Superman is not a retirement plan.

Back in August of this year, a family whose home was doomed to forclosure found The Holy Grail of comic books, ACTION COMICS #1, featuring the first appearance of Superman from 1938. It's estimated to sell for around $250, 000. Yup. A quarter of a million dollars for one comic. It's not clear how much the family owes on their home, but you can bet the sale of the comic will help.

Although we hear stories like this from time to time, they're more rare than winning the lottery. ACTION COMICS #1 is literally a piece of publishing history, and it's estimated that less than 75 copies exist in any grade. Demand is high, supply is scarce, so the acquisition price is astronomical.

That said, all old comics in short supply must be worth money, right? Not exactly. While Superman is a world-wide cultural icon, there were literally hundreds of super-heroes created around the same time that faded into obscurity. Heck, there were comics published before 1938 featuring popular characters that sell for a fraction of what ACTION #1 sells for. We've all heard of POPEYE, right? Sailor-guy with strange muscular development, eats spinach, loves the skinny girl? THIMBLE THEATRE STARRING POPEYE #1 from 1931 sells for around $300. in the same condition as the ACTION COMICS #1. The difference is demand.

The fact is 99% of most comics & collectibles do not appreciate in value to any degree that would change someone's life. Although it may be nice to find a $300 comic lying around the attic, that sum of money will most likely not make significant changes to your financial situation. When I hear customers ask me "What's going to be worth money?", I answer them as honestly as I can: "If I knew, I wouldn't be selling it at cover price. Realistically, nothing will."

Parents, I urge you to encourage your young collectors to buy comics & toys for the entertainment value, not as a retirement plan. Although no one can truly predict what a collectible may be worth in the future, averages are against anything being worth lots of money. Collectors are more fickle than ever before, and prices rise and fall at such a rapid pace these days. A CIVIL WAR #1 (Marvel) limited edition comic that sold for $70.00 at it's highest about five years ago just failed to sell on ebay for the paltry sum of $19.99. All you POKEMON card fans...have you tried selling those "rare" cards you bought years ago? You'd be lucky to find anyone even interested in giving you pennies on the dollar for them currently.

The internet has opened up commerce to such a degree that very few items are truly rare anymore, especially collectibles released since the 1980s. Buying a Superman comic to read, or a toy to engage your child's imagination will yield much higher dividends than putting it aside in hopes of a huge payoff in the future.

Dave
Comics on the Green