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.

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.

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