How to Collect Comics for Profit

Comic books are like stocks - pick the right one and you have the next Microsoft; pick the wrong one and you have a tax write-off.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comic Book Boxes
• Comic Board Backings
• Acid-free Comic Board Backings
• Wizard Magazines
• Overstreet Price Guides
• Advance Previews Comic Catalogs
• Back Comic Book Issues
• Clear Page Protectors

1. Read the "Overstreet Price Guide," "Wizard Magazine" and the "Previews" catalog monthly.

2. Keep up with current events. Magazines like "Wizard" will give a rundown on the books coming out and a synopsis of the story line. The "Previews" catalog will give an idea of what looks good and related collectibles.

3. Enroll in a comic specialty shop's saver or subscription program that allows you to have books set aside when they are shipped to the store. First issues are usually a good investment.

4. Look for what's interesting and innovative. Early work by future superstar artists, first appearances by new characters, and anything completely unexpected or risky often gain in value over time.

5. Check out crossover issues that guest-star other characters. These can become valuable depending on which character is in which title.

6. Go ahead and buy your favorite titles, regardless of whether or not you think they'll appreciate in value. Comic book collecting is about enjoyment as well as profit. Plus, you never know ...

Tips & Warnings

• Knowledge and familiarity with the industry are key to collecting.
• Comic books are priced according to their condition, so store yours properly.

[mourgos]

on 4/19/2008 There's a difference between collecting the latest thing like Captain America 25 or collecting vintage collectibles such as Amazing Fantasy 15, which does continue to rise in value.

on 8/8/2006 The value doesn't seem to hold for long periods these days. If your issue skyrockets, dump it quick. It doesn't always continue to raise in value. These days, print runs are so large that the issues are not scarce; especially if there is a lot of media attention.

on 8/8/2006 When a comic gets "hot" it's easy to sell it for profit on eBay. I usually search for current hot comics from professional "older comics" dealers, usually, their inventory is so large with Bronze, Silver and Golden age, that they just use Overstreet to price. So, they don't know until a couple of months later which issue is hot.
For hot comics, pay the extra to get featured in the eBay gallery, someone will bid you up.

on 3/25/2006 The majority of people think that #1s are the most valuable. In fact #2s are the ones to look out for. Stores usually over order #1s due to interest, they then back down on #2s. They are then more rare and more valuable.

on 3/16/2006 Store comic books in cool, dry, dark locations to prevent moisture and fading. Also, place them in mylon bags with acid free backing boards with the reflective side facing the back of the book along with the flap of the mylon hanging over the back. Scotch tape should be used (no staples). Do not ever store them on the floor, think of any possible hazards such as flooding and take any precaution possible. Store in comic book boxes; long or short. Short is easier to move and search through, while long is a much cheaper and organized method. Buying books for profit takes time, effort, and luck. You need to know the publics reactions and expectations. Look for books with little or no attention derived toward it, because authors are always trying to make their work amazing to break out in the business. They're entrepreneurs just like you! This means if their work does make a connection surprising collectors, you would be able to buy one or even a myriad of them for standard or cheap prices while everyone is scrambling to buy them for multiples of what you spent. Never buy comics that are inflated in value just because you read it in a price guide. This is all based on current trends and prices get inflated for a time then die out eventually if the trend does not follow through. Examples of this include Colossus' death which went down in value due to his resurrection, things like that. Buy comics for their face value or cheaper because comics will never be worth less than that, and buying expensive ones are always a risk. Do not buy first issues on a whim since, this is highly overrated. If anything buy second and third issues of a new print because these are vastly under ordered! First issues are incredibly over ordered in order to meet demand and stores cut down because they don't want to be stuck with tons of second issues that don't sell. Be smart!