So let’s say you were lucky enough to find a collection of comic books in the attic. The collection is now yours, but you don’t have any interest in comic books and never had. Yet, you know that many people do, and they’re willing to pay a lot for certain comics.
The question is that you don’t know whether there’s anything valuable in your newly-found collection and, if there is, where you can sell it.
In this article, we’ll help you with both. After reading our post, you’ll be able to grade your comics and will know all the best places where you can sell them. Tune in.
How to Grade Comic Books
There’re a few things you will have to take into consideration before you start looking for a place to sell your comic books.
Condition and Storage
If you’ve found your comics in the attic, inspect them carefully for signs of tear, wear, and overall damage. The slightest tear can decrease the price of a comic book dramatically, even if it’s a rare edition. Ideally, your comics should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place (even better if they’re wrapped in protective plastic); however, it’s not always the case.
Evaluating Your Comics
The next step is a thorough inspection of the comic book. Look at it from every angle, open it at every page, and check for torn or missing pages, loose pages, marks, highlights, etc. In other words, after you’ve carried out an initial inspection, do a second one more thoroughly. You should understand that even the slightest discoloration can cause a drop in price. Next, you can try grading your comics.
Comic Book Grading
Comic books have their own grading system:
- Mint. Mint condition comics look exactly as they did; in other words, they are like new.
- Near Mint. Comic books in near-mint condition have only the slightest signs of wear and indistinctive damage.
- Very Fine. These comics were treated with love and care by the owner and maybe read a few times.
- Fine. Comics that can be described as fine are clean and without creases, yet small noticeable signs of wear are present.
- Very Good. These comics were carefully stored but still have signs of noticeable wear.
- Good. This term describes a comic book that has been read a lot, to put it mildly.
- Fair. This term describes a comic book with obvious signs of damage.
- Poor. Comics in poor condition can’t be sold, as they are usually not in a fit state to represent a valuable asset for any buyer (damage too severe, too aged, worn, torn, etc.)
It’s normal that you can’t know for sure what condition your comic books are in, especially if you’ve never dealt with them (or book reselling in general). Luckily, you can rely on the assistance of such companies as Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) and Comic Book Certification Service (CBCS)—to grade your comic books.
Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) is “the world’s leading third-party grading service for comic books, trading cards, video games, home video, magazines, concert posters and more.” In other words, they can help you grade and evaluate your collection for sale.
If the comic books from your attic seem to have value, you can check this hypothesis and either prove it or face the fact that you’ve inherited a pack of stuff for recycling (feel free to check our guide on How to Recycle Books). CGC started grading comic books in 2000, giving accurate and impartial evaluations and state-of-the-art protective holders.
Here’s how comic books are typically graded on the CGC scale:
| ⭐10.0 | Gem Mint |
| ⭐9.9 | Mint |
| ⭐9.8 | Near Mint/Mint |
| ⭐9.6 | Near Mint + |
| ⭐9.4 | Near Mint |
| ⭐9.2 | Near Mint – |
| ⭐9.0 | Very Fine/Near Mint |
| ⭐8.5 | Very Fine + |
| ⭐8.0 | Very Fine |
| ⭐7.5 | Very Fine – |
| ⭐7.0 | Fine/Very Fine |
| ⭐6.5 | Fine + |
| ⭐6.0 | Fine |
| ⭐5.5 | Fine – |
| ⭐5.0 | Very Good/Fine |
| ⭐4.5 | Very Good + |
| ⭐4.0 | Very Good |
| ⭐3.5 | Very Good – |
| ⭐3.0 | Good/Very Good |
| ⭐2.5 | Good + |
| ⭐2.0 | Good |
| ⭐1.8 | Good – |
| ⭐1.5 | Fair/Good |
| ⭐1.0 | Fair |
| ⭐0.5 to 0 | Poor |
Rare and Vintage Comics
There’s a chance that you’ve inherited a few really rare and vintage pieces. Then you’re in luck. No, seriously, if you did, you can expect to sell them really well. Rare editions from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze eras can be very expensive.
How to Determine that a Comic Book Is Valuable?
