Wednesday 4 November 2015

Brad Lomas - Comic Book Collecting

Brad Lomas, like many men who were born in the 1960's, enjoys collecting and reading comic books in his spare time. Though most comic book collections aren't as valuable as they once were, collectors like Lomas still treat them as artwork to be preserved and revered. Comic book collectors are part of the reason that comic books experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1960's and they're a primary reason why comic books are still being printed in large quantity today.


Brad Lomas
Brad Lomas

Nostalgia is a common reason why Lomas and other collectors enjoy comic books – 1960's children, for example, saw two major publishers battling for dominance of the industry: Marvel Comics and DC Comics. These two publishers still compete and collaborate with each other to this day, stirring up the nostalgic feeling with nearly every issue. Since the 60's, comic book conventions have allowed fans to come together so that they can meet to discuss comic books and even meet the artists of a beloved series.

Another reason why people often collect comic books is their appreciation for the story and a drive to complete a series. If a person identifies with a particular comic book character, as Lomas does with a few of the stars in his collection, they take a greater interest in following the story. After a few years of following various comic book story lines, collectors often find themselves in possession of hundreds of comic book issues. At this point, the collector will usually decide either to cherish his comic book collection and continue adding to it or to further explore comic book collecting for profit.

When a comic book collector is motivated by profit, they often seek first issues, special edition comics and issues that detail a pivotal moment in a character's story. With guidelines such as these and the help of comic book price guides, collectors can indulge their love of comics while making money on the side.

Comic book hobbyists like Brad Lomas collect comics for the stories and the nostalgia more than the profit. When Lomas heads to a comic shop, he's usually on the hunt for the next issue in his favorite series or for a new series, and a new character, to follow.