#5 Don’t just go for first appearances there are different types of keys

You have deaths, rare variants, change of names, changes of outfits, change of artists, 2nd appearances, key fights, the list goes on. Expand your search to keys as a whole not just to 1st appearances. Also occasionally a 2nd appearance or even a 2nd print might be worth more than the first. Miles Morrales 2nd appearance variants are worth almost 3x more than the 1st appearance, and the 2nd print of Black Panther #1 Vol 3 that I bought for $2 is now selling for $36 and up. The thing is when people price comics only the first appearances or really rare variants are priced high, but there is so much more to it than that.

#4 Go to shops that sell comics & even random places that sell used stuff

Not comic book shops, not if you’re looking for deals(unless it’s free comic book day), but shops that sell comics as a side business. There may be a chance that people that work there will know their comics, or (your hope) a chance that they won’t. And you might find a key issue priced at $4, that’s how I got most of my keys. Garage sales, auctions, are also good places to try. I even found two polybagged copies of Ultimate Spider-Man #160( The Death of Spider-man) at Goodwill, for like seventy-five cents apiece. You never know where you may find a deal.

#3 Know what you’re looking for by the cover

A big reason why my Uncanny X-Men and New Teen Titans collections are so big is that I memorized covers, not all but at least 30. So when I go to shops I automatically know what I to look for, so I don’t spend all of my time going back and forth between my phone and the comic bin. I studied what I want so when I go out I don’t have to do anything but search. And because when I look I’m aware that people on price 1st appearances heavily I focus on other keys and they normally aren’t marked up.

#2 Pre-order key issues or get them held by their local comic book shop

The biggest way in the world to save money on comics as they come out is to have a pre-order and a have pull-list at your neighborhood comic book shop. This ensures that when something you want comes out you get it before it hits the floor. Nothing sucks more than knowing you were an hour too late to get a comic you wanted. After that, you can get it only online for double the cost, or wait for a 2nd printing.

#1 Get an app like Key Collector Comics

No, I don’t have an affiliate link or anything but this is how I stay updated in the world of comics, without having to frantically search all the time. It’s $2 a month and I’ve had it for like, 2 years I think. It’s how I know what’s coming out, and how I keep track of my keys. This is how I know what keys to pre-order so I don’t have to scramble for them. This is also how I have been able to memorize what I’m looking for. They tell you what’s popular, there’s a list of what’s coming out for the next few months, and even give you an option to write down the keys that you have. The only thing I wish they did have was a place to put all the comics that you have.