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As a comics noob, I’ve run into a few walls here and there in finding things that I enjoy reading. I’m enjoying the current run of Captain America in all of its weirdness, and I was able to pick it up from the first issue. I’ve also picked up the current run of X-Men, Avengers Arena, and Red Sonja, from the first issues. I’m sure most of the readers on this site aren’t comic noobs, but you can read this for the sheer factor of watching a new comic reader blossom and learn as she goes.

I read the current run of Hawkeye in the first volume of the trade that Marvel released, and I loved it. I wasn’t sure if I should continue by picking up additional issues, or if I should just wait for the next trade. This was problematic because 1.) I couldn’t remember which issue ended volume one, and 2.) I didn’t know when the next trade would be released. Obviously, this is information you can get from your friendly comic book store proprietors. And the Internet. But I’m sometimes lazy.

I ended up waiting for the second volume of Hawkeye to come out, and I’m glad I did. I like the feel of a trade better than single issues, and I like the lack of advertising. I hate advertisements with the passion of a thousand fires. But I also like Hawkeye enough to now switch to the single issues, because if I have to wait six more months to find out what happens, I may literally rip my hair out. So, single issues it is. Same for Saga. I. Cannot. Wait. For. More.

On the other hand, I’m also reading Morning Glories, which I enjoy, but I’m not hugely engaged with it. It’s a nice sort of side-read. I don’t mind waiting for trades for Morning Glories because if I were to get the single issues, I’d just have to go back and read the three issues before the current one to remember what the hell was happening.

My cousin wants to start collecting The Walking Dead single issues, numbers 1 through 100, simply to say he has them. He just wants that collection to hold on to. He’s really passionate about it, and I almost feel bad for him because it’s going to cost him a fortune in time and money to find what he’s looking for. So, if you’re a collector or you like the satisfaction of having an intact collection, definitely go for single issues. My cousin is really annoyed with himself that he didn’t start his collection from the beginning, so I guess it’s nice to have that foresight going into a series.

I think I’ll be glad I have the single issues of Captain America. Not for actual monetary value, assuming they ever have any, but because I can look at my collection and have a little smile and think to myself, “Hey, this is what you started out with. Remember?” So here’s how I’ve decided to tackle my own comic collecting:

1.) Always pick up the first issue if it’s a series you think you’ll love.

I’ll give a series 3-5 issues. If I’m not feeling it after 5 issues, but still want to read, I’ll wait for the trades from there on out. It’s less costly and I obviously don’t enjoy the series or the run of the series enough to want each issue as it comes out.

2.) If you just have to see the letters pages, pick up any single issues you can.
There are no advertisements splitting up the action in trades, but there are also no letters pages, which can sometimes be disappointing, depending on what you’re reading. And when those letters pages can have sketches from fans and really insightful info, you’re missing out.

3.) If it’s an older story, just get the trade.
Seriously, who has the time or money to get every single issue of Preacher? I sure as hell don’t, and I love the story. Trades it is.

Do you have your own way to decide between single issues and trades? Any tips or tricks for the comics newcomer? Leave it in a comment!