Expensive Comics Are THE HARDEST TO SELL! 

Cashflow is what keeps a business alive. There is nothing worse than sitting on big ticket items that won't turn over as that is cash that is not working for you. So many comic dealers don't understand that. I ran a collectibles shop 15 years ago and the owner loved seeing those big ticket items ring up. But usually those big ticket items had the worst margins and you'd be lucky to sell 2 or 3 per week (we're talking in the $600-$1000 range, not 10's of thousands). But what kept the doors open were the literal hundreds of $15-$20 items that sold every week. If I sold a Sideshow statue for $600, I would be lucky to make a $150 profit. Most of the time it was closer to $125. But on those NECA action figures that I sold for $20, I'd make about $8 in profit. And I would sell 40-50 of those action figures for each sideshow piece that went out the door. But the owner LOVED those big ticket sales, so he'd invest more and more of the operating profits into those big items. That's what led to us closing the doors. As an owner, I'd happily trade one massive key for multiple smaller books of similar value if I can move them quickly.

Fun Fact: When you do your homework and price something FAIRLY, eventually it sells. It may not sell when you WANT it to sell, or as QUICKLY as you want it to sell, but if you CHOOSE to not be greedy and put a FAIR price on it -- eventually it will find a buyer.

I’m “stuck” with a Daredevil 1 signed by Stan Lee. Not sure that book will ever be sold. But I’m not in the hobby to sell, I only collect and someday I’ll pass the books down to my little ones

The more expensive book I have ever purchased was Uncanny Xmen 100 raw for $125. I love comics, they are my passion but I just cant bring myself to expend more money in a comics when I have to provide for kids and my house.

I never collect expensive comics. I purchase comics as a hobby. I enjoy the artwork and stories. To me it is easier to sell comics that everyone can afford. This was an awesome video. It helps you rethink about the hobby. Keep up the great videos.

I find it’s so hard to make myself save for a big purchase. But shoot. Tally up my multiple small purchases over a year and I could have probably gotten a handful of expensive books!

I’ve got nothing even close to those numbers. I’m still happy with the dollar bins

I have two big keys: Hulk 181 CGC 9.8 and ASM 300 CGC 9.9. Not looking to sell them but obviously when the time is right heritage or comic link is the way to go.

Hey @minthuntercomics just wanted to say you're probably my favorite comics channel on RU-vid, I really appreciate your videos, mostly because of your tone of voice and how you speak about the comics, etc You're my go-to channel for comics collecting 👍🏼😄

This can be said for a lot of things in a lot of different markets. For example this is also why they split stocks so people can buy into it more easily other than having a single share like Bitcoin being at around $30k let's say. Also it's like classic cars as well. Right when you hit near or at the $30k the market is a lot smaller. But you're also likely can only sell it at an auction or a reseller. Those two people take out a lot of fees. So your actual take-home isn't going to be that much when you sell it. There is a sweet spot when it comes to comics and pricing I personally feel $1k - $2k is your limit for a easy sale and a person that might not know what they're buying but they want the book regardless. Anything over that you're going to be selling to a die-hard collector

Great video all truths I 100% avoid these massive books even if a collector brings me some. Selling them is damn near impossible to not loose money now days. To folks buying them for flipping beware you take a huge hit on your taxes. If you do conventions they’re great for attracting folks to yer booth. And selling them in person for cash at conventions is about the only way to not loose money.

My most expensive issue is definitely for a limited market. Its Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #17 from 1942 in a CGC 9.8. Not a key issue or iconic cover, and the issue isn't too difficult to obtain if you simply want to own it, its just a unique collectible because of how old it is in such a high grade. Lately I've been getting more and more interested in the Golden Age Books. The artwork is more alluring, the rarity, and just a bigger satisfaction when you hunt the one you want down.

i agree ; profit margins are better on smaller keys. big tickets seem like you're doing great but the reality is its money tied up. comics are a niche market but there is a sweet spot middle ground. - toronto, canada here

About 10 years ago, I had Journey into Mystery #83 at around a 5.0 raw. I had a buyer that was looking to pick it up for around $18K. Came from my great uncle's PC, along with other older books I got from him when I was around 5 or 6. Sadly, we had some major flooding in our home, and I lost a good chunk of my some 3,000 books, JiM #83 among them. Started my PC up against around 2015 and am slowly working my way back up. Around 1,500 books in my current PC, but nothing major like Journey 83. I miss those older books.

