What To Do About Out Of Print Comics And Graphic Novels

Out of print. Three words that can create a sense of dread for comic book readers. All of a sudden, there are additional hoops you need to jump through if you want to read/collect a specific comic. It can be an annoying and/or expensive process.

Luckily, there are methods to make the process easier. This guide delves into these solutions, explaining why comics go out of print, how to avoid the pitfalls, what influences their price, where to find them, and much more.

Terminology disclaimer

For ease, this guide will use the term “comic” in a catch-all manner. In this context, I will cover graphic novels, various formats of collected editions, and collected manga. So, unless I’m discussing a specific format or type, I’ll use the term “comic”.

Check out our Glossary of Comic Book Terms if you want to get a better understanding of terminology.

A quick word on single issue comics

Single issues, the magazine-style comics, won’t be covered in this guide in significant detail. This is due to the nature of the format, which, in most instances, receives one print run by design and tends not be reprinted.

The format is made to be serialised, with the majority of purchases happening within the first month of publication, which are then superseded by the subsequent issue. As a result, comic book publishers tend to print enough copies to meet orders made by retailers.

A comic might get a second printing if there’s significant enough demand. However, this is the exception, not the rule, and is dependent on there being enough demand to warrant it. A comic like Absolute Batman #1 getting a tenth printing is exceedingly rare.

What does “out of print” mean?

In the publishing world, “out of print” describes a book that’s no longer made available by the publisher. There can be many reasons why a comic can be out of print. These will be discussed in the next section.

Why do comics go out of print?

There are many reasons a comic can no longer be made available by a publisher, making it out of print. These are some of the many reasons it could happen.

Stock runs out and there’s no demand for reprint

Not every comic justifies additional print runs. Many only get one print run and go out of print when stock is depleted – whether that be through distribution, liquidation, or (sometimes) destroying the comics. Often, there’s no financial incentive to do so as there’s not enough demand.

The publisher has intentionally decided to not reprint

There are times when a comic is not reprinted due to bespoke decisions made by the publisher.

Sometimes a controversy will drive a comic out of print. This could be due to the material or the creators involved. For instance, there’s a period of Green Lantern comics that have been out of print for the longest time, which is intentional, so the publisher can distance itself from the creator’s crimes. In cases like this, the publisher has made a moral choice not to keep the comic in print.

The publisher may let a comic go out of print for strategic reasons. Popular stories and series move from one format to another to appeal to different types of readers. This could involve moving from a standard format to something more budget or premium. Unless it’s wildly popular, the publisher will let the material in the previous format go out of print and favour the newly printed one.

Finances come into play. Marvel Comics has been notorious in the past for letting some material go out of print to save on warehouse space. In this case, the publisher has finite space to work with and would rather let something go out of print to make room for something new to take its place. While this is fine if there’s low demand for the material. However, due to this practice, there have been occasions where classic stories are unavailable for a stretch of time.

Excerpt of a Calvin and Hobbes Sunday strip by Bill Watterson.

Demand exceeds supply

Comic book publishers try to anticipate a comic’s demand in the market and print enough copies to remain in print for a reasonable length of time. However, they can’t always predict when a comic is a hit beyond expectations. The quantities they thought were enough fly out of the warehouse, and all of a sudden, they have no more copies to sell. As a result, a popular comic can be temporarily out of print while the publisher rushes back to the printers.

Marvel Comics had this problem after the release of WandaVision. Speculation and easter eggs surrounding the show drove strong sales of related comics. However, it also left certain collections out of print for many months until the publisher could reprint them.

Intentionally limited print run

Some comics have an intentionally limited print run. These tend to be more premium items, such as collectable editions, where quantities are limited to a specific number. This makes the comic “limited edition” and adds to the desirability for collectors. In this case, there may only be 500 or 1,000 units available.

Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 3 cover by E.J Su.

Licensing restrictions

For comics based on licensed properties, there’s always a risk that they could go out of print. This is due to the material being owned by the license holder and being published through a contractual agreement. The publisher can only publish those comics during the agreed period and cannot reprint the material when the license expires. An example of this is IDW Publishing’s Transformers and G.I. Joe comics. IDW can’t reprint popular stories now that they don’t hold the license.

However, that doesn’t mean that the material will never see the light of day again. For instance, Marvel’s original Conan the Barbarian comics have been reprinted by Dark Horse Comics and Titan Comics as the license has changed hands over the decades.

