Does Anyone Use Comic Base?

[Huh?]

Hey guys and gals,

I was wondering if any of you have any experience with Comic Base? I am really considering buying their Archive Edition, but I would like some third party opinions before I shell out $300. So, anyone used this?

For those who are unfamiliar, Comic Base is a comic database program with pricing info, pictures and inventory capability for comic collectors. It will create checklists for anything you can think of (or so they claim), and has info on more than 225,000 individual comics. The link to the site is: http://www.comicbase.com

Thanks, for any help you can give.

[founder81]

$300 sounds way to pricey for what pen, paper, and a few minutes can do.

[Huh?]

$300 sounds way to pricey for what pen, paper, and a few minutes can do.Well, I have like 4000 comics, and I want all of the credits, condition info and a picture of the book so that I don't have to keep going back to the boxes to remember what the hell they looked like. That kind of info would take me hundreds of hours for me to compile so this program saves me all of that time. Also, the program has current price data on all of the issue that the database contains. I have done a lot of research on similar programs, and this one is at least 10 times as good.

[_ender]

You bring up some interesting points, Huh?

I looked at Comicbase for a bit, back when I had my initial 'cataloging' bug to get my collection into a database of some sort. $300 is a big wad to swallow all at once, and my other concern had to do with updates. I mean, new comics come out every week, right? So, how do they deal with that, after you've paid your $300?

Granted, this may not be a concern with collectors who only deal in back issues, but what about those of us that still buy new?

Anyway, I had a look into Collectorz Comic Collector (http://www.collectorz.com/comic/) software, since the price was more realistic for my budget. Granted, you'll have to enter ALL of the information, including scanning your books, but when considering the old time VS money equation, I've got more time than money. Besides, it also addresses my concern about cataloging new comics, as you can add them as you get them.

Finding the time to do everything it takes to catalog your collection using this software is pretty hard, but I look at it this way; as you finish one series at a time, you'll slowly but surely work your way through them. Not to mention, you'll also get a chance to handle all those old favorites again. ;)

Everyone has their own system of keeping track of their collections...and some don't even bother, but, I think that being able to at least try all the software out there, to find the right fit, is the most important thing. I think it would be nice if Comicbase would at least offer some sort of trial, so that you could get a feel for the product. As I've said before though, I think their product is geared far more to back issue collectors.

[Huh?]

You bring up some interesting points, Huh?

I looked at Comicbase for a bit, back when I had my initial 'cataloging' bug to get my collection into a database of some sort. $300 is a big wad to swallow all at once, and my other concern had to do with updates. I mean, new comics come out every week, right? So, how do they deal with that, after you've paid your $300?

Granted, this may not be a concern with collectors who only deal in back issues, but what about those of us that still buy new?

Anyway, I had a look into Collectorz Comic Collector (http://www.collectorz.com/comic/) software, since the price was more realistic for my budget. Granted, you'll have to enter ALL of the information, including scanning your books, but when considering the old time VS money equation, I've got more time than money. Besides, it also addresses my concern about cataloging new comics, as you can add them as you get them.

Finding the time to do everything it takes to catalog your collection using this software is pretty hard, but I look at it this way; as you finish one series at a time, you'll slowly but surely work your way through them. Not to mention, you'll also get a chance to handle all those old favorites again. ;)

Everyone has their own system of keeping track of their collections...and some don't even bother, but, I think that being able to at least try all the software out there, to find the right fit, is the most important thing. I think it would be nice if Comicbase would at least offer some sort of trial, so that you could get a feel for the product. As I've said before though, I think their product is geared far more to back issue collectors.I actually bought the Collectorz program. I liked it at first, but the labor involved is so overbearing that I can't even put in as much as I am buying new each month. I may just spend the extra money on Comic Base because I don't have the time required to put all that information in myself.

Also, comic base now has a downloadable trial version which is pretty cool. You should check it out.

[_ender]

I actually bought the Collectorz program. I liked it at first, but the labor involved is so overbearing that I can't even put in as much as I am buying new each month. I may just spend the extra money on Comic Base because I don't have the time required to put all that information in myself.

Also, comic base now has a downloadable trial version which is pretty cool. You should check it out.

Really? I had just checked over their site when I was writing my reply, and I didn't see a trial download anywhere... :confused:

Can you post a link? I may wander back over there again as well, and see if I can find it.

[CurryStick]

.......... i tried the trial, meh. It's alright. I'm still on the lookout for a program that I can database all my comics with. I'm thinking of just writing my own ASP database.

[Huh?]

Really? I had just checked over their site when I was writing my reply, and I didn't see a trial download anywhere... :confused:

Can you post a link? I may wander back over there again as well, and see if I can find it.Look toward the bottom of this page: http://www.comicbase.com/product_info.asp

[Chad Anderson]

I used to use ComicBase and was pretty happy with it (at least until they stopped updating Macintosh versions :(). That said, the last version I had crashed pretty badly on me a couple of times, to the point where I was losing data I had just inputted (and I was really bad about keeping up with that, so when I lost the results of an input, it resulted in a lot of lost effort). Not sure if that was a Mac-specific problem at all related to their decision to discontinue the Mac version. I've since given up and just switched to putting all my collection info (basically the issues I own, no creator info) all in a Word file (I was able to export the data I did have).