I have a Malibu Sun #13 that looks spotless, but really can’t find a crowd who would want it

Great information. Thank you.

A lot of selling high ticket items is creating a base of customers that can help lead you to more opportunities. I've seen it in both comic books and sports memorabilia. The more contacts you can make the better it is for selling.

Been trying to sell my Cable 1 for years. I even dropped the price down to $500, but no one can afford it. It is a first issue collectors item with a foil cover.

I love your channel and your fun facts reels! You got my sub brother!

I agree. My coworker advises to only buy 9.8 graded comics but the problem with that narrow mindset is a smaller pool of buyers when the book becomes very expensive. Also sometimes the lower grade books tend to appreciate in value at a higher rate which makes sense since collectors on a budget are the ones paying for lower grade copies. I am a little bit more flexible when buying graded books, for modern ones I am a bit more strict and tend to stick to 9.8 and 9.6 but if the price is good I will settle for it.

Give someone terms, x down x a month for x months, let them know if they default they forfeit the book and the cash, or send it to Heritage.

Never collect expensive / grail comics, prefer tatty and rough GA or SA comics. Guess there is a market out there for those high prices but it must be a fairly rarified place as well but then again, amazes me how many people do obsess about getting that 9.8 or 9.6 slabbed copy

I just can't ever get to the point of "letting the hobby fund itself"..

Great video back in 2013 I bought and 1 cgc 7.5 and brave and bold 28 cgc 8.5 both restored I made them my centerpieces of my collection I finally sold the collection November 1st 2016 and bought a house

As a longtime collector, it seems like the only ones left on your want list, and the only ones that you’d like to add to your want list, are books that are going to be fairly expensive.

I believe that there is always going to be someone to buy those high dollar books. You may have to use an auction house, but human nature will always drive someone to want to have what they do not have. All you need are two people who are going after the same item to jack the price up.

I have a Detective Comics 411. I haven't tried to sell it yet but it's part of the plan. My wife found it raw and and we were shocked when it came back a 9.4. We've owned it for a few years now and I'm ready to sell but I think my wife wants to keep it. 😄

My most expensive key right now is Batman #1 from New 52, 9.6 with witnessed signatures of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo for $175 👍🏼 holding onto this book for a long time

I personally think right now is the best time to buy the expensive books. Prices are down so low… it won’t last

Thanks for sharing

My most valuable books are things I bought off the rack (ASM 300, NM 98, X-Men266). I have a hard time selling them because I don't want to realize the 60000% return (or whatever). For some reason, owning something that was such a great investment is worth more than the cash!

I wonder how many collectors/investors are currently stuck with "key" books that have halved in value over the past year or two? That would be hard to take.

Auction houses are there for a reason. You don't want to be dependent on a handful of well-to-do contacts. Simply not sustainable.

Biggest book I have is HOS #92 in a CGC 9.2!

Great video. I am sitting on some big books that just won’t sell. They do make good trade bate but then you lose that initial investment and intended profit. Thanks for the video

I’m hoping to be lucky enough to follow in your footsteps a bit and flip enough books to have the hobby fund itself. Doubt I’ll ever get any giant dollar books but always got my fingers crossed and my eyes open!

I appreciate big keys from afar. I try to hold off for low cost finds and will settle for lower grades for the right book and right price (there are some you can't compromise for in your collection of course). I managed to get a newsstand ASM 252 for a great price (around $80 - most expensive book I have purchased). Just had some spine ticks and the tiniest little fold at the tip of one corner, but displays incredibly well.

