Comic Book Collecting

Why comic book collecting is wonderful after 50

Comic collecting is a joy at any age, but it is especially rewarding after 50. There is the nostalgia of holding the characters and titles you grew up with, and the pleasure of really looking at the art and reading the stories with time to spare. There is the treasure hunt, too: the little thrill of digging through a dollar bin or a show and finding the very issue you have been wanting. Best of all, you can start affordably, with a few bags, a box, and books you already love, and grow the collection slowly, exactly at the pace that suits you.

Your first month, week by week

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping bags and boards. Bare comics rub, curl, and get dinged, so protect every book with a bag and a backing board from the start.
• Storing comics flat in stacks, or in a hot attic or damp basement. Weight, heat, and moisture ruin them, so store books upright in a box in a cool, dry room.
• Buying only what is hot or hyped. Speculation fads come and go, so collect what you genuinely love and you will never regret a purchase.
• Folding covers, rolling comics, or reading them roughly. Open a comic gently and never crease the spine, especially with older or valuable books.
• Ignoring condition when buying or selling. A crease, a tear, or a missing staple changes the value a lot, so always look a book over carefully first.
• Rushing to grade or slab everything. Professional grading costs money and only makes sense for genuine keys, not for common reading copies.

Words you'll hear

Key issue

A comic that collectors especially want, usually because something important happens in it, such as a first appearance, a first cover, or a major event. Keys hold their value best.

First appearance

The very first comic in which a character shows up. First appearances of popular heroes and villains are among the most sought-after and valuable books.

CGC and grading

CGC is the best-known company that professionally grades a comic's condition on a scale up to 10 and seals it in a protective case, giving buyers and sellers a trusted, agreed-upon grade.

Slab

The clear, sealed plastic case a comic is sealed in after professional grading. A slabbed book is protected and cannot be opened without breaking the case.

Bag and board

A clear protective sleeve (the bag) with a stiff backing card (the board) that supports a comic and keeps it flat and safe. The everyday way collectors protect their books.

Variant

An alternate cover for the same comic issue, often printed in smaller numbers. Some variants are common, while rare ones can be quite collectible.

Golden and Silver Age

Names for the great eras of comics. The Golden Age runs from the late 1930s to about 1950, and the Silver Age from the mid-1950s into the early 1970s, when many famous heroes were created.

Where to find your people

• Local comic shops, which are the heart of the hobby, with new arrivals, back-issue bins, and staff and regulars who love to talk comics.
• Comic conventions and collector shows, from small local gatherings to big weekend events, where dealers, dollar bins, and fellow fans are everywhere.
• Online marketplaces such as eBay, where you can search for almost any issue, compare prices, and buy and sell from the comfort of home.
• Collector forums and subreddits, such as the r/comicbooks and r/comiccollecting communities, where friendly hobbyists share finds, tips, and advice.
• The CGC community and its message boards, where collectors discuss grading, keys, and the market and welcome newcomers with questions.