My Comics Collection handles Tintin, Astérix, and Franco-Belgian comics with the features the format calls for: free tags to tell first editions (OE) from reprints, a "signed" checkbox with the signer's name, a photo of the album, and an estimate based on current eBay listings, with the BDM price guide consulted separately for vintage albums. The app is perfectly suited for mixed comics + BD collections. For a pure, museum-level BD-only library, specialized tools like BDM Digital exist, but MCC covers 95% of real-world needs.
Franco-Belgian comics aren't a subcategory of world sequential art: they're a market unto themselves, with their own publishing logic, pricing hierarchy, and pitfalls. A 1955 first-edition Tintin The Blue Lotus in color isn't worth anywhere near a 1960 Belgian reprint of the same album, and that gap can represent a 50-to-1 price ratio. Cataloging a Tintin, Astérix, Spirou, Lucky Luke, or Blueberry collection without tracking editions to the exact month is like confusing a 1938 Action Comics #1 with a 1980s centennial reprint. This article explains how My Comics Collection handles the specifics of Franco-Belgian comics: the edition tag, recording signatures, photography, where the BDM price guide fits in, and switching between a mixed collection and a pure BD setup. By the end, you'll know whether MCC fits your needs or whether a specialized tool is the better call.
Why Franco-Belgian comics demand more precise tracking than American comics
The Franco-Belgian comics market has a publishing peculiarity that sets it radically apart from American comics: virtually all of an album's value depends on its exact edition. While an Amazing Spider-Man #129 is an ASM #129 regardless of print run (with value varying mainly by condition and variant cover), a Tintin in Tibet can sell for €80 as a 1990s Casterman reprint or €4,500 as a 1960 Belgian first edition with a rounded spine: same condition. The ratio exceeds 50 to 1.
Three factors drive this dynamic. The first is the absence of modern variants. Unlike US comics publishers who deliberately multiply cover variants to manufacture market scarcity, classic Franco-Belgian publishers issued a single cover per edition. Rarity isn't engineered: it emerges naturally over time from limited print runs. A 1972 first-edition Astérix The Soothsayer from Dargaud was printed in a fixed quantity, never reproduced, and its value reflects that mechanically.
The second factor is dating to the exact month. A Tintin first edition is distinguished from a reprint by minuscule details: the mention of "imprimerie Casterman Tournai" on the back cover, a rounded or squared spine, the exact color of the spine, the presence or absence of a publisher's blurb, the print run number on the inside front page. These details must be verified by photo, which makes photography mandatory in any serious cataloging app. A Tintin OE listed without a cover photo and back-cover shot is worth nothing as a catalog entry.
The third factor is the BDM price guide. Le Trésor de la Bande Dessinée, published every two years since 1979 by Michel Béra and Michel Denni, remains the single authority for the French market. eBay prices don't apply to a Tintin first edition: the market runs through specialist dealers (Quartier Latin, Rocketship), Christie's sales, and Catawiki auctions: with the BDM as the reference baseline. To compare with American comics, see BD vs comics vs manga: a precise classification.
The edition tag in My Comics Collection: OE, reprint, reissue
MCC has no dedicated "edition" field: you tell print runs apart with free tags (OE, reprint, reissue) and record the details in the notes of the album record.
The OE (original edition) status flags the first commercial print run of an album. For a Casterman Tintin, the OE carries specific identifying features: a rounded spine for editions before 1958, a cloth spine for 1958-1965, and the letter "B" followed by a number (B1 through B40) for Belgian Tintin editions between 1945 and 1972. That code goes into the notes of the record, or into a tag. For an Astérix, you note the publisher of the print run the same way (Dargaud 1961-1974, Dargaud-Pilote, post-1999 Hachette).
The reprint status covers later print runs that are identical to the OE but published at a different date. The BDM price gap between a first edition and a reprint ten years later can reach a factor of 20. The reprint date, to the month when known or by year otherwise, is written in the notes of the record.
The reissue or modern reprint status designates industrial print runs (post-2000) with no collectible value. For a Lucky Luke The Daltons reissued in 2020 by Lucky Comics, the value is simply that of a new bookstore copy (€12 retail).