Apart from an ideal condition, there’re a few factors that determine a comic book’s value (and, consequently, its price).
- Desirability and demand. This factor beast all the following ones. Some comic books are not exactly old or rare, but there’s demand, so they’re expensive.
- Historical significance. The first appearances of major heroes and villains are always in demand.
- Rarity and scarcity. If your comic book is rare, it has greater value. Then again, keep the story with the demand in mind.
- Condition. We’ve mentioned this earlier; the better the condition, the higher the value.
- Age/Era. Сomic books are defined by the time period in which they were printed. The older the comic book is, the more value it has.
| ⌛Comic Book Age | 📅Dates of Publication |
| Victorian Age | 1828 to 1882 |
| Platinum Age | 1882 to 1938 |
| Golden Age | 1938 to 1945 |
| Atom Age (or part of the Golden Age) | 1946 to 1956 |
| Silver Age | 1956 to 1969 |
| Bronze Age | 1970 to 1980 |
| Copper Age | 1981 to 1990 |
| Modern Age | 1990 to the present |
Important note: The exact dates for defining certain historical ages in comic book publishing may vary as different experts have different opinions. For instance, the Copper Age is debated by some to have taken place from 1981 to 1991, while others suggest that the Modern Age should commence in 1992.
What Are the Most Valuable Comic Books?
We have curated a list of the best manga and the greatest comic books of all time for you to explore.
Here are the most valuable comic books sold recently:
| 📖Comic Book (Year of Publishing) | ⭐Grading (CGC) | 📅Year of Sale | 💲Sold For | 🗒️Comment |
| Superman 1 (1939) | 8.0 | 2022 | $5,300,000 | “With the record-breaking price, the Man of Steel is back on top of the comic book world.” |
|
Action Comics #1 (1938) |
9.0 | 2014 | $3,207,852 | “The finest known copy of the most sought after comic book in the world. A 1938 museum piece with PERFECT WHITE pristine pages.” |
|
Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) |
9.6 | 2021 | $3,600,000 | “Quite possibly the finest copy in existence…” |
|
Detective Comics #27 (1939) |
6.5 | 2022 | $1,740,000 | “Among the scant 36 universal examples of this Golden Age comic in CGC’s census reporting…” |
|
Detective Comics #27 (1939) |
8.0 | 2010 | $1,075,500 | “This is one of the finest known surviving copies of Detective Comics #27, the first appearance of Batman, certified as VF 8.0 by CGC.” |
|
Batman #1 (1940) |
9.2 | 2012 | $850,000 | “A new record for something that had already been named the sixth most valuable comic in existence…” |
|
Marvel Comics 1 (1939) |
6.0 | 2022 | $729,000 | “This is the beginning. Without this, there would be no Marvel Universe, no Captain America punching Hitler, no Marvel movies, no Spider-Man, not even today’s superhero mythology as we know it.” |
| X-Men #1 (1963) | 9.8 | 2012 | $492,937 | “There are two copies of the book graded 9.8 on the CGC census, and none graded higher.” |
Mind that if you’re lucky to have an entire comic collection that has been graded really highly and most of its comics are in demand, you have all the chances to sell it for very good money.
As you can see from the examples above, the prices for some really rare pieces count in millions (crazy, we know!), and there seems to be a tendency for the prices to grow.
If hundreds of thousands was a really high price for a comic book (even for a rare one), you can see now that five million is not an unheard-of sum anymore.
Where to Sell Your Comic Books Online?
Now that you’ve inspected and evaluated your comic books, it’s time to research the best possible ways to sell them profitably.
1. Heritage Auctions
“Heritage was built by collectors for collectors.”
Heritage Auctions is a leading auction house and a prominent sales channel for comic book enthusiasts and collectors. With a robust online presence and headquarters in Dallas, Texas, and numerous offices in other parts of the world, this platform offers a vast and diverse selection of rare and high-quality comic books, original comic art, and other collectibles.
Heritage Auctions specializes in old and high-end comic books, and it’s renowned for its user-friendly website, live bidding events, and a reputable grading system that ensures transparency and trustworthiness.
