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GPDCOMICS
Saturday, October 11, 2014 11:50:20 PM
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Decided to start a new thread on this. I'm moving along faster than I thought. What I'm going to do is post each section with the list of comics in chronological order. I'm guessing I'll be done within 2-3 days and will then post my finds.

This thread will cover all Marvel comics that came in pre-packs. I'm guessing these are all newsstand releases and probably were in retail stores like K-Mart, Toys R Us, Sears, etc. All comics seem to have come out from February 1977 to May 1979, a little over a 2 year span. Most of the titles had issues released in these packs, and I'm checking every title I can come across that was published during this time to see if there are any Whitman versions out there. I think all titles seem to have had a few issues in the runs not reprinted. Any issue where I don't have photo proof will not be listed until I see the actual comic book.

Each new reply to this thread will have the one type of Whitman reprint described and list all the comics in that section. You will see sometimes some bouncing back and forth, meaning there was a barcode, then blank UPC, then back to barcode. I'll also try and make one post which lists the titles/issues in alphabetical/numerical order so anyone collecting those specific titles will not have to weed through the various sections. It'll be just one giant list.

So in a few days, you'll get to see all my research. Many of the variations are not in CCL. I would add them, and will add them, if I find non-watermarked scans of the comics so the CCL database is accurate. The majority of books I add to the list that are not on CCL will probably come from Mile High website.

Once the list is published, if you have any books not on the list, please try and add them to CCL and inform me so I can add them to the list. I know many dealers don't want to redo their inventories on CCL, but I'm doing this for the completionist out there.

Phil
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outcast
Sunday, October 12, 2014 7:25:32 AM
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Thread was moved because the comics being discussed are off-topic for the Newsstand Editions sub-forum. Marvel Whitman and other multi-pack comics aren't newsstand editions.
SwiftMann
Sunday, October 12, 2014 9:52:32 AM
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outcast wrote:
Thread was moved because the comics being discussed are off-topic for the Newsstand Editions sub-forum. Marvel Whitman and other multi-pack comics aren't newsstand editions.

I'm pretty sure if you asked 100 collectors "Are multi-packs newsstand or direct editions" 100 collectors would say newsstand. What with them only being available in the exact same places as other newsstand editions.
outcast
Sunday, October 12, 2014 11:26:33 AM
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Where did you get the idea that multi-packs were available in exactly the same places as newsstand editions? They weren't, at least not in the '70s. There were stores where you could buy newsstand comics "loose" (not bagged), and there were other stores where you could buy the multi-packs. I was collecting then, and I don't remember ever seeing both types in the same store.

Also, my recent research has pretty well convinced me that unsold multi-packs weren't returnable to publishers. Returnability is a key characteristic of newsstand distribution.
Thundercron
Sunday, October 12, 2014 12:11:45 PM
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outcast wrote:
Where did you get the idea that multi-packs were available in exactly the same places as newsstand editions? They weren't, at least not in the '70s. There were stores where you could buy newsstand comics "loose" (not bagged), and there were other stores where you could buy the multi-packs. I was collecting then, and I don't remember ever seeing both types in the same store.

Also, my recent research has pretty well convinced me that unsold multi-packs weren't returnable to publishers. Returnability is a key characteristic of newsstand distribution.


I think Swifty's point is that if you forced a collector to classify these as either direct or newsstand, most collectors would pick newsstand, if only because they were not sold in comic shops.

Even though they don't belong in either category, most would default to newsstand.
outcast
Sunday, October 12, 2014 2:34:08 PM
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Thundercron wrote:
I think Swifty's point is that if you forced a collector to classify these as either direct or newsstand, most collectors would pick newsstand, if only because they were not sold in comic shops.
Forcing such a choice would be forcing, I think, a false choice, because those aren't the only two historical distribution categories. Maybe there should be a new sub-forum for Whitman/multi-pack comics. I'd support that, if anyone wants it.

Thundercron wrote:
Even though they don't belong in either category, most would default to newsstand.
At least we agree that Whitman/multi-pack editions don't belong in either newsstand or direct-sales category. But to "default to newsstand"?

I'm remembering a discovery by someone on this board of an unopened Marvel multi-pack, dating from after Marvel's early 1979 decision to change trade dress on direct editions. It's my recollection the multi-pack comics were indistinguishable from direct-sales editions of those issues. To me, that makes multi-pack comics closer to direct editions than to newsstand editions.

