Top 5 Mistakes New Comic Book Collectors Make // Gem Mint Collectibles

[@louiegallo1289]

To be clear, it is perfectly fine to only collect comics you love. It doesn't have to be a career or side hustle.

[@ChristianPierce]

fr i would never look at books that way, i just wanna read something i want to and fuckin sell or trade them

[@robertt9342]

It's weird to hear experienced people tell new "collectors" to not buy what they like, but buy stuff that they could then sell later, to buy other stuff to trade and sell, and maybe eventually buy something you like down the road. Sounds like this is better advice for advanced beginners or those with a moderate amount of experience collecting. This list more about flipping, speculating, and investing then helping people learn to collect and get into comics. It seems like this list can burnout new collectors or alienate them as its more about the love of collecting things to trade/sell.

[@fatstackscomics4652]

Completely agree. The only people that would say not to buy what you like are spec buyers and are more concerned about what they can make off a book than actually collecting because they like the stories, characters or artists. They use the hobby as their own version of the stock market but in the same breath try and act like they're the good guys of this hobby. I call bullshit on spec buyers and take great pleasure when they lose their asses with bad investments. While they're out buying up new shiny variant covers, and trying to tell you a 4th print is rare... I'm hoarding 10 and 12 cent cover books. They'll ALWAYS be king. Always.

[@georgek5737]

i started this year...i care about who is the artist and also the story....i want to keep them...thats why im saving up...why would i discard comics...

[@TheJohno95]

Preach on! The main thing is get what you enjoy! The price on comics is going to rise and fall! Don't buy to invest for college (Like poor suckers were doing in the early 90's). Buy what you like and as you read more and start enjoying the medium, branch out. And don't worry so much about slabbing! 15 years ago, the slabbing craze caught on because slabbed books were "bringing ten times the price of unslabbed books." Now, the slab price is about what the grade price is. Don't spend good money on grading some four dollar book. You can buy five more books or more with that. If you've got an expensive book and want to keep it slabbed for posterity, go for it. But I've sold unslabbed Golden Age books for more than a slabbed copy in the same shape and same price. People are catching on that the slab is just a way for a certain company and speculators to make money. Have fun first and foremost! If you're in it for the money, you might as well put more money in your 401K.

[@JesseHardesty]

Totally agree, buy what you want regardless. Sure if you're in this because you want to one day make a little extra money off of this, then list seems appropriate.

[@thebeerdedone7568]

I just typed a novel to them as well, so I won't do that here. But I totally agree with you. I am back from a multi year hiatus from comics because I built a mountain of crap I dont want in my house. I couldn't buy what I love because the crap was too much. Now I basically give the crap away to stores for credit to then go and buy what I love. I also find it extremely satisfying to know I bought books at a cheap price because I loved them way before they were cool and seeing how gouged they are on ebay. I'll never sell what I love. Ever.

[@HazelCoffeeNut]

The actual title of this video should be "Top 5 Mistakes New Comic Book INVESTORS Make"

[@uglyboi2017]

exactly what i’m looking for

[@retrorampage9015]

Facts..

[@joshdiato]

I feel like you have to be an investor to be a true collector. “Let the hobby fund itself”.

[@Ermac97]

@@joshdiatoyeah, I’m sure that’s what my grandfather thought of when he collected comic books during the 50s.

[@StarJoes]

I agree. I have comics because I like reading the stories and you can do a whole video about mistakes made for new people to comics. This is for investing in comics, not necessarily just general comic collecting.

[@ShellessCloyster]

Lotta good info here. I'm still new to the scene, only collecting over a year now but I do realize I'm a bit of a hoarder. This year I'm stepping back a bit because of jumping in so quick, listening to your show has changed alot of my input on a weekly basis. Appreciate @GemMint popping in and dropping knowledge with you @ComicTom101. Keep on Geekin!!!!

[@ericknepp5296]

I'm literally in the same shoes as you when you posted this. How did it pan out?

