Exposing One of the Biggest Lies That Comic Collectors Sell

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

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[@comicbossone2411]

I have over 10 thousand books. I have what are considered pretty big keys. 96% of my books are worth pennies each. They are near mint with cover price of cents to dollars but they are probably worth 10c per book in bulk. People just don’t get it. I bet you get people arguing the odds in the comments. I love every single book I own from the keys to everything else but 96% is worth dirt… relatively. Another solid take, my friend.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

You should look at Mr. Johnson's comment he left. He believes it so much, he copy and pasted it like 6 times lol.

[@comicbossone2411]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture LMAO

[@comicbossone2411]

What a numpty that man is. It’s amazing, they delude themselves every time. I’ll never get it. I’ll truly never understand the level of cope they generate.

[@DocReasonable]

The worst thing about the Overstreet price guide (and others) is how it assigns values to valueless books. If you cannot get their stated price for a book, then that book is not worth their stated price. This became glaringly apparent in the 1990s; most of those books are still not worth their cover price, even 24 - 33 years later.

[@wylier]

The lowest valued back issues are usually tapped out in the single digits, price-wise.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I actually do not know for sure how Overstreet currently collects their data.

[@DocReasonable]

It used to be by consulting with certain dealers, all of whom had a vested interest in driving up prices. Wizard also did this, on steroids, in the '90s. @@JernosComicsPopCulture

[@reprintranch]

Me neither, but I’m pretty sure this is true - the Overstreet folks do not concern themselves with data on comics that were available for purchase but did not sell during a given time period. In other words, if Overstreet collects data from Fishface Comics and the owner says “we sold a copy of Such-and-Such Comics issue 47 for $5,” I doubt Overstreet asks “how many copies were on sale for $5 that did not sell?” let alone make some further calculation that takes into account the percentage of the available copies that did not sell at a given price.

[@isitunlimited]

As you've said many times, its' impossible to forecast what the market is going to do, and I think all bets are off looking a decade plus into the future, but one thing that makes me curious when I speculate is the print ratio. Many 90's books that had 500,000+ print runs, used to clog dollar bins, and are now starting to get some heat in high grade. Many modern comics are lucky to break 40k. I see a lot in dollar bins 3-6 months later, unbagged, rifled, thumbed, etc. Comparetively, these comics are going to be pretty rare in high grade in 30 years. New Mutants #98 had a print run of nearly a million, with 27,000 on the cgc census alone. Thats more than the entire print run of most modern comics in 2023. Is it a gamble? Always. Food for thought? Certainly.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I hear what you are saying. But you are bringing up the 1% of books in the 90s that are now worth something. I would look at it from this perspective: new books with only 40k print runs are ending up in dollar and 50 cent bins at a greater ratio or percentage than ever in the hobby. For example, in the late 80s, I could go into back issue bins and find bronze and copper age Marvel books priced anywhere from 1.25 to 2.50. This is anywhere from 2 to 10 times cover price for bronze and copper books, plus considering inflation, a dollar then was a lot more than a dollar now. Meaning, that even leading into the 90s, the majority of recent back issues sold for a premium above cover price. And these are all books that had higher print runs than today's books (because even bronze age books had print runs in the 100s of thousands). Print run matters in the right context, but it doesn't always equate to value. Again, just because something is rare, doesn't automatically make it valuable. There just isn't enough demand there for people to seek modern back issues as a collectible, and I don't see that changing much a decade plus down the line.

[@colinnash2390]

Yes, Its the honest truth. We also, live in the age of the Variant which has yet to be tested over time. What about those incentives, limited editions and exclusives with beautiful artwork by renowned artists that sell for much higher prices? Are these also to be considered of little worth ? Its full of unknowns and who can tell if these 'specials' will hold their price better.? I do anticipate that many of my modern 'reader' comics will sell for less than face value but, hope that others will be more resilient.

[@bottomtiercollector]

My priorities in this hobby is collecting my favorite characters stuff, run completing, and reading good stories... Its fun for me to track the value of my collection but chasing a bag whether its a mega key or selling books for top dollar would just get in the way of my collecting and reading. Most comic books depreciate in value. SOME comics do age well and increase in value due to time and inflation. I'm specifically referring to those $10-$20 Silver and Bronze age books that have needed 50+ years to get to this point... The end of the day its NEVER a sellers market. I dont care what a market does. It is up to the BUYERS to supply the demand, pun intended. Modern ratio variants are the PERFECT example of your car metaphor.

