New to Comics...

[brnnn]

I've been gradually picking up comics & graphic novels over the last couple years and I seem to be getting into it more and more. I want to know how to get into the hobby, so I have some questions for you seasoned comic lovers;

Is there a Beckett-like site with pricings and a comprehensive list of series?

Is there a site like www.filmaf.com where you can keep an online archive of the comics you have?

I most prefer comics that have been autographed, what kind of premiums over cover price is reasonable (so I don't get ripped off)?

 

[DredJAw]

I've been gradually picking up comics & graphic novels over the last couple years and I seem to be getting into it more and more. I want to know how to get into the hobby, so I have some questions for you seasoned comic lovers;

Welcome aboard!

Best hobby in the world bar non.

Is there a Beckett-like site with pricings and a comprehensive list of series?

Site? Not really. "Overstreet" is the best price guide. It's released annually and it is massive. The latest Overstreet was just released in Nov or so, so pick one up!

Is there a site like www.filmaf.com where you can keep an online archive of the comics you have?

If you buy graded (CGC) stuff (and that's really the way to go for KEY issues) then sign up for the registry here: http://www.collectors-society.com/Default.aspx

and you can keep track of your graded comics. To be honest, most of the "seasoned comic lovers" as you put it buy graded Silver age stuff.

I most prefer comics that have been autographed, what kind of premiums over cover price is reasonable (so I don't get ripped off)?

Autographed graded comics have a yellow label. These indicate they are autheticated autgraphs.

"premiums" are tough to gauge because a lot of comic fans dislike autographed comics because they aren't in their natural form. Don't get me wrong, there is still a huge market and good amount of collectors who buy yellow labels.... but there is also a big segment who have no interest in buying autographed comics because they consider them "defaced" and "damaged" (in a sense).



You're going to want to do your research here.

http://www.comiclink.com/ is a great site for seeing some realized values and such.


Don't hesitate to PM me with any questions.


Ernie

 

[DredJAw]

This is a blue label. Essentially it is a complete, unrestored comic in it's original state.... they grade it based on condition:

This is a yellow label... it is a complete, unrestored book WITH an authenticated signature.

If you're interested in getting autograph books, yellow labels is the way to go.

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

Purple label means restored.

 

[DredJAw]

Green label means qualified. As in, a piece (or page) is missing/cut out, etc

 

[brnnn]

Wow! You guys are awesome, thanks so much for being so thorough and open!

I prefer raw comics signed by artist/creator/etc. Is there a problem with fakes like there is with baseball patch cards?

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

Unless I got it signed in person myself I assume everything outside of CGC SS to be fake. I have bought some Stan Saki stuff directly from his site and had correspondence with him but just buying autographs of ebay is something I never do.

CGC SS comics are done at conventions and must have a CGC on site to witness it and it is passed in to be slabbed on site at the same time.

 

[DredJAw]

CGC SS comics are done at conventions and must have a CGC on site to witness it and it is passed in to be slabbed on site at the same time.

Yup, exactly. I wouldn't buy a raw auto (although I have in the past. Scott Snyder signed Batman from Midtown comics in NY).

But generally, I'd only stick to CGC Signature Series stuff. Like Scott said, they are witnessed in person at comic concs by CGC staff.

 

[DredJAw]

Here's a way to look at it.

Blue labels are most desierable..... yellow labels have less of a market because like I stated earlier, some people aren't interested in autographed comics.... RAW signatures have even LESS of a maket than yellow labels because the autos aren't generally authenticaed.


So it's completely up to you. If you just want them for yourself and you're own personal collection GO FOR IT! But if you're ever going to sell/trade you will probably find a much more limited market/avenue to deal them off.

 

[brnnn]

Very excellent advice fellas! Thank you very much! I was tempted by a few raw signed comics, but I'll be sure to steer clear. I just love reading them, I'm going to expand my collection this year (for myself, not likely to re-sell) and I'll keep y'all updated with how I do