The Super Fun Guide to Comic Book Collecting

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of caped crusaders and webslingers or just getting started in the world of comics, collecting these classic stories and characters can be an incredibly rewarding hobby. Comic books allow us to escape into fantastic worlds and go on thrilling adventures with our favorite heroes.

Starting and curating your own comic book collection is easier than you might think. Here are some helpful tips to get you going on this super fun hobby:

Start with what you love. Are you a Marvel fanboy or fangirl? Can’t get enough of Batman and DC titles? Build your initial collection around your most beloved characters and series. It helps when you’re passionate about what you’re collecting.
Go for quality over quantity. Comics in pristine or near-mint condition will always hold their value better. Be selective and focus on titles that are important to you rather than grabbing up every comic you can find.
Decide if you want to collect runs or key issues. Some collectors try to get full runs of certain titles or characters. Others focus on landmark “key” issues like first appearances and origin stories. Figure out your preference as that will inform what you look for.
Find a local comic shop you like. Having a go-to shop you’re comfortable with makes collecting much easier. The owner and staff can get to know you and help you find titles you’ll love. Many shops also have back issue sections rich for discovering new books.
Check out comic cons and shows. These events (like Comic-con or Fanaticcon) allow you to browse through a huge selection of vendors and sellers. You can often find rare issues as well as excellent backstock condition comics.
Store your collection properly. Invest in protective sleeves, boards, and boxes. You can purchase these online or in your local comic book shops. Remember, it’s an investment. Keep your books away from moisture, sunlight, and anything that could damage them. Handle them carefully.
Catalog and document your collection. Use an app or database to keep track of what you own. Note important details like publishers, issue numbers, condition, etc. This will help you follow and value your collection.
Enjoy the hunt! Seek out online sellers, garage sales, thrift shops and more to uncover hidden gem issues. The thrill of finding a coveted book for your collection is part of the fun.

Collecting comics is a wonderful hobby full of nostalgia, adventure, and excitement.

Whether you treasure Marvel’s mighty heroes or DC’s iconic superheroes, let your passion guide you as you build your perfect comic book collection. Excelsior!

Fanaticcon 4 (Ottawa) 2023

We have been and done, Fanaticcon 4 in Ottawa!

This was our third time attending this local comic, game and toy convention. It’s always great to see how hard everyone worked and how it all came together. It was great to get out and mingle with some familiar face and meet some new ones.

We did our rounds and checked out all the amazing vendors. We brought our two youngest kids this year. It was fun and both of them (plus the Mr.) left very happy shoppers having found some treasured comics and must have video games.

I think the highlight for all of us this year (aside from going to begin with) were the cosplayers walking around. Incredible jobs done on their costumes and being in character just put the cherry on top. They’re always also so friendly and welcoming to take a picture! We ran into a Jawa, Darth Maul, and we also saw the capital ghostbusters among many other characters. So fun!

Thanks to the team at Fanaticcon for hosting us! We had a great time! A day well spent! Stay tuned for future announcements about Fanaticcon 2024!

Fanaticcon 4 This Summer!

It’s that time of year again folks, when Mr and Mrs Toybox start getting hyped up for some summer collecting and also summer events happening in our local city!

This summer, geeks and nerds alike will be gathering in Ottawa, Ontario for our favourite local event: Fanaticcon 4!

What is Fanaticcon?

Fanaticcon is described as a fan-driven convention for nostalgic toys, collectors items, games, art, cosplayers and more! It’s a day to get together and celebrate all things geeky with other enthusiasts like you!

What happens at Fanaticcon?

Vendors

Fanaticcon will have over 33 vendor booths to check out featuring some of the Ottawa areas finest nostalgic toys and games vendors, collectibles, artists and much more. There are also games and prizes throughout the day. Make sure to stop at Flacs Collectibles and Kaboom Comics stations!

Cosplay

Expect to see the unexpected! Fanaticcon attendees have amazing cosplay skills and they will definitely be on display once again this year for us to be in aw of! Plus, there’s a contest and you have a chance to win a prize if your costume is judged THE BEST of Fanaticcon!!! So fun!

Celebrity encounters

Come and rub elbows with some spectacular special celebrity guests like Abby Hagyard (You Can’t do that on TV/Carebears), Ken Sangoes (Nightmare on Elmstreet 3), Kurt Lehner (Celebrity Artist) and more including Lance (the loser) from Canadas Worst Driver 6 for pics, chats and fun!

I did actually meet the real Abby but this prop was too fun to pass up!

There is just a whole lot of awesome going on at Fanaticcon, it’s impossible to write it all here in the blog. Seriously, you walk in and it’s like 🤯 – mind blown, where do we start!!!

If you get VIP tickets and come early you get first dibs on all the vendors. Plus, kids under 12 get in free and have the chance to get a surprise bag (first come first served).

How much is it to get in Fanaticcon?

$15 at the door 11am-5pm or $20 early bird VIP 10am-5pm. Kids under 12 are free!

When and where is Fanaticcon?

August 13th 2023 at the Ottawa Conference and Event Center

Find all the info on the Fanaticcon Ottawa Facebook Page

This will be our 3rd Fanaticcon and we are looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new geeks and nerds like us!

Unleashing Your Inner Child: The Joy and Value of Toy Collecting as a Hobby

Hello there! Let’s travel back in time, a time when your heart skipped a beat as you ripped off the vibrant packaging of a brand new toy. You marveled at the intricate details of your Transformers action figure, or the captivating elegance of your new princess doll.

Today, we’ll reignite that excitement and dive into the nostalgic, rewarding, and uniquely captivating hobby that is toy collecting.