[@Jovius2k]

I work at a used bookstore where we buy & resell a lot of books and nerd culture, comic books being a good part of that. And what you say is spot on. People expect us to give them hundreds, if not thousands, for their comic collection, even if they're from the Silver Age. But, even though they may be old, even though they may be Number Ones, they don't get the money they're seeking.

[@ScottLeethebarber]

There's a lot to take into consideration on comics that are worth money and comics that are not. But some of the biggest factors are rarity, significance and condition. The reason nobody's buying boxes of comics is because all these sellers are putting all the shit nobody wants in bulk and keeping the"good stuff" for themselves. That's why I stopped even looking at boxes of comics and treasurer hunting or whatever. The bottom line is you have to have stuff people actually want and you have to put in the work and money to get that stuff and it's very difficult. People want that quick flip in 2 days on every book they buy and aren't rolling to take the chances necessary. And then whine like little 6 year old girls when they take a $3 loss. I could go one and one on this subject but I would have to make my own video to explain how selfish people are and how that selfish behavior is affecting comics as a whole. It is what it is. I don't hear people bitching when they buy a comic book for $30 and sell it for $500 once a year or once every 7,000 comic books. If you can't afford to hold or take a loss then investing probably isn't for you. If you want that quick GUARANTEED flip then you may as well start a business providing services instead of goods.

[@adamspencer5142]

The average comic purchased recently for cover price should be thought of as consumption, higher grade keys and good covers will always hold some value, but yield no return. Once fees are paid c on both sides of a buy and sell, most books have to really appreciate to break even with inflation.

[@rockin71]

I have been lucky enough to buy a few collections over the last year. 99% of the books, once you remove any keys, I have to put them on facebook auctions to start at 1 or 2$ CAD to start just to move them, some books just dont go for a $1, just the way it is.

[@murda7740]

Great video! Spot on with what you said. I use this when dealing with antiques and comics, everything old is not worth money and everything worth money is not old.

[@lowratehitman]

Seen it in the card hobby as well, influencers hyped people up to make "solid" investments, and in many cases, making direct profit through sales of said "solid" investments. " now is the time to buy that jordan rc.. solid investments..blah blah blah .. here, I have 3 for 10k a piece.. sound investments 😂

[@saleens330]

My favorite is when I go to a flea market. See comics and ask for a price…way too high. They believe since they are Spider-Man and old, it’s worth hundreds. You try to show them what they sell at, they either don’t budge or take a few bucks off. I just walk away…

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Yep. Lol

[@ew1258]

About 10 seconds into this video what happens with cars came to mind lol. That new car you buy may become a high dollar classic in the far future but for now it isn’t worth what you paid for it. That being said if you like it, if it makes you happy, then buy it! Enjoy it for as long as you can. Then sell it and be happy/thankful for the experience 🤘

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Indeed!

[@diodelad758]

So true, thanks for the video! I would just add that sometimes moderns actually do go up though. I’ve bought plenty of comics for 3.99 on NCBD that are worth 20x or more a few years later- SiKtC 1, Strange Academy 1,Black Panther 3, Spider-Verse 6 to name a few. But yeah, stacked between them are all the 50cent filler books that also cost 3.99. But maybe there’s still a glimmer of hope for Wednesday warriors? 😊

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Indeed, and I stated so in the video. 99%, or the majority, is not all. Keys are still keys, even if volatile.

[@lifegood3322]

When it comes to modern books I buy the very few I want to read and occasionally I'll spec on a few at cvr price but never ever would I ever assume that a single dollar of that would ever come back to me! 😂 Best you can do is keep them nice and put them in the back of the closet and check them every few years! Imho anyway! Another great topic!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mikeyj7824]

I like what you said about the nostalgia for the younger people starting with the movie's. I think that the movies are creating a new version of keys, and its the books, and cover that you can tell inspired the movies, or parts of a movie.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

True, but again, there is a difference between this type of organic desire, and simple FOMO.

[@cha5]

I buy some modern comics for reading, although not as many as I used to, My main buys that I have a passion for these days are Golden Age comics DC's, Timely's Quality's and Fawcett's and Dells among others and also some Platinum Age ones. (11 boxes so far) I've been buying them since the 1990's and I just never get tired of them, although they're getting pretty expensive and pricy to hunt for these days.