[@ShellessCloyster]

@@ericknepp5296 Well alot of my spec books have been a small hit. Always better than nothing, but I've also missed alot in a year+ Its all about balancing finances and enjoying what your doing, everyone is different and shouldnt feel rushed or influenced by others gains, just roll with it if it works for you

[@reecesaffire]

I personally think its best to go after DC books atm while everyone's obsessed with Marvel.

[@SCGSHOW]

Reece Markidis brilliant advice

[@Azraelnme3303]

Way ahead of you

[@dannybailes3948]

Smacked that pickle right on the tip.

[@dannybailes3948]

Also just retired MCU players and definitely and common xmen keys

[@MarcSpectorComics]

I agree especially with golden age DC this is where they are undervalued the most you wont get a better time to buy a golden age DC key than now

[@boboleary6607]

I've been collecting for 30 years. My take on "Buy what you Like" is this. As an example I love ASM bought it every month read every issue bought multiples of books I thought were cool. Accumulated many high grade highly sought after books this way. I don't believe in buying what's hot right now. If you're in it for flipping then yeah go ahead. If it's going to be a lifetime hobby then take the long view and buy what you love. Read them, take care of them and over time you'll accumulate many valuable books. Story, Art and Condition that's collecting. Buying what's hot right now is speculating and over time that's how you lose. Because hot right now almost always cools off. Just my 2 cents.

[@Wrekoh7]

Totally agree I had many many comics before my kid was born sold them had no idea what I had. I was just sitting on a few great thor comic nothing in the perfects 8 or anything but some nice old books and I just bought what I loved! Started again this year got another box and im buying everything I love

[@JesusHeadedCamel]

I think the most important thing behind "collect what you like" is to always have a place to come back to when your interest slows or you go through a period when you care less. I'm personally in a slow period of interest right now and I'm not buying like I was a year ago -- but Conan and Venom keeps me coming back to my LCS and picking up those books. I'm always on the lookout for vintage Conan stuff.

[@wowisntitanamazinglyamazin9550]

True that. For me it's Spider-Man or Flash

[@ozz2362]

Same here I love conan always a good read

[@johnconiglio9278]

Very interesting video with great tips. I have started bagging and boarding all my books. One of my holy grail books as a big Green Lantern fan is first appearance of Sinestro.

[@AndreiSorin1994]

I just want to build a library with cool stories from DC, probably the size of 1/3 of what GemMint has, with only omnibuses, TPs and absolutes , and that's it , for the foreseable future . I'll be more than happy with that . I'm not interested in single issues and slabs.

[@skatingsam96]

This is what I do. I'm going for a complete new 52 and rebirth tpb collection. And then just random other stuff I like as well. I've never thought about the money aspect of it because it's what I like and I don't want to get rid of it

[@rhenley4242]

Nice video guys. You brought up one point that I'd like to repeat: resist the urge to send your books in for grading right after you get into the hobby. I first collected comics about 30 years ago and had several keys (ASM 300, NM 98, etc.). After getting back into the hobby a couple of years ago, I couldn't resist sending in 4 or 5 books to get graded. The problem? I didn't know enough about the grading process (how to grade my books, CGC vs. CBCS vs. PGX, to press or not to press, etc.) to make a good decision on which books to send and who to send them to. I ended up cracking the cases on all of them a few months ago (meaning I wasted money on grading) just so I could press, grade them myself, and then submit them to a different grading service. This made a huge difference -- for example, my 9.0 ASM #300 (valued around $300) turned into a 9.6 (valued around $625). Have the patience to learn about the hobby before you start spending a lot of money! #ComicTomGiveaway

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Gem Mint & Comic Tom in one video?! Me clicking: *I Am Speed*

[@wylier]

are you sure you are not actually The Flash? :-P

[@wedsetup2513]

yep as a new collector I have made each mistake you profiled however that's how I am learning and thanks for the reinforcement of my learning experience

[@StraitTalkMedia]

One of the best videos for a new collector like me I appreciate it and its a great help especially the tip on collectors doing the research being in comics require a lot of homework.

[@craigmcdonald7127]

What a fantastic crossover!! I’ve learnt so much from you guys! It’s people like you that make this hobby awesome.

