Comic Book Value Guide

Comics that have the most collectible value are those published between 1938 and 1979. Typically within that time frame, superhero comics hold the most value, with first appearance or origin issues being the most sought after.

List of Valuable Comic Books

To find the value of comic books you can buy or download a reference book, or search our past auctions.

What is the Best Book for Comic Values?

In order to find out more about the comics that you own, a superb reference is the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide by Robert M. Overstreet, available in bookstores. Heritage also sells an electronic version that you can read on your computer for just $29.99. In mere minutes, you can download this book and start to learn about your books. Order and download the electronic version now! Due to changing market conditions this book or any comic book price guide may be outdated before a new edition can be printed. These guides will, however, provide you with superb insight about rarity and premiums.

Search our Auction Archives to Lookup Comic Book Worth

The best way to find out what comic books are worth is to look at what people are paying for them. Heritage Auction archives show actual prices paid in our auctions for many outstanding comic books and pieces of comic art.

Search Auction Archives

What is Comic Book Grading and Why is it Important?

The grade of a comic book is a shorthand description of the book's condition. When buying or selling a comic book, or any collectible, it is important that both parties reach a level of agreement on that collectible' condition or grade, as this will to a great extent determines its value.

In the past, this could be a difficult proposition, as it was in a seller's best interest for a book to be graded as high as possible, and it was in a buyer's best interest for the same book to be graded as low as possible.

Learn More about How to Grade a Comic Book

For more information on how to grade a comic book, please refer to the Heritage Auctions
comic grading tutorial.

What is CGC Comic Book Grading?

Enter CGC (Certified Guaranty Company), a third-party grading service. For a fee, CGC will examine any comic book submitted to them, check it for restoration, render an impartial opinion on that books condition, assign it a grade, and encase the book in a protective plastic shell, to prevent anyone from tampering with the book once it has been graded. As CGC has no interest in the value of the book (they are neither buyers nor sellers), the grade rendered is truly impartial. This service has done a superb job in promoting consumer confidence, thus reinvigorating the industry as a whole.

Should I Get My Comic Book Graded?

Not every comic book is a good candidate for third-party grading. A number of factors are involved in deciding whether or not a comic book should be submitted to a grading service such as CGC. First, of course, are condition and value. If the comic in question is not of sufficient value, it is not in your best interest to spend the money to have it certified.
Heritage grades thousands of comics every year and we have experts on staff to evaluate the conditions and the cost-to-value ratio of sending any book in for authentication. If you have any questions or would like some advice or help with a confidential evaluation of your collection, please call our toll free number at (800) 872-6467.

Ready to sell your comics? Request a free auction evaluation. Our experts will tell you the estimated value when sold at auction. Cash advances may be available when you consign for auction, and Heritage Auctions also buys items outright.

Request Free Appraisal

Note on paid comic book appraisals:

For a formal written comic appraisal for estate planning, insurance, or tax purposes, please
contact our Appraisal Services Department.

How Does a Comic Book Appraiser Assess Value?

The condition of the comic determines the grade, and the higher the grade the more valuable. But supply and demand, economic conditions, and even popular movies can influence how much a comic book is worth. These factors plus historical price ranges and recent auction results all go into assessing 10+
comic value.

Sell Comic Books or Consign to Heritage Auctions

We are always looking for quality vintage memorabilia and comic books to purchase or sell at auction.

How to Sell Comics

We'd love to talk to you about your collection, your buying and selling needs, and how Heritage Auctions can work for you. Call or email us today if you would like our experts to help you in determining the best options for your collection. Sell Now or Consign to Heritage Auctions.