gradejunky

The Spiderman #1 Gold UPC shouldn't exist at all...it is a "freak", caught between the normal practices of the past, and the new realities of comics in the 90's.

 

Spider-Man #1 Gold is the second printing of the book, printed because the first printings sold out at the distributor level. Because second printings (as opposed to reprints) weren't common at the time, and since "reprints" had historically been sold through alternative distribution channels like department stores (the most recent examples being the "multi-pack" DC reprints of various late 80's Superman and Batman books), there really was no mechanism in place to handle a "second printing" for newsstand distribution. Up to that point (including books like Dark Knight #1-3, Green Arrow: Long Bow Hunters #1, Ghost Rider #1, Killing Joke), second printings were printed for and sold to the direct market only. Partly because of the peculiarities of the newsstand market (there was no such thing as "re-orders" for that market, and most books arrived 2-3 weeks AFTER the direct market copies) and partly because it was assumed there would be no interest in second or later printings at the newsstand level, such books simply didn't exist.

 

What can be gleaned is that the second print/UPC code book was printed "by special request" (they weren't requesting a special variant, just more copies to sell) from Wal-Mart, which had sold a boatload of the first printings themselves.

 

Since Wal-Mart was a "newsstand" distribution channel, all comics they ordered would have to have a UPC code, and since there weren't any newsstand copies of the first printing left, the hybrid second print/UPC book was born. Since Spiderman #1 Gold was ALSO a hit, Marvel continued to use the "gold second printing" device for a couple of years, at which point print runs had become so immense, second printings were no longer necessary, and after that the Crash, and second printings were REALLY no longer necessary. It is likely the first, last, and only time in history that there was a "newsstand" version for a second printing variant.

 

It is assumed, but not proven, that these were printed by special order from Wal-Mart because the only known sources for these books were Wal-Mart.

 

By the by....if ANYONE has proof of "newsstand variants" (that is, copies with UPC codes) of later printings on ANY comic book, it would be warmly welcomed...particularly for books like Killing Joke or any of the other Marvel second printings.

When I was first reading comics and this book came out, those Gold UPC versions could be had at a grocery store called Publix here in FL. I remember wanting the silver bagged version so much that when my mom pointed these out to me I was not interested. They were sealed in 3-pack bundles if I'm not mistaken, and I'm bummed I was such a little mess that made my mom buy me the silver version which is way less valuable than what she paid for it in the day. mom

Saw a 3rd print of this book myself today. Not sure if anyone had posted this yet. I read #1, have bought #2 but have yet to read it. Story is pretty good, art is tolerable. The television headed humanoids getting their freak on was enough to get me to buy the second issue. As far as speculating, I bought 2 copies of each issue, something I do for just about every series I read anyhow.

Whoops forgot to add one.

All of the cabinets are all ready almost filled. Besides the two middle ones which are files.

 

Very classy with all the nice cherry wood and built-ins. I live in a closet, thus all my books and collectibles are housed in climate controlled storage. I'm jealous of all these rooms. (thumbs u

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi was under ordered by all. #1 1st print is nigh impossible to find at an LCS in my area. I did get one and then ordered one on an online sight.

I always spread the eyes a little too far apart Nice work everybody! keep 'em coming

Always remember that there is one eyes space between each eye to correct that.

"statutes" really - amazing statues!!!

 

Holy sheet!

Holy statues Batman!!!!! That room is awesome indeed.

Went to a garage sale today that I found from an ad on craigslist. Guy had a small collection which he said is what was left from what he bought from a comic shop. He wanted 150 for everything Convinced him to let me pick out five books for 10 bucks.

 

Got:

 

Star Wars #1

Action Comics #390

Brave and the Bold #75, #92 (Thought this was an Adams book. Guy wouldnt let me take the comic out of the bag to find out )

Andy Panda Whitman (Dont know much about whitmans, thought I know there are rare variants and I thought I would give it a shot. I think it's a Golden Key variant.)

 

How did I do?

Well depends on the condition of said comics.

1. Is the Star Wars the .35 cent variant? If not its it at least a first print?

2. B&B Both good snags if they are in decent shape. #93 is an Adams book.

3. Always pick up whitman cartoon books if you can get them, especially if they are from a casual reader who is just selling off their stuff they bought as kids. There are so many whitman comics that have price variants and the awesome pre-pack only stuff that makes some collectors go ga ga. I just scoop em all up as it's just way too hard to remember which ones are scarce.

p.s. Something I have learned is how to spot the pre-pack only whitmans.

At the TLC under the whitman logo you'll always see a # like 90011-107 or similar, but on a pre-pack only book the # will just say 90011 with no - and no # following. These books always are in the .50 to .65 cover price range if I'm not mistaken. Also keep an eye out for books with a white whitman logo instead of the ever present yellow as these I believe are certain types of variants, although I've never seen any myself.

Hope this might help a little

I've got about 8,000 or more including alot of doubles of most of my modern stuff. Haven't bought books for about 3 months now. I would really like to get rid of some stuff and concentrate on GA/SA/BA in the near future.

Wow, nice find on the GSXM1!!!

 

I can't compete, but here are some of my pickups this weekend.

 

A fun volume "C" of the Encyclopedia of Collectibles with a nice comics cover and a lengthy section on comics!

 

Some nice HG Star comics and a handful of misc comics

 

Nice Stars!!!

I'd personally love to have that. A tough grade to say the least. Those Star boks are hard to come by period, let alone in that shape!

Yeah ! Just now won from iamshellhead ebay seller

 

 

$35

Awesome

Not for the seller I's a thinking

That Silver Surfer #14=

SS #11 looks like a 9.6 from FC...I'm in love <3. That is one run that I haven't started yet but will in the future when I have real dough for HG examples. Long live the Surfer and hey Marvel, how's about a Silver Surfer ongoing one of these days...sheesh!

I've found 3M Scotch Packaging Tape to be the best.

 

But too expensive...

 

 

DOLLAR STORE tape is best

 

Lots of tape, cheap, and I only had one roll out of hundreds purchased that kept splitting on me so much I could not user it. So I lost my dollar on that roll.

 

The Duck brand tape is thick too and works great also!

Definitely a good tutorial! (thumbs u

Ok hopefully all who don't know how to pack a book have read and fully understand that tutorial. Good job! I pack my books almost the same with a few variations.