Comic shops tend to have a much wider selection than bookstores and other non-specialized retailers. You’ll also find lots of other Marvel merchandise at comic book shops, including movies, toys, apparel, and collectibles.
In most bookstores, single issues are displayed on wire racks rather than on the shelves. These racks may be mixed in with the magazines and newspaper. Some book retailers mark up the prices on popular comic book series quite a bit. If you’re looking for a bargain, it may be wise to look elsewhere.
A lot of the time, it’s cheaper to buy comics from the supermarket than from a comic shop or brand-name book retailer. One downside of grocery store comics is that they may be in poor shape due to frequent handling.
If you’re a die-hard collector, think twice about buying comics with covers or pages that are bent, crumpled, torn, faded, or otherwise damaged. These are ordinarily worth much less than issues in mint condition.
Digital comics are generally more affordable than print comics, but have no collector’s or resale value. If you tend to spend more than $10 per month on comic books, it may be worth your while to sign up for Marvel’s premium subscription service, Marvel Unlimited. With Marvel Unlimited, you’ll get access to over 25,000 comics for $9. 99 a month. [5] X Research source
The prices at online retailers are similar to those in-stores, though shipping can add a few extra dollars to your total at checkout. To keep shipping costs to a minimum, it’s best to batch your orders as much as possible when buying online.
The titles available on Ebay and similar sites are constantly changing, so be sure to check back later if you don’t find what you’re looking for the first time around.
If you’re using the mobile Facebook app, the Marketplace link will be the third one from the top when you select the menu tab in the bottom right-hand corner of the home screen. [9] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source Most of the comics on Facebook Marketplace are either new releases or second- and third-hand issues that may not be in the greatest condition. Occasionally, you may also catch some rare and highly-sought-after items going for a bargain.
Read up on the rules of the convention or trade show you plan on attending before you show up. Some events are free of charge and open to all, while others may require you to purchase a special ID badge in order to access the designated seller’s area. San Diego Comic Con is the biggest and most well-known annual comic book convention in the U. S. , but there are lots of other conventions both big and small where you’re sure to find a wealth of Marvel titles to drool over, including WonderCon, DragonCon, and Comicpalooza. [11] X Research source
Comic book conventions are arguably the best place in the world to track down rare issues. [12] X Research source Most vendors sell comics from many different publishers, but others specialize in one particular company or another. While you’re wandering the floor, look for the trademark red Marvel Comics logo to identify a vendor that’s got the goods.
Be aware that convention vendors may charge a separate sales tax for their wares on top of the listed sticker price, depending on where you live. If you’re not happy with the price of an item, try haggling with the vendor. They may be willing to go down a bit if your negotiation skills are strong enough. [13] X Research source
