Gaiden: Custom Binding Collected Comic Library Tour

Kirk Keifer (the comic book binding pro) joins us to give us a tour of his custom collected comics. Over the years, Kirk has helped people turn their single issue floppies into beautiful custom bound comic hardcovers. Today he gives us a glimpse of his wonderful library and talks to us about how his journey started.

[@el_jakk]

Watching this brings me more pleasure than watching porn.

[@NearMintCondition]

HAHAHAHA FACT!

[@echo2121]

I actually masturbated to this. They call it shelf porn for a reason.

[@NearMintCondition]

Happy to be of service!!!

[@benportzer]

@Svono Gveto same

[@toeknee1505]

Kirk's custom work is incredible! He REALLY thought it through, and not just his mapping. The spines are what got me impressed, with the gorgeous font, the consistent publisher logo design and placement, the connecting custom artwork between volumes.... He really thought this through, even with his first custom binding. Kudos to Kirk! I am awestruck!!!! Thanks Omar!!!!!

[@bobigghhb3]

This is amazing. And the Superman volumes with the connecting spine left me speechless

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you for watching!

[@cobain0204]

This was my first video, didn’t know anything about omnibus, even though I own some, but want to make my own. Congrats on the 100k followers.

[@Cerospace]

I hope to have a custom bound library a fifth as cool as this, one day.

[@talulah67]

I can't stop watching this video!!!

[@thepagemaster2963]

I wish more channels showcased content like this

[@NearMintCondition]

Some are just worried about copyright issues.

[@noelnarciso5596]

Awesome collection! What a labour of love indeed... 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@comicbookfan8551]

nice video you're custom binds look amazing man most look better than the official books awesome collection😆

[@ReaperXC]

This was amazing!

[@jeremyg371]

Cool collection. Love those bookcase setups too. Thx for the video and have a great day.

[@blueg8731]

Fantastic

[@amead78]

Your collection is fantastic. You should be very proud of it. I’d love to get into self binding.

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you.

[@FireFr0ggy]

This is amazing.

[@kathywalker5792]

Kirk Kiefer is an awesome guy! 💕 So much to say about him. More later

[@NearMintCondition]

He is an awesome guy!! :) Now he is in Japan.

[@wolfgangkrauser9735]

This was so cool.

[@xposhboyx]

Holy sh*t that's a huge collection

[@Orochi2345678]

This collection is just fantastic and I see a number of runs that i'd personally like to collect. Mike Grell's Green Arrow, Peter David's Aquaman, Chuck Dixon's Nightwing, etc. DC's releasing a lot of these in newer trade paperbacks right now, so that makes the issues a little easier to find and some of the stuff, like Wonder Woman, has even been receiving the omnibus treatment.

[@kevinkelley3906]

The Spectre is my favorite comic book character. I would LOVE to have a full collection. I'm working on it.

[@barefacedyeti3895]

God those are beautiful

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

That’s awesome looking, but was hoping that he would go into the actual process of what’s involved, where the materials come from, how to get and print the hardcovers, is there a company that does it, and the process of the binding etc, so would like to see some more about it in a bit more detail of what’s involved. Very enjoyable video 🙂👍

[@TheArkhamChronicle]

Ik I’m late to this comment but you just send your issues to different binding companies and u can chose is you want a graphic on the cover etc

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

@@TheArkhamChronicle I’m based in U.K. and not sure if any binding companies would be operating here

[@TheArkhamChronicle]

@@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo I’m in the uk too lol.

[@feddie138proof5]

I really wish he went flipping through books. Show more the of the binding. Is there more with this guy. Amazing work!

[@TheArkhamChronicle]

Ik I’m 4 years late but great vid

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you.

[@askloglog]

This is AMAZING. Man i wish he just made extras and sold them separately.

[@NearMintCondition]

Sadly, Kirk moved to Japan and doesn't really do customs anymore.

[@Christof_Classen]

*This is what you need for DC-Harcover Comic (Bear-Traps) ;)*

[@rustyshackleford8063]

Thanks for the video. Question. Can I get those way-too-big omnibuses rebound into 2 or even 3 smaller volumes?

[@DJSIQRIQ]

Never knew there was companies that do this. I always thought to myself why no one ever did it, not knowing people were already doing it.

