As a comic fan, you’re probably hoarding hundreds and maybe even thousands of comics at this point.
You might have boxes and boxes of comics, or you might have a lot more than that.
What do you do with them?
Well, this guide on what to do with old comic books should answer that in a bit.
There are all sorts of things you can do with your old comic books, from donating them to a friend to selling them on eBay for profit.
This helps reduce clutter and make room for new comic books.
The truth is if you’ve been collecting comics for some time now, it becomes even more difficult to let go of them.
But when your collection begins to pile up, it’s only natural that you want to do something with it.
Obviously collecting comics isn’t a waste of space.
You’re supporting the industry, and all those comic books are part of your childhood.
However, there are those you don’t wish to keep or even read again.
On that note, the following are some tips on what to do with old comic books.
What To Do with Old Comic Books
Most people who love comic books have a large collection that only keeps growing.
As time passes, one has to deal with more and more comics to keep up with them all, and eventually the collection can really pile up, which can cause problems.
The most obvious problem is when there are hundreds of comics taking up space in your house.
Then there are the boxes, plastic bags, and boards you have to store them in.
Instead of spending time organizing your collection, it’s better to deal with them in more productive ways.
We’ve compiled a list of 7 creative and splendid ideas.
Sell your Comics
The longer you collect comic books, the more valuable they become.
Even if you’re not looking to make money off them, most old vintage comics that are in good condition are worth something.
You never know what’s going to be valuable down the line, so it’s good just to keep them for an investment.
In that case, this may be the appropriate time to sell your old comics.
The price of the comic isn’t everything, but if you have an idea where they’re going to be valuable and can make an estimate, selling them is a good idea.
Maybe you saw a collection on eBay now and then or even in newspapers or magazines, and you saw the price.
If you feel that it could be something profitable, then it’s time to put them up for sale.
You can either sell them online or at the local comic book shop.
With that said, you might not fetch the highest price, but what you make will be satisfactory.
Give them away
For those who are always on the hunt for good ideas, they can use their old comic books as a gift.
Just take the ones that have no personal value to you and give them to someone else.
Your childhood friend or sibling could really appreciate the gesture.
There are ways of making it more special by giving it a different name and having an inscription on it.
You may never know how much another person will appreciate it.
Some don’t mind at all and many will really like it and cherish it.
Giving things away always has good intentions behind it.
According to Medical News Today, several studies show that selfless acts result in a feeling of contentment and happiness.
You might not make any money off them, but you’re doing someone a favor by giving them something from your heart.
It’s a win for both sides.
You’re slicing down that massive comics collection, and the friend or sibling is happy to get it.
Give them to charity
If you’re not really the sentimental type and you have no use for old comic books, then there’s nothing wrong with donating them.
There are many charity organizations that accept comic books as donations.
The demand for comics is high, so these organizations will take everything from the newest issues to vintage comics from the ’70s and earlier.
They give them to people who don’t have access to new comic books, such as people in hospitals who would love to read a good story.
It will lighten their spirits, and will help make them more cheerful.
Also, kid’s charities accept old comics and give them to children who want to read them.
The kids will look forward to reading comic books, and it’s better than having a bunch of useless books that take up space.
Children’s hospitals, senior homes and youth centers are some of the places that will accept your old comic books.
Take your comics and make someone happy with them.
At the end of the day, this is probably the best thing you can do with old comic books.
Don’t throw them out
Articles have been written on the polluting effect of comic book paper that is thrown out in piles.
Unless you want the environment to be destroyed by garbage, there’s no such thing as throwing comics out.
You can recycle them to promote recycling programs at schools and local organizations.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling comic books can lead to less pollution and less illegal dumping.
One can do a lot for the environment by recycling old comics.
Recycling means the current generation doesn’t have to deal with the problem.
Some people may think that it’s too much work to go through the process of recycling.
However, there’s nothing to it when you have a self-recycling system.
It’s very easy and not time consuming at all.
All you have to do is take them to a designated recycling center and drop them off.
This is another win for the environment since comic book paper can be recycled more than once, which reduces waste and pollution.
Use them as decorations
If you have too many comic books that aren’t worth selling or giving away, then you can use them as decoration pieces.
This is a popular thing among movie stars who own comic book shops or collect comic books themselves.
They make them into works of art and hang them on the wall.
While this isn’t the ideal way to use old comic books, it’s a good alternative for those who don’t want to get rid of them.
It’s a good idea for those who have spent too much on new comics and need some free decorating.
This will also keep your collection from taking up any extra space in the house.
Make sure it’s put somewhere where people can see them, such as your living room, bedroom, or even a bar room.
Donate to the local library
Most people don’t know, but comic books are widely accepted as a good read for the local library.
There is a lot of demand for comic books in the libraries, so they readily accept them.
It’s not necessarily just for children who read them to pass their time, but also for adults who want to improve their reading skills.
Some libraries will even have a section where you can check out different comics from different eras at once.
As such, donating a couple of your unwanted or unused comic books to the library is a good contribution for everyone.
You’re promoting good education and providing reading materials for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them.
So, go through your collection and get rid of those that you don’t need and donate them to someone else in need.
Use them for arts and crafts
If you’re really bored with your old comic books and you don’t want to do anything with them, then you can use them for arts and crafts.
Arts and crafts are very popular nowadays, so this is a good alternative use for those who don’t know what to do with their old comics.
In fact, there is scientific research that proves arts and crafts actually boosts brain functions, contributes to relaxation and promotes mental health.
All these are benefits you’ll appreciate.
Cut them up into various shapes and sizes, and make brooches, bookmarks, jewelry boxes, lamp shades and other fun things out of them.
They can also be used as wall decorations or wallpaper in the house.
In case your short on time, you can do arts and crafts while watching TV or listening to your favorite podcast.
There are also online tutorials where you can follow along to learn how to make different things out of them.
This is a great way of using old comics as well.
It’s a good alternative use for old comic books, which don’t exactly have the best reputation in today’s society.
Besides, it’s also the perfect way to reduce waste and to make new things while recycling old comic books.
Conclusion
If you have tons of old comic books that are slowly taking over your house, then it’s time to take action and do something about it.
You don’t want to end up like those hoarders you see on TV with everything from old comic books to newspapers and magazines taking over their houses.
The world would be a better place if we knew when to throw things out or give them away.
I hope that you discovered a few ways on how you can use old comic books for creative projects and valuable arts and crafts.
However, as with most things, there are no two ways about using old comics.
Some may think that this is a waste of paper, but the good news is that not all comic books are bad for the environment.
By recycling your old comic books and using them in different ways, you can ensure that they don’t take over your house.
FAQs
Where can i donate comic books near me?
You can donate your comic books to any library, or any place that will accept them.
In some places, comic books are accepted by local children hospitals, Goodwill, and old age homes.
It is a good idea to inquire first before you drop them off, so that they can make the best use of it.
Are old comics worth money?
You can sell your old comics and get a sizable amount of cash.
In fact, some people who have old comics from the 1960s to 1990s have been able to get anywhere between $10 to $20 per comic book depending on the condition or popularity of it.
You can even sell your old comics online at eBay and fetch a decent price.
How do you store your comic books?
You can use a plastic container or bag to store it in.
However, back the comic book pages against each other with a piece of cardboard or foam board.
This will keep them from getting damaged over time.
Keeping them in plastic bags won’t protect them from moisture or dust, and they could get damaged over time as well.
