re: Look at the comics someone dropped off at Goodwill...

The problem for lots of comics are that the publication numbers were so high that demand may never be there for them.

Ex - Stuff like X-Men (1991) #1 or the Todd McFarlane Spider-Man #1 had incredibly high print runs to where you can still probably get originals, not reprints, from bargain bins across the country.



Stuff with a much lower print run? That is different.

Titles like GI Joe and Transformers have a surprising amount of value because those books were aimed at a demographic that generally didn’t keep their books, let alone in pristine conditions, have had a spotty history with regards to reprints due to being licensed properties, and have devoted fanbases.