Oh, well. I guess all this does is demonstrate there's more than one way of looking at almost anything.
GPDCOMICS
Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:10:18 PM
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I started a new thread because I did realize it was off topic. I want to apologize to Outcast and if you want me to delete the posts in that thread, or you want to delete, go ahead. I would have considered it newsstand. I see there were Marvel packs with newsstand editions in them when finding issues in between that didn't have a Whitman variant in the packs with bar codes. I was doing a search on one of the titles, I think it was a Hulk and someone had a multipack with that issue in it and you can tell that it had a bar code. Meaning there probably is no Whitman variant for it.

Anything Mile High said was a Whitman variant, but did not have a photo for it, I tried to find someone selling it anywhere. In a few instances, I did find some, so I added it to the lists I'm about to post. I'm finished going through every title released in the mid to late 70s. I could find nothing before February, 1977 and nothing after May, 1979, so all Whitman releases will be within that timeline.

There were a few titles that had a comic book with the price inside of the "explosion". The price was not in a diamond in the explosion though. Master of Kung Fu, I think #46, and I believe the last issue of Captain Marvel come to mind. There are no variations of this book. The price in the explosion IS the only release to my knowledge. Mile High posts this showing the scan for the regular and showing the same scan as a Whitman variant. Unless there is some distinguishing difference between the two, I will not add it to the list.

As for those issues released in the Marvel multi-packs that are just the normal newsstand releases, they will also not be considered Whitman variants.

There are just 4 categories of price area and bar code area differences that make a Whitman comic look different from the newsstand with one exception. The exception is Spidey Super Stories #36 as Swift pointed out. This comic has a price inside of a circle, but the UPC box is blank. Otherwise, all other Whitman comics fit into one of the 4 categories below.

Price in a diamond, the diamond in a box, bar code.
Price in a diamond, the diamond in a box, UPC blank.
Price in a diamond, the diamond in an explosion, bar code.
Price in a diamond, the diamond in an explosion, UPC blank.

I'm going to try and post it in a list, though I put it in a spreadsheet file. some of the lists have over 100 variations, some titles you may not have even thought of looking at, but I tried to research every title in print from 1977 to 1979. 2 titles that were a total surprise with no Whitman variants to my knowledge were Doctor Strange and Ghost Rider.
EDIT: Doctor Strange #33 does have a variant and has been added.
I expected some because they ran before 1977 through to after 1979. Some titles that were canceling around the time when Whitman reprints began didn't have variants.

Anyway, if you're interested in helping, please review the lists. I'll try later this evening to put a total list in alpha/numeric order for those who want to concentrate on specific titles.

I know many people may be unwilling to deviate from their ways and not recognize these comics as variants, but there are collectors out there who will seek out these variants. I believe a few of these issues will be extremely hard to find and by knowing what to look for and actually participating in selling these as variants, dealers may be able to walk away with a nice profit. Just look at some of the 30/35 cent variants that were ignored for decades.

I'd like to thank Swift for helping with the list he gave. It was a great start. I figure I put in a good 10 hours with this. I thought it would take longer. I almost forgot a few titles, but eventually I think I covered them all. Again, if you find any mistakes with my list or new additions, please let me know. Scan evidence is required or send me a link if you see it online.

Forgot to mention one thing when I posted this earlier. There should be no duplication, meaning the same book should not be on separate lists. I believe there may be one or two Star Wars issues which breaks this rule where there is both a bar code and a blank UPC box, but otherwise, if there is a duplicate, please message me and I'll make sure it's fixed if it's not accurate.

Phil
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Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:22:33 PM
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This first section has the price in the diamond, the diamond in the box. There is a bar code in the UPC box. This is the earliest released Whitman variants starting with February, 1977. After September, 1977, the variation switches to a blank bar code, and then comes back for some reason in 1978 with a couple of issues in the spring, and many issues in August and September of 1978.