I didn't use a lot of the bells and whistles of the program (which is probably why I stopped using it), but being able to calculate how many comics you have (and how many from each publisher), the (supposed) value of your collection, the condition of every issue, and being able to generate want lists (they had just added the ability to download them to PDAs when I stopped using the program) was pretty appealing.

I will say that their customer service and technical support were excellent. Peter Bickford (who I think wrote the program) once e-mailed me from his sickbed to answer a goofy technical question I had.

While it's not the cheapest program around, I think it's a pretty good little product, and if you're interested in having someone else give you the info on comics to save you some inputting, it's a good idea, though I found that (at least a few years ago), the data on more obscure titles left something to be desired. Not a big problem, though. Hope that helps.

[Angel of Death]

I just ordered the Giant Sized Archive Edition on 2 DVDs. The program automatically updates itself with newly printed issues, all the info sans the cover art.

This new Giant Sized version 10.0 also has bar code scanning. They have a scanner they say works perfectly with their program on the site for $120 but I found it at http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?T1=133+0356&dept=&search=&child= for $86.50 shipped:

http://images.cyberguys.com/images/prod_main/P9984A.jpg

Good stuff, I can't wait to get it in the mail!

[T GUy]

I don't recall hearing of Comicbase, but at the moment I'm using Realms of Wonder to catalogue my collection. I'm still on the free trial and, IIRR, if I decide to go live with it or whatever the expression is, it'll cost me the princely sum of $15 (free trial goes up to a max of 200 issues, IIRR).

[shaxper]

Ditto on Realms of Wonder (http://www.realmsofwonder.com).

The information isn't anywhere near as complete on each issue, but the cost is practically non-existant, you get free price and issue information updates for life (available instantly through the web), and the designer is very quick to respond to e-mails, either to fix problems or hear suggestions for improvement on the next version (upgrades to new versions are also free for life).

So Realms is less complete, but it keeps everything up to date and does so for free once you pay the $15 for the full version.

[The Shadow]

Anyway, I had a look into Collectorz Comic Collector (http://www.collectorz.com/comic/) software, since the price was more realistic for my budget. Granted, you'll have to enter ALL of the information, including scanning your books, but when considering the old time VS money equation, I've got more time than money. Besides, it also addresses my concern about cataloging new comics, as you can add them as you get them.
That's the one I use.

I don't mind it at all... in fact I enjoy putting them into the database. I don't use scans on the new stuff... it takes up memory QUICKLY because you have to store the images on your computer... but I do scan the older stuff.

I have 22,000 comics... 20k of which are 3000 miles away right now... so I have only done the 2,000 I have accumulated in the last 3 years.

[shaxper]

That's the one I use.

I don't mind it at all... in fact I enjoy putting them into the database. I don't use scans on the new stuff... it takes up memory QUICKLY because you have to store the images on your computer... but I do scan the older stuff.

I have 22,000 comics... 20k of which are 3000 miles away right now... so I have only done the 2,000 I have accumulated in the last 3 years.

I couldn't imagine paying for a program that doesn't provide cover scans itself :(

[Angel of Death]

I couldn't imagine paying for a program that doesn't provide cover scans itself :(

That was pretty much the clincher for Comicbase, plus the bar code scanner will be infinitely useful since at least 70% of my collection is from within the last 15 years.

[The Shadow]

I couldn't imagine paying for a program that doesn't provide cover scans itself :(
Who says I paid for it?

;)

[The Shadow]

a program that doesn't provide cover scans itself
Oh, one other thing... the benefit to NOT having scans provided is when I look at my VF- scan of Avengers #4... I KNOW it's mine and not some random image selected for me... I can see EXACTLY what's in my collection.

AND I also choose what issues I have. I don't need a scan of Action Comics #644... because the odds of ever looking it up are thin to begin with... and I can always scan it later!

[Agentum]

Who says I paid for it?

;)
Is it easy to use, do you have to put in all info yourself?
I wish there where possible to just put in basic infos one time and then just put the issuenumbers on the rest of the books, i don't care for every individual book, but i like to see what i have, i don't care for price och grade and such.
All the programs i have tried had a lot of things i had to fill in for every issue.

[lead sharp]

I've got boxes and pens and paper.

I flick through the issues and covers I've forgotten are a pleasent (if minor) suprise.

Unless your setting up a shop (online specificly) I really don't see the point in a database for comics.

[Agentum]

Well it's nice to see what you is missing, i can't possible know all the books i have.
And i have a big problem, i only have a couple of comic boxes, the rest of them are in big piles:D
I can't get boxes either, to expensive to mail them anyway.

I'm thinking maybe i can build some of wood or anything:D

I i had a box for most titles it would have been a lot easier to see what comics i have.
I have a pretty good memory but thousands of comics books is too much to remember.

[shaxper]

That was pretty much the clincher for Comicbase, plus the bar code scanner will be infinitely useful since at least 70% of my collection is from within the last 15 years.

But most comics haven't had barcodes in over a decade (unless you have newsstand editions).

[shaxper]

Oh, one other thing... the benefit to NOT having scans provided is when I look at my VF- scan of Avengers #4... I KNOW it's mine and not some random image selected for me... I can see EXACTLY what's in my collection.


I suppose I see your point, but if I really wanted to know what my copy looked liked badly enough, I'd just walk across the room and pull it out. I really just use the cover scans as references, I can indicate specific condition in a description field on Realms.



