Expert: Mark Harmon - 7/16/2008

Question
Hey there,
One day i went to my local comic book store and found marvel Team-up issue 10 for 3.25. I bought it to add to my collection and found out it is worth 150$ and looks in near mint condition. My question is why would they sell this 150$ comic book for $3.25 when it's worth that much. It was in a bag sealed and is in near mint condition. It looks exactly the same as the picture so is it fake or what? Thanks for the help!

Answer
Hello,

I've seen that issue valued at $150 in GEM Mint condition (10.0) on the comicspriceguide.com site.  However, the only way someone would pay close to that amount for that issue would be if it was graded by CGC.  Keep in mind also that a number of people consider the values listed on comicspriceguide.com to be a bit out of touch with reality.

I usually see nice copies priced between $5 and $10 at most of the local comic shops and conventions that I attend.   

I can only guess as to why the owner had it priced the way he did but maybe it wasn't a Near Mint copy in his opinion or maybe he knows what the real market is for that issue and priced it accordingly.  I would think that if it was as nice as you described that he would have submitted it to CGC to have it graded, but I know several dealers who don't get into the slabbing of comics and maybe your shop owner feels the same.

At any rate, early to mid 1970s comics in NM condition are somewhat hard to come by and can be expensive.  Sounds like you got a nice deal on a sharp looking comic.

Hope this helps.

- Mark