A guide to rare comic books

Comic books are magnificent. Despite being short, they can deliver good quality stories. These stories can be adapted to any media as well. Good stories draw us into the characters and their situations because most of us can relate to them.

People can learn from the ways these characters deal with specific situations and circumstances. With Watchmen being released recently, people can actually see that comic books can be of great quality and not just some cheap attempt at marketing.

I imagine just about everyone, at some point in their life, has read at least one comic book. In fact, even if you haven’t read one, you probably have watched a movie about superheroes. Many leaped to film successfully, such as Batman, Spider-Man and the X-Men, and attracted audiences that don’t read comics.

People who don’t read comic books have been astounded by such movies and have resulted to reading comic books to further immerse themselves in what they have liked from the movie.

However, comic book reading can take out a bit of your time and money. New comic books are released every week and for an average reader, who reads anywhere from 5 to 30 comic books weekly, it does take a chunk of your time and your allowance.

I personally have experienced this as a student who had limited resources. Comic scans back then where no where to be found and I had to buy every comic book I liked. If I don’t do this, I feel like I’m missing something. Even with scans though, you might have saved some money but not time.

One of the most difficult areas of debate and controversy in my church is Christian entertainment. We are a very conservative church and, although all of us are saved, not all of us have the same view about what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate entertainment values.

Take Christian the comics debate. My son has been reading Marvel comics for the past year or two, and I didn’t really see anything wrong with them after casually perusing them. The ones he was reading have a very clear view of good and evil, and seem to teach him that a superhero ” someone with unusual strength and power ” should use that power to help the weak.

When he showed one of his best friends the superhero comics, however, that friend was downright shocked. He was from a family that was even more conservative than ours in some ways, and he was only allowed to read Christian comics. Although many ways Christian comic books are no different than normal comics, there are certain things that you can put in superhero comics that you can’t put in a Christian book. There weren’t the same skintight outfits, for example, and certain risky themes were completely left out. In addition, the whole story was usually tied to a tale from the bible.

Although I approved of these Christian comics and saw them as good for my son to be reading, I disagreed with his friend’s parents who said that a Christian should not read normal comic books. To me, it seemed obvious that my son’s faith is not going to be threatened by his superhero comics. Nonetheless, the parents were adamant that these comics are inappropriate for a child of my son’s age. After a while, we just had to give up the argument. It wasn’t going anywhere.

One thing that Christian comics are really good for is showing the Bible to the unsaved. The great thing about Christian comics is they can make the Bible seem hip and accessible to young people, while simultaneously summarizing it briefly. The truth is, most people aren’t going to read the Bible just because you tell them to. Many of the people, however, will read a short comic book ” particularly if they’re young. I have a friend who is a Christian comedian who pushes these things religiously. He gets literally thousands of Christian comics and distributes them to all the kids in the audience when he does his act. He claims he has saved dozens of souls.

The knowledge-seeking public isn’t just a follower of movies and TV series or a big fanatic of cellular phone texting, MMS sending and calling. All of whom who seek for interesting stories and ideas are also fond of mobile comic books especially that the cellular phone technology is rising to its peak. From the classical mobile comic books to hero-centered ones, both young and mature are amused about viewing them anywhere at any time of the day. Although the world’s fascination of this kind of perk is still fresh, there have been around 60,000 readers in a month who reportedly subscribe to comics services. Isn’t this a comic fanatic world after all? Sure, batman, superman, cat woman, name them. They are known to be renowned on-print comics, and now there are versions of such that can be viewed on cellular phones and notebooks.The creators of mobile comic books jump along with the digital trends wherein production and distribution costs are not too pricey, not to mention wireless providers are aggressive in proving subscribers the best services they could bring forward. Data-rich programs and software applications are integrated in sophisticated lines of mobile phones to meet the interests of the texting public. With the increasing popularity of MMS sending, data sharing and file accessibility, mobile comic books are gearing towards earning a larger following from youngsters who seek for portable excitement by viewing miniatures or high-tech versions of famous comics. Japanese Anime has come into the picture as amongst the widely popularized ones as well. Creating the mobile comic books is challenging in that it should be within bounds of not beyond 25 frames and they vary in screen sizes to fit the types of handsets. Also, the java program cannot be viewed on all phones so this is another challenge that creators encounter. Java-based applications are being utilized by mobile info providers who are now producing their own line of mobile comic books.Aside from java viewer, WAP and multi-media messaging features can allow one to view mobile comic books like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bone, Batman, Thunder Road, Five Fists of Science, and Model Operandi that is mostly popular among males. Some companies are now on the final stages of coming up with the animation, ringtones, wallpaper and cinematic features as well as covering manga-themed games that is popularized in Japan. Some mobile comic books are difficult to view than to others but this largely depends on what your mobile phone’s capabilities are. The single panels permit the creators to follow through how the mobile phone owners comprehend their stories so that suspense element makes one to be more curious about the succeeding segments of each comic book. If your phone is Java ready, then you can enjoy most of the mobile comic books.

