Do You Buy Variants? 0

[LovinTheSurfer]

i only buy modern cover variants, anita blake only but kinda hard to find in person...online is too easy...i like the hunt

[NewEnglandGothic]

i only buy modern cover variants, anita blake only but kinda hard to find in person...online is too easy...i like the hunt

Have seen the Marvel Newsstand Price Variants of the Anita Blakes(and other titles) at Borders Books ? Sometimes you can pick one up in NM+ condition the day they come out usually two or three weeks after the LCS release date. I've seen the Anitas in Concord, but I'm not sure about the Borders in Nashua or Salem, NH?

[Boboset]

I only buy variants if it pertains to my ASM collection. Other than that I stay away from the things. Variants really me off especially since they've become a mainstay of modern comics. ASM is so frickin' bad with variants now. Every other issue has like 4 variant covers, and I HATE spending that much money on newer comics when there is so much Silver/Bronze age stuff I could spend that money on.

 

Everytime I buy a variant cover I feel like I just purchased a beanie baby.

[voeidson]

I've been given the scoop from a big time comic dealer in Detroit that most variant books are re-offered to retailers as a bonus when they purchase an X amount of of a certain book. In essence variants depreciate in value more than anything. Buy them on Ebay for cheapest possible when the surge hits. i.e. blackest night 1 sketch 1:250 is seeing that now as a release of a couple hundred have been determined. Prices as low as $15. These used to be $80 plus 2 weeks ago.

 

These retailers are able to purchase them for a couple books. Kick- 1 sketch and variant will soon see that as well. Sell now!

[Silver Surfer]

i.e. blackest night 1 sketch 1:250 is seeing that now as a release of a couple hundred have been determined. Prices as low as $15. These used to be $80 plus 2 weeks ago.

 

 

Good I still need a copy so $15 sounds good to me.

[Marvelfangirl]

I used to buy variant covers,but I stop buying them b/c it was costing me some money.

[Jeffro.]

No, but then again I don't really buy moderns anymore.

[Soft-Serve]

Got all the DD variants. Love the covers, don't care it's a cheap marketing gimmick. I'll do it on ASM too. You just watch me

[rp12367]

I buy any/all variants for titles, I'm making a complete run at.

[Comicopolis]

No.

[goldust40]

No.

[Babygorilla-migration]

Yes but it depends on the series. I bought a lot of the variants that came out with Incredible Hercules. Some series go way overboard like Red Sonja from Dynamite.

[Kevin.J]

I am a sucker for variants

[Ken Aldred]

If I preferred the art on a variant cover and could buy it at cover price, I would choose that over the regular version. Never at inflated prices, though.

[Webhead1981]

I use to get every Amazing Spider-Man variant. But the announcement of issue #700's insane 1 in 200 and 1 in 700 variant has made me stop getting anymore variant covers.

[Whizzer]

I get the occasional one if the art really appeals to me. As an example I got the variant to the recent Batman 0 as I preferred it to the main cover, (I didn't buy the main cover as well).

 

I like having the choice and don't feel compelled to buy all of them.

 

The Walking Dead 100 variants were criticized as exploitative, but I liked the way they did a 'something to fear cover' which fit right in with the other covers in that arc. I see that as considerate rather than exploitative.

 

With the Uncanny Avengers 1, I picked up the regular, the blank (so that I could get a sketch done on it) and the Midtown (because they aren't distributed in the UK and I didn't have to pay for it ). We did have customers who bought all of them including the 1:100 and the launch party opt in variant, but these are collectors with deep pockets who love this stuff.

 

Sales of these big dollar variants, allow us to offer the regular covers at £2.00 each, which benefits the regular customer.

 

 

[TheMightyJohn]

For me it depends if I like the artist and if it is one of a select few titles. Even then I usually wait a few months for prices to drop.

 

For most of my monthly books I won't ever consider purchasing variants.

[Waylander]

I am a sucker for variants

 

 

+1

[Boozad]

If I like the cover, I'll buy it.

[architeuthis]

No.

 

I first (seriously) started collecting in 1991. The current variant trend chaps me just as much that era's nonsense did. I can (maybe) accept a variant cover (ONE, dammit) for a true milestone issue, ie; issue #500, but that's it.

 

Upon my very recent return to collecting (lapsed in around 2000ish), I was very surprised and, honestly, a bit disappointed to see this going on.

Edited November 5, 2012 by BronzeHorror