When buying or selling comics there are a few factors to take into account. Collectors have long been confused as to how the market is set for Comic Sales. Priceguides such as Overstreet and Wizard use auction and individual store sales to determine how much a given comic is worth. Hulk #180 for example is the first appearance of Wolverine. He appears on the very last page, but the comic goes for considerably less than Hulk #181 where Wolverine is actually fighting the Hulk and Wendigo throughout the entire issue. This has caused great consternation for many collectors. However, the truth of the matter is, those prices are reflected by what Collectors are willing to pay. All comics are only worth what someone else is willing to pay for them.

That being said, there are some things to look for when purchasing comics from Ebay auctions. Good Feedback and a relatively close distance is a must when dealing with any Seller, but certain listings stand out. CGC Grading, (independently graded comics professionally encased in a hard plastic case), will increase a comic's value by up to 100X what it would normally be sold for. You are paying for a professional service set at a specific grade. And when it reaches you, you know the comic will be professionally protected and will arrive to you in the condition described. Similarily, comics sold by most comic stores will mention their specific condition, (minus a grade number), letting you know the base condition. New/Mint and Near Mint are the preferred grade the majority of collectors will be looking for. Verify the way the comic will be packed and shipped, (and get insurance!!), and you will usually end up with something collectable.

There is also a large portion of people collecting Trades and Graphic Novels. Since these almost never increase in price, these are specifically purchased to be read and enjoyed. Hardbacks, preferrably oversized will give you the best value for the money and give you a book you can actually pass on to your children.

When selling comics it is important to verify a few things. Proper storage and packing of a comic is extremely important and will determine how many people will actually bid on your item as well as how much it will go up. If you were selling an Amazing Fantasy #15, (the first appearance of Spider-Man), I would highly recommend getting it professionally graded by CGC. However, as this is a fairly recent innovation in comics, it is not a must. A proper desctription of the coniditon of the comic as well as multiple pictures will increase the interest in a collectable. If you are unsure as to how to prepare the comic or how to figure out the condition I would recommend going to a local comic shop and having it looked at. While you are there, you will need to pick up acid-free backing boards and comic bags to protect the condition of the comic. Factors such as color, creases, rips, stains, and even childrens drawings will factor heavily into the books condition. Next, post your auction giving as many details as possible and sign up for some internet comic book forums and ask the moderators if you can paste your auction to alert forum members. (There are usually specific places for this on most comic boards where you will have hundreds to thousands of comic collectors taking a look at your auction). Be available to respond to questions via e-mail and you will undoubtably get more than a few hits on yout item. Good Luck and Happy Bidding!

-Ed Nemo