📦 Comic Inventory System
Drawn To Comics — Basement Inventory Proposal
It doesn't matter where things are, as long as they're on a map so you can find them.
The Idea
There are thousands of comics in the basement. Right now, finding a specific issue means hunting through boxes. When a customer asks "Do you have Batman #47?", the answer is "probably, let me go look" — and that takes time.
The goal: know what you have and where it is. Every comic gets scanned, identified, and tagged with a location. When you need something, the system tells you exactly where to find it.
What We Built
The Scanner App
A web app that runs on any phone or tablet — no special hardware needed. Just open it in a browser.
What It Does Today
- Scan a comic's barcode with your phone camera
- Identifies the comic automatically — title, issue number, cover image, publisher, price
- Assign a location — which box, which shelf, which shelving unit
- Track quantity — how many copies of each issue
- Export everything as a CSV spreadsheet that your existing systems can import
It also works in reverse. Switch to "Pull for Floor" mode, scan comics being brought upstairs, and the app records what was pulled, from where, and where it's going. The basement inventory updates automatically.
The Location System
Every location in the basement gets a unique code. A printed barcode label goes on each shelf so you can scan it instead of typing.
B - 01 - A
B = Basement · 01 = Shelving Unit · A = Shelf
Boxes get their own sequential numbers, so every box in the building has a unique ID:
B - 00001
B = Basement · 00001 = Box Number (sequential)
The same system works for the warehouse across the street — just swap B for W.
How It Works Day-to-Day
📥 Building the Inventory
- Label the shelving units and shelves (printed barcode labels)
- Pick up a box, scan its barcode label
- Scan each comic in the box — the app identifies it automatically
- Enter the quantity, confirm — the comic is now on the map
- Move to the next box. Repeat.
Work at whatever pace makes sense. The app saves everything as you go. Pick it up tomorrow where you left off.
📤 Pulling Comics for the Floor
- Switch the app to "Pull" mode
- Scan the comic you're pulling
- The app shows where it was, confirms the pull, updates the count
- Bring it upstairs — the basement inventory stays accurate
What's Coming Next
The Pick List
Once the inventory exists, we can build a guided pull system:
The Vision
- Someone upstairs decides they need 40 comics pulled from the basement
- They create a pull list in the app
- The person going downstairs opens their phone: "40 items to pull"
- The app shows one item at a time — just the location and a picture of the cover
- The list is sorted for the most efficient route through the basement — no backtracking
- Scan the box label to confirm you're at the right spot
- Scan the comic, confirm the quantity, move to the next one
- The counter ticks down: 39… 38… 37…
- When done, the floor knows exactly what's coming up
No searching. No guessing. No wasted trips.
What's Needed
📱 Any Smartphone
The app runs in a browser. iPhone, Android, tablet — all work.
🏷️ Printed Labels
Barcode labels for shelves and boxes. Generated by the app, printed on any printer.
📋 Numbering Plan
Decide on unit numbers and shelf letters. One-time setup.
⏰ One Afternoon
Walk through, label everything, and you're ready to start scanning.
The Roadmap
1
Label & Scan
Label the basement. Scan comics into inventory. Build the map.
This is ready now.
2
Pull System
Guided pick lists. Efficient routing. Progress tracking.
Once we have inventory data to work with.
3
Integration
Connect to existing systems. CSV exports into POS/inventory software. Online sales feeds.
When we're ready to bridge basement → storefront → online.