Comic book conventions are pure magic. Here, a young collector purchases their first book, and will remember it forever. A seasoned one, after years of searching, finds their holy grail. Every which way you can look, collectors, artists, and hobbyists from around the world exchange stories and wisdom with one another.
So among all the joy, we want to make sure you have the resources to get comics home from a convention… safely! In all the hectic excitement, comics can heartbreakingly be lost, overheated, damaged, or stolen.
But fear we must not! We're here to collect all the resources you need!
Chapter 1: Our antagonist is born… How Comic Books Get Damaged, Lost, or Stolen at Conventions.
Before we get into solutions, it helps to know what you're up against:
- Physical damage is the most common. Crowded floors mean bags get bumped and crushed constantly. A comic loose in a backpack can come home with creased corners or a bent spine without you even noticing!
- Heat damage is a serious issue in lots of areas. Leaving books in overheated spaces causes warping, fading, and brittleness that tanks condition and value. Remember that comics are happiest around 65–70°F!
- Theft can unfortunately occur, especially at larger cons. High foot traffic and distracted crowds create easy opportunities for a bag left unattended.
- Loss and forgetfulness happens to the best of us. A full convention day is overwhelming, and it gets easy to leave a purchase behind when you're overstimulated and enjoying all a convention has to offer.
Chapter 2: Every hero needs their cape… Supplies for Protecting a Comic Con Haul.
So, amongst everything that could potentially damage your comics at conventions, what are the necessary supplies to bring?
Carrying the haul: Of course, you'll need something to carry your new books! Many collectors' first instinct is to bring a backpack, duffel, or tote. But remember that whatever you bring is likely to be bumped into by dozens of fellow collectors and brushed upon by several walls. Ideally, store your comics in something rigid and sturdy!
A rigid backpack or small hard-shell suitcase works. But supplies designed for comics– their specific material needs and dimensions– are far superior for protection:
Comic Storage Boxes
Comic storage boxes are thick, tough paperboard boxes. Because the rigid walls and lids are made with comic-specific materials & sizing, your comics are far less likely to fold, crease, or suffer chemical damage. The built-in handles help too: they make a full box easy to carry, and they improve airflow so heat and humidity don't get trapped like a sealed bag.
Cons: A box is more awkward to haul around all day than a backpack, and carrying more than one at a time is tough.
Comic Book Folios
Comic folios are slim protecting cases with a simple fold-out lid that grants you immediate access to your books. They stand out in the convention space for convenience and ease. Their slim design makes them easy to carry around: you can carry multiple at once, or keep them in a larger bag/box. Folios fit around 14 comics that are bag&boarded.
Cons: Not quite as tough materials as other options. Plus if you're planning on collecting a huge haul, they fit 14 books only.
The Basics: Bags, Boards, and Holders
The tried and true protection essentials apply more than ever at conventions. Most comics you purchase at a convention will be bagged & boarded. If they aren't, be sure to do this immediately. Once a comic is bagged and boarded, you should also put it in a sentry holder due to the hectic convention environment– a bag isn't suitable for being pushed or banged up on. For more information on bags, boards, and holders, we recommend checking out this further in-depth article: How to Protect Comics: A New Collector's Guide
Chapter 3: The Training Montage… What You Can Do to Keep Your Comics Safe During Conventions.
New to conventions? Looking for new perspectives on handling your haul? We hope knowing these practices and tips before going in for a convention will help you and your collection flourish…
Tracking/AirTags are your new best friend.
In your boxes, bags, or folios, drop in an AirTag or tracker! If anything gets stolen, lost, or forgotten, this is one of the most reliable ways to track it down. The sound ping features also really come in handy, especially with large hauls where you're juggling many different things at once. Plus, if you plan on mailing comics or flying with them, trackers allow you to see where your haul is at all times.
Keep valuable books separate.
If you're collecting multiple valuable books at once, consider keeping them in separate containers. For example, if your plan is to carry your whole haul in one folio, divide your most valuable books between two instead. That way, if one storage solution gets lost, stolen, or damaged you don't lose everything! The same goes with shipping and flying.
Document major purchases.
Always take photos of purchases and receipts. Keep a log of everything you buy! You'll avoid future confusion, losses and anxiety. If a mailing or airline service damages your comics, receipts and photos may help your case. It also helps long-term to keep a track of the value of your collection.
Document people you meet!
We recommend adding a section to your spending log of people you meet, artists you discover, or shops you fall in love with. Not only is it great sentimental value, but a great way to build your network of comic lovers! You know that feeling of wanting to connect with somebody but forgetting their name or number! So often contacts created at these events will get lost toward the depths of your phone.
Ask vendors about shipping.
If you're travelling, some dealers will ship large purchases to you so you don't have to carry them around the convention or on the trip back!
Don't leave comics in the car if it's hot out.
