Costly Comics: Valuing Your Comic Books

Comic books are one of the most popular categories of collectibles on the market – and maybe some of the most lucrative in terms of value.  Wouldn’t it be exciting to learn that the box of old comics you have collecting dust up in your attack might actually contain a few comics worth thousands of dollars?  It is time to dust off that old box and start going through your old memories of superhero-filled tales you once enjoyed so much – what have you got to lose?  I have put together a few things to look for when you begin valuing your old comic books.

*  The older the comic, the higher the value – usually.  Like most collectibles and antiques, age is an important factor in determining the value of the item.  Comics produced in the 1930s and 1950s are considered to to be part of the “Golden Age.”  These comics are known to have the most value.  Titles published after the 1970s, when comic book collecting became a popular hobby are generally worth less.  The more people collecting a particular issue, the less the value. 

*  Rarity plays a huge role in determining the value of a comic.   Although a particular comic may have been published by the millions, certain circumstances may cause that comic to be extremely rare. In the 1950s, for example, comics were published by the hundreds of thousands.  Moms of that era, however, were mostly housewives and stay-at-home moms, and threw them out in an effort to keep the house tidy.  During WWII, paper drives also served to increase the rarity of any comic books published before that time.

*  Does your comic feature superheros?  Superhero comic books are known to be the most collected and highest valued type of comic book.  Chances are, if you have heard of the main character, the comic is generally worth more.

*  The condition of your comic will affect its market value.  Just as with baseball cards, there is a grading system in the world of comic book price guides.  The grades include, from lowest to highest: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Near Mint, Near Mint/Mint, Mint, Gem Mint.  The condition of your comic can mean the difference between you getting $5 for your comic and $5000. 

Here is a more in-depth breakdown of the Comic book condition grading system, courtesy of http://www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-price-guide.html:

Gem Mint: An exceptional example of a given book-the best ever seen. Only the slightest bindery or printing defectsare allowed. Cover is flat with nosurface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity. Corners are cut square and sharp. Spine is tight and flat. Staples must be original, centered and clean with no rust. Paper is white, supple and fresh. No interior autographs or owner signatures. This condition is quite rare and many new comic books today probably don’t make it into this category.

Mint: You don’t need to be a genius to get this one. The comic book has to be practically perfect-like you just bought it fresh and new. Wonderful, bright colors; gleaming, clean staples; properly flexible, clean, fresh paper; a nicely put together spine. Don’t get uptight about your ultimate decision, but, again, don’t lie to yourself. Mint is mint. Any imperfection has got to be almost invisible.

Near Mint/Mint: What a difference a slight imperfection makes? And that’s the difference between Near Mint/Mint and Mint. No crying, continue to grade.

Near Mint: You are actually still in a very good place. A very good price, too-so, take a deep breath and be sure this baby is close to perfect, with an emphasis on the word “close” (which also means “near”). Scrutinize the book for bindery tears over 1/6th of an inch, visible stress marks, the cover even a little slightly faded? Rust free staples. Square corners. Paper like new. Spine flat. Everything you always wanted from a comic with, perhaps, only some tiny imperfections to mar your perfect view.

Very Fine: Still holds its own-bright, flexible pages with a corresponding bright, flat color. Stress lines and a bit longer (1/4”) crease-OK. A slight discoloration of the paper-tan to yellow is allowed.

Fine: You look at this and you know it’s been read, but it’s also been treasured-or, at least, adequately preserved, by accident. Cover has a slight bluntness, but still some brightness. Pages haven’t turned brittle, but yellowing, quite possibly, has begun.

Very Good: This comic is intact, but used, somewhat creased- somewhat faded, somewhat soiled. It could even have a ¼” triangle missing from corner. All kinds of stamping and marking from stores or distributors are permitted in this grade. Even a loose cover, bindery problems and page corrosion are permissible.

Good: Contains all pages and cover, but pieces might be missing. ½” triangle or ¼” square may be missing. All kinds of creases, scruffing, soiling, fading. But it’s still whole.

Fair: Fairly horrible condition-soiled, faded, torn-up to 1/10 of the cover missing. Readable, but barely. This is the last stop on the road for a serious collector. Worth about 50-70% of value.

Poor: You’ll recognize this one, all right. It’s got tears and stains and mildew and dullness in the cover. Chunk of the cover and pieces of the pages are missing or marked up. A page may be missing, but it must be clearly noted for this messy monstrosity to even get this grade. You don’t want this in your collection, unless there is something exceptional about it. Give it to your little sister-or five-year-old daughter, whatever’s appropriate.

*  Don’t give up hope!  There could be certain traits of a comic book that could mean big books for you that aren’t always obvious.  For example, comics illustrated by a certain illustrator could make it worth thousands.  First issues and original comic book artwork can also contribute to the value. Keep in mind that there are some dealers out there that may be less than honest by giving you a low value in hopes to buy the product from you and make a big profit. I would recommend taking your comics to an appraiser specializing in comic books or a professional in a comic book store only AFTER doing your own research and assessment.  A great book to help you do your own valuation is “The Official Overstreet Price Guide to Comic Book”

*  Be aware that the market for comic books is ever-changing.  The value is always subject to market fluctuations.

Here is a list of today’s most popular comic books being bid-on and sold on eBay: