Agreed- really cool to see the openness instead of how people often feel ashamed. Frankly, I'm afraid to tally up my online orders related to my hobbies (not just comics)
$7,500 a year for a major hobby that funds itself isn't bad. That combined with the fact the books mostly go up if you need to sell them is a win all around. Much respect Gem.
For sure, many hobbies leave a person with nothing at the end. I know a lot of people that play sports and spend a ton on it and don’t have anything to sell off when they quit.
Max Kernfeld how so? My best friend spends a ton on Hockey gear, has to pay dues, and then more for traveling for games, like staying in hotels and even air travel. He’s older so he isn’t going to get any money back from becoming a pro all of a sudden. Nobody’s going to want to buy his smelly old gear.
It's cool the see how your collection has changed over the years. From CGC slabs to statues to omnibus. I don't think many people realize how long you've been collecting, and how you've built a hobby that funds itself now.
You can either have AF 15 at a 4.5 or an entire omnibus collection with enough material to read for decades. I think you made the right choice by going this route from a personal enjoyment perspective.
Wow! $30K, that's pretty sweet man! I'm a Gen-Xer and just getting started in collecting. Growing up, I didn't have the financial means to buy comics, but I'm truly thankful that I can start collecting my favorites in omnibus formats! :-)
You may want to look into Brodart covers. It will definitely take some time to cover all those dust jackets, but they protect the covers and the books really well.
After all these years of watching collecting meeting and admiring comic book collectors I'm glad to find that there are still people left who can openly admits what they do what they spend and what they have read. Gem Mint, your really are a cool dude and an awesome collector
Nope! Not looking at my cost! hahaha. One thing I can say is that I never had an order with more than 3 omnis; GL by Geoff Johns was my biggest online order. Great video, Gem!
I added the total from the site and thought it wasn’t too too bad. But then I started thinking about single issues, CGC slabs, shelving, etc. This game really adds up!
Dread to think how much I have spent on omnibus as well as absolutes etc but I have sold items (X-Men 1 omnibus being one of them annoyingly) over the years (and regretted that) but I have also I have dumped (charity shops etc) loads of comics that are now key issues, not much you can do about that one - back in the 60s and 70s they weren't key issues. UK prices for omnibuses are fairly but mainly £50 each but as soon as they go out of print, £300+ etc on various sites but I just avoid those, not that obsessive to get them all as I know they may come out again in new (and better) format. Seen so many versions of these books since the 60s, definitely think the omnibus is the best format (far superior to the original comics as far as I am concerned). The worst ones for me are the brilliant IDW Artist editions (have about five of those and they are a lot in the UK so prefer when they come out in artisan format)
great vid and respect to u for being transparent and completely honest with ur subscribers, not many content creators do that. keep up the awesome work and cool vids
$3,860.32 just from IST since August 2019! Damn man why u make me look at the total. 😆 I still need to add up eBay, CGN, and Facebook! Fml! But just a guesstimate close to 5 g's In a year! I'm def gonna slow down. 😆
This was surprising at first...but the more you think about it, it’s understandable. This is a hobby that will fund itself! I definitely think most of these will continue to appreciate!!!!
No, this is not entirely accurate. If you get a book that goes OoP FOREVER, then yes. But the moment they reprint it, yours loses value. And if you actually read them, you need to keep them in perfect condition too.
Just started my Omni trek. One of the first videos I remember watching of yours was “how to afford this hobby” or such. And you mentioned it being a self funding hobby, and that’s what I’ve been doing. Selling old books and getting the ones I want
I definitely still amazes me that you got every omnis that's been put out. That background just never gets old. In this day and age digital is king. When it comes to music, movies, and reading material. But, with people us, we still want a physical media and hold it in hand. Even though I've spent a lot of money on Blu-rays/4K movies over the years. I'm sure it's nowhere near as much as $30K
Great video man. I’ve been subscribed for about a week now and have been straight up binging your content. I like how you’re honest but really nice about it. Keep it up. 🙌🏻
Yep, there is something irresistible about omni's and Absolute Editions but unlike other kinds of addictions you will be dollars in at the end of the day.
