Reading a collection chronologically

[Polar Bear]

I've been thinking about trying to re-read my collection (26 boxes worth, plus a bookshelf or two of trades) chronologically.

On the one hand, this has a certain appeal. I'd see the evolution of artists and artistry; I'd experience the proper chronology between Amazing/Spectacular/Marvel Team-Up or Batman/Detective; I'd get to re-experience whole months of my childhood; I'd gain a historical perspective that I currently lack; and I'd re-read every book in my collection (over a period of several years, I'd assume).

On the other hand, it seems hideously difficult. First, there's the task of figuring out what I actually own; then, using Mike's Amazing or GCBD to organize it by year and by month; and finally, there's the daunting task of reading one story each from 12 different Essentials and Showcase Presents volumes, repeatedly shuffling between them. And then, re-sorting them all alphabetically at the end... I can't imagine a way of doing this that wouldn't take uncountable hours of work.

What are your thoughts?

[CromagnonMan]

when ive done similar, i read a series in batches of between 6 - 12 issues, then switch to another series. you experience the stories that way in a more logical manner while still having the "contemporary" readers experience. the only reason i would follow issue-by-issue chronological order was if it was a multi-part story taking place over several series on an issue-by-issue basis.

[Bad Wolf]

I think it'd be more trouble than it's worth. I think it'd also make the stories feel disjointed (much like Marvel Saga did.)

[tolworthy]

I'd say choose your runs carefully! Some, like the first 20 years of the Fantastic Four, or the first five years of Spider-man or the Hulk, have superb long term continuity: you get a depth and power to the story that you will never get from reading individual issues. But others have no long term story. The worst are those that promise a deep, meaningful story but if you read them in sequence it's all a disappointing illusion. I wish I had never read the later Hulk stories in sequence. In small batches they are superb, they promise such awesome fun, but put them together and you see they are all empty promises and dangling storylines.

[pinkfloydsound17]

I would do it. My goal, once I have ASM #50-300, is to do the same.

[inferno]

Don't forget to start with Jonah Hex, since all that stuff happened 100 years before the rest.

[dupont2005]

I don't read shared universe comics but I do like reading a collection from start to finish though.

[Tekamthi]

I recently put a whole slew of comics into order, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. Going through your own collection is a good way to remember how that collection came together in the first place, how it demonstrates your changing tastes, and if you've stuck with particular characters through a number of different creator runs, how those characters have changed. It helps you get some new perspective, too, because let's face it, it's not always easy to fully appreciate something the first time around, when you're reading dozens of different stories at the same time. I'm thinking specifically of the whole "New Krypton" arc in the Superman titles from a few years back. Those are comics I know I need to reread, and I've just taken the first step to doing that. That's the kind of thing that's possible for people with crazy-large collections.

[Rob Allen]

It would be an incredible amount of effort, but I wouldn't call it work. Honestly, it sounds like a hell of a lot of fun. If you can do it, why not? Set up a system in advance so that you can break down the effort into small pieces. That way you're not faced with any single step that will take a long time. And post here about the impressions and insights you get!

[Reptisaurus!]

I read every issue of Captain America (starting with the Silver Age Tales of Suspense stories) to the 1996 reboot in order.

It was fun.

The Word Document version of my Team-Up book checklist is in chronological order.

I'd limit the project to actual, physical comic books (not reprints) if I were you. That way you're experiencing everything the same way, printing defects and ads and letter pages and all. It would still take some work, but it would be easier and.... I dunno if this is the right word, but purer.

Would be Godawful unfun with today's designed-for-collected editions comics, though. I'd also (A) limit the project to just mainstream-ish or just indy-ish comics - 'Cause I'm not sure how much Harvey Pekar and Howard Mackie have to say to each other - and (B) stop around the turn of the millennium in the former case.

[SJNeal]

I've been giving a lot of thought to doing this very thing over the past few months. Unfortunately I keep finding myself overwhelmed by the same obstacles you mentions. In addition, the vast majority of my collection is currently in storage, and relatively unorganized (i.e. my 80's/90's runs or a character/title are in one box, current stuff in another).

A lack of space is another thing. The reason it's in storage is because my "new" apartment is more like a large walk-in closet, and I literally have no where I could possibly spread out and do some serious bagging, boarding, sorting...

But it's still a fantasy I hold on to. One day... one day...

[Rasputin9977]

Ive done that with some defunct companies and imprints. Its fun and it sisnt take much work since there wasnt years of comics. I want to do this with Marvwl and DC too but it does sound like a huge task. My biggest concern is constantly moving the long boxes around to get to the bottom boxes (i stack them five high). If you do it, please let me know how it went.