Warning: Do not buy that 'rare' comic from the guy at the flea market near Houston

I spent $60 on a so-called first print of Spider-Man #1 from a dealer at the Alamo City Flea Market last month. He swore it was a 2019 variant, but when I got it home and checked the barcode, it turned out to be a reprint from 2023 worth maybe $3. The worst part is I missed out on a legit shop in San Antonio that had a real graded copy for only $40 more. I feel like a fool for trusting the flashy table setup and his smooth talk. Has anyone else gotten burned by a flea market comic seller with a fake story?

3 comments

3 Comments

amy_anderson1mo ago

Does your purchase receipt say anything about the condition or authenticity? I have bought plenty of comics at flea markets around Houston, and most sellers are honest about what they are selling. The problem is that a lot of people don't know how to spot a reprint, and the seller might not even realize it themselves. They just buy bulk lots and pass along what they get. I always take a magnifying glass and check the barcode or the paper stock before I hand over cash.

margareto261mo ago

And the thing is, even the paper stock will give it away if you know what to look for. I had a buddy who bought a whole box of "vintage" Silver Age books at a garage sale and they felt way too slick and shiny. Modern reprints use that coated glossy paper, but the old ones had that matte, almost rough texture. Also, check the inside front cover for that little reprint notice or the barcode like you said. I always flip to the indicia too, because a lot of knockoffs will have a slightly different publisher line or a date that doesn't match the cover. And honestly, if the staples look too clean or the whole book feels stiff, that's another red flag for me.

mark_carr71mo ago

Yeah, you're right. Never thought about the paper texture that way before.