Searching/browsing (3.5 stars)
ComicBase displays only a single comic series at a time, but it is easy to move between the series with some browsing arrows and a feature that allows you to go directly to a title. The default is to view all titles in the database, but a somewhat hidden right-click feature on the browse arrows allows you to set the buttons to only browse through the series in which you have issues. You cannot do something similar at the issue level, however, so you will always see all issues in a title. Issues you actually have in your collection (or “In Stock,” as ComicBase calls it) are highlighted in blue, and because of this it is very easy to see where you have gaps in your collection. To facilitate browsing your collection, ComicBase automatically goes to the first item you have in stock in the list so you do not need to scroll down to it (though this first in stock item appears at the bottom of the window rather than the top when the title has lots of issues not in your collection). Unlike other tools available on the market, ComicBase includes annuals (and trade paperbacks) as part of the same series rather than as a separate series. I found this little listing strategy to make browsing and management in the collection easier.
Comic Value Graph
Copyright ComicBase
Wish list (4 stars)
ComicBase allows you to create an “Issue Checklist” report. When you create the report, you can specify the titles you want and that you only want it to display missing issues. This allows you to very easily generate a wishlist report of all the issues you do not have in your collection, including current NM value. You can perform additional filtering on marked items in the database. The only downside of report displays each wanted issue on its own line, which is not very tree friendly.
Optionally, information can be exported to a format that can be used by Palm or PocketPC handhelds.
Determine the value of your collection (4 stars)
The value of your collection is only a button click away. All statistics for your collection can be brought up in a single window that shows current value, how much paid, and what the difference is between them. A breakdown is given for each publisher, and this report can easily be printed off.
Something to keep in mind when you first enter your comics is that all issues are listed as near mint (NM) by default. You can select the actual condition (including CGC values), or use the one page “grading wizard”that will help you grade the comic if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself. The value of the book is automatically calculated as a percentage of the NM value provided in the ComicBase database. If you still need more help with grading, ComicBase includes a nice 10 page overview of the grading process. The Professional edition used for the review and the Archive edition even include historical value information for the past four years, so you can view trends for a comic’s value. The only thing I could say that would make this capability better is more extensive filtering capabilities to allow you to see the values of a particular grouping of comics.
About the reviewer:
Ben Sweetser is a guest reviewer for about.com. By day he works for a software company teaching people how to use software and working with development to improve software usability. He doesn’t blog or have a website on the topic of comics. He is just your average, everyday avid comic reader and collector. Interested in seeing other software reviewed? Drop him a line at bsweetser@gmail.com.