AND I also choose what issues I have. I don't need a scan of Action Comics #644... because the odds of ever looking it up are thin to begin with... and I can always scan it later!

Unlike Comic Base, Realms doesn't pre-install all that unnecessary data. It only downloads scans and info for issues you own (unless you tell it to do otherwise).

[nightscream]

I'm not sure if any one has heard of Pro-Comic 2006 but they offer everything that comic base pretty much offers, and you can instantly upload the image of your comic from their database. Also it only cost thirty something dollors. Here is a link that will tell you everything you need to know. I use it and it is a great program that I would most defintly reccomend. With all the updates and any comics universe you desire.

http://www.mwpsoftware.com/procomic/ProComicHome.do

[shaxper]

I'm not sure if any one has heard of Pro-Comic 2006 but they offer everything that comic base pretty much offers, and you can instantly upload the image of your comic from their database. Also it only cost thirty something dollors. Here is a link that will tell you everything you need to know. I use it and it is a great program that I would most defintly reccomend. With all the updates and any comics universe you desire.

http://www.mwpsoftware.com/procomic/ProComicHome.do

Suspicious advertisement from someone who just signed up today and made this his only post...

[nightscream]

Lol..Why is that suspicious? I dont log on very often due to the fact that I am in the field working 16 hours a day for the Air Force. Just thought my suggestion could be helpful. Maybe a cheaper alternative to software is suspicious but for me it works and I dont have to pay 300 dollors.

[shaxper]

Lol..Why is that suspicious? I dont log on very often due to the fact that I am in the field working 16 hours a day for the Air Force. Just thought my suggestion could be helpful. Maybe a cheaper alternative to software is suspicious but for me it works and I dont have to pay 300 dollors.

It generally helps if you get involved in the community before endorsing a product.

[nightscream]

Why does that help? If I use the product and know that it is a quality product, what difference does it make that I am new to the community?

[shaxper]

Because then it looks like you're being paid by the company to come here and advertise it, pretending to be a normal user. Unfortunately, companies do this all the time. Some people that are paid to do this will even monitor the thread and reply, denying that they came to the board just to promote the product. But those people never post in any other threads and never come back once the topic dies down.

In short, how can we trust that you're not one of these people until you start involving yourself in the community?

[nightscream]

Well I came across the community looking for storage cabinets for my comic book store. I was searching for Comic software, this forum came up and I read it. I had already had experience with Comic base before becasue they offer you a discount if you send them one of your units hats or coins. Well the discount was not enough. So I searched for more software and came across pro-comic, which is by a company that makes other collection software, and downloaded the trial. It worked just as good as comic base and it was cheaper. But to actually trust me well that's up to you. I work for the United States Air Force, and not some software company. So really to say you cannot trust a person that had dedicated their life to defending the nation is really a slap in the face to me. Trust me or not, i really dont care because I know I have integrity.

[Jolly Mon]

Well I came across the community looking for storage cabinets for my comic book store. I was searching for Comic software, this forum came up and I read it. I had already had experience with Comic base before becasue they offer you a discount if you send them one of your units hats or coins. Well the discount was not enough. So I searched for more software and came across pro-comic, which is by a company that makes other collection software, and downloaded the trial. It worked just as good as comic base and it was cheaper. But to actually trust me well that's up to you. I work for the United States Air Force, and not some software company. So really to say you cannot trust a person that had dedicated their life to defending the nation is really a slap in the face to me. Trust me or not, i really dont care because I know I have integrity.

In fairness, shaxper has a point. Someone new shows up and all of his posts are about a product he is recommending. And maybe you're in the Air Force, maybe not, we don't know. And as you know (and I know well being ex-military), being in the military is not a guarantee of being trustworthy or having integrity. So don't play the patriotic card, it has nothing to do with this discussion.

[shaxper]

I work for the United States Air Force, and not some software company. So really to say you cannot trust a person that had dedicated their life to defending the nation is really a slap in the face to me. Trust me or not, i really dont care because I know I have integrity.

1. How would I have known you're in the millitary? No, I don't bother to check the profiles of each and every person I talk to online.

2. The fact that you say you're in the millitary doesn't prove you're in the millitary. The whole point of this discussion is that we have no basis for believing you're what you say you are. MANY scammers claim to work in the military in an attempt to use people's sense of patriotism to guilt them into trusting them. You just did that.

3. As Jolly Mon has pointed out, there are plenty of people who serve in the millitary that have integrity and plenty that don't. Some people join the millitary to save lives and others do it to shoot things. What a person does for a living is rarely (if ever) a way of determining their character and trustworthiness, regardless of how self-sacrificing that living may be. No offense to the noble people that serve this country's armed forces for the best of reasons, but not everyone serving in the millitary is one of those people.

4. Let me just point out that it's been nearly a full day since you've joined, you've logged in at least three times since to reply to this thread, and you've still yet to post anywhere else in the CBR community. You're only making yourself look more suspicious.


So maybe you are an honorable guy putting himself on the line every day to defend us at home who just wants to talk about his favorite comic book software and maybe you're not. This isn't about millitary service nor your integrity (nor mine). I told you your post was suspicious and, when you asked me why, I told you. That's it.

