Top products from r/comicbookcollecting

Small things but be sure to bring a backpack, comfortable shoes, cash, water, and snacks (convention food is expensive). I bought THIS which changed my life for cons. So much easier to carry books around without risk of damage.

Most dealers will typically give the best deals on Sundays. I usually thumb through boxes, and if I see a few I like, I pick them out and say "hey man, would you do a bundle deal if I bought all 5 of these?" typically they'll cut your something. Or "hey man do you have a deal if I buy 10 books?"

For expensive stuff, I usually ask to see the book so I can get a closer look (genuinely want to inspect it) and if I want a lower price just be polite and honest "I'm really interested in the book, but think you can come down at all? Maybe by $10?" most books are marked up for cons expecting to be negotiated (for expensive books), so just be casual about it! And don't be afraid to ask about their collections or shop, I've met some super nice dealers who insist on throwing in a few more books to make a good impression.

Time of day won't matter, you can use my advice any day, but Sunday is when they put out the signs for best discounts.

You'll get the feel for the type of book pretty quick. Usually there are tables with longboxes for cheaper books, and a wall at a distance for expensive books. They'll ask if you want to see anything, and if you're just browsing, just be honest. I like looking at keys so it's fun to admire.

With that budget, you could do a great Venom-themed Spider-Man collection!

(Before that, though, heed the words of another poster of if he is a reader or a collector. If he wants to read great stories, hardcover and omnibuses are the way to go. One of my favorite Hardcovers is Spider-Man: Blue, or you could get him the Maximum Carnage collection/omnibus).

Now, with $1,200, you could get a good CGC copy of Amazing Spider-Man #300 (first appearance of Venom). This should be between $300-$600 or so unless you go CGC 9.8 graded.

I paired mine with Secret Wars #8 (which was the first appearance of the "symbiote" that later turns into venom. You could go CGC for this one as well (mine's a 9.0 and it displays beautifully).

Next, you could pair this with Marvel Team-Up #141 which is a black costume "key" issue. However, for my money, a nicely graded Web of Spider-Man #1 is preferable due to an awesome cover.

If you want to go really out of the box, try one of the Sideshow Collectible statues (https://www.sideshowtoy.com/) or eBay Sideshow Collectibles Spider-Man or Spider-Man Back in Black for awesome black costume/Venom statues and busts. I have the Back in Black: Legendary Scale Bust and it is just ridiculously awesome. Be aware though, they charge a big premium because they're the best in the business.

Regardless, I hope this gives you some good ideas of where to start. You're an awesome SO for doing this, I love it when my wife gives me comics for presents. Good luck!

I don't believe that it's possible to get a representative to come to your house. Generally, you have to send them off and then they will get graded and sealed. This can be expensive if you're dealing with a lot of issues. However, it can raise their value exponentially, well past the investment, if the numbers are high enough.

If you're looking to get an approximate grade, i would suggest taking to a local, and ideally most reputable, comic shop and asking them to look at them. If they're anything like mine they would be willing to sit down with you and talk about how things get graded and what kind of numbers (in regards to grades not prices) you're looking at. Always keep in mind that if they make you an offer to buy them that they're going to try to make a profit so that number wouldn't be as well as you can do on your own. Doing the research pays off, in a very literal sense, in the long run.

Also, my biggest suggestion by far is to get them stored properly. Just because I'm unsure of how they're currently stored I would recommend mylar comic bags and boards. They are slightly more expensive than they industry standard polybag, but since we're talking about major items here the investment is worth the protection. They'll generally look something like this.

If you're looking to get a rough idea of what their value is I would suggest going to eBay and looking at sold listings. Comic book websites and collectors guides are nice, but it's always worth remembering with comics that they're only worth what someone will pay.

I hope this helps at least some. :)

Also, feel free to take some photos and upload them here! I'm sure I can speak for the rest of the sub when I say that we'd love to see them.

So I'll start with DC as i know more about that. Flash and GL might confuse you a bit at the start but don't worry just persist through and google when needed.

For Green Lantern I would definitely start with Geoff Johns run on the character, it's a personal favourite and has had quite the hand in settng up Green Lantern and the corps as it is today. Now since you haven't read and 90s GL you might be confused but dont worry, Johns retells a lot of the main stuff you need to know from the 90s stuff and helps new readers understand, and of course google as well! He also does a retold origin of Hal Jordan a little bit into it.


For Johns run start at Green Lantern: Rebirth (not to be confused with the current DC line revival). Its a series that can be purchased in a Trade Paperback (the totality of a story arc collected into one grapic novel) here https://www.amazon.ca/Green-Lantern-Rebirth-Geoff-Johns/dp/1401227554 . After done reading this you can continue on by following this reading order https://www.comicbookherald.com/reading-dc-comics/green-lantern-reading-order/ . This site is really handy for new readers. It has reading orders for a ton of different titles that can help guide you, this specific list breaks it down in the trades and then single issues that make up a trade.