When participating in auctions, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions, such as the buyer’s premium (20% or a minimum of $30 on top of every sale), other fees (10% fee on comics you sell), shipping fees, and payment methods. Moreover, remember to conduct thorough research and set a budget to make informed decisions and secure the best deals on your coveted comic book treasures.
2. MyComicShop (Lone Star Comics)
“We’ve been selling comics since 1961 and on the web since 1996.”
Lone Star Comics, or MyComicShop, is an online seller that specializes in comic books. It’s a popular destination for comic book enthusiasts and collectors, offering an extensive selection of titles from all major publishers, including Marvel, DC, and Image.
The website is not exactly up-to-date-looking but easy to navigate, allowing users to search for specific titles or browse by publisher, series, or genre. MyComicShop is located entirely online, meaning customers can shop from anywhere in the world.
They “buy single high-value comics, collections large and small, estates, and dealer and retail store inventories.” There’re two options: you can sell a large collection or estate, or you can offer them your CGC and CBCS-graded comics from all eras (there’s a minimum fee of $7 for individual ungraded comics and $12 for comic lots). To contact MyComicShop for more details, call or text at 817-670-8115, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5:00 pm, or write to them at ellerservices@mycomicshop.com.
3. Midtown Comics
“We are looking for your: Golden, Silver, & Bronze comic book collections, toys, collectibles, and comic book art! We are paying top dollar.”
Midtown Comics is a popular comic bookseller that operates both online and through its physical stores located in New York City. There’re four physical stores: in the Downtown, Grand Central store, the store on Times Square, and Astoria Outlet—all of which offer a unique shopping experience for comic book enthusiasts.
You can come in person or use their website or mobile app. Overall, Midtowncomics is a great option for anyone looking to buy or collect comic books, as well as sell: the shop buys comic books from different ages (as well as vintage action figures, toys, statues, graphic novels, and pop culture memorabilia. Contact the shop for more details.
4. Comiclink
“ComicLink® is your full-service auction house, exchange and brokerage service for vintage, investment-quality comic books, original comic art and other collectibles.”
ComicLink operates in a similar way to Heritage Auctions. You can participate in regular auctions or visit a comic book exchange section (where you can set prices for comics). One of the slight drawbacks is that you may sell your comics for less here than you would on Heritage (not 100%, but the probability is high). It has been in operation since 1996 and has built a reputation for providing a secure and efficient online platform for buying and selling comic books.
Many collectors and enthusiasts appreciate the vast selection of rare and hard-to-find comic books: “…the largest selection in the world of high-quality vintage, CGC and CBCS graded comic books. There is also a wide selection of comic books not third party graded but condition verified upon receipt by ComicLink’s expert staff.” They accept consignments at comic conventions all over the country.
5. WhatNot
“We aim to enable anyone to turn their passion into a business & bring people together through commerce.”
WhatNot is an app that not only allows to sell comic books but also other collectibles like fashion items, video games, and cards. Comics featuring popular characters like Venom #1 or Thor are particularly in demand on WhatNot.
If you have boxes of old (and potentially valuable) comic books, opening a seller account on WhatNot is worth considering. However, note that the process involves providing social media, eBay, and Amazon profiles, and other information that the app will review before granting approval. While the approval process can be challenging, successful applicants can begin making live sales on the platform, potentially reaching a wider audience than other selling channels.
6. Sell My Comic Books
“So you’ve got some vintage comic books. Question is, what is your comic book worth? If you’ve stumbled across a treasure trove of comics, then Sell My Comic Books is a great place to find out what you have.”
Sell My Comic Books helps you sell comic books you’ve found, got as a present, inherited, bought, or else—for the maximum return. Request a quote through the website by sending a list of what you have, and you’ll be contacted by the company representative. They usually pay via PayPal, and they can also arrange for FedEx to pick up your collection. It’s a very convenient service; they do a lot for you. At Sell My Comic Books, you can expect offers that are higher than the basic ones.