[@NearMintCondition]

It's been going on for years. I want to say the first time I remember seeing a custom bound book was in 2002 at a convention.

[@CobaltPraetorian]

This video inspired to get back to my own long-delayed binding projects. Only to find out one of them (DC One Million) is now unnecessary. I still have others, though. Now I just need someone to design the covers and the TOCs!

[@roymakescomics]

You can do it relatively easily with Photoshop and a printer. Or hit the backbins and get some issues that you can clip and collage your own in a more traditional fashion.

[@jclaurent3108]

Hi again, just found this video, very impressed by what this guy did, do you remember asking him, maybe, how much it cost to to print a glossy Dust cover, like he did for the Captain Marvel ?!

[@whydoyoucare8168]

This is what heaven looks like

[@andrewdockrill]

My god if I could make my covers look like id be so happy. I'm collecting riddler floppies to make a customized Omni and looking for this extra look.

[@pitoresco_san]

I hit the like button with pleasure! Great work. I am from Brazil and I've tried to make some homemade collected comic books. But here is a little bit more dificult. It's because, instead single issues, the brazillian pulbisher of DC Comics (Panini Comics) send to the stores 100 paged magazines with a mix of titles from a same Hero or Group/League/Squad. For example: the brazilian monthly comic book of Batman may contain 1 or more Batman issue, 1 or more Detective Comics issue and maybe 1 Robin issue, 1 Batgirl issue, 1 Catwoman issue, 1 Nightwing issue etc. It becomes worst if you try with Flash, Mars Hunter, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, JLA etc. Almost Always these share the same monthly magazine in Brazil. Binding brazilian comic books become easier only when all the content of these monthly magazines is part of a same storyline. But it ralely hapens.

[@NearMintCondition]

that would be so difficult to make collections when you have to cut each of those 100 page books up.

[@Morsoth]

This is absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!! I would like to find a binding company that could do the same kind of book here (Ontario, Canada). I'll start looking for this!

[@NearMintCondition]

I know that Houchen library ships internationally. That might be an option for you. I hope there is a place in Ontario that does it though, making it easier and cheaper.

[@brandensingletary18]

Totally Awesome

[@ev9638]

Doctor Straaangeee

[@jvalencia27]

Awesome collection!!! I wanna do a Jason Todd and Red Hood book. Which issues or trades would you put?? One for Jason Todd and the other as Red Hood. Thanks

[@NearMintCondition]

I plan on doing a Jason Todd omni. More like a pre Knightfall omnibus. I'm going to include: Batman 357-359, 402-403, Detective Comics 524-526, Batman 408 - 411, Nightwing Year One, Batman 416, 424-429. In that order. There is a Batman Second Chances tpb that contains: BATMAN #402-403, #408-416 and BATMAN ANNUAL #11. As far as Red Hood, I haven't put too much thought into that one. I tend to get overwhelmed when working on multiple projects.

[@Donker_Dank]

i wish there was a place you could buy customized collected stuff like this

[@NearMintCondition]

Sadly there is a legal thing about it.

[@talulah67]

This may seem like a stupid question but was wondering what kind of bookshelves Kirk had? Most people put them flat against the wall. In the video it looks like he's putting books on both sides of a single case thereby doubling his ability to display...or am I wrong. Thanks, amazingly displayed and beautiful collection!!

[@NearMintCondition]

Not a stupid question at all. Kirk used the Kallax bookshelves.

[@nozkaian]

Jaw dropped, couldn't find anywhere...

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you so much for watching.

[@Laptop-fy8xv]

if the Xmen #1 90's cover was the spine images

[@TheYoungDoctor]

I have one custom bound omnibus which has the pre -Marvel 1960's and 1970's Doctor Who comic strips.

[@NearMintCondition]

Oh that’s awesome!

[@thepagemaster2963]

this is just the coolest fucking shit ever

[@davidrobertson2686]

These are amazing binds. I’m starting to map out No Mans Land and Hellblazer. I’ve used a few websites to help guide me but the mapping is so tough sometimes, like when to break a story up and when to keep a story going is really tough. I think about the mapping so much it went from pleasure to pain in the butt haha. Do you map everything yourself or do you use other peoples references as a guide?

[@NearMintCondition]

I love that you are starting with them!

