I had first heard about binding comics through Augie De Blieck’s regular Pipeline column for CBR, which in turn led me to Library Binding, a book binding company in Waco, Texas that a lot of comic book binders use regularly. I was curious and interested in trying it, but I let the idea slip from my mind.
Later, I came across a post on Bleeding Cool about the unfortunate purchase of Library Binding and how the new owners would no longer offer services for comic books. (This is no longer the case – I have read Library Binding and their comic book service is still alive and well.) From there I was directed to Single Bound Studios. The site’s owner, David, has an extensive gallery of dust jackets and wraparound hardcovers he has designed for a variety of clients. His site even links to a forum where you can share info and ask questions of the helpful and enthusiastic members. There are even a couple threads with lots of pictures or bound volumes that some members have amassed over time.
With my interest in book binding rekindled, and the “resurrection” of Library Binding, I plan on taking my first steps into the comic book binding pool. This blog entry will serve as the first in a series of posts about my experience and the results.
The first thing I had to do was decide what to have bound. Being overly cautious and somewhat skeptical, I wanted to use books that I wouldn’t miss should something bad happen to them. I have a couple longboxes worth of comics I intend to give away or sell someday, and I eventually settled on the Richard Dragon 12-issue series by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel. I enjoy both creators’ work, but there wasn’t anything spectacular about this particular title. Still, it should make a nice, complete volume if everything works out.
Richard Dragon issues 1 through 12.
After I got all of the books together, I took the time to scan each cover at a high resolution in case I feel like constructing my own dust jacket, which isn’t a bad idea considering my portfolio could use some spicing up. Once all of the scans are saved and tucked away on my hard drive, I wrapped the books up with their binding slip, and prepared the package for shipping.
The bind slip all filled out.
For my first book, I decided to go with a basic, “no frills” volume. I want to get an idea of what each option is like and what it can add to a particular book, and what better opportunity to go low budget then on a book you don’t care as much about?
All packed up and ready to go!
Next stop, the post office! And then the waiting begins…
