One of the greatest advantages of being a Star Trek fan is the amount of collectibles connected with the franchise. From action figures to Christmas ornaments, coffee mugs, pins, uniforms, and beyond, there is so much to collect that fans could spend years on this hobby.
If you're looking to collect one type of physical media, then consider beginning with Star Trek comic books. Many series are inexpensive and not difficult to find. Many different publishers released comics that range from new adventures from The Original Series to the cinematic universe and beyond. Before you head to your local comic shop to begin your collection, take some time to plan and avoid wasting time and money.
All or some? Choosing a comics era
The first Star Trek comics appeared in the late 1960s, under the Gold Key Comics name and ran issues for 12 years. Afterward, a wide variety of publishers, from Marvel and D.C. to Titan and more, purchased licenses that made comics widely available.
Choosing a comics era to begin your collection can help you narrow your search down, which prevents beginner's fatigue. You can always branch out later when you discover you'd like to collect more than one publisher or series. Yours truly enjoys the DC issues that came out during the 80s and 90s because of the art style they used back then. Since you can preview most comics online, you can peruse the different eras and art styles until you find one you especially like.
Set a budget
Take it from someone whose studio is awash with Star Trek toys, action figures, books, and comics: it's very easy to get caught up in the fun of finding and buying items once you know which series you'd like to own and before you know it, you've spent a credit card payment (or 2).
Setting a comics budget is as easy as adding a new expense to your monthly household expenses. You may find that you have to cut back on other types of entertainment or your twice-a-week visit to the coffee shop, depending on how many comics you want to purchase per month.
Align your growing comics collection with your favorite Star Trek series
No matter if you enjoy the original Star Trek series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, many of these series appeared in comic form in the 90s and well into the 2000s. These can help you form your initial collection.
When I first began my collection, I collected original series comics because of my adoration for Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig). One of the first comics I ever bought was the issue Koenig himself wrote, "Chekov's Choice," a DC release back in 1984. Present-day comics collectors, especially those just starting out, have a much wider field of series choices.
Keeping track of your new collection
There is no one universal way to keep track of your Star Trek comics collection. Whether you want to use a spreadsheet, keep a notebook, or even a simple checklist app, keeping things simple and enjoyable is part of the joy of this hobby.
Good luck on your search for Star Trek comics!