In warmer climates, don't store your freshly-bought comics in the car! In the hot sun, cars can reach temperatures that will cause intense aging and damage to your comics. If you do need to put comics in your car: be sure to use sun shades, drape white towels over black seats, and crack windows if it's safe.
Return purchases to your home or hotel room periodically.
Rather than carrying everything at once or storing comics in your car, it's a much better idea to return new purchases to where you are staying throughout the day. This prevents several issues:
- Your comics are less likely to be stolen once they are in a safe, private place!
- You won't experience the terror of forgetting any purchases behind at the convention!
- As in tip 5, storing in a mild, climate-controlled space prevents overheating.
- The psychological stress of carrying around so many comics at once can take much of the convention-joy away : (
Set a spending/physical limit!
If you're hoping to enjoy a convention and didn't yet find an infinite money glitch, you may want to consider setting a spending budget! If numbers aren't your thing, you can also set a physical limit. For example, "I can only buy what fits in this one box or portfolio." It can be a better experience to wait until the next convention or explore new shops rather than trying to pick up a whole collection in one place.
For book signings, bring a separate folio!
If you're bringing your most valuable books from home to a convention for signing, consider keeping them in a separate space from those you purchase. This is because you will likely have to repeatedly handle newly-bought books! And again, if you separate them, they are less likely to all be stolen/lost at once.
Cash, Cash, Cash!
A lot of comic book vendors prefer or only take cash! Bring cash!
Negotiate! Buy in bulk! Look around!
Respectfully negotiating prices is a common convention practice, don't be afraid of it! Just make sure to be polite, fair, and upfront. Also, buying several comics from one vendor can often open up bulk discounts.
Bring a friend!
Having somebody with you who can mutually help you carry comics, look out for your haul's (and your!) safety, and generally enjoy the day with can make or break the convention experience!
Chapter 4: Get This Man A Shield… Comic Book Insurance For Conventions.
Should you consider collectible insurance for a convention haul? In most cases, it's not necessary. But for holy grails or large spending, consider it!
Option 1. Check with the insurance you already have: It's not too common, but some renter's or homeowner's policies cover personal property while you travel. Call and ask your insurance company about comics!
Option 2. Insurance riders: This is an add-on to your existing homeowner's or renter's policy. You list specific high-value items individually with documented values, and they get covered for that amount. Consider this when purchasing high-value grails at conventions!
Option 3. Dedicated collectibles insurance: Companies that specialize in collections (and some that specialize in comics specifically) offer coverage built for comic hauls. That includes theft, damage, and loss. A great part is that usually coverage extends to travelling with the collection as well! If you plan on buying a large haul at an upcoming convention, call and ask your collectible insurance about setting a higher coverage limit!
Chapter 5: Back To Headquarters… How to Transport Your Comics Home Safely.
So you've collected your haul and gotten to the end of this article! Now, how do you get your comics back home from a convention?
Carry-on bag: If you're flying home from a convention with comics, it's best to take them as a carry-on. Checked luggage can get thrown around, crushed, lost, or exposed to moisture. The security of knowing where your collection is the whole time is wonderful. We highly recommend throwing an AirTag/tracker into your comic-filled luggage!
Protecting in-flight: Always go for a hard shell bag or suitcase, if possible. Anything flimsy, and without a rigid structure, makes your comics vulnerable to all kinds of physical damage. Before placing comics into your bag for flight, first put them in comic-specific supplies: a comic storage box or folio while inside your suitcase is ideal! Once your storage box or folio is inside your suitcase, fill the excess space with bubble wrap or soft (not too warm) clothing. This will give you 3 layers of protection! (and of course, don't forget your bagging, boarding, and sentry holders!)
Shipping your comics: Using a shipping company to send your books back home is a great alternative to flying with them. Pack your comics first with bags & boards in a comic mailer, storage box, or folio. Then put that in a larger, rigid box with bubble wrap so there's no extra room. Declare the value at the counter in case anything gets damaged in transit. It may be best to send these shipments to a local pickup location rather than your home, to prevent porch theft. If you're at a multi-day con, shipping each evening to a pickup location is a great move — your haul is safe on its way before you even leave the convention city. Plus, you don't have to worry about large volumes of shipping when it's broken up like this. Ask them to mark your packages as fragile!
We hope you feel informed and ready to keep your collection happy and healthy! Most of the products we mentioned are available at our comic website. When you're ready to make a decision, we're here to provide the highest standard of quality and enduring affordability.
Our Selection:
Bags (Current; Silver; Golden)
Boards (Current; Silver; Golden)
Storage Boxes
Folio
Sentry Holders
Magnetic Frame Holders
Comic Book Mailers
For a run through of everything you need as a beginner to start protecting your comic collection, check out our blog here: How to Protect Comics: A New Collector's Guide