Quarter bin

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Quarter bin is a phrase common in the American comic book community used to describe discount boxes of comic books [1] sold for far less than the cover price. Typically going for $0.25 each, these comic books may be used, damaged, or new material that's been overstocked [2] by the comic book retailer. Quarter bins tend to be unique to the comic book direct market, though they may be found in thrift stores and other stores selling used media (video games, compact discs, dvds, etc.).

American comic book Comic book originating in the USA

An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, typically 32 pages, containing comics content. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of Action Comics, which included the debut of the superhero Superman. This was followed by a superhero boom that lasted until the end of World War II. After the war, while superheroes were marginalized, the comic book industry rapidly expanded and genres such as horror, crime, science fiction and romance became popular. The 1950s saw a gradual decline, due to a shift away from print media in the wake of television and the impact of the Comics Code Authority. The late 1950s and the 1960s saw a superhero revival and superheroes remain the dominant character archetype in the 21st century.

Direct market dominant distribution and retail network for American comic books

The direct market is the dominant distribution and retail network for American comic books. The concept of the direct market was created in the 1970s by Phil Seuling. It currently consists of one dominant distributor and the majority of comics specialty stores, as well as other retailers of comic books and related merchandise.

Due to the nature of demand in comic book collecting, retailers will purchase entire comic collections just for a few rare books and the rest of the books go into the quarter bin. It is common for most quarter bins to sell $0.25 comics for an even greater discount at five for $1.00.

Comic book collecting hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved

Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps (philately) or books (bibliophilia), it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s.

Notes

  1. Funnybooks: Dumpster Diving - Tales from the quarter bin, 31 October 2006
  2. Howling Curmudgeons: The Quarter Bin, 1 October 2005


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