The internet -more specifically, eBay- has drastically changed the comic book buyers鈥?market. It鈥檚 now easier than ever-before for collectors and casual readers to find even the scarcest comic books.
The term 鈥渃omic book鈥?is commonly used to refer to any book consisting mostly of a combination of word-balloons and pictures. Using this definition, there are essentially five basic types of 鈥淐omic Books鈥?offered on eBay:
The Single-issue, Reading copy
The Trade Paperback
The Investment-potential, Graded Comic Book
The Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book
The Hardcover Graphic Novel
Certain types of comic books are more appropriate and appealing to certain buyers. If you鈥檙e unsure what you should be buying, this guide can help you decide which type(s) of comic book is best for you.
The Single-issue, Reading copy
Star Wars: Tag and Bink *
What is it?The Single-issue, reading copy is a traditional, 22-48 page, magazine-style comic book that is purchased with the intent to be read.Because the word 鈥渂ook鈥?implies an item that should be read, it may seem like stating the obvious to label a comic book as a 鈥渞eading copy鈥? But in the comic book collectors鈥?market, a distinction clearly exists between comic books that are for reading and comic books that are to be preserved in a fresh-off-the-presses condition. Since simply handling a comic book can negatively alter its physical condition (through unintentional fingerprint marks, folds, creases, etc.), a buyer who is intent on reselling a book may never actually read it. Therefore, to comic book collectors, the term 鈥淩eading copy鈥?doesn鈥檛 sound as absurd as it may sound to non-collectors.
Best buy for鈥?/STRONG>鈥he comic book collector interested in adding to his/her personal collection.Note the emphasis on the word 鈥?EM>collector鈥濃€?While long-format comic books (see Trade Paperback and Hardcover Graphic Novel) continue to gain popularity with many readers, there still are quite a few collectors who appreciate and desire the single-issue, reading copy. In fact, it鈥檚 the collector鈥檚 compulsion to amass items of interest that is one of the most important factors keeping the single-issue, comic book market alive.Because these buyers make purchases for their own personal collection, a book鈥檚 condition may not be as important as if buying with the intent for resale (see The Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book).
The Single-issue, Reading Copy is also ideal for:
the buyer looking to fill gaps in a collection
the buyer looking to read stories that aren鈥檛 available in a collected format
the buyer looking to give a new comic book a tryIf you enjoy the first issue, get the reset of the series. If not, no worries, you鈥檝e only invested a couple of dollars.
the buyer looking to get a good deal on an otherwise expensive itemSlightly flawed copies of comics that otherwise would be investment-potential books are more affordable.
What to watch forIf it means a lower sale price, cost-conscious buyers may be willing to accept a comic with minor flaws that don鈥檛 interfere with a book鈥檚 readability. But just because you鈥檙e not interested in a comic book鈥檚 investment-potential, you shouldn鈥檛 be completely ambivalent about its condition. If the condition isn鈥檛 spelled out in the description, be sure to ask the seller to provide specific details, and be aware of what type of flaws (rips, tears, creases, dings, watermarks, etc.) you鈥檙e willing to accept.
Trade Paperbacks
X-Men Blankets
What is it?The Trade Paperback (TPB) is a large (usually 100 pages), soft-cover format comic book that collects single issues, or offers a cost-friendly, original graphic novel story.Best buy for鈥?/STRONG>鈥he reader who wants a complete story in one package.The biggest advantage that trade paperbacks have over single issue comic books is the longer, complete stories, and the elimination of wait-time between story chapters. With TPBs, readers don鈥檛 have to be concerned with release schedules (usually a month between issues).The Trade Paperback is also ideal for:
the buyer who wants a sturdier formatThe TPB isn鈥檛 as flimsy as the single-issue comic book.
the buyer who wants to give a comic book as a giftIf you鈥檙e buying for a casual reader, a trade paperback version of a comic book that you enjoy is a great gift (Note: Because they can be very particular about their collection, it's usually not a good idea to buy any type of comic book for a collector- unless you have explicit instructions or a clear-cut idea of what to buy).
What to watch forCurrently a collectables鈥?market for Trade Paperbacks does not exist. As a result, buyers should never pay much more than cover price for a TPB.
