I know this might surprise you, but a calendar can help with your comic book collecting. Keeping a calendar for a particular purpose can also help to make your comic book shopping experience more pleasant.
What to Use the Calendar For
Every time I get the new issue of Diamond Previews and the new issue of Marvel Previews, I mark the comics I am interested in picking up outside of my regular pull. I then take the dates those comics are being released and place them on the calendar. That way I know when the comics are coming out.
Avoid Missing a New Comic
Many (if not most) of us have missed the release of a new comic we want to read. Maybe that premiere issue was the start of a great new series. Maybe it was one which skyrocketed in price because of the demand being higher than the supply. Either way, we missed out and have to hope for a second printing. Of course, this does not help with the price of the issue we missed. Keeping a collection calendar can help to avoid this situation. With new trades coming out each week, a collection calendar also helps with remembering when those trades are coming out.
Remember All Your Pulls
I have helped get pulls together for reserve customers, and I will be the first to tell you that mistakes can be made. The workers at Wonderworld Comics are great at getting all of the needed reserves together, but they are only human (at least that is what I have been led to believe). By keeping a calendar of releases, you can double check to make sure your pulls are correct each week.
Prepare Thy Pocketbook
As someone who reads a ton of comics, I know that the register receipt can add up quickly. My calendar reminds me when my cost-heavy and cost-light weeks are going to be during a month. I can plan ahead to make sure that I will not be short on a Wednesday when I really want the money.
Yet Another Push
I have spoken in the past about the importance of Diamond Previews and Marvel Previews. They open your eyes up to new series which you might not have considered otherwise. At the same time, they help you to prepare for your shopping months in advance. How can you go wrong for $4.50 for the two of them combined?
Being prepared for a new week of comics is important. The more prepared you are, the more pleasant your shopping experience will be.
