Comic Book Speculation & Investing Guide

A selection of top comic book speculation picks.

Comic books have gone from being cheap disposable entertainment to major works of collectible art that can be worth a small fortune. In the past few years, the comic book speculation and investing market has exploded, with books that were once dollar bin fodder suddenly fetching thousands of dollars on eBay and the collector’s market.

In this comprehensive guide we break out some of the top resources and information to help you succeed in the world of comic book speculation.

Table of Contents

What is a Comic Spec

If you’re new to comic book collecting you may have heard the term “comic spec” being used. Unfortunately, this term can be a bit confusing, and even veteran collectors may disagree on the definition.

Essentially a comic spec is any issue that’s suddenly sought after by collectors who are betting that it will dramatically increase in value. This could be because of a film or television project announcement, online rumors or even simply because of pure speculation on the part of collectors.

It’s important to note, however, that a spec comic differs from reliable investment books. For example, Amazing Spider-Man #300 (which marks the first appearance of Venom) is not a spec comic book. Instead it’s a solid comic book investment that has consistently and reliably grown in value over the years. A spec book, on the other hand, features a greater risk but potentially a greater return on investment if the book ends up becoming hot.

(Learn more in our blog post What is a Comic Spec?)

Three examples of a recent comic spec.

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Comic Book Spec Sites

While there are a ton of resources on comic books in general, there are a few websites which are focused more on the investing side of the hobby. Here at the Nerd Hoard we do regular coverage from the world of comic book specs, but below are a few of our other favorite websites.

  • Comic Book Invest (CBSI): One of the best sources of the web when it comes to investing, CBSI is best know for their Hot 10 list which is updated each Friday and looks at key books which have seen noticeable spikes in sales on eBay and other channels.
  • ComicsHeatingUp.Net: In addition to offering news coverage for the comics industry as a whole, CHU also looks at sales figures and can an invaluable source of information when it comes to comic book speculation and investing.
  • GoCollect Blog: One of the definitive sources on spec books, GoCollect offers a ton of information from experts in the field of comic book grading and investment and is a great way to get the inside track on books that are worth picking up before they explode in value.
  • Comicbookspeculation.com: As the name suggests, this site is a fantastic resource for users looking to get information on new and hot comics from Marvel, DC and other publishers.
  • Comicbooknews.org: Another great source of information for collectors and investors alike, CBN also has a massive community of over 8,400 users, many of whom are actually professional graders and dealers, making this an invaluable place to find the latest specs
A series of 1960s comic books from Marvel that are worth speculating and investing in.

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Comic Book Grading

If you’re looking to get the most out of your comic book investment, then getting your books graded is a great way to dramatically increase the value of your books. While grading can be a subjective process (and is often more of an art than a science), there are several organizations and resources that can help you determine the grade of your books.

  • CGC: Also known as the Certified Certified Guaranty Company, CGC is the world’s leading third-party grading service for comic books, trading cards, magazines and other collectibles. With each comic graded and encapsulated (or “slabbed”) in a protective plastic case, submitting a comic to CGC can dramatically increase the price.
  • CBCS: While not nearly as popular as CGC, CBCS has become a fairly reputable source for comic book grading and slabbing. Notably, CBCS graded books do tend to sell for slightly lower than their CGC counterparts, so bear that in mind when submitting your comics.
  • PGX: While the company has suffered a few reputational issues over the years, they are the third most popular choice when it comes to grading comics (although again, are far eclipsed by CGC, which remains the biggest name in the industry). Again, bear in mind that comics graded and slabbed by PGX tend to sell for much less than CGC or even CBCS
  • Overstreet Guide to Grading Comics: The holy bible of comic grading (and largely the founders of the process that CGC, CBCS and PGX have adopted), this annual book is a great place to get started and break out the specifics of grading with detailed examples. Just bear in mind that being a professional grader does require skill and experience
A collection of graded and slabbed comic books from CGC.

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Comic Book Pricing

Comic book prices can vary greatly depending on the book, the grade and a variety of factors. They can also fluctuate dramatically based on market conditions and in particular buzz around film or television development. Below are a few different resources to help you make sense of the latest comic book prices.

