What Determines the value of my comics?
There are a few factors that determine the value of your comics:
Significance
This refers to the popularity, relevance, or importance of the comic. The greater the significance of the comic, the higher the value. Examples are here.
Shape
This refers to the condition of the comic The better the condition, the higher the value. A list of common defects that affect value can be found here.
Scarcity
This refers to how many of this comic are available for sale. Generally speaking, the fewer that there are available, the higher the value. Examples are here.
Significance
First Appearance
​Whether it be a cameo, the first full appearance (interior or cover), or the first modern appearance of a long dormant character, first appearances are very desirable to collectors.
Origin of a Character
A comic featuring the origin of a character, often revealed in a different issue from their first appearance, typically generates increased interest and value.
Death of a Character
When a comic features the death of a character, it often makes the issue appealing to fans who are curious as to what led to the final, tragic appearance.
Movie or TV Appearance
When a character appears in a movie or TV show, the related comics (especially first appearances) often become more attractive, as fans want to brush up on the backstory.
Popular Storyline
If a storyline resonates with readers, word quickly spreads, driving the collectability of the related comics.
Popular Artist or Writer
Many comic creators have a devoted fanbase, making comics written or drawn by these creators more desirable to collectors.
First Solo Book, Limited Series, or Ongoing Series
When a character is featured in their own comic for the first time, the comics often become more alluring to collectors.
Shape
Poor
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A comic in Poor condition is severely damaged and barely readable.
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Examples of defects include several pages missing, a completely split spine, or other severe damage that impacts the ability to read the book.
Fair
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A comic in Fair condition will show major damage.
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Examples of defects include clipped coupons or portions of ad pages, a split but still attached spine, a missing back cover, severe water damage or mold, and deterioration of the paper.
Good
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A comic in Good condition has major defects but is still intact and able to be read, possessing an accumulation of minor defects combined with one or more significant defects.
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Examples of defects include creasing, minor spine splits, a detached cover or centerfold, significant tears, significant discoloration or staining, and water damage
Very Good
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A comic in Very Good condition has significant wear, but not enough defects to significantly reduce eye appeal.
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Examples of defects include a rolled spine, minor spine splits or other tears, a partially detached cover or centerfold, or minor to moderate discoloration, water damage, or staining.
Fine
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A comic in Fine condition shows some minor to moderate wear.
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Examples of defects include slight spine roll, a spine stresses , a very minor spine split, small amounts of water damage, or a bent corner.
Very Fine
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A comic in Very Fine condition is in overall nice condition.
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Examples of defects include minor corner wear, a small number of spine stresses, a small number of minor dents or folds.
Near Mint
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A comic in Near Mint condition is a nearly flawless copy that possesses only a few very minor defects.
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Examples of defects include a very small amount of spine stresses or dents, very slight corner blunting, and minor bends.
Scarcity
Age
Since comics from the 1930s through the 1960s are very difficult to find in excellent condition, higher grade copies from this era are often exponentially more valuable than more recently printed comics.
Print Run
While some comics had hundreds of thousands of copies printed, others had a fraction of that number. A smaller print run makes a comic more difficult to find, often resulting in a value that is higher than a more commonly found comic.
Newsstand Vs. Direct Market
In the late 1970s, comic book publishers moved from selling comics exclusively to newsstands and began selling to what is known as the direct market (comic book specialty shops). Print runs and comic covers are often different based on whether a book was sold on the newsstand or direct market, impacting the value of the books.
Inserts
Some comics were sold with inserts (e.g., Mark Jewelers Inserts) that were often lost/detached over time. An issue that is complete with the original insert is more desirable to collectors than one that is incomplete.