Collecting is a common hobby among teenagers, but while many gravitate towards shoes, jewelry or key chains, sophomore Rachel Wang collects comic books, decorating her walls in vibrant covers that reflect her love for the bold visual style.
Wang began her collection over two years ago after walking into a comic store and deciding to buy an issue for her favorite Marvel character, Black Panther.
“I think that Black Panther is different in the sense that it contributes to systematic injustices, and that’s how the villain becomes the villain,” Wang said. “I think that it’s very cultured, and I think it just has a lot of depth, so my love for the story definitely motivated me to take the step in buying my first comic.”
Despite previously having an interest in the Marvel universe, collecting comics quickly enhanced Wang’s appreciation for superheroes and the stories behind them. What started as casually watching the movies quickly turned into deeper engagement as her collection grew.
As she expanded her collection, Wang began to explore outside of her original interests, pushing her into different universes such as DC and Star Wars.
“I started because I really liked Black Panther, but I eventually looked out of that one universe,” Wang said. “I started getting some Cat Woman comics and then other stuff. It kind of opened the doorway for me to explore other heroes and stories I’d never had an interest in before.”
Beyond collecting traditional superhero comics, Wang also collects issues for shows she has a nostalgic connection to, such as “The Smurfs” and “Garfield.”
“With Garfield comics, it was such a favorite show for me as a kid,” Wang said. “By collecting those comics, it’s a way to stay tied to my childhood, and show off the shows that had a big impact on me.”
Although Wang reads some of her comics, she primarily collects them for aesthetic purposes, keeping most of them in their protective sleeves to preserve their condition.
“I think that comic books are unique, because the art itself is unique, and it changes from artist to artist,” Wang said. “I really like graffiti, stylized, cool art that’s personalized. I like things that, when you see it, you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s different, but that’s good.’”
Wang’s passion for collecting extends beyond just comic books. She also collects manga, vinyls and CDs, including a signed Nicki Minaj album. Wang’s father, who also collects CDs, helped kickstart her interest by passing down some of his collection.
Whether it is comic books or vinyls, Wang’s collections are ultimately about self-expression, and she hopes to cover her whole wall in comic books to truly show her love for unique styles.
“I think [collecting] makes me feel like it’s like a way to display your personality,” Wang said. “So if I like listening to Kendrick Lamar, for example, having a Kendrick Lamar vinyl out and about, it can make my aesthetic more prominent.”