[nightscream]

Well I can see where your coming from. Either way im not trying to sell anything, just thought I could help. So lets move on to a different topic of disscussion if I seem to be suspicious. Then maybe I can prove myself worthy to be in this community. I am just a comic fan like everybody else. Sorry if I seemed otherwise I didnt know the rules of dicussion in a forum so i will not recommend a product again.

[Aaron Kashtan]

All right, enough of this. Let's get back on topic.

In future, please remember that: A) if a new poster's first post is a testimonial for a product, then it does look like the poster is spamming, but B) it is the moderators who are responsible for identifying and removing spam.

Welcome to CBR, nightscream.

[nightscream]

I apoligize for causing any problems guys. Just had a new baby and she's my first I kinda get high strung with no sleep. Didnt mean to make anyone upset. No hard feelings?

[shaxper]

None at all, and congratulations.

Now, to get this thread back on topic, has anyone tried using ComicsPriceGuide.com (http://www.comicspriceguide.com/members/m-publrs.asp)? I used the free version for a while and it looks like a good system, but it was too expensive for my taste and I wasn't sure how reliable their pricing was.

[scratchie]

Now, to get this thread back on topic, has anyone tried using ComicsPriceGuide.com (http://www.comicspriceguide.com/members/m-publrs.asp)? I used the free version for a while and it looks like a good system, but it was too expensive for my taste and I wasn't sure how reliable their pricing was.
I haven't used their software to track my collection, but I have used their pricing information.

I think that their prices may be more accurate than Overstreet's. Obviously, this is a tough call, since many (most?) comic shops simply base their prices on Overstreet, so instead of tracking prices, Overstreet sets them.

But, in the new Age of Internets, I think that CPG may be better at tracking the actual price that things are selling for on Ebay.

One thing that really annoys me about Overstreet is their policy of never pricing anything below the current price of a new comic. The vast majority of comics published in the last 20 years are worth maybe 25c - 50c, but Overstreet insists on "valuing" (sic) them at a minimum of $2.50 or $2.99.

CPG doesn't do this, and will value comics down to the "quarter bin" level.

More importantly, their prices seem a little more realistic on "just regular comics" from the 70s (my area of interest), whereas many of Overstreet's values seem kind of high, based on arbitrary criteria that may have made a particular book more valueable once, ten years ago. Conversely, they seem to track the increase in price for "hot" books like the X-Men or Kirby books a little more accurately as well.

[founder81]

What scratchie says makes alot of sense and I agree with it, but how does CPG calculate its values?

Overstreet has "advisors", while that may or may not be shady, at least you know where the prices are coming from.

[shaxper]

I haven't used their software to track my collection, but I have used their pricing information.

I think that their prices may be more accurate than Overstreet's. Obviously, this is a tough call, since many (most?) comic shops simply base their prices on Overstreet, so instead of tracking prices, Overstreet sets them.

But, in the new Age of Internets, I think that CPG may be better at tracking the actual price that things are selling for on Ebay.

One thing that really annoys me about Overstreet is their policy of never pricing anything below the current price of a new comic. The vast majority of comics published in the last 20 years are worth maybe 25c - 50c, but Overstreet insists on "valuing" (sic) them at a minimum of $2.50 or $2.99.

CPG doesn't do this, and will value comics down to the "quarter bin" level.

More importantly, their prices seem a little more realistic on "just regular comics" from the 70s (my area of interest), whereas many of Overstreet's values seem kind of high, based on arbitrary criteria that may have made a particular book more valueable once, ten years ago. Conversely, they seem to track the increase in price for "hot" books like the X-Men or Kirby books a little more accurately as well.

I definitely agree that Overstreet has lost much of its potency in recent years, both because it won't drop below cover price and because it isn't keeping up with ebay and other internet transactions (which probably account for a large percentage of total back issue transactions in the market today). I also agree that Overstreet sets the prices more than it reflects them, but even this is begining to change. More and more, I see sellers at conventions basing their prices on ebay. Like it or not, it's happening, and Overstreet is missing the boat on this.

I too would like to know how CPG is keeping track of prices, if anyone knows.

[founder81]

IMore and more, I see sellers at conventions basing their prices on ebay. Like it or not, it's happening, and Overstreet is missing the boat on this.


I love the Irony in this. I've heard more then once "This isn't Ebay, you don't like my price, then go to Ebay". I love it. Oh man...it feels so great that enough people did go to ebay...

[vertigoshy]

First of...yes...I'm new...my first post. Got led here searching for reviews on ComicBase. No...I'm not promoting any product. Just wanted to say that I just went to the ComicBase site...they do in fact have a demo version that I am downloading as I type this. They also have a new product called ComicBase Express, which sells for $39.95 for the download. I've also downloaded trial versions of Collectorz's Comic Collector and Pro-Comic. Will probably compare and will think twice about posting my thoughts...hehe.

[nightscream]

First of...yes...I'm new...my first post. Got led here searching for reviews on ComicBase. No...I'm not promoting any product. Just wanted to say that I just went to the ComicBase site...they do in fact have a demo version that I am downloading as I type this. They also have a new product called ComicBase Express, which sells for $39.95 for the download. I've also downloaded trial versions of Collectorz's Comic Collector and Pro-Comic. Will probably compare and will think twice about posting my thoughts...hehe.

