Your Comic Book Questions Answered

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.

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 one that there is proof of was called "The Yellow Kid."

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

Probably the longest running series or character in one 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.

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 one. 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 its collectors take their comic books so seriously. For them it is an investment and a love of the story.

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.

Comic Book Collector Questions

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 cartoon 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 article will address the questions most commonly asked by new cartoon book collectors.

How do I grade my comic books?

You have two choices when it comes time to grade one. You may send it 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 cartoon 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 the books yourself and for lower dollar value ones, 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.

For those 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 cartoon 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 one in Mylar. These storage bags are available from any good cartoon 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 them in a climate controlled environment. Extremes of heat, cold, humidity, or dryness could have a negative impact on your comic books.

So which ones 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 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 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. Sme 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.

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.