When I resumed reading comics in the 1990’s, I initially did not intend to do any serious collecting. However, as time went by and I read more comics, I became nostalgic for a few of my old favorites, like the Avengers, that I had read in my youth. So I set out in search of some back issues, namely Avengers v1, Defenders v1, and a couple of the Son of Satan’s runs. I was fortunate to find my present store for a variety of reasons, but particularly for its massive selection of back issues and number of discount long boxes. Otherwise, I doubt my Avengers finds would be near as good or my collecting as successful in general. This is your first key to finding both hard to find back issues and bargains: find a shop with a large back issue collection you can visit regularly.
While collecting can be quite time consuming, I have indeed found it is well worth the effort. MY LCS (Local Comic Shop) helps me out by filing back issues in alphabetical order, as well as by publisher. This makes it easy to cover all of the Avengers issues in the ‘A’ boxes without having to look through all the back issues each time out. While I freely admit there have been quite a few days when I’ve returned from my LCS with nothing other than my current pull, there have also been those days when I’ve returned with magnificent finds. For example, one day I found Avengers #26 v1 in a large section of Archie comics and only paid $1 for it. Although it wasn't in Mint condition (a tear on the corner of the cover), it was certainly readable and well worth adding to my collection. Interestingly enough, I have acquired several of the older Avengers v1 issues in the Archie comics section, something the clerks at my LCS find rather amusing.
A while ago, my LCS purchased a large collection of Silver Age comics that they have been selling for $3 apiece. Despite the sale of most of the collection, I have managed to find quite a few Avengers v1 issues on multiple occasions, as the collection seems to have been refilled more than once in-between my visits. This is your second key to finding those hard to find issues: be persistent and consistent in your search. I estimate that I have pulled at least seven different Avengers v1 issues from the same boxes within a two month period (#19, 31, 32, 68, 69, & King-Size Avengers Annuals #4 and 6). While this happens to encompass my treks through the many Archie titles, my Avengers v1 collection has been growing significantly and I think the results speak for themselves.
Another method for obtaining issues I've found to be successful is using the LCS’ Wish List, a.k.a., request list. This is your third key: ask your LCS if they have a Wish List and will search for specific issues for you as they buy and sell collections. I managed to obtain Giant-Size Avengers #2-5 just by asking and then placing a Wish List. I wrote a manageable list of nine issues, and amazingly, a week later, I had four issues of Giant-Size Avengers! Though the prices of these issues ranged from $6 - $10 apiece, I feel this was money well spent and all the issues were in Very Good condition.
I also have the good fortune of finding myself on very friendly terms with one of the clerks at my LCS who is aware of my hunt for Avengers v1 issues. Which brings us to your fourth key: get someone to do the work for you! My clerk’s been extremely helpful in building my collection and recently pulled Avengers #44 and 54 v1 out of a shipment that was heading to one of the other comic shops and threw them in my subs box for me. This was a pleasant surprise and well worth the $10 I paid for both issues. It also leads right into your fifth and final key: ask your LCS if they have a subs box where they will hold a small amount of issues for you that you can’t afford to buy all at once. Then, pick them up slowly over time. This is a great way you can work within your budget.
I have only a few rules when it comes to collecting Avengers v1. I won't buy any issues without covers, issues that are badly faded, or issues that have writing anywhere on them. I did buy one issue with someone's name written on the cover (Avengers #68 v1), but I only made the exception due to the fact that it was an old issue and not very easy to find. While you can’t be overly concerned about the condition of your issues using these keys, you do have to draw a line where you are comfortable. I have also bought a couple of issues only to have the covers fall off later, but this is easily remedied with a stapler or a bit of double-sided tape. Though this can be a bit vexing at times, for these kinds of prices, you just can't expect Mint condition. However, I am very pleased to report that about ninety-five percent of my Avengers collection is in Very Good condition, with many issues still nearly new.
While you will probably not find many Avengers v1 issues with really low numbers in sections like “the dollar warehouse,” or the long boxes that I peruse in my LCS, keep in mind I didn't think I would find Avengers #26, #31, 32, and 68 v1 that way either. And who knows, maybe one of these days I may even find a $3 copy of Avengers #1 v1… or maybe not. Either way, I'll keep looking until I manage to find at least ninety percent of Avengers v1. That’s my goal. And I bet you’ll be surprised that you can find a very readable set of most of the Avengers issues using these five simple keys too.
Al’s Five Keys to Collecting Avengers Back Issues
- Find a shop with a large back issue collection you can visit regularly
- Be persistent and consistent in your search
- Ask your LCS if they have a Wish List and will search for specific issues for you as they buy and sell collections
- Get someone to do the work for you!
- Ask your LCS if they have a subs box where they will hold a small amount of issues for you that you can’t afford to buy all at once. Then, pick them up slowly over time.
