Are you a savage who has comics chaotically scattered across your home? Do your loved ones decry the ever-increasing sprawl of your books into new rooms? Do guests need to navigate stacks of your favorites when choosing a seat or flat surface on which to rest their beverage? Graham Crackers Comics can help!
We curate a range of storage options to cater to every collector’s needs. Whether you’re safeguarding your vintage issues or displaying your favorite modern releases, we have you covered with an array of storage solutions.
Comic Bags:
Poly Bags: These clear bags offer basic protection against dust, fingerprints, and minor moisture. They come in various sizes to fit different comic formats (Golden Age, Silver Age, Modern Age, Magazines). Poly bags can need occasional replacement depending on storage conditions but are the most cost-effective option for storage.
Mylar Bags: Considered the premium option, Mylar bags provide superior protection. They are more durable, clearer, and offer better resistance against tears, wrinkles, and light. Mylar is archival-grade material, offering a high level of protection against environmental elements and degradation. Mylar is significantly more expensive (usually starting at $19.99 for 50 and going up from there) but with a 500-year life-span, you’ll never need to think about it again. For context, Da Vinci could have used mylar for his drawings and we would just have reached end-of-life on it a few years ago.
Resealable Bags: These are poly bags with an adhesive strip that allows easy access to comics while maintaining protection. No tape required; they are convenient for frequent access without needing to replace the bag.
Backing Boards:
Backing boards serve as support to keep comics flat and prevent bending or creasing. These boards are made of acid-free materials to prevent damage to the comic over time. Like the bags they accompany, backing boards are available in various sizes to match different comic book dimensions.
We also sell single bags with boards for easy storage when you don’t need or want to deal with bulk packages.
Comic Cases
Options such as Ultra Pro One Touch Cases are clean and simple cases for hanging and displaying beloved issues. These cases are hard plastic shells with a magnetic clasp and a notch for hanging onto simple wall mounts or nails. And when you want to showcase your latest prize, the case pops open for easy replacement. These cases start at $19.99
Comic book portfolios are also available. These are rigid boxes, slightly larger than comic dimensions that hold up to 15 books. They’re excellent for when you need to travel with books and need to throw something in a bag, such as on a convention excursion. Portfolios start at $14.99.
Boxes
Graphic novels can and should be shelved alongside your complete James Joyce, Hemingway, and/or Bronte/Austen libraries, but regular comic book issues need proper comic book boxes to help keep them in pristine condition and away from the light and moisture that can wreak havoc on them.
Standard white cardboard comic boxes are the original option and come in a few sizes. Short boxes hold around 125-150 bagged and boarded issues and are easy to tuck onto many store-bought storage shelves or into closets. Long boxes are about twice as long and hold around 250-300 issues and are slightly less easy to tuck onto shelves or into closets. Magazine boards are the length of short boxes (easy to store) but are slightly wider and taller to accommodate typical magazine trims. Short boxes start at 7.99 and larger sizes go up from there.
Short and long drawer boxes are also available. These replace the standard cardboard box lids with a stackable shell so when stacked, your comics in the bottom boxes are still easily accessible. These have been a great innovation for those of us with larger collections. Drawer boxes start at $14.99
If the dull, white cardboard doesn’t do it for you, we also offer a wide selection of art-style comic boxes. These short boxes start at $14.99 and are printed with all of your favorite characters. While DC and some independent options are occasionally available, they don’t have nearly the offerings of Marvel characters that are available. So, if you’ve always wanted Spider-Man or the X-Men displayed on the boxes you can’t hide in a closet, or if you’re willing to color in Moon Knight and give him Bat-ears for your Detective Comics run, swing on by your nearest Graham Crackers location!
We also offer plastic comic book bins. These heavy duty hard plastic bins are roughly the size of a short box, but are cast in black resin that are much hardier, for frequent movement and more resistant to environmental conditions. These boxes start at $40.
Comic dividers are a great tool to separate series in your boxes, with a tab to note what you’re dividing. 25 for $25.
Tips for Proper Storage:
Avoid direct sunlight, UV rays can fade colors and damage paper and will gradually wear down polybags.
Temperature and Humidity Control: Maintain stable conditions to prevent mold, warping, or deterioration. Avoid storing your comics near kitchens or bathrooms whenever possible. Basements are your risk to take. We’ve talked to some fans who have wine cellar-esque climate controlled safe rooms in their basements to safeguard their books, while others are simply praying to Hestia that their sump pump never fails. Your basement is likely the most humid place in your home and you’ll need to actively monitor the conditions there if you decide (or need) to store your collection there.
Handling: Use clean hands or consider using gloves when handling comics to prevent oils or dirt building up.
Replace bags and boards periodically, especially if they show signs of wear, yellowing, or becoming brittle. Unless you’ve opted for Mylar.
Ensure a snug fit for the comic within the bag to prevent shifting or bending while stored.
Comic book storage is a mix of personal preference, collection size, preservation needs, and budget. We aim to provide a wide array of supplies that can enhance your enjoyment and the longevity of your comic collection. Check them out on your next visit!