Coverless Comic Book Values
A Comic Book Secrets subscriber recently asked “do coverless comic books have any value?”
It depends on how old they are and what specific issues they are, but yes, sometimes coverless comics can be worth something. The best chance for a decent value is if they are from the Golden Age ( roughly 1930’s-1950). Outside of that they would probably have to be a key issue.
Why?
Many collectors try to reassemble a comic, especially key issues, and “make” a higher grade copy. For example, they may have a cover of Superman #1 but someone in the past removed several interior pages. The collector would be looking for a complete interior to marry with his cover, making a far more valuable comic. Because old comics and keys are typically the most valuable, they are usually the best candidates because they have good chance at commanding high prices.
To give you some examples, take a look at the following coverless comics for sale here.
If you don’t have key comics, sometimes readers will pick up a whole box of coverless comics for their own enjoyment. They usually don’t sell for much, but they are willing to take them off your hands.
Comics are Dead…
I received the following in an e-mail from a Comic Book Secrets member, “comics are dead in the water.”
And do you know what?
He’s right…partially.
It’s easy to see his point. Average condition, common, non-key comic books are selling for small fractions of the values listed in the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. You could usually always get them at a discount, but now things are much worse. Collectors looking to finish runs of comics under NM can get comics for about 10% of guide with very little work (I show subscribers how to do it for free).
But…
An Amazing Fantasy #15 in CGC 9.4 just sold for over $1 million. That is anything but “dead in the water.”
It’s a tale of two cities in comic book land. On one hand we have a thriving market setting new records, and on the other we’re setting records – record lows that is. That doesn’t mean comics are dead, the supply and demand curve is adjusting to the new realities in the market, but now we are armed with far better information and easier, worldwide access to comics.
Depending on who you are these are exciting times. Collectors – now is the time to put together runs at far lower prices than ever before. If you are an investor, watch out, who knows when the next record price will be set.
Captain Marvel Adventures #1 – Investment Survey
Let’s look Captain Marvel Adventures #1’s current value, prices realized and issues for sale (and how you may score a copy at a discount).
Captain Marvel Adventures #1 is one of the most valuable comic books of the Golden Age. It consistently ranks in the top 10 of all comic books.
Captain Marvel Adventures 1 Value, Price and For Sale Survey
Why It’s Important – First Captain Marvel
Price and Value Trends – a blue chip comic.
Investment Potential – Captain Marvel Adventures #1 is considered a “blue chip” comic investment.