Toy collecting is more than just hoarding kids’ stuff. It’s an engaging world of nostalgia, appreciation for artistry, the chase for that rare find, and yes… lots of fun. And even better? It could be an investment, with some toys appreciating in value over time, just like that super rare mint-condition Optimus Prime Transformer from the 1980s.

Embarking on the Adventure of Toy Collection

Remember, every journey starts with a single step…and every collection starts with a single toy. Start by exploring your interests. Do you have fond memories of playing with action figures, like He-Man or G.I. Joe? Or did you spend hours lost in the world of dolls, comics, or miniatures?

Once you’ve identified your interests, it’s time to do a little research. Discover the classics in your chosen category, identify the rare pieces, and gain an understanding of the value of different toys. Your childhood favourites might just turn out to be highly coveted collectibles today.

Chasing the Thrill of the Find

Part of the joy in toy collecting comes from the thrill of the hunt – from rummaging through piles at garage sales and scrolling through eBay listings to attending toy fairs or visiting local toy stores. Each find can feel like unearthing a hidden treasure and adds a unique piece in your growing collection.

Creating Your Toy Sanctuary

Your toy collection is a physical representation of your personal journey. Each piece’s story and how it came to be part of your collection adds to the fun and satisfaction. So why not create a dedicated space in your home to display your collection? You’ll be surprised how a well-arranged display of vintage toys can add a whole lot of character to a room.

Joining the Toy Collecting Community

Engage with fellow enthusiasts. By joining toy collecting communities, both online and offline, you’ll discover new friends who share your passion. They could offer collecting advice, trade toys, or simply share stories of their own fantastic finds.

Toy collecting isn’t just a hobby, it’s an adventure filled with fascinating tales and exciting experiences. It takes you on a nostalgic ride into your childhood while introducing you to a vibrant, dedicated community. Whether you are nostalgic about the simplicity of vintage toys, passionate about the artistry behind miniatures, or love the thrill of finding a rare comic book, toy collecting offers something for everyone.

So, why not relieve that childhood fascination once again?

Start your toy collecting adventure today and discover the immense joy this hobby can bring!

My Little Pony X Transformers Crossover – My Little Prime

Being children of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Mr and Mrs Toybox can fully agree on this collectible treasure heading into their collection (specifically, Mrs Toybox special shelf). There was no hesitation for either to agree that the My Little Pony x Transformers Crossover – My Little Prime figure is more than meets the eye!

Based on the Comic Books

My Little Prime is a pony released by Hasbro which celebrates the MLP X Transformers Crossover Comic books where the Transformers find themselves somehow crash landed in Equestria and the Matrix ends up mashing a pony with Optimus Prime creating My Little Prime. You’ll have to read the comics to learn more but that’s the basic idea. We recently picked up this comic series, hence why we also got the associated figure.

My Little Pony x Transformers Crossover My Little Prime is 4.5” in size and looks like a pony mashed with Optimus prime; basically what it’s supposed to look like. I suppose it would be cool for the huge Transformers fans if this figure transformed but traditional original pony fans will agree, it’s better off as a figure.

Cutie Marks and Bots!

CUTIE MARKS AND BOTS: Crossover Collection My Little Prime is an exciting character mashup. 4.5-inch figure has a retro My Little Pony form factor with Transformers-inspired design
Hasbro Shop

Thoughts from the Toybox:

There was no question in mind that this My Little Pony x Transformers crossover My Little Prime would some day be in Mrs Toybox’s special collectors shelf. MLP was one of her ultimate favourite cartoons as a young girl. She even had many ponies and the pony castle as a child that unfortunately disappeared over time. This new collection makes up for lost treasures.

Looking for your own MLP x Transformers Crossover My Little Prime figure? Look no further than searching eBay or Amazon. We were able to snag this one for under $25 including shipping via the latter.

Not sponsored or endorsed by any mentioned brands. This post is for entertainment and informational purposes only.

Transformers G1 Figure Patent Prints by Patere on Etsy!

More to collecting than meets the eye

Mr and Mrs Toybox have been collecting items of nostalgic interest their entire lives and now do it as a serious hobby together. Mr Toybox has always been a huge fan of Transformers and he doesn’t collect just any Transformers collectible figures, he has been focussed for over ten years with no end in sight. Aside from

Something that always grabs our attention when it comes to collecting toys is artwork themed with our favourites. The best kind of fan art is always the handmade kinds, fans really put their hearts and soul into their crafts for their favourite nostalgic characters. Sometimes, reprints are also fun to get your hands on.

hello Etsy!

Mrs Toybox is an Etsy seller and from time to time she enjoys helping out other small businesses like the print shop Patere on Etsy who sell patent blueprint prints. You can get them on cardboard, map or regular paper and in different sizes depending on your needs. The shipping is fast and the product is superb! We highly recommend them for your print needs and they make a great gift for the collector in your life!

Optimus Prime ‘85

The first addition to his new Transformers Prints collection was of course Optimus Prime from 1985. I believe there is more to this print, perhaps description of the numbers and more detailed toy instructions but having something like this hanging in the Transformers collection area is really something. It brings authenticity and nostalgic value to the look of the collection of bots.

Other choices of Transformers Patent Prints

Thanks to Damon for going out of their way to find us some other Transformers blue prints and putting them up to order. Considering the price of true prints plus the cost of shipping and also purchasing an 8×10 frame, these prints are worth it from a decorative perspective.

Other Transformer Patent Prints Available

Soundwave
Megatron
Starscream
Buzzsaw
Grimlock
Ironhide
Perceptor

Visit Patere on Etsy

Visit Patere on Etsy to see his full library of patent prints available, he’s got more than just Transformers. He also has patent prints of cartoons, movie characters and vehicles.

Not sponsored or endorsed by Etsy or any mentioned shops. Honest review and opinions are those of the Authors of The Toybox Collection and are a reflection of our experience and impression of the product and brands mentioned.