10 Signs Your Old Comics Might Be Worth Serious Money
That box of comics in your closet could be hiding a fortune. Here are the telltale signs that your old comics might be more valuable than you think.
First Appearance of a Major Character
Comics introducing Spider-Man, Wolverine, Venom, Deadpool, or other popular characters are almost always valuable. Look for "1st appearance" or "origin" in guides.
Examples:
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man)
- Incredible Hulk #181 (Wolverine)
- New Mutants #98 (Deadpool)
Value Range:
Cover Price is 12 Cents or Less
Comics with 10¢ or 12¢ cover prices are from the Silver Age (1956-1970) or earlier. These are automatically worth investigating.
Examples:
- Any Marvel or DC from this era
- Early Amazing Spider-Man
- Fantastic Four #1-50
Value Range:
Issue Number is Very Low
Issue #1s are obviously collectible, but issues #2-10 of popular series are often valuable too. Early issues establish key characters and storylines.
Examples:
- X-Men #1
- Avengers #4 (Cap revival)
- Iron Man #1
Value Range:
It's a "Newsstand" Edition from the 80s-90s
Comics sold at newsstands have a barcode. Direct editions have a small image. Newsstand editions are rarer and worth 2-10x more for many issues.
Examples:
- Any newsstand variant from 1985-1999
- Particularly valuable for key issues
Value Range:
Death or Major Event Story
Deaths of major characters, weddings, costume changes, and major storyline conclusions are collector favorites.
Examples:
- Death of Superman
- Death of Gwen Stacy (ASM #121)
- Batman #497 (Bane breaks Batman)
Value Range:
Pre-Code Horror or Crime Comics
Horror and crime comics from before 1955 (pre-Comics Code) are highly collectible. EC Comics especially (Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror).
Examples:
- Tales from the Crypt
- Crime SuspenStories
- Vault of Horror
Value Range:
It's Signed or Has Original Art
Signatures from famous creators add value, especially with verification. Original sketches on covers or inside can be worth thousands.
Examples:
- Stan Lee signed comics
- Creator sketches
- Convention exclusives
Value Range:
Canadian or UK Price Variant
Some comics have higher Canadian or UK prices printed on the cover. These variants are much rarer and can be worth significantly more.
Examples:
- 75¢ Canadian variants
- UK pence variants
- 1980s Marvel Canadian editions
Value Range:
It's in Amazing Condition
Even common comics become valuable in pristine condition. If it looks like it was never read, stored flat, no spine stress - it could grade high.
Examples:
- Any comic grading 9.6+ by CGC
- Unread newsstand copies
- Properly stored since purchase
Value Range:
It Features a Character Coming to Screen
When a character is announced for an MCU movie or TV show, their first appearance can skyrocket. Stay informed about upcoming productions.
Examples:
- Ms. Marvel before Disney+ show
- Shang-Chi before movie
- Thunderbolts keys currently rising
Value Range:
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