Publisher no longer in business

Sometimes a comic goes out of print because the publisher is no longer around to reprint it. The publisher has gone out of business for one reason or another, and the material in their back catalogue has entered a grey area of whether it will be reprinted again.

Sometimes another publisher will pick up parts of the back catalogue. However, there are no guarantees it will happen. And even if it did, it may not get reprinted straight away. Additionally, it will often depend on the ownership of the material – whether it was owned by the publisher, creator(s), or was licensed from another entity.

The print files are unavailable

On the rare occasion, a comic may be out of print because it’s too difficult to reprint. The print files may be lost, or significant restoration is required. When this happens, it may be too financially restrictive, or even impossible, to reprint.

Are out of print comics hard to find?

How easy an out of print comic is to find will depend on what you’re looking for. You’ll want to think about the following factors:

Size of the print run

Did the comic have a large print run? If so, then there could be plenty of copies in the aftermarket. However, if it were a small print run, usually dictated by demand, then there may not be many copies in circulation.

How long has it been out of print?

Comics that have been out of print for a long time may be harder to come by. The copies available could’ve been snapped up ages ago, shrinking the supply over time. However, if it was only recently, then it may be easy to find online or perhaps still sitting on a comic book shop shelf.

Demand

Demand can also play a role in the supply of an out of print comic. The available copies may be purchased quickly, as many people are interested in the material. On the other hand, low demand may mean that there’s plenty of supply for your desired out of print comic.

Do comics return to print?

Comics can come back into print. However, publishers need a financial reason to do a reprint. Print and other supply chain costs require an upfront investment by publishers, which they won’t justify unless they think they can recoup the costs. As a result, there needs to be sufficient demand from comic retailers/readers to even consider it happening.

Additionally, there needs to be no additional hurdles in the comic book publisher’s way. These can include licensing restrictions, supply chain issues, and the availability of print files. The likelihood of a reprint decreases if any of these are an issue.

An example of high prices on eBay. Some of these are dictated by supply and demand and some of them are more opportunistic.

What drives the price of out of print comics?

You may have noticed that some comics in the aftermarket on places like Amazon or eBay are listed for stupid prices. They can be in the hundreds of dollars and even tip over the thousand-dollar mark. Other times, they can be listed well below their recommended retail price. It can feel like there’s no rhyme or reason to the logic. The following factors can indicate which direction the price will go.

Supply and demand

Like most things, supply and demand are often the biggest drivers of the price for out of print comics. If there are not many copies in the aftermarket, but numerous people want to buy/read them, then the price will be higher. Inversely, prices can be low if there’s a glut of copies available or low interest in buying a specific comic.

What effect this has on the price of the comics you’re seeking will need to be treated on a case-by-case basis. Supply and demand may fluctuate over time, which could cause prices to change in different directions – sometimes in small or large increments. An upcoming media adaptation may drive the price up, while a comic publisher announcing that a comic is back into print later in the year could drive the price in the other direction.

Sellers hoping that people will buy at a high price

As mentioned earlier, there will be times you will come across a comic at a ridiculous price. I’m not talking so much about highly collectible comics that are either decades old and/or feature a first appearance. I’m talking about run-of-the-mill trade paperback collections or graphic novels that happen to be out of print. They’ll be listed on eBay or Amazon for hundreds of dollars, way more than what people are willing to spend.

There are some sellers out there who identify out of print comics in their inventory and jack up the price, knowing that the comic is harder to come by. It seems like they’re hopeful someone will be desperate enough to buy it at that high price, making a substantial profit.

My advice: don’t purchase from these types of sellers. They’re preying on readers/collectors – gouging them instead of charging what the market demands. Buying from them sets a treacherous precedent that proves to them they can get away with listing at ludicrous prices.

Sellers hoping for a quick sale

Whether it be an online retailer or a comic book shop, you may come across out of print comics at bargain prices. The intention of these low prices is to make a quick sale. It could be to clear inventory or because they have too many copies. Dangling a low price in front of customers is a great way to clear stock, whether it’s something they’ve been searching for or are willing to take a gamble on.

How to avoid the pitfalls of out of print comics

So, how do you avoid having to search high and low or pay an inflated price for out of print comics? Here are a few solutions:

Preorder

Preordering upcoming comics, especially if it’s something premium or from a smaller publisher, helps you secure a copy before it can go out of print. You might even help increase the print run. Publishers usually set it based on how many preorders they receive plus how much demand they anticipate. By preordering, you help set a more accurate print run for a comic.

