How to Read Comic Books Without Damaging Them

Comic books are a source of reading pleasure, but they are also a collectible item treasured by fans. Comic books, being a flimsy paper pamphlet in most cases, are easily damaged by careless readers. Here are some ideas to follow if you want to keep your comic books in like-new condition.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comic books
• Mylar bags
• Backing boards
• Comic book storage boxes

1. Buy a Mylar bag and backing board for each comic book you own. Keep your comic books in the bags with a backing board whenever you are not reading them.

2. Handle the comic book gently when reading it, keeping in mind that it is paper. Do not fold back the cover or any of the pages as you read. Even gently folding back the cover and pages can cause a “spine roll” on the comic book. This refers to the spine of the comic curving up from the rest of the book instead of laying flat. Do not fold back the corner of a page to keep your spot in lieu of a bookmark.

3. Change the position of your hands frequently while reading, especially if you are reading a text-heavy page that will take longer to read. Holding a comic book too tightly or with your fingers too long in the same spot may cause the cover ink to come off on your fingers, leaving your fingerprints on the cover.

4. Store your bagged and boarded comic books in comic book long boxes when you have finished reading them. This will keep the comic books from becoming bent.

Tips & Warnings

• Mylar bags and backing boards can be purchased individually or in packages of 100. Buying in packages is much cheaper in the long run.
• Buying a graphic novel that collects several issues of your favorite comic books gives you an easy way to reread and enjoy those stories without risking further damage to the original comic books.
• Do not eat or drink while reading a comic book unless you are extremely careful. Being paper, any spilled liquid will immediately ruin a comic book while food can cause stains on the pages if dropped or smeared by your fingers.
• Too many comic books stored in one long box without backing boards can also cause “spine roll.”