Expert: Chris Brown - 4/25/2010

Question
Taco Bell is currently giving comics with their kids meals.  I was curious if it was safe to leave the comic in the plastic that it comes in or if I should I replace it with an acid free plastic?  Will this effect it's value in the future?  The comic also comes with a mini cardboard cut out of a superhero as well as 3D glass, just in case this makes a difference.

Answer
Hi Kenny

I have not seen the plastic that Taco Bell is using with their giveaway comics.  However, I would be concerned that, as you suggest, it may well not be an acid-free plastic.  The problem is that future collectors may well want the complete unopened package.  It's hard to predict what will be collectible in twenty or thirty years.  Giveaway comics from the past twenty or thirty years don't have a great track record, but there's no telling what will be desirable in 2050.

I would definitely make sure to keep any giveaways that come with the comic.  If you determine that the comic is safer outside the plastic, you should probably save the plastic anyway and try to open it as neatly as possible so it doesn't get mangled up in the process.

Chris