Introduction
Comic books have become a popular thing as of late. Many people are looking for ways to incorporate their love of comics into the design and decoration of their living spaces. More and more, there are ways to showcase your comic books in a way that keeps them protected and displays them in a clean and elegant way. BCW has an economy version comic book showcase that is designed for you to put your comic books on the wall for yourself and others to enjoy.A Display Case For The Masses
This is the second display case put out by BCW and boy are they different. The first, the Acrylic Display Case, is very different from their Showcase design. The acrylic display case is very spendy, but extremely sturdy and durable, being ¼ inch of solid acrylic plastic. This comes with a price tag though, of twenty-five dollars. The Showcase is not as expensive, but not nearly as durable. It comes in at a base price of $7.95 so it is much less in cost, but it is also made of a more lightweight plastic. The cost makes it very affordable for most every collector.Snap Fit
The Showcase comes in to halves. The top half is a clear polystyrene plastic shell and the bottom half is a black plastic. The top half snaps on top of the black plastic base with two tabs on the top and one larger one on the bottom. The bottom tab is also what you use to lift off the top half when you are ready to change out the comic book.The comic book does fit snuggly in the recess of the black plastic bottom, but there is a bit of room at the top for the comic to move. I would not suggest you use this to transport your comics. This is for display purposes only. With most of these kinds of designs, where the comic is not otherwise protected by a bag and board, I worry that if you are not careful, you could crimp the corners of the comic. The best idea is to lay the black plastic bottom on a flat surface, put the comic in the recess, then after you have made sure that the comic isn’t in danger of being crimped, put the clear plastic half on top.
Don’t Drop It
My one big concern for the Showcase is if it drops from the wall. You really need to make sure that you have securely attached it to the wall to keep it from dropping. The bottom of the Showcase appears to be the weakest part of the design and will open or even break if it hits the floor. The one I tested came apart every time when I dropped it to the floor from a height of where it might be on the wall. I probably woulndn’t put my more expensive comics in it, unlike the Acrylic Display Case, which I wouldn’t have a problem putting very expensive comics in.Vital Specs
Quantity: 1 Cost: $7.95 for one or $7.10 a piece for five or $5.65 for twenty.Height: 11 ¾ Inches
Width: 8 ¾ Inches
Depth: ¾ Inch
Capacity:The showcase comes in two sizes, silver and current. The silver showcase has a recess of 7 inches by 10 ¼ inches and the current showcase has a recess of 6 ¾ inches by 10 ¼ inches.
Pros and Cons
Pros- Inexpensive.
- Black border makes the comic stand out.
- Can be hung on a wall or put on a shelf.
- Comic fits snuggly.
- It may break from falling off the wall.
- No space for bag and board.
- Some space for the comic to slide around in. (Not a transportation device.)
- Might damage the comic in swapping it out.
