We’ve all heard stories about how comic book collectors hit the jackpot upon getting their hands on a super hard-to-find edition. We’ve seen the money these can fetch in specialty online stores, and have been shocked to find that some comics hold a value of as much as millions of dollars.
It’s mind-blowing and very curious at the same time. How do these comic books end up to be such prized possessions? What makes them valuable? How do we know if the comic books we own have good value too? What is my comic book worth?
Fortunately, there are definitive ways to determine the value of your comic books, if at all. Here are some of the factors that affect the value of collectable comics.
Age
As with any other high-value collectibles, the older it is, the more valuable it becomes. Obviously, this is due to the fact that it’s no longer a common item to be found, especially since it’s no longer in production. Basically, anything from the ‘70s, or even earlier than that, will have some good value.
Issue
Closely related to the Age factor is the Issue number. The lower it is, the higher the value. So if you have an Issue #1 for a 1953 publication, then you might have something with good worth in your hands.
Do keep in mind, however, that reprints or relaunches of older issues are also common practice in the industry. So it’s still better to look at the issue in conjunction with the age or year of publication. Most certainly, a 1987 version of the same Issue #1 above would not be the same as the version published in 1953.
Characters
Who is featured in your comic books is just as important a factor in determining its value. Some of the most coveted comics include the following characters or genres: Superman, Batman, X-Men, Spider-Man, Flash, Detective Comics, and more.
Especially if a classic character makes their first appearance in print, this issue will certainly have a very high value. Also, keep in mind that this is not necessarily limited to the heroes. Even villain characters can boost the value of a comic book, especially if they are a very formidable or memorable one.
Grade
Last but not least, the grade or condition of your comic book will impact the value of your comic book. You know how sellers would always reassure buyers that their item is in “mint condition”? This means that it’s practically brand new, fresh off the press.
You would want to check for the sharpness in colors, the crispness of paper, smoothness of every page — basically, it’s a flawless copy. If the comic has been kept in a protective cover or seal, this protects the grade.
If you want to find out if your comic books are valuable, bring them in. Tom should be able to give you a value in person.