Most people who are not in the comic biz (dealers, sellers, RU-vidrs) have a mortgage and general living expenses that makes spending four figures and above quite difficult. Add a spouse who you cannot talk into using disposable income to invest in books and well… you get the idea. Your stats seem normal and reasonable to me. Also my most expensive ungraded book is Hulk 181 est 9.4 per a dealer; amazing Spider-Man 129 9.6 or 9.8; and Amazing Spider-Man annual 1 in 9.0. I started collecting in the Bronze Age and have most Bronze Age keys and many silver keys ; but most of the silver is mid grade

Man, such a cool list. I didn't realize some of the Horror comics were worth so much! And that "All-American Comics #16"!!! Phew! Also saw that the "Green Lantern #3" in 9.4 went for $50,787.50 not too long ago!! Sheesh! We have a few $3-4k books, but these things are on another level.

Was just flipping through eBay looking for an Astonishing Tales 13 to help finish up my run and came across a gorgeous CGC 9.8 and thought see, this is what James was talking about. Gorgeous book, but totally of of most peoples price range. Then it dawned on me… waitaminute… James just showed a 9.8. And yep, it was your book. Ironic. I’d buy it in a heartbeat if I could, but going to have to keep on hunting.

I get everything you're saying even as a Primary collector! It makes sense from an economic point to get some smaller but well known issues and try to flip them for a little more than go BALLS to the walls and get the big comics and HOPE you get a big buyer in your store, a lucky auction, etc! As to specific books for me...A LOT actually but...On a personal note: the 78 Whiz comics I got, Captain Marvel Adventures #1 (even if it is REALLY beat up), and the first appearances of Ant Man and Thor!

Honestly... I can't see myself ever spending more than $100-200 on a single book, so I know that limits me heavily as a customer on some things. I make a pretty good living, but these days, I'd rather spend $100 on 50-100 books, as opposed to just one. I'm sure that plays into the market scenario for high cost books.

I have been trying to sell my Amazing Spider-Man 38 for a while on ebay. Nobody bought it but many are watching it.

Have you thought about reaching out to Richard from Bronze and Modern gods about trading that Clone Wars #1? I think he was and still might be in the hunt for that book in a 9.8

I have a CGC 9.8 Signature Series Dark Knight Returns 1 First Print signed by Miller and Janson. Going for around $2,000 which has been tough to move.

Love all the scans of the Four Color keys. I am a massive collector of the FCs, was curious why you showed so many and where you got the pics? Thanks!

I feel like people who went through the comic craze and crash of the 90s are so much more careful about paying the high prices of today. Am I the only one that thinks it sure does look a lot like the 90s before the crash? Hope I'm wrong.

Maybe one day I’ll be up there too!! Buying those large ticket books!!

This is why I would never invest in big keys. For that kind of money, you can buy real estate and profit from the rent, etc. With comics, I prefer to deal in those worth a few hundred each at most, which people with average incomes are more likely to afford.

Marvel Spotlight 5 CGC 9.6 White Pages

In my collection I have ASM129 signed on the inside splash page by Stan Lee

It’s because sellers got in the circle jerk to manipulate the market with all these slabs. So now the market is overbloated. The ceiling is finally crashing and now reality has to take over and realize that these slabs are so grossly overpriced.

Buyers for Big Keys are part of the investor class, and unless you have a regular client-base of whales the only outlet for selling thise books is auction.

I collect entire runs, and I have over 20,000 marvels in chronological reading order starting with the origin of Galactus at the moment of Big Bang to today. The origin of galactus is the actual #1 of the saga, a true key. I don't know anyone as hardcore as me. I don't grade or understand key collectors. People who have Action #1 aren't even as hard-core as me. I read the book "All the Marvels" by a guy who claimed to have read every Marvel comic, but he crammed through them, he barely grasped the saga. Reading the saga is what I do, and I don't know anyone who has actually assembled 20,000 comics in saga order. Marvel is interesting because all of those comics are one big story that even the movies barely scratch the surface of.

If I had $9000 I'd buy a lot of cheaper comics and a few more expensive ones, all to fill holes in the collection. Putting all that money into one or two books is only for investors who plan to sell the comic/s once they reach the point where the profit is great enough.

