OK.  When you were a child did you ever read the Sunday Funnies?  Was it the quirky pictures or bizzare stories or both that you enjoyed?  Probably that no one told you you had to do it.  And it wasn't graded or moderated.  You just read them because it came to you naturally.  (Calvin and Hobbes, Dennis the Menace, Rick O'Shay (Stan Lynd), Dick Tracy -- some gizmos now have come to be -- the future is here now), Flash Gordon, Superman, Spider-man, Prince Valiant (for me it was the art by Hal Foster), Alex Raymond).  And the list goes on.

Same with comic books.  You wander into a grocery store and behold a comic book catches your eye and you buy it and the next one and the next.  You are hooked.  (Superman (by Curt Swan) and Spider-man (by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee) were literally my first sojourn into comics.  Today it could be Transformers/Battle Beasts, X-men, Hulk, Batman, Sin City, Fantastic Four (Jack Kirby), Thor, Bugs Bunny, Uncle Scrooge, Little Lulu, DareDevil, Elektra, Hellboy etc. etc. etc.  (Many thousands of titles and characters).  And an unquenchable thirst by the fans (and related cross over genres!!!  Star Wars, Star Trek, Magic the Gathering, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc.)

For some of us it was in children's books where we first discovered art and stories.  Myths and fables.

When you think about it even cave pictures tried to tell a story. 

Unlike modern day "mass media" -- the last 8 years or so -- (where images and wordsmith's try to influence how you think and vote and act; no longer should it be honored with the name Journalism -- not that manipulation hasn't been going on for a long time) -- back then people tried to tell stories they actually experienced...dreams, hunts, natural occurances etc.  (There are exceptions like Bill Moyers and NPR).

But do many comic books challenge our conditioning?  Are they an artform overlooked by the majority of Western man and the whole world.  Is it true comics influence the thinking of millions of readers?  And now film made from them influences even greater audiences.  Are comic books our final freedom?Are comic books just an unacknowledged entertainment form.  Is History (Marvel Mystery), spirituality, politics and other subjects hidden in various issues.  (My answer is YES). 

Comics often do reflect the time we are living in.  Sometimes they are prophetic.  (Because some of the artists and writers really are that good.)

The creator's come from all walks of life, even literary circles.

There is also the investment potential.  But you must proceed with caution.  Start by buying what you actually enjoy and then see if it goes up in value. 

Side businesses have spun off from comics.  Supplies (boards and bags (cheap ones should be replaced yearly) & comic storage boxes -- you must protect your investment).  (Keep them in a cool dry protected closet (no sun or moisture; or pets or little children ripping your comics apart).  If you have valuable ones (see the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide) invest in Mylar bags and similar products.  I like ultra pro and turtle shells and similar hard plastic too.

Grade has become a bigger issue but if you have something from the 1940's and 1950's and they are complete you'll be able to sell it (on Ebay) I bet, with little trouble.  Auctions now influence the price.

If this new Guide on Ebay will allow I'll add much more information here over time.  Thanks for visiting.

( I am graphic-illusion on ebay.) Updated Jan. 2007; Edited Feb 2008.  (See the old 1996 Marvel Article just added!)  Visit About Me now.