Do you need a price guide to determine how much one or more comic books are worth? There is so much information available on the internet that it is easy to become overwhelmed. Don’t be scared! We’ll break down the value process into a few simple steps in this article, and you’ll know whether you have trash or treasure in no time.

The first step in determining a comic book’s worth is to organize it. This means you’ll need to describe your comic books precisely in a form that collectors and dealers would recognize, making it easier to search up their value online or in a price guide. You can think of it as speaking the “lingo” of comic book collectors.

 

A complete description of a comic book contains the title, volume number, issue number, and grade or condition, if relevant.

A comic book’s title and issue number are usually self-explanatory. Amazing Spider-Man 134, Superman 300, and X-men 94 are some instances. If a comic has numerous volumes, you could get into problems. Punisher Volume 2 Number 1 is an example. Comic book publishers have “reintroduced” various titles in recent years, starting with issue #1. A number 1 from the first volume can cost significantly more than a number 1 from a later book or year of publication. Make sure you’ve got the correct volume number. You don’t need to add the information that there is only one volume number in your description if there is only one.

 

Once you have the title and issue number, you can go to the comic book’s condition or grade.

Because it is a subjective procedure, comic book grading is one of the most contentious topics among collectors. Pick up a copy of the Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide if you have a significant collection or are serious about becoming a comic book collector. We’ll focus on the few main grades you should be familiar with for our objectives.

Near Mint, abbreviated as NM, is the first grade you should know. Because it’s the biggest number in the price guide, this is the grade that most people glance at. The only issue is that most vintage comic books and many recent issues aren’t in near-mint condition. A near mint comic book looks brand new and has few imperfections. If the comic contains problems, they are nearly undetectable to the inexperienced eye. Consider a comic book that is not only new to the newsstand but also one of the greatest on the shelf.

Next, you should be familiar with the abbreviation VF, which stands for Very Fine. This condition likewise appears to be nearly new, with minimal defects. One or more very minor flaws will almost certainly be seen. Most newcomers refer to really nice comic books as “near mint.” Take care.

 

You should also know the most typical comic book grade, which is Very Good (VG). If you go to an antique store or a flea market, you’ll find that most ancient comic books are in excellent shape. The book has been well-read and has numerous problems, but it is complete.

Any book that is missing bits or is incomplete will be classified as Fair or Poor.

You’re ready to find the value once you accurately describe your comics – title, issue number, and grade.