About Comics

About 150,000 comic books published in the United States since 1935 are included in this collection, which is the largest cataloged library collection of comic books. All are listed in the MSU Libraries' online catalog system, and listed as well in the international OCLC computer network. Cooperation with a commercial firm has resulted in the filming of several hundred of the rarest superhero comic books from the early 1940s. From the beginning the emphasis has been to include all kinds of comic books.

buy comics for collecting purposes only, don't fiddle with new comics. Buy old comics in near mint condition. By old, I mean printed before1970. Yes, you might have to pay some cash for them, but they are guaranteed to go up in price. If you buy new comics in the hopes that you will make a personal fortune later, you may die before you see your investment worth anything. Buy new comics because you want to read them, and therefore, you won't care later if they are worthless.

old comics to buy? This is really personal choice. The DC Batman books have always resold well, also old X-Men books. I like old Superman and Lois Lane books, so I buy those. I read them, bag and board them, and put them boxes "for later." Over the last 25 years, I have kept my eye out for bargains. Mint Golden Age collection of humor comics have increased in value over the years. You might have to pay $10-$20 apiece for them, but they are worth a lot. What you select is up to you, but remember that scarcity, age, and condition of the comic is what counts in comic collecting.