What is the most difficult comic/mag to complete a collection of?

[jim244]

So only today I received another 9 Look-ins,rare ones,from a brilliant collector friend of mine.
I now have only 20 issues to go between Look in complete collection from 1971-1981.
In reality it ran until 1994 but I'm uncertain I have much interest in later years.
MY POINT:I BELIEVE that at present I have the largest 70s LOOK in collection in the UK,I base that on forums that I have visited and could be totally wrong.
It has taken me a decade.
I collect a lot of other comics/mags also.
What,in your opinion,is the most difficult comic/mag to complete a collection of.

[Tin Can Tommy]

Are there are any comics where are there no known copies of certain issues.
Maybe some of the Gerald Swan comics?
My guess for the most difficult comic/mag to complete a collection of is Comic Cuts or Illustrated Chips.
Mainly because of their age, the large number of issues and how little I hear comics enthusiasts discuss them compared to other titles.

[jim244]

I think you make an excellent point Tommy and are correct.
Just to explain: The reason I included Look in and Action in the list are that Action 23 October issue had only 30 printed copies.
Look in 1974 issue 50 only 500 copies.
I have the Look in as bought it from a collector friend recently.

[Adam Eterno]

I would definitely not say that Starblazer, Warlord, Eagle, Commando and 2000AD were particularly hard to complete. I know many full sets of each of those and have some myself.
Personally I think Solo is a particularly difficult set to complete as I the last two decades, I’ve seen very few up for grabs.
I don’t know anyone who has a full set of any of the main 6 Alan Class titles, but I’m getting steadily closer in a couple of them!

[Richard S.]

it's taken me about 15 years but I have finally completed my set of 'Lucky Charm' comics (the girls equivalent of 'Red Dagger' comic). Not the hardest set in the world (see notes above about Comic Cuts or Illustrated Chips) but it's still taken a long time to collect this quite short-lived comic. Very pleased to have completed it.

[Adam Eterno]

it's taken me about 15 years but I have finally completed my set of 'Lucky Charm' comics (the girls equivalent of 'Red Dagger' comic). Not the hardest set in the world (see notes above about Comic Cuts or Illustrated Chips) but it's still taken a long time to collect this quite short-lived comic. Very pleased to have completed it.

Well done Richard. It is a pretty difficult set to complete, but definitely worth it!

[stevezodiac]

I have issues 1-13 of Super DC but have never come across issue 14. GCD has a cover image but it's not indexed. Would also think Solo and TV Tornado are difficult runs to complete.

[Adam Eterno]

I have issues 1-13 of Super DC but have never come across issue 14. GCD has a cover image but it's not indexed. Would also think Solo and TV Tornado are difficult runs to complete.

I’m almost there on TV Tornado, but 4 to get!

[stevezodiac]

I have about 20 TV Tornados but they are scattered in different boxes and crates in my storage unit, one day I'll put them all together and know which issues I have.

[jim244]

I would definitely not say that Starblazer, Warlord, Eagle, Commando and 2000AD were particularly hard to complete. I know many full sets of each of those and have some myself.
Personally I think Solo is a particularly difficult set to complete as I the last two decades, I’ve seen very few up for grabs.
I don’t know anyone who has a full set of any of the main 6 Alan Class titles, but I’m getting steadily closer in a couple of them!

Completely agree with you Adam on Solo.It is very difficult to collect despite only being 31 issues.
I have had a few in the past and don't really understand it.
It seems to be part "Buster",part "Tornado"part "TV Century 21" part DISNEY!!!!
I have a theory but it is completely unsubstantiated.
Patrick McGoohan had started filming of "The Prisoner".He was a massive star due to "Dangerman".
The Prisoner didn't air until September 67 and Solo started Jan 67.
Were there rumours that McGoohan was involved in a new series that was fantasy based?
EITHER WAY:McGoohan was a huge star and the main feature of the Solo comic was a McGoohan tv series and film,"Dr Syn Alias the Scarecrow."
So...while many comics forums have suggested it was based on a new McGoohan series,in reality the strip in "Solo" was based on a Disney 3 part tv series that was released over here in 1963,4 years before the comic launched,as a film.
I think people knew Pat was in a new series and would be the star of 67 so took an old thing that he was in and hoped for the best.
Why they called it Solo though,I can't imagine.
Sure,it featured a Man From Uncle strip but Napoleon Solo was never the star of this bizzare comic.And in later issues they start to mention "The Mysterons"??????????
Did TV21 first introduce Captain Scarlet or was it this insane but brilliant comic????