[@davidrobertson2686]

Near Mint Condition it’s awesome, the live chat of you and omnidog really opened my comic book world to doing it. Like why isn’t there a hellblazer omnibus, why isn’t there The Question omnibus, why isn’t there a secret Six omnibus... these questions haunt me

[@NearMintCondition]

I think DC just hates money. :)

[@protoman011]

I'd love to have a binding of the new mutants run and x-force!

[@joshualong6900]

Where can I learn how to make a custom bind for some of my books?

[@comicbookfan8551]

does the custom binding cost much could u tell me i am from scotland,just a rough price guide then i will source a uk or even scotland custom binder??

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

Hello John, These were bound by Houchen Library and customized by comic binding pro. If you make your own covers yourself on photoshop and prep the books the prices aren't that bad at all. For five or more with a graphic cover is $18.00 each plus shipping of course. That is just the graphic printed on the cover, but you can add all the bells and whistles you want. I hope that helps you a little.

[@comicbookfan8551]

Thanks man thats gave me a little info now i just need to hopefully source a binding company in glasgow were i am from the it will be even cheaper as i wont have to pay shipping i can just go into town and collect thanks very much that been a great help😊.i have seen some custom binds before on yourube but ure are by far the tho books look beautiful really really nice collection man so jealous lol.thanks for replying and giveng me a wee bit of insight on the much appreciated mate,take it easy buddy 😆👌

[@comicbookfan8551]

One word AWESOME!!!

[@spencerwelchii573]

I'm going to add Azreal Annual #1 before Sword of Azreal as it takes place before it. Also I'm including a reprint of More Fun Comics #48 (1st Miraclo-progenator of Venom), Batman: Gotham Knights #48 (origin of Bane) and of course Vengeance of Bane #1.

[@spencerwelchii573]

also Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight- Venom.

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

I'm surprised they've never included Venom in any of their collections and surprised they haven't done a standalone Deluxe HC. That would be a great bind to include those stories. I always think it's a double edge sword when including issues that were written years later, but the take place before the actual stories. For example all the Marvel -1 titles or the cable and Wolverine one shot that takes place long before the Wolverine series. I forgot about More Fun Comics 48 BTW.

[@spencerwelchii573]

Well I figure that it's over 2 decades and a new "reality" in the DC Universe, although I did add in the two "recent" Shadow of the Bat" Convergence issues. But due to my obsessiveness I may never bind them as my Knightquest: The Crusade collection is 46 issues deep - as I include the appearances of "AzBat" in other titles (Chain Gang War, Outsiders, Showcase, Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire).

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

I like the way you think with the Azrael omni. Perhaps a future bind idea for me too.

[@HPCthulhu2011]

Only thing is it would be nice to have 7, 8 or 9 issue sized books, instead of omnibus length (25+ issues) if you can still do a fancy spine, but omnibus and deluxe page dimensions is better than standard trade page size.

[@NearMintCondition]

The thing to keep in mind is the cost. Custom Binds have gone up in the last two years so if you're spending 35 dollars to get one done, you might as well get as much for your buck.

[@radiak55]

Awesome video. Any chance to know how to reach Kirk? Would love to know if he could share his designs as I am thinking of self binding the Powergirl Power Trip run and the design from the spine alone is amazing. Looks to be from the 'A New Beginning' wrap around cover for that run's first volume in trade.

[@NearMintCondition]

Sadly, Kirk moved to Japan and is out of the custom bound game.

[@radiak55]

@@NearMintCondition Sorry to hear. But I have made some research and it seems to be pretty straight forward and not as expensive as I thought.

[@NearMintCondition]

It really isn't. The tricky part is aligning those covers.

[@jayrett]

Random question, but as I collect floppies for a custom bind of my own, I'm realising how aggravating those barcodes will be to my OCD. Is custom printing an omnibus from purchased floppies more viable in that sense? Do you recommend custom printing at all over custom binding? What are the drawbacks?

[@NearMintCondition]

Custom printing would be insanely expensive and such a tedious task. But there are people that do it. Thomas Judge goes over that task on his channel. Tell him Omar sent you.

[@jayrett]

@@NearMintCondition Yeah, he's actually who got me into this entire idea in the first place. I was more curious what you felt was the more viable option considering the paper quality of floppies, the ads that need to stay in the completed bind, etc.

