Selling Comic Books: Where to Begin
Comic book collections come in every shape and size. One might be a single long box of 1980s titles, another a stack of Golden Age books found in an attic, and another a lifetime collection of graded keys, full runs, pulp magazines and original art. A few books in a collection are often worth far more than the rest, and condition can change a comic’s value dramatically. Knowing how to sell comic books the right way helps you find those books and get a fair price for everything.
American Rarities has been buying comics and coins since 1990, and we have purchased over $400 million in rare coins, paper currency, comics and collectibles. This guide explains what makes a comic valuable, what buyers look for, how a sale works and what to expect when you sell. For more background, see our article on what makes a comic book valuable and our guide to the Golden, Silver and Bronze Ages of comics. At the end, you will find how to get a free appraisal.
What Kinds of Comics Do You Have?
Start by sorting your comics into a few broad groups. Each one appeals to different collectors.
- Golden Age comics. Books from the late 1930s to about 1950, including the early superhero, jungle, crime, horror and war titles.
- Silver Age comics. Books from about 1956 to 1970, when many of today’s best-known heroes first appeared.
- Bronze, Copper and Modern Age comics. Later books, where key issues and high-grade copies bring the most.
- Key issues. First appearances, origin stories, #1 issues and famous covers are the books collectors want most.
- Graded comics. Books in sealed holders from a grading service, with the grade printed on the label.
- Raw collections. Ungraded books in long boxes, full runs and accumulations.
Pulps, Original Art and Related Collectibles
Pulp magazines, original comic art, Big Little Books and other related collectibles can be valuable too, so keep them with the collection. See what we buy on our page for comic book collections.
What Comic Book Buyers Look For
An experienced buyer checks each comic for the same things:
- Age and era. Older books survive in smaller numbers, so Golden Age and early Silver Age comics are often the most valuable.
- Key issue status. A first appearance or origin story can be worth many times more than the issues around it.
- Condition. Grade matters more than anything else. Collectors use a 10-point scale, from 0.5 for a badly damaged book to 10.0 for a perfect one. Spine stress, tears, missing pieces, stains and color fading all lower the grade.
- Page quality. White or off-white pages are worth more than tan or brittle ones.
- Restoration. Color touch-up, added pieces, glue and tape repairs all lower the value, and graded books with restoration are labeled to show it.
- Completeness. Missing pages, coupons or cut-out sections lower the value.
- Demand. Popular characters, artists and covers bring the most interest.
Many comics are worth more once they are professionally graded and sealed in a holder. As an experienced buyer, we can submit comics for certification and tell you which books in your collection are worth grading. Never try to clean, press, trim or repair a comic yourself before you sell it.
How Selling Comic Books Works
Selling a comic book collection is simple once you know what you have:
- Make a list. Write down the title, issue number and year of each book or run. For graded comics, copy the grade and certification number from the label.
- Take a few photos. Photograph the front covers of your best books, and the back covers if there is damage. For a large collection, a list and photos of the key issues are enough to start.
- Keep books protected. Leave comics in their bags and boards, and store them flat or upright, never rolled or folded.
- Get a free appraisal. Send your list and photos to an experienced comic book buyer, and ask for an itemized written offer.
- Compare written offers. You are welcome to compare our offer with others before you decide.
Selling a whole collection to one buyer is usually faster and simpler than selling book by book online, which means photos, listings, fees, packing and months of waiting. Read more on the best place to sell comic books and on our sell my comics page.
What to Expect When You Sell Comic Books
When you sell your comics to American Rarities, you can expect:
- A free appraisal. There is never a fee for our appraisal, and appraisals are usually done within 24 hours.
- A written offer for the whole collection. We buy common books as well as rare keys, so you do not have to sell the best books and be left with the rest.
- Honest advice. We tell you which books are key issues and which are worth grading.
- A choice of how to sell. You can ship your comics to us fully insured at our expense, or for larger collections we can meet you in person. If you decline, we return your items fully insured.
- Fast payment. When you accept our offer, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire.
To meet a buyer in person, see our page to sell comic books near you. If you also have coins or paper money, browse our how-to-sell guides, including how to sell a coin collection.
Ready to Sell Your Comic Books?
Whether you have a single key issue or a basement full of long boxes, the steps are the same: sort your comics, keep them protected, make a list, take a few photos and get a free appraisal. We have bought comic book collections from collectors, families and estates since 1990, and we would be glad to help you.
How We Buy Comic Books
Send Photos and/or a List
Send us a list of your comics, photos of the covers, or both. We review them and send you a free, no-obligation written offer, usually within 24 hours. Text them to 720-600-4740, email staff@americanrarities.com or use the form further down this page.
Ship Fully Insured
Ship your comics to us fully insured at our expense, or for larger collections we can meet you in person. If you decline our offer, we return your items fully insured.
Get Paid
When you accept our offer, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire, whichever you prefer. There is never a fee for our appraisal.
American Rarities holds a 4.7-star Google rating and an A+ rating with the BBB, we are ANA Life Members, and we are an authorized PCGS, NGC and ANACS dealer. Learn more on our pages for comic book collections and to sell my comics.
You can also call 800-622-5680. Calls go to our answering service, so leave a message and we will call you back. Or visit our contact a rare coin buyer page.
How to Sell Comic Books: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to sell comic books?
Sort your comics, keep them in their bags and boards, make a list and photograph the best books. Then get a free appraisal and an itemized written offer from an experienced comic book buyer, and compare offers if you like. Selling the whole collection to one reputable buyer is usually the simplest way.
How do I know if my comics are valuable?
Age, key issue status, condition and demand set a comic’s value. Golden Age and Silver Age books, first appearances and high-grade copies are usually worth the most. A professional appraisal is the most reliable way to know what your comics are worth.
Should I get my comics graded before I sell them?
Not always. Grading adds the most value to key issues and high-grade books. We can tell you which of your comics are worth grading, and we can submit comics for certification.
Should I clean or repair my comics before selling them?
No. Cleaning, pressing, trimming, taping or touching up a comic can lower its value. Leave your comics exactly as they are.
Do you buy whole comic book collections?
Yes. We buy comics of every age, from single key issues to full collections, long boxes and runs, as well as pulps, original art and related collectibles.
Do you buy comics with low grades or damage?
Yes. Many older comics are valuable even in low grades, especially Golden Age books and key issues.
How do you pay when I sell my comic books?
When you accept our offer, we pay you immediately by cash, check, ACH or wire, whichever you prefer. Appraisals are usually done within 24 hours, there is never a fee for our appraisal, and if you decline, we return your items fully insured.
Free Comic Book Appraisal and Offer
Email, Text, or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