Buy it when you see it

Did you just see an out of print comic that you’ve been looking for at a reasonable price? Then it might be wise to snap it up there and then. You never know when you might see it again.

This can go for comics that are currently in print but may have a low print run too. You might have to jump on it now so you don’t risk the pitfalls of it being out of print later. It might be harder to find or more expensive later.

Of course, this advice will depend on whether you’re in a financial position to do it. If you need to prioritise buying groceries, paying bills, or making rent, then you might have to hope you see your desired out of print comic again at a better time. While comics are great, other expenses come first.

Patience

Sometimes patience is the key. You might have to play the waiting game if there’s not a lot of supply in the aftermarket or copies are listed for more than you want to spend. However, a copy of your desired out of print comic will likely appear under the right conditions eventually.

It may take time and effort to track down your desired out of print comic. It could include check in multiple locations, such as websites or comic book shops. In other scenarios, it may take days, weeks, or months to track down what you’re looking for. Patience if the key her so you don’t end up buying a copy online for ridiculous price.

For those who use eBay, there’s a saved search functionality. This will allow you to make quick searches on the site but also get email notifications when your desired item is listed. Additionally, there’s an app called “Trove” that provides saved searches and alerts.

Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham #1 panel by Mike Mignola.

Where to find out of print comics

At times, the pitfalls of out of print comics are unavoidable. You’ve discovered a comic too late or didn’t have the funds at the time. As a result, you need to track it down the hard way. Luckily, there are plenty of places you can hunt for your desired comic(s).

Comic book shops

Comic book shops can be a good place to find out of print comics – especially the larger ones. You never know what you will find on the shelf or in a secondhand section.

Find a comic book shop near you with this tool.

eBay

eBay is the go-to for many when it comes to searching for a variety of comics available in print and out of print. Its breadth of sellers, big (large comic book shops) and small (individuals), often means that you’ll be able to find the majority of things you’re looking for.

Don’t be discouraged if you encounter inflated prices. Not every seller follows this predatory practice. Sometimes it just takes a little patience to find the comic at a more reasonable price.

Can’t find what you’re looking for in your region? You might want to try one of the other regional eBays such as the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, India, Korea, and Japan.

Amazon

Amazon is well-known as an online retailer for new books (and almost everything else). However, it’s less well-known as a facilitator of third-party sellers. Amazon Marketplace is built into the Amazon ecosystem as an alternative to eBay for many sellers. Options for these sellers will appear in many listings, with links positioned in the pricing options labelled “Other Used and New from…” This opens your options to other sellers, many of whom will have comics that are no longer in stock in Amazon’s warehouses.

Similar to eBay, some sellers inflate the price. However, you can find some bargains if you’re patient.

AbeBooks

AbeBooks is a website that connects buyers to thousands of trusted book sellers. This includes comics, too! Out of print and hard-to-find books are the site’s bread and butter.

It’s worth noting that the site is owned by Amazon (acquired in 2008). However, your purchase will also support bookshops and independent sellers.

Book Finder

Book Finder (owned by AbeBooks) is a price comparison tool that allows you to search for your desired book. The results will list sites where your desired comic is listed and show the best price.

Facebook Marketplace

Instead of listing on eBay, some people go straight to Facebook Marketplace to sell their comics. This one is a bit of a long shot for buyers, as there’s no guarantee that what you’re looking for will be available within your geographical area when you want it. However, you can sometimes find a bargain if you’re lucky.

Facebook Marketplace can have a reputation for timewasters and bad experiences. Here’s a great guide to help you avoid them, as well as the ever-increasing scams on the platform.

Libraries

If you want to read the comic and don’t care about ownership, you might find your desired out of print comic at a library near you. Most libraries have growing graphic novel collections. You never know what you might find on the shelves.

WorldCat is an excellent tool for searching for books and seeing which libraries have them in their collection.

Conventions

Comic book conventions are another great place to find out of print comics. Comic book dealers are usually present and tend to offer a wide range of comics. Depending on what you’re looking for, you might find a bargain.

Digital

Finally, if having a physical copy is not an issue, digital could be the way to go. Many comics live on in digital form long after their print equivalents are no longer available. The digital comics storefront you use will depend on the publisher and what you’re looking for, but the Kindle store has a wide range, followed by GlobalComix, Book Walker, Neon Ichiban, and the Humble Bundle.

Have your say

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