Thanks for the honesty Gem! I recently got heavy into CGC and today realized I gotta curb that real quick 😒😒 The Boys shoots in my city! The scene where the female fights her brother in ep3 is right down my street ! Looove the show
Great video man really cool. At the start of quarantine I went crazy buying omni’s on sale on amazon to start my collection but now I’ve slowed down to collect single issues. Hope to have a collection like this one day
Man this is from 3 years ago and I just can’t get over how different you look now that you have lost a lot of weight.like a different person ! Congrats !
I’m not sure how close it was, but he had a video where he said he had like 638 at the time or something like that. So if we say he bought them for an average of 75$ each on sale it came out to like 47,000 some dollars.
Very interesting to see. Makes me want to go through and track my stuff...which I should have been doing all along. Easy to just let things accumulate without keeping track.
The comics industry has taken its lumps this year. But, a channel like yours' reminds what is so great about this hobby and why this art-form deserves as much support as we can all provide.
Dayum! Love watching ur videos always refreshing to look into the window of how collecting is in this arena. Thats one hell of a retirement plan u got going there. Props to u Gem
Great video! In Funko Pops alone I’ve spent around over $7,000 🤣💀😭 I also collect statues, figures and sports memorabilia. The nice thing is that my wife supports my collecting and I don’t have to hide purchases
Thanks for sharing that number Gem, It's something you always wonder right? How much money have I spent on my hobby. I wouldn't be surprised if I spent over $20,000 in my comic book collection.
I asked Omar over at Near Mint if he had his collection insured and he had his own logic, reason and answer but you being aware of how much you have spent at IST at the very least. I really do hope you have your books insured. Keep the content going.
Gem Mint - $30K! Unbelievable! I think it's still worth it b/c look at that absolutely amazing library you have - plus you read your OMNI(s) (28% right?). I have to admit I was sitting on the edge of my seat in suspense while you were calculating it all up - really got me nervous. Great episode! Want to make another suggestion for you - I really don't want you to get rid of any of your OMNI(s) but I understand you were thinking about getting rid of some of the ones you don't read - eg., Shang Chi and Conan. I would recommend at least keeping the first Conan b/c that has the incredible run by Barry Windsor-Smith and the first Shang Chi has his most celebrated storyline ever - plus you've said multiple times you like to have the very first runs of a character b/c you like to have the background and origin. But I still don't want you to let your library reduce. That's the greatest room in the world that you sit in every day!
Oh man, from day 1 when I started buying comics to now... I don't even want to know!! Between single issues, paperback volumes, hardcovers, and omnibuses...I probably could have bought a house instead, hahaha, at least a couple cars!!
Wish I had that kind if collection to read when I retire. I guess it is never to late to start though. Thanks for being transparent about the money spent to get it.
Just think... you could either own a room of endless omnis, or a rare exotic ostrich egg. As much as I enjoy eggs, you can only eat that once. Whereas, you can read omnis until the end of time.
![ตีสิบเดย์ [FULL] | อาจารย์โอเล่ ญาณสัมผัส ผ่าดวงคนดัง ประเทศไทยจะเป็นยังไงหลังจากนี้!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gszT2O76fL4/mqdefault.jpg)
Good for you being transparent and honest on what you've spent. You're down to earth, 'real person' style is what I love
Agreed- really cool to see the openness instead of how people often feel ashamed. Frankly, I'm afraid to tally up my online orders related to my hobbies (not just comics)
Onya' mate, I feel the same way. Great channel, that being a main reason :)
$7,500 a year for a major hobby that funds itself isn't bad. That combined with the fact the books mostly go up if you need to sell them is a win all around. Much respect Gem.
For sure, many hobbies leave a person with nothing at the end. I know a lot of people that play sports and spend a ton on it and don’t have anything to sell off when they quit.
essaywhu this is not a well thought out comment...
Max Kernfeld how so? My best friend spends a ton on Hockey gear, has to pay dues, and then more for traveling for games, like staying in hotels and even air travel. He’s older so he isn’t going to get any money back from becoming a pro all of a sudden. Nobody’s going to want to buy his smelly old gear.
essaywhu no offense but I think it‘s obvious that you are not a sportsman.
