What Most Collectors Miss: Tiny Details That Can Double a Comic Book’s Value
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We live in an era where it seems like people trip over some unknown collectible comic in the attic, stand up, and become instant millionaires. Still, collectible comics are delicate, and there are inviolate market factors that determine their potential value. Some details could double a comic book’s value overnight.
Or, dramatically lessen its market value.
In 2013, a house flipper found a beat-up copy of Action Comics #1 in some wall insulation. The 1938 comic features the debut of Superman. After confirming its value, the man let his relatives touch the comic. An excited aunt would not let go, and a part of the back cover got torn off.
The comic was a 1.5 on the CGC scale, determining a comic’s market value. It was in a wall for almost 80 years, but it was worth $250,000. The torn back cover reduced the value by $75,000. The comic sold at auction for $175,000, almost two-thirds of its true collectibles market value at the time.
Imagine you found an old copy in the attic. You don’t need to be an expert to take some precautions and look out for some tiny details that could double a comic book’s value overnight.
1. Stop Touching the Potentially Valuable Comic With Bare Hands
Before you can fully examine the comic, you need to stop yourself from unwittingly damaging the comic. Old comic book paper and spine staples were made of the cheapest materials and were not made to last. Put on plastic gloves when touching the comic, if possible. Then put it in a clean drawer or receptacle to protect it from the elements.
Old comic book paper deteriorates when exposed to oxygen, sunlight, and heat. The sweat, grime, or food stains on your hand could damage the comic further. Don’t let multiple people touch it with their bare hands either.
2. Place the Comic in an Acid-Free Comic Book Sleeve With Backing Board
Acid-free comic book sleeves and backing boards protect comic books from the elements. They also slow down natural degradation. Undertaking these proactive protection measures is a potential way to double a comic book’s value overnight.
3. Examine the Aesthetic Condition of the Comic
You may need to remove the backing board, but keep the comic in the acid-free sleeve as you examine it. Give the comic a thorough lookover and use a magnifying glass if you must. Does the cover or back cover have any aesthetic signs of damage, stains, rips or tears, fading, or discoloration?
Put on plastic gloves and carefully examine each page for damage. As long as the comic is intact and does not have any noticeable damage, its potential market value increases significantly.
4. Autographs
Examine the credits page and look for autographs. Depending on the comic, storyline, and the creators involved, finding an autograph could significantly increase the value of a comic book. Some comic book artists, writers, and creators are like gods to comic fans, right or wrong. Comics by famous and deceased creators are valuable.
So, look for autographs and do some research about the creators of the comic.
5. Age and Rarity
You don’t have to be a comic book expert to look at the cover of a comic, the logo, and the price to know that it’s old. Not every rare comic book is old, but most are. Technically speaking, the older it looks, the rarer it might be, too. Remember not to touch it with your bare hand and to protect it in an acid-free sleeve as soon as possible.
Even if it looks like it was published in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s, it might potentially have some value, so protect it.
6. First Appearance Issue
There are many online comic book value guides where you can look up the baseline value of the comic. These sites also give you a brief summary of the story of the comic. You could also just look up the title, issue number, and story titles online to get a summary. If the comic book features the first appearance of a character, suit, weapon, city, organization, or so on, it could potentially double a comic book’s value overnight.
For example, The Incredible Hulk #181 from 1974, featuring the full debut of Wolverine, is worth $60,000 in perfect condition. Avengers #66 from 1969 is notable because it features the first appearance of the indestructible metal adamantium. In near mint condition, it’s worth almost $1,500.
These details matter to potential buyers, so you should know them beforehand.
7. Authentication, Grading, and Slabbing
Amazing Fantasy #15 from 1962 features the debut of Spider-Man. If you had a raw copy of this comic, with no authentication, grade, or slabbing, it might be worth $10,000. If you got the same comic authentication by a third-party expert, a grade, and put it into a slab or a rigid plastic case, the value of the comic increases significantly.
Valuable comic books are not meant to be touched with bare hands or even read. The buyer keeps it in the slab to retain its value and protect it. Then, they read a facsimile or reprint of the comic to enjoy it.
Even a copy of this comic with a 4.0 CGC grade, which means it is not in the best condition, might be worth almost $27,000. You are more likely to double a comic book’s value by paying attention to this detail.
Can You Double a Comic Book’s Value Overnight?
Remember that this list of details is working off a lot of assumptions. Every old comic book you find may not have a lot of value. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you find an old comic book, remember the small details to look out for. It could ensure a potential buyer in the future agrees to your details about a potential price.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College and has decades of experience in comic investing and personal finance. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen now focuses on comic book reviews, collectible investments, and helping others collect and enjoy comics.