Ok i didn't plan to write this much lol. I will DM you Flash and Spider-man as well so youdont have to read a big wall of text. And you can also DM me any questions anytime, always happy to guide new readers.

From back in the day - the 1990s. A friend at school showed me a copy of Infinity Gauntlet #4 that showcased Iron Man, Namor, Cyclops, Spiderman and so many others deaths. I was like "Wow they killed Spiderman?!" So that brought me into comics.

When I started collecting - my parents bought me this book for Christmas and I wanted to get a few of the books in the pages there just to say I owned them. The only ones I recall being able to afford were the Spiderman wedding annual and I think the 1st appearance black costume Amazing Spiderman.

Recently I got back into it after years of only collecting graphic novels. I basically view it as something I can leave my son when I pass on and getting the original issues of books I loved when I was a kid and getting first appearances of characters I love. That's why I'm into it again.

Definitely bag and board your books, I use a basic binder that zips shut though these were recently recommended to me. On books that you want signed a trick I've picked up is to bag and board it but cut a hole in the front of the bag marked with colored tape, that way it's signed where you want it.

As to who charges for autographs, this tends to vary. In my experience big names (Sterenko, Lee, Claremont etc.) charge anywhere from $10 to $100 where lots of others don't charge at all or ask for donations to charities they support. Roy Thomas signed several of my books for $10 at a conference I went to back in March.

As to grading, I personally do not slab my books because I still love to read them, even my old silver age stuff, though I am considering getting my Stan Lee signed books graded. I would talk to a rep at the convention about the cost and turnaround time.

If you are going to hang and display your slabs or any comics for that matter, I would seriously recommend getting some clear UV tape to put over your slabs/bags. You can check your local hobby/comic shop and see if they have any, Or Amazon. If you leave your comics out even in indirect light or if the room gets a bit too hot it will fade your covers. These things can make a really great alternative to slabs. You can rotate out different comics to display and come with UV protection built in.

Happy Collecting!!

I'd recommend starting with Brian Bendis' Avengers work, he was very solid for a long time on his various Avengers titles. [This collection will introduce you to an event called Avengers Disassembled](https://www.amazon.com/New-Avengers-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/1302903624/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1524720917&sr=8-4&keywords=avengers+brian+michael+bendis), it was a big turning point in the Marvel Universe that many future events share some DNA with.

After that collection [I'd recommend House of M](https://www.amazon.com/House-M-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/0785117210/ref=pd_sim_14_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0785117210&pd_rd_r=KEZ2VF9TXA5B281VRGA0&pd_rd_w=FawCu&pd_rd_wg=6bhjT&psc=1&refRID=KEZ2VF9TXA5B281VRGA0), it's a story that is very much a sequel to Avengers Disassembled and is one of the better Marvel events imo.

If you want to continue with events, [Civil War feels like the next step](https://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Mark-Millar/dp/078512179X/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=078512179X&pd_rd_r=2JF6NEKVXWVQ6SKMR422&pd_rd_w=qI7Ct&pd_rd_wg=JO7Ag&psc=1&refRID=2JF6NEKVXWVQ6SKMR422) from there so I'd recommend that in case you haven't read it.

[And Planet Hulk is great](https://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Hulk-Planet-Greg-Pak/dp/0785120122/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1524721200&sr=1-1&keywords=planet+hulk), you're in for a treat, I wish I could re-read it again for the first time.

If you continue with the Brian Bendis New Avengers Complete Collections then you're in for a good time, but if you want to stick with events after that initial volume then this is a good way to go.

The two others in this thread gave some good suggestions, and I just want to throw a hardcover collection into the mix: Spider-Man Season One. I know the Season One series got a lot of flack for not being 100% true to the origins, and being slightly creative with the stories, but for a child the Season One series is really good if you ask me.

It gives the origin story of Spider-Man in a "modern" retelling along with his first major villain battle, it's 100+ pages or so and only a few bucks. https://smile.amazon.com/Spider-Man-Season-One-Cullen-Bunn/dp/0785158200?sa-no-redirect=1

Like I said, I wouldn't recommend it for a Spider-Man/Marvel purist, but for people who are new to comics or children I think it's great.

I would also recommend picking up collected editions/hardcovers of longer runs, but you have to be careful not to be overwhelming at the same time.

I was really surprised not only that they did a novel, but that Elliot S! Maggin wrote it...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_S._Maggin

IIRC it was a good read.

