A comic collection app for tracking every issue you actually own
A long-box full of comics isn't one list — it's dozens of runs, each with its own gaps, variants, and grades. Shelf Life tracks it that way instead of flattening everything into one generic "items" list.
Each comic gets its own series, issue number, publisher, writer, and artist — so "Amazing Spider-Man #300" and "Amazing Spider-Man #301" are two distinct, searchable entries, not duplicate titles.
Mark a copy as a variant cover and note what makes it one — 1:25 incentive, foil, retailer-exclusive — so it's visibly distinct from your regular-cover copy of the same issue on your shelf.
A free-text Grade field fits however you actually grade — a CGC slab number, a personal "Near Mint" call, whatever's true for that copy. Shelf Life doesn't grade comics for you; it just remembers what you told it.
"See full series" shows every issue number logged for that series across Shelf Life's community and marks which ones are in your own collection — click a missing issue to jump straight to checking eBay for it.
Type a title and hit Search — results pull straight from Comic Vine, including series, issue number, and cover art, with writer/artist/publisher filled in right after.
A public profile with your full collection, a leaderboard against other collectors, and trophies for real milestones — or keep it private if you'd rather.
Frequently asked
Can I track variant covers separately from the regular issue?
Yes — a "This is a variant cover" checkbox plus a details field for what makes it one (1:25 incentive, foil, retailer exclusive, etc.), so it's a distinct entry from a regular copy of the same issue.
Does Shelf Life grade my comics for me?
No — there's no automated grading. The Grade field is yours to fill in however you track it, whether that's a CGC number or your own call.
Can I see which issues of a series I'm missing?
"See full series" on any comic shows every issue number anyone on Shelf Life has logged for that series and marks which ones are already in your own collection.
Is it free to use?
Yes — tracking your comic collection, variant covers, series completion, and everything else costs nothing.