Transformers (1984) #3 Never Before Seen (? Probably not) Fourth Print? 3 3

[Beyonder123]

On 11/2/2022 at 5:32 PM, Who_am_I_D.R.I. said:

I love when someone tries to peice together some obscure truth from breadcrumbs and old memories. I have 1-15 3 packs. Here are some pictures. Let me know if there's any info I can provide to move you forward. My 7,8 , 9 pack is weird because it looks like a reseal but I do not think it is. I have seen many others with the short bag like in my picture. Also, there are some cool price tags on some of these too, like the 1 cent discount on the Kmart bag lol.

This is an awesome resource! Could you check the back cover ads for each issue? 7 is definitely a 2nd or third print since it's missing the Curtis logo.

[Who_am_I_D.R.I.]

On 11/2/2022 at 9:07 PM, Beyonder123 said:

This is an awesome resource! Could you check the back cover ads for each issue? 7 is definitely a 2nd or third print since it's missing the Curtis logo.

My issue #1 is definitely a risk back cover. I will try to get some pictures of the other 3 packs tomorrow if time allows.

[Lazyboy]

On 10/26/2022 at 9:05 AM, Beyonder123 said:

And Marvel was definitely distributing multipacks around this time. 

I know, different bags. But these are older than the Transformers issues by at least 8 months, and it just proves the point that some of these multipacks indeed were distributed by Marvel.

Just a little update here: an old post with a better, clearer image showing that these were not actually distributed by Marvel.

[Beyonder123]

On 11/2/2022 at 7:26 PM, Lazyboy said:

Just a little update here: an old post with a better, clearer image showing that these were not actually distributed by Marvel.

I looked these up on ebay and found an even clearer image. At first I thought it said distributed by Whitman-Golden. But on the clearer image it says, "Imported by Whitman Golden Limited, Cambridge, Ontario". Which makes sense as these are Canadian Variants.

So while whether or not Marvel distributed these in the states is still debatable, it does prove Whitman Golden Limited distributed them in Canada

 

Edited November 3, 2022 by Beyonder123

[Who_am_I_D.R.I.]

here are my notes and pictures to show the back cover ads. I was not able to recall the ads so you will have to compare with your own notes to be sure of which ads are shown.

 

1 and 3 ESB

4 Risk?

6 Mostly blue with some white dots

7  and 9 and 10 have a green circle and part of a hand

12 has parts of a robot or toy. maybe gobots?

13 yellow with edges of squares

15 pinkish add 

Edited November 3, 2022 by Who_am_I_D.R.I.
forogt descriptions

[Beyonder123]

On 11/3/2022 at 4:51 PM, Who_am_I_D.R.I. said:

here are my notes and pictures to show the back cover ads. I was not able to recall the ads so you will have to compare with your own notes to be sure of which ads are shown.

 

1 and 3 ESB

4 Risk?

6 Mostly blue with some white dots

7  and 9 and 10 have a green circle and part of a hand

12 has parts of a robot or toy. maybe gobots?

13 yellow with edges of squares

15 pinkish add 

1 - Star Wars back cover (First Print)

3 - Star wars back cover (Weird first print?)

4 - Risk (First Print)

6 - Astronaut (First Print)

7 - Honeycomb (Third Print)

9 - Honeycomb (Second Print, Same release date as 7 third print)

I will have to compare the back cover ads for the rest with my first prints. It looks like your 1-3, and 4-6 multipacks are first print packs, and the 7-9 are later print packs. Your 1-3 is also the second multipack I've seen with the strange version of issue 3.

[Who_am_I_D.R.I.]

Just another little note. I was at my LCS and they had 2 copies of #7 both with the payday add on the back. I checked the indicas, one said second pritning the othe did not. all the internal ads were identical.

[Dr. Balls]

On 11/5/2022 at 12:05 PM, Who_am_I_D.R.I. said:

Just another little note. I was at my LCS and they had 2 copies of #7 both with the payday add on the back. I checked the indicas, one said second pritning the othe did not. all the internal ads were identical.

Off-topic, but kudos for your user name.

[Beyonder123]

On 11/5/2022 at 11:05 AM, Who_am_I_D.R.I. said:

Just another little note. I was at my LCS and they had 2 copies of #7 both with the payday add on the back. I checked the indicas, one said second pritning the othe did not. all the internal ads were identical.

That's good to know. That seems to be the only issue that has a second print with identical ads to the first print. I bought one and have it on the way.

[Who_am_I_D.R.I.]

On 11/5/2022 at 2:07 PM, Dr. Balls said:

Off-topic, but kudos for your user name.

 Music from the good ol' days

[Beyonder123]

Got these in today. We already know of this multipacks existence per an earlier post. But I purchased this before hand and it just showed up, so may as well show it for the records.

Issue 7 third print, 8 and 9 second print

[Lazyboy]

On 11/7/2022 at 8:58 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Marvel definitely ordered these to be made. No doubt in my mind about that.

