Using Collection Sets

Collection Sets are a way to group your comic book issues inside your main collection. Think of them like folders or boxes — perfect for organizing your collection based on how you think about your comics.

You can create as many sets as you want (or up to 2 on free accounts) and assign issues to any of them. One set could be "Spider-Verse," another "Box 3," or maybe "Convention Pickups" — totally up to you.

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What Are Collection Sets?

The Concept

Collection Sets are organizational containers for your comic book issues. They work like:

• Physical storage boxes - Mirror your real-world organization
• Folders on a computer - Group related items together
• Playlists - Create custom groupings that make sense to you
• Categories - Sort by any criteria you choose

Common Use Cases

By Physical Location

• "Box 1", "Box 2", "Box 3"
• "Short Box A", "Long Box B"
• "Shelf 1 - Top Row"
• "Storage Unit"
• "At Parents' House"

By Theme or Storyline

• "Spider-Verse"
• "Infinity Saga"
• "Batman Knightfall"
• "X-Men: Dark Phoenix"
• "Cosmic Marvel"

By Acquisition

• "Convention Pickups 2024"
• "eBay Finds"
• "Local Comic Shop Hauls"
• "Gifts"
• "Inherited Collection"

By Purpose

• "For Sale"
• "For Trading"
• "Reading Pile"
• "Investment Grade"
• "Personal Favorites"

By Publisher

• "Marvel Comics"
• "DC Comics"
• "Image Comics"
• "Independent Publishers"

By Character or Team

• "Spider-Man Collection"
• "X-Men Collection"
• "Batman Collection"
• "Avengers Collection"

By Era

• "Golden Age (1938-1956)"
• "Silver Age (1956-1970)"
• "Bronze Age (1970-1985)"
• "Modern Age (1985-Present)"

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Creating Collection Sets

How to Create a New Set

1. Navigate to your Collection page: https://versedb.com/collection
2. Scroll down to the Collection Sets section
3. Click the "+ New Set" button
4. A dialog or form will appear
5. Enter a descriptive name for your set
6. Click "Save" or "Create"

Your new set is now ready to use!

Naming Best Practices

Be Descriptive

• ✅ "Spider-Man: Brand New Day Arc"
• ❌ "Set 1"

Stay Consistent

• ✅ "Box 1", "Box 2", "Box 3"
• ❌ "Box 1", "Second Box", "3rd storage"

Use Dates When Relevant

• ✅ "SDCC Purchases 2024"
• ✅ "January 2025 Haul"

Include Context

• ✅ "Reading Pile - Winter 2025"
• ✅ "For Sale - High Grade Only"

Keep It Scannable

• ✅ "Batman - Knightfall Saga"
• ❌ "That really long Batman arc with Bane that I bought at the convention last year"

Set Name Examples

Physical Storage

- Short Box Alpha
- Long Box 01 - Marvel
- Shelf 2 - Row 3
- Garage Storage - Left

Storylines

- Infinity Gauntlet Saga
- Civil War Crossover
- Crisis on Infinite Earths
- Secret Wars (2015)

Series-Specific

- Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1
- Batman Detective Comics
- Walking Dead Complete Run
- Saga Issues

Personal Organization

- Currently Reading
- Up Next
- Already Read - Keep
- Read - Sell/Trade

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Assigning Issues to Sets

Adding Issues to a Set

There are two main ways to assign issues:

Method 1: Edit Individual Issue

1. Go to your Collection page
2. Find the issue you want to assign
3. Click the Edit icon (pencil) in the Actions column
4. Under Basic Details section, find Collection Set dropdown
5. Select the set you want from the dropdown menu
6. Click "Update Details" to save

Method 2: Bulk Assignment (PRO Feature)

1. Select multiple issues using checkboxes
2. Click "Bulk Edit" button
3. Choose "Change Collection Set"
4. Select target set
5. Apply changes to all selected issues

Moving Issues Between Sets

To move an issue from one set to another:

1. Edit the issue (pencil icon)
2. Change the Collection Set dropdown to the new set
3. Save changes

The issue is automatically removed from the old set and added to the new one.

Removing Issues from Sets

To remove an issue from a set (move to Default Collection):

1. Edit the issue
2. Change Collection Set dropdown to "Default Collection" or "None"
3. Save changes

The issue remains in your collection but isn't assigned to any set.

