What holds more to you?

[Shawn Hopkins]

Ive been in and out of all kind of collectibles, sport cards, die cast, memorbillia, comics ect ect. I agree that nothing is as likely to be worth a fortune again. Even a #'d peice have issues moving up the scale honestly sometimes I wonder how accurate a #'ing is. Collectibles are like stocks imo, got to buy low and sell in its prime. I mentioned those Flash comics I have one online price guide had them listed at around $15ea. Some people will say they can only go up. Which I agree but how long will that take? Could be another 10-15 years for them to go up just a few dollars. Then again if Flash happened to be a HUGE movie with multiple sequeals in the next few years they could double. Either way, its a shot in the dark to make money. Not to mention as far as Im concerned as selling them Id be afraid to list them to high cos of condition issues. None of them are horrid but, Im not sure how to grade a comic or anything like that. I mean I got a early issue of Spider-Man(#55) that Id be happy to put on ebay but its in bad condition tears rip and the whole 9. So I'll probably just hang on to it.

I hear this a lot, but, no. Stocks are like stocks. If you want to buy something as an investment, buy stocks. Because I can guarantee you that if you took 10 grand and put it into a diverse, prudently chosen stock portfolio, you'd get a bigger and quicker return on your investment than if you went to the comic shop and bought 2,500 comic books.

Oh, and a couple of traps that people often overlook when thinking about selling comics. Grade is everything with hardcore comic collectors. There's a whole business devoted to it, CGC. Condition defects aren't just a minor hit in what they'll pay for it, bad condition can actually take it down to pennies on the dollar. And smart collectors almost never pay guide, those tend to be overvalued. Best way to find out what people will really pay for something is to grade accurately, then go to eBay and check completed listings for that grade. Based on that I found a Flash 250 in NM, that means it looks like the day it came off the newstand, that sold for $8. Lesser copies are going for one to three dollars.

http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_saca...mplete=1&rt=nc

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

Why would you get into comics for any other reason besides that they're fun to read and look at?

[Spike-X]

It's got me beat.

[Paradox]

DetectiveDupin wonders:

Why would you get into comics for any other reason besides that they're fun to read and look at?

FER THE PHAT LUTZ!!!

But seriously, back in the '90s the "collector cycle" hit comics by more or less the same people that get into one kind of a collectible while it's hot, cash in as much as they can and get out. When they left comics, I think Beanie Babies were their next big thing.

[The Black Guardian]

All that is important to me is my own personal enjoyment.

[aNamored]

I was looking at acquiring a run of Green Arrow New 52...I put in my max bid of $50 dollars on ebay, I lost, puppy almost doubled what I bid and sold for $92. So I can see what ya mean. One guy here said he wouldnt pay more than $1 for each issue. I'll probably pick up the trade and check it out. Im thinking thats the way to go unless I really like the book and cant stand the wait. That and well #1's never know when the next Walking Dead might come along.

You can find them at cost or a little cheaper per issue at mycomicshop.com

I wouldn't pay .50 for the entire Nu52 Green Arrow run, but that's me.
---

To answer your question in regards to what is more valuable to me:

I don't buy comics to sell, I buy them to read & reread a ridiculous amount of times.

[dupersuper]

I buy them to read. I have no intention of selling them. I don't bag and board them. I have used more than one as a plate. If I do end up with doubles (like when I get a trade that includes 1 or 2 singles I have) I give the single away or trade it at a local used stuff place for back issues.

[bringthenoise]

I buy comics to read and enjoy. Even the expensive ones. I've bought a few variants covers and rare back issues in my time, but it was always down to appreciating the art or wanting to read the sory.

[Xiroteus]

These days I am fine with cheap digital as I just want the story. However I would love if I bought comics and a few turned into Walking Dead, all that means is I can sell the original, buy the trade and pocket a few hundred dollars, if I knew Walking Dead would be worth that much I would have picked up a few copies (pre-order) When it comes to one of a kind personal items I rather there be no value because I do not want to ever be tempted, with a generic comic? Go ahead and be worth a ton. That was still not the way I went into reading, just a nice side effect. I have been an opportunistic selling since the late nineties anyway, if some it happens, something catches my eye I will go for it.

[→♯➊➇ ☯ Ivy]

I purchase comics to enjoy the artwork & the story. I was thrilled to find the hardcover graphic novel "Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader?" It's a gem to me with the classic Ivy story in the back & the main story is nice as well. I enjoy it for the sheer fun of fiction & its limitless possibilities!