Beginners Guide to Storing Comics

Your new comic has come in the post, now you need to store the comic to preserve its pristine condition.

Putting a Comic into a comic bag.

Blunted corners, folded corners, spine ticks (Stress), and folds can occur when placing a comic book into a bag. It's important to handle this process with care, especially when putting comics into storage.

To properly insert a comic into a bag, follow these steps:

Step 1: With the comic lying flat on a clean surface, take a backing board and carefully slide it under the comic. This provides stability and prevents bending.

Step 2: Gently open the comic bag by sliding your thumb inside to separate the sides. Carefully insert the comic along with the backing board at the same time into the bag, ensuring that you do not force the comic in. Be cautious, and avoid catching the edges of the comic on the bag, which can lead to damage.

By following these steps, you can minimize damage and ensure your comics are safely stored without incurring damage.

TYPES OF COMIC BAGS

When storing and protecting comics, it's important to consider both the size and material of the comic bags and boards used. Comics from different eras vary in size, which is why bags and boards are specifically tailored to fit comics from distinct periods, such as the Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.

For instance, Golden Age comics, which are typically larger, require larger bags and boards, while modern comics fit best in “Current Size” bags and boards designed for their dimensions

Complicating the selection process are the materials from which comic bags are made. The three most popular materials each offer different benefits:

Polyethylene: This is a popular choice for comic bags due to its durability and flexibility. Polyethylene bags are relatively inexpensive and offer basic protection against dust, moisture, and handling. They are slightly opaque and softer than other materials, they should be replaced every 2-3 years.          

Polypropylene: This material is clearer and stiffer than polyethylene, providing a shinier appearance. Polypropylene bags are also good for protecting against moisture and oils but are generally considered a bit more brittle, while they look better than Polyethylene, they often crease more easily, and they should be replaced every 2-3 years.

Mylar bags:  Are the premium choice for comic storage. Made from a polyester film, Mylar is highly durable and provides excellent protection against moisture, gases, and light, including harmful UV rays. Comics stored in Mylar can be preserved in excellent condition for much longer(10 years+) than those stored in other types of bags. Mylar is also archival-safe, meaning it does not degrade over time and does not release acids that could damage the comics.  However, it is also the most expensive as such should be reserved for the key valuable comics.

Choosing the right bag and board size and material is important for effectively preserving your comic book collection. Factors like the specific age of the comics, their value, and the intended duration of storage should guide your decisions. For ultimate protection, especially for older and more valuable comics, Mylar is often recommended, despite its higher cost compared to polyethylene and polypropylene.

BACKING BOARDS

Fortunately backing boards are not as complex, the most important component is to ensure they are acid-free. It is important to check the boards are not just coated to lock in the acid and are completely free.  Also, ensure your backing board is the correct size for your comic bag.

STORAGE BOXES

When it comes to storing your comic book collection, choosing the right type of storage box is crucial for protection and organization. Here’s a summary of the key options available for comic storage boxes, each offering different levels of protection and benefits.

Cardboard Boxes: They come in various sizes, designed to fit comics of different ages and dimensions. While not the most durable against environmental factors like moisture and pests, they are a good basic option for collectors who need simple storage solutions, Ensure these are made from materials that do not release acids over time, which can otherwise degrade comic books.

Archival Storage Boxes: For ultimate protection, archival storage boxes are made from materials that meet strict specifications for permanence. These boxes are often used by institutions like libraries and museums to store valuable documents and artworks. They are ideal for highly valuable comic collections, offering the best protection against environmental factors, below is an example of an archive storage box available from www.preservationequipment.com.

Plastic Acid-Free: For Collectors who want to ensure the highest level of protection from extreme conditions, fireproof and waterproof boxes are available. While typically more expensive, these boxes provide peace of mind by safeguarding against potential disasters, below is an example of the BCW storage box, and can be purchased on Amazon.

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Author: David Edwards