Yeah dont feel bad I did the same thing. I came across the forum searching for comic software and comparing prices and recommened using Pro-comic and everybody went crazy saying I was from the company trying to sell it. I guess you have to learn the "rules" of forums before you post something. So i had to learn. Ha ha

[nightscream]

So has anyone used Comic Base Express yet? And if you have is it any good? Worth Buying or should I buy the whole program?

[Angel of Death]

So has anyone used Comic Base Express yet? And if you have is it any good? Worth Buying or should I buy the whole program?

I bought it and liked it. I wish it were A LOT less than $300 though. It does have a surprisingly large amount of covers and they DO HELP A LOT when I'm trying to figure out which volume is wich (they don't always).

Erik

[greenulysses]

I actually bought the Collectorz program. I liked it at first, but the labor involved is so overbearing that I can't even put in as much as I am buying new each month. I may just spend the extra money on Comic Base because I don't have the time required to put all that information in myself.

Also, comic base now has a downloadable trial version which is pretty cool. You should check it out.

I have been using Comic Collector (the Collectorz program) and you're right, the labor is a drag. However, I received an email from the company recently, wherein its promoting CC 3.0, which will automatically download all comic data from our new online comic database (including the cover image, publisher, date, credits, characters, etc....). So, if the labor is the only thing that put you off, you may want to check out the new version. I haven't yet, but will probably in the near future.

[shaxper]

Yeah dont feel bad I did the same thing. I came across the forum searching for comic software and comparing prices and recommened using Pro-comic and everybody went crazy saying I was from the company trying to sell it. I guess you have to learn the "rules" of forums before you post something. So i had to learn. Ha ha

"Everyone" was me, and no one went "crazy". I said it looked suspicious, you asked why, I told you, and you started invoking military service, talking about being slapped in the face and, essentially, "going crazy". Don't blow the situation out of context to make yourself look better. This is an excellent community and it doesn't deserve to be slandered by a pair of self-rightious newbies because someone questioned your credibility in endorsing a product. These are very friendly, easy going people who don't "go crazy" when people don't "learn 'the rules' of forums." Please have a little respect for the community, even if you insist on backtracking to your altercation with me.

I thought we left this all behind and had returned to the topic at hand. Let's please do that.

[Aaron Kashtan]

All right, let's get back on topic. Further posts in this vein will be deleted.

[nightscream]

"Everyone" was me, and no one went "crazy". I said it looked suspicious, you asked why, I told you, and you started invoking military service, talking about being slapped in the face and, essentially, "going crazy". Don't blow the situation out of context to make yourself look better. This is an excellent community and it doesn't deserve to be slandered by a pair of self-rightious newbies because someone questioned your credibility in endorsing a product. These are very friendly, easy going people who don't "go crazy" when people don't "learn 'the rules' of forums." Please have a little respect for the community, even if you insist on backtracking to your altercation with me.

I thought we left this all behind and had returned to the topic at hand. Let's please do that.

I am sorry I didnt really mean to invoke any bad feelings, I was just generalizing and you are right the people here are good people. All of that is still behind us. So keeping with that I apoligize again. I didnt realize at the time I was slandering the community. So therfore I withdrawl my previous statement, and give my public apoligies to the community.

[Angel of Death]

Back on subject, I still like the program.

And Pete from Human Computing IS THE MAN!

They're running a deal where if you're in the military, and send in a unit coin, or unit hat or unit polo shirt, you'll get a good chunk off the $300.

I emailed him to say I just paid retail before the promotion, and he said send in the polo anyways and we'll hook you up big time when the next Archive Edition comes out.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!

Pete's the man, Human Computing rules, and I'm a happy Marine.

Erik

ps $300 still hurts though.

[Immortalthor]

I've used a couple of different programs, but currently I'm using Comicbase. Probably more than anything else, it depends mostly on how many books you have and what you're wanting out of it.

I've used a couple of the programs where you have to enter the data, but didn't really care for that. For about a year or so, I was using www.comicspriceguide.com, and they were alright, but I didn't like the attitude I got from the staff. Plus a lot of time, the site itself is really slow. If you've got a comic that's not listed, you have to submit it to them to add to the system before you can add it to your collection. At one point, after three weeks, and my book still hadn't been added, I posted a message asking about it, they basically told me that most of them there do it for fun and in their off time. Well pardon me, but if I'm paying for something, you're now a business. After that, I pretty much quit using them. I still go there for references and things, but not to track my collection. Plus recently, they went through and actually deleted a lot of their cover scans, and want the users to resupply them. To me, that's a big step backwards. Comicbase is kind of costly, but what I did was get an older version off of Ebay for about $10, then just paid for the upgrade, which was $150. I got the Super-Mega Deluxe Double DVD version with the 11gig of covers. And I love it! I like the interface, I like the layout, I get updates on data and prices, which they're pretty much doing twice a week now. And the service from the staff is awesome. I've gotten almost immediate answers to every question, even the stupid ones.

But as I said, more than anything else, I say it depends on how many books you have. If you've only got 1000 books or less, then Comicbase probably isn't worth the money. You could get by on one of the smaller programs, or even put it in a Spreadsheet or Access Database. Access was what I was using at the beginning until my collection got too big. I've got more than 10,000 books, so I need something that can handle that, and that I can add stuff to on my time, not someone else's.

