Comic Book Collector Questions

I would like to cover every aspect of this topic. In order to keep things short I have only included the major topics detailed as good as possible.

Many of us collected comic books as kids. As adults, we think back to a simpler time when our biggest worry was the release of the latest edition of our favorite comic. At the time, we collected comics simply because we loved them. As we grew up, however, our interests changed. We became adults and too grown up for comic books. We might still have a stack of old comics in the attic, though, or we may have sold them at a yard sale years ago. Some adults, though, remained proud of their comic book collections, and many turned that collecting instinct to profit, buying, and selling comic books to supplement their income. If you are new to collecting for value, you may have some questions and concerns. This audio program will address the questions most commonly asked by new comic book collectors.

I have an old comic book collection. How do I find out what it is worth?

A simple, four-step process will tell you what each comic book is worth. First, grade your comics. The comic book's grade refers to its condition. Next, consult a recent price guide. The guide will give you an estimated value for each comic book according to grade. Third, check online auctions and online dealers to see what people are actually paying for those comic books. Finally, keep your ideals in check and look realistically at the current market.

How do I grade my comic books?

You have two choices when it comes time to grade a comic book. You may send the comic book to the Comics Guaranty Company for grading, or you can grade the comic yourself. The CGC will charge a fee for grading, and then seal your comic in a plastic sleeve. A CGC rating is the only purely objective means of grading and guarantees to a potential buyer that your comic does have a certain official rating.

However, since the CGC grading costs money, it is not worthwhile to have every comic graded that way. You can learn to grade comic books yourself and for lower dollar value comic books, this is the way to go. Remember to be objective when grading your own comics, as you do not want to cheat a buyer inadvertently.

What are the comic book grades?

Comic book grades range from mint (the best) to poor (the worst). The grades include near mint, very fine, fine, very good, good, and fair. Comic book grades refer to the amount of wear and tear that the comic book has received.

A mint condition comic book should look as if you just bought it new. There can be no marks, rips, discoloration, wrinkles, rusted staples, or any other imperfection no matter how slight. The only exception to the rule of comic books considered mind is an autographed comic book. Realistically, very few comic books achieve a mint rating. If you believe that you have one, especially if it is also a rare and valuable comic, you might want to send that comic book to the CGC for official grading.

For comic books that are in less than perfect condition, you will need to look carefully at each bit of damage or wear to determine which grade the comic book should receive. Online guides or comic book collectors' magazines often have reference sheets to tell you the specifics of each grade. It may be best to work with a more experienced collector initially, until you are more familiar with how the grading system works. He or she can show you examples of various comic grades.

How can I properly store my comic books to decrease wear and tear?

First, individually bag each comic book in Mylar. These storage bags are available from any good comic book store. You will also want to use comic book boards to prevent bending or creasing. Purchase these individually or in bulk at your comic book store. Remember to change out your boards every few years to prevent the breakdown of the board, which can have a negative impact on your comic. Finally, you will need storage boxes. Comic book storage boxes are available in long or short size. Long boxes are better value for the money, but if your comics must be stored in tight quarters, short boxes will give you more flexibility. Remember to store your comic books in a climate controlled environment. Extremes of heat, cold, humidity, or dryness could have a negative impact on your comic books.

So what comic books should I buy?

The answer to that question really depends on your personal interests. Did you have a favorite comic book character as a kid or do you have one now? Seek out early editions of that character's comics or read the latest on what he or she is doing now.

If you see your comic book collection mostly as an investment, then you will want to carefully research and attempt to understand the market before jumping in. Spend time on online auction sites, visit comic book shops, and talk to other collectors. Find out what is consistently hot, what is hot right now, and what the future trends expect to be. Focus on collecting first editions, full sets, and vintage "finds."

My comic book collection is huge! How can I possibly keep up with what I have?

A variety of tracking software is now available to monitor your comic book collection. Some programs are free; others charge a small fee. The complexity of the programs varies dramatically, from simple tracking forms to the ability to generate multiple reports based on many different criteria.

Alternately, you can create your own database or spreadsheet file using software that you already own. Any office software can track a comic book collection. Simply decide which information you want to include and set up a new worksheet.

Where should I buy comics?

That depends on what you are looking for. New comics can easily be purchased through a comic book shop. Get to know the employees at your local shop, and you may get advance notice of hot new comics, comic book shows and other information. You will also tend to get better prices when you sell your comics if the manager knows you.

