Sell Your DC Comic Books at Auction
Which DC Comics are the most valuable at auction?
Three things determine the worth of a comic book.
- The age of the book. For example, a Batman title from the 1950s will be worth more than a Batman title from 2015.
- The condition of the book. Comics are fragile and easy to damage, so better condition means higher value.
- The rarity of the title. Even some recent titles can be rare, increasing their value to collectors.
- Flash Comics #86, which can sell for as much as $5,000.
- Detective Comics #140, which can sell for as much as $14,000. (The Detectives Comics featured Batman, Robin, and foes, until Batman got his own title.)
- Wonder Woman #1, in mint condition, can sell for as much as $58,000.
- Batman #1, in mint condition, can sell for as much as $420,000.
Of course, those are just some dramatic examples. Countless other DC Comics books have value.
The highest-priced DC Comics predate the 1970s. After the 1970s, prices drop dramatically, but still are impressive compared to the original price of the comic. Batman #251, issued in 1973, still sells for $250. An early Teen Titans comic from the 1980s could go for $45 – not much by itself, but valuable enough if you have more than a few to sell.
Of course, a completed series or collection of DC Comics can sell at auction for more money.
How are DC Comics graded?
Comics are graded in 8 conditions: mint, near-mint, very fine, fine, very good, good, fair, and poor.
Mint condition, of course, is the hardest to find. It would be a rare pleasure to learn that any book in your collection is mint. The standards are uncompromising. The cover must be 100% crease-free, with no fading. The comic book can’t have any rolls or curves. The staples must be rust-free. In those ways and in others the book must be as close to brand-new as scientifically possible.
Whether or not your comics in mint condition, certain DC Comics in the lower grades often sell well at auction.
How can I get the best price for my DC comics?
Don’t make a beeline to eBay. You’ll probably spend unnecessary time dealing with customers and shipping the goods (if you get buyers at all, and not just hagglers).
Nor may you want to sell your books to a comic book store, tempting as that may be. The comics store is a business, and its owner need to make a profit, so you may get only a small fraction of what your comic book is worth.
Is it necessary to get your comic books graded? Maybe. On the other hand, grading costs money, and you might not want to invest it.
Central Mass Auctions can appraise your collection, organize it in ways that can maximize the price, and either auction your comic books for you at auction or put you in touch with interested collectors. We’ll help you get the most money for your DC comics, while minimizing the time you need to spend.
