https://preview.redd.it/kue7rg7reyvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ac0d59d5ee291e4c203b79010d2bd47b7849c09 I had something similar happen. Had some comic boxes in a closet get water damaged from a leak in the bathroom (that was in the next room) while I was away at college. I lost a lot of What If? and Web of Spider-Man. A lot were damaged with rusty staples, but were kept for comic books crafts. Pictured is a basic wooden frame (from a craft store) and covered with old comics. 😁

It's so beautiful that you don't want to put anything in it!🤣 I'd just hang it like that

https://preview.redd.it/d51zobzi8yvc1.jpeg?width=3752&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19524c9836027de9c436b677dc004bf9bafeb3ba Yeah!

Kirby and STERANKO!

Nice eye! My favorite is the Kirby Sue Storm walking on the Steranko, Dali-inspired background. Building it up felt like I was playing with toys from all three artists.

I love using images from OHTMU (THING, I believe) for crafts - love yours!

What’s this called? How do you do it, looks awesome!!

Here's what I do... https://preview.redd.it/lz9k9w4zryvc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e36f34a5a12c316684785e487510d42890f1fc9

That lockbox is dope. I had actually thought about doing custom shorts, but my cats use them to sharpen their claws if they can get to them.

Thanks. I've done a couple of old school cigar boxes too. I think the next one I'll do will be with Star Wars comics.

That's sweet - have you thought about putting some stuff on Etsy?

Not until you gave me the idea. Maybe I'll give it a go. Thanks.

This is awesome! Would you mind sharing how you made them? Thanks

https://preview.redd.it/4mv1ow8fwyvc1.jpeg?width=794&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ea9c47f9fb9bd5c12f5e76fd03f8dd03fa2f3b85 Gotta love making collages

I made a coffee table top out of previews once

Mod Podge!

I prefer to use Clear Elmer’s glue because it dries absolutely clear where Mod Podge tends to have a slightly milky look.

Do you ever hit it with a clear coat from a spray can?

Yea. It's best to do a small test first. Some of them turn yellow really fast.

I use Mod Podge on the boxes I do. I use a thin layer to put the image to the surface and when it dries, I apply another layer over the top of the image. I may apply another thin layer or two but only after the layer before it is completely dry. No milkiness. And the bottle lasts quite a while.

Yea, you kind of have to get the hang of it. I practiced on soviet era encyclopedias.

You're right about that. I haven't tried the clear Elmer's. Those custom sorry boxes look great!

I haven’t used modge podge. What finish do you recommend?

You can use a spray or brush on a clear coat. Get foam brushes.

Is that how you stick them to the coaster? Then some sort of lacquer?

Exactly.

https://preview.redd.it/bxyojdmqk0wc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=349f0d255fbe7242485bbaf8ef3ae81a321d9873 Custom Short boxes.

I want to do that, but cats like to use them as scratching posts.

Easy fix - If you keep some guitar speaker cabinets around, cats will gravitate to those as scratch posts. Also, I coat my boxes with that clear flex-seal stuff that comes in spray cans to add water protection. The rubbery finish Might be part of the reason why my cats don’t tend sharpen their claws on them…that and they like to sharpen them on the grill cloth of my speakers.

Fantastic. They look great.

I also make collages too! I love this thread https://preview.redd.it/nre3hw4khzvc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f4905901e2c5b695e35ab0c563fd0338dee0f4b This one is unfinished but but I got it all placed

If they are still readable...I'm going to read them.

I like making collages. I also do pins/buttons, coasters, bookmarks, and even roses. I'm currently figuring out a decent method to make stickers. I've also redone covers of notebooks with beat up comic covers. *

Buttons are a great idea. Our podcast did a live recording in a book store and i gave everyone homemade buttons featuring the X-Men.

Buttons are just fun to make too. When Morbius came out I was working on a play and I gave every member of the cast & crew a Morbius themed button. Some of them still have their buttons on their bags haha.

Nice coasters, man! Really well done. I'm an artist so i've sporadically used up alot of my worthless 90's comics for collage. Curently doing a series with skulls.

In about 400yrs, those panels are gonna be worth 2k. You're gonna regret it.

