I’ve collected comic books for over 40 years now, and have almost as much dust on my bottle as the storage boxes of bagged, beloved beauties in my basement.
While having a look-see of them the other day, I couldn’t help but stare a tad longer at a few of the ‘completed sets’ I so cherished in my youth.
Strange thing is, they looked more beautiful to me now than ever and admittedly, I’m happy I never let these go, despite having done so with many other titles I parted ways with over the years. More recently, I’ve had even more reason to build excitement towards comic set collecting…
I pivoted deeply into digital asset collecting roughly four years ago, which I’m sure many of my more regular readers know!
I really dig how the DC NFT / Candy Digital Platform uses a ‘fading’ format across their (usually 5) digital comic variant cover formats, where the ‘core’ (common) and uncommon variants look as if the vampire didn’t quite make it back to the coffin before sunup. The more scare rare, epic & legendary variants become ever sharper, where the legendary looks it just came hot off the press.
VeVe holds my heart though, as I’ve always been more of a Marvel guy. They too, typically run (5) cover variants across, sometimes (4 or fewer) with their newer, same-day-delivery modern titles on the VeVe Comics site (with same-day-as-print distribution & modern titles, vs the classics found on the VeVe main site, but their variants are quite different.
As noted in prior articles, VeVe’s “common” covers are the original designs we’re all familiar with, where the ‘uncommon’ are usually black & white versions with colour just to the main character.
There are many instances too, where uncommon variants are completely new, such as Star Wars #1 using the theatrical release poster, or that BANGER uncommon for X-Men #25…you know, the story where Magneto rips out Wolverine’s adamantium, which was THE HIGHLIGHT in the new X-Men ’97 animated release!
Rares & Ultra Rares though, are custom-created only for VeVe by Marvel artists - they ONLY exist on VeVe so if you’re into rare, scare, frickin AWESOME comic cover art, you need to look at these. Finally, the ‘Secret Rare’ variants are most often a key character or hero, cleanly displayed on a mesmerizing white background, with very limited edition runs, all verified by digital ledger.
SETTING UP SETS
If you’re newer to comic collecting (physical or digital) for many collectors, completing a full set of issues pumps that get-satisfaction feeling. Imagine the flex if you owned every issue of The Amazing Spider-Man run, or compiling your own full story arc set like the Fantastic Four Galactus Saga??? KUDOS to those of you that do!
Over the years collecting digital assets though, I had only completed a few variant cover sets of my most favourite characters & books like Daredevil #1 or The Fantastic Four #1. However, VeVe recently upped the ante that has sparked a bit of a frenzy amongst its fanbase - BONUS COLLECTOR POINTS for anyone holding a full comic set!
Visit the VeVe MCP (Master Collector Program) page for details, but somewhat like Airline Miles or Grocery Store Points programs, users accumulate MCP points based on assets held & purchased that have some utility today, such as increasing drop win odds, etc., with more use cases planned.
For their digital collectibles (NFTs such as statues, posters, cars, Star Wars X-Wings, etc.), completed sets always provided BIG BONUSES for MCP. Comics though, DID NOT, I think probably as owning a full set already provided decent point totals (11.75 / day if you own all variants), though I subtly begged many times over to have completed comic sets added to this benefit. And guess what?
That all changed recently, where a bonus of 5 daily points (4 on sets with just 4 variant covers) now equates to 16.75 per day - completing just (2) comic sets can earn a user around 1005 points per month now!
A MINI DIGITAL BULL RUN
As a result, during a pretty heavy market doldrum across physical & digital buying, VeVe is seeing SHARP INCREASES in floor rates of the assets that were once overlooked. Uncommon, Ultra Rare & Secret Rare variant prices are surging, aided further by VeVe ‘burning’ (removing from supply) any digital comics that don't sell out in its store.
This has created supply shock in many aftermarket listings, as astute buyers realise just how difficult it could become to complete sets in the future as market listings keep drying up…
So to finish off the article, I’ve added a quick review below on some of the bigger reasons collectors often chase sets, to help give some insights as to how these reasons or strategies could carry over into the digital collectibles space.
5 Reasons Collectors Might Complete Sets:
1. Story Continuity
Comics are often told in serialized formats, with arcs spanning multiple issues. Collectors may want the complete narrative experience; no missing chapters, details or endings. Having the full set ensures nothing is lost in translation to allow for a richer, more immersive read.
2. Investment & Value
Complete runs can often fetch higher resale prices. A full set of key issues or a full first appearance-to-final showdown arc can increase the collectible’s value, where even modest runs become more desirable when they’re complete and well-preserved.
3. Nostalgia & Sentiment
Many collectors chase the sets they read, or missed, when they were younger. Completing a set brings a sense of accomplishment and can be deeply personal. It’s a tangible connection to childhood, fandom, or a specific era in comic history.
Case in Point: I own both the Wolverine/Kitty Pryde & West Coast Avengers #1 sets in physical, so when I saw these releasing on VeVe, well guess what new titles I added! Many new collectors will have no idea what those books are, but to a Wolvie-Fan kid growing up on the left coast of Canada, having a local Avengers Team led by Hawkeye was KEWL & I adored the artwork / storylines!
4. Display Appeal
There’s just something visually satisfying about a complete run lined up on the mantle or in my digital app (and now in the VeVeVerse showroom world!). From matching cover artwork to matching edition numbers on digital assets, a full set looks and feels complete, like a finished puzzle or painted goalie mask!
5. The Thrill of the Hunt
Completing a set taps into the collector’s instinct. Finding that elusive final issue - at a convention, in a back-issue bin, or on a digital drop is part of the fun. It’s a quest, and every completed set feels like a victory.
Case in Point: I recently realized I have issues #1, 2 & 4 of HAWKEYE #1. How the hell did I lose issue #3??? So, obviously a trip to my LCS or the EBAY STORE is pending sooner than later!
6. BONUS REASON - ADDED VALUE FROM MCP COMIC SET POINTS!
Of course the digital guy in me had to bring this up again. My glass is 100% half full at all times, and if my fun & speculative bet is right, MCP points will matter a lot more than we know about today.
There are some collectors (our beloved ‘whales’ & ‘sharks’) now with MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of points, quietly accumulating and preparing, probably getting a little pissed I’m bringing this up.
Fact is, there is a game afoot and who knows - beyond applying them for extra new drop entries, what if they become important for using to gain exclusive items, entry into physical events, maybe even monetary value in the VeVeVerse…the flexing already going on is AHNOLD level strong!
So take heed - many of these major point collectors are investors, business executives & owners, and yes, even a few millionaires and very seasoned physical comic & nostalgia collectors. So really, who am I or anyone to argue the game strategy happening?
But know this - only 250 people ON EARTH can ever own the Marvel-Licensed, VeVe distributed digital collectible comic paring set for the Secret Rare Variant Covers for House of X #1 & Powers of X #1. And yeah...one of 'em is ME!
I hope you enjoyed the article, and if you want to add any additional reasons for collecting sets or comic runs missed above, please feel free to do so in the comments.
Thanks for Reading!
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