Jan 07, 2016 collecting comic books is an age old staple of simple investments, with even greater numbers of people taking part in it due to the current rise in popularity for superheroes. Indepth documentary about the history of the hellboy comic book, the history of the character and the making of the 2004 movie adaptation of the same name. In 1933, funnies on parade became the first color comic book printed in the now standard size of 6 58 x 10 14 inches. Lcs showing customers how diamond sent them their batman 89s. Reprints of platinum age comics, like the brownies and yellow kid, become increasingly popular. This book actually coined the term comic book, and it marks the beginning of the platinum age, which ran until 1937. Starting or even just expanding an existing comic book collection can seem a little daunting. My prediction is that as time goes by, the escalating comic book prices will force the current comic book collector to seriously consider the comic strips as a sleeper investment. Despite the comic book show you see on tv nowadays, they will not make you famous.
Starting a comic book collection concept comic vine. Still there are quite a few arcs of interest that have been created over the years and civil war is one such arc. If you read comics on a weekly basis, you are a collector. The worlds top comic book collector explains the history behind. Get informed about the terms used in the comic book world. Is coin collecting better than comicbook collecting. Each of the books 40 pages contained several picture panels with accompanying text underneath. I grew up collecting newsstand edition comics that i would pick up at my local pharmacy. Comic books have been published for more than a century, and collectors categorize them into five ages. This blog will focus in on your comic book collection.
Its batman v spiderman at heritage comic book sale. The first issue of a longrunning comic book series is commonly the rarest and most desirable to collectors. However, comic books are intended to be read, and i would not enjoy owning a comic book that would lose value if i opened the cover, or heaven forbid, spilled a drop of diet coke on it. Editions in a comic book series that feature the introduction of a new character, or a significant event in comic book history, are particularly sought after by collectors. To test the waters, take a few books down to a shop and ask what theyll give you for them. Newsstand editions from the comic book boom in the 1990s are the most underappreciated and undervalued area within comics at the moment. Once you start to buy comics and amass a certain amount, you have a collection. Collecting tips comic new dellsilver age invisiboard comic backings. This comic book starts what is now called the platinum age of comics. The first monthly comic book, aptly titled comics monthly, began publication in 1922, though it also featured reprints of daily newspaper comic strips. Comic geek speak is the best podcast about comic books for fans and new readers alike. Collecting comic books is an inherent part of buying comic books.
The first comicstrip reprint collection, the yellow kid in mcfaddens flats, is published as a 196page hardcover book. Collecting comic books can be a fun hobby and generally consists of buying, selling, and protecting your. I would equate comic strips as being the comic books poor cousin. I had no idea that collecting comic strips was becoming this big. The american comic strip is born when the adventures of mr.
However, some universal truths are present in the book collecting world. Put together by a group of lifelong comic geeks, its 45 hours a week of comic book history, current comic news, and a general look at the industry. Collecting comic books wont make you rich, nor will it make you respectable. Folks be careful how you navigate your gasa comic book both buying and selling because it is a this is it moment in our ga collecting history. As mentioned previously it is primarily a compilation of previously published comic strips, basically strung together creating a book. Above is the cover of the first comic book dedicated fully to buck rogers covertocover with an issue date of 1940. When superheroes took over comic books collectors weekly. Now i wouldnt consider myself a collector but i have kept every comic book i have ever bought with the exceptions of some terrible choices in which i exhanged. Comic book collectors are often lifelong enthusiasts of the comic. Comic book facts 33 interesting facts about comic books. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books bibliophilia, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. Ga comic book collecting in the financial crisis of 2020. The colorful history of comic books and newspaper cartoon. Let me remind all ga true comic book collectors of the history of a number of recovery of equity markets which relates to all market investments and and can affect collectables black monday 82587 thru 12487.
I finally bought the trades kindle versions just to brush up on the comic versions before the mcu version hits the screen. Comic books 101 a brief history and overviewcomic book terms. Comic book collecting for beginners start collecting comics. Comic book collectors are often lifelong enthusiasts of the comic book stories, and they usually focus on particular heroes and attempt to assemble the entire run of a title. Generally speaking, when referring to comic books you are talking about a story told through sequential art. Most ages are determined by fixed events or dates in the history of comic book publishing although even those are debated. Buying comic books is one of the first steps in collecting and enjoying this art form. An introduction to collecting comic books liveabout.
The storfolio can be shelved in a book case, or carried in your back pack to safely transport your comics to your favorite comic book. Get the best deals on comic book collecting when you shop the largest online selection at. There are many undervalued gems out there as the collecting community underestimates the scarcity of these books. Little nemo in slumberland, by winsor mccay, begins running in the new york herald. Theyll sell you something highly marked up, but wont buy anything from you even if its fairly legitimate. Dec 28, 2016 once you acquire a comic book, make sure you take immediate steps to store them properly. Reprints of titles such as popeye, buster brown and. Sometimes, your local comic book store might have a sale on for some really old comics. Theres always money in the newsstand collecting the boom. The storfolio will hold up to 15 bagged and boarded comic books, or up to 20 loose comic books. Almost all domestic comics published from the 1960s to the present are obtainable. Comic book collecting isnt just about digging through long boxes at your local shop, or bidding for that ultrarare issue of x. A few weeks ago, on free comic book day, bob bretall came back from his local indie comic shop with about 480 new comics.