[@zolo120mil]

Great video Brother! Comics and collectibles in general aren’t selling right now. I’ve posted Funko pops and figures that are desirable at half retail price and they aren’t selling. That’s why other items I have that I would sell for under $5 I just giveaway.

[@Spaceageplaya03]

For example a random non key DD book from the 80s has a cover price of $1. Its been 45 years and those are still worth less than cover

[@jamesortiz3425]

Jerno, you're absolutely right, the desirable comics are mostly golden, silver, and some bronze, an occasional modern and newer are far and in between are valuable. But I find that comics I get today, and the right keys, are great for the future. 20, 30, years those are not made to make money today!!! I continue to buy for myself, my kids, and the kids of my family. I love comics. But not when they get crazy, like WOKE and crap like that! 🤗

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I hear you and appreciate the comment. I won't entertain the "woke" comment, becaues I don't feel that is relevant here, but to each their own.

[@jamesortiz3425]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture de-tto! 🤗

[@natedogg6149]

Many comic influencers want and try to sway and convince collectors and sellers alike what to buy, when to buy. Like a quick rich type of thing, blah. By what you love, I'll always and continue to keep saying it. Enjoy the hobby, I do.

[@joshscomics01]

Love the video. 99% of modern books like you said aren't even worth cover price after they come out. But every once in a while a few books here and there will hold some value or go up.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Absolutely!

[@IndieComicsandReviews]

What you're saying is absolute truth Chris, even though it's hard for some of us to hear.

[@Jay-qv8hq]

There's an lcs near my work . I have a small pull list at just cuz . They sell all their back issues at cover price . All keys and valuable books are sold on line . I once asked about a "deal" on like 10 or so Batman vol 3 . And he said I was already getting a deal at cover price

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

🤣 wow.

[@davidallen4026]

Unless it's special I bet most used modern books would be lucky to sell at 2 for 5

[@brychology]

Absolutely Jerno! Truth!!!

[@MrPelletty]

If you want the most value for you comic books, you will need to sell them when they are in high demand or wait for a comic boom. Until then take more time to think carefully if you want something or not. Also expect to hold books for at least 5 years, otherwise just fire sell your collection and move on to the next venture.

[@geekimusprime]

Yeah, if you’re trying to unload modern books, you might as well donate them and take the deduction lol.

[@robertgagne2388]

buy what you like, maybe they go up maybe they dont.

[@steelbat54]

Cars or comics with rare exceptions, once you walk out of the store or drive off the lot the value drops dramatically .. simple fact.

[@thecorporatelawgroup7093]

I’ve given away about 4,000 books in the last few years. I know dealers who throw them away. I’m happy just to find them a potential home.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

That's awesome to hear!

[@mikelitteris69]

It depends on the market, supply and demand. Free comic book day comics increase in value sometimes. Comparing comics to cars or appliances is not a true comparison unless you read the comic. You bag and board at purchase, i dont think it should drop in price and can only go up as other copies get thrashed and ungraded. Rarity is a true factor in price as well as subject matter but I think there are just to many collectors preserving all comics make the comic less valuable, upping the supply and lowing demand. Not to mention, no more free goverment money, which fueled the collecting boom. I feel now ppl are just trying to cash out, so its a buyers market for true collectors.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Mike. I'm going to challenge your points a bit here. Reading the comic has nothing to do with driving the value up or down, unless you handle it in a way that creates defects. Once a car is sold, you don't have to drive it one mile for it to depreciate in value. You don't need to use a TV or appliance for it to depreciate in value. I also didn't say, "modern comics don't hold value." I said 99% of them don't. Key issues still hold value. And once in a blue moon, a couple FCBD books will gain value, but again, NOT the majority, so that example doesn't nullify the fact of my argument. You also use rarity as an example of value, but I've said this many times: rare does not equal valuable. There are many more Hulk 181s out there than the recent Ms. Marvel issue that came out last week, but even for a 0.5 Hulk 181, there is more value because - well to your first point of supply and demand - nobody cares about the Ms. Marlve book to drive the value up. This also has nothing to do with COVID or govt. money. The majority of modern comics not holding cover price value has been how the market works for many, many years now, way before COVID.

