Best 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!

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.

A comic shop I used to buy from would give away fold up boxes that are like the BCXW star-folio, but I think better in that they open from the front. I would usually bubble wrap expensive books and then pack that into a backpack. CGCs easily fit in the laptop section of just about any backpack nowadays.

Also, it's best not to roll around with an expensive looking briefcase or roller. Vendors can smell the money from your wallet when they see that. I've literally had a dealer throw me price on a book that was ~2x what it was worth because I was wearing a polo...

An decent backpack is what I would recommend.

Here is a link to a set of the boxes that I was mentioning. They work great, just have something in there to keep them from sliding around.

https://www.amazon.com/Aviditi-MFL1182-Corrugated-Deluxe-Literature/dp/B00BT5J4IO/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1519024727&sr=8-15&keywords=cardboard+box+for+documents

Unless there's a lot more this shouldn't be too bad...

Step 1 - Alphabetize. It looks pretty organized, that may already be done. Bags and boards too, nice!

Step 2 - Get yourself an Overstreet Price Guide. Other folks will point you to Ebay prices or online sources, but for 49 years, Overstreet has been the Bible for the industry and will tell you dates, creators, first appearances, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Overstreet-Comic-Book-Price-Guide/dp/160360233X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2

Oh, cool! There's a digital edition now!

https://comics.ha.com/overstreet/comic-book-price-guide.s?ctrack=3482430&type=bodylink-1-comic--overst-48gen--tem071818

Step 3 - Learn how to make a spreadsheet. :) If you can't afford Microsoft Excel, that's fine, Libre Office can be downloaded for free.

https://www.libreoffice.org/

Make a catalog of what you have. Columns can be whatever you'd like, but the basics would be:

Title, Publisher, Issue #, Date, Cover Price, Notes, Price Guide Minimum and Maximum values (for insurance)

I also track Writer, Pencil Artist, Ink Artist so when a convention comes to town I can do a quick search for books to get signed.

Are you saying nothing more than luck for which slabs do or don’t get them during the encapsulation process, or nothing more than luck if someone ships a slab definitely without rings, but when it arrives it might have rings?

I’m curious about the latter option. I’ve sold a few slabs on eBay and if they have rings, I explain it in my item description. I’m wondering if eBay sellers just try to be deceptive and not mention them with pics taken at just the right angle to hide them, or if the rings can somehow form during travel.

My method for removing them: depends on what you mean by newer cases. I’ve only seen a few from 2018 or newer so far, but those seem much tighter than any I’ve seen before. My method below did not work for a 2018 slab I had that had so little give I was too nervous to proceed.

I don’t know if it has a name, but I go the knife/paper route, which I’ve seen people complain about online and how it can cause streaking. Key difference for me, though, is the quality of paper used. Regular 20 lb is far too flimsy (can tear easily) and it’s coarse. Card stock resolves the flimsiness, but too thick and increases the likeliness of streaking since its also pretty coarse. I looked at several different types of paper and finally settled on a 110 index sheet that is soft, flexible and very smooth. I’ve used it on 5 different slabs now and it’s left no streaks. Beyond smaller rings reappearing in one slab (though much less noticeable than before), I’ve had no issues.
Paper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006P1EQXA?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

If you try this method, make sure the knives are thin and blunt, and most importantly, test on a relatively cheap slab before diving in. It was damn nerve-wracking my first try, but the last one I did about a week ago was super smooth.

EDIT: Didn’t actually explain the method. The bottom of the slab can usually be gently pried open a mm or so with your fingers. Do this very gently and use one thin, blunt knife to keep the case “open”. Push it gently as far to one corner as possible without straining the seam of the case too much. Use another knife on the opposite corner in the same way. Don’t try to insert the knife too far into the case. You only want a few mm in, and the knife should definitely not be getting close to touching the comic. Measure the distance between the two knives and cut a strip of paper that width hotdog style. Carefully slide the paper into the gap and aim it at the rings. Take the paper out, gently remove the knives, and the rings should be gone. Note that you may have to repeat if a ring reappears. One slab I tried this on had a ring that reappeared, but a second try erased it and hasn’t come back since. Again remember: gentleness and HQ paper are the key!

I use 48"w x 18"d x 74"h wire shelving, 5 shelves, with 1/4" wood liner shelves. Each unit holds 25 short boxes, and they are easy to get on and off the shelves. I just added a second shelf unit tonight so I have a picture handy:
http://imgur.com/BTytifp

Edit: Here are the shelves I use:

• Lowe's, $74.98.
  
• The chrome ones are currently on sale for $59.98.
  
  I can't find a link to the wood I use for shelf liners, but it's fantastic - it's a reddish-stained smooth plywood which comes in a 4'x8' sheet for about $14 - it's sold as 1/4" but it's closer to 1/8". I cut it to 17" x 46.75" shelves, and then cut off about 1.25" inches off of each corner so that the liners sit right into each wire shelf. Short boxes slide in and out very easily.
  
  While I'm at it, I highly recommend using business card holders and printable business cards to label your short boxes, it's really improved everything for me... recommended:
  
  
• Business card holders
  
• Printable business cards
  
  I also use a sharpie on the backs of old business cards to help organize whatever boxes I'm using for filing.

If you're looking for values, Ebay SOLD items is a good barometer. Don't look at listed prices (anyone can list anything for a billion dollars, that doesn't mean it's worth that much).

If you're getting into this for the first time, I recommend getting an Overstreet Price Guide. It only comes out once a year, so values on "hot" books are outdated, but it's an excellent resource for grading and value, in general.

https://www.amazon.com/Overstreet-Comic-Book-Price-Guide/dp/1603602216/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3AN6WKP6T12WBH9W000D

​

All that said, if you're selling that Tales to Astonish #35, hit me up! I've been looking for a decent copy for years!

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 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.

Being a "neophyte", I think the most valuable thing you can learn is how to accurately grade comics. You don't even need to be an "expert" at it to just know what to look for.

There are two books that EVERY comic book collector should own. The first is The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. I get the hardcover every year and every year it winds up being the most dog-eared book I own. It's already two months into 2016, so try not to pay full price for the 45th volume as it's already halfway out of date (the new issue ships around the time of Comic Con).

The second book you have to own is The Overstreet Guide to Grading. This will be one of the most valuable books you'll own about collecting. This one doesn't really go out of date. I have the first edition of mine that I got years and years ago when it was first published and I've never updated it. It's an evergreen reference that you'll value for as long as you collect.

Grab a copy and go grade some comics!

EDIT: And don't forget to get an OWL card! (those will have to be replaced with some regularity. I replace mine about every couple of years when I remember/think about it.)

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).

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.

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.

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

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

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.