7. GetCashForComics
“Turn your comic books into cash! We are paying top dollar for your vintage comic books. ”
GetCashForComics promises to turn your comic books into cash and pay nicely for them. They accept individual CGC-graded books and entire comic book collections, as well as original comic art and vintage posters (movie & black light). They are willing to take in your graded comics right away, and you can also sell ungraded comics to them, but you’ll be probably asked to present the comics to them for review in advance.
To contact GetCashForComics about your collection, write to them at buying@getcashforcomics.com or call toll-free 1-888-440-9787. Don’t forget to give a detailed description of the comic books you are looking to sell.
8. Dylan Universe Comics
“Buying and selling comic collections since 2015.”
Dylan Universe Comics works in a similar way to Sell My Comic Books. According to the information on their website, you can send them an email or give them a call regarding the comic books you want to sell, including your name, where you are located, and how many comic books you have. It would be great if you add a list with all the information to help them make an offer to you faster.
Dylan Universe Comics specializes in Comic Collections pre-1980, and as they describe themselves, “are one of the biggest buyers of Comic Books in the North East.” However, at the moment, we’re not sure they are accepting any comics, as their homepage looks bare, and their Yes, Make Me an Offer Now! page is almost blank. So make sure to contact them in advance.
9. SubZero Comics
“Other comic book buyers will only buy books from the 1970s and older, but we buy all comics!”
True to their word, SubZero Comics are willing to pay a fair price for an entire collection of any comic books, not just pre-1970 ones. To contact them, call them at (973) 931-1471 or subzerocomics@gmail.com. They can take your comic books from the 80s, 90s, and even 2000s, which is rare, as most buyers prefer old and vintage comic books. They will also travel to you to collect your books (around the northwest within a day), and they pay cash.
10. Superworld Comics
“Welcome to the best website for buying and selling bronze age, silver age and golden age collectible comic books and original comic book art.”
Superworld Comics is a Massachusetts-based company where you can sell comic books. They’re particularly interested in collections from the 1930s onwards, particularly those from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze eras.
Quite similar to Infinity Comics, you’ll need to contact them first if you’re interested in selling. Using their online contact form, you’ll need to include details about yourself, your comic book list, and photos of each copy. They’ll reply with an offer and send you cash when you accept it.
11. Always Buying Comics
“Turn your comic book investment into cash right now.”
Always Buying Comics, also known as New Dimensions Comics, is run by Todd McDevitt, “one of the top buyers of comic books in the universe!” He’s been buying and selling comics since 1986, and now he owns five retail stores in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Don’t let a slightly outdated website design drive you away; you can sell your comics here quite well, no less profitably than to a larger comic reselling business. To contact Todd, fill in the contact form and provide details on the comic books you want to sell.
12. HipComic
“Millions of listings from the most trusted comic book shops in the world.”
Another interesting platform for selling comic books is HipComic. It’s part of a larger marketplace where you can also sell postcards and stamps.
HipComic is home to over 200 trusted sellers, and if you’re already using eBay, it can be used in conjunction, which is very convenient. Once you list something on eBay, it gets listed automatically on HipComic.
If you’re selling comics regularly, you can give them a try. Their monthly store fee is reasonable: the Starter subscription costs $ 3.95 per month with a 1-yr plan or $5.95 per month without it and allows for up to 100 listings. A good additional selling channel to eBay.
13. MySlabs
“Millions of listings from the most trusted comic book shops in the world.”
MySlabs looks like a very good comic-selling venue with low seller fees. They charge only a 2% seller fee for slabbed comics and 3% for raw comics, which is really low.
Created “BY collectors FOR collectors,” as they write about themselves, MySlabs is a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can sell your individual comic books or collections. You can also sell cards (graded or wax boxes), memorabilia, and Funko Pops. To start selling on their site, you have to sign up and go through the approval process.
14. Reece’s Rare Comics
“We continue to be on the forefront of providing an exceptional customer experience with a high quality website as well as an online inventory that rivals anyone in the industry.”
Reece’s Rare Comics is another website where you can sell comic books online. They started under the name Vault of Comics in 1993, and since then, they’ve been “growing their online presence both domestically and internationally.”