Subsequent newspaper comic strips such as mutt and jeff were reprinted in the form of books, after which publishers began experimenting with weekly comic books, selling them for 10 cents at newsstands. The process is filled with nuances, and there are perhaps as many ways to go about forming a collection as there are collectors. I own hundreds of comic books, trades, and books about comic books. Before the late 1960s, virtually no specialized comic stores existed and the notion of comics as collectible art was in its infancy. Collecting 2 comic 2 creative process 2 cult figure 2 dark hero 2 feminism 2 film director 2.
Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books bibliophilia, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump. The funnies was the first collection of comics material but it was more like a color newspaper supplement, as it had no cover, rather than the comic book format familiar today. But with such a passionate following, it may be intimidating to start collecting comic books from scratch, especially if you arent very familiar with comic books to begin with. Rarity, title, issue, and condition determine value, although often one of those variables is far more important than the others. These were created by a writer, who created the story. Major comics companies have titles with histories that span decades of publication, and if you are new to a particular arc, it can be hard to even decide where to start. Bob bretall, who owns the largest comic book collection in the world, gives some insight into the story behind batman v superman.
Collecting is hype stacked in the favor of the comic shop. It is an unequaled transportable comic book storage device. Jul 29, 2011 however, comic books are intended to be read, and i would not enjoy owning a comic book that would lose value if i opened the cover, or heaven forbid, spilled a drop of diet coke on it. Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved.
How to start collecting comic books sparkle city comics. They can be educational for children, they can be great investment opportunities and they can be pure entertainment. Children were forced to burn their comics in schoolyards and a senate hearing was held which led to the comics code authority and later the canadian ban of all comic books. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. Platinum 18971937, golden 193855, silver 195669, bronze 197079, and modern 1980present.
For some of the earliest modern comic books those which began publishing in the 1930s, the collection holdings begin with the early 1940s. The case for foreign comic book collecting part 1 one thing you realize with a large collection is the majority of the comics in the collection are easily replaceable. Nick allder, shadi almassizadeh, velvy appleton, kevin baillie. Sep 11, 2017 comic book collecting and history 1989. However, without any prior knowledge or idea of what to do, it can get pretty confusing. Log into facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. Jamie coville talks about comic book collecting, and the evolution of comics from the earliest 10 cent books up through the golden and silver. You buy single issues, you read them, you find a place to put them on your book shelf. If you truly dont love the artwork and literature that goes behind each one of the issues that were made, dont start collecting. The hobby of comic book collecting goes much beyond from its simple origin of just keeping the comics for keepsakes.
The first comic with a continuing story, it is still noted as one of the most richly illustrated comic strips of all time. Theres always money in the newsstand collecting the. Just like in any other hobby, the world of comic books has its own language. The comic book collection newspaper and current periodical. Sep 04, 2019 the history of comic book collecting is one that begs to be discussed. Collecting comic books can be a fun hobby and generally. I remember that film well but in that scene they are talking about financial instruments, loans for homes that were already underwater and worth less than the loans. New listing independent comic book lot of 4aircel,silver wolf,1986dragon ring,dragon quest. As with any hobby, collecting comic books can be expensive.
I love comic books, i like reading, i like the community and the stories. The history of comic book collecting is one that begs to be discussed. For the casual collector, grabbing new comics off the. Comic books from the silver age and earlier are very collectible, especially in top condition. Collecting comic books is an age old staple of simple investments, with even greater numbers of people taking part in it due to the current rise in popularity for superheroes. For a long time the 90s, comics speculation was huge. Collecting tips comic how do you choose the correct comic sleeve. Here, weve compiled a brief guide to help you along your collecting ways. Collecting cameo appearances in comic books duration. In 1899 a funny folks comic book came out, taking a close first stab at a format for many platinum age comic books. Although relatively more recent compare to collecting stamps or vintage clocks, it has now turned into a major pursuit of collecting antiquity in par with the fine art, rare jewels and antiques. Comic collection tips from a real comic book man wired.
Plus, like all things paper, they can be affected by humidity and are, in general, more fragile than coins. Sep 04, 2015 collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion, and an art form. Whether youre collecting for the love of comic books, or youre collecting to hopefully sell them for a profit, you never want to see your comic books conditions diminish over time. The depths of which you go to collect and protect that collection can be widely different. In february 1935, dc comics precursor, national allied publications. Before 1929, almost all comics were part of magazines, newspapers or supplements and were not sold separately. Frank gorshin hosts an overview of the major history of comic books, comic book companies, comic book controversy, and care of comic books. Obadiah oldbuck becomes the earliest known sequential comic book to be published in america. I gave up collecting comics back in the 90s because of the constant reboots and retcons. Inside the biggest comic book collection in the world syfy. What are the best ways to preserve a comic book collection.