[@coryjensen3710]

The two realist dudes in the room! #comictom, #gemmintcollectible, dropping that real knowledge for the comic fam! Love it guys, keep doing what you do!

[@johnkhang1736]

I'm glad that you guys are doing videos like this so that the new collector like me can get an idea of what goes into collecting.

[@joshua3732]

I have been collecting on and off since the 80's. This is some good advice. It took me a long time to go from straight hording to flipping and trading. It makes all the difference. Great videos.

[@comicbookgallery4431]

Great seeing you guys together. Been a fan of both since I started KZbin. I think the phrase should be what you like and can afford. Followed up by, do your research about a hot book. The sad part is, I live in Lynnwood, and haven't been to Mill Geek comics.

[@DioWolfComics1978]

Some tips : The value of your books in your P.C. is $0 until your ready to sell. And if your hunting books in the wild don't go looking for the book,let the book find you #ComicTomgiveaway

[@Robert-fg6np]

Great job at explaining mistakes to avoid without making people feel dumb who have made them. I’m sitting on a 9.8 savage sword of Conan I bought about 2 years ago. I should have spent a little more and got a better grail.

[@geezy_m7999]

Comic Tom and Gemmint in a video?this is pure gold right here! Also I remember the cgc forums some really good information and good buys to be made on there!👍

[@glenclark8696]

Always wondered if I was considered a collector or a reader. Thanks to this video I now know I am a reader.

[@vaderlives6572]

i’m a fan of art so i chase variants but i know it’s my weakness and accept it as such. Been collecting since i was 10 so 45 years. thanks comic tom for all you do. looking forward to the possibility of meeting you at SDCC 2020?

[@kdrpai]

Solid advice about funding your hobby, some of us have a hard time letting go, but it’s the best way to collect meaningful and smart similar to stock

[@comic_book_emporium]

Just gave a good friend of mine a starter collection. I'm doing my best to steer him in the right direction. I'm trying to explain the nature of the variant market to him, and how 98% of the time it's best to buy things like that, unless a large key, 1 mo, 6 mos, a year later after the buzz dies and the price goes down, and in the mean time invest his money in something that either will maintain it's value or appreciate in value over time. He comes from money though, so has a pretty large budget... I've created a monster... But I'm trying to teach him the ins and outs as best I can. Lol thanks for the opprotunity for the give away, love the vids as always. Would love a regular, hopefully much longer though, collab show between the two of you. I love and am covered in tattoos, and the two of you have some dope work on yourselves as well which I dig. #comictomgiveaway

[@PhieMint]

Esoteric Eccentricity good shit man 💎

[@Jmillz181]

Loving number 2. That's the future for me...buying books to flip to fund this hobby by itself so I can save my actual money in the bank. Now I just need some money to start because I love the books I have lol.

[@GlassEyeGaming]

I still buy comics at thrift stores.. even if the pages or yellow and the covers are creased. I just love reading the old stuff.. and love seeing all the old ads.

[@johnscomicswithkids]

I think it’s possible that the purpose of “buy what you love” is being ignored here. I think new collectors often get pulled into speculation at the wrong time and buy books they don’t like because they think it will make them some money. I can enjoy hearing spec as much as anyone but new collectors can get their head turned around easily and become frustrated with purchasing books they didn’t even want. Then they are stuck with books they dislike that invariably plummet in value. If they focused on books they already had interest in then at least if the books lost value they still could feel like they enjoyed the story or characters. Buy what you like doesn’t mean buy books for bad prices because you like the character. It means avoid buying books that mean nothing to you because you think it will make a quick buck. New collectors can get easily burned that way.

[@newyorknative88]

John's Comics with Kids well said John

[@johnscomicswithkids]

Need_Mo_Comics thanks brother

[@chrislopez4122]

John's Comics with Kids this is hard facts. Nailed it John.

[@johnscomicswithkids]

I_got_issues2319 following your lead my good man

[@malagrrl]

Yup. I get almost all joy and no stress out of comic collecting because I only buy low-priced comics I want to read. I firmly believe that the market for all collectable comics published after about 1970 is a big risk because comics have little inherent value and the percentage of top-grade books available is much higher for comics published after comic collecting gained popularity. If you wanna make money, save up and invest in key issues from the 1930s through the '60s, then wait a couple of decades.

