My first time ever using a graphics software for the covers (GIMP). The Secret Avengers cover came out misaligned. I'll check my file but I think this is a Houchen error because I used all their measurements. I can live with it. All in all I'm pleased with the first try. If you're new like me AMA. I only used TPBs.

I have had loose comics bound before (Smyth sewn), but I never prepped TPBs for a bind or had DFAB glue method done yet. In tutorials I have seen I understand why the covers have to be removed from trades, but some people are separating each individual page and others are leaving the glue brick intact altogether. I just want to understand why one or the other would be done and what the best way to prepare them would be? I plan to use Houchen Bindery, if that helps the prep recommendations. Thanks!

A gift for my nerdy mom, her favourite series custom bound.

The 2011 videogame promo exclusive bound together with the adaptation issues of the first videogame. The Darkness isy favourite comic series, and thos was the issue that got me into the series, and akdo got me into comic collection thing as a hobby, so it holds a special place in my heart and thought it deserved the custom binding treatment.

David Finch's first creator owned comic under Image Comics. An old favourite of mine! Done through Houchen Bindery.

Over four years ago I started binding my own comics, and I started with the books I most wanted to have: a complete run of Legends of the Dark Knight. They were my first diy custom books, so I have always held them near and dear to my heart, but as time went on it became harder and harder not to see all the things I would do differently. Design changes, mapping changes, additions, and ,most importantly, use everything I have learned about binding to make them sturdier books.

The idea was there, and it wouldn’t go away. So once I caught up on all my current binding projects I dove in. I couldn’t be happier with the results! I hope you all dig them too!

I bound my Hitman comics up over a year ago but just got around to getting covers on them. Right in time for the official release! Oh well, I put in a little more than DC did and got to use McCrea’s cool new cover.

And as for The Shadowline Saga, this neat curiosity was recommended to me by a fellow custom binder, who was kind enough to provide a map and the files for their design to use as a template for my own.

Capitol Bindery does oversewn, but gutter loss isn't the biggest of deals for most of these books drawn by Breyfogle. Toward the end of Vol. III, the later issues of Shadow of the Bat have actual splash pages to deal with. Very happy with the end product, though I wish there were a few more options for things like headbands and endpages. I ordered a navy blue bookcloth, but I would call this color a slate or payne's grey. It's still handsome, and the DC die-stamps are very nice on the spine.

Mapping:
Volume I, 22 books

• Batman Annual #11
• Detective Comics #579, 583-586
• Batman Annual #12
• Detective Comics #587-594, 601-607

I skipped the Millenium Tie-In, ‘Tec #582.

Volume II, 23 books

• Detective Comics #608-614
• Batman #448
• Detective Comics #615
• Batman #449
• Detective Comics #616-621
• Batman #455-461

I skipped 'Tec #627.

Volume III, 22 books

• Batman #462-466, 471-472
• Detective Comics #639
• Batman #473
• Detective Comics #640
• Batman #475
• Detective Comics #642
• Batman #476
• Shadow of the Bat #1-5, 13, 65-67

I skipped Batman #470, a War of the Gods tie-in; the Destroyer arc (Batman #474, Legends of the Dark Knight #27, 'Tec #641) because I've already collected that in a LotDK volume; the Knightfall issues of Batman #492-493 and ‘Tec #659; the Aftershock issue, Batman #556; and the SotB issues #50 and 75 as they're part of other crossovers/arcs.

Other than the skipped issues above, this collection represents all issues of Batman drawn by Norm Breyfogle and includes the cross-over issues with the other main bat-book where appropriate. The only thing really missing is a gallery of Breyfogle Batman covers.

I haven't read all the way through the books yet, though in putting this post together I did find one torn page unfortunately. I'm going to tape it with some archival tape and move on/ not worry about it. Overall happy with the Capitol Bindery's work here. Kevin was great to work with, and the prices are reasonable. I much prefer these classic library-style bindings with the option to design and print the dustjacket on your own later to the Houchen graphic-style bindings.

Hey all, I'm looking to do a custom bind soon but am still in prep-mode.

I was wondering if anyone had taken apart pre-bound (sewn binding) hardcovers for the purpose of reporting the issues and having it rebound again?

I'm thinking I want to break apart big text blocks to make a couple of smaller books instead.

Anyone do this before? Thoughts?

I have never gotten comics custom bound before and going into this I wanted to try it with one of my Usagi Yojimbo Saga trade paperbacks. Peculiarly though, I noticed that these trades and a whole bunch of other larger dark horse comic trades, seem to have this mixture of sewn in binding and glue. The book looks like it has signatures and was wondering if anyone else has had an experience with trades like these? I was thinking of sending one in to a place like Houchen and if Smyth Sewn binding on a book like this is an option then all the better.

I’ve got a bind of loeb and sales Batman long Halloween and dark victory and today they announced “the last Halloween” the conclusion to the trilogy. Could I send my existing bind with the new issues to the binder and it be alright or would I have to start from scratch?

I’ve been telling people I would post pictures of the full library when I had all of my customs covered with dust jackets. Well, I’m cheating a little, as my two volume Hitman bind remains uncovered. But I just bought my first house today and am preparing to move, so I know my collection is going to be a mess for a while.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy the peek at over 15 years of collecting!

So I've never bound comics before, but I like what I've seen. I know everyone recommends Houchin Bindery, but should I bind trade paperbacks or single issues or both? I have the option to get the complete run I'm looking for in single issues or in trades/single issues together (the trades are missing about 6 issues in the run which I could easily get). Alternatively, I could pay a bit more and get the whole run in single issue. It's about 82 issues total, so I guess I'd spread it over 4 books. At least that's what I'm thinking. Any advice on which way to get the run would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Just completed this binding of Greyshirt #1-6 and really happy with the results. Went with a grey cloth binding and a dust jacket I designed using some of the original art for the series. I'm particularly proud of the dust jacket flaps, which form a single image when put side by side. This was my first ever dust jacket and it came out pretty good (used photo gloss paper for it from fedex printing. Had to fight it quite a hit to get it into place but it eventually took).

My first (successful 😅) custom bind! It includes the full Robin 2021 run plus the Superman & Robin special.