Marvel's the publisher. These aren't counterfeit, so of course they ordered them from the printer.

On 11/7/2022 at 8:58 PM, Beyonder123 said:

I'm also convinced Marvel distributed them, hence the literal, "Distributed by Marvel Books" on the stand.

Again, Marvel is not a distributor. Marvel's parent company owned a distributor, but they would not have been involved with these.

On 11/7/2022 at 8:58 PM, Beyonder123 said:

But I could possibly entertain the idea that they weren't necessarily distributed by Marvel, but ordered by Marvel and distributed by a smaller distributor. Kind of like how we know they were distributed by Whitman in Canada.

These were undoubtedly ordered from Marvel by some distributor. Marvel didn't just decide suddenly to put together multi-packs of comics with properties they licensed and create reprints, which they were not otherwise doing at the time.

Do you think it's a coincidence that the multi-pack/reprint issues are all non-Marvel properties (and Secret Wars, which was created by request to be a toy tie-in)?

[Beyonder123]

On 11/8/2022 at 12:50 PM, Lazyboy said:

Do you think it's a coincidence that the multi-pack/reprint issues are all non-Marvel properties (and Secret Wars, which was created by request to be a toy tie-in)?

Man, you do really come through with little gems like this from time to time. That's a good observation. I just wish you could get them across without the condescension.

[Stronguy]

Observations:
Reprints don't have return register markings, indicating they never intended to the newsstand.
Reprints could be related to these being licensed properties by Marvel.  Things that got reprints and/or bagged versions in this era were: Star Wars, RotJ, Raider, GI Joe, Transformers, Smurfs, Secret Wars.  All were partnerships with other companies.

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #4 - Inside Front Cover: Go Bots, Inside Back Cover: Indiana Jones, Back Cover: Risk (03/85)

Blue return register mark
p.5 ad, Fig Newton maze
p.7 ad, Star Comics order form - marked MC-D84
p.10 ad, Twizzlers
p.12 ad, Quick
p.21 ad, Power Pack/Spider-Man
p.23 ad, Dr. Doom convention calendar/Marvel Super Mart
p.26 ad, multiple adds/Moondance Enterprises
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box/Check List (w/ Transformers #4, Daredevil #216)
p.32 ad, order form/"Celebrate the Holidays!!!" - marked Nov-84

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #4 - Inside Front Cover: Noxzema, Inside Back Cover: Secret Wars II, Back Cover: Pay Day (exp. 2/1/86) (08/85)

No return register mark
Printing not indicated in indicia
p.5 ad, Oreo Maze
p.7 ad, DB/Fit For Life
p.10 ad, Mile High Comics (Wolverine)
p.12 ad, Mile High Comics - Exp. May 31, 1985
p.21 ad, Bonkers
p.21 ad, Dorman's Cheese
p.26 ad, Doug Sulipa/Marvel Super Mart
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box (w/ Daredevil #221)/Elf Quest
p.32 ad, order form/"Special 4 Title Offer" - marked Apr-85

 

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #5 - Inside Cover: Rip Offs, Inside Back Cover: Star Comics, Back Cover: Acne 12 (06/85)

Blue return register marks
p.7 ad, Reese's Pieces
p.9 ad, Oreo word game
p.10 ad, Bonkers
p.12 ad. multiple ads/Marvel Super Mart
p.21 ad, multiple ads/Comic Convention 1985
p.23 ad, J&S Comics
p.26 ad, Olympic (Prizes or Cash)
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box/Check List (w/ Transformers #5, Daredevil #219)
p.32 ad, order form/"Special 1984 Prices in 1985" - marked Feb-85

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #5 - Inside Cover: Noxema, Inside Back Cover: Secret Wars II, Back Cover: Payday (exp. 2/1/86) (08/85)

No return register marks
Printing not indicated in indicia
p.7 ad, DP/Fit For Life
p.9 ad, Oreo maze
p.10 ad, Twizzlers
p.12 ad, Quick
p.21 ad, Bonkers
p.23 ad, Dorman's Cheese (stickers)
p.26 ad, multiple ads/Doug Sulipa/Marvel Super Mart
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box (w/ Daredevil #221)/Elf Quest
p.32 ad, order form/"Special 4 Title Offer" - marked Apr-85

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #6 - Inside Front Cover: Reeses Pieces, Inside Back Cover: Huffy, Back Cover: Astronaut (07/85)

Pink return register marks
p.5 ad, Oreo maze
p.7 ad, Tootsie Roll sweepstakes
p.10 ad, Secret Wars II
p.12 ad, multiple ads/Comics 50¢
p.21 ad, Power Pack/Spider-Man
p.23 ad, multiple ads/Marvel Super Mart
p.26 ad, Star Comics order form - marked STM-385
p.28 ad, Roger Stern's Old-Fashioned Crunchy-Style Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box/Check List (w/ Transformers #6, Daredevil #220)
p.31 ad, Fred Hembeck Destroys the Marvel Universe
p.32 ad, order form/"Special 4 Title Offer" - marked Mar-85