@@maxkernfeld7928 he’s right tho lmao it’s all a big ass waste of money unless you’re a actually pro in the NHL
$30k in books just chillin in the background of every video? Now that’s a flex and a half
like bruh i could buy the materials for a nice at least 1 bedroom house
Also thats with them being half priced right? Imagine if it was $100-$120 each omnibus 😭
Gem: I challenge you, add up your online orders!
Me: How about no.
Ha ha Kris. I hear you. Let's not go there lol
I've spent around 1200€in the last 10 years of collecting manga and comics
Wish I had a library like that! I've been buying more books lately, but still probably around the $1,000 mark. Love you Gem, stay real
"retirement plan" Im gonna have to use that line from now on
Somethings we don't discuss when the wife is present.......LOL!
Damn, dedication. Mad respect for your comic book game.
I really appreciate gem being so honest about how much it spends it just makes him seem even more in touch with his community 🔥💎
To be honest your collection is far more cosmetically pleasing that some numbers on a piece of paper and is infinitely more entertaining.
It's cool the see how your collection has changed over the years. From CGC slabs to statues to omnibus. I don't think many people realize how long you've been collecting, and how you've built a hobby that funds itself now.
I love that you tell it how it is transparency is key there is no bs
Cheapgraphicnovels really doesnt like people mentioning IST looool
Since getting back into collecting. I’ve spent around $4400 so far. Lol. But I love all tips and info I get from this channel.
You can either have AF 15 at a 4.5 or an entire omnibus collection with enough material to read for decades. I think you made the right choice by going this route from a personal enjoyment perspective.
Wow! $30K, that's pretty sweet man! I'm a Gen-Xer and just getting started in collecting. Growing up, I didn't have the financial means to buy comics, but I'm truly thankful that I can start collecting my favorites in omnibus formats! :-)
I don’t even want to look at my spending total 😭
^Truth.......................
Daaaaang! I remember following your posts in groups and watching you build that collection. Crazy (and amazing)!
I watched this with my wife and now she is eyeballing my collection.
You may want to look into Brodart covers. It will definitely take some time to cover all those dust jackets, but they protect the covers and the books really well.
So funny Gem gives IST 30 grand but gets sponsored by CGN
You gotta spend your money on something. Why not something that brings you joy. Love you work GM
Hot damn. That’s incredible! Insane! You do have the best collection of omnibus around!
I haven’t even seen anybody close
Love your motto of how your hobby should pay itself, and that's inspiring me to start something of my own
30 000 Doll Hairs... WHAT
lol
I don’t own any omnis but from watching your channel I want to start collecting
i just started in april and i've already spent $5,000
Pretty much the same but i buy singles
After all these years of watching collecting meeting and admiring comic book collectors I'm glad to find that there are still people left who can openly admits what they do what they spend and what they have read. Gem Mint, your really are a cool dude and an awesome collector
Nope! Not looking at my cost! hahaha. One thing I can say is that I never had an order with more than 3 omnis; GL by Geoff Johns was my biggest online order. Great video, Gem!
I look forward to your videos more than any other on YT. I have no doubt your channel will keep growing steadily. Thanks for all you do Gem. 💎💎💎
Yeah, I can just imagine how much I've spent...but if you're using CGN or IST, the total amount spent could be much higher so it's worth the cost
I added the total from the site and thought it wasn’t too too bad. But then I started thinking about single issues, CGC slabs, shelving, etc. This game really adds up!
Dread to think how much I have spent on omnibus as well as absolutes etc but I have sold items (X-Men 1 omnibus being one of them annoyingly) over the years (and regretted that) but I have also I have dumped (charity shops etc) loads of comics that are now key issues, not much you can do about that one - back in the 60s and 70s they weren't key issues. UK prices for omnibuses are fairly but mainly £50 each but as soon as they go out of print, £300+ etc on various sites but I just avoid those, not that obsessive to get them all as I know they may come out again in new (and better) format. Seen so many versions of these books since the 60s, definitely think the omnibus is the best format (far superior to the original comics as far as I am concerned). The worst ones for me are the brilliant IDW Artist editions (have about five of those and they are a lot in the UK so prefer when they come out in artisan format)
great vid and respect to u for being transparent and completely honest with ur subscribers, not many content creators do that. keep up the awesome work and cool vids
You're lucky you have such a supportive wife like phie! She's a keeper, although I don't need to tell you that.
