How to Sell Old Marvel Comic Books

Find local comic book dealers by conducting an Internet search with terms such as "comic store" and the name of your area. Telephone ahead to make sure that they are buying second-hand stock, then take some of your old comic books along to show them. If you have a large collection, you may be better off selling small quantities at a time, because when buying in bulk, a dealer will offer a job lot price. Selling your comics that way is a good idea if you need cash immediately, but other options may bring you a better price.

Type "Marvel comics auctions" into a search engine to locate auction houses that sell comic books on a regular basis. Note that it is now rare to find traditional floor auctions that offer comics as a specialty. Even very high-profile comics auctions tend to be online, as with the July 2009 Heritage Auctions sale of "Silver Age" comics, comics dating from 1956 to 1970. (See Reference 2) Once you find an auction house, you will have to submit your lots several weeks in advance of the sale itself so that they can be incorporated into the catalog. You should also bear in mind that auction houses charge a seller's fee of as much as 20 percent, and there can be a lag of several weeks before you receive your payment.

Type "Marvel comics collectors market" into your search engine. This will bring up a list of sites operating as online market places where collectors can buy, sell and trade comics. Often these sites are online comics stores that offer this service as a sideline. They will usually charge a commission of up to 20 percent for allowing you to sell through their site. It will be up to you to upload a digital photograph, set a sensible asking price and offer an accurate description of your item, but you will have the benefit of the site's traffic. (See Reference 3)

Sell through one of the Internet's many online auction sites as an alternative to Steps 1 and 2. To optimize the final hammer price, write a title that mentions the name of the comic, the issue number and the names of the writers and artists involved. Upload a clear, bright photograph, and be scrupulously honest in describing any flaws to ensure that there are no problems with unhappy buyers. Lastly, don't dampen interest with a steep asking price. A commercial lot will usually find its own level.