As this author looks over her collection of battered comic book graphic novels, it stands to be asked how one might start a graphic novel collection. Would someone new to the genre just start buying what looked good, or should there be a method to the madness of clearing off bookstore shelves that have become more populous in the past few years? Some would say to just pick what you like, but true collectors will acknowledge that there has to be something more than just random decisions and being lucky enough to stumble over a few good novels in the midst of many other fair to mediocre ones. Thus, learning how to build your own graphic novel, comic, or manga collection can be a useful tool.

The author of any particular graphic novel, comic book, or manga is an excellent place to start. Of course, there are many famous authors, such as Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Clamp, Yukito Kishiro, Garth Ennis, Todd McFarlane, and many others. A good place to start is to read a few manga, graphic novels, or comics by those authors whom you have heard about before. Whether from a fellow collector, or in interviews or articles about graphic novels, manga, and comic books, knowing big names in the genre will help you choose some books. But always make sure to make your mind up for yourself. Just because an author is popular does not mean that he or she is going to be your own favorite author, or worth collecting.

Artwork is as important as the author of the manga, comic book, or graphic novel that you are considering adding to your collection. While there are many styles of art, from the big eyes and beautiful men of the Japanese manga, to the clean, streamlined work of America, there are many who are going to have a preference for something within the different styles. Choosing a style of artwork to collect can be almost as intriguing as picking a certain genre or author. Those who like more gritty, realistic art might find themselves appreciating Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series, while others who like a cleaner style will appreciate the manga art of Clamp, that is beautifully and lovingly crafted. The style of art you like is certainly something that should be taken into account when choosing how to begin your collection.

Genre is something else to take into consideration as well. The different genres in the graphic novel, manga, and comic book mediums are as varied and diverse as those in fiction. Western, science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, and a hundred other hybrids of these genres can be the basis of an extensive collection. Collecting based on genre is more about finding even the most unique, if poorly written and executed, pieces for a collection. It should always be about finding new books to read, but in the end can diversify what you read, what you enjoy, and what you are exposed to.

Choosing to start a collection of graphic novels, manga, or comic books is the easiest part about collecting. Deciding whether you are going to collect by author, genre, or art style is harder to decide upon, and can involve many hours of reading before you make up your mind. Just remember to pick a genre or style that you like the best, and that you are collecting for the joy of what you get to read and experience, not just for having ever book about the Sandman series or Wonder Woman that is available.