Investing in Comics

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Investing in Comics

Two to three decades ago, children spent their pocket money on sweets and comic books.

Since the 60s and 70s, the prices of some of those comics have tripled proportionately with age. Bet many people are still kicking themselves for not spending less on sweets. Nevertheless, this lack of foresight is proving to be a sweet bonus in the investment market. Why did I have to use my first Superman issue, Action comics #1, to swat flies? I could now be whistling my way to the bank with around $350,000. As for Batman, Detective Comics #27, he’s currently being batted between the range of $80,000 to $300,000.

Comic investors should also keep track of Hollywood’s next releases as the comic market is given tremendous boost by it from time to time. Consider X-men and Spiderman. The value for the first increased by 50% (ie from $4,000 to $8,000) while the value of Spiderman flew through the auction ceiling (from $18,000 in 1980 to $50,000 after the release of the recent movie). These are obviously prices achieved in the USA but there are also huge numbers of enthusiastic comic collectors in the UK, Europe and Japan.

But before rushing to the nearest vintage comic store at the speed of Flash, take time to do your homework. Because big kids with bigger pocket money know exactly what they’re looking for and as with everything, there’s a time and place for every investment. There are no guarantees that prices will continue to rise at current levels in the future, but you may want to think twice before turning that pile of comics in your attic into the recycling bin.