ComicBase is a popular computer program for tracking comic book collections, and is considered one of the most comprehensive[1] databases of American comic books. Begun in 1992[2] by Peter Bickford as an Apple Macintosh program, as of 2011 its version 15 software (now Microsoft Windows-only) includes listings on over 450,000 [3] individual comic books (virtually every English-language comic published since the late 19th century), as well as the ability to integrate with associated website AtomicAvenue.com which allows users to sell their comics online. The database contains millions of notes, creator credits, and current pricing provided by Heritage Auctions, Atomic Avenue and Comics Buyer's Guide.[2].
Users of the software can select issues from the existing database and mark the quantity and condition of the comics they own, enabling even very large collections to be tracked with minimal data entry. As of version 10 (released in 2005), ComicBase has an annual subscription model with weekly price and issue updates, allowing users to keep their collections up-to-date as new comics are released each week.
Newer versions of Comicbase also allow users to submit suggested database changes for consideration by Comicbase staff, to be incorporated into future database updates. ComicBase was the first software available on Blu-ray disc[4].
ComicBase is currently available in 5 different editions:
ComicBase bases its sales and comics values data on real world sales on their associate comic book marketplace site, Atomic Avenue, as well as Heritage Comics. This information is also used for current values and sales information in Comic Buyers Guide, a comics industry magazine with which ComicBase has had a long affiliation. The ComicBase program may be used with a scanner, which will read the barcode on modern comic books and pull the issue up in the database, giving the user full information on the issue and allowing it be logged quickly into a user's collection.
Since 2009, ComicBase has increasingly developed its use on mobile devices, such as internet-capable smartphones (such as iPhone and Android devices), computing tables like the iPad, and internet-capable gaming devices like the PSP3.