Comic book preservation: Wikis

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The Unseen Enemy—The Things That Eat Your Comics

As the veteran comic collector knows, everything from careless storage to acts of nature to marauding toddlers are land mines lying in wait to send your priceless collection to the quarter box. The lightest crease or foxing on the edges will cause a comic’s condition to plummet, taking the value along with it. A variety of factors play into the preservation of your comic, depending on your storage material and location, but here’s a breakdown of the top offenders:

Your first enemy is the comic itself. Your average monthly has traditionally been printed on the cheapest possible newsprint, and the wood pulp contains high amounts of lignin, a compound that breaks down quickly when exposed to oxygen and light—especially ultraviolet (UV) light. This same chemical is also responsible for turning newspapers brown and brittle when you leave them in the sun. Consequently, extended exposure will cause the paper to yellow and grow brittle; not to mention fade the inks on the cover. For this reason, you’ll want to store your comics away from light—and especially fluorescent lights which contain high levels of UV radiation.

Next, heat, cold, humidity, and poor air circulation are other atmospheric factors that work to ruin the condition of your comics. For collectors keeping their collections in the garage or attic, think again. Piling your comics in the garage may secure them away from the prying hands of children or pet–related accidents, but the high temperatures and humidity also encourage the growth of fungi and molds that will happily eat away at the value of your collection until all you have left is mulch. Your best bet is to keep your collection snugly packaged in a good bag and board and stacked away in acid–free boxes in a cool, dry space (away from light).

Finally, beware of natural disasters. Let’s not forget the case of Eclipse Comics, who in 1989 lost the majority of their back issues in a flood; resulting in a wave of comic collector paranoia that has led to the trendy advice of raising your comics at least six inches off the ground to protect from flooding.

Bagging and Boarding

The most immediate way to save your comic from deterioration is to simply bag and board each issue as you get them. Choosing the right bag for your purpose is a little more complicated, however, as you have a range of choices anywhere from high–end display cases and durable Mylar® D sleeves to your basic polypropylene or polyethylene bags.

Comic stores will almost always carry either clear polypropylene or polyethylene plastic bags. These are the most common as well as the cheapest option for comic collectors. Prices for polypropylene and polyethylene bags vary according to thickness and size and will usually be sold in bulk lots of 100. Neither polypropylene nor polyethylene is acid–free, however, and all will require replacement in 3–5 years or else the plastic deterioration will begin to damage your comics. Polyethylene will decompose by yellowing and become gummy to touch while polypropylene decomposition is marked by a lumpy, rippling effect across the surface.

The next step up for comic protection is the Mylar® “D” sleeve. Mylar is a completely inert plastic that will not discolor, age, or otherwise damage your comic, and does not require replacement. The downside is that such a sleeve can cost about $1 apiece; although lighter weight Mylar sleeves such as Arklites™ are available for about half the price.

You’ll also want to include sturdy, preferably acid–free boards with all of your bags to prevent edge damage and bending. A variety of standard and acid–free backing boards are available from most comic shops as well as online suppliers. The meticulously–minded collector may even want to consider specialized boards that feature “a thin layer of activated charcoal laminated between two sheets of true archival acid free boards.” (Quoted from BCE Mylar) These specially–coated boards will absorb and neutralize the acid content of comic book pages to protect from aging.

Options for Storage Boxes—Should I Go Long?

Now that you’ve bagged and boarded your collection, there’s nothing like an acid–free box for storing your comics away for safekeeping. Available in magazine–sized (great for golden age comics), short, long, and now manga (also usable for digests and small trade paperbacks), storage boxes are available in whatever format you need.

For most collectors, the big decision is whether to store their comics in long boxes or short boxes. Short boxes can comfortably hold around 120 bagged and boarded comics when full, and weigh in at about 25 pounds. These compact boxes may often be easier to move, but keep in mind that in the long run, it will cost you in time if you have to move a large collection. Long boxes, on the other hand, weigh about 35 pounds when full, but can hold a good 200 bagged and boarded comics, lightly packed. Long boxes are certainly easier on the budget, but moving them is also harder on the back.

Title Dividers are Great Timesavers

Finally, don’t forget that title dividers are your underrated tool in the struggle for comic collection organization and maintenance. Dividers are available in plastic or cardboard for whatever sized box you’re using. It’s strongly suggested that you place a divider between each new series and label each divider for your reference.

Article provide courtesy of Human Computing and is used with permission.