As how they are obviously referred to, vintage adult comics are a reflection of ancient era or golden times. These are comics released in the 13^th and 14^th century and these days, they are difficult to get hold of. Other collectors aren’t just limiting themselves to the 1940-50’s collections, though. They follow until the 1970 releases of these comics.Hundreds of comics were circulated in the golden age of magazines and literatures. These materials were published using old kinds of papers. Vintage, as we hear of it, sounds valuable and rare. And yes, it definitely is rare to find some collections of books, magazines, comics or anything done five to seven decades ago.  The young adolescent and adult groups have let loose their inhibitions of browsing over these vintage adult comics that flaunt boldness, sexiness, sophistication and seventh heaven. The erotic side of life is presented in its creatively enticing manner through sexy pictures of women and passionate scenarios of couples in love and lust. There is no denying that men are continuous followers of these kinds of readable stuff. Sensual women are even getting open-minded to explore the so-called hobby but rarely do they declare such actuation. As vintage comics like Batman, Flash Gordon, Superman, Green Lantern and Spiderman gained popularity back then, the emergence of vintage adult comics followed through their successes. Instead of heroic and funny themes, love and passion are usual concepts of the adult category of magazines and comics, that’s why they are for adults only. Thought not many people recognize it, comics are a serious business, too, just like movies, bars, Internet porn, among others. Since the 1970’s, the worth of vintage adult comics has consistently multiplied due to their huge demand from investors and collectors. If you collect any of these vintage stuffs, you are likely to earn a good bit of dollars as they are usually appraised as valuable. It seems like a standard notion that if you own something vintage, you can benefit largely.  The approach employed in vintage adult comics is dependent on culture and lifestyle of a certain country it is being released. There are those that are too erotic that may not be appreciated by some. Basically, they’re identified to be of European, Japanese and American themes. Vintage adult comics are usually of erotic conceptions and graphics, sometimes identified as artistic outputs of pornography. The sexuality of both men and women in the same setting is depicted as real as it can be to educate and stimulate the senses of the readers. Sensuality in a human being is but normal as long as it is done within grounds of matrimony. However, the world has accepted reality that bites, thus there isn’t any critical judgment aimed to those enjoying the art of making love out of marriage.

Old is Gold, and Gold’s price is soaring up. Same is the case of old books, especially old comic books. Old Comic books values are increasing from nothing sometime ago to nearly half of the original price. Some will have more than that. The values depend on the demand for the particular category of books.

Many parents purchased comic books for their children regularly, weekly and monthly. The parents or children were never bothered about the resale value of these comic books and they never tried to get a best deal out of it. One main thing about the comic book is that it has no value as daily news. If you are not getting today’s news today itself the news has no value, if it comes tomorrow it will not have any consequence. But for a comic book such a daily value is not there. Comic book can be read any time, even after 10 years of its publication. So getting old comic books as equally good as purchasing brand new comic books.

Comics books prices have sky rocketed due to many factors including the rise paper charges, increase in printing charges and the rise in the labor charges. It will be very difficult for a common man to purchase many comic books for the children in a month. The monthly budget is going to tumble. So one best option is going for old comic books. If you get the same quality comics books for a price quarter or less of a new one, is it not a great deal. You can get 4-5 books for the cost of a single one.

As the market has grown, many people started doing this business with much gain. They went out all through the places and collected the old comic books and started selling it with cheap rate. The books owners also became very happy as they were benefited with an extra income. Cartoon books are the most sought books in this field.

Over all some people take the comic book collection as a hobby. They will go all the way out to collect very rare comic books by paying huge money. Some others purchase these comic books to store in children’s libraries. Collecting old comic books have gained momentum as people found a great source of revenue behind this business. The increase value of the old comic books over last few decades made the business flourishing.

