Common Comic Book Collecting Misconceptions
There’s plenty of rags-to-riches tales out there when it comes to comic books. It’s easy to get swept away in the stories of comics being sold for thousands and the myths and advice swirling around them. Myths and advice like these misconceptions.
Misconception #1: Every Comic Is an Investment
It’s easy to find stories of hidden gems that were worth fortunes. Often, these are quiet first issues of characters or franchises that later became cultural milestones. Those lucky enough to own them can suddenly cash in for thousands, or even millions.
But most comics will never get even close to that status, including first issues of relatively popular series. Many collectors have stored hundreds of comic books in their boards, bags, and boxes. After two or three decades, they sadly find out that the hoard they carefully preserved is worth less than the cover price.
Misconception #2: All Vintage Comics Are Valuable
Think that old comic you found in your parents’ attic for the 1950s is instantly worth a fortune? Odds are better that it isn’t. Certain rare comics from before 1970 can easily blind a collector, especially ones that introduced legendary characters like Batman, Superman, or Spider-Man.
However, they’re not all diamonds in the rough. Just like modern comics, there were plenty of issues that are now worth less than their cover price (when you account for inflation). While you should probably check on those old comics you found, don’t be surprised if they’re not worth anything.
Misconception #3: Rarity is the Only Thing that’s Important
One of the biggest factors in determining a comic’s worth is how rare it is, but there are a couple other important qualities: The comic’s cultural impact and the physical condition of the copy.
Shelling out thousands for a comic book isn’t about reading the story. It’s about owning a piece of the cultural history.
The most valuable comics are no longer even opened, and are kept preserved to maintain their condition. These collectors don’t want to own an antique that’s dog-eared and well-loved. They want something that looks like it did on the day it was printed, or as close as they can get. Even if you have a valuable comic in poor condition, it can still be passed over by collectors if there are better examples available.
All three of these factors need to be in place for a comic to be truly valuable. That’s why the most expensive comic sold is a near-mint condition of Action Comics #1 (the introduction of Superman). There was only a print run of 200,000, and only a handful of them remain in good condition.
Misconception #4: Comics Only Go Up in Value
The logic goes something like this: Only a certain amount of comic book was printed when it started. As the character become more established, many of those copies will be thrown away, and the remaining comics become more valuable.
Except there are a couple wrenches that get thrown into the works. Not all characters or series gain more fans. And with so many people collecting, too many issues are still available for those who want them. A great example is Superman No. 75 from the 1990s. This issue features the Death of Superman, and the price got up to $75 in the first year after it was published. Today, a copy will sell for closer to $10. The death proved temporary, and there are enough copies around that there’s simply not enough demand to push up the price.