Four special cases round out the grid. A limited run is a numbered print, often including an ex-libris or dust jacket: the run number (e.g., 47/250) is noted in the record. An promotional album or non-trade edition (Esso Tintin, Total Astérix promos) is tagged "HC" with the sponsoring brand noted. An unauthorized or pirate foreign edition is tagged "pirate" for legal traceability. A printer's proof or chromalin is tagged "proof" with the source publisher noted. See also Franco-Belgian comic collection management for the detailed method.
The dedication and signer field: the value of signed originals
Dedications are a value multiplier that generic apps routinely overlook. For a Franco-Belgian comic, a dedication signed by the artist or writer can double or triple an album's value: especially if the artist is deceased or if the dedication includes an original sketch.
MCC offers a signed checkbox and a "signed by" field where you type the signer's name (Hergé, Goscinny, Uderzo, Morris, Franquin, Peyo...). Everything else goes into the notes of the record: the date and place of the dedication (festival, convention, bookstore) and its nature (signature only, signature + sketch, signature + personalized inscription, signature + pasted ex-libris).
For a Tintin The Black Island with an authenticated Hergé dedication, the album's base value is multiplied by a coefficient of 4 to 15, depending on whether the dedication includes a character sketch. A simple "For Pierre, warm regards, Hergé" inscription on a standard 1970s album typically adds €1,200 to €2,500. A signature with an original Tintin and Milou sketch can push the album to €8,000 or more, based on referenced Christie's sales.
For Astérix, post-2000 Uderzo dedications remain available at reasonable prices (€500 to €1,500 depending on sketch quality), while pre-1977 Goscinny dedications command top prices (€3,000 to €10,000). MCC records the signer to anticipate these spreads.
Authentication remains the collector's responsibility. The notes of the record let you reference an expert certificate (Cornélius, Sotheby's, Christie's), a photo of the signing event, or a written attestation from the signer. This traceability protects value at resale. See protecting your comics and BD: a conservation guide for the physical preservation of signed albums.
Mandatory photography: visual authentication of the first edition
For Franco-Belgian comics, photographing the album isn't a convenience: it's an inventory requirement. For each album tagged OE, photograph at least three sides: front cover, back cover, and inside front matter (white endpapers, color endpapers, edition notice). For cloth-spine albums, a photo of the spine is also recommended.
The app stores one photo per album record; keep the other sides in your own photo folders, at a resolution high enough to read fine detail (print run numbers at the foot of the page, printer's notice). For a Tintin OE B17 of The Temple of the Sun, the back-cover photograph lets you verify the "printed in Belgium by Casterman, Tournai" notice and the list of other Tintin albums available at the time of publication: which authenticates the print run to the exact month.
This photography requirement serves four concrete purposes. First: proof of authenticity at resale. A Catawiki or eBay buyer today will reject any OE listing without detailed photos. Second: proof for home insurance. In case of a claim, the insurer requires photographic documentation to validate the declared value. Third: condition tracking over time. Annual photos let you monitor changes (yellowing, humidity, friction) and respond if needed. Fourth: traceability when lending. See cataloging a collection: the method for the standard photography procedure.
A useful habit: compare your copy with the reference first editions documented in Le Trésor de la Bande Dessinée or by specialist dealers. MCC does not provide a photo library of first editions; you check by eye, with the photo of your album at hand, which already limits self-declaration errors.
The BDM price guide: the French market standard
The BDM price guide has been the reference standard for Franco-Belgian comics since 1979. No serious app can value a vintage collection without it. MCC does not integrate these prices: you consult them in Le Trésor de la Bande Dessinée (published every two years in September), while MCC's own estimate is based on current eBay listings.
BDM prices apply to Franco-Belgian albums published before approximately 2000, with four value tiers by condition: mint, very fine, fine, and fair. These four tiers are read straight from the guide. For a 1947 Tintin OE The Crab with the Golden Claws, the BDM 2024 typically lists €800 in fine condition, €1,400 in very fine, and €2,200 in mint. It is up to you to pick the one that matches the real condition of your album.