Above all, some series of cartoon and comic books are not at all available in the new market, they have become out of print. But children admire these books still. Such c\old comic books got high repurchase value and many are after such books. Old comic book values are going up and the market is flourishing now. Keep a watch on it.

While comic book publishers have reissued many titles in book format, that is not nearly as cheap or convenient as the CD/DVD format you suggest. Why not on CDs? It may be because of concerns about putting things in digital format, where they can be more readily copied. Or it may be because it seems that most fans want to have an actual comic page in front of them rather than read it on a computer screen. There is one company that has released many older comics from the 40s on CDs: You can also get a CD with all issues of Mad Magazine: see the Totally Mad collection available on Amazon and elsewhere.

Otherwise, there are collectors that trade scans of comic issues or post them online for download but I have little knowledge of this. It probably goes without saying that this violates copyright laws. World’s Finest 135 in used condition lists in the price guide for $8. #150 lists for $7. If in perfect “near mint” condition, they list for $80-100 each. Bob Hope 75 lists at $6-$60. However, this is not a very high demand title.

The other titles you list have little collectible value. I don’t know if you’re buying because you want to read these yourself or if you are hoping to resell. If the former, you would probably pay .50 to $2 each at a comic shop, assuming they are in nice shape, so paying .25 cents each might be a good deal, and maybe 20 or 30% of the TPB cover prices. If you are hoping to resell, I would be surprised if you were able to find a comic shop interested in this stuff, its just not that hard to find or highly sought after.

The first Star Wars comics were actually regular comic book size. You may be referring to Marvel Special Edition, which also came out in the 70s and was oversized. You can find the originals or the Marvel Special Edition at any of a number of comic shops I suspect. Online, you could try my comic shop or mile high comics. The Special Editions should go for no more than $20 each, less if in lesser condition. Star Wars the movie came out in the 1970s. Planet Comics, the first exclusively science-fiction comic, was first published in 1940.

In general, only the first few issues of the Marvel Star Wars comic in high grade have much collector’s value or interest. If these are issue #1 and #2 of the 1977 Marvel comic Star Wars with a .30 cent cover price and are not reprints, the guide gives them the following prices: 1:from $6 to $75, depending on condition. 2:from $3 to $35. If they are .35 cent cover price issues with a UPC code in the bottom corner, they could be worth quite a bit more.

This comic was Star Spangled War Stories. These stories appeared starting in issue 90 in 1960 and continuing for about 40 issues, before being replaced by the character Enemy Ace. You can see covers for many of these comics on there website or you can go to a form chat and see what other people have to say about other comics.

I have a wonder woman #12 Spring 1945 in excellent, maybe mint, condition and a wonder woman 19 Sept Oct 1946. Also a Seven Sea Comic July 1946 Vol 1 and 2 also in mint condition. These comics are potentially worth several hundred each or maybe even $1,000+ each if in mint condition as you say. But Mint really means flawless and looking like they were just bought off the newsstand. Even one or two bends, creases, small tears, any discoloration, etc. could cause reduce their value by 50% or more.

I suspect you would have little trouble selling them, although getting the best price is a different matter. You could do pretty well on eBay, which would involve the most effort on your part. You could also use an auction house, the most prominent being Heritage Comics in Texas, where you might get a higher price, but they would also claim a higher percentage of the take. If these comics are indeed in mint or close to mint condition, you may want to have them professionally graded.

There are all kind of people out there that have no problem with breaking into someones house just to get their hands on something like that. Anyone that needs to make fast money might do it, and if their grandmothers like it, then nothing will happen to them. You should also think about getting a safe deposit box to put your comics in. At least that way you know that no one will be at your house to try and take it.

By: Victor Epand

Comic Book artist workshops are designed for anyone that would like to get into the market for comic book art. They will have the chance to learn the secret language of chronological story telling in comics. While having the opportunity to create characters and tell stories through pictures, they can grow in a direction that will teach them about the many forms of communication. Learning to draw from imagination or from real life experiences, you can turn these experiences into comic book stories and learn to express those ideas in the very best ways.

Online comic book art workshops

The best way to attend a workshop is online, as the workshop is completed in the comfort of your home and you will be able to find one that suits your needs. Workshops can be found by searching keywords, such as online comic workshops, workshops for artists, etc.

Offline comic book art workshops

There are also many offline workshops, offered through local universities and art schools. The best ways to locate these are to contact those places and ask when the next comic book art workshop is available.