If you are looking for specific vintage comic books, you have a few avenues to try. Talk to your local comic book shop. The store may be able to get hold of the things you want or may have some suggestions on where to try to get them. Also, check online. EBay has become an extremely popular site to buy and sell comic books. Online dealers exist and may have what you need, but be sure to check references and return policy. When buying online you do not have the opportunity to see the merchandise prior to purchase, so you have to be able to get a refund if it is not what you expect. Reputable merchants understand this and offer liberal return policies.

Should I buy at comic book conventions?

Comic book conventions can be great places to find excellent deals. However, you should be aware of a few factors that affect convention buying. First, all sales are final. Make sure that you get exactly what you want, and spend some time shopping before committing to an expensive purchase. You will also want to know how to grade comics and double check that the offered comic is graded properly. With the confusion and flurry of activity involved in getting ready for a convention, it is easy for a retailer to accidentally miss-label an individual item.

The convention may include an auction portion. Pre-auction, some or all of the merchandise should be available for advance examination. Make sure that you know before the auction starts what you want and what you are willing to spend. The excitement of the auction can cause you to overspend your budget or the item's worth, so set limits for yourself at the outset.

What should I know before I sell my comic book collection?

Be sure that each comic in your collection is individually graded, either by yourself or friend, or professionally through the Comics Guaranty Company (CGC). Any especially rare or valuable comics should definitely be graded by the CGC prior to sale, as the official rating will often increase the price you can receive.

Once every comic is graded, check the average selling price for each comic. Decide whether to sell individually, in sets, or in bulk. Often you can receive a better price for low value comics by selling them in bulk or in a complete set, while particularly high-end comics may command the best price alone.

Were you the type of kid that would anxiously stand in the local grocery store just so you could spend your allowance on the newest comic book? Many people make the mistake that comic books are just for males. Females all over the world enjoy reading and collecting a comic book series just the same as males. If you were one of the lucky kids with foresight, you probably knew that your comic book would have great value one day in the future.

You probably took great care of the books and gradually built up your collection into something incredible. It does not matter if it was the Superman series, the Spider-man series or a smaller known series. Those books from years ago now have some significant punch behind them. Comic book collecting is a huge hobby. Even if you just enjoy reading the comics, it is a great way to reconnect to your childhood. If you are unfamiliar with comics, this article will help you out.

What are comic books?

Comic books are illustrations that tell a story. There is typically a speech bubble or text box that is found in each of the panes or in a series of panes. A comic book can be a graphic novel but there is debate on whether or not this is a true comic book. Most comic books come in a series that features a central character, or set of characters, that are performing some act. There is usually a protagonist and an antagonist. People of all ages collect these books because they like the storyline. Some of the biggest storylines in existence are Superman, Spider-man and the X-men. Kids and adults alike want to read about the adventures of their favorite superhero or heroine.

When did comic books originate?

There is a lot of debate as to when the first comic book was created. The most recent thought is that the first comic book was "The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck" and it was written in 1837 in Europe. Later in 1842 this comic book made its way to New York City. That early comic book would be more accurately described as a graphic novel. It was 40 pages long and did not have the typical text bubble next to a character. The text was found at the bottom of the panel. The creator Rudolphe Topffer went on to create 7 more graphic novels in different languages. There were comic books that came after that but no one really knows what happened to them. The next comic book that there is proof of was called "The Yellow Kid."

How have comic books changed over the years?

Comics have long been a way to measure society's attitude at the time. In the early days of comic books, the stories were simpler and reflected a "feel good" attitude rather than addressing any specific social situations. Later during the Depression new types of comics were introduced. Three of the most famous were about adventures. These comics were Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy and Tarzan. It is interesting to note that Chester Gould's Dick Tracy was based on the gang wars that were occurring in Chicago at this time. This time in comics also marked a very important milestone: the costumed character was invented. The first costumed character was written and developed by Lee Falk and was the Phantom. This initial foray into a masked person gave birth to the typical Americanized comic where there was a superhero.

What is the longest running series or character in a comic book?

