“Comics are the greatest form of escapism there is” says local comic-aficionado Jason Morris.
Morris has been working at The Comic Shop in Liverpool for the past 10 years and admitted to being an avid customer for many years before that.
The now store manager has shared his best tips and tricks on finding the perfect comic ahead of next week’s Supanova Pop Culture Expo.
“There is a comic for everyone out there you just have to find yours,” he told the Champion.
“Like buying anything expensive go in with a plan and do some research before you buy.
“Decide on what books you would like to find then check out there value online so you have a rough idea on price. The guys with stalls at comic-cons like Supanova are pretty cool they know what comics they have and usually have a good idea on price.
“It really depends on what comics your trying to buy, but it doesn’t hurt asking them if they could do any better then the sticker price.”
Morris said like any type of collectable, supply and demand generally dictates it’s desirability.
“Comics from the golden age [40s and 50s] and silver age [60s and 70s] were not always looked after like comics are these days,” he said.
“Kids used to just throw them in their draw or under their bed, mums would throw them away when the kid got older. So not a lot of comics from that era survived in nice condition.
“Most modern comics are never going to be worth crazy money because most people keep there comics in very good condition and use comic bags and boards to keep them in mint condition.
“Age and condition alone dose not make a comic valuable, it's more about what happens in the comic. Your big money books are key issues such as a characters first appearance or major story moments like a death.”
The value or potential value of a comic can be hard to predicts, added Morris.
“Something might be super hot and sky rocket in price for a few months then a year latter be worth half the price it was during its peak,” he said.
“For me comics should always be fun and about the enjoyment and if you happen to get a comic that is worth some good money that's a nice bonus.
“If someone is looking to buy an expensive comic I always suggest to buy a key issue from a series or character they love and that is important to them.”
Want more Supanova? Go to, liverpoolchampion.com.au/supanova-2016.
THE COMIC SHOP, LIVERPOOL
Could you tell me about yourself and the store?
Morris: “Chris the owner opened the shop at our old location on George st Liverpool back in 1994. We moved to our current location in 2006 because it was time for a nicer bigger shop. I was a long time customer when i was in high school and started working at the shop in 2000. We have a great bunch of guys on staff, Tom, Dylan, Dave and Nitin. We have awesome customers and we try and have a very fun, friendly comic loving community at the shop.”
Does the store specialise in a certain product or genre?
Morris: “Comics, comics and more comics. We have a huge range of new comics from all the major company's like Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse and so we also carry some smaller publishers and independents. We have tons of back issues ranging from comics from the 1980's to today. Trade paperback (TPB) and graphic novels have really picked up in recent years some people prefer to grab a TBP that collects a whole sis month story in a single volume over picking up the single issues monthly. Our most popular comics are the more famous superheroes from the big two company’s Marvel and DC but we have lots of comics of all different genre’s. Other then comics we carry a good range of comic action figures and statues.”
Details: facebook.com/theComicShopLiverpool.