[@jconny65]

i wish i could find someone to do these kind of custom bindings

[@NearMintCondition]

Will C. Out of curiosity where do you live? There are places online that still do it.

[@jconny65]

I live in South Florida. I actually found out about a binding place that'll bind my comics for a good price a lil' while after posting my comment, so everything's fine now lol

[@foevanimeboi]

is it better to bind single issues or trades together in terms of quality?

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

Honestly, I have mixed and matched before some of my binds include both comics and trades. Only done trades and only done comics as well. I guess, if you like ads then stick to the comics. I'm working on an X-treme X-men bind soon and for those I have a mix of comics and trades. in the end the books look great in one hard cover.

[@darkknightrisez9140]

im panning on buying the issues that were never released in trade paperback between spiderman the next chapter vol 3 and the start of the JMS run of spiderman..... it looks like it will come to 10 issues or there abouts... any advise would be greatly appriciated since its my fisrt time collecting single issues to bind into a book

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

Alan, Omar here from Near Mint. I'm not sure if you are aware or not, but there is a Trade coming out in September called Revenge of the Green Goblin. It contains: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #20-29, ANNUAL 2001; SPIDERMAN: REVENGE OF THE GREEN GOBLIN #1-3; PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN (1999) #25, 29 You can find it here: www.amazon.com/Spider-Man-Revenge-Goblin-Howard-Mackie/dp/130290700X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501589302&sr=1-1&keywords=spider-man+revenge+of+the+green+goblin/?tag=nearmintcon-20 If you still need help binding a 10 issue book. I would go with the sewn binding. I hope that helps.

[@darkknightrisez9140]

Omar Valdivieso you have saved me so much money right now thanks a million... I was looking most of yesterday looking for the trade like that and couldn't find it. Thanks again

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

No problem brother. Thank you for watching.

[@nelsoncarvalho6338]

This was amazing. I recently tracked down the legion 5 years later run and plan to custom bind it do u have any recommendations for how to do this?

[@NearMintCondition]

Make sure you get them in proper order. Pull out all the ads and the back cover. And that's pretty much it. I design my own covers and spines but there are places that can do that.

[@wackythunder4654]

Where do you send your comics to get them turned into the custom binding

[@NearMintCondition]

Houchen Library.

[@davidrobertson2686]

Did he ever tell you how he made the table of contents? I know he does them himself, but like he prints them out himself? I’m wondering what type of paper he used on that blue beetle @9:46

[@NearMintCondition]

Oh I've done them too and I can't recall which type I used.

[@davidrobertson2686]

Near Mint Condition but you printed it out yourself right? Bc Jess said he sent files in but I wanna print mine out hah

[@NearMintCondition]

yeah I printed them out myself.

[@Joenah5]

I sort of just learned that this was a thing. How do you do it?

[@NearMintCondition]

There is a whole process. But pretty much you put the comics together you want bound and ship them off to a few places that can do it. I was thinking of doing a video sometime when I finish my superman books I want bound.

[@haikdiloyan8783]

@@NearMintCondition Did this video ever get made? I have a bunch of stuff I want to bind

[@mawinstallation6626]

Good lord

[@WillHollandstorytime]

I have a bunch of Young Justice that I would love to get bound up eventually. How can I get it done?

[@NearMintCondition]

Hey Will, there are very several places that do the binding process. I like to use Houchen myself. One day I really need to do a video on how to prep my books for custom bound.

[@WillHollandstorytime]

@@NearMintCondition I'd watch it. It's gonna take a bit for me to get a full run of YJ.

[@NearMintCondition]

It's worth it. They are releasing TPBs these days that may make it easier to collect too.

[@hermanmelville8151]

hi,my friend,are these books in nm condition or do yu buy new books in vfn condition?

[@NearMintCondition]

Most of the time whatever is cheaper. VFN works perfect for these binds sometimes Fine condition too.

[@radicalchiefdude]

Do you recommend a site online that would sell complete runs other than ebay?

[@omarvaldivieso7845]

I usually try to buy books as a bulk during shows or ebay. Try to plug some of those holes with places like mycomicshop.com

[@clifforddoppler619]

What company do you use to bind your books

[@NearMintCondition]

Usually Houchen Library.