Here's another surprise comic book novel:

https://www.amazon.com/Sable-Mike-Grell/dp/0812565509

I would suggest buying a stor-folio. They are PERFECT for carrying books at conventions. Here is a link

Also, be aware of the market on certain books. eBay is your friend. Use it to your advantage when dealing with dealers. If they have a book priced at $400 and you can buy one in the same condition on eBay for $250, bring that to their attention. Conventions always have inflated prices.

Invest in some Mylite2's Standard size and some Fullbacks for your more expensive books and half-backs for your less expensive issues.

In addition, I would get a couple short boxes (you can get them online or at an LCS. BCW, CGC, etc. many companies make them). Finally if you get some real expensive issues that you want to display, invest in some top loaders.

Everything I linked will fit modern and silver age books. I made the mistake of getting 'current' size top loaders and mylites and many of my books won't fit, so if you stick with what I linked you will be good.

Also if you decide to start collecting key issues (first appearances and such) and want to keep those separate, magazine files are great for that (I get mine from Target).

It looks like it's these [Comic Mounts](http://www.ComicMount.com/ - NEW Adjustable Comic Book Frame Display Mounting System. "Two-in-one" is both a display and a shelf stand. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP1HJQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OGEDAbRKSRJ0H). It's what I use too. They can be used to mount on the wall, or as a stand. They're pretty awesome.

These really nice 5 pack cases from amazon. Come in either modern fit or silver fit (the depressed well the comic sits in). Highly recommend them.

Lot of 5 BCW Silver Age Comic Book Showcases displays wall mountable
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XKEW7Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9t8CDbQ0297W3

I really like the Ultra Pro One Touch Holders . They’re kind of like a reusable slab that closes via small magnets. I bag and board my signed but ungraded comics and display them in these on a picture ledge. Works pretty well.

Assuming that wasn't /s Here are some good sources. I'm sure a google search will also give you some good stuff

Comic book nation

A Complete History of American Comic Books

The Power of Comics: History, Form, and Culture

Thanks, I'm using Comic Toploaders. Pretty sure these are them.

There are a bunch of factors that go into deciding the price, including quality of paper stock (high glossy vs. newspaper print), and number of actual pages.

If you're talking about this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/078512179X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_BY.3xbGS8AASH it's also seven issues at $4 an issue, so $25 is actually slightly cheaper than buying it in single issue format. Plus Amazon almost always has trades marked 20-30% down so that helps a lot. It's the hardcovers that are almost always a rip off in my opinion.

Oh, and original cover price obviously. If all marvel single issues are $3.99 and DC are $2.99, that's going to make a difference.

Anything I really care about gets Mylite 2's and Full-Backs...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GQENKEM/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KA26P6Q/

For a little less than $1 a book I know I have top rate protection.

Looks like a slab bag, something like https://www.amazon.com/BCW-Graded-Mylar-Comic-Book/dp/B00W2VMX5K

That's totally understandable. I was hesitant at first about it. But also I live in the Midwest. Maybe just get some of the collector mounts with hard top loaders. That way you can keep them bagged and boarded, in the top loaders and be able to hang them.

Comic Mount Comic Book Frame, Wall Mount and Shelf Stand, Invisible and Adjustable, 1 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP1HJQG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GkmFDbG71KKWZ

Thanks!

If you're gonna be keeping them in the bag and board, I recommend these. They're a tad bid bigger to accommodate the bag and board.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004C53XR6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1449504981&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=comic+book+top+loader&dpPl=1&dpID=41JDVlrsEqL&ref=plSrch

5 Comic Book Showcase Displays - Silver Age Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XKEW7Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5-3YCbSD2HK9G

They have modern age too. For me top row is silver, bottom two are modern

I use these, they are low profile and easy to put up

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GP1HJQG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LUNSY Rechargeable Under Cabinet... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G2ZL57M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Comic mount by Collector Mount.
here ya go!

Is there a specific order I should read these in or do you think this would just cover everything : House of X/Powers of X https://www.amazon.com/dp/1302915703/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nPERDbACCD8D3

These

Is this it? https://www.amazon.com/Thats-All-Folks-Warner-Animation/dp/0805008896

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002AT8QKU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473547119&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=bcw+folio&dpPl=1&dpID=31o3djZ3M6L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/ComicMount-Adjustable-Mounting-Two-one/dp/B00GP1HJQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517692633&sr=8-1&keywords=cgc+wall+mount&dpID=41leAqYHAPL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Just know that the book will be constantly open to any lighting in the room and could tan over time (depending on the lights). CGC cases aren't perfect.

Mylar bag w/ board in a top loader.

Also, LED lighting only as to avoid UV rays.

I am moving tomorrow and was so hoping that your question would be geared towards that situation for my convenience :) I'm worried about damaging them during the move.

For your situation though, one of these would probably do the trick. I picked one up for carrying comics to work with me and have not had any issues with wear or corner bend. The issues I carry are bagged & boarded.