[Angel of Death]

ComicBase now available in Blu-ray format

The latest version of comic-book collection management software ComicBase will be released with a Blu-ray format DVD featuring more than 150,000 comics cover images from the 1800s to today.

ComicBase developer and Human Computing President Peter Bickford, said he's been following the development of the format with eager enthusiasm -- and now relief. "This was a natural for us," he said. "After years of waiting, we're finally able to offer our massive library of full-color images without heavy compression, letting our customers view them at the same size, sharpness, and clarity that we do in-house. Best of all, the Blu-ray format lets our customers just pop in a single disk, and have the entire library at their fingertips, so they can simply wave their mouse over the listings, of say, Superman, and have each cover from the past 60 years pop into view as they look at each issue’s information."

The ComicBase Blu-ray Archive Edition is available at the company's website retailing for $399, which includes both a year of downloadable price and title updates, as well as four Blu-ray-based updates to the picture library, delivered quarterly. ComicBase is also available in other formats, including the $39.95 ComicBase Express, the 2-CD, $129.95 Professional Edition, and the 2-DVD, $299.00 Archive Edition.


--CBGXTRA.COM

[Hohlraum]

I purchased CB11 Pro recently. If I could send it back I would. Its slow, buggy and entirely non-intuitive design, IMO. The only redeeming factor is the data itself which can be impressive. CB11 features weekly updates which require redownloading a 10 meg file which takes about 5-10 minutes to process. I've made the software crash just clicking around about 3 times in the last week. Also if you aren't careful with the reports you get to sit around and wait while it churns through all 20 bazillion comics to include in that report. I've been writing database driven applications for over a decade and maybe I'm a being a bit critical, but for the money I expected something MUCH more professional. I think the saddest thing of all is that this software is the best there is to offer. Even more depressing is that since I paid the 100 bucks for this software I'm going force myself to keep using it until my year of "free updates" expires and hopefully the Collectorz.com Comic Book data (community supported now and you just put in the title and it downloads all the information) is more complete (its damn near there for modern stuff already).

[abw1977]

I've seen it a few times now but what happens afterwards hasn't been covered...

Does anyone know what happens after a year worth of free downloads is up?

Can you just buy the weekly/monthly downloads or are your forced to update to a new version?

Also does anyone know if the comicspriceguide.com ‘application’ can be used offline and also if you can perform your own backups of the data you've entered?

[Hohlraum]

Your downloads expire after one year. After they expire you have to upgrade to the new release (for example if you were upgrading from 10 to 11 it would have cost you 100 bucks). If you are going to buy a version of ComicBase I'd recommend getting Archive because I think it has covers for just about all the issues. Professional has a single cover for each title (usually the #1 issue). So $299 (you can find it cheaper through resellers) plus $99 per year (or whatever HC decides) forever after.

For now though I'd probably just recommend collectorz.com. The barcode support is overrated unless you're going to use ComicBase as a basic point of sale system for a comic shop.

[abw1977]

So $299 (you can find it cheaper through resellers) plus $99 per year (or whatever HC decides) forever after.

Yeah, I’ve seen it ‘much’ cheaper through resellers. Including seeing it with a barcode scanner for less than ‘cover price’ but its still a heavy pill to shallow… (Not the cost of updates so much as the base cost to get in.)


For now though I'd probably just recommend collectorz.com. The barcode support is overrated unless you're going to use ComicBase as a basic point of sale system for a comic shop.
Thanks! I’ll certainly give it a try! (Though probably not today as I should be sleeping right now… I work nights.)

[abw1977]

Okay, I'm looking at collecterz.com's program now but I’m not seeing how to make it update the current value of the comic… and I’m guessing this is something I would have to track, and update, on my own? :(

[GrandOldMan]

I agree that $300 seems steep. I have used ComicBase since edition 4 and, frankly edition 12 is mind boggling. I pay about $100 every three yrs or so for an upgrade. It (ComicBase Archive) is awesome but it really is for people that have an extensive collection. Between my son and I, we have over 7000 comics, so this database is exactly what we need. Combine that with a hand held bar code scanner, and you can't beat it. Be advised that this is a resources hog. I currently have an old HP Pavilion with 286 memory and it can take 1/2 just to close. I am upgrading to 2g and will get back to you as to any performance enhancement. I can say that their support is exceptional and have rarely had long wait times. One upgrade, I had a bad CD and they fedexed me a new one, no questions asked.

Grand

[monkinabus]

Maybe I missed it but has anyone used the free version found here http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/GetOrganized.aspx through "Comic Collector Live."

I'm looking for an easy but cheap way to track my collection.
Thanks!

[xrcst]

Hey guys and gals,

I was wondering if any of you have any experience with Comic Base? I am really considering buying their Archive Edition, but I would like some third party opinions before I shell out $300. So, anyone used this?

For those who are unfamiliar, Comic Base is a comic database program with pricing info, pictures and inventory capability for comic collectors. It will create checklists for anything you can think of (or so they claim), and has info on more than 225,000 individual comics. The link to the site is: http://www.comicbase.com

Thanks, for any help you can give.

I tried that program and I just didnt like how it organized the issues within the title. I currently use something from this site http://www.collectorz.com/comic/
In the past i have also used comicspriceguide.com

Just give them all a try, i think they all have demos and see what fits your needs best, thats what I did.

And to set someoene straight, collectorz.com does have most of the comics already scanned in with general info, credits about the comic. Or at least it has for every comic ive added.