The Investment-potential, Graded Comic Book**
1st Hellboy Miracleman The Punisher
What is it?The Investment-potential, Graded Comic Book is a comic book that has been professionally graded to guarantee its physical condition. Professionally graded comic books have become popular as a direct result of eBay sales and other transactions where a buyer is unable to personally examine a book before committing to a purchase. These books are graded by a professional company, such as industry leader, CGC, then sealed in tamper-proof slabs that, if opened, voids the grades assigned to the enclosed comic books.Best buy for鈥?/STRONG>鈥he buyer interested in the resale potential of a comic book.Professionally graded comic books give buyers peace-of-mind. But because these books are encased in sealed, clear, plastic slabs to preserve their condition, graded comic books should not be purchased if the buyer has a desire to read the book.
The Investment-potential, Graded Comic Book is also ideal for:
the buyer who wants high grade books for his/her personal collection
What to watch forBuyers should always inquire about the condition of the plastic slab container. Specifically, buyers should ask questions to ensure the slab鈥檚 seal isn鈥檛 broken and there aren鈥檛 any cracks. Also, if a graded book鈥檚 barcode number isn鈥檛 included in the description of the item, this information should be obtained to allow a buyer to contact the grading company to confirm an item鈥檚 authenticity.Buyers should also keep in mind that graded comics cannot be stored in regular sized comic book boxes. A sturdy box made especially for graded comics is the best way to preserve and store these items.
The Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book
All Star Batman and Robin
What is it?The Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book is a single issue comic book with one or more of the following distinct qualities:
near-mint/mint condition
short supply- due to age or low circulation numbers
high demand- based on popularity in the collectors鈥?community
Best buy for鈥?/STRONG>鈥n experienced collector, who is familiar enough with the market to make educated assumptions about a book鈥檚 current and/or future value.
The Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book is also ideal for:
the buyer who wants the option to read a book before preserving it for potential resaleThis is not an option with professionally graded books.
the buyer who wants to minimize costs and maximize potential profitsBy purchasing an investment-potential comic, then personally submitting it to be professionally graded, a buyer can substantially increasing the comic鈥檚 value, if it receives a high grade.
What to watch forIt鈥檚 easy for someone unfamiliar with the comic book buyers鈥?market to unintentionally pay too much for an item. Buyers who are interested in a comic book that costs significantly more than its cover price should carefully research buying trends for at-least a week before committing to a purchase.Because condition can be so subjective, buyers should always get specific details before buying or placing a bid on an Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book. More-than in any other circumstance referenced in this guide, it is important to check a seller鈥檚 feedback. Buyers need to avoid or be extremely wary of any seller that has negative feedback indicating a discrepancy between an item鈥檚 advertised condition and the actual condition of the product upon delivery. When possible, attempt to get a money-back-guarantee on all Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Books.Note: If you鈥檝e spent a lot of money on an Investment-potential, Non-Graded Comic Book, it is essential to preserve the book鈥檚 condition thru proper storage. These books should always be bagged, boarded, boxed and stored in a cool, dry environment.
The Hardcover Graphic Novel
Black Hole Spiderman Batman
What is it?The Hardcover Graphic Novel is an original or collected comic book story presented in hardcover format.Best buy for鈥?/STRONG>鈥he buyer who appreciates comic book stories and art, and wish to enjoy the medium in its most prestigious format. If you鈥檙e a die-hard comic book fan, this is the format for you! The hardcover graphic novel conveys that you support the medium beyond the exploits of Hollywood鈥檚 latest superhero action movie.鈥nd they look great on your bookshelf!The Hardcover Graphic Novel is also ideal for:
the buyer who wants investment-potential, long-format books (especially signed first editions)
the buyer who supports the idea of comic books as literature
the buyer who wants to build a graphic novel library
What to watch forAs with other collectable comic books, the condition of The Hardcover Graphic Novel is an important factor in how much buyers should pay. As a result, buyers need to ask questions if the condition isn鈥檛 clearly spelled-out in the item description.
buy Buy BUY
Buyers purchase comic books for a variety of reasons. Some people buy for the investment-potential. Some people buy to add to their collection. Some people buy for a quick read or to admire the artwork. Thanks to auction sales and competitive pricing from eBay sellers, in many cases, these comics can be bought for a lower price than a buyer would typically pay at a brick and mortar retail store.
If you鈥檙e new to comic books, or if you simply wish to re-evaluate your buying habits, I hope this guide is helpful in clarifying which type(s) of comic book is best for you. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
__________________________________________
*All photos feature items from my collection. Click on the links below the pictures to find similar items.**For more information about grading, see my guide, Comic Books: 鈥淭o Grade or Not To Grade?鈥?How to decide鈥?
Orignal From: Buyer's Guide to the Right Comic Book "Type"
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen