How to Collect Comics

While the majority of comic book titles are superhero books, you also can collect comedy, drama, adaptations, children's, horror, fantasy, science fiction, educational, mystery, adult, foreign language and international comic books.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Buy Comics

1. Locate your local comic and specialty stores.
2. Browse the store of choice. Look for comics with strong story lines and exceptional illustrations.
3. Pick up the titles you like and pay for them.
4. Collect what interests you or what you think will increase in market value. If you're lucky, you'll do both at once.

Preserve Comics

5. Put comics in a mylar sleeve that covers the book like a clear envelope and has a pressed-board backing to keep it straight.
6. Slide the backing into the mylar sleeve with the treated side facing front. (Backing boards are white on one side and gray on the untreated side.)
7. Slide the comic book into the sleeve, cover facing out.
8. Store comics in short or long comic boxes with the comics standing up.

Tips & Warnings

• Most comic specialty shops have saver programs or subscriptions that allow you to have the books set aside for you as they are shipped to the store.
• Marvel Comics, D.C. Comics and Image Comics make up over 90% of the industry, with independent titles making up the rest.
• Comic book supplies come in the same sizes as the books. Make sure you get the right fit. Also, most stores will let you buy mylar and backing individually, unless you're buying premium quality.
• If you want to keep your books for more than 5 years, use a long-term backing board made from acid-free paper.