Gold Magazine November - December 2013, Issue 32 | Page 97

Come All Ye Faithful!

A

beacon of hope
for all those interested in comic
books in Cyprus,
Ant Comics, located in Old
Nicosia, depicts itself as a
one-stop-shop for all those
interested in comic books,
graphic novels, and related

anywhere between $150-$1,000 depending
on condition). Moreover, targeting variant
covers – through which alternative artwork
is produced based upon guest illustrators’
interpretation of the story – will ensure even
more rarity still.
With growing Hollywood grandeur and
the sharpening focus on comic book characters being portrayed in motion pictures
(Disney purchased the rights to Marvel
Comics in 2009 for an incredible $4 billion), it is also worthwhile keeping track of
what succeeds at the Box Office. Though
some comic book movies recede into movie
history abyss, there are some efforts that are
well-received and rewarded (think of 2012’s
smash hit, The Avengers). Introducing classic characters to an entirely new generation
will certainly lend itself to the bolstering
of market prospects in the future, as child
comic book fans grow into nostalgia-stricken
adults seeking to recreate the magic of their
childhoods. Indeed, the power of nostalgia
should not be underestimated. Children
of the 1980s were captivated by the antics
of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now,
all grown up, one fan chose to part with
$22,752 at an auction in June 2011 in order
to acquire a copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles No. 1, published in 1984.
So, with prospective targets isolated, it
is time to engage in grading. Unlike other
investable commodities, for which condition is absolute and resolute, the comic book
industry has developed an alternative system:
grading. Companies, such as industry-leader
CGC, asses a comic book’s condition (taking into account missing pages, page tears,
creases, stains, and other marks), bestowing
upon the copy a numerical grade between
zero and ten. The higher the grade, the
higher the quality. Gemma Adel recounts
that the firm has encountered novice restorations far more often than fakes, and advises
that whilst intentions may be good, any kind
of repainting or repairing will actually take
away from the value. Grading is a crucial

merchandise. Servicing
the growing interest in
comic books in Cyprus, Ant
Comics provides a forum
through which to peruse
and purchase all the latest issues and volumes.
Furthermore, November 02,
2013 marked the store’s

fourth annual Ant Comics
Fest, featuring the presentation of original artwork by
budding graphic novel writers, an all-day retro gaming
competition, screenings
of movies, and discounts
on comics and selected
graphic novels.

process of verification resulting in certification of authenticity and quality. The comics
are returned in sealed plastic, complete with
bar code and hologram.
With the grading system in place, buyers
and sellers have the opportunity to trade
within their means. If you happen to have
an unrated original of Marvel’s Silver Age
Daredevil No. 1 that also happens to be
dog-eared, torn or loose-stapled, you will
still be able to sell the copy to an eager buyer
on a lower budget for anywhere between
$400-$600. Compare, now, with the buyer
uncapped by financial constraints desiring
of a pristine copy: a 9.2 graded copy sold in
2011 for $12,100.
Thus, whilst all is not lost if a comic book
is awarded a lower grade, everything must be
done within an investors’ power to ensure
that its condition is protected as far as possible. Numerous tactics are available. Comic
board backings to combat the bending of
pages, plastic bags to protect against stains,
and a climate controlled environment to
prevent heat, humidity and dampness compromising your comics, are just a few of the
steps one may undertake to maintain condition. Industry experts advise that, in essence,
the less a comic is handled, the better.
If and when the time comes to sell, reach
out to auction houses such as Heritage
Auctions or Pacific Comic Exchange, which
specialise in rare and valuable comics.
Likewise, engage in personal research in
order to garner an idea of current real time
prices and competition. When working with
a comic book store, be clear as to your expectations and set up a consignment.
Industry insiders are clear: the comic book
industry has consistently shown impressive
growth over the years, and whether you are
a long-time fan or a novice just dipping your
toes into the water of investment for the first
time, abiding by the rules (isolate; grade;
protect) will at least give you a fighting
chance of becoming the hero of your own
comic book investment stories.

BOOK
REVIEW
75 YEARS OF DC COMICS:
THE ART OF MODERN
MYTHMAKING 
BY PAUL LEVITZ (TASCHEN GMBH, 2010)
RRP: £135 (£83.70 FROM AMAZON.CO.UK)

F

or comic book fans, there
is no better publication
anywhere. This massive
tome was published in 2010
to celebrate the 75th anniversary
of DC Comics and it is absolutely
stunning. With 720 pages, more
than 2,000 images, covers, original
illustrations, photographs, film stills,
and collectibles, not to mention over
100,000 words, it is the ultimate tribute
to the publishers and creative team
behind some of the world’s greatest
fictional heroes. Weighing in at 7kg,
this is not a book for your shelves or
the coffee table – it could be the table
itself – and it’s not cheap, though
the Amazon price makes it more
reasonable and the total price for
delivery to Cyprus is ₤97.07 (€119.18).
In its seven chapters, from pre-1938
publications up to the Digital Age, Paul
Levitz has contributed in-depth essays
tracing the company’s history. Massive
foldout timelines and an in-depth
appendix including biographies of the
artists, writers, editors, publishers, and
actors who cast the spell make this
an invaluable reference for any comic
book fan. And Christmas is coming…!

THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT, FINANCE & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MAGAZINE OF CYPRUS

lifestyle.indd 97

Gold 97

07/11/2013 16:00