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Viewing and Managing Sets

Viewing All Issues in a Set

From Collection Sets Section

1. Scroll to Collection Sets section on your Collection page
2. Find the set you want to view
3. Click the eye icon next to the set name
4. You'll see a filtered view showing only issues in that set

Using the Filter Dropdown

1. At the top of your Collection page, find the Collection Set filter dropdown
2. Select the set you want to view
3. Collection list updates to show only that set's issues
4. Select "All Sets" to return to full collection view

Editing Set Details

Renaming a Set

1. Go to Collection Sets section
2. Click the Edit icon next to the set name
3. Update the name
4. Save changes

Adding a Description (if available)

• Some set edit dialogs allow descriptions
• Use this to note what belongs in the set
• Example: "Spider-Man issues from 1990-1995 only"

Deleting a Set

How to Delete

1. Go to Collection Sets section
2. Click the Delete or Trash icon next to the set
3. Confirm deletion when prompted

What Happens When You Delete

• ✅ The set is permanently removed
• ✅ Issues in the set move to "Default Collection"
• ✅ No issues are deleted from your collection
• ✅ All issue details (condition, value, etc.) are preserved

Important: You cannot undo a set deletion, but you can recreate it and re-assign issues.

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Organizing Strategies

By Physical Location (Most Common)

Best For: Collectors with many boxes or storage areas

How to Set Up

1. Create a set for each physical box/shelf/location
2. Name them clearly: "Box 1", "Box 2", etc.
3. Assign issues as you store them physically
4. Update Storage Location field too for extra precision

Benefits

• Know exactly where each comic is stored
• Easy to find books when you want to read them
• Helps when reorganizing or moving
• Perfect for insurance documentation

Example Structure

Collection Sets:
├── Short Box A - Marvel 1960s-1980s
├── Short Box B - DC 1970s-1990s
├── Long Box 1 - Image Comics
├── Long Box 2 - Independent Publishers
├── Graded Comics - Safe
└── Reading Pile - Desk

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By Storyline or Arc

Best For: Readers who want to group related stories together

How to Set Up

1. Research major storylines you own issues from
2. Create a set for each complete (or partial) arc
3. Assign issues that belong to that story
4. Use notes field to track what you're missing

Benefits

• Easy to pull out entire storylines to re-read
• Track completion progress for each arc
• Great for lending sets to friends
• Helps identify gaps in arcs

Example Structure

Collection Sets:
├── Spider-Man: Clone Saga
├── X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga
├── Batman: Knightfall
├── Infinity Gauntlet
├── Civil War (Main Series)
├── Civil War (Tie-Ins)
└── Secret Wars (2015)

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By Character or Series

Best For: Collectors focused on specific characters

How to Set Up

1. Create sets for your favorite characters or teams
2. Add all issues featuring that character (from any series)
3. Can subdivide by series if collection is large

Benefits

• See entire character collection at once
• Track how many issues feature your favorite characters
• Perfect for character completionists
• Helps when trading for character-specific books

Example Structure

Collection Sets:
├── Spider-Man (All Appearances)
│   ├── Amazing Spider-Man
│   ├── Spectacular Spider-Man
│   └── Web of Spider-Man
├── X-Men Collection
├── Batman Collection
└── Avengers Collection

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By Purchase Source or Date

Best For: Collectors who want to track acquisition history

How to Set Up

1. Create sets for different sources or time periods
2. Assign issues based on where/when purchased
3. Update estimated value to track investment

Benefits

• Track which sources give best deals
• Remember convention pickups years later
• Monitor value growth over time
• Sentimental organization

Example Structure

Collection Sets:
├── SDCC 2024 Haul
├── NYCC 2024 Haul
├── Local Comic Shop Pickups
├── eBay Wins 2024
├── Inherited from Dad
└── January 2025 Purchases

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Hybrid Approach

Best For: Most collectors

Many collectors use a combination of strategies:

Example Hybrid Structure

Physical Location Sets:
├── Box 1 - Marvel Silver Age
├── Box 2 - DC Bronze Age
├── Box 3 - Modern Comics

Special Sets:
├── Reading Pile
├── For Sale/Trade
├── Graded Collection
├── Signed Comics

Storyline Sets:
├── Infinity Gauntlet Complete
├── Knightfall Saga
└── Walking Dead Run

The key is using what makes sense for your collection and habits.

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Collection Sets Limits

Free Account Limits

Free accounts can create up to 2 Collection Sets

Strategies for 2-Set Limit

1. Physical + Special

   • Set 1: "Main Collection"
   • Set 2: "For Sale/Trade"

2. Two Locations

   • Set 1: "Box 1 - At Home"
   • Set 2: "Box 2 - Storage Unit"

3. Read Status

   • Set 1: "Already Read"
   • Set 2: "Reading Pile"

4. Publisher Split

   • Set 1: "Marvel Comics"
   • Set 2: "DC Comics"

PRO Account Benefits

PRO subscribers have unlimited Collection Sets

This allows for much more detailed organization:

• Separate set for each physical box
• Sets for every major storyline
• Character-specific sets
• Publisher divisions
• Era-based sets
• Acquisition tracking
• Purpose-based sets (sale, trade, keep)

Upgrade to PRO for unlimited organizational freedom.

