Collection Sets: Organize Comics Your Way

Your collection has outgrown one big list. Maybe you've got graded keys mixed with reader copies, convention pickups sitting next to completed runs, and a box of books you're ready to sell. Finding anything means endless scrolling.

Collection Sets fix this. Create custom groups that match how you actually collect—by storage location, storyline, condition, investment tier, or whatever makes sense to you.

How Collection Sets Work

Each set is a labeled container you create. Give it a name, add an optional description, and choose whether it's public or private. Then assign issues from your collection.

Issues belong to one set at a time (or no set). Moving an issue to a different set is instant, and removing it from a set doesn't delete it from your collection.

Popular Organization Strategies

Collection Sets are flexible by design. Here's how collectors use them:

By Physical Storage

• "Long Box 1 - Marvel"
• "Short Box A - Keys"
• "Display Shelf"

Match your digital organization to your actual boxes and shelves. Find books faster.

By Storyline

• "Infinity Gauntlet Complete"
• "Dark Phoenix Saga"
• "Crisis on Infinite Earths"

Keep crossover issues together across series and publishers.

By Condition

• "CGC 9.8 Keys"
• "Reader Copies"
• "Raw High Grade"

Separate investment books from reading copies.

By Purpose

• "For Sale"
• "For Trade"
• "Reading Pile"

Functional groups based on what you plan to do next.

By Era

• "Silver Age Marvel"
• "Bronze Age DC"
• "Modern Indies"

Focus on specific collecting periods.

By Investment Status

• "High Value Keys"
• "Spec Books"
• "First Appearances"

Track portfolios and selling candidates.

Managing Your Sets

Creating a Set

1. Go to your Collection dashboard
2. Open Collection Sets management
3. Click "Create New Set"
4. Name it and set visibility
5. Start assigning issues

Assigning Issues

Add issues to sets in three ways:

• When adding to collection — Select a set during the add process
• From your dashboard — Select items and bulk-assign them
• From edit view — Change set assignment on any item

Moving and Removing

To move an issue: edit it and select a different set. The issue stays in your collection—only the grouping changes.

To remove from a set: edit the item and clear the set field. The issue remains in your general collection.

Navigating Your Collection

VerseDB organizes your collection in three levels:

Overview → All your items, stats, and sets at a glance

Title View → Click a title (like "Spider-Man") to see every series you own from that franchise

Series View → Click a series to see individual issues, including which ones you're missing

Gap Tracking

When viewing a series, toggle between:

• All — Every issue (owned and missing)
• Collected — Only what you own
• Not Collected — Only what you need

Completing runs is simple when you can see exactly what's missing.

Search and Filters

Find specific issues fast with stacked filters:

• Format — TPB, hardcover, omnibus, single issues
• Graded status — Show only slabs or only raw
• Signed status — Signed vs unsigned
• Publisher — Marvel, DC, Image, etc.

Combine filters for precision. Example: CGC-graded Marvel keys.

Collection Statistics

Your dashboard shows real-time stats:

• Total issues
• Number of sets
• Graded count
• Signed count
• Estimated total value

Stats update automatically as you add and edit items.

Bulk Operations

Add All Missing Issues

Viewing a series in your collection? Click "Add All Missing Issues" to add every gap at once. Perfect for:

• Cataloging complete runs you bought as sets
• Planning what you need to finish a run
• Quick entry after convention hauls

Bulk Set Assignment

Select multiple items and assign them to a set in one action.

Public vs Private

Control visibility at two levels:

Set visibility — Mark entire sets as public (visible on your profile) or private (only you see it)

Item visibility — Individual items also have public/private settings

This gives you flexibility. Keep your "For Sale" set public while keeping "Investment Portfolio" private.

Metadata You Can Track

Every collection item supports detailed metadata:

CSV Export (PRO)

Export your collection data for insurance documentation, tax records, external analysis, or backup.

1. Apply filters (optional—exports respect them)
2. Click "Export Collection"
3. Choose scope (all items or specific set)
4. Receive email when ready
5. Download via secure link (valid 24 hours)

Free vs PRO

Free Account

• Unlimited issues in your collection
• 2 Collection Sets
• All metadata fields
• Hierarchical navigation
• Full search and filtering
• Gap tracking
• Public/private controls

PRO Account

Everything in Free, plus:

• Unlimited Collection Sets
• CSV Export
• Display order control for sets
• Ad-free experience
• Profile customization (PRO badge, glowing avatar, custom banner)
• Bulk read actions
• Pull list exports (PDF, CSV, Excel)
• AI-powered recommendations

PRO is $6/month or $60/year.

Tips for Effective Organization

Start simple. Begin with 1-2 sets based on your most obvious need. Add more as patterns emerge.

Use consistent naming. Prefixes like "Marvel - " or "DC - " make sets easier to find.

Update regularly. Add purchases promptly. Review values quarterly.

Don't over-organize. If you're spending more time organizing than enjoying, simplify. Combine small sets. Delete unused ones.

Use public sets strategically. Showcase completed runs and books for sale. Keep investment tracking private.

Get Started

1. Add your collection — Search for issues and click "Add to Collection"
2. Create your first set — Pick one organizational need and build a set around it
3. Assign issues — Use bulk assignment to speed things up
4. Explore navigation — Try the Title → Series → Issues hierarchy
5. Consider PRO — If you want more than 2 sets or need exports, upgrade to PRO

Questions about Collection Sets? Ask on Discord.