[@mikelitteris69]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture well maybe I missed your point, which was that the majority of modern comics don't hold value, true rn but isn't it also true for any age comic in its time period. If you look at old comics with dealers selling back issues, you could see a hulk 181 selling for like $20. You just don't know what is going to go up, there are a lot of factors. To flip modern comics is a big risk, it's like trading penny stocks. Maybe your point should be that comics are over priced, I do believe that.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@mikelitteris69 My point has nothing to do with comics being overpriced. I think you are reading into this way too much and making it too nuanced. I also am not understanding about your Hulk 181 example, because nobody is selling a Hulk 181 for $20. My point is this: If you walk into an LCS right now, and buy every single new issue that came out this week at cover price of $3.99 and $4.99, as soon as you buy them, you most likely will NOT being able to resell them at ANY point for that same amount, outside of maybe a variant or a couple keys. If you tried to sell them the next day, or a year from now. And honestly, you would have a chance of selling them closer to cover price the next day than you would a year from now. THAT is my point. And it's that simple.

[@mikelitteris69]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture my point with 181 was just put your theory with if 181 came out today, a year from now, it might be worth $20 or a $1 according to you. I do hear what ur saying but if this is true, then comics should be worth $2 max. I guess your saying comics are like pennies, they cost more to make, then what they're worth.

[@dandelatorre1870]

This is the sad side of collecting, people unaware ( or ignorant ) of the market or people trying to get away something. I hope those words aren’t too harsh because I think people in general are well meaning.

[@wylier]

In a way, it's human nature. We all want to think we have a shot at making a mint through investing and collecting. You just have to be realistic about the markets, and what they can offer.

[@adrianconlon]

Absolutely spot on.

[@mikem3543]

I’ve got maybe 1,500 comics. Ain’t worth squat, lol! Wouldn’t know a key if it hit me in the face. I love buying cheap books, trying to put together irrelevant runs, reading, sorting, stacking, organizing, etc... that’s the good stuff right there. Consequently, tho, I am ACUTELY aware that if I decide to dump it some day, I’ll be lucky to get a couple hundred bucks for my entire collection.

[@wylier]

As long as you enjoy collecting, then it's a fine investment.

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

Probably will get $150 or less. Most likely, less. I'll pay $25 for all of them, you pay shipping.

[@beatsarebroken]

I think another discussion based on the group post is doing a claim sale can be a lot more successful for someone with an established online presence for a variety of reasons. This guy would probably do better doing an ebay or hipcomic listing of all of his books a holefillers or lot them up on ebay if he has runs. Just like any other item with potential value, the time to see it is not in the first few years of owning it unless it is a key, rare, or in-demand book. To get to your analogy, you'd be shocked at just how much "old" t-shirts from the 90's and 2k's are worth nowadays but something from the past decade? Forget it!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I agree, for sure. But with vintage clothing that sells? It's the 1%.

[@joshualittrell2457]

Yeah if you want money books you have to pay money that’s the way that goes and if your buying spec books hope for the best but expect the worst that’s the way it goes you will always loss money.

[@TheComic-Shoebroker]

Modern books requre patience and time... and right now its a sellers market, because stores and people need money because of the state of the economy... comic books aren't a commodity , and are not a requirement to live...

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Appreciate the comment. Respectfully, comics are indeed a commodity. I think you are mistaking commodity for essential goods and resources, like water, food or electricity. Anything that has value to a consumer is a commodity. A commodity does not need to be something that is "required to live." As for modern books requiring patience; you are referring to the very small percent that might be a first appearance, or have some type of key element still. Because the fact that most modern comics don't hold cover price value has nothing to do with the economy right now; the economy is simply making things worse.

[@acballer1831]

I haven’t seen you in while but you hit it on the head…great video….

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@RoyThe4th]

It's generation alpha

[@surfcitycomics672]

lol I just bought a 17,000 book collection up in Petaluma for $2600 !

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

No way!!! Damn! That's just an hour or so from me. I'm still waiting to score that big collection.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Wait, I think I was communicating with that guy!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Nevermind. I had a guy near Petaluma with an 800 book collection.

[@mikelitteris69]

Jw McGrath?

