How important are Variant Covers to you?

[otherworldcomics]

Okay, as I stated on here in other threads, I was out of comic collecting for a few years due to some financial changes. Now, in the last couple of years things are lots better so I've been working on collecting books I've missed. Particularly, ASM. The last books I had were aound 543 or so. Yeah, its been a while. So now I'm all caught up to #700 and beyond to Superior Spider-man. What I have noticed was the growing number of variant covers, especially over the last couple of years. 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, 1:75, 1;100. Its getting kind of crazy like the 90's were. So I caught myself chasing the dragon, trying to get all of these variants and I had to put a break on it. It was just too much.

 

Collecting comics used to be about just getting the book. Like finishing my ASM run, I just wanted a good copy of the book. It felt good. It was what collecting was like when I started and especially when I was a kid.

 

So the question to you, my fellow comic collectors, how important are variant covers to you? Not, just the latest craze of covers, but also, say, Newstand verses Direct comics? Are you just happy to get a copy of a book or are you chasing the variant cover dragon?

[ChrisInBaltimore]

I could care less. It is a gimmick. I will occasionally buy a variant if the cover is cool, but if it is priced differently then chances are I'm not too worried.

[newshane]

Unfortunately I have to have them all.

 

...and I have the misfortune of collecting Spawn.

[joecgcmaniac]

Unfortunately I have to have them all.

 

...and I have the misfortune of collecting Spawn.

 

At least you don't collect Zenescope titles where every issue has to have at least 1 variant, but usually more during con season.

[DiceX]

Unfortunately I have to have them all.

 

...and I have the misfortune of collecting Spawn.

 

At least you don't collect Zenescope titles where every issue has to have at least 1 variant, but usually more during con season.

 

Apparently you don't keep up with Spawn.

 

 

[zosocane]

I could care less about variant covers. In fact, if there is a variant cover, I don't buy it. A variant cover is a like a reprint. Something about it that ain't right.

[oakman29]

The only variants I chased were in the Amazing Spider-Man run.I have a complete run from AF 15,ASM #1-current.

[valiantman]

Before it is said for the third time...

 

The phrase is... I COULDN'T care less.

 

If you COULD care less, it means you CARE.

[Captain Canuck]

The only variants I chased were in the Amazing Spider-Man run.I have a complete run from AF 15,ASM #1-current.

 

Wow!!! I used to care about the variants, but it is becoming too expensive to buy them, so for now I am staying away from. Comic collecting in general is becoming a very expensive hobby.

[stroszek]

Variant covers mean nothing at all to me. I see them as being less desirable; there's only one "real" version of each comic book. The rest are distractions.

 

I did, however, buy the MAD Magazine variant of Flash with Alfred E. Newman flashing. 'Cause that was awesome.

[Bill1]

I buy the variant first.

[John R]

I don't buy any variants, unless it's the same price as the regular cover and then I'll choose the one that I like more.

[ChrisInBaltimore]

The only variants I chased were in the Amazing Spider-Man run.I have a complete run from AF 15,ASM #1-current.

 

Does that include con exclusives? Do you have that MJ/Venom variant? All that stuff?

[oakman29]

The only variants I chased were in the Amazing Spider-Man run.I have a complete run from AF 15,ASM #1-current.

 

Does that include con exclusives? Do you have that MJ/Venom variant? All that stuff?

Why yes young lad. (thumbs u

[romanheart]

I collect the ones I like. Some of them have really nice covers. If you are a collector of ASM or Justice League it could get brutal trying to collect them all. For some other titles it is achievable.

[oakman29]

I never understood paying thousands of dollars more for a price variant.Example Iron Fist 14 .35 cent variant. Not worth it to me!

[dupont2005]

Variants are completely off my radar as far as purchasing and collecting. In fact, I'm less likely to buy a comic that has a lot of variants. Not because I hate being "forced" to buy every cover, I have no desire to do that. But because in my experience nine times out of ten if a comic has a variant every issue, every other issue, or with any regularity, it's actually not that great for reading.

[ChrisInBaltimore]

The only variants I chased were in the Amazing Spider-Man run.I have a complete run from AF 15,ASM #1-current.

 

Does that include con exclusives? Do you have that MJ/Venom variant? All that stuff?

Why yes young lad. (thumbs u

 

Wow

[Buzzetta]

I am perfectly fine with one regular/standard cover first print copy of every Amazing Spider-man book ever published. If I get a variant after that then that is awesome. Marvel made it a fool's errand to chase then all.

 

I think the straw that broke the camel's back in trying to collect all ASM variants was when they offered individually drawn covers if you are ordered enough. You got a ticket or something and would have your likeness drawn on the Spider-Island cover.

 

At that point, at least for me, it went too far. I kept the one's I liked and sold off the rest. I can still say I have a complete set.

[comicsnyc22]

I literally could not care less. Everything about them seems like a cash grab to me.