[@cagscagnina4986]

Great to see Gem in the neighborhood!!! Good Choice Tom ! Keep em coming y'all!!

[@ck3comics]

Love all the info about how to get into comics collection for new beginners - keep it up :-)

[@dwightburton5009]

Sweet video! Thanks for all the tips! I’ve inherited a large collection of comic books and all of these tips and hints help me out. Thanks for all you do! Please put me in the drawing for the two slabs

[@moonbasealpha1066]

Fantastic info, guys! It's great to see you two in collaboration

[@GemMintCollectibles]

thanks Doc Strange in the Range!

[@michaelbialys]

For me I've been collecting for many years and my only tip is if you are going to slap a comic book or CGC a comic book and you have a lot of them CGC something you love so that you can look at it and enjoy it and keep it pristine. I loved the House of X and powers of X I'm getting a lot of them graded in slabbed simply because I love them and I want to keep them in excellent shape

[@UNIVERSatile1]

The hype is real!! 💎 This collab makes sense!!

[@GemMintCollectibles]

yessir

[@breakbeatz309]

Awesome video. I collected comics 25 years ago and just got back into it a few months ago. Great advice.

[@AmericanJedi77]

Been subscribed to Comic Tom for a long time, you have a lot of great videos. Just subscribed to Gem Mint now, you have some amazing statues! Guess I'm watching all your videos this weekend. #ComicTomGivaway

[@GemMintCollectibles]

haha let the binge begin

[@sethmacchi6413]

This video is so helpful. As a longtime collector, I occasionally lose focus/lose touch with what I'm actually after in my collection journey. It's nice to get back to the basics and remember why I'm collecting. Love you guys.

[@tannerhimmelman8861]

A big thing I had to learn was knowing how to organize your comics. No one way in particular, but having an organized collection makes collecting so much more enjoyable! #ComicTomGiveaway

[@PhieMint]

tanner himmelman - I always wondered how others organized theirs too! 💎

[@lisamedcalf6986]

Tanner himmelman-Agree 100%. I'm cataloging my books now and would have saved money from not buying duplicates if I would have done that from the start. I don't have many books and my memory still fails me most times. Very annoying! Now I take a quick cover pic and while tedious, it has saved me money. Plus it always puts me in a good mood to see a favorite cover. Some of them, especially Silver Age are damn funny. 😄

[@tannerhimmelman8861]

@@lisamedcalf6986 Ya i've been using the CLZ app for years which has been so wonderful. I did it while it was still a one time fee instead of monthly which is amazing!

[@johncortez602]

Found this very informative. Even for my other hobbies. As in collecting figs. Got some grails there also. I do hoard a bit but yah. It pays off if a hobby pays for itself.

[@azorestiger]

Both my guys right here!!! Couldn’t wait to tune in for this one! Both ComicTom, the ComicTom101 Team, GemMint 💎 & Phie have been so influential in making my coming back to the world of comic book collecting an awesome experience! Appreciate all of y’all! #comictomgiveaway

[@PhieMint]

Azorestiger we appreciate your support! Thank you! 💎💎💎

[@ginormousman4549]

So cool when you guys collaborate on vids!! It’s like a marvel team-up!! The fam loves it!!

[@JM-gc7hz]

Great seeing Comic Tom and Gem Mint do a joint video. Pure awesomeness!

[@bradharms4711]

I've been collecting again for about 8 years now and I never realized that I have the hoarders mentally. I don't sell or trade but you guys have me strongly rethinking that! #ComicTomGiveaway

[@wylier]

If you were a true 'hoarder', that would apply to anything you bought, not just comics.

[@AgeOfEddie]

So cool to see both you guys in one video together!

