Pictures worth a fortune.
- The Adventures of Tintin is one of the world’s most-loved comics. (Getty)
One
of Scott Roby’s first loves wasn’t a girl in elementary school or a kind
teacher, but rather Marvel comic books.
He loved the thin paper books for their “superhero stories with bold, raging coloring” and was captivated by their single-image, splash pages with a “whole, whammo sense of action”; and cliff-hangers on the final page.
Now 49, the Potomac, Maryland-based voice actor and religion teacher has been collecting comic books for almost 30 years.He loved the thin paper books for their “superhero stories with bold, raging coloring” and was captivated by their single-image, splash pages with a “whole, whammo sense of action”; and cliff-hangers on the final page.
The almost 1,100 comic books in his collection — which he keeps in special boxes in the study in his home — are written or illustrated by authors or artists he follows. Particular favourites include Neil Gainman's “The Sandman” series from the 1990s, Grant Morrison's “The Invisibles,” Warren Ellis' “Planetary” and Jonathan Hickman's “East of West.”
One thrill Roby gets from collecting is reading “a story before it gets the Hollywood treatment,” he said. “So many movies come out now with storyboards that are straight from comics.”
Comics also feed his imagination as a storyteller and educator, and convey a sense of nostalgia he is eager to share with his nine-year-old daughter.
“I enjoy seeing what particular writers and artists are doing to evolve a character or storyline that has been around for years,” he added.
The appeal
The appeal of comic books is global and enduring, according to industry watchers and fans, who point out that television and movie developers aggressively mine the medium for dynamic characters, thrilling plotlines and summer movie blockbusters. The Adventures of Tintin series, for one, created by Belgian Georges Remi under the pen name Herge, has been adapted for numerous films. And Japanese comics, called manga, have influenced illustration and storytelling around the world.
"People have a natural attraction to comic books," Barry Sandoval, director of operations for comics and comic art for Heritage Auctions, a Dallas, Texas-based auction house, said in an email. Schools and public libraries now stock graphic novels “to motivate readers and increase children’s engagement with the written word,” while adults — such as Roby — “relish the nostalgia, strong characters, fantasy and the art itself."
Others buy comic books for investment purposes, though experts caution against this, because returns aren't guaranteed.
Andy Colman, a 50-year-old London-based collector, who also was a comic book dealer for a number of years, warns against considering such an investment.
“You won’t necessarily make money,” Colman said. “It takes a long time to make money. You have to go into this hobby for the right reasons; it does have to be fun.”
Most coveted
For investment purposes, the date of a comic book’s publication is crucial, as is its condition. The most rare and coveted titles in pristine condition with their original cover can fetch well into the millions at auction. The value declines as condition deteriorates.
The “Golden Age” of comic books spans 1938 to 1950, when Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and other superheroes were introduced. Titles from this era are the most valuable. During the “Silver Age”, from 1956 to 1970, characters including the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Thor, the Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men and the Avengers all made their first appearances. During comics’ “Bronze Age”, from 1970 to 1985, stories grew darker and underground comics began to influence mainstream titles. Those trends continue today, the “Modern Age“.
The hottest comic books to collect now are Golden and Silver Age titles with the first appearance of superheroes such as Superman, Spider-Man, the Hulk or Fantastic Four, experts say.
Comic books with first appearances of desirable superheroes can appreciate from 10% to 15% annually, said Eric Thornton, manager of retailer Chicago Comics.
In 2010, Heritage Auctions sold a copy of Detective Comics #27, featuring Batman’s first appearance, for close to $1.1m. And in August, 2014, Darren Adams, owner of Pristine Comics in Federal Way, Washington, sold a copy of Action Comics #1, with Superman’s first appearance, on eBay for a record $3.2m.
Franco-Belgian titles popular with collectors include Asterix and Lucky Luke, a Belgian comic set in the American Old West, according to Heritage’s Sandoval. In addition, work by French cartoonist Jean Gireaud, who created for many years under the pen name Moebius, is “eagerly collected by those in love with the craft”, he added.
What to look for
Comic books that are turned into popular movies — even those long past the first appearance of a superhero such as Daredevil, Hulk, Superman and Batman — can sometimes get a “short-term bounce” before and after the movie is released, said Mark S Zaid, a collector and dealer who practices national security law in Washington.
Western comic books from the 1950’s, Classics Illustrated and Disney titles are the least coveted. However, there is still demand among European collectors for Disney, Archie and other comics they “associate with American TV”, Thornton said. Most new comics are not valuable and are unlikely to appreciate because so many copies are published and collectors will not necessarily throw them away, as occurred when Golden Age comics were destroyed in paper-recycling campaigns during World War II.
Auctions, such as those held by Heritage or ComicConnect.com, are among the best ways to offload your old titles, or add to your collection, experts say. Reputable dealers are also a good option. Collectors and dealers can also meet up at comic book conventions, including the premier event, Comic-Con International in San Diego, California; New York Comic Con and other regional events around the world.
The record-breaking August sale of Action Comics #1 notwithstanding, Colman and Zaid urge collectors to be wary when buying from online market places such as eBay, to ensure you're getting the real deal and not a reproduction. If buying online, Colman recommends carefully studying the seller’s scan and description of the comic book, any discussion of restoration of the book (which could potentially make it less valuable) and details of the seller’s return policy. Zaid suggests getting the seller’s phone number to discuss a sale in person.
There are many resources and services that help collectors buy wisely.
Heritage’s website has a database of its comic book auctions from 2001 to today, while Gemstone Publishing publishes The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, considered to be a top reference for collectors. Sarasota, Florida-based CGC Comics is an independent, impartial, third-party comic book grading service, used by Heritage and others, while GPA for Comics tracks, records and averages online auction results.
In addition, CGC runs a collectors society which has online forums for collectors to discuss their experiences with dealers, while the social news website Reddit has a forum on comic book-collecting. Websites including Newsarama.com, BleedingCool.com and ComicBookResources.com also track the latest developments.
The bottom line
Should you decide to collect comics as an investment, Heritage’s Sandoval recommends thinking about “what today’s eight-year-old kid will be nostalgic about when he’s 35 or 40”.
“You should buy what you like, and if you’re investing, think about things that transcend the subculture and could become part of pop culture,” said Peter Birkemoe, owner of The Beguiling Books and Art in Toronto.
As with any major asset, you should take care to protect your collection. Comic books should be stored in a dark, dry, climate-controlled place or in a bank vault, encased in a plastic or Mylar bag with a backer board to absorb acid. Experts suggest insuring them if they are valuable, though many homeowner’s insurance policies might not cover them. One company which does is Collectibles Insurance Services in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
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