Love your Chanel btw. 💪💎
😊 thank you
Congrats on all your success Gem. I dont know why but your vids always feel like listening to business insider. Kind of like getting tips from an OG
$3,860.32 just from IST since August 2019! Damn man why u make me look at the total. 😆 I still need to add up eBay, CGN, and Facebook! Fml! But just a guesstimate close to 5 g's In a year! I'm def gonna slow down. 😆
This was surprising at first...but the more you think about it, it’s understandable. This is a hobby that will fund itself! I definitely think most of these will continue to appreciate!!!!
honestly, omni's aren't that bad when you think about resale because you can ship them media mail, doesn't really matter how much they weight
That’s how I justify omni purchases lol
Wow, havent seen anyone who is so honest in things like this🔥
This was a brave move to look up this number... I’m honestly afraid to calculate mine, even though like you said it’s purchasing appreciating assets.
No, this is not entirely accurate. If you get a book that goes OoP FOREVER, then yes. But the moment they reprint it, yours loses value. And if you actually read them, you need to keep them in perfect condition too.
Just started my Omni trek. One of the first videos I remember watching of yours was “how to afford this hobby” or such. And you mentioned it being a self funding hobby, and that’s what I’ve been doing. Selling old books and getting the ones I want
Yea Barnes & noble is trippin lol, gotta order online
Fr 😂😂
barnes and noble is trying to make money. you can't run a business selling stuff for less than you pay for it, not brand new stuff.
It’s comforting to know that at the very least you can break even. Helps to justify the purchases.
I really like that you do this, its important to know what you have so it can keep being special, great video!
Thank you for this. Now I'm in the midst of updating my spreadsheet for my book purchase lol
The asm vol 1 was my 1st omni and also my 1st vid I watched on this channel (spiderman omnis)
Another great video!Like so many of your viewing fans I love your down to earth style. It feels like im just kicking back talking to a friend
I definitely still amazes me that you got every omnis that's been put out. That background just never gets old.
In this day and age digital is king. When it comes to music, movies, and reading material. But, with people us, we still want a physical media and hold it in hand. Even though I've spent a lot of money on Blu-rays/4K movies over the years. I'm sure it's nowhere near as much as $30K
I don’t even buy comic books but I love this channel.
Great video man. I’ve been subscribed for about a week now and have been straight up binging your content. I like how you’re honest but really nice about it. Keep it up. 🙌🏻
Yep, there is something irresistible about omni's and Absolute Editions but unlike other kinds of addictions you will be dollars in at the end of the day.
Its cool you're being so open sharing this. But my biggest worry would be possible thieves watching thinking to themselves look at that gold mine.
Thanks for the honesty Gem! I recently got heavy into CGC and today realized I gotta curb that real quick 😒😒 The Boys shoots in my city! The scene where the female fights her brother in ep3 is right down my street ! Looove the show
I don't have an omni collection like that but I'm afraid to look at my cgc comic collection lol
Thank you for this, puts it into perspective.
Great video man really cool. At the start of quarantine I went crazy buying omni’s on sale on amazon to start my collection but now I’ve slowed down to collect single issues. Hope to have a collection like this one day
I have been waiting on this info for the longest..can find this omnibus anywhere. Thanks love the collection
Considering you spent around 7-8 thousand per year that’s not bad considering how much value you got out of it. Great video!
absolute power corrupts absolutely
Man this is from 3 years ago and I just can’t get over how different you look now that you have lost a lot of weight.like a different person ! Congrats !
Always fun learning about your collection. Keep up the great content.
I’m not sure how close it was, but he had a video where he said he had like 638 at the time or something like that. So if we say he bought them for an average of 75$ each on sale it came out to like 47,000 some dollars.
Awesome giveaway. I loved your honesty about total cost.