The BDM price is worth cross-checking against a secondary source: Catawiki results from the past 12 months, which Catawiki publishes and which you look up directly on its site. For a 1962 Dargaud first-edition Astérix Asterix and the Golden Sickle, the BDM 2024 price is €1,800 in very fine condition, while the 12-month Catawiki average sits at €1,650. Comparing the two gives a more realistic figure.
One important caveat: the BDM does not cover post-2000 BD or contemporary independent publishers (L'Association, Cornélius, Çà et Là, Atrabile). For these segments, MCC relies on its estimate from current eBay listings; prices on Le Bon Coin, Momox, Recyclivre or Vinted are checked by hand. See free collection estimate for price sources.
The BDM price is a market indication, not a guaranteed sale price. In practice, expect 70-90% of BDM for a quick sale (specialist dealer, private transaction), and 90-110% of BDM for a Catawiki or Christie's auction with a specialist audience. Above €2,000, the spread widens: a Tintin OE can sell 30% below or 50% above the guide price depending on the piece and the buyer.
Collecting this series?
Track what you own, what you are missing and what your collection is worth. 7 day trial.
Start my trial →Mixed comics + BD collections: the optimal setup
About 40% of MCC users manage a mixed collection that includes both American comics and Franco-Belgian albums, sometimes with a manga component as well. This versatility is precisely MCC's main argument against specialized tools: one app for everything, with no duplicated inventory.
The recommended structure for a mixed collection is built around virtual collections identified by format. You create three or four collections: US Comics (Marvel, DC, Image), Franco-Belgian BD (Casterman, Dargaud, Dupuis), Manga (Glénat, Pika, Kana), and Indie/Graphic Novels (L'Association, Drawn & Quarterly). Each album or comic belongs to one collection, and filters let you browse by category without confusion.
This structure serves three use cases. First: segmented valuation. US comics are first priced in dollars and Franco-Belgian BD in euros; the estimate MCC displays is in euros for every format. Second: differentiated price sources. MCC's estimate relies on current eBay listings for every format, to be supplemented with the BDM and Catawiki for BD, and Mandarake or CdJapan for manga. Third: differentiated photography requirements. Photos are mandatory for Franco-Belgian OEs, strongly recommended for CGC comics, and optional for standard manga tankōbon.
A typical configuration for a serious user: 800 US comics (valued at €12,000), 400 Franco-Belgian albums including 35 OEs (valued at €18,000), 300 manga tankōbon (valued at €2,800). MCC handles all three without any performance degradation, syncing across iPhone, iPad, Android, and web. See mixed comics, BD, and manga collection for the migration method from a format-isolated organization.
When MCC isn't enough: the case for BDM Digital
For a 100% Franco-Belgian collection at the very high end (beyond 1,000 albums with a significant share of first editions and limited print runs) a specialized alternative exists: BDM Digital, the digital companion to Le Trésor de la Bande Dessinée. This app covers only French-language BD, with finer granularity on Casterman sub-editions, back-cover variants, and limited print runs.
Three scenarios justify switching to BDM Digital over MCC. First: a museum-level 100% Tintin collection. Once you hold more than 80 documented Tintin OEs, the precision needed for spine variants (blue rounded, red rounded, cloth) and front-matter details justifies a specialized tool. Second: a professional vintage BD dealer. Detailed transaction traceability and direct integration with the specialist dealer network require a dedicated trade tool. Third: a certified expert or auctioneer. The official annual BDM price guide with a 20-year history is a professional-grade use case that goes beyond MCC's scope.
For the remaining 95% of users, MCC more than covers the need. Complementary use is also possible: some collectors use MCC for day-to-day inventory and their mixed collection, and consult the print BDM for decisions on major pieces. The two practices are entirely compatible. See comic and BD collection app for MCC's positioning.
Migrating a Franco-Belgian comic collection from Excel follows the same method as for comics, with two additions. First: standardize series names using BDM nomenclature (e.g., "Tintin" not "Les Aventures de Tintin"). Second: prepare a photo folder of OEs and signatures in parallel, to upload after the CSV import. Allow 12 to 15 hours for 400 albums with 35 photographed OEs.
Sample workflow for a 200-album Tintin-Astérix collector
A concrete workflow helps visualize everyday use. Typical profile: 200 Franco-Belgian albums including 80 Tintin (12 OEs, 68 reprints), 50 Astérix (3 Dargaud OEs, 47 Hachette reprints), and 70 mixed albums (Spirou, Lucky Luke, Blueberry, Largo Winch).
