, I'd probably quit altogether. Or at least I SHOULD quit if that were the case.

[Lord S]

I'd just rebuild it...considering 80% of it is filler, anyhow. I would know exactly what to get, and what to avoid...most of the good stuff I have is now available as trades, so I would probably just a bunch of those.

[BoosterBronze]

I'd be sad. Id buy a crunk load of trades to replace what Ive gotten in recnt years, but what I'd really miss is the little things, crap that will never be in a trade or anything and would have to be hunted down in $1 bins at Comiccon.

All my IMPACT! comics, an occasional Avengers Unplugged, for some reason the entire X-Men "Flashback" event, and year after year of Archie Double Digest. That would be the deepest cut of all.

[Gladiator X]

Start over again.

I had a huge chunk of my collection stolen about 10 years ago and I'm still rebuilding from that.

In a way it helped me focus on what was really important to me as opposed to just trying to build a humongous all-encompassing collection like I had before.

[Prelude]

Considering I don't have a lot of filler and there's a relatively large number of comics in my collection I never want to sell, I would be depressed and wouldn't want to look or hear of a comic for a very long time. In addition to money, there's a lot of memories, effort, and time invested in my comic collection.

I'm familiar with the pain of losing comics. When I was younger I lost a most of my modest collection to a basement flood. I was devestated then, but I would it would be worse now. The funny thing is I'm usually a very simple and non-materialistic person, but my comics are an entirely different story.

Eventually, I would probably return and only buy or re-buy comics that have significant sentimental value. Who knows?

[Johnny Morningstar]

If my comic collection was insured, of course I'd replace as much as I could.

Since it isn't, I think I'd take the opportunity to get out for a while.

Then on second thought, half the fun of collecting was finding stuff and I'd get to do it all over again. I'd be curious to see how the collection would change.

[GeekDragon]

I'd keep collecting and try to rebuild.

[Crimson]

I'd cry... then I'd cry some more and to end it, I'd cry a bit more.

Then I'd hunt them down all over again.

[Michael P]

My scream would be heard throughout the galazy for eons. Primitive alien races just now moving from nomadism to hunting-gathering would hear it and develop legends about the God in Anguish.

You'd find me in the shop on Wednesday, though.

[The Fury]

Claim the insurance money and go shopping for comics.

[Crimson]

Claim the insurance money and go shopping for comics.

Do you have your comics insured or does it fall under home owners insurance?

[Grimm]

My dad gave me his old collection of early Hulk, FF, Iron Man and Spidey which i left at his house (i was living with my mother) and the bailiffs came and took them. I was major bummed but being only 12 i didnt realise just how big a loss that was... Since then i have had water damage and other things happen to my own collection, but nothing of the magnatude of losing my old mans collection. /sigh

[Nightcrawler]

I'd cry. Then keep getting new issue, but stop getting TPB's.

[thetechnocrat]

would you start up your collection again? i think i would probably just give up comics

I just lost my entire collection in a fire. I have about 20 books now. I wasn't as upset as I thought I would be. I guess there are more important things in life than comics. I was only sad that I lost some of the first X-Men, Avengers, Cap comics that I owned. I'm gonna start all over again. Slowly but surely I can rebuild with the help of trusty eBay.

[thetechnocrat]

Do you have your comics insured or does it fall under home owners insurance?

It's home owners insurance (unless you have a museam quality collection) and good luck trying to prove the worth and what you payed for them with out receipts and/or video footage of them.

[redryan]

its legal to kill theifs, rite? :rolleyes:

[thetechnocrat]

its legal to kill theifs, rite? :rolleyes:
In most countries. On the other hand you can chop off their hands in some.

[Faust451]

Where and how can I get all my books insured?

:confused:

[Trystenn]

I would thank god for "Essential" series by Marvel, seriously.

[Yoda]

Then on second thought, half the fun of collecting was finding stuff and I'd get to do it all over again. I'd be curious to see how the collection would change.

I have to agree with you on that. Since my collection is stored at my parents house, I imagine that anything that would destroy my collection would be covered by their homeowners insurance. I'ed take that money and start over, I think half of the enjoyment i get out of collecting is the "hunt" for issues I want. And the sad truth is about 50% of my collection as it stands now is books that I wouldn't even miss.

[ROSS]

I'd pick up all the available hardcovers of the titles that I had been buying. And maybe some TPBs if I feel like it.