Great video.. I have always wondered how you handle the sale and shipping of a $12K book.. Do you just accept PayPal goods and services and ship it Priority Mail insured with signature? How do you prevent fraud? I know a guy that sold a $9K book. Buyer picked it up in person and he paid him in person with PayPal. On the buyer side.. I would have a hard time buying a $12K book and having it shipped. Not that a seller like you would not pack with care but I see the Post Office destroy well packed packages. Like you said.. the $10K+ book club is a small circle.. I guess folks could meet up in person and trade or handle their transactions that way if the high dollar collectors know each other.

A X-Men 266 Mark Jewelers 9.6. The 9.8 went for 10K last April.

I have a Four Color #375 9.4 CGC File Copy. It's the highest grade in the world. 1st solo title John Carter! 1952 Dell Golden age. $10K sales price. I provide financing that helps buyers pull the trigger. And my goal is to only sell $10K plus books and only 9.8 CGC (Or highest grade in existance). So it's about building up trusted clients.

Bought House of Secrets 92 PGX 9.4 white pages in 2019 for $2500. It is double signed by Wrigtson and Wein, believe it is the highest double signed copy in the world. 6 months before Swamp Thing movie releases I will list it for 50k. Buy books that are coveted and play the long game.

Timing and patience is also an issue. Of the examples shown on your video, I currently have Daredevil #1 and Luke Cage #1. However, in the past I have bought and sold ASM 101, House of Secrets #92, and FF #52, about a dozen years ago when they were worth a fraction of the price they are now. Sure, I got a couple hundred bucks then for selling the lot, but I wish I still had them to see if I could sell one book for thousands.

I here what your saying about BIG books being on ebay........I've been watching that 1 of 2 in existence Avengers #57 CGC 9.8 signed by Stan the Man...for $68,000.00!!!! Jeeesh!!

James - I think you make some good observations about reaching the top tier. When it comes time to sell a huge book right now as you said, you don’t have the clientele for a lot of more common big books (GSX 1 in 9.6 or even 9.8 isn’t considered rare by most of the players because I could literally call and get one on demand). But a rare golden age book James people are going to find you. Most books even on the top tier aren’t going to fit that definition. But if you have a chamber of chills 19 cgc 8.0 you’ll have a line out your door. I’d also say that look at the margin you have to work with. You can sell to other dealers and depending on the margin you have the liquidity is often more valuable if you’re maintaining a wide margin. A bigger dealer likely has a wider client base but will want to hold their own margin. That said they pay immediately. The more unique the book the more likely one of the major auction houses will appeal to you (watch the fees) because many of the most significant dealers in the country are still running their stuff through auction (your friend Nick Barrucci can certainly validate that as well and has some very strong connections to deep pockets as well). But you’re right, it’s your network that will facilitate meeting the big time dealers and collectors - many of the established collectors are older and are simply not going to buy a book of a certain magnitude from anyone selling on RU-vid Facebook etc.

FF number 1 CGC 5.0. Cost big big bucks. But not going to sell it. It’s in the vault for my kids for when I am gone.

I have a 9.4 Xmen 107 35c variant, dont even know what to sell it for (have it listed for $4000). No 9.8s, only 2 9.6s, and 4 9.4s

I’ve got my Showcase 4, that if/when I’m ready to sell, it will be with Heritage (most likely)

my lobo series complete run and other keys , entire collection been trying to flip one i know on the market smh

I wish i had something like that. I just love completing runs.

I purchased a Captain America Comics 61 for a good amount of $$, 8.5, i believe it's a great cpr candidate and if it gets into the 9's, the most recent sales were close to 10k, but who will spend 10k on a Captain America Comics #61 in high grade? I guess i have those GA collectors in mind who want high grade GA. Impulse sucks, but I'm not wrong yet, it's the risk I've taken.

