Hanna Barbera Comic Collecting: From The Flintstones to Topcat

Key Takeaways:

• Hanna Barbera Comics are vintage comic books featuring classic cartoon characters like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Top Cat, and more.
• Collecting these comics allows you to own a piece of pop culture history and childhood nostalgia.
• It’s an affordable hobby, with many comics selling for under $10.
• A fun community of collectors exists online to connect with.

The Joy of Collecting Hanna Barbera Comics

Tired of the same old superhero comics? Looking for something unique and nostalgic to collect?

Then it’s time to discover the world of Hanna Barbera Comics! These classic comic books feature all your favourite cartoon characters from the 1960s like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Top Cat, and more.

What are Hanna Barbera Comics?

Hanna Barbera was an animation studio that produced some of the most iconic cartoon shows of the 20th century. In addition to the classic TV shows, Hanna Barbera also published comic books based on their popular characters from 1962-1997.

These comics bring all the silly, family-friendly fun of the cartoons to life on the printed page.

From the modern Stone Age antics of Fred Flintstone to the futuristic space-age adventures of George Jetson, the comics capture the humour and imagination that made the shows so loved.

Why Collect Them?

A Piece of Pop Culture History

By collecting Hanna Barbera Comics, you get to own a real piece of pop culture and animation history.

These comic books were pivotal in bringing cartoons to the mainstream and shaping the childhoods of millions of kids.

Nostalgic Memories

For many adults today (including myself), reading an old Hanna Barbera comic is a blast of pure nostalgia.

These were the cartoon characters we grew up watching every Saturday morning.

Holding an original comic book issue featuring Yogi Bear or Scooby Doo can transport you right back to those carefree childhood days.

An Affordable Hobby

Unlike collecting vintage comic book superheroes that can cost thousands, most Hanna Barbera Comics are very affordable.

Many single issues from the 60s-90s can be found for under $10. This makes it an inexpensive hobby that anyone can enjoy. Don’t get me wrong – there’s still some gems that you’ll pay a lot of money for – but for to start up, it doesn’t need to break your bank.

Where to Find Hanna Barbera Comics

The two best places to find Hanna Barbera Comics for sale are Etsy and eBay. Both sites have a wide selection of individual issues as well as complete comic runs and lots.

ETSY: Etsy is my go to for all things collectible and while it may not be your first choice for Hanna Barbera comics, if you’re not looking there, you’re missing out on some rare finds. Head over by clicking on the image below and you’ll see what I mean.

EBAY: eBay is the best place to snag a bargain at auction. It’s worth checking there regularly as there’s new items added regualrly. To see what Hanna Barbera comics are on eBay right now, click on the image below.

Collecting Tips and Value

While almost all Hanna Barbera Comics have nostalgic value, there are a few factors that affect collector’s value:

Key Issues

Like any comic book collecting, the earliest issues and special editions tend to be the most valuable.

Issue #1 and final issues of any comic title are always prized.

Condition

Comics that are in top condition with no spine rolls, tears, or writing inside will fetch higher prices than well-read copies. Refer to the comic book grading scale below as a reference for condition, but for a more comprehensive look at grades, check out this Heritage Auctions site article.

Variant Covers

Some Hanna Barbera Comics had multiple cover variants for the same issue. These rarer cover editions are more valuable to collectors.

Grading and Certifying

If you want to really ensure the best value, you can pay to have your comics officially graded and certified by a company like CGC. They encapsulate the comic in a protective case and give it a numbered grade on condition from 1.0-10.0.

For more information on grading, head over to the CGC comic book forums. CGC is the most respected comic book grading company.

Having your valuable comics professionally graded adds authenticity and value when selling or trading.

How to Store Your Comics

To keep your Hanna Barbera Comics in great shape for years to come, proper storage is key:

• Bag and board each comic using archival-safe comic bags and backing boards
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, light, and heat
• Keep them out of attics, basements, and garages with fluctuating temperatures
• Never stack heavy items on top of bagged and boarded comics

Different Ways to Collect

There are many fun ways to collect Hanna Barbera Comics based on your interests:

Complete Runs

Some collectors aim to obtain every single issue of a certain comic title like the entirety of The Flintstones from #1-50+. This requires patience but is rewarding.

Single Issues/Cover Art

Others focus just on obtaining their single favorite issues or comic books with especially cool cover art.

Specific Characters

You can also zero in on collecting any comics featuring a certain character like the Huckleberry Hound or Atom Ant. This allows you to build a fun themed collection.

Types of Comics

Here are some of the main Hanna Barbera comic book titles to look for:

The Flintstones

• The most popular and longest running Hanna Barbera comic from 1963-1997

The Jetsons

• Brought the futuristic Space Age family’s adventures to comic book form

Yogi Bear

• That supremely smarter-than-the-average bear and sidekick Boo Boo in comic hijinks

Top Cat

• The streetwise New York alleycat and his feline gang of mischievous “Top Cats”

Scooby Doo

• Alternating between original stories and adaptations of the classic cartoon episodes

There’s also The Smurfs, Tom and Jerry, Huckleberry Hound, and Josie and the Pussycats – all great, fun comics in their own right!

Collecting Checklist

Use this checklist to start building your Hanna Barbera Comics collection:

Checklist Items:

• Find a local comic book store and browse their vintage Hanna Barbera issues
• Search online on Etsy, eBay, and other sites for affordable key issues or full runs
• Choose which characters or series you want to focus on collecting
• Buy proper comic bags, boards, and boxes for safe storage
• Join an online collector community for advice and trading
• Head to comic conventions to meet other Hanna Barbera collectors

Where to Connect With Other Collectors

One of the best parts about comic collecting is the built-in community of fellow enthusiasts. For Hanna Barbera fans, you’ll find passionate collectors on Facebook and Reddit:

Facebook has groups like the Hanna Barbera Fan Club with thousands of members. These are great places to buy/sell/trade comics, get valuation advice, and just nerd out over your favourite classic cartoons.

On Reddit, subreddits like r/comicbooks, are a place to discuss this fun hobby.

The best place to discuss anything comic related, in my opinion though, is the CGC comic book chat boards. There are extrememly knowledgeable members on there that are willing to help out with any questions you have about your collection.

Plus – it’s a great place to buy and sell. You’ll find plenty of bargains here!

Collecting Table

Here’s a handy table breaking down some of the key Hanna Barbera comic titles to start your collection:

Comic Title	First Issue	Final Issue	Total Issues	Main Characters
The Flintstones	March 1963	January 1997	50+	Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty
The Jetsons	March 1963	October 1970	24	George, Jane, Elroy, Rosie
Yogi Bear	April 1963	October 1988	54	Yogi, Boo Boo, Ranger Smith
Top Cat	December 1961	March 1972	31	Top Cat, Benny, Choo Choo

Conclusion: The Beauty of Collecting the Unconventional

While comic book collecting is often associated with superheroes and major publishers like Marvel and DC, there is a unique joy in exploring more unconventional and nostalgic territories like Hanna Barbera Comics.

These classic comics allow you to revisit the boundless, family-friendly imagination of your childhood cartoon heroes.

At the same time, you get to own and appreciate a noteworthy piece of 20th century pop culture history.

Building up a fun, affordable collection of Hanna Barbera Comics is an endlessly rewarding pursuit. It connects you to an engaging community of enthusiasts while providing a playful escape from the stresses of adulthood.

So don’t be afraid to chart your own path as a collector!

Characters like Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, and Top Cat are ready to whisk you away to delightfully nostalgic new worlds.

Yabba Dabba Do!

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