What I buy
Comics from every era, 1938 to today, in any condition, plus graded slabs, original art, and complete runs. Golden and Silver Age first appearances are the most valuable, but a big modern collection is still worth selling — and worth me driving out for.
What I actively buy
| Category | Examples | What drives the value |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Age (1938–1955) | Action Comics, Detective Comics, Captain America, Timely, EC horror | Any copy, any condition, is worth a message |
| Silver Age (1956–1970) | Amazing Fantasy 15, Fantastic Four 1, X-Men 1, Showcase 4, Brave and the Bold 28 | First appearances and origins |
| Bronze Age (1970–1985) | Incredible Hulk 181, Giant-Size X-Men 1, Amazing Spider-Man 129, House of Secrets 92 | First appearances, high grade |
| Modern keys (1985–today) | New Mutants 98, Batman Adventures 12, Ultimate Fallout 4, Walking Dead 1 | First appearances, 9.8 grades, ratio variants |
| Graded books | CGC, CBCS, PGX slabs | Grade and label type |
| Original art | Pages, covers, sketches, commissions | Artist and character |
| Complete runs | Full title runs, long box lots | Volume and condition |
What I pay less for, and what I'll tell you to keep
- Bulk 1990s books with no key issues. I still take them, but by the box rather than the book — a long box of common 1990s comics is typically $30 to $80.
- Water-damaged, mildewed, or insect-damaged books, unless they're Golden or Silver Age keys, where damage still leaves real value.
- Reprints, facsimiles, and "true believers" editions. These have little resale value, and I'd rather tell you now than have you drive them somewhere.
- Magazines and trade paperbacks, except early Heavy Metal, Warren horror, and first-print Marvel treasuries.
- Anything with sentimental value. If a book meant something to you or to whoever left it to you, keep it. I've never once regretted telling somebody that.
How condition changes the number
Comics are graded on a 10-point scale, and the same book can be worth ten times more at 9.4 than at 4.0. What hurts a grade most is spine stress, missing pieces, water stains, tape, and writing on the cover. I look at your key books carefully and explain the grade I'm assigning and why, so the offer is never a mystery number.