Collecting Comics - A Good Fun Investment

Either you are a comic book fanatic or you are interested in them as an investment - and possibly you are both. If you are new to comic books and are interested in turning your interest into an investment, there are a few things to know about comic book investing.

First a little background regarding comic book collecting. Comics are collected for several reasons by several types of people. Some collect due to their appreciation, others may have a nostalgic feeling about comics. Then there are those who are primarily interested in collecting for financial profit.

When collecting comics, one should treat the matter as if they were collecting other types of valuable collectibles such as artwork or first edition books. Everything you collect should be carefully handled and preserved. To help you preserve your comics, there are specialty bags and boxes on the market that are acid-free, which will protect your comics from decaying.

When did comic book collecting become popular? Comic books themselves became quite popular in the 1930s due to well-known superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Captain Marvel. At this time, two primary publishers dominated the comic book market,
Marvel Comics, who published comics such as Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, and DC Comics, which published Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. People bought comics because they loved them. The idea that comics were investments grew out of people wanting these old comics and being willing to pay as much money as needed to get them. From 1985 to 1993, comic book speculation grew by leaps and bounds.

As collecting grew, publishers began producing comics made for collectors, using techniques such as polybags, a special type of bag that protected the comic from damage. The downside was one couldn't read the comic if they wanted to keep it protected. Other ideas publishers had to help sell specialized comics was including glow-in-the-dark, hologram-enhanced, or foil-embossed covers.

Once collecting took off, following it came the price guide and magazines producing articles on what comic books were selling for.

If you are interested in collecting, don't worry about the market or get consumed by the price guides, the best advice by professionals is to start off by buying your favorite comic book titles. You can start by shopping online, through local bookstores or comic shops. Don't be shy about asking employees for recommendations regarding the various comic book.

Attending comic book conventions is a great way to see a lot of variety at once along with comic related toys and memorabilia. If you are looking at purchasing higher end comics, do your homework. Gain understanding how comic books value is rated, what makes a comic worth more than another - is it autographed, a limited edition, and does it come with proof of authenticity.

Once you make your purchase, make sure you protect it. There are not only acid free boxes but also archival safe backing boards, protective sleeves, binders or drawer units that can help protect your comics from dust, wrinkles and deterioration. At a minimum, make sure you store your comics in a cool dry spot away from direct sunlight.

Comic book collecting doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. It starts with a a little research, an ounce of dedication and if you have passion, all the better.