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Searching and Filtering Sets

Using the Collection Set Filter

At the top of your Collection page:

1. Find the Collection Set dropdown filter
2. Click to see all your sets
3. Select a set to view only those issues
4. Select "All Sets" or "Default" to see everything

Combining Filters

You can combine the set filter with other filters:

Search + Set Filter

• Search: "Spider-Man"
• Set: "Box 1"
• Result: All Spider-Man issues in Box 1

Items Per Page + Set Filter

• Set: "Reading Pile"
• Items: 50 per page
• Result: See entire reading pile at once

Sorting Within Sets

After filtering to a specific set, you can still sort by:

• Issue number
• Series name
• Date added
• Estimated value
• Condition

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Tips for Managing Collection Sets

Getting Started

Start Simple

• Create just 1-2 sets initially
• Match your physical organization
• Expand as collection grows

Name Clearly

• Use descriptive names you'll remember
• Include numbers for sequences (Box 1, Box 2)
• Add context when helpful

Stay Consistent

• Pick a naming scheme and stick with it
• Don't mix "Box 1" with "Second Box"
• Use same format for similar sets

Maintaining Sets

Update Regularly

• Assign new purchases to sets immediately
• Move issues when physically reorganizing
• Update set names if purposes change

Review Periodically

• Check for unassigned issues monthly
• Verify sets still make sense
• Delete unused or empty sets

Use Notes

• Add notes to issues about why they're in a set
• Track completion progress for storyline sets
• Note special significance

Advanced Organization

Create a System

• Document your set structure somewhere
• Take photos of physical boxes matching sets
• Create a reference chart

Use Storage Location Field

• Set: "Box 1"
• Storage Location: "Shelf A, Position 3"
• Maximum precision for finding books

Track Completion

• Use set names like "Infinity Gauntlet (5/6)"
• Update as you acquire missing issues
• Move to "Complete" sets when done

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Can't See My Sets

Solutions

1. Scroll down to Collection Sets section on Collection page
2. Make sure you've created at least one set
3. Refresh page (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R)
4. Check if you're logged in

Issue Not Showing in Set

Solutions

1. Edit the issue and verify correct set is selected
2. Save changes and refresh page
3. Clear set filter to see all issues
4. Check if issue is in "Default Collection"

Hit 2-Set Limit on Free Account

Solutions

1. Delete an unused set to make room
2. Combine two sets into one broader set
3. Upgrade to PRO for unlimited sets
4. Use Storage Location field as alternative organization

Deleted Set by Accident

Solutions

1. Recreate the set with same name
2. Find issues that were in that set (check notes)
3. Re-assign them manually
4. Prevention: Be careful when deleting, there's no undo

Issues in Wrong Set

Solutions

1. Use bulk edit (PRO) to move multiple issues
2. Edit each issue individually to change set
3. Check filters - might be showing wrong set
4. Verify you didn't accidentally create duplicate set names

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Collection Sets can I create?

• Free accounts: Up to 2 sets
• PRO accounts: Unlimited sets

What happens to issues when I delete a set?

Issues move to "Default Collection" but remain in your collection with all their details intact.

Can an issue be in multiple sets at once?

No, each issue can only be in one set at a time. Choose the most relevant set for each issue.

Can I rename a set after creating it?

Yes, click the Edit icon next to the set name in the Collection Sets section.

Do sets affect my public collection?

Yes, public items show their assigned set on your public profile. Set names are visible to others.

Can I reorder my sets?

Not currently, but sets are typically shown alphabetically. Consider naming with numbers (01, 02, 03) for custom ordering.

What's the Default Collection?

The Default Collection contains all issues not assigned to any specific set. It's always available and can't be deleted.

Can I export just one set?

Yes (PRO feature). Filter to the set, then use Export to CSV. Only visible issues are exported.

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Summary

Collection Sets are a powerful organizational tool:

✅ Create sets to group related issues ✅ Organize your way - physical location, storylines, characters, or any system ✅ Assign issues through individual or bulk editing ✅ View and filter to find issues quickly ✅ Manage easily - rename, edit, or delete sets anytime ✅ Upgrade for unlimited sets with PRO subscription

Start organizing your collection today with Collection Sets!