Teach yourself comic book art

There are also pdf courses you can download to teach yourself how to create comic books and art. The six-lesson course is a great way to start if you do not have the funds to go take a comic book art class or workshop. This can be downloaded at http://gpn.unl.edu/guides/755.006.pdf.

By starting to learn comic book art at an earlier age you will be a pro by the time you finish high school. Comic Book writers are always a growing market and your drawing skills can take you far.

By: smgenie

In some cases comic book stores can also have posters of favorite comic superheroes and super villains for sale. There will also be times when you will be informed of the upcoming releases of comic book action movie release like those of Spider Man and Superman.

As many people have a variety of interests in comic books you will be able to see various comic books on the shelves of the comic book stores. These comics will include Superman, Spider Man, Batman, Archie’s, Josie and the Pussycats, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Star Trek and Star Wars and many others.

In some comic book stores you will be able to find vintage comic books like Lulu, Betty Boop, Spawn, Wonder Woman, Phantom and lots of others. Some of these comic books will be in a very good condition as they may not be very well known by today’s comic book readers. In some instances you may be lucky enough to find some comic series early editions.

As these comics are difficult to find always you may want to see what the condition of the book is like. When you have checked the condition of the comic book you will need to see the price that your comic book store will charge you for these comics.

With first edition type of comic books you will have the chance to own a piece of comic book history. These are the reasons why buying your comics from different comic book stores is a great idea.

Besides these wonderful facts you may find other people who share your tastes. From these people you can broaden your horizons and see what other comic books you might like to read. The next time you have run out of reading material you might want to head over to your local comic book stores and see what you can discover in these different stores.

By: Muna wa Wanjiru

At present there are some very well known comic book price guides. These guides are Wizard Magazine, Standard Catalog of Comic Books and Overstreet to name but a few. You can find these comic book price guides in the standard book format. In addition these comic book guides can be found in an electronic format.

From any of these guides you will need to see how you can find the comic book prices for various comics like first issues, back issues and in some cases the hard to locate comic books.

The various comic book guides will let you see what are the categories that are used to determine the various comic book prices. This means that when you go to your local comic book shop you should be able to have a rough idea of the price range that you can expect to pay for certain types of comics.

From these comic book guides you can find the comic book prices for new comics, old comics, rare and valuable comics and what you can expect in the way of resale value. As a result owning a comic book price guide will prove to be a valuable asset for comic book collectors and comic book lovers.

These price guides will help you when you decide to add vintage or hard to find comics to your comic book collection. The guide will be able to provide you with a rough idea of the comic book prices that such comic books command.

For the various comic book lovers and comic book collectors it always helps to know what the various values are for your different comic books. An appraiser or a comic book price guide will be able to help you in finding the different comic book prices for your new, old and valuable comics.

By: Muna wa Wanjiru

If you’ve been a fan of comic books for any length of time, you’ve probably dreamed of seeing your own stories being produced. Writing a comic book might be something that you’ve only toyed with before, but it is important to remember that it is a creative field like any other; writing a comic book is a job that demands a great deal of discipline, creativity and dedication, but it is certainly a real career.

Before you even think about writing a comic book you will need to be aware of two things. The first is obviously writing. Writing a comic book puts the author, you, in charge of telling a story. To do this job well you will first need to work out your plot points and brainstorm ways to make them come together smoothly along with the characters that are in them. Having some knowledge of comics in a storytelling form will definitely be of help here. A big lesson to learn here is that comic books have as much an advantage over everyday text and video as they do a disadvantage. Take a look around at the genre for writing comic books to help you get an idea. There is a lot of fun to be had here!

It is important when writing a comic book that you keep around some samples of your work to show. There are several ways you can do this. If you are writing a comic book on your own you can keep samples of the comic strips, but if you are working with an experience artist he will want you to keep full copies of the comic. It doesn’t matter whether you are creating your comic based off of a well known book or making up something unique, you will want something that you can use to show off your skills when writing a comic book.

Once you have a decent solid script in your hands, you can then start to make some connections with people. You might be surprised to find out that the comic industry is pretty low key and easily accessible. By going to a few conventions you will surely be able to meet a few people that can help further your comic book career. You will want to make sure that you show up well dressed and ready to present your best. It always helps to have a small introduction worked out and a business card is never a bad idea either. Writing a comic book is the first step towards your career, the next step is making everyone else see that you have potential!

When writing a comic book, remember that you need to have a good understanding of your genre. Simply being a fan of comics is not enough; make sure that you really understand them as well!

By: Chris Kettelson