[@dennisssmith430]

Does Kirk take any commissions?? If so, where can he be contacted?

[@NearMintCondition]

Sadly, Kirk moved to Japan last month and is taking a break. I'm sure he will be back doing the collected editions game though.

[@CobaltPraetorian]

It's a year later, is he still taking a break? It's cool if so, I just have some work for him if not. :)

[@kindrednerdsunited7513]

I would love to chill with this and kinda read his comics lol I need to save my money to buy comcis birds of prey great I. Collect the comcis but my movies that I have. I kinda do my stuff in order just like 123456 that. Just how my mind works

[@NearMintCondition]

It depends on what I'm sorting...sometimes it's 12,3456 or sometimes events. :)

[@kevinkelley3906]

It kills me when I'm reading an issue and the end says "To Be Continued In" another series. Then you have to hunt down random issues.

[@darkknightrisez9140]

allways wanted to start reading batman but dont know where to start..... i also have the problem of if i start on batman ill want to collect all of it fron the 30s to now...

[@NearMintCondition]

The omnibuses are doing a good job collecting the Golden and Silver Age books. My DC books start Post Crisis. The Trades are doing a great job collecting the Batman stuff, hopefully more omnis to come in the future. I do plan doing a comprehensive reading order of the Batman books in collected editions soon.

[@darkknightrisez9140]

@@NearMintCondition I reckon the ones I'd focus most on is detective comics and batman to be honest

[@darkknightrisez9140]

so i have a follow up question... i can find all the trades for the new 52 batman and rebirth batman but anything from before that that wqould contain issues 713, 712c, 711 etc i cant find...... am i missing something or are they just not available?

[@NearMintCondition]

@@darkknightrisez9140 The numbering system at DC collected editions is a mess. So I believe you will need Black Mirror. That's the run right before NU52 Batman

[@darkknightrisez9140]

@@NearMintCondition yup this is starting to make my head hurt... collecting spiderman was so much easier man

[@gutomonteirojjbr7745]

Do you know a place that ships to Brazil?

[@NearMintCondition]

I have looked for a friend that lives in Peru and I cannot find a place that will ship it to him. I'm so sorry I would assume you would have to go through a third party person to set it up and mail it to you.

[@markash6514]

How much does this cost??? I have some image floppies I would LOVE to make into a omnibus hardcovers

[@NearMintCondition]

It ussed to be around 30 something a book, but I haven't been keeping up with them for a while.

[@MrLorenzoVids]

so where do you go for this>? anyone know a place in Los Angeles?

[@NearMintCondition]

You go to Houchen Bindery they are the ones that bind the books.

[@DynastySB]

I know this video was 4 years old but how do I make bound books ?

[@NearMintCondition]

Find the single issues you want to bind. Put them in the right order. You can leave the staples and the back cover. I remove ads. Then send them to a Bindery like Houchen.

[@user-ve9nt5yl4i]

Can you tell me a mapping of teen titans volume 3?

[@rubenreyes3785]

Does anyone do custom hardcover services?

[@Nocturne22]

I thought he would describe the process of how he binds the books =(

[@NearMintCondition]

In the same vain that a magician never reveals all his secrets :) . In all seriousness what Kirk does is work with a binding library. He sets up a timeline of the comics and where they should go in the order that better suits the story (sometimes different than publishing order) and creates the overall look and designs of the books. For example those amazing spines.

[@EduardoMartinez-zs7ex]

@@NearMintCondition I've been wanting to do this for a time but I have a big question: Do you have to take the pages apart from the trades by yourself or does the binder does that for you? And if so as I guess what is the best way to do it if you can share that info

[@hippriest23]

Floppies are beautiful,integral part of comic culture why the need to "legitimize" all graphic by putting in a hard cover no need to be embarrassed comics are f**ing great!,

[@NearMintCondition]

Lol I think you misunderstood the pie purpose of doing these. To have them all in one place. I don’t think it’s to hide the fact that you are reading a comic.

[@hippriest23]

@@NearMintCondition yeah I can see the appeal,I do buy absolutes but like flicking through bagged and boarded issues,I guess it's my age.Believe or not I'm loving the channel and there's room for different opinions and takes on the medium ,I'm not just a grumpy old man.Keep doing what your doing,I appreciate your passion.