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How to Appraise Comic Books

Comic books have a long and colorful history, having gone from newspaper strips to one of the most collected objects in the world. If you have been a lifelong collector of comics and feel it is time to appraise them, either for knowledge to help you sell them or simply out of curiosity, you will find that the process is relatively simple, even if a little time consuming.

Things You'll Need

Comic Book Price Guides (such as the "Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide")

Instructions

Appraising Comic Books
- 1
  Examine each and every comic you intend to appraise for signs of wear and tear. Ripped pages will severely damage the value of your comic, and curled corners and bent pages will also negatively affect the cost of your comic.
- 2
  Check the publish date. A general rule of thumb is that the older a comic is, the more valuable. Also note that most comics printed after 1975, with the exceptions of limited runs, mini series and first issues, sell for little more than $1 apiece. Furthermore, it is important to check the date to ensure that the comic you are appraising is a first print and not a reprint from years later.
- 3
  Check your comic book price guide. These magazines are often sold in comic book stores and act as a comprehensive guide for those looking to appraise their comics.
- 4
  Look online. If you are in a rush and don't have either the time or money to purchase a comic book price guide, you can use websites like Amazon and eBay to get a rough idea of what your comic book is going for. Just be sure to use the exact name and issue number when searching for each comic.

Comic Book Collecting