[@GATEWAY2MARS]

YES. I'VE BEEN WANTING THIS. The. Greatest. Crossover. Ever. #ComicTomGiveaway

[@PhieMint]

Bryan Madrigal thank you for your comment! Was such a great convo! 💎

[@timpennartz2922]

#comictomgiveaway great Idea for a show. Looking forward to seeing you guys again

[@deeillustra]

We are so new to the community compared to most .. THANK YOU for the great tips 👍

[@hawkboy71]

My advice would be only start to "collect" if you first enjoy the medium. Get these books because you enjoy them. I can't tell you how disappointing it is for me to talk to a fellow collector only to find out they don't read them and they only buy "keys".

[@seanwinter4784]

Thank you ComicTom and GemMint - I have recently discovered that specific parts of the comic collection I have been curating and carrying around with me for the past 35 years might be worth something, and this and some of your other videos have helped me to work out how I could realise some value from the bits of the collection I no longer want to keep. Good job

[@solehead90]

The only team up I’ll “read”. Everything else is second best.

[@m-o-ski6442]

#3 is a hugh rule shipping. I had a book arrive in vanilla envelop with one wrap around in 1 page of newspaper. Then under that.... protected in a thin layer of cardboard from a TV dinner. Book looked like a 1 year had it for a week.

[@trichcomicz1299]

Thanks for the information. I never thought I would’ve developed the love I have for comics and knowledge gained through both of you and others. I need to now understand the grading process. Finally sent my first 2 to CGC. Went to my lcs and projected a 9.6 New Mutants 98 and Ultimate Fallout 4 1st print. 🤞🤞🤞 #comictomgiveaway

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

"You should be." I appreciate all of the tips provided in this video. They are just that: very awesome, insightful tips that we as viewers should appreciate. But my one issue with your guys' approach here is first and foremost calling them "mistakes," and then using the verbiage "you should be." I love what you guys said about the hobby "funding itself," but no, I shouldn't be selling and trading if I don't want to. I have 16k books, and I've sold about 4 books in my 30 years of collecting, only because I ended up getting doubles of those issues in much better condition. I am a collector of runs, keys, modern and old, but I have NO desire to sell any book in my collection. The great thing about this hobby is that there are many variables on why comics can be desirable. I love how well versed you two are in seeing comic collecting as a profitable business and investment venture, but you guys have to understand that that isn't the only variable to why people collect, and many collectors really value the hording over the "profit."

[@bravo1701]

Saw your video, appreciate your view on this and your approach. keep collecting !!!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

@@bravo1701 thanks Mike, I appreciate that.

[@steveshuss738]

Love to see more tag team videos like this lots of info that 2 great minds could instill on us addicts and help newbies ...oh and comic Tom stop with the international comic info you keep sprinkling in on your videos lol like I need to have more things to be interested about..... between the cool spider-man greek "vibrator" issue I now have to have plus that new randomizer on key collector I'm gonna need a second job....

[@ComicTom101]

Steve Shuss 😂😂 Steve you’re awesome

[@steveshuss738]

@@ComicTom101 Seriously thanks to you and everyone on the show you've made collecting and going to cons 10000 times better not only for me but my 70 year old Dad ...Up until a year or so ago Him and myself primarily only collecting ASM's …. I'm down to 8 issues left to have them all and the old man has only a couple more than that for his collection. I started faithful watching the show and checking key collector started a spread sheet and constantly updating it. I print it out day before a comic con and give one to me and to my Dad I've never seen the him have so much fun again he use to go to a con look at The Amazing Spider-man's and either spend hundreds of dollars on a book or not buying anything at all, now he's going through long box after long box leaves with a stack of books and wonders where the time went.. I'm sure the dealers are equally as grateful too for the "diverse" way our money is spent lol.. keep up the good work and thanks for making comics fun in a new way...

[@majorcoleman7356]

Great Show and some good info and 1 more thing I would add check around and find a comic store that has a good rep thats honest with you about what they are selling, I have seen people working or owning a store lie to people and I have had people try that on me and I had been collecting comics longer than they have been alive, there are some bad stores out there that will screw you over if they get the chance

[@thetiger5883]

It’s hard to get rid of your babies...but if I decide it seems everybody wants it wayyyy below value so it seems better just to keep them.#comictomgiveaway

[@GemMintCollectibles]

I say sell the books that are easier to get back

[@montelroundtree1229]

I found this video very helpful! Thanks for the the advice!

