Cpt Kirk

Well here we go again. A few weeks ago I showed an Action 452 that had two different versions of jeweler inserts. After getting a large shipment of jeweler variants from Belgium to upgrade the condition of my jeweler variant collection, I found a slightly different version of the jeweler insert in Batman 364. See attached photos. In the bottom corner of the centerfold, one of the inserts is labeled "88" and the other is "888". I've seen two copies now with the "88" and only one with the "888". I could see where this could drive a hard-core jeweler variant collector crazy.... you searched far and wide for 10 years and thought you had all the different jeweler variants ... and then this darn thing comes along. p.s. This little twist is hard to explain, as opposed to the Action 452. When Action 452 was released, there were two different versions of the insert being used in DC comics. Both versions ended up in Action 452. But I've never seen the "888" version of the jeweler variant in any comic books ever. I'm thinking they must have run short of inserts that month, and then just printed up this slightly different version of the insert to meet the need. That might mean there are other "888" out there in other comic books.

I'm often asked for a "list" of Mark Jeweler variants in DC Comics. I have made note of jeweler variants in most DC titles, but my most comprehensive lists are in the five titles I collect (namely, Batman, Detective, Superman, Action Comics and Justice League of America). In those titles, I calculated that a total of 690 jeweler variants should exist, and I have found all but five. Here's a summary of those lists. 1. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in the title of Superman. Superman jeweler variants are 255-271, 273-277, 279-283, 287-376, 378-399, 401-410, 412-420). The only ones I don’t have in my collection are 255 and 292, plus I need to upgrade my 291 and 294. 2. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in the title of JLA. JLA jeweler variants are 100-109, 118-138, 149, 158-192, 194-199, 201-207, 209-241, 243-249, 251-252). The only ones I don’t have in my collection are JLA 100 and 107. 3. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in Action Comics except for one issue (Action 579). Action jeweler variants are 415-436, 438-442, 444, 447-448, 450-499, 501-536, 538-543, 545-572, 574-580). I have them all except 579, which I have yet to find. 4. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in Batman except for two issues (namely Batman 245 and 390). Batman jeweler variants are 243-253, 263-299, 301-352, 354-386, 388-396). I have all except 245, 247 and 390, and I also need to upgrade my 243. 5. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in Detective Comics except for two issues (namely Detective 470 and 548). Detective jeweler variants are 426-437, 447-480, 496-499, 501-519, 521-525, 527-563. I have them all except 470, 454, and 548, and I also need to upgrade my 453 and 497. If you have of the issues that I’m missing, I would love to hear from you. Even if you don’t want to sell them, it would be nice to get confirmation that they exist. Kirk

and for those note aware of it, there were several DC newsstand issues that had slight differences from their direct counterparts in issues with cover dates from Feb 1999 through August 2009. Differences included the addition of anti-drug ads in direct sales copy and subscription inserts in newsstand copies. Here's an article I wrote about it many moons ago.

Here's a twist on news variants. Some newsstand issues have different page count from direct sales versions in addition to the price difference. Case in point... Batman Rebirth 3 pictured here. The direct version had 2 more folios in the centerfold to include some more DC ads.

Many moons ago, SM 117 DCU was only thought to exist but no one had ever seen it. And then one big-time collector of DCU's found it. You have found only the other copy that I'm aware of.

concur. New 52 created a lot of excitement, but the newsstand phenom was not yet a big thing. I think a lot of the newsstand issues ended up going to the shredder or the trash can.

Amazing run of Superman newsies. How did you find them? Loved that cover art too

Some of the toughest newsstand issues to find are from the early days of DC's New 52 and also just before that time. That was just before newsstand collecting took off and it was also after most Waldenbooks and other newsstands closed. So it was roughly the years 2005 through 2011.

Oh yes.... I recall many a time at Barnes and Noble the cashier handling the comic book like it was a grocery item. I cringed when they picked it up.

Whenever I see a 9.8 newsstand issue, I think to myself "How in the heck is that possible?". I would think that simple act of placing a comic book in a rack would keep it from remaining a 9.8. I recall Waldenbooks was still placing comic books on the spinning racks in the early 2000's. So to those folks who own 9.8 newsstand issues, I ask the following question.... How did you find that comic book? Did you work at the store where they were sold, and were you able to get a copy before it was even placed on the rack?

Just found two more Detective Jeweler variants at Iconiccomics on ebay (in the international part), which I often skip looking at). Out of 690 jeweler possible jeweler variants exist in titles of Batman, Detective, Superman, Action and JLA: - There are now only 5 issues that I haven't yet seen proof of containing the jeweler insert. Namely Batman 245, 390, Detective 470, 548 and Action Comics 579. - There are only 5 known ones that I don't yet have in my collection: Namely Batman 247, Superman 255, 292, and JLA 100 and 107 (still can't believe I lost a bid on a beat up JLA 107 for more than $100). - Almost all the 680 my MJ variants in those 5 titles are in VF or better. There's only 4 that are in less than vgFN condition (namely Batman 243, Detective 497, Superman 291 and 294). If anyone has any of those comic books listed above, I would love to hear about it, even if you don't want to sell.

