How do I sell my old comics?

[mavrach]

Maybe somebody can give me a recommendation here. When I was 11ish, I got into comics. For maybe a year, I collected comics like I collect DVD's. I got about 200, then lost interest in comics and never read them again.

Anyways, now I've got a box of 200 Marvel Comic books from the early 90's that I've been hoping to sell. I'd saved them thinking that they would grow in value and be sellable down the road.

I asked a couple local comic stores (even a "Sell your stuff on Ebay Store) and nobody seemed interested. Essentially it was explained to me that the early 90's were a bad time for comics and there isn't much of an interest. I'd like to get rid of them quickly, and I sure as hell don't have the patience to sell them separately for a couple dollars each.

What do you all think I should do? Is there hope in unloading these, or should I just throw them away and make some more space in my closet?

[TemporalWisdom]

I'm not sure who you could talk to, but I'd get multiple opinions on whether they will have value in the future. Personally, I think the 90's was a great time for comics. You might have to wait another decade. Just remember, even if most collectors aren't interested, there'll be someone, somewhere who is. Don't give up.

It does depend on which comics you have, of course. Start by going down to a bookstore and getting an appraisal guide. There are listing for almost everything. Make sure to get something current. Remember, a comic store owner isn't likely to say, "Wow, you're sitting on a real gold mine!" especially if he hopes to buy them from you. Start with an appraisal guide. There's probably online resources, too.

[HGervais]

Your best bet to get any kind of return is online. Comic shops aren't going to pay you much, if they take them at all. What I've been doing for the past couple of years when I cull off my comicbooks is donate them to a orphange and take the tax write-off.

[call]

Call us when you decide to sell all your DVD...we'll be waiting.

[vjmurphy]

I've got a co-worker with the same problem: he has lots of Marvel from the late 80s and early 90s, and probably 99% of it is crap. You aren't likely to get anywhere near cover value for any of it, unfortunately. There may be some gems in there, but I wouldn't count on making much off of it.

[Steve T Power]

Early 90's = pariah to comic collectors.

I sold about 1200 books to a local store about two years back - made a cool 800 bucks The owner did it to me as a favor for years of loyal patronage, and because i'm one of the few people on this planet he liked apparently. He just asked me to count em - didn't even ask what titles were in there. It was 99 percent shitty image and marvel stuff. There was some rare marvel Transformers stuff, probably made up for the 40-odd issues of Brigade and Bloodpool.

[mavrach]

Call us when you decide to sell all your DVD...we'll be waiting.

Don't count on it, Im getting buried with them!


So yeah, it's either I won't get anything for them, or I should hang onto them and they might eventually be worth something. They'll probably stay in the closet for the forseeable future. I should just post them on Ebay as "Big Box of Comics" and see what I get.

Cheers!

[HGervais]

So yeah, it's either I won't get anything for them, or I should hang onto them and they might eventually be worth something. They'll probably stay in the closet for the forseeable future. I should just post them on Ebay as "Big Box of Comics" and see what I get.

Cheers!

Mavrach...trust me. You will probably get a better return on donating them than you will any other way. And you will feel pretty good about it.

[Boba Fett]

I've got a co-worker with the same problem: he has lots of Marvel from the late 80s and early 90s, and probably 99% of it is crap. You aren't likely to get anywhere near cover value for any of it, unfortunately. There may be some gems in there, but I wouldn't count on making much off of it.

I'm in the same boat; an awful timeframe to collect comics.

I have a few limited run, non-mainstream series in one box, but 95% of my collection is crap, save for a few milestone Spider-Man comics. I'm highly considering donating the Spider-Man stuff to something to benefit kids (i.e. charity or kids hospital), like Harold suggested. My biggest fear though is the occasional overly violent issue (i.e. Carnage) in there getting into the hands of someone still a tad too young.

[mavrach]

Mavrach...trust me. You will probably get a better return on donating them than you will any other way. And you will feel pretty good about it.

Sorry, maybe I'll check that route out too. There really are plenty of places in my area that would take them. Thanks.

[Chinese Jet Pilot]

The early 90s, yeah, this is when the boom occurred, Image started up, and a lot of titles sold in the millions per issue. Now, nobody wants it because comic stores already have boxes of these comics sitting around collecting dust. I mean, for Steve Power to get $800 for 1200 comics is pretty damn good.

You will find it very hard to sell, even on eBay. Best bet may be to donate and claim the tax write-off.