Comic books have become some of the most valuable collectibles in the world, with some fetching seven-figure prices at auction.Comic books were not produced to last very long.The acid in the paper causes them to age, fade, and fall apart very quickly.You can reduce the aging process by keeping them in protective bags, storing them safely, and handling each comic with care.
Step 1: Comic book bags are designed for this purpose.
The bag you store your comics in is acid-free.Limit their exposure to dirt.The pages should be clean and crisp.Most comic book bags will be made of at least one of the three materials.Mylar is the most protective material, so save it for your most cherished, expensive, or frail books.For the rest of your collection, use polyethylene and polypropylene.
Step 2: You can pick a size.
The average size of a comic book has changed over time.Older comics will be larger than today's.If you want to avoid damaging the comic when you remove it from a bag that is too small, you should buy an appropriately sized bag.Bag sizes are categorized by era: Golden Age (1940's and earlier): 7 34 by 10 12 inches, or 19.68 by 26.67 cm.The age of silver was from the 1950's to the 1980's.The current age is 6 78 by 10 12 inches.
Step 3: Each comic should be put in a bag with a board.
Put your comic in its bag and spine first.Press the comic closed to prevent the bottoms of the pages from scratching the bag opening.Once the comic is in the bag, put a backing board behind it.Help keep your comic's shape when stored upright by giving it a stiff, durable support.One side of the board is smoother than the other.The side facing the comic inside the bag should be smooth if yours is buffered.Since acids can ruin your comic, make sure your backing board is acid-free.If you bought a comic with a backing board, you should either confirm with the seller that the board is acid-free or replace it yourself.
Step 4: Decide if you want to tape your bag.
After bagging your comic, crease the bag's flap to close it.Take the extra step of taping the flap to the outside of the bag if you want to.The bag should be sealed with tape to reduce the chance of any outside elements coming into contact with the comic.When the bag is reopened, the sticky tape at the edge of the flap may come into contact with the comic, causing damage.
Step 5: There are boxes to store your comics.
Light will cause the pages to fade, so protect them from both.Since a wider box may allow room for your upright comics to fall over sideways, use a box that is specially designed for comic books.You can choose between long and short boxes.If you want to expand your collection in the future, buy a box that is appropriate for your current collection.There is room for your upright comics to fall forward if you store 100 comics in a long box.Make sure the cardboard is free of acids.Plastic boxes give the most protection from outside elements.
Step 6: Stand them on their heads.
The comic should be placed in the box vertically, rather than on the back cover.You can quickly search through titles without having to remove each and every comic first.Don't stack comics on top of each other.The weight of so many comics on top of each other can cause the pages at the base to form a seal, which will cause tears when you try to open them again.If the edges of the comics are not lined up exactly with each other, the weight of those on top may cause the corners to bend and crease.
Step 7: Don't store your boxes outdoors.
Extreme changes in heat and humidity can shorten the lifespan of a storage space.Place them away from sources of heat or cold.Avoid areas that are prone to flooding.If you want to be extra cautious, put your boxes on the floor instead of directly on it.Place your boxes on a pallet if you don't have adequate shelving.If possible, avoid stacking boxes.To prevent the ones on the bottom from being crushed under the weight, keep your stacks to a maximum of five boxes.You can label each box according to your method.No one box will bear the brunt of all that weight over the long run if the one at the bottom of the stack is shifted to the top periodically.The ideal temperature is between 50 and 70 degrees.It should be around 35 percent and never more than 50 percent.
Step 8: Allow them to go to room temperature.
The pages and spine of your comics will be brittle if they have been exposed to extreme cold or heat.Give them time to warm up or cool down.It will reduce the chance of tearing the pages when you open them.
Step 9: Go to the shade.
Don't read your comics under a light source.Keep the pages out of the sun.It's best to read them by covered lamps indoors.
Step 10: Don't wash or dry your hands.
There may be dirt on the pages.Don't let water damage your hands.You should be aware that your skin's natural oils may smudge the pages.You don't want to pinch the pages between your fingers.
Step 11: You should not handle food, drink, and tobacco while reading.
Set yourself up for failure.Don't eat, drink, or smoke while reading.If you want to eliminate the risk of your pages being smudged with chocolate, spilling coffee over them, or turning them yellow, you need to stop.
Step 12: They should be held by their backs.
The spine should be flat on your hand.To read what is inside the book, open it just enough.The comic may crease if you hold the book by its covers.
Step 13: It's a good idea to avoid repairing damage.
Accept the damages that have already occurred if you are concerned about maintaining the value of your book.If you want to fix tears or weak spines, do not use tape or glue.If you want to ensure that it holds up for multiple re-readings, go ahead.