Very interesting to see. Makes me want to go through and track my stuff...which I should have been doing all along. Easy to just let things accumulate without keeping track.
WoW! that is some collection and that's quite a bit of money. But it is well worth it if it is what you enjoy plus you haven't lost money so bravo.
I recently just started collecting omnibus and love your vdeos! Your videos help me out a lot, keep up the good work!
Thanks for the self reflection. Started counting the value of my collection as well.
The comics industry has taken its lumps this year. But, a channel like yours' reminds what is so great about this hobby and why this art-form deserves as much support as we can all provide.
love the video, I haven't spent as much as you on omnibus but I don't regret buying any of them.
Dayum! Love watching ur videos always refreshing to look into the window of how collecting is in this arena. Thats one hell of a retirement plan u got going there. Props to u Gem
The hustle dont stop. Keepin it real as always you dont see that to often.
I haven't long been into comics, but this channel has influenced me to buy omnibus collections. They just look nicer on a shelf
Great video! In Funko Pops alone I’ve spent around over $7,000 🤣💀😭 I also collect statues, figures and sports memorabilia. The nice thing is that my wife supports my collecting and I don’t have to hide purchases
Really awesome vid, thanks for being so transparent
Videos and honesty like this is why I subbed gem and phie
Always great videos, very informative.
Thanks for sharing that number Gem, It's something you always wonder right? How much money have I spent on my hobby. I wouldn't be surprised if I spent over $20,000 in my comic book collection.
Thanks for the info on making a switch on the omnibus. Great info like always. Stay minty fresh!!!!
That’s Awesome Gem! Thanks for always keepin it real!
I often experience the so called collectors regret when I buy something, but seeing it on the shelf makes it worth it
Crazy man ! I’m slowly but surely working my way up on my collection !
Congrats again gem we all love ya in the community!
I’m now starting to collect my omnibus collection I just ordered some Chris Claremont runs
Good luck getting the subs! And im with you. Been buying way to many comics since i started collecting earlier this year.
I asked Omar over at Near Mint if he had his collection insured and he had his own logic, reason and answer but you being aware of how much you have spent at IST at the very least. I really do hope you have your books insured. Keep the content going.
Ordering huge books online was how I coped with quarantine this year.
Dope ass vid Gem! I'm slowly building up my omni collection too, you've inspired me 😂
Like you said, they have all retained value or even gone up in value so it's realistically just storing money within a hobby!!
Love how straight up you are with us! Keep up the great work!
Gem Mint - $30K! Unbelievable! I think it's still worth it b/c look at that absolutely amazing library you have - plus you read your OMNI(s) (28% right?). I have to admit I was sitting on the edge of my seat in suspense while you were calculating it all up - really got me nervous. Great episode! Want to make another suggestion for you - I really don't want you to get rid of any of your OMNI(s) but I understand you were thinking about getting rid of some of the ones you don't read - eg., Shang Chi and Conan. I would recommend at least keeping the first Conan b/c that has the incredible run by Barry Windsor-Smith and the first Shang Chi has his most celebrated storyline ever - plus you've said multiple times you like to have the very first runs of a character b/c you like to have the background and origin. But I still don't want you to let your library reduce. That's the greatest room in the world that you sit in every day!
Oh man, from day 1 when I started buying comics to now... I don't even want to know!! Between single issues, paperback volumes, hardcovers, and omnibuses...I probably could have bought a house instead, hahaha, at least a couple cars!!
True I got absolute carnage from cheap graphic novel and was excited for the purchase
A lot of cool books in your collection! The Boys would be some good reading during the winter months, while I'm staying in more.
I go to past present future sometimes... they have a lot of good stuff but yes they are priced high
Wish I had that kind if collection to read when I retire. I guess it is never to late to start though. Thanks for being transparent about the money spent to get it.
Love your videos. They taught me a lot as I'm getting back into comics.
Love your content. Started checking out some tpbs because of you and now I’m hooked ! Much love
plus the cost of investing in a swiffer duster to keep those books clean
Just think... you could either own a room of endless omnis, or a rare exotic ostrich egg. As much as I enjoy eggs, you can only eat that once. Whereas, you can read omnis until the end of time.