Thanks, and great thread. Modern newsies? I've found every single one in the titles of Batman, Detective, Superman/Adv of Superman, and Action Comics. If anyone wants to see a particular issue, just let me know.

very cool that you found many of these in the wild....I'm slightly surprised that many could be found in that fashion these days. Congrats!

what an incredible memory you have Kenaran. How in the heck would anyone recall the "Six-Fifty" blurb on the cover of Action 650? And congats on getting those comic books for a bargain.

you are the master of sniffing this stuff out before anyone else catches on. Congrats!

Great find. That looks like a very high grade copy too. thanks for sharing!

Most of the jeweler variants shown above were upgrades. If anyone needs some Superman, Batman or JLA jeweler variants, I have a ton of them. Just send me a PM if you need help filling holes in those titles.

I thought of the same thing. I only checked Spiderman and did not see any jewelers. But if you google "Burning Comics Belgium" I'm sure the website will come up right away. It is an easy site to use, and you can quickly figure out what Marvel jeweler variants, if any, he has. I don't think he's on these boards but you can contact him by sending him a message thru his website.

A significant development in my pursuit of Mark Jewelers happed this week. With this post, I will also provide a listing of all jeweler variants that should exist in the five DC titles that I collect. Thanks to Bart at ‘Burning Comics’ in Belgium, I was able to find some more Mark Jeweler variants that I have never seen before, as well as fill in some holes in my Mark Jeweler runs. Bart was extremely helpful and communicative… so if you are missing some DC Mark Jeweler variants, he would be a great source. Bart found an incredible run of DC jeweler variants, which are typically the hardest to find. This is the most extensive run of jeweler variants I’ve ever seen from one collection (the second closest being the run that Hills of Comics in Seattle discovered about four years ago). In the five titles I collect (i.e. Batman, Detective, Superman, Action and JLA), Bart’s run of jeweler variants appear to have started on or after the year 1976 and are nearly complete up until approximately Feb 1986, which is close to the time when they stopped being made for DC Comics (i.e. July 1986). The runs also contained some comic books from the same collection that did not have jeweler variants, which helped confirm my theory that jeweler variants were not produced for those particular issues. Recall that Mark Jeweler variants exist for almost every DC Comics issue sold on newsstands with cover dates of Aug 1972 through Jun or July of 1986 with the exception of giant or over-sized issues, square-bound issues, and issues with cover dates of March or April of 1975 (over the course of 14 years, only those two months were skipped…for reasons unknown to me.) It was also incredible that most of Bart’s jeweler variants were in high grade (i.e. FNVF to NM), which is very unusual given that most jeweler variants were bought off newsstand racks in military Post Exchanges. Here is a summary of where I now stand, thanks to Bart. 1. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in the title of Superman. Superman jeweler variants are 255-271, 273-277, 279-283, 287-376, 378-399, 401-410, 412-420). The only ones I don’t have in my collection are 255 and 292, plus I need to upgrade my 291 and 294 (otherwise all are in FN or better condition). 2. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in the title of JLA. JLA jeweler variants are 100-109, 118-138, 149, 158-192, 194-199, 201-207, 209-241, 243-249, 251-252). The only ones I don’t have in my collection are JLA 100 and 107. 3. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in Action Comics except for one issue (Action 579). Action jeweler variants are 415-436, 438-442, 444, 447-448, 450-499, 501-536, 538-543, 545-572, 574-580). I have them all in FN or better condition except 579, which I have yet to find. 4. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in Batman except for two issues (namely Batman 245 and 390). Batman jeweler variants are 243-253, 263-299, 301-352, 354-386, 388-396). I have all except 245, 247 and 390, and I also need to upgrade my 243. 5. I have found all jeweler variants that should exist in Detective Comics except for two issues (namely Detective 470 and 548). Detective jeweler variants are 426-437, 447-480, 496-499, 501-519, 521-525, 527-563. I have them all except 470, 454, and 548, and I also need to upgrade my 453 and 497. If you have of the issues that I’m missing, I would love to hear from you. Even if you don’t want to sell them, it would be nice to get confirmation that they exist.

If anyone ever wants to sell one, please send me PM. I think I'd pay at least $100 for one.

p.s. late 1980's were an interesting time to be collecting comic books. There was a lot of buzz in the market when that Batman movie with Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger and Jack Nicholson came out. That, plus the first "Dark Knight", Batman: Year One, and relaunch of titles like Superman and Justice League made collecting and reading very fun for me. I remember thinking something like this about "The Dark Knight": "This looks like dooky but I can't stop reading and I'm fascinated".

pretty gruesome cover when you stop and look at it.

I'm glad I'm not a Green Lantern collector!

that is amazing. Thanks for sharing!

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.