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As a comic store manager, Bruce Webster often wonders what people may have stashed away in their attics or basements.
If it’s comic books, then those people are in possession of what is one of the fastest-rising collectibles in the country.
“There’s been a distinct resurgence in comic collecting which started about 1978, and it’s been barreling along ever since,” said Webster, manager of Nostalgia Ink in Bangor.
As an example, Webster told the story about a find in an old house in Anson. While cleaning out the house of a former schoolteacher, a worker found an Action 1 comic, which marked the first appearance of Superman. It’s worth $80,000 in mint condition, and shares the distinction of being the highest-valued comic, along with Detective 27, the first appearance of Batman.
It sat on a small wooden crate, with the front cover folded behind the back cover. Mice had eaten eight pages of the book, but the cover was preserved in mint condition.
Webster estimated that, despite the missing pages, the comic could fetch $15,000 to $20,000 at auction. Putting that cover on a coverless Action 1 could result in a book worth about $30,000.
Webster pointed to two factors that have increased the popularity of comic books. First, is the advent of a distribution system through which comic companies sell directly to comic book stores on a non-refundable basis.
“They can print their run in exact numbers,” he said. “They can offer more variety and don’t have to worry about a title bombing. It gives them more security.”
Also, these comic shops gave comic readers a place to meet and debate with other comic fans.
“They don’t have to sneak into the pharmacy to buy their comics, scuffing their feet and saying, `They’re for my kids,’ ” Webster said.
In fact, comic books aren’t just for children anymore. The average age of the comic book reader is 23, Webster said. With prices ranging from 75 cents for $19.95, not many children can afford comics anymore.
“They’ve adapted more adult themes, and feature characters with human problems,” said Webster.
He pointed to Batman’s anguish and behavior after his sidekick, Robin, was killed by the Joker, or Iron Man’s battle with alcoholism.
An increasing number of adult readers with more disposable income has led to higher prices for older comics.
“It’s basic supply and demand,” Webster said. “People are realizing that the old books are rare in good condition. Prices have been going up rapidly the last 3-4 years. An Iron Man 1 worth $25 then is worth $300 now.”
That kind of escalation in prices has led to wild speculation. For example, 3 million copies of the new Spiderman 1 have been sold, largely because the comic is drawn by a fan favorite, Todd McFarlane, with many people hoarding several copies.
“What a lousy investment,” Webster said. “There’s 3 million of them out there.”
Outside factors can increase comics’ values as well. The prices of comics involving Batman or the Joker shot through the roof after last year’s popular film. The success of this summer’s movie has made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 worth $1,000. Catwoman, who may be the villian in the “Batman” sequel, and the Flash, the subject of a new CBS TV series, could be the next “hot” comics, Webster said.
Anybody with Marvel or DC superhero comics or Disney comics printed before 1970 could have valuable books on their hands. It all depends on the condition of the book.
“Anything that visually detracts from the look of the book lessens the value,” Webster said. “A few defects can drop the price of the book 50 percent.”
People should research the value of any comic books they find in the Overstreet Price Guide, which Webster called “the bible.” He told of a person who brought $8,000 worth of comics into a southern Maine comic store and asked only $20 for them.
“Always go armed with knowledge,” he said.
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