You can list your comic books here for free; however, they take a 10% commission from your sale.
There’s also a limitation regarding the menial price of a comic book: $100. You’ll get your payment on the 10th of every month, not immediately. To suggest your comics to the seller, call them at 240-367-3662 (Alex) or 240-405-2751 (Austin) or email them to Alex@reececomics.com or Austin@reececomics.com.
15. Lee’s Comics
“Founded in 1982, Lee’s Comics is the leading buyer of vintage comics and related items in Northern California.”
Lee’s Comics dates back to 1982, and it’s one of the well-established platforms to buy and sell comic books (regardless of a slightly laking design). They’re very proud of their online store “featuring over 15,000 rare comics, Golden Age Comics, Silver Age Comics, Bronze Age Comics, Marvel Pure Hero Sports Shirts, Comic Book Supplies, Limited Edition Prints, and much more!” They pay more for vintage comics, as they specialize in those and have over 15,000 titles and related items on sale right now. Contact them by filling in the contact form or by calling their Mountain View store at (650) 965-1800.
16. Zapp! Comics
“Opened in 1993, Zapp is one of the most successful comic book stores in the United States with two New Jersey locations!”
Zapp! Comics is a New Jersey-based comic book store run by Ben Lichtenstein (who founded Zapp! in 1993) and his co-owner Corry. They also sell vintage toys, Pokémon singles and cards, wall books, etc.
According to their Want to Sell Your Collection? page, “Zapp is ALWAYS buying!” So if you have a collection of comics, cards, or toys, you can contact the owner, Ben by phone (973) 727 – 6171 or send him an email at ben@zappcomics.com. You can also visit their two stores in Wayne (574 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ, 07470) and Manalapan (700 Tennent Road, Manalapan, NJ, 07726).
17. Gary Dolgoff Comics
“Buying and selling comic books, artwork, pulps, magazines, toys, paperbacks, trading cards, and more since 1969!”
Gary Dolgoff Comics is one of the comic book buyers where you can expect to get the most for your comic book collection. Named after the owner—Gary Dolgoff—the store has been in the comic book business for more than 50 years, and they are willing to take different comics in, from poor to mint.
They are specifically interested in “Golden age comics, silver age comics, original comic artwork, pulps, paperbacks, magazines, vintage toys, trading cards, and more!” To sell them your collection, call 1-866-830-4367 or email at gary@gdcomics.com. In case they decide to buy it, they’ll cover the costs to ship it or will come to pick it up. Gary Dolgoff’s team “analyzes the comic and collectible market daily to have the most insight on sales data and trends,” so you can get the best offers.
18. Nostalgia Zone
Nostalgia Zone has been in the industry for over 40 years (and 20 years online). Based in Minnesota, this comic book buyer and seller can boast of hosting “a wide, ever-changing selection of comic books, magazine and books and providing excellent customer service and strict, consistent grading.”
At the moment, they don’t seem to be accepting comic books; however, they offer grading services. To grade your comic books, contact them by phone at 612-822-2806, by filling out the contact form, or by sending “carrier pigeons to Nostalgia Zone, 3535 East Lake Street, Minneapolis MN, 55406.”
Other Sites
To better understand the value of the comic books you have, you can check listings and completed auctions on other sites, including:
Online Forums and Communities
We also recommend checking various comic book forums and other online communities. They often include buy/sell threads where you can post your comic books for sale:
- Facebook groups like Comic Book Collecting and Comic Book Collecting Buy/Sell/Trade
- Reddit Comic Swap
- CGC Chat Boards
- The Comic Book Forum
- Comic Book Collectors Club
Final Thoughts
If you have a collection of comic books you’re thinking of parting with, we suggest exploring these websites.
While it’s true that vintage comics usually command higher prices, don’t be quick to dismiss your newer editions; many comic book businesses are eager to purchase those as well.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to have your comics evaluated and graded by multiple local and online retailers. Doing so will give you a clearer picture of their worth and guide you in identifying the platform where they could fetch the highest value.
Happy selling!