[@aqueminiarts]

I'd like to know what you guys think of selling key issues vs selling runs. I've tried a few times selling full runs and only ever been successful a small amount of times. I find most buyers seem to only want certain books, which is fine, but just wanted to get your views on it if possible. Thanks. #comictomgiveaway

[@GemMintCollectibles]

Selling my runs did better for me when I would sell on ebay. Even if i took a loss, its still captial I used to put into other things.

[@aqueminiarts]

@@GemMintCollectibles that's a good way at looking at it, at the moment some of them are just literally taking up space... I have a lot of New 52 stuff that won't ever fetch cover price, so I'll probably bundle sell them. Thanks!

[@miguelh4750]

Great team-up !!!!! Thanks guys

[@Alkhatibr]

That moment you realize you’re favorite comic channels did a crossover😃 #Comictomgiveaway

[@michaelirizarry4860]

Great tips from both! A show on scammers & scalpers sounds good too!

[@nighttigercomics7323]

The title is a bit misleading. This isn't new collectors mistakes would be more accurately titled The 5 Mistakes Comic Book Investors Make.

[@scottlaflesh8440]

Great video guys. You two do great together and I hope to see more of these types of videos.

[@pantheraleo2490]

I’ve come back into collecting recently and these two channels and the Key Collector app have really helped getting back up to speed with the knowledge I’ve missed. #ComicTomGiveaway

[@sirpuss5887]

Love both theses guys. Both do so much for the comic industry. Much appreciated!

[@AdrianRiveroTV]

Hey, I’m new to your channel but I’ve been bingeing it for a month now. Great advice. I recently was getting back into the comic book game. I got 1,000s of books but have never graded. Thanks for the tips. #comictomgiveaway

[@alberthcamus]

I think this video is for people who see comics as a business/investment but not as a hobby.

[@bhavtailor8123]

Been waiting for a minute for this dynamic duo to form. Looking forward to more content. #ComicTomGiveaway

[@PhieMint]

Bhav Tailor thanks for checking it out!💎

[@irocdaily199]

Lol great vid . Feel the sparks here with the bromance.

[@SighBurr]

I’m down for more episodes of this series. Helpful tips, and perfect timing as I just started collecting late 2019. I’d like to see Variant issues covered in an episode. #ComicTomGiveaway

[@adannajr]

I like to collect . I use to hunt and Chase spec books but that got old and than I went back to how I started.. collecting books I like ...true it might not be a 9.8 but I'm happy to have a 5.5 jus to have the book I wanted .

[@biggieb1685]

Following both of yall's channels, as well as others, ahs helped me in my comic book collecting more than you can imagine! So thank you for that #ComicTomGiveaway

[@halomary4693]

You guys are awesome. Excellent content and great presentation. Really helpful You deserve more subs man !

[@beantown401]

Great crossover, you both have great content. I needed this video as I'm trying to cross over from collected editions to key singles. Thanks. #ComicTomGiveaway

[@anthonysantos3366]

I'm thinking about submitting some books to CGC, if a signature has a COA will CGC accept it if it's from a reputable source (Midtown Comics)? I've been collecting for about 1.5 years, and heres some advice I would suggest to someone new to the hobby: 1. Yes, find a comic run/character who interests you and start there. 2. When you do find out what you like, take note of the author/artist so that you can go back and/or be on the lookout for more of their work. 3. VARIANTS! Best advice when starting would be to go with Cover A (or artwork preference) until you are familiar with the hobby. Even then, it's sometimes a gamble. 4. Browse the internet for upcoming releases. Sometimes you can find out about a comic run that will release a month or more out. Reason why this is important is so that you can get your preorder in before the comic you want has a chance of being unavailable. 5. It's ok to take a break. Comics will always be there waiting for your return. #ComicTomGiveAway

[@Bazscoobz]

Love this. Been waiting for a ComicTom101/Gem Mint crossover episode. #comictomgiveaway

[@GemMintCollectibles]

1st of many!

[@Bazscoobz]

@@GemMintCollectibles I hope so brother! This one was ace!

