An ounce of silver is worth between $19 and $20 while an ounce of gold should run you in the neighborhood of $1,660. And while they both continue to NOT do the one thing they are supposed to do, hedge against inflation, comic books have soared in values. In June of this year, at Heritage Auctions, issues of The Incredible Hulk #181 sold for $102,000 and Marvel Spotlight #5 (The first appearance of Ghost Rider) sold for $264,000.

Comics have made a roaring comeback with a boost from pandemic stimulus checks that helped people buy overpriced toilet paper, canned goods, and yes – The Amazing Spider-Man. Comic prices in 2020 and 2021 were seen at record highs. Prices have now pulled back a bit, but with far less volatility compared to Nasdaq tech stocks that went on a ripper during that same time frame and have now fallen out of favor.

More and more readers, collectors, and investors are swarming to the hobby as one superhero movie after another continues to make it ever more mainstream and less reminiscent of the stigma attached of the man-child in pajamas trolling the internet in grandma’s basement. As these movies rake in big bucks, they also draw attention to the comics where the silver screen drew their inspiration. A decade ago, you could get ahold of a newsstand copy of 1977 Black Panther #1 for a few bucks. Now, with half of America trying to book trips online to Wakanda, you’ll have some serious competition trying to snag some lower grade books for $25 to $50 or Near Mint versions from $180 to $1,250 – depending on the grade.

Comic books are valued based on scarcity and grade ¬– in the same way that coin collectors value coins – and condition is the difference between having a beat up $5 copy of Daredevil #100 or the $1,200 Near Mint version. You see, most comics were read by kids – kids who creased pages, tore covers, and cut out coupons before kicking them under the bed. Moms tired of messy rooms later sold them off in yard sales for a nickel and another kid thumbed through them, folded them up, and rode around on their bicycle with scraggly books hanging out their back pocket until the covers fell off. Then, if the book’s fate wasn’t destined to compost in a landfill, they were often stored in damp basements where they molded and discolored. This is why the well-kept survivors can be much sought after. So, just remember, if you’ve got an old box of comics tucked away somewhere and you just so happen to come across a Marvel Spotlight #5, you could have yourself either a $200 or a $200,000 version, depending on how well preserved the issue.

I had the opportunity to chat with Tony Grafton, a Kansas City man who was able to turn his hobby into a money maker. He said, “I’ve been selling for 7 years now. I sell on eBay and at conventions like PlanetCon in KC. Sure, eBay has fees, but it’s the cost of doing business.  I buy all ages of books but, like the stock market, investing in blue chips is always smart – Gold and Silver Age, DC and Marvel, superheroes, and old horror. There can be money to be made in modern books too but it’s a huge gamble due to the quantity now produced. Predicting what will be hot is difficult. What was valuable a week ago is worthless the next.”

Comics are generally classified by their age: the Golden Age (1938 – 1956), the Silver Age (1956 – 1969), or the Bronze Age (1970 – 1985). Anything 1986 to present is simply lumped into “Modern.” While you might stumble across a few diamonds in the rough in the modern comics, most of your big money books will be found in the older dates in better conditions. Action Comics #1 (1938) is considered by many to be the holy grail of comics. A lower grade version will fetch between $175,000 and $573,000 while a Near Mint copy sold for $3.4M. (A note of warning: Most people who own one of these sought-after grails own only a replica. Make sure to have a professional take a look at the treasure you’ve discovered before you quit your job!)

I’ve been sorting through bins, searching yard sales and flea markets, buying from estate sales and from people who call me with forgotten collections they came across while clearing out houses getting ready for a move, or collections they’ve inherited and haven’t the slightest idea what to do with. These days, there’s all kinds of information at our fingertips but it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the time commitment the hobby presents to gain the knowledge necessary and the wide variety of opinions from one site to another. If you have some old books lying around and are looking for an honest appraisal or a cash offer, I’m happy to help point you in the right direction.

Aaron Lee Shigley is licensed in Real Estate, Insurance, and an Investment Advisor Representative in Omaha, Nebraska. He can be reached at: aaron.shigley@bhhsamb.com or call/text at: (402) 730-3404. This article is strictly designed for entertainment purposes and not to be construed as investment advice.