Marvel cards are going strong.

If you were into comics in the early 90's, you probably bought a pack of cards.  In that era, they were the perfect addon of randomness in a wrapper.  And while Marvel might have been the most obvious after sports cards, there were cards for EVERYTHING!  and they started long before that.

But nothing started intense conversations like arguing over who would win over who.  And finally, we had stats to back it up.  It started in 1991 with measuring Strength, Speed, Agility, Stamina, Durability and Intelligence.  Finally we could point to Spider-Man only having a 3 on a 7 point scale of strength and why he would win in an arm wrestling match with Daredevil cause he only had a 2.

And the total win of getting a hologram in your pack.  Those stood out, and made you feel like you won the lottery.  And each year the sets got bigger and better it felt like.  More inserts, different parallels, and things got rarer which felt great.

Today, they figured out a winning formula to sell a lot of cards, and it involved extreme hits.  Serial numbered card including even One-of-One, original sketch cards, autographs by creators, comic cuts where panels or pieces of the cover are embedded inside a card.  Even the 2017 Fleer Ultra Spider-Man set had super thick cards that were pieces of webbing encapsulated in a card.  There is always a way to get bigger and better.

So how do I collect today?

There is only one right answer, and that is "whatever makes you happy".  Things have changed quite a bit as cards got more expensive and more sets.  Over 30 sets were released for just Marvel cards alone, through stores like ours, the ePack digital platform, and others exclusive to other outlets.  And even if you just pick one set, getting every card from it is a mountain of a task when you look at the parallels and inserts.  Marvel Platinum that release this year can have 33 versions of the same card.

So focus.  Think about what you'd like to collect.  Many collectors have become "character collectors"; you pick your favorite character or a few, and you pursue those cards from a set.  Sometimes you buy packs, but mostly you buy singles that fit your collection.  Or you collect sets, but with rules like "only the base set" or "just this version of the cards".  When you set the rules up, you not only narrow your focus, but you establish what will feel great getting in your hunt.  And you can always change the rules because they are your rules.

Yes, you can buy packs and boxes, looking for big hits.  This is a thrill to rip and collect and even more joy when you open that special something for yourself.  We are happy here to steer you in the right direction.  Which set has the highest chances of an original sketch card?  What about the best Marvel Cinematic Universe Autograph cards? And for the big treasure hunters, where are all the serial numbered cards?  We are glad to talk cards and point out the benefits of the different sets.

The new stuff is too much, too many things going on.  What about the classics?

Oh yes, in such a way we are going to take years to get it right.  We own so much here in singles and sets that there is no way they fit on the floor, even if we gave them half the store.  So the best solution we can work toward is listing them right here, on this site.  But the missing ingredient?  We can't get information about them like we can when adding items we buy from distribution like comics, Funko Pops and games.  We have to create this all by hand.  So it will take a while.  We can work wish lists today, just like we do for back issues still at the warehouse.  And we will constantly be adding.  Plus, Keith is working on creating Marvel Card Content as HobbyArchival on all the platforms, to showcase the goods so you can research.  New info there will be shared to our social media too.

So where do I start today?

We have a display case by the statues with packs, boxes, and sets.  We run a weekly WhatNot show on Friday nights at 6PM where we sell Marvel Cards and more.  And like all areas of the store, our experts are always ready to chat, although this is Keith's specialty for right now.  So stop by, check it out, engage the conversation, and see what fun you can have either reliving the old times or starting with something brand new.  And this is a great time to think about starting, Upper Deck now has the DC Comics license and new sets start as soon as the end of January.  Get in the ground floor of those, and see what is being produced.