Step 1: initial import. The existing CSV is imported, with MCC recognizing the columns from their headers. Duration: 5 minutes for 200 rows. Step 2: OE enrichment. The 12 Tintin OEs and 3 Astérix OEs are pulled from the shelf, photographed on four sides, and their edition type (B5, B17, B26, Dargaud Pilote) is noted in the record. Duration: 2 hours for the 15 OEs.
Step 3: dedication entry. Three signed albums (Uderzo 2010, Morris 1995, Tibet 2002) are marked "signed" with the signer's name, while date, location and nature go into the notes. Dedication photographed. Duration: 15 minutes. Step 4: BDM price check. For the OEs and major pieces, the 2024 BDM price is looked up in the guide and compared with the eBay-based estimate MCC displays.
Step 5: final audit. The statistics show the estimated value of the whole collection, and missing issues are identified by series (e.g., 2 missing Tintin albums to complete the run, 5 missing Astérix). The albums to hunt for then go on the wishlist. Duration: 30 minutes of review and planning. Total: 3 hours of work to fully structure a 200-album BD collection.
FAQ: My Comics Collection for Tintin, Astérix, and Franco-Belgian BD
Does MCC recognize the different Tintin editions (B1 through B40)?
Not through a dedicated list: MCC has no "edition type" field. For each Tintin album, you write the exact code (B1 through B40 for Belgian Casterman editions from 1945 to 1972, C codes afterwards) in the notes of the record or as a tag, which documents the print run; the matching BDM price is then read in the guide.
Does MCC integrate BDM prices?
No. The BDM price is found in Le Trésor de la Bande Dessinée, which publishes every two years in September, and Catawiki results from the past 12 months are checked on Catawiki's own site. The estimate MCC displays is based on current eBay listings.
How do I record an authenticated Hergé or Uderzo dedication?
Tick "signed" and type the signer (Hergé, Uderzo, Goscinny, Morris, Franquin, etc.) in the "signed by" field. The date and location (festival, convention, bookstore), the nature (signature only, signature + sketch, personalized inscription) and the reference of an expert certificate go into the notes of the record.
Does MCC work for modern post-2000 BD not covered by the BDM?
Yes, for modern BD outside BDM coverage (standalone indie releases, recent French comics, children's BD), MCC offers its estimate based on current eBay listings; to refine it, prices on Le Bon Coin, Vinted, Momox or Catawiki are checked directly on those sites.
Can I manage US comics and Franco-Belgian BD in the same app?
Yes: that's actually MCC's primary use case for multi-format collectors. You create virtual collections by format (US Comics, Franco-Belgian BD, Manga, Indie) and tag each album accordingly. Filters then let you browse by format, which keeps everything clear and prevents cross-contamination.
What's the difference between MCC and BDM Digital?
BDM Digital is a 100% specialized Franco-Belgian BD tool with finer granularity on Casterman sub-editions and limited print runs. MCC covers Franco-Belgian BD at 95% of what's needed, and also handles comics, manga, and mixed collections. For 95% of collectors, MCC is enough. For a library of 1,000 Tintin OEs or a professional trade context, BDM Digital makes sense as a complement.
How many BD albums can MCC handle without performance issues?
MCC handles up to 50,000 albums across all formats (comics, BD, and manga) without performance degradation. For a pure BD collection of 2,000 to 5,000 albums, the app remains fluid on iPhone, iPad, Android, and web. Filters by series, publisher, or price execute in under a second.
Are photos included during the free trial?
Yes. MCC has no limited free plan: the 7-day free trial gives access to the same features as the subscription, photos included, then a monthly or annual subscription takes over, priced for your country (see pricing). Cloud storage is included with the subscription.
Related articles
- Franco-Belgian comic collection management: complete method
- Managing BD, manga, and comics in one app
- BD vs comics vs manga: a precise classification
- Mixed comics, BD, and manga collection: structuring your inventory
- My Comics Collection for Japanese manga
- Graphic novel management by app
- Comics Manager: the complete pillar guide
- Cataloging a collection: the method