I have Batman Beyond #1 newsstand CGC 9.8. Very niche so it will be very hard to find a buyer

Big books are attainable if you work your butt off and make it happen. It happened to me because I worked getting the best right books to get there and hustled mu A$$ off for it. Dream big dont dream of a hotdog when a steak is where you wish to dine for

Star wars: Galaxy Edge #1 Immagineering variant ungraded that i found at Half Priced books for $2. its not a 9.8 but likr 9.4 to 9.6 so its a 900-1000 book raw. Its such a ghost book cause it was given out to Disneyland Immagineers limited to 6k that I have to find the person come along for it

I hear you. I have an Incredible Hulk #1 UK Price Variant 5.0 and two Werewolf By Night #32 UK Price Variants, one in 9.2 and one in 9.4. As you suggest, they will have to go to Heritage I think as I've had no luck selling them as yet. What are your views on trades?

When I see a book I own in your “crazy book” slideshow. Darkseid first appearance.😅

Dope Vid

Anyone else see the $25k book behind James lol or was it $2.5k?? Looked like fantastic four 48?? Come on James, chime in!!!!

I have a first Edition Pokémon comic book CGC 9.6 that will soon be auctioned at Golden Auctions. Find another? I haven't. Book has a yellow cover.

My best book is an ungraded but very high grade Hulk 181 but I doubt I will move on from it. Wolvie is my jam.

I have a batman 181 and I have thought about this a few times

In the last 5.5 months I spent 6 figures starting my collection there are a lot of us that don’t care about 9.8’s we are happy just having the book. I had a Superman #6 I practically gave away for a trade for Hulk181 .5 purple Label because the Superman wasn’t moving at all

Now this I agree with. I sell via an antique mall and especially with the economy being where it is, lower cost items are still moving. It’s as though even with tougher times, ppl still want to be in the game and collecting something (albeit not the big ones). Just to feel good. I have listed big big ticket items on eBay and it seems every time I get bombed with scammers and I can’t psych myself to actually sell. I don’t think I trust selling anything over 1k on eBay.

I’d love to have one of those $10,000+ books!! There are quite a few Batman books I’d like to have that are in that price range!!

Its true. I have an ASM 1 4.0 that is taking super long to sell.

Great video! I’m trying sell a Y: the last man #1 cgc 9.6

I do not have any monster keys in my collection. It's hard for me to drop hundreds, let alone thousands, on a book. My nicer keys, were bought before the covid hike. I also bought some of my keys raw and sent them to get graded. My most expensive book is around $300.

Startling tales #49. I don't want to sell it, but hope to maybe trade for a different big key someday.

Used to have a nice copy of original Avengers #4. (sub mariner finds cap) I had to sell it at Chicago comicon to pay the bills.

Hulk #181. Sold several high grade small books, 40 plus, to get it. Worth it!

Agreed my 1962 Hulk #1 would be a nightmare to move even at a 1.5, ASM #129 8.5, X-men 94 6.5, 100 7.5 Batman Neil Adams Joker 8.5

I got AMS#129 CGC 5.0 and just gotta get TMNT#1, and Primer#2 and I am done collecting

Put FA of Ashoka up if you hit 30,000.

What about selling to a comic store?

I think you have go to where the money is. High end auction houses?

I guess the highest slab I have is an ASM #1 CGC 3.0. Last year it was hitting a high around $18,000 now down to around $7,500. Not sure if I would sell it, but anything is possible.

That Ahsoka is so overvalued. I'd predict it crashes. I'd mark it at $7500 and hope to unload it before it crashes.

How do you get the hobby to fund itself?

Speaking of big books whats the one in the stack behind you with the 25k price tag on it??

I’ve really wanted to get into graded walking dead books I’ve seen the 1st print number one being around 4.5k someone correct me if that’s about right or overpriced

I dont sell comics, I collect them. I never buy comics that I'll eventually sell. My most expensive comic is probably my Daredevil number 1 1.0 grade.

Started in the Sixty when I missed a sale of SUPERMAN one, ACTION one, and DETECTIVE twenty seven a dealer at the Sixty Four Comicon. I did buy Fantastic Four two for Five dollars. How about that?

Dollar bins will always give the best rush