How to Build a Graphic Novel Collection

Graphic novels are a great source of reading pleasure for many fans of comic books. Graphic novels are original comics in a book format or collections of individual comic book issues gathered together in a book. Their format makes them more durable than magazine-style comic books and also allows you to display them on a bookshelf. Here are some ideas on how to build your own collection of graphic novels.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Money
• Access to a comic book shop
• Computer
• Internet access

How To Find and Order New Graphic Novels

1. Set up an account, also referred to as a “pull service,” at a local comic book shop. Comic shops will allow you to pre-order comics and graphic novels before they are released and will hold them for you. Most shops offer a discount to customers who pre-order in this manner.

2. Pick up a copy of “Previews,” the order book of Diamond Comic Distributors. Diamond is the main supplier of comic books and graphic novels to comic shops across the country. Some comic shops may provide “Previews” for free as a benefit of your account with them while others will charge you for it. “Previews” lists all comic books, graphic novels and other comic-related merchandise that are scheduled to be released in a particular month.

3. Go through “Previews” each month, identifying those graphic novels you would like to purchase. Depending on your comic shop, you can either order the titles you want in a separate Diamond order form they provide or simply list the titles you want on a piece of paper, making note of the title, publisher, price and even page number in the order book. Keep a copy of your order for yourself so you remember what you have ordered.

4. Watch for your new books to arrive. You can check the website of Diamond Comics to see what books are scheduled to be released in the current week and the following week (see Resources below).

5. Purchase the graphic novels once they arrive in your store. Read and enjoy them!

6. Cross those graphic novels you have bought off your list so you know you have them. Once you have purchased everything on your list you can recycle it and move on to the next month’s list.

How To Find Older Graphic Novels

7. Use your new graphic novels as a resource to determine what older graphic novels you would enjoy. Try to find other books by the same creators or other books that feature the same characters.

8. Talk to your local comic book shop. Let them know what you like. They should be able to recommend similar books that you will enjoy. They can also let you know what books are the most popular in their shop.

9. Read reviews of graphic novels online and in magazines such as “Wizard.” Some good websites for graphic novel reviews are No Flying No Tights for reviews of books other than the superhero titles, ArtBomb for multiple reviews and original comics, and Comics Worth Reading, which gives special attention to comics by women (see Resources below).

10. Shop the graphic novel section in bookstores to find other books that catch your interest.

Tips & Warnings

• Your local comic shop should be able to order older graphic novels for you if they are still in print. Many shops will offer their regular account customers the same discounts on older books as on the new titles.
• Comic book conventions are another great source for finding lots of older graphic novels.
• When buying graphic novels off the shelf from book stores and comic shops, pay attention to the condition of the book. Graphic novels tend to get looked at a lot and the book may have bent or torn covers or interior pages.

Resources

• Find out what is being released through Diamond Comics.
• Get comic news and subscribe to Wizard magazine.
• Read graphic novel reviews on No Flying No Tights.
• Read graphic novel reviews on ArtBomb.
• Read graphic novel reviews on Comics Worth Reading.