THE VAULT
Thousands of back issues, bagged and boarded — come dig · Comic King, Edmonton
The Back Issue Vault
Some stores keep a shelf of old comics. Comic King keeps a vault — thousands of back issues, bagged, boarded, sorted by title, and restocked constantly by the collections that walk through our door. Whether you are filling runs, hunting keys, or just want to dig through a dollar bin until something finds you, this is the room the store is built around.
How the Vault Works
The Deep Runs
Every vault has its pillars. These are the titles Comic King goes deepest on — the runs we are known for, and the ones we actively buy to keep deep:
Those four linked titles have full guides of their own — history, eras, keys and collecting advice. The rest run just as deep in the boxes; they simply have not earned their own pages yet. The vault does not stop at ten titles either — these are the pillars, not the walls.
A Quick Word on Eras
You will see era names on our dividers and price tags, so here is the thirty-second version. Golden Age (roughly the 1940s–50s) — scarce, museum territory, and it mostly moves through authentication and consignment rather than the wall. Silver Age (late 1950s–60s) — where the Marvel universe was born; the blue-chip zone. Bronze Age (1970s–early 80s) — the sweet spot: real collectability at prices a working collector can still enjoy. Modern (mid-80s on) — mostly affordable reading, with genuine keys scattered through it. If you want the deep version for any franchise, the title pages above tell the whole story.
The Want List — Tell Us What You're Hunting
Here is the vault's best-kept secret: you do not have to keep checking by hand. Tell us the runs you are filling and the issues you are missing — at the counter, by phone at (780) 478-5694, or through the contact page — and we will keep your want list on file. Collections come in every week, and when your issue surfaces, you get the first call before it ever hits the wall.
The honest terms: we cannot promise WHEN a book will walk in — the vault depends on what Edmonton sells us — but want lists genuinely work, because the same collections that built these deep runs keep arriving. It costs nothing and there is no obligation when we call.
The Vault Buys, Too
Everything above is stocked by one engine: we buy comic book collections, every week, checked in front of you against real sold prices. If you have boxes to sell — or a run you are breaking up — the vault is where those books find their next reader. See the full details on our We Buy Comics page, or just bring them in.
Graded Books & Grading
Significant books sometimes arrive already certified, and when we have graded copies they are displayed with the vault. If you own something you think deserves certification, we broker CGC submissions from the store — and we will tell you honestly when a book is not worth the fee. See the grading service page for how it works.
FAQ
Do you have a specific back issue I'm looking for?
Maybe — the vault holds thousands of issues and turns over weekly, so the honest answer changes daily. The reliable route: call (780) 478-5694 and ask, or leave a want list with us. When your issue arrives in a collection, you get the first call before it hits the wall. The service is free.
How do you price your back issues?
Ordinary issues carry straightforward wall prices, graded honestly for condition. Key issues and anything significant are priced against real SOLD sales — the same standard we use when buying. Condition matters enormously: the same issue can sit in the dollar bin as a reader copy and under glass as a sharp one.
Can I sell you my back issues?
Yes — buying collections is how the vault stays deep. Bring them in, or call first for anything large, and everything is checked in front of you against sold comps with a free, no-obligation offer. We buy selectively — keys, Silver and Bronze Age books, and complete runs are what we chase — and we will tell you kindly if yours are books we cannot resell.