How to Get Into Comic Books on Any Budget

Few hobbies are as rewarding and intimidating as getting into comics. Between decades of continuity, dozens of publishers, and hundreds of characters, it can feel like you need a PhD in superheroes just to figure out where to start. But the truth is, you don’t need to know everything to start enjoying comics. You just need to know what you like and what best works for you.

Whether you’re looking to casually dip your toes into the world of superheroes or start building a collection of independent comics that reflects your unique taste, there are more ways than ever to make comic collecting a sustainable, enjoyable, and deeply personal hobby. And the best part? It doesn’t have to break the bank.

Let’s break down how you can start reading comics on any kind of budget.

Comics on a Shoestring: $0–$10/month

Image: DC Comics

If you’re working with a tight budget, the good news is you can easily still read a ton of great comics. Can’t decide which books to start reading? Local libraries are your best friend here. Apps like Libby and Hoopla let you check out digital comics for free with just a library card—and they’re stacked with content from Marvel, DC, Image, and more.

If you're more into sampling than deep diving, sites like Comixology often feature free first issues, and many creators share previews or even full comics through newsletters and Substack posts. This tier is about exploration: trying things, following your curiosity, and discovering what you enjoy.

If you want to start spending money on more comics, your best bet is to pick one subscription platform. These are the biggest ones that give you access to thousands of comics for a flat monthly fee:

• Marvel Unlimited
• DC Universe Infinite
• Comixology Unlimited
• GlobalComix 

But remember that each has its own flavor. While Marvel and DC are the best for superheroes, Comixology offers great curated variety, and GlobalComix is for more lesser-known indies. Whichever one of these you choose, you’ll find lots of great comics no matter what. 

Starting to Commit: $10–$25/month

Image: GlobalComix

As your interest grows, you’ll probably want to go deeper and spend a bit more cash. You can either broaden your access with multiple subscriptions (two pretty manageable) or stick to one subscription while also buying more physical comics for your shelf. Many fans use a digital subscription for backreading and discovery, then commit to 1–3 single issues each month. Many feel collecting single issues is the best way to support creators and follow new releases in real time.

You can also start buying trade paperbacks (TPBs), which are collected editions of comic arcs. If you stick with publishers like Image or Boom!, you’ll often find Volume 1s for $9.99, letting you stretch this budget surprisingly far.

And if you enjoy the thrill of the hunt? Back issue bins at local comic shops are goldmines if you’ve got the patience and stamina for digging through them. Long boxes are often filled with one-off stories, oddball team-ups, or complete arcs for just a couple of bucks each.

Building Your Collection with Intention: $25–$50/month

Once you’re at the point of regularly spending money on comics, you probably know what you like—or at least what publishers, creators, or characters you're vibing with. That opens up some really fun options.

At $50, you could spread out your budget like this:

• Three online subscriptions 
• 5-6 single issues monthly
• Or swap out the subscriptions for 3-4 TPBs

This is also where you might start buying variant covers, testing out indie publishers through single issues, or following specific creators across multiple books.

You don’t need a spreadsheet to keep track of it all, but having a general focus ("I’m catching up on X-Men runs" or "I want to explore more horror indies") makes the experience even more rewarding. Comics stop feeling like a stream of content and start becoming a curated part of your identity.

Collecting Seriously: $50–$150/month

If comics have started to feel like more than just a hobby—if they’ve become something you want to celebrate, share, and collect—this is where the floodgates open. This budget gives you enough flexibility to:

• Keep all major subscriptions
• Pick up 3–10 single issues and/or 4–8 trade paperbacks monthly
• Dive into deluxe hardcovers, omnibuses, or exclusive variants
• Back Kickstarters or commission art from your favorite creators

You might also start exploring grading, protecting, or displaying your books. At this stage, you’re not just reading comics. You’re building a collection that reflects what you value about the medium.

The Collector’s Playground: $150–$400+

For those with the budget for it, this price range opens up the full spectrum of the comic collecting. You can:

• Chase full variant sets or collect every cover for a series
• Build a personal library of deluxe and signed editions
• Purchase original artwork from your favorite issues
• Invest in slabbed key issues and rare ratio covers

At this point, collecting can become as much about curation as it is about consumption. Some build shelves of stories that shaped them. Others treat it like art collecting, acquiring original pages, covers, or limited pieces.

It’s important to say: this isn’t a requirement. It’s an option. The beauty of comics is that you can be a digital-only reader, a Wednesday warrior, a Kickstarter superfan, or a longbox hunter—and still be a real fan.

Stretch Your Dollar: Tips for Budget-Savvy Readers

Image: Amazon

Whatever your budget, here are some ways to read more without spending more:

• Back issue bins at comic shops can net you some surprise gems for $1–2 each.
• Comixology sales often drop trades to $0.99–4.99.
• Humble Bundle, Fanatical, and Panel Syndicate offer pay-what-you-want bundles and DRM-free downloads.
• Join Reddit communities like r/comicbooks or r/comicswap to trade, sell, or grab free comics from other fans.
• Rotate your subscriptions based on what you want to read that month.
• Ask your local shop if they offer pull list discounts (many do!).

Being resourceful is part of the fun.

Remember: There are No Strict Rules When it Comes to Being a Comic Fan

Forget the gatekeeping. Forget the timelines. You don’t have to know every retcon or read every event. The only thing that matters is that you’re enjoying yourself.

We usually become fans of a character, world, or creator because of the connection we feel with them. Collecting is a way to make that connection feel even more tangible. It’s a reflection of our identity, a way to shape our environment, and a tool to connect with others in the fandom.

That said, it’s easy to go overboard when collecting. Be intentional. Start with what grabs your attention. Stick with what makes you feel something. And if you want to go deeper, there are endless ways to explore, support, and engage with the world of comics.

You don’t need to do it all. Just follow what you love.