[@kyleroussel]

If you try to sell off your "run filler" books in bulk after cherry picking all the keys, you're beyond LUCKY if you get 1/3rd of cover price for modern books. If you think you can recoup your money on run fillers, then please share your drugs with the rest of us because your fantasyland is something we could all use a little bit of. The truth is, with cover prices being what they are today, you can easily make the argument that books aren't worth cover price BEFORE they even hit the shops. How many of us both love yet dread FOC every week? Sure, lots of cool stories, characters and art coming our way! But the cost is getting pretty out of hand. You'd best be enjoying the content of the book because that's where the majority of your "value" is going to come from - not from reselling in the future.

[@lucas8095]

Golden and Silver age comics are worth more cause there is less quantity where modern comics are in the thousands 🤔

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

This is one factor, but it's not that black and white. There are about a half a million hulk 181s, and only about 40,000 of random captain Marvel that came out in 2018. But nobody cares about random captain Marvel from 2018. Rarity doesn't automatically equal valuable. Golden age books are valuable because of other intrinsic factors that make them desirable; their rarity drives the value up so high because supply will never meet demand. But hulk 181 is so sought after, that even with so many out there, low grade copies are worth thousands because supply still doesn't meet demand.

[@lucas8095]

i was at an auction 3 weeks ago and Hulk 181 went for $4.000 it wasn't even in mint condition

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@lucas8095 Exactly to my point.

[@florianneumann9441]

this... and i don't get it... imho most of them aren't even worth cover price when brand new (i don't buy those anymore)... i got shouted at online to be a scammer when i ofter someone a dollar per book for a set i would have loved to read (and this was even above fmv). Sorry... maybe buy them because you like them and read them... haven't seen the same bs with manga

[@JM-jv6cb]

Really don’t understand the drive it off the lot relationship

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Go into any comic shop and buy a new issue off the shelf for cover price. Then, a week later, try to sell that book for cover price. The chances of you getting your money back for that book are slim. That's the relationship.

[@xmuta]

Truth

[@mrjohnson8747]

Look don't listen to this tool just watch how much the new wolverine the first helvering it went up 18% and people sell old concert tshirts for an insane amount and they flip clothing from the second hand store

[@theblueyedcreature]

Facts

[@jaynunya5136]

I wanna get rid of some of mine cause I need space

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I'm doing the same

[@xenaluck]

99.99% of all modern is not worth cover price. FACT

[@lifegood3322]

Yeah its a fact! 💯

[@brychology]

Would like to see you do a video on late silver/ Bronze Age DC horror! Pretty sure I started a trend with a question I posed to @bronzeandmoderngods so would like to hear your opinion and keep it going in the spirit of the upcoming Halloween season!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

That's a great idea!

[@mrjohnson8747]

Look don't listen to this tool just watch how much the new wolverine the first helvering it went up 18% and people sell old concert tshirts for an insane amount and they flip clothing from the second hand store

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

🤣🤣🤣 thanks for reiterating about the 1% that holds some value. I'll make you a bet. Go buy every single new comic that's sitting on your lcs's shelf right now. Hold them. And then in a year, sell them all. If you break even, I'll give you $1000.

[@mrjohnson8747]

Look don't listen to this tool just watch how much the new wolverine the first helvering it went up 18% and people sell old concert tshirts for an insane amount and they flip clothing from the second hand store

[@mrjohnson8747]

Look don't listen to this tool just watch how much the new wolverine the first helvering it went up 18% and people sell old concert tshirts for an insane amount and they flip clothing from the second hand store

[@mrjohnson8747]

@@holyharlot5222 no I'm perfectly fine so please don't bother me anymore

[@mrjohnson8747]

Look don't listen to this tool just watch how much the new wolverine the first helvering it went up 18% and people sell old concert tshirts for an insane amount and they flip clothing from the second hand store

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

You're in need of attention today aren't you. 💗💗

[@mrjohnson8747]

No I don't know why it posted it so many times I don't even post anything more then once but I've bounced around Pennsylvania and on eBay and to a lot of stores in my 200-mile radius is ridiculously overpriced checked out your spider comic book Link he has overpriced bad quality stuff

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@mrjohnson8747 LOL. You have no argument here. People can overprice stuff all the time. And they do. So we agree there. But the point still remains, and so does my offer. Buy every new comic that is sitting on your local shop's shelf right now, sell them in a year, and break even. If you do, come find me and show me proof, and I'll venmo you $1000.

[@mrjohnson8747]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture and I actually do like your channel I'm a subscriber so I apologize for calling you a tool

[@mrjohnson8747]

And telling people not to listen to you