While many of us view comic books as relics of our childhood, they are in fact a highly collectible item. They can be worth thousands of dollars, and their ever-increasing value makes them an important commodity for investors as well as fans. The market for comic books, as entertainment, as collectibles, and as investments, is already enormous, and is only showing further signs of growth. Vincent Zurzolo, Vice President of Metropolis Collectibles, knows this first hand. Thankfully Vincent was nice enough to answer some questions we had for him. Here they are!
When did you become first interested in comics and what did you like about them?
I have loved comics since before I could even read. I grew up in Rockaway Beach, Queens in the 1970s and 80s. I remember as a small boy being enthralled by the art, colors and the death defying feats of superheroes. I would squirrel away whatever change I could get from my parents and run to the local candy store on Beach 129th St. and buy comic books. Throughout elementary and junior high school I was collecting. I especially loved X-Men and Spider-Man.
Were there any specific comic characters that spoke to you and influenced you in life?
Spider-Man’s motto “With Great Powers Comes Great Responsibility” struck a chord with me as a little boy and made me realize that we all have a responsibility to our fellow man and woman.
How did you wind up going into business for yourself?
When I was 16 years old I started dealing in comic books. I didn’t really know what I was doing but over time I developed some skills, learned how to grade and kept at it through high School and college.
How did you meet your partner Stephen to eventually merge in 1999?
Steve and I started doing business in 1994 and soon became best friends. We did a lot of business together, hung out all the time and realized we had similar goals. Steve asked me to be his partner and July 1st of this year will be 15 years we have been partners.
What is the most expensive comic book you’ve ever sold?
ComicConnect holds the world record for the 3 most expensive comics ever sold.
Action Comics 1 9.0 $2,161,000.
What is the most expensive comic book you’ve ever bought?
I have spent well over a million dollars on a single comic book. Out of respect to my clients I can’t divulge which one, but I am sure you can guess it was one of the big sales we made.
What advice do you have for those looking to enter the comic book business?
Study the market. Look at all aspects of the business before leaping into it. It is a labor intensive business and while it can be very rewarding you must understand it is a serious and real business and should be treated as such.
What advice to you have for those looking to be entrepreneurs?
You must live life with passion. Find out what it is that makes your motor run and do that. Find successful people to model yourself after. Set short, medium and long term goals. And of course the Golden Rule, Treat others like you want to be treated.
What is your favorite comic book of all time?
Amazing Fantasy 15, the first appearance of Spider-Man. I love Spidey. He was funny even in the face of danger. With all his powers he still had problems like the rest of us. It also helps that we sold a copy of Amazing Fantasy 15 CGC 9.6 for $1.1 million, the most expensive comic ever sold from the 1960s.
What is the one comic book you’d like to own that you don’t now?
There are so many comics I love that I don’t have in my personal collection. Having an inventory of over 150,000 comics, the largest in the world, helps me to not “have to have them all.” I consider my inventory my rotating collection.