  • ComicsPriceGuide.com: An excellent source of information when it comes to pricing comics, CPG also allows you to search for current books by issue and title, allowing you to see recent sales and easily determine the value of your own collection.
  • Comic Book Realm: Featuring a robust online community and a variety of pricing tools, Comic Book Realm is another excellent resource that allows you to cross-reference prices and connect with potential buyers and sellers.
  • Quality Comix: Featuring a database of over 10,000 books, Quality Comix is a solid marketplace where you can compare prices and see the latest data on potential key investments.
  • GoCollect: Drawing on the CGC census (which provides a running total of recent books that have been professionally graded), GoCollect’s price platform is second to none. There is a paid component for more robust data, but even the free version offers a plethora of advice and trends, including the website’s popular Hot Lists of books worth investing in.
  • SellMyComicBooks.com: A robust website that features a variety of tools, news and tracking options, SMCB is another great resource for both new and experienced collectors looking to determine the value of their comics.
  • MyComicShop.com: A trusted website that many local comic book shops often use in their day-to-day work, MCS allows you to easily search for specific issues and get accurate data on pricing and recent sales.

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Where to Buy & Sell Comic Book Specs

  • eBay: Arguably one of the best places to both buy and sell comic books, investors and speculators often keep close tabs on recent eBay sales and use this sometimes rapidly-evolving data to determine the current fair market value of books.
  • Heritage Auctions: Known as one of the higher-end online comic book retailers, Heritage Auctions has sold books for hundreds of thousands (and even millions) of dollars. For this reason comic book speculators often the use to track recent sales and evaluate potential new investments.
  • Your Local Comic Shop: Often simply abbreviated to “LCS”, your local comic shop can be a great place to both and sell comic books. Just bear in mind that markups tend to be a bit higher than you’ll see online, but patient buyers can find solid deals.
  • Facebook: There are countless comic book groups on Facebook, many of which have offer live auctions, community discussion and speculation on new books. Deals can often be incredibly good here since there’s no fees or overhead to worry about. Just be sure to go with a reputable group that vets any sellers beforehand.
  • Instagram: Instagram has also become incredibly popular over the past few years, with a robust community of collectors, buyers and sellers. Again, great deals can be had on the latest spec books and it’s a solid place to discuss the market with industry experts.

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Comic Book Speculation Apps

If you’re looking for even more information on new and trending books, then there are a variety of free and paid apps which we recommend looking into:

  • Key Collector: Probably one of the best apps on the market when it comes to comic book speculation and investing, Key Collector allows you to easily track the value of your collection, scan new books and get access to the latest lists of hot issues. There is a paid version that unlocks additional features, which is a must for anyone serious about collecting or investing.
  • ComicsPriceGuide: An offshoot of the website of the same name, the Comics Price Guide App does have some minor issues, but can be useful when it comes to pricing out the latest comic books and tracking your overall collection
  • CLZ Comics: A great way to track your growing collection, this paid app allows you to sort existing issues and add new titles, making this a livesaver for individuals flipping through long boxes in search of missing titles or hot specs.

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Comic Book Speculation on YouTube

  • ComicTom101: One of the most entertaining and informative channels on YouTube when it comes to comic book speculation, ComicTom offers in-depth coverage, new picks and often has some pretty impressive contests and giveaways, making this a trusted source for info.
  • Reapertate728: Another fantastic source of comic book spec news, Reapertate maintains an impressive collection of key comics and offers a look of thoughtful discussion on new spec books and what’s happening in the market as a whole.
  • Gem Mint Collectibles: An incredibly popular channel, Gem Mint covers the latest comic book spec news, as well as offering insight into the world of graphic novel omnibuses and collector comic book statues.
  • Very Gary Comics: A prolific comic buy buyer and seller, Very Gary is an amazing source of information on new spec books and the ins and outs of grading and evaluating comic books in general.

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Other Comic Book Spec Resources

Below are a few additional resources, advice and guides to help you get the most when it comes to the growing world comic book speculation and investing.

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