Expert: Chris Brown - 12/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Q1(Are reprints of any significant value)...I believe this is the bulk of my collection that I recently acquired. Q2(I would like to get the basic definition of a reprint). And follow up with a general ballpark value of my collection of approx. 50 issues, mostly Spiderman, several obscure...like Sherlock Holmes, by submitting to a few issue markers .. when and if you are willing and able to so. I completely oblivious the comic book knowledge. I didn't collect these just acquired them recently and need money.

ANSWER: Hi John

Reprints generally are not of much value although it depends on specifically what you are referring to.  All the earliest comics, for instance, were reprints of comic strips that appeared in newspapers.  These early reprint collections can be quite valuable.

However, if you are referring to reprints of superhero comics, unless they were published pre-1970, they probably don't have much collectible value.

I don't think there is anything too difficult about defining a reprint comic: it is anything but the original first edition.

Chris

p.s. You are welcome to send me a list of a few specific issues if you want me to give more info.  I would need to know the title and issue number and the condition.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well thanks, I now realize I should have asked instead: how does one identify or define an original, based on appearance,...'cause several of mine look like originals to me but this is my first time even looking at comics so I don't know how to tell for sure. I believe I looked at a comic once when I was 11 or 12,... I had to push it aside to get to the playboy mag. that was underneath, sorry couldn't hold it in any longer..my joke.  

    Here are a few examples of what I've got , I'm noticing that most were published I guess around 1980, my confusion arises when I see 196? on the front, 198? inside and 200? on back .

.Peter Parker, the spectacular Spiderman, vol 1,No 62, January 1982 (fair/decent cond)

.Green Lantern , vol. 20  No 150, March 1982 (USPS 487-830)
(fair/decent cond)

.Avengers ,wonder man vs. the vision!,vol 1, no. 158, April 1977
(good cond)

.the Brave and the Bold,starring Batman and Red tornado, vol 25,
 no 153,  August 1979  (good cond)


I hope this is what you need to make your evaluation...if you need any other info. let me know.

Pls. let me know if im wasting my time with these books or may I have something here worthwhile,   Thanks for your help.  

Answer

Hello again John

Actually very few comics were ever reprinted.  Comics today generally sell no more than about 10,000 copies when they first come out and there would rarely be enough demand for a reprint edition.  So other than a few especially popular titles, like Star Wars comics, or Classics Illustrated issues, pretty much everything will be a first edition.  Most other comics that were reprinted generally went into a different title, e.g. Spiderman was reprinted in a comic titled Marvel Tales Featuring Spider-Man.  What that all means in a nutshell is that the comics you have likely are not reprints.

Most comics from the late 70s and early 80s are not going to be worth much unless they are in very nice condition.  You describe some of your issues as "good," which is a term used in comic circles to mean a comic with some wear, creases, minor tears, etc. but still basically whole and solid.  Unless the comics you listed look like they just came off the newsstand rack, you would have trouble selling them for $1 each.

The most valuable title from this time period is X-men.  These could be worth $10 or $20 each in decent condition.  Other titles have specific issue numbers that are valuable if they have a popular artist or the first appearance of a major character.

You could buy a price guide to check out the value of all your issues.  The standard priceguide is called Overstreet and goes for around $25.  You could find it at any major book store or comic specialty shop.

You could also go to the website www.nostomania.com to look up prices for free.  You will have to create an account on the site, but there is no charge to do so.  However, if you use this site, don't pay attention to what they list as the high-grade prices for any given issues as they are vastly over-inflated.

Let me know if you have any other questions.  And I hope you were looking at the Playboys strictly for the articles.

Chris