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #6 - Inside Cover: Noxzema, Inside Back Cover: Secret Wars II, Back Cover: Pay Day (08/85)

Don't have this one

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #7 - Inside Cover: Noxzema, Inside Back Cover: Secret Wars II, Back Cover: Pay Day (08/85)

Pink return register marks
p.5 ad, Oreo maze
p.7 ad, DP/Fit For Life
p.10 ad, Twizzlers
p.12 ad, Quick
p.21 ad, Bonkers
p.23 ad, Dorman's Cheese
p.26 ad, multiple ads/Doug Sulipa/Marvel Super Mart
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box (w/ Daredevil #221)/Elf Quest

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #7 (Second Print) - Back Cover: Pay Day (08/85)

Don't have this one

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #7 (Third Print) - Inside Front Cover: Astronaut, Inside Back Cover: Bullpen Bulletins/Check Box (w/ Transformers #10, Daredevil #224), Back Cover: Honeycomb (11/85)

No return register mark
Third Printing in indicia
p.5 ad, Oreo maze
p.7 ad, Bonkers Robot Watch
p.10 ad, Reese's Pieces
p.12 ad, DP/Fit For Life
p.21 ad, Mile High Comics (exp. Dec 31, 1985)
p.24 ad, Neon Lace Glow in the Dark Posters
p.26 ad, Olympic (Prizes or Cash)

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #8 - Inside Cover: Secret Wars II, Inside Back Cover: Star Comics (#S2M-85), Back Cover: Astronaut (09/85)

Pink return register mark
p.5 ad, Fig Newtons maze
p.7 ad, Quick
p.10 ad, Reese's Pieces
p.12 ad, Bonkers
p.21 ad, Mile High Comics (Wolverine)
p.23 ad, Mile High comics (exp. Nov 30, 1985)
p.26 ad, multiple ads/Elf Quest
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Hype Box/Check List (w/ Transformers #8, Daredevil #222)
p.31 ad, Solomon Kane
p.32 ad, order form/"Special 4 Title Offer" - marked May-85

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #8 (Second Print) - Inside Cover: Astronaut, Inside Back Cover: Bullpen Bullitins, Back Cover: Honeycomb (11/85)

Don't have this one

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #9 - Inside Cover: Astronaut, Inside Back Cover: Secret Wars II, Back Cover: Rip Offs (10/85)

Purple return register mark
p.5 ad, Fig Newtons
p.7 ad, Twizzlers
p.10 ad, Heavenly Kid
p.12 ad, Quick
p.21 ad, Tootsie Roll Sweepstakes
p.23 ad, Transformers on videocassette/J&S Comics
p.26 ad, Mile High Comics (exp. Dec 31, 1985)
p.28 ad, Bullpen Bulletins/Mighty Marvel Convention Calendar/Checklist (w/ Transformers #9, Daredevil #223)
p.31 ad, West Coast Avengers/Vision and the Scarlet Witch
p.32 ad, order form/"Special Savings Coupon" - marked June 85

On 10/30/2022 at 11:05 PM, Beyonder123 said:

Transformers #9 (Second Print) - Inside Cover: Astronaut, Inside Back Cover: Bullpen Bulletins/Checklist (w/ Transformers #10, Daredevil #224), Back Cover: Honeycomb (11/85)

No return register mark
Second Printing in indicia
p.5 ad, Oreo maze
p.7 ad, Bonkers robot watch
p.10 ad, Reese's Pieces
p.12 ad, DB/Fit For Life
p.21 ad, Mile High Comic (Wolverine)
p.23 ad, Mile High Comics (exp. Dec 31, 1985)
p.26 ad, Neon Lace, Glow in the Dark Posters
p.28 ad, Olympic (Prize or Cash)
p.31 ad, West Coast Avengers/Vision and the Scarlet Witch
p.32 ad, order form/"Special Savings Coupon" - marked July 85

Edited November 10, 2022 by Stronguy

[Beyonder123]

On 11/9/2022 at 12:43 PM, Stronguy said:

Reprints don't have return register markings, indicating they never intended to the newsstand.
Reprints could be related to these being licensed properties by Marvel.  Things that got reprints and/or bagged versions in this era were: Star Wars, RotJ, Raider, GI Joe, Transformers, Smurfs, Secret Wars.  All were partnerships with other companies.

Great list! I'll expand upon it later with the editions I have. I also want to add that Thundercats, and Secret Wars II #6 have subsequent printings as well.

It would be interesting if examples could be found of issues of other properties. Strawberry Shortcake, Muppets, Heathcliff, Rom, Indiana Jones, as well as others.