Inherited a comic collection? Here's what it's worth.
Comics from the 1990s speculation boom were printed in vast numbers and are worth very little. Real value is concentrated before 1970, and in specific first appearances. Condition matters more here than in almost any other collectible.
- Do not fold, roll, or press comics flat under weight.Spine stress and colour-breaking creases are permanent and are exactly what graders penalise.
- Do not store them in the standard cheap PVC bags.PVC breaks down and releases acids that yellow and brittle the paper. Mylar or polypropylene only.
- Do not tape a loose cover back on.Tape is worse than the tear. Leave the damage and let a professional decide.
What actually decides the value
- ·Publication date and issue number — pre-1970 is where value concentrates
- ·First appearances of significant characters
- ·Cover condition: spine, corners, colour-breaking creases, staple rust
- ·Whether the pages are white, cream or brown, which tracks how it was stored
- ·Original price on the cover, which dates the printing
How to photograph it
- ·Full cover, square on, with the whole spine visible
- ·Close-up of the spine and the top-right corner
- ·Anything pre-1970 individually, not as a stack
Five photographs · free · no account
Common questions
Is a comic collection worth anything?+
Comics from the 1990s speculation boom were printed in vast numbers and are worth very little. Real value is concentrated before 1970, and in specific first appearances. Condition matters more here than in almost any other collectible.
What should I not do with a comic collection?+
Do not fold, roll, or press comics flat under weight. Spine stress and colour-breaking creases are permanent and are exactly what graders penalise. Do not store them in the standard cheap PVC bags. PVC breaks down and releases acids that yellow and brittle the paper. Mylar or polypropylene only. Do not tape a loose cover back on. Tape is worse than the tear. Leave the damage and let a professional decide.
What makes comics valuable?+
Mostly these: Publication date and issue number — pre-1970 is where value concentrates; First appearances of significant characters; Cover condition: spine, corners, colour-breaking creases, staple rust; Whether the pages are white, cream or brown, which tracks how it was stored.
How do I find out what mine is worth?+
Photograph it and we'll examine it. Five photographs are free. A full report is $39, covers up to 200 photographs, and we never buy or sell anything — so we have no reason to tell you it's worth less than it is.