[Dave Cote]

Kill myself.
Ditto to that! :D

[Jessica Drew]

I collected comics from ages five to about sixteen. For a long-since forgotten reason, I stopped. When I graduated from high school, my parents put them all in cardboard boxes and stored them in the back-yard shed. Not long after I'd graduated from college, I got the itch to look at my comics again. I came home, went to the shed, and looked through the boxes. However, I couldn't find the boxes with all my Uncanny X-Men (which ran from 111-213), Avengers (181-275), Amazing Spider Man (153-282), and the complete runs of both the first two editions OHOTMU (as well as the complete run of DC's Who's Who). My parents said that several months earlier, they were doing some de-cluttering, and they glanced through my boxes of comics. They told me that the comics in several of the boxes had been overrun with silverfish, so they through those boxes away.

That was ten years ago. It wasn't until this past fall that I had the heart to begin collecting again (and I started with the Essential X-Men and Essential Avengers volumes). If I lost all again, I don't know if I'd have the heart to ever start over.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I collected comics from ages five to about sixteen. For a long-since forgotten reason, I stopped. When I graduated from high school, my parents put them all in cardboard boxes and stored them in the back-yard shed. Not long after I'd graduated from college, I got the itch to look at my comics again. I came home, went to the shed, and looked through the boxes. However, I couldn't find the boxes with all my Uncanny X-Men (which ran from 111-213), Avengers (181-275), Amazing Spider Man (153-282), and the complete runs of both the first two editions OHOTMU (as well as the complete run of DC's Who's Who). My parents said that several months earlier, they were doing some de-cluttering, and they glanced through my boxes of comics. They told me that the comics in several of the boxes had been overrun with silverfish, so they through those boxes away.

That was ten years ago. It wasn't until this past fall that I had the heart to begin collecting again (and I started with the Essential X-Men and Essential Avengers volumes). If I lost all again, I don't know if I'd have the heart to ever start over.


Wow , I could sense your sadness from the post. If this and other things happened to me odds are I'd walk away from comics for good. My comics Is listed on the Insurance and I wouldn't have the heart to start again.

[kingpin51]

crawl up into a feedel postision and cry. Then i would have a nap. Cry a little more. Have a snack. Start rebuilding from the ground up

[Pedalhome]

Hmm, I'm not sure what I'd do if I lost my collection. I don't think that I'd bother trying to find most of it again. I would however hunt down the Sandman, Maxx and Conan runs that I have and pick up some of the better Spidey and Batman stuff I've read. It would almost be a relief to lose some of it; it would sure make moving much easier. :)

[tommythecat]

They told me that the comics in several of the boxes had been overrun with silverfish, so they through those boxes away.


what exactly are silverfish?

[ghostrider666]

I wouldnt replace it. I'd start new. I'd have to replace all of my Ghosr Rider books. MArvel Masterworks & DC Archives as well. The rest would prob just be new books.

[ghostrider666]

what exactly are silverfish?

Dont know where you're from, maybe the Southwest, or someplace that dosent have 'em.
They're bugs. They look kinda like little centipedes, but are gray/silver colored (like a fish) they eat paper.

[Alex Dragon]

If something happened to my collection I'd be annoyed for awhile I guess. It probably wouldn't be that big a deal since I throw away lots of comics every so often anyway. No desire whatsoever to try and rebuild or replace. There's a few trades I'd buy to replace certain books but it would be more for the art than the story. For me after I've read the story, that's it for that tale but I like to go back and look at and learn from the art.

Technically, I have a collection but I don't think of myself as a comicbook collector, I think of myself as a comics reader. I've never even bought a bag or board before.

[AlterEgo]

To all those posters who think they'd get sufficient insurance money for them to rebuild their collections again, you are woefully ignorant.

A collection of comic books, no matter how large, won't net you much insurance money unless you can prove their worth. ie. you must have them appraised by a reputable source.

Better that you should call your insurance agent and get the facts now rather than a rude awakening later.

[JBeckett]

I'd cry, go to my store on the next Wednesday and then start over again-what else?!?!?

[cholizo]

I'd re-download everything. :)

Then go back to the comic shop and start over with the new issues.

[Prelude]

Originally Posted by ghostrider666
Dont know where you're from, maybe the Southwest, or someplace that dosent have 'em.
They're bugs. They look kinda like little centipedes, but are gray/silver colored (like a fish) they eat paper.

I freak out more than a little girl when it comes to certain insects, especially anything resembling centipedes. I've never seen silverfish, but they sure sound like something I don't want meeting my comic collection.

Do they feed on the box and the comics? Can they get into a bagged and boarded comic? How do you keep these little nasties away?

[Jessica Drew]

I freak out more than a little girl when it comes to certain insects, especially anything resembling centipedes. I've never seen silverfish, but they sure sound like something I don't want meeting my comic collection.

Do they feed on the box and the comics? Can they get into a bagged and boarded comic? How do you keep these little nasties away?

My parents said they fed on both boxes and comics. Bagged and boarded? Don't know. Mine (unfortunately) weren't. Didn't know about such high-fallutin' techniques back then (as all my comics were bought at the convenience store near my grandparent's home).

[olympichero62]

In Spider-man 2, peter asks aunt may where she put his old comic books. She replies, "Those old things, I threw them away." Everyone in the theater laughed. I cried.

[josh straightedge]

I used to always say to my parents if the house caught on fire with my books in it, I'd stay and go down in flames with my books. I'm pretty serious about it too.

[Paradox]

I'd just keep buying more, just like I do now. Probably try to replace the ones I really missed out of the cheap boxes.

I've lost large parts of my collection several times in my lifetime. It taught me this lesson.

Comics are just material objects and, as such, are subject to entropy. They will come and go at various times in your life. Don't get too attached to material objects.

[estee]

My near complete run of Cerebus would be a pain in the ass to reclaim. I also have a nifty run of Uncanny from 145 to about 250, or whenever Jim Lee started on as artist, so that would be a bit tough to get back.

What would really make me cry is the loss of all the issues I got signed...Dave Sim...Perez....Eisner...Morrison...those type of books would devestate me.

[Fireball]

I think I would only replace those books I really wanted. I would probably only try to relpace my Avengers comics. If my collection was destroyed, sure it would suck, but there are some comics I haven't read since I first bought them. I would continue buying comics, but just the ones that I'm reading now, but then again I've always seen myself more as a reader than collector (but yet all my books are bagged and boarded)

[Cephus]

I'd just go back to the comic shop the next week like I always do and keep going. I don't read comics to collect, I read comics because I like the stories.

[ghostrider666]

I freak out more than a little girl when it comes to certain insects, especially anything resembling centipedes. I've never seen silverfish, but they sure sound like something I don't want meeting my comic collection.

Do they feed on the box and the comics? Can they get into a bagged and boarded comic? How do you keep these little nasties away?

Tehy'll eat any paper.
They can get thru comic bags. Tehy dont eat plastic, & Ive never heard of them crawling into a bag. Keep em taped & you shouldnt have to worry.

[Phoney Bone]

I'd cry if it were my Perez stuff. Those are the only comics I truly collect. I'm always selling, trading, or flat ou giving away my other books. Anything but the Perez stuff, I'd get over in a heartbeat.

I'd just start over with trades, Essentials, and Archives for the older stuff.

[The Grey Man]

a few weeks ago at work, the cleaner foolishly folded up and used one of my comics (a Legends of the Dark Knight from 2000) as a doorstop. i went ballistic and sweated and moped about it for hours. and this was one comic which could be reasonably easilly replaced. from my reaction to this one comic incident, i would hate to think how i'd react to losing my whole collection. god i'll have nightmares 2nite just thnking about it!!!!!!!! :mad:

[GreatLakesAvengers]

When I realized that my collection was gone, my mind would shut down and run away into the darkest depths of my brain. Eventually, some family member would discover me staring blankly at some wall and hook up IV tubes to keep me alive. After about a year, I'd come to and start buying huge bulk lots from ebay to start up the collection again. All the extras would be sold on the way to completing my collection. I'd be happy and the universe would continue on as normal.

[thik_3rd]

hopefully if my collection ever got real serious, i'd be smart enough to insure it.

[DDM]

hopefully if my collection ever got real serious, i'd be smart enough to insure it.

I've already tried insure my comic collection, but failed. Why? You have have an individual lists of all the comic books you own plus their individual value.

[jeffb1982]

I've already tried insure my comic collection, but failed. Why? You have have an individual lists of all the comic books you own plus their individual value.
lucky me I already have a list of every comic I own in alphabetical order plus the initial cost I paid, I have been doing it when I just had a few so it easy to keep up, I just add to it every week with the comics I buy that day before I put them in the boxes.

[Deathstroke]

lucky me I already have a list of every comic I own in alphabetical order plus the initial cost I paid, I have been doing it when I just had a few so it easy to keep up, I just add to it every week with the comics I buy that day before I put them in the boxes.


Teacher's Pet! :D

[Lurker]

i used to live in california i've been seeing in the news how homes are being destroyed. if something similar happend to you, would you start up your collection again? i think i would probably just give up comics

Cool thread, very human interest :)

If my collection were destroyed, I'd slowly replace my favorite stories through collected editions which luckily I think most are available in trade and hardcover. As far as new issues go, I'd probally not pick any up anymore unless some new project came along that I was interested in. Actually the bulk of my collection is "filler" as it is and I don't care what format I have my favorite stories in, as long as I have them.

[Shadow Crawler]

I would cry then go out and buy some comics and possibly order a bunch from MHC.

[Paradox]

**shrugs** Continue to buy new ones just like I do know, and slowly replace what I wanted with TPBs and cheap old copies.

I've lost large parts of my collection to fire and flood before. It's just taught me that comics are material objects subject to entropy and destined to come and go in my life. Not that big a deal, really.