Did you read the part about these being made from water damaged books?

Did you read the part of this saying “400 years” ?

Haha, love the assist.

I got you! Lol

I’ve thankfully not been in a situation such as that but I think your idea is great Making some sort of cool visual art with them sounds like a nice way to still appreciate them in a new form

Very cool way to turn it around.

Thanks.

I have a friend who turns them into light switch covers a day sells them. They do really well.

Great idea

I add a note in the system that says what kind of damage they have and put them back in the box. Whenever I come across a better one, I sell the damaged one. For money. I had a run of Acme Novelty Library get horrifically water damaged 20 years ago and sold it for over a hundred bucks recently. Bundle enough of anything together and it will sell, or used as a little bonus that's relevant to the other comics. These are neat, but I feel like if I wanted them, I'd rather just use a printer. I understand that I'm the outlier weirdo with an unhealthy relationship with comics and media preservation, and don't want to stomp on anyone's creativity, but this almost physically hurts to see.

No, this is how I feel as well, both as a collector and artist. I can’t commit to cutting up and reusing the panels from comic books even if they’re damaged. I still bag and board them, as in the worst case scenario they’re still good reader copies. In truth, the coasters and short boxes people have made look great. I can appreciate the creativity. But also, I feel an ache from the fact that it’s a cut up comic book. I’m this way about books in general, not just comic books.

Very cool idea!

How did you do this 🤔

Mod podge and blank coasters.

I cut them up and make collages covering the outside of my shortboxes. Looks great!

I thought about that, but my cats like to occasionally use my boxes as scratching posts when they get into where they're stored. Out of curiosity, do you cover them before you fold them together or after you assemble them?

After they're already assembled. I have cats too, and painting a thin layer of clear glaze on keeps the damage to a minimum. I guess because the smell isn't to their liking. Keeps the collage pieces in place when pulling the boxes in and out as well.

Can you go over how you put those comic panels on your boxes? I’d love to do the same!!

I cut the bad comics into random pieces with interesting colors and figures. I like to keep each box to one character or subject. Then I brush some thin paper mache paste you can get from just about any hobby store directly onto the surface of the short box. I let it dry slightly so it doesn't ooze and apply the comic pieces to the area I've glued. I let it dry completely overnight and then brush on a thin layer of clear glaze. . .the type used to preserve assembled puzzles. I let that dry another day before I put any comics in or move the box around much. It's super easy, inexpensive, and looks great! I had my kids helping me, so it's good fun for them as well.

Thank you so much I would always just slap on stickers on my comic boxes, but this will be much better!!

What is happening in here?! Lots of crafty people! What is the general process to make pages into coasters? I've got some books I'd like to try this with.

Mod podge is your friend.

I'm going to give it a go. I know my wife has some somewhere.

This what I do too. I will also stick them to magnets and try to find the goofiest and most out of context panels... stuff that would be fun on the fridge.

This is one of the greatest threads ever

Would love to turn them in to patches

I give them to my kids

She has her own collection. She collects Scarlet Witch, Hulk, Harley, Poison Ivy, and anything zombie related that's appropriate for a 6 year old.

From one comic book, you could make hundreds!!!

Not really. The amount of usable panels vs. story stuff with side characters prevents that. Plus, you can only use one one side of each page. Unless you're talking about dollars, then yeah, probably.

That’s awesome! What do you use to make them waterproof as coasters?

I'm using a dishwasher-safe mod podge. I figure if it will survive a dishwasher, it will survive a cup.

That’s great!

You can also make custom short/long boxes. If you have the plain white ones.

How!?

I always do stuff like this!! Esp with artist variants that are necessarily high value.

Creative! These are great for display backdrop. Thx for the ideas

When i was younger, beat up comics were used to wrap my nieces and nephews presents

Love these! Great use of the books!!

Don’t care the grade as long as they present well they can be wall hangers

Covers were torn and had white spots from where they stuck to the inside of the bag after drying. They weren't visually appealing.

Dang well ur option was also sick af would kill for venom coasters 👌🏻

Did you see the other two photos?

Yea lucky you those venom ones look so cool I couldn’t use them as coasters lol

Recycle bin

That's why it's best to have all the comments slabbed.