How to Complete a Comic Book Collection

Maybe you're collecting all the issues in a specific title because it's the coolest book you've ever read. Or maybe you just want to make your collection more valuable. Either way, you have the same steps to follow.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mylar Covers
• Comic Book Boxes
• Comic Board Backings
• Acid-free Comic Board Backings
• Overstreet Price Guides
• Tape
• Tape
• Tape
• Back Comic Book Issues
• Clear Page Protectors

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

2. Find the title you're interested in and do a rough calculation as to what it will cost.

3. Shop at a local store, by catalog, online, or go to a comic book convention.

4. Preserve your comics by storing them in a safe place.

Tips & Warnings

• Back issues - comic books that are not currently on the sales rack - are sold in conditions ranging from "new/mint" to "very poor." The condition determines the price.
• Shop around. Different booths will undercut each other, and you can regularly buy overstock of regular issues for half-off cover price or more.
• A catalog or online buy will probably cost less, but you'll also incur shipping and insurance charges, and it will take longer to return goods if you're unsatisfied.
• Comic book conventions are great for price deals, but there are two caveats: sales are final for the day, so be sure you get what you want; and not every city will have a regular convention. Check around and look in the back section of "Wizard," or see if your local shops are advertising any upcoming conventions.
• If you're buying at a store or convention, take the time to examine the book and make sure it's in the condition it's being advertised as. With the volume of books that are priced and cataloged by the retailer, mistakes are inevitable, so protect yourself by double-checking.

on 11/22/2005 Another way might be to purchase from an individual. If I have to sell my stuff for less value to a comic shop, I would rather another collector buy it from me at that price to fill their collection. I have triples of Crisis on Infinite Earths (#1, #6, #7, and #8) in NM condition. The comic shops would only give me a couple of dollars per issue. I kept my book. I wish it was easier to find buyers without paying the expense of eBay, but finding buyers is really hard.