[shaxper]

Maybe I missed it but has anyone used the free version found here http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/GetOrganized.aspx through "Comic Collector Live."

I'm looking for an easy but cheap way to track my collection.
Thanks!

I can't tell from the site. Is that a free demo or a free full version? If it's the full version, then where's the catch?

[Aaron King]

It's a full version. I used it for awhile but I didn't really like it . I think they make money through ads on the program. They also have an attached marketplace and I assume they charge for its use (I never used the marketplace).

I didn't really like the program. It was clunkly and slow and I felt like I couldn't adjust it to fit my needs very well.

[monkinabus]

Yeah, I think it's the full version too. Thanks for the insight on it being "clunky." I recently am using the free version of comic base. We'll see how it goes. I've got way more than 500 books though:rolleyes:

[The Confessor]

I just started using this and it seems pretty good. Its all online, so you don't have to install anything. It lets you label issues with multiple labels and add pricing and notes and bunch of other stuff. I think its a new site.
http://www.comicsinventory.com



Seems a lot like www.stashmycomics.com, which I use myself.

Can't tell whether it's better or worse though without using it. Online comics inventory applications are infinitely more preferable to me than having software installed on my computer for the job.

Although I should point out that stashmycomics can be excruciatingly slow sometimes.

[The Confessor]

Yeah I used use stashmycomics.com also. But the site was just too slow.
ComicsInventory.com (http://www.ComicsInventory.com) seems way faster. Plus its free :smile:


OK, can anybody else in here smell...

http://i43.tinypic.com/iz3gv6.jpg




Jeez...I'm so gulible. I can't believe I answered his first post totally seriously. :redface:

[Drusilla lives!]

...
Jeez...I'm so gulible. I can't believe I answered his first post totally seriously. :redface:

You mean to tell me you don't know yet that the CBR forums are one big shill palace? :)

For shame Confessor, for shame. :)

[Spider681]

I was just responding to your post. Sorry if you thought it was spam.

[hondobrode]

I've got version 11, the generation prior to the latest version, Atlas. It's probably the best program out there and is amazing in its capabilities. The things it's missing are inker credits, cover credits, and being able to list your runs as a group to sell on their sister site, Atomic Avenue, their alternative to listing on eBay. I haven't listed anything there yet but I'm planning on it.

There are a couple of different versions available. I got the deluxe one mostly because it had more cover scans.

Highly highly recommended. If you serious about comics, this should be on your computer.

Oh yeah, I don't have it yet, but it can be downloaded to your iPhone, Palm, Blackberry, etc. I have a company furnished Centro so I'm not sure I'll be putting it on that, but probably my old Treo.

[kcfike]

2010-I've been using this program for years. It has several features that would be extremely valuable for a true comic collector. they're now up to version 14...it gets better every update. I am a user-customer, not an employee. i love this program so much that on May 1st 2010 i am demonstrating the use of this program to the local community of comic collectors on Free Comic Book day in North Syracuse New York at Bullseye's. I am pleased to be able to do this. Yes, the sticker shock is a bit hard to handle, however, you get what you pay for.
check out youtube and enter "comicbase" and watch a short video of the program at the 2009 comic con.

[GreatLakesAvengers]

I've been thinking of ordering ComicBase, myself. The opportunity to load my "for-sale" books onto atomicavenue.com is a really large selling-point for me.

I've used atomicavenue and have had email correspondence with Peter Bickford and he's always seemed like a nice and helpful guy. So, that's also a plus when I consider the $300 price tag.

Do any of these other programs/sites mentioned have an online marketplace capability?

[hondobrode]

I've had the program, ComicBase, for a few years now, and am still inputting issues into it for sale on AtomicAvenue.com. Yes, that's a very cool feature.

Can't speak definitively, but I don't think other comic software has that.

There's definitely less expensive software, but if you are hardcore, like I am, this is the program for you.

[Randy Box]

I've been buying Comic Base since version 4 sporadically. It wasn't until version 12 that I actually inputted my comics into it. It finally got to the point that it was what I needed as far as info about the comics. I've had a couple of problems with it over the years, but an email to Pete and the problems were solved. I especially like the bar code scanner application and the ease of finding comics that I need on Atomic Avenue. As long as you back up your database to a separate hard drive (I use a flash drive and an external), if your computer crashes, it's a quick fix. More and more info gets updated every week, also.

[Ozymandas]

I just combed through this thread to see what my options are. I've got 60+ longboxes that currently aren't inventoried at all and only about 45 boxes worth are even alphabetized so I've got my work cut out for me. Plus 7 or boxes worth of "recent" stuff has to be bagged. Oh boy.

Anyway, I've opened all links in different windows and am going to check them out in a bit. I haven't tried any yet and have nothing to endorse. I just thought somebody might find it handy to have this stuff collected in one post so here you go:

http://www.collectorz.com/comic/

http://www.comicbase.com/mycb/products/products.aspx

http://www.realmsofwonder.com/realmtop.htm

http://www.comicspriceguide.com/default.asp

http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/GetOrganized.aspx

http://www.stashmycomics.com/

http://www.comicsinventory.com/

[UltimateVenom]

I've been using the free database at Comic Book DB (http://www.comicbookdb.com) to inventory my stuff. I'm not sure how other websites are, but it lets you add batches, which comes in handy when you have full runs.