[@thebeerdedone7568]

I hope I can type this out without seeming like an angry toddler, I love and respect the content both you Comic Tom 101 and Gem Mint Collectibles put out. I've been binging the content the last two weeks and I love. I even look up to you guys as kind of the model on how to hustle in comics...... But I take issue with the tone of this video, I see 4 types of people into the comic book hobby. Readers, collectors, hustlers, and people that are multiple or all of these things. I would never tell someone its a mistake to only buy what you love. I'm just coming back from a several year hiatus because I built a mountain of crap I dont care about and I basically give it away to stores for store credit to then go and buy what I love.... I've also been affected by speculation, I went into my LCS on the first day of Punchline's 1st appearence hitting shelves. I wanted the book only because Lobo appeared in it, I do not care about Punchline. My only option was to pay gouged prices on ebay instead of cover price at my lcs. On day 1! I'm also shocked to hear Comic Tom 101 talk this way about the necessity of hustling comics, your own dad has entire podcast episode dedicated to the pain in the ass selling comics can be. I'm back into comics because I love it, I love certain characters. I consider it my life's work to complete Lobo's appearence list. I have his Green Lantern #55 variant going for as high as $255 right now and I paid $12 for it. I'll never sell it. My most favorite thing about this hobby is meeting the creators and letting them know how much I appreciate their work and displaying my autographed books as a sentimental reminder of that moment.... I'll conclude with this, it is not a mistake to only want to read the stories, only want to buy what you love, or turn comics into a hustle. All of these aspects of comic books are needed and make the hobby fun, no two people think a like. I think the mistake here is veterans alienating a section of the community. This was written with love, and if you read it I hope no hard feelings are felt.

[@unrulysimian3897]

Y'all could make a video together every day and I'd watch. This best get done on a regular. Please. ☮

[@PhieMint]

Unruly Simian 💎💎💎

[@benniejones8091]

Dude, more videos like this. I love this community

[@gkelley53]

Great channel! I'm getting back into collecting/selling after a 25-year break. I've learned a ton since I started following! #comictomgiveaway

[@reprintranch]

I started collecting comics in 1974, and I think the most important threshold question a new collector needs to ask is, "how much interest do I have in financial speculation, vs. simply purchasing comics I want to read?" I pretty much gave up the financial speculation game before I graduated from high school, now I'm totally in the "buy cheap, buy to read and enjoy" camp. I try to avoid spending more than $5 for any single issue and I'm perfectly happy buying beat-to-heck copies if the content interests me. I also buy lots of reprints and books that contain reprinted material from multiple issues/sources. Sure, I'm not likely to get rich from my purchases. But the other side of the coin is, my collection is pretty much "deflation-proof." What I mean is, the coverless FF #56 I got for $3 from Roy's Comics in Bemidji, Minnesota (great store) will ALWAYS have $3 of value for me, no question about it. Kirby magic transcends finance. Furthermore, when you focus on cheap comics you largely free yourself from concerns about scammers, burglaries, handling damage, tape pulls, mangled mail-order packages and CGC grading disappointments. (I've got a chewed-up copy of ASM #122 that would probably grade out at about "Negative 7.2" and I'm half-tempted to submit it, just for laughs and to have the prestige of owning the 'lowest-graded copy known.'") Also, right now is a good time to buy trashed comics and reprint material, because financial speculation has really emphasized great-condition original books in recent years. And a lot of comic-shop owners are thrilled to direct me to "the cheap stuff" because there isn't a lot of demand for it right now. Before anyone asks, my bought-off-the-rack copies of Hulk #181, Uncanny X-Men #94 and Giant-Size X-Men #1 are long gone, sold for about twice the cover price -- a tidy profit, percentage-wise. I don't miss 'em, and I could afford to purchase reprint versions of all three later this afternoon, if I felt like it. Please understand, I'm not criticizing you guys -- you're presenting good info. I just want to add my voice to those who've already posted similar sentiments to the effect of, "you don't have to be a financial speculator to enjoy the heck out of collecting comics."