[Henyo]

**shrugs** Continue to buy new ones just like I do know, and slowly replace what I wanted with TPBs and cheap old copies.

I would do the same.

[thomas_catbiscuit]

if i lost my collection its because i've cheated on her in doors, as she's said if i was to cheat on her she'd burn my whole collection and let our little man colour the rare ones in.
I'd be gutted if i lost my collection as its been my lifes work for 5 years +. i would still buy comics like the comic zombie i am.

[thik_3rd]

on a side note, this happened to an uncle of mine, he had his whole collection stolen, including a complete run of daredevil.

[Sid]

I have had a housefire which cost me everything. I really didn't give the comics a second thought until much later, because I lost everything including family heirlooms, my clothes, my glasses, my wallet, my furniture, my computer, my TV - basically everything I owned except a pair of jeans I put on before climbing out the window and my car. I was and am extremely grateful to have escaped with my life.

I quit collecting at that point out of necessity (at that point I had nowhere to live and the only clothes I had were given to me), but I did eventually get back into it when I was financially able to do so. That's one (but only one) reason I like the Ultimate line - it allowed me to start at a beginning point again.

Ya know, in a strange sort of way, going through that - losing all of my material possessions - was actually quite liberating. I don't recommend it though - there are easier ways to feel liberated.

[Deathstroke]

on a side note, this happened to an uncle of mine, he had his whole collection stolen, including a complete run of daredevil.

Did he do the proper thing and track down the thieves and kill them?

[Brian R]

I dont know if I could recover emotionally from losing all those comics, it might drive me out of the hobby. Nah, I am way too big a fanboy, I would eventually start again. :D

[comic_lover]

i used to live in california i've been seeing in the news how homes are being destroyed. if something similar happend to you, would you start up your collection again? i think i would probably just give up comics ....That's what insurance is for,and if you had the books I did ( and quite a bit of you probably do ! ) you'd insure them too.Aside from that I'd still be depressed. :(

[Nightcrawler]

I'd start again.

[thik_3rd]

Did he do the proper thing and track down the thieves and kill them?
not sure how he wrapped things up...

[Hacker]

I'd cash the insurance check :)

[idwfan]

Somebody would suffer! I wouyld be depressed and would NOT try and build up my collection again. If I did it would be only through TPB's.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Actually as a little kid we had a fire and I lost all my old Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis Superman Issues ! Plus all my old DC Superpowers action figures. The cool ones with Superman and Batman In the mid 80's.


I actually took the time to run a print off and hand It to the Insurance guy when he Insured the house last year. What can I say. I don't want to be stuck In the fact I could lose my entire collection. ;)

[Michael P]

Killing spree.

[kopernicus]

I'd probably use the extinction event to

1) establish a $15 per week budget for new comics and

2) rebuild my back issue library in this order:

Captain America (all vols) and all modern day appearances
Tales of Suspense
Avengers
Superboy / LSH (all vols except for 4-onwards)
Marvel Team Up
Savage Dragon
Justice League (all vols through JLE)
Invisibles

for back issues, it is the thrill of the hunt... actually finding a decent copy of Marvel Team Up #1 for $50 and looking at it in the car after the comic-con is done has a anti-climatic feel to it, somehow...

3) rebuild all recent back issues through trade paperbacks

If this actually ever happened to me, it would be a blessing in disguise, since I would estimate half of my collection is filler and nostalgia is the only thing keeping me from bringing it to the recycler's every week.

[nubly]

....That's what insurance is for,and if you had the books I did ( and quite a bit of you probably do ! ) you'd insure them too.Aside from that I'd still be depressed. :(

are you talking about home insurance? i dont own a home yet. do they charge extra?

[jam37wcc]

I would just keep buying my regular issues every week and not bother buying old stuff.

[mgs]

It would suck. I'd be the saddest person I know. I'd be forever depressed b/c i get a lot of indies which i would not be able to get, easily/or ever, again.

btw,
Tehy'll eat any paper.
They can get thru comic bags. Tehy dont eat plastic, & Ive never heard of them crawling into a bag. Keep em taped & you shouldnt have to worry.
i caught some on my books, not comic, thank goodness, and put said books in zip lock bags, sealed em up, and presto! in a few days, no more bugs.

[Mars]

I'd probably just re-collect every Deadpool then go from there...

[Forefinger]

trades, like most. some of the best series still aren't all in trade form. I'd miss out. I wouldn't start collecting monthly again. It would be all trades.

[AlanScott606]

I would keep collecting as I have done 3 different times in the past. I have had to sell my comic's twice and had a rather large collection stolen. Each time I was out of comic's for awhile but I just can't stay away. As lonf as the stories are good I will be reading.