Howdy. My name is Sami, and I've been an avid collector since I first stumbled onto some Marvel comics in 1973. I've been in and out of collecting recent comics but I enjoy going to local shows and filling in holes in my collection.
Over the years I've struggled with putting my books into a database. This past 2 years, I've been cataloging my collection using CLZ Comic Collector. I'd like to ask your opinions.
Using a program like CLZ makes life easier (in some ways), but I still have challenges with my physical collection. Here's my setup:
I box my comics by publisher.
I sort them alphabetically by title, in ascending order so the newer books/higher numbers are in front.
For books that have been rebooted with multiple volumes, I put the most recent volume in front. (Think Avengers or Legion of Super Heroes).
Traditionally I've had Marvel, DC, and Independent as my 3 main categories. In my indy collection, I sort by publisher alphabetically - so there are a million categories.
Question 1: Some titles jump from publisher to publisher (Mage, Strangers in Paradise, Astro City, Powers, Miracle Man). What makes more logical sense? Putting the individual runs under the publisher (making you jump all over when trying to read through them chronologically), or listing all runs under the most recent publisher?
Question 2: When alphabetizing: do you consider definite/indefinite articles (the, a, an)? For example, regardless of how the database lists the books, do I put 'The Sandman and The Sandman: Petrefax and The Sandman: Overture under T for "the" or under S for Sandman? That would result in mixing Sandman Mystery Theatre between some of the Gaiman Sandman series.
I probably have more questions but those rise to the top. I'd love your opinions. Thanks!
