Comic Book Collection

[Mike D]

Somebody mentioned they had a bunch of board games in their garage. I've got a box full of old comic books. If I wanted to estimate the value of my comic books, where should I start? I've got mostly some from the 80's but also a good handful from the 60's. Most in plastic cover sheets. I'm not looking to sell, just curious.

[kurtism]

The Overstreet Guide is a place to start, but I wouldn't consider it gospel. Other than that, you can ask your local comic shop owner what the collection might be worth, or check on eBay for what the issues in question are going for.

[Mike D]

Holy crap...just a quick look on E-bay...

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 50 9.6 NM+ DOUBLE COVER CGC SS Stan Lee John Romita | eBay

I know I've got that one...maybe I should investigate this further...

[Mike D]

dola...of course, I'm sure my collection isn't in the right condition for that.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Dutch

dola...of course, I'm sure my collection isn't in the right condition for that.

Something that is sealed and rated like that is going to get a boost in terms of what it will go for. My friend had quite of bit of stuff like it but sold it all.

[Abe Sargent]

As someone with a large collection with a full Avengers collection stretching all the way back to #1, and also someone who has worked at a comic store, allow me to jump in.

A few things matter for the value of comics. None of them are the ones that might jump to mind. For example, a rare, vintage, 1950s comic in great condition could be had for just a few dollars if no one wants it or has heard of it.

What increase the value of a comic:

1). Condition. Every comic prior to 1990ish improves in value with condition. Comics after 1990 basically assume near mint, and anything less just doesn;t arrive that often.

2). Who wrote and drew the comic. Even an obscure title by a well known artist or writer will draw people to pick it up.

3). Are the characters around today? A Spider Man or Flash obviously has enthusiasts of the character today who might want to pick up older titles.

4). What is happening in the story line? For example, the individual issues of the Marvel Secret Wars limited series in the mid 1980s are worth adequate amounts, bu the issue where Spider Man gets eh black outfit is worth significantly more. Even comics printed today have this factor.

5). Is there a Trade Paperback version in print? If a comic story has been reprinted, then people who want to read the story can pick it up for a decent price. This leaves only collectors to purchase the comic, thus reducing the market of the title, and subsequently the price. This typically only works on multi-issue story lines.


5a). Has there been an older reprint? For example, due to the sheer popularity of Avengers in the 1970s, Marvel reprinted most of the first 100 titles in other comics such as Marvel Triple Action. This really cuts the value of the earlier 1960s issues.

5b). Modern comics that are really popular often have extra print runs. Examples include the death of popular characters. After the massive surprise factor of Thunderbolts #1 which was not spoiled in trade publications, everybody wanted to get it, so a new comic was made bundling #1 and #2 together so those who didn't pick it up could do so. These things happen regiulsyl, and extra print runs obviously cut into the value.


6). Was it overproduced in an obvious marketing scheme? In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several popular comic titles in both DC and Marvel has well publicized reboots and overprinted, with alternate or foil covers and so forth. This was obviously an attempt to tap into the growing comic collectible market, and most of these titles have very little value today. (Remember than in the 1980s and 1990s, comics companies mass produced titles, and made hundreds of titles, and glutted the market with them.)

Anyway, those are some clues. Good luck, and I hope you have a diamond!


EDIT: Oh, and remember, for older 1960s and earlier titles, that the superhero genre rules in prices - some great, powerful, well written wild west, horror, mystery, jungle, and girls comics can be found, but they tend to have lowered values.

[Mike D]

Thanks for the info. When I have time, I'll have to inventory and determine condition of the comics I have. I put most of them in plastic in the late 80's....I know that's not museum quality protection but it's something. Those 60's comics were not well protected until I got my hands on them.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Holy crap...just a quick look on E-bay...

I know I've got that one...maybe I should investigate this further...

I think the dude is WAY off. Just think he jacked up the price so he could appear at the top of the list. Make sure to look at completed vs current for anything on Ebay.