[@JordanRotten]

This was super rad and informative, especially as someone that’s just getting into collecting omnis! #ComicTomGiveaway

[@mdorado19]

Hell yea finally get to see both you guys in one vid!

[@1GODTANK]

What a great show being a new collector this had a lot of great information thanks a lot guys for all you do much love from the tank! #ComicTomGiveaway

[@l.greenemachine66]

I know I can't win nothing on this but great information guys. I'm just starting my stuff up again after years and years of not doing it. And being out of it you guys have really helped with your information and I'm hoping to get more as I keep watching your new and catching up on your old videos. Thank you gentlemen

[@clarkfromkent1452]

#comictomgiveaway it pains me that I've had to take a break from collecting due to finances. Can't wait to get stuck in again. Always love your videos one of the first channels I started watching when I got into comics

[@dennishayes1505]

I don't spend any personal money on books. I buy and sell. I limit myself to PayPal funds for purchases. I have to sell stuff in order to get new

[@ComicTom101]

Good advice from Dennis below 👍 I appreciate your support and have totally been there too.

[@alexpaar2708]

Good video, I think buy what you like is the best way to go , regardless price , this is just a hobby , you have to feel good about your purchase . If the item go or not go up in price it doesn’t matter because if you want to make money go for real estate business or open a business for that .

[@dmetzgarful]

#comictomgiveaway - let’s go!

[@pastorbensrbc]

I'm probably being redundant, but once again, great show with incredible info! I'm a fairly clueless new collector who needs this kind of education.

[@nickfonseca9066]

You two are my favorite comic book commentors, thanks for all the great knowledge!👌🤘

[@thecomicbooknewb3932]

Good info, as a new recently new collector I'd personally stay away from graded comics while you're new to the game and back issues unless you can pick some up for cheap (my back issues are mainly old Spider-Man & Ghost Rider from the 90's because that's what I read as a kid so it holds a lot of nostalgia to me). But once you get your footing and you know what you wanna go after as far as back issues and graded comics go totally agree with what you guys are saying!

[@carrollemerson5759]

I just came across your KZbin show and gotta say I like it. This episode is so true. I have been collecting for 35+ years and selling for 15. Everything you guys said is on target. Do your homework. I have years of great buys and poor choices. You learn from those. Plus I hate it when someone ships to me crappy! It is not USPS fault the majority of the time. Generally it's due to poor shipping techniques. Great shows!

[@aunt_mays_favorite_nephew5038]

The most important lesson I learned is, after you ‘ve done the research, is to buy quality before quantity. You can only spent your money once.

[@vinniwhitlock7080]

Great video guys, I’ve been collecting off and on since 1986 and just recently started going after the key silver age books and back issues because now I have more disposable income...but I’m finding it hard to make a decision on who to buy from especially on instagram because I’m very new to the platform so I’ve been buying from eBay mostly and taking my fee-bay chances there...the information gem mint and yourself have provided I know will cushion any blows my collecting habits cause...thank you guys again and keep up the great work 👍🏽

[@wylier]

If you have the means to go to comic cons, they are also a great resource for collectors.

[@gb7995]

Great job on the audio, video editing and synching on this. You made it feel like both were in the same room. This is technically very impressive, Tom

[@gb7995]

Specifically when Gem was talking and you'd cut back to you, and then cut to a view of the two of you, just good stuff.

[@adamhaught9667]

Dude this is like a superhero team up! Watch both you guys alot! Awesome video!

[@ziggyc4474]

How do you know of spec books books like the shows coming out or working on a TV contract way before, u have special websites ublook and read into ?

[@MitchGurowitz]

Cool seeing Gem join in. Biggest mistake, selling the collection a few times. That, and buying lots of copies of 90’s #1’s.

[@yaboythealien]

Im a big fan and subbed to both of you guys. Much respect for moving our hobby and culture forward. I love comics and dont want to see it die. Nuff said.

[@ernieslair2992]

I've been collecting books for half my life but I don't like slabs, I feel book are meant to be read, it's fine for other folks but it's not for me. I love and watch both you guys videos keep them coming

[@rengarcia1679]

Love videos like this. Thanks Tom and Gem Mint, huge help to the community.