The Evolution of Comic Book Collecting

Comic book collecting isn’t just about nostalgia – it is a blend of history, art, and now…the thrill of the auction! Initially, comic books were something that was seen as disposable entertainment and many issues were simply tossed out when they were finished. In the 1960s, fans began to see the artistic and cultural value of comic books that led to organized collecting.

Early on, collectors connected to one another through letters pages and fanzines to share stories and trade issues. Soon after, comic book stores emerged as a space not just offering comics, but a gathering spot to discuss their favorite storylines and characters. Comic book stores remain to this day a hub for collectors, but many of those discussions have been moved online into forums – and so too has the way comics are bought and sold.

Enter Comic Book Auctions

What was once a world of obscure sales has now evolved into one of the most exciting and competitive ways to acquire the most rare and valuable comics.

The Origins of Comic Books

The idea of collecting comic books is not a new concept. Long before capes, superhero movies, and cosmic crises, comic books were satirical sketches and serialized art beginning in the 1800s.

Publications like Les Armours de Mr. Vieux Bois began in 1837 and saw many reprints due to its popularity. The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck is often considered the first comic book after being released in 1837 and was so loved, it was introduced into the US in 1842 as Brother Jonathan Extra No. IX. The illustrations in this book had such a profound impact, it influenced early American and European cartoonists.

Of course, you can’t leave out Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday, which is one of the first books to contain recurring comic characters. These early works laid an unshakeable foundation for what would become a global art form, and one of the widest collected mediums today.

Comic Book Eras and Collector Favorites

The Platinum and Golden Ages

In the 1930s Famous Funnies was released, becoming the first modern comic book in what is now called the Platinum Age. This laid the groundwork for the explosion of superhero narratives during the late 1930s and 1940s, ushering in the Golden Age and bringing in the iconic characters Superman and Batman.

During this time, Marvel Comics also began to make its mark under the name Timely Comics. They introduced names such as Captain America, The Human Torch and Sub-Mariner that are still loved almost 100 years later! Collectors search out these issues no matter the grade. Take the issue of Marvel Mystery Comics #4 for example. It sold at Bodnar’s Auction recently for $35,400 – an impressive number for a CGC graded 4.0 copy.

The Silver Age and Beyond

The spark was lit, and there was no stopping the speed in which comic books were now propelling forward. The mid-1950s saw the Silver Age coming in with many new characters being introduced. In modern times, collectors have a deep appreciation for comic issues that introduced these new characters to them in their youth and they are willing to pay a premium to add them to their collections – and again, with issues of this age, grade is not always a factor.

A copy of Journey into Mystery #83 which is the first appearance of Thor that was CGC graded at 5.0 sold at Bodnar’s Auction for $10,300, and an ungraded copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 introducing Spider-Man also sold at Bodnar’s for $23,600. As the generation that grew up with the Silver Age comics became more prominent in the hobby, the demand for these particular issues has surged.

The Role of Comic Book Grading

While many collectors are not put off by ungraded comics – or maybe even drawn to them – this does not mean grading is not an integral part of collecting comics.

With the hobby expanding, there needed to be a standardized way to assess the condition of comics that led to the establishment of grading services using factors such as cover gloss, page quality, and defects to the pages. They can range from .5 (poor) to 10 (gem mint).

This has been a wonderful tool for the auction industry, allowing a potential bidder access to the quality of the book from thousands of miles away, taking away any guessing game on the quality of the book and offering one more layer of transparency to the auction process.

Why Auctions Are the Future of Comic Collecting

In today’s comic book market, auctions have emerged as one of the best ways to access comics from all ages, grades, and prices. It is a transparent platform where bidders can come and have a lively war…or bidding war, that is, over who gets the right to add a particular issue to their collection.

At one auction run by Bodnar’s Auction, a very important issue of Avengers #1 – the issue that helped launch Marvel’s most famous superhero team – was fought over all the way to $9,225.

Auctions have helped take an already thriving market and bring it straight into your home. And why not? The internet has already revolutionized the way we buy and sell everything from groceries to unwanted items in our garage. It makes sense that auctions should stay on the forefront of this technology.

With the use of high-quality photographs, grading systems, live video streams and one very enthusiastic auctioneer, comic book auctions have truly become not just a way to acquire your next issue, but a show to attend without leaving your couch!

Ready to Sell or Expand Your Comic Book Collection?

Bodnar’s Auction is here to help you expand your collection or bring your comics to the market. From one issue to an entire lifetime collection, contact us today to see how we can help you.