I've always collected Marvel super hero comics. I have very little DC in my collection..........just not a big DC fan.
And i went through a phase where i collected sets, then started into only collecting #1 issues and then onto older, rarer comics. I've built up a huge sum of old, scarce and rare comics along the way.
True story..........years ago, my apt. at the time flooded out and the only thing that was untouched was my comics (i keep them in the rectangular comic boxes, all sleeved in plastic bags with the backer boards). I couldn't believe they were unharmed........i didn't have insurance on them at that time and Christ, was i relieved.
My insurance company got them appraised........ the estimated sum, put the value at priceless.
I then took the comics to my own appraiser for an estimated value and the 2 separate estimates were within a few dollars of each other ( i wanted to make sure that the insurance company wasn't short-changing me on the value).
I was relieved that what both parties were saying put the estimated value at close to accurate.
It's very time consuming to get a collection appraised or valued and you not only need a lot of patience, you do need some cash cause it ain't cheap, but nowadays, you need the grading system more than ever........M, VF, F, etc.
It's funny how a hobby and pastime when i was a kid turned out to be worth a fortune as years went by.
I don't really collect too many comics these days (i just don't have the time) but i am always on the lookout for anything that catches my eye.