There isn't any program to download or install, everything is online; the only gripe is that you have to enter everything manually like condition, price, etc. I do like how I can enter in the price I paid for it (for personal reference). The listings are user editable, so if you see an error or is a book doesn't have credits you can add them yourself.

[Kumar]

I used Comic Base several years back and didn't particularly like it. There was some issue with the picture installer with XP that I found highly annoying, and never got it to work properly. Also, their listings of undergrounds seemed lacking (as I recall), which made me wonder what else they were missing.

Of course, I would imagine that they have fixed these problems by now, but my collection is actually getting smaller not bigger, and my needs are for something much smaller and cheaper.

KS

[RedMtl]

I will elaborate further when I have more time, but in short and in reply to several posted questions, I would like to say that ComicBase has been used by me for several years. It is a buggy programme, has several major flaws and I personally would not recommend it to anyone.

Since a comment without support is not very helpful, I will list just a few of the problems here. And, I'll start with the basic, simple, ones.

1. The latest version took three days to fully load, on a computer with plenty of RAM and HD space. There is nothing which is not on the computer in question -- i.e. the picture files are not stored elsewhere, for example.

2. In a like vein, the weekly updates can on some occasions take hours to load fully. Even when they work well, it takes a minimum of 90 minutes.

3. In the "Edit" dropdown menu, like in many programmes, there is an "undo" option. Note, this option does not work, and never has worked in any version of the programme I've handled. So, if you accidentally erase something, and aren't sure precisely what it was, it is lost forever.

4. A fundamental keyboard function does not work. Specifically, the "delete" key does not function. You can put your cursor at the end of something, and remove it one letter at a time toward the left, by using the backspace key. You cannot remove it one letter at a time toward the right. Again, this is a basic key function. It does not work.

4. The reports function for printing does not work.

5. The reports function for exporting to txt renders a blank file.

6. The search function is poor at best, and frequently downright useless.

These are just some of the irritations I've encountered over 6 years of using this programme.

Why do I still use it? It is not mine. I do the input for someone else, and even that person agrees the programme is not what it should be. However, it is not up to me to make a change, so I continue with the programme.

However, I would NEVER recommend it to anyone. It just has too many flaws and faults.

[Mikeymike]

Is anyone else having a problem with their site today ? Hoping it's not just me. I went into the program on my PC today because I have a bunch of stuff to log in but it timed out on doing it's update and since then, I haven't been able to bring up their site at all.

[Mikeymike]

Ah, wouldn't you know it---website just came up and update is working. Whew !

[Polar Bear]

Are there any apps that do all of (or any of) this, instead of having to rely on a computer program or website?

[hondobrode]

None that I know of.

Someone should make one.

ComicBase says they're looking at putting one together.

Can't say I've had any problems with mine other than the weekly updates sometimes do take a very long time.

I remember a few years ago the screen saver didn't work correctly.

[CromagnonMan]

i started an attempt to log my collection at stashmycomics.com a while ago.

i soon stopped as i found it excrutiatingly dull:cool:

[icctrombone]

What about Comic book DB ?

[Bad Wolf]

I've been a user of ComicBase for many years and I love it. I have not experienced the loading (3 days? really?) or updating problems that the user above (who apparently came here only to make the one post) did.

That said, I would not spend $300 on it, unless I was a store and could consider it a business expense. As a previous user (from the days when it was much cheaper), I've always been able to upgrade for $100-150, which I do every few years/versions. I'd recommend going with one of the cheaper, but still fully-functional, options. I believe they will still offer you a discount if you want to upgrade to a higher-end version later on.

[icctrombone]

I joined today and didn't find it user friendly.

[dumbstruck]

I'm a user of stashmycomics.com as well. Sure it takes a while to input an existing collection, but I've not had any problems with it. I find it easy to use, it includes a cover scan with basic issue info which you can also submit if it's missing. I can't speak to how accurate the price listing is though.

[Rob Allen]

The GCD is planning to introduce a feature to help people keep track of their collections. It's not much more than an idea and a name (my.comics.org) at this point, so don't hold your breath waiting. In fact, if you're a programmer who has some ideas about how to do it and is willing to do it as a volunteer, join the gcd-tech list at Google Groups.

[hondobrode]

I've been a user of ComicBase for many years and I love it. I have not experienced the loading (3 days? really?) or updating problems that the user above (who apparently came here only to make the one post) did.

That said, I would not spend $300 on it, unless I was a store and could consider it a business expense. As a previous user (from the days when it was much cheaper), I've always been able to upgrade for $100-150, which I do every few years/versions. I'd recommend going with one of the cheaper, but still fully-functional, options. I believe they will still offer you a discount if you want to upgrade to a higher-end version later on.

Yes, it's expensive, but my collection is large and I like what the program does, including the great cover scans.

Not saying that there aren't other good databases out there, but this is what I've used and liked the most.

[Bad Wolf]

The cover scans are nice; I just wish they'd do away with the censorship and just enable users to choose whether to view adult books or not. A lot of fine artwork has been ruined by their silly little bars and ribbons.

[donaldpeter58]

For those who are unfamiliar, Comic Base is a comic database program with pricing info, pictures and inventory capability for comic collectors. It will create checklists for anything you can think of (or so they claim), and has info on more than 225,000 individual comics.