Is My Comic Book Valuable? Five Ways to Know for Sure

When it comes to collecting, some items are more popular than others. One of the most popular is comic books, a beloved collecting hobby for millions of Americans. Ever since the first superhero donned a cape, mask, and tights, comic books have been incredibly popular.

That popularity has made some comic books incredibly valuable and coveted. The question many collectors have, though, is which of their comic books is the most valuable. While some may be worth a literal fortune, most comic books aren’t worth much more than their original price.

If you’re wondering which of your beloved books is valuable, the information below should be quite helpful. It’s 5 ways to know which comic books are the most valuable, brought to you by NSA Storage. Read on to find out more!

What Makes a Comic Book Valuable?

There’s no denying that certain factors can make one comic book much more valuable than another. Below we take a look at 5 of those factors and how to use them to your advantage.

1. The Age and Rarity of the Comic Book

One of the easiest and most common methods of determining a comic book’s value is its age and rarity. For example, even though Superman is incredibly popular, most Superman books aren’t extremely valuable. However, Superman comics from the Golden Age (1938 – 1956) and Silver Age (1956 – 1970) of comics are extremely valuable.

The rarity of a comic book also plays a significant role in its value. Limited print runs of a comic are usually more valuable, as are special editions. (TMNT is a perfect example of this, as we’ll see below.) A comic book that was recalled for some reason, as you might imagine, can also significantly increase its value. 

2. The Condition of the Comic Book

As with any collectible, the condition of a comic book can significantly impact its value. This is also known as its “grade.” A golden age Hawkman comic book in excellent condition will be much more valuable than one that’s faded, has torn pages, or has been otherwise damaged.

Even small amounts of damage like a crease, page tear, or discoloration can reduce a book’s value. How do you determine a comic book’s “grade”? The best way is to use the Certified Guaranty Company’s (CGC) grading scale. It ranges from 0.5, which is “poor”, to 10, which is “jem mint” condition. In short, the better the condition, the more valuable a comic book will be.

3. Comic Books that Feature Significant Events and Appearances

Apart from condition, one factor that greatly increases a comic book’s value is if it features significant events or appearances. For example, the first appearance of Spider-Man, which was Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, is incredibly valuable!

The same can be said for the first appearance of Batman, which was in 1939 in Detective Comics #27. Superman’s first appearance, which was in Action Comics #1 in 1938, Is ridiculously valuable as you might imagine.

In 1938, for example, the retail price of Action Comics #1 was 10 cents! In 2014, however, a near-mint copy sold for $3.2 million! Another copy of this incredibly rare comic book sold for $3.55 million in 2022!

Other comics over the years that have featured significant events and appearances are also quite valuable. They include, for example, the first appearance of Wolverine and Deadpool. The 1st-printing of the Death of Superman comic book in the early 1990s Is also very valuable today.

4. The Publishers and Print of the Comic

While it doesn’t play a huge role in their value, the publisher and print of a comic book can impact its value. For example, Marvel and DC are two of the most popular comic book brands in the world. Many of their titles are valuable because their superheroes are very popular.

More important than the publisher, however, is the print of the comic book. The first printing is almost always more valuable than later printings. Take the first printing of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for example, which was in May of 1984. Considering a measly 3,275 copies were printed and self-published, this particular comic is incredibly valuable! (By the way, any print of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book is valuable today!)

5. Popularity Rules

Yes, age and rarity definitely affect a comic book’s value. However, as with many things, popularity can also be a significant factor. If a fan favorite character is in your comic book, or a significant storyline, it can easily raise its value.

Comic books that are based on a movie adaptation or TV series can also be quite valuable. Star Wars #1 from Marvel is very lucrative thanks to the rabid Star Wars fan base.

Again, it depends on the popularity of the characters and storylines. Right now, for example, Deadpool and Wolverine comics are extremely popular due to their blockbuster movie from 2024. If you have any Deadpool or Wolverine comics you want to sell, now would likely be the best time to do it!

How To Determine the Value of a Comic Book

There are basically 4 ways to determine if a comic book is valuable or not. They include the following;

1. Get the comic appraised by a professional from the CGC. Be aware that there is typically a cost to do this.
2. Ask for help at your local comic book shop. Many offer free appraisals and purchase large collections.
3. Do your research. It’s easy to go to Overstreet Price Guide or GoCollect to get insight on the value of most comic books.
4. Take a look at recent sales. If a copy of a comic you own recently sold for big bucks, yours might be worth the same amount.

How To Store Comic Books to Preserve Their Value

As with any collectible, storing your comic books correctly is critically important. If you don’t, they can be damaged or destroyed, which will greatly lower their value. Below are several methods you can use to store your comic books correctly and ensure they stay in mint condition.

• Store Your Comics Upright- All comic books should be stored standing on their edge to prevent warping.
• Maintain the Proper Humidity and Temperature- Humidity and extreme temperatures can destroy comic books quickly. Make sure that yours stay within 40 to 50% humidity and between 50 and 65°F.
• Use Bags and Backing Boards- Protective bags and backing boards are 2 of the best ways to keep your comics in pristine condition.
• Consider a Climate Controlled Self-Storage Unit- A storage unit that’s climate controlled will keep the humidity and temperature stable throughout the year.

Store Your Collectibles with NSA Storage

Collecting comic books is an easy and fun hobby, no doubt about it. Determining their value, however, means knowing their age, demand, rarity, and condition. We hope the information provided today will allow you to figure out which of your comics are worth the most.

Here at NSA Storage, we store comic book collections and other collectibles all the time! Our safe, secure, and clean storage units are perfect for storing your precious comic books. Even better, a climate controlled storage unit will ensure they always stay in pristine condition!

If you have a large comic book collection, you can reserve a storage unit online in under 10 minutes. Once you do, you can store, arrange, sort, and enjoy them with full peace of mind. Until then, we wish you the best in your collecting hobby!