01Understanding the size of your collection
The fastest way to describe a collection is by how it is stored. The form on this site includes a simple calculator for exactly this reason: choose the storage types that apply and enter how many you have, and it shows an approximate comic count.
Long boxes
The standard long comic box holds roughly 300 comics when full. If your collection lives in long boxes, counting the boxes gets you most of the way to a useful estimate.
Short boxes
Short boxes hold about half that, roughly 150 comics. They are common in closets and on shelves, and many collections mix both sizes.
Loose stacks and bins
Plenty of comics were never boxed. Stacks, plastic tubs, magazine files, and paper grocery bags all count. Give your best rough number and note that they are loose.
What a collection usually contains
Most collections are mixed. You might find long runs of one title next to scattered single issues, several publishers side by side, and books from different decades in the same box. Some owners kept everything bagged and boarded and sorted alphabetically. Others tossed new issues on top of the pile for years. Vigilante Comics is interested in both.
When you reach out, mention what you notice at a glance: which publishers appear most, the general era if you can tell, any titles that show up repeatedly, and whether the books are protected in bags. If there are magazines, trade paperbacks, or other printed material mixed in, say so as well so Evan has a complete picture.
03Selling the collection as a whole
Breaking a collection apart to sell it piece by piece takes a great deal of time: sorting, researching, photographing, listing, answering messages, and shipping. For many owners, especially those clearing space or managing a move, that is not realistic. Discussing the collection as a single lot keeps the process manageable.
Evan reviews the overall description first. From there, the conversation covers quantity, condition, storage, and the logistics of where the collection is located. Large collections can take more coordination, and that is expected. The next steps are agreed together, at a pace that fits your schedule.
04Preparing without overdoing it
You do not need to reorganize anything. In fact, it is usually better not to. Moving books around, removing them from bags, or stacking them tightly can cause wear. A few practical things do help: keep boxes off damp floors, avoid stacking heavy boxes on top of loose comics, and if you can, snap a couple of photos of the open boxes so Evan can see how they are packed.
If the boxes are in a hard-to-reach place
Attics, crawl spaces, and storage units are common. Mention where the collection is and how accessible it is. That is a logistics detail, not a problem.
If the collection is split between locations
Some boxes in a garage, others at a relative's house. Describe each group. One inquiry can cover it all.
How the collection buying process works
Start with the form, a call or text to (908) 367-8552, or an email to evan@vigilantecc.com. Evan reviews your details, gets in touch to discuss the collection, and if it is a fit, you arrange the next steps together. You always know what is coming next, and nothing moves forward until you are comfortable.
