Leading up to The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #50 release, Gemstone Publishing will commemorate the milestone by diving into the publication’s rich history. Over the Guide’s five decades in print, thousands upon thousands of comic books have been priced, the market has been meticulously studied, and creators, characters, and publishing houses have been featured with detailed coverage. With the 50th edition comes time to revisit how comic values have steadily (sometimes astronomically) risen over the years and reflect on contributions made in crafting the Guide.

Scott Braden was a comics enthusiast before working at Gemstone Publishing and maintains that perspective now as an Overstreet Advisor. While working at Gemstone, Braden studied pricing trends and comic history, which he presented in the Guide and in Overstreet’s FAN. Remembering his time at Gemstone, Braden talked about the Guide’s significance, his experience working with Robert Overstreet, and his appreciation for comics.

Scoop: What was your position at Gemstone and what did it entail?
Scott Braden (SB): I was the company’s research editor. My job had me do everything from researching comic book information to collecting pricing info from retailers to writing articles for both the Guide and our monthly magazine, Overstreet’s FAN. I also traveled and assisted Bob when he would venture out and photograph arrowheads for his bestselling Arrowhead Guide. 

Scoop: Did you read the Guide before you worked at Gemstone?
SB: Absolutely. The Guide is required reading for every true comic book fan. Period.

Scoop: What was your experience working with Bob?
SB: Bob was both a mentor and a father figure to me. When we traveled together, we would talk comics, as well as about comic book movers and shakers he met in the early days – like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and C.C. Beck and William M. Gaines – and retailers from all over the country. He is a font of information and working with him was a true education. In fact, let’s face it, Bob has forgotten more about comics and collectibles than I will ever know. He’s that knowledgeable.

Scoop: What appealed to you about working on the Guide?
SB: Steve Geppi created a wonderful environment where we could learn about and truly love comics and premium collectibles. I mean, let’s face it – our job was to talk about, promote, and read comics. You can’t beat that!

Scoop: How did your interest in comics history shape your approach to working on the Guide?
SB: Although I understood the importance of the pricing information for the Guide, I was always driven towards the comic book info itself. The Guide offers collectors from all different backgrounds the most complete history of the four-color medium in existence. Not only did I know that going into my job, I truly appreciated that fact after working for Gemstone.

Scoop: What do you consider your best contributions to it?
SB: While working at Gemstone, I considered myself the “enthusiastic” one. Every day, there was a palpable sense of wonder in what we were doing – and I had no problem sharing that with the team.

Scoop: Did it change your perspective on the comic collecting hobby?
SB: Working for Gemstone only expanded my love for the art form. And things I learned as Gemstone’s research editor have only colored what I do as an Overstreet advisor today.