Probably the longest running series or character in a comic book would be evenly split between Popeye, Mutt and Jeff, and Little Nemo in Slumberland. Following these comics then it would be Dick Tracy, Flash Gordon, Tarzan and the Phantom. It is surprising that comics have been around for more than a hundred years. They have undergone many changes as society has changed. You can find them in just about any language and are adored worldwide. But two of the biggest selling countries in the comic book world are the United States and Japan.

What is the most valuable comic book?

According to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, the most valuable comic book in the entire world is the Action Comics #1. Why is this comic book valued at $350,000? It is because it was the very first time Superman made an appearance. The second most valuable comic is the Superman #1 and comes with a price tag of $210,000. It is ironic that both of these comics only cost ten cents at the time. The value of these two comic books is based on the fact that they are extremely rare. In fact the appraisal value is based on near mint condition. But unfortunately a near mint condition of one of these two has never been found. Even the head of DC comics is looking for one. Will it ever be found? There is a possibility. Many mint or near mint condition comics are being found daily in attics, flea markets and even in closets. They lay there forgotten until someone just happens to stumble across one.

How do you determine the value of comic books?

The value of comic books depends on several factors. The first is the year it was produced. The second is the storyline or main character. If it is a popular character like Superman, Batman, the Fantastic Four or Spiderman, it will be worth more money because there are more collectors of these popular story arcs. Another factor in the value of a comic book is how many were printed at the time. If the market was flooded, the value comes down. The final factor is the condition of a comic book. If it has been stored properly and has no marks, smudges or tears, it will be worth more than a copy that has been well read and thumbed through. It is why comic book collectors take their comic books so seriously. For them it is an investment and a love of the story.

How should comic books be stored?

If you are just reading the comic book for entertainment and are not serious about keeping it long term, then you do not have to worry much about storing it. But if you intend to keep the comic book longer than five years you are going to have to put some effort into keeping it well preserved. The first step is buying some Mylar bags that seal. The next step is getting some backing boards that are acid-free. You slide the backing board, white side out, into the Mylar bag. You then slide the comic book into the bag with the back of the comic against the white portion of the backing board. You seal the bag and then store it in special comic book storage boxes and keep it away from sunlight, heat, humidity and smoke.

Where are some great places to find rare comic books?

Some of the best places to find rare comics are estate sales or flea-markets. There have been many discoveries made in the least likely places. Often people collect comics and then when they pass away, the comic books are not evaluated for their value and just sold. Most people who put them in a flea-market or a garage sale have no idea what the comic is worth. They just want to get it out of their way.

Where should I sell my comics?

This depends on what you have and whether you want to maximize profit on each comic or simply raise some cash by selling them off. Comic book shops may be willing to buy an entire lot but will not offer the best prices, as they will need to make a profit in resale. Private collectors generally pay the highest prices, but buy only the comics that they want. Consequently, it may take some time to sell off a large collection to private collectors. An increasingly common option is selling comics at online auction houses such as eBay. You can set up several different eBay auctions at once, perhaps selling whatever full sets you have in separate auctions, rare high dollar comic books individually, and low value comics in a "grab bag" deal. You can always set a reserve price for an eBay auction, which is the lowest dollar amount you will accept. If the highest bidder does not meet your reserve, you can choose to accept his price or cancel the sale.

Where can I find more information about comic book collecting?

The internet is an invaluable source of information for comic book collectors. Stay up to date on the latest trends, tracking software releases, and new comics by joining an online club. Or simply perform a Google search on whatever comic book-related topic strikes your fancy. New comic books are released all the time and the internet will provide you with advance information. Also, try to find a reputable comic book shop in your area. Comic book store employees tend to be extremely knowledgeable about all things comic related, so do not be afraid to ask many questions.

Where can I sell my comic books?

Before you start selling off your comic books, you need to know how much they are worth. The Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, 32nd Edition will be able to pinpoint what the values of your comic books are depending on their condition. Once you have an idea, you can then either sell them to a fellow comic book collector on Ebay or you can take them to a comic book store and place an ad on their bulletin board. Just remember that buyers will try to get them at the cheapest price they can so be prepared to handle different offers.

How many comic books have been made into movies?

There have been many comic books that have been made into movies. In the past ten years there have been Superman movies, Spiderman movies, Fantastic Four movies and a whole slew of other comic book characters brought to life. People are fascinated by watching their comic book come to life on the big screen. Some times this can be a disappointment and other times it exceeds their wildest dreams.

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