02/77 Amazing Spider-Man 165
02/77 Avengers 156
02/77 Captain America 206
02/77 Defenders 44
02/77 Eternals 8
02/77 Fantastic Four 179
02/77 Incredible Hulk 208
02/77 Invaders 13
02/77 Iron Man 95
02/77 Marvel Team-Up 54
02/77 Marvel Two-In-One 24
02/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 3
02/77 Thor 256
03/77 Amazing Spider-Man 166
03/77 Avengers 157
03/77 Captain America 207
03/77 Conan the Barbarian 72
03/77 Defenders 45
03/77 Eternals 9
03/77 Fantastic Four 180
03/77 Incredible Hulk 209
03/77 Invaders 14
03/77 Iron Man 96
03/77 Marvel Team-Up 55
03/77 Marvel Two-In-One 25
03/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 4
03/77 Thor 257
04/77 Amazing Spider-Man 167
04/77 Avengers 158
04/77 Captain America 208
04/77 Eternals 10
04/77 Fantastic Four 181
04/77 Incredible Hulk 210
04/77 Invaders 15
04/77 Marvel Team-Up 56
04/77 Marvel Two-In-One 26
04/77 Thor 258
05/77 Amazing Spider-Man 168
05/77 Avengers 159
05/77 Captain America 209
05/77 Conan the Barbarian 74
05/77 Defenders 47
05/77 Fantastic Four 182
05/77 Incredible Hulk 211
05/77 Iron Man 98
05/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 70
05/77 Marvel Super Action 1
05/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 64
05/77 Marvel Tales 79
05/77 Marvel Team-Up 57
05/77 Marvel Triple Action 35
05/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 6
05/77 Thor 259
06/77 Amazing Spider-Man 169
06/77 Avengers 160
06/77 Captain America 210
06/77 Conan the Barbarian 75
06/77 Daredevil 146
06/77 Defenders 48
06/77 Eternals 12
06/77 Fantastic Four 183
06/77 Howard the Duck 13
06/77 Incredible Hulk 212
06/77 Invaders 17
06/77 Iron Man 99
06/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 65
06/77 Marvel Tales 80
06/77 Marvel Team-Up 58
06/77 Marvel Two-In-One 28
06/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 7
06/77 Super-Villain Team-Up 12
06/77 Thor 260
07/77 Amazing Spider-Man 170
07/77 Avengers 161
07/77 Captain America 211
07/77 Conan the Barbarian 76
07/77 Eternals 13
07/77 Fantastic Four 184
07/77 Incredible Hulk 213
07/77 Invaders 18
07/77 Iron Man 100
07/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 71
07/77 Marvel Tales 81
07/77 Marvel Team-Up 59
07/77 Marvel Two-In-One 29
07/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 8
07/77 Tarzan 2
07/77 Thor 261
08/77 Amazing Spider-Man 171
08/77 Avengers 162
08/77 Captain America 212
08/77 Conan the Barbarian 77
08/77 Defenders 50
08/77 Eternals 14
08/77 Fantastic Four 185
08/77 Incredible Hulk 214
08/77 Invaders 19
08/77 Iron Man 101
08/77 Marvel Premiere 37
08/77 Marvel Tales 82
08/77 Marvel Team-Up 60
08/77 Marvel Two-In-One 30
08/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 9
08/77 Star Wars 2
08/77 Thor 262
09/77 Amazing Spider-Man 172
09/77 Avengers 163
09/77 Captain America 213
09/77 Conan the Barbarian 78
09/77 Defenders 51
09/77 Eternals 15
09/77 Incredible Hulk 215
09/77 Invaders 20
09/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 72
09/77 Marvel Super Action 3
09/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 66
09/77 Marvel Tales 83
09/77 Marvel Two-In-One 31
09/77 Star Wars 3
09/77 Thor 263
04/78 Incredible Hulk 222
05/78 Star Wars 11
08/78 Amazing Spider-Man 183
08/78 Conan the Barbarian 89
08/78 Fantastic Four 197
08/78 Incredible Hulk 226
08/78 Machine Man 5
08/78 Marvel Tales 94
08/78 Marvel Team-Up 72
08/78 Marvel Two-In-One 42
08/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 21
08/78 Spider-Woman 5
08/78 Star Wars 14
09/78 Amazing Spider-Man 184
09/78 Captain America 225
09/78 Defenders 63
09/78 Human Fly 13
09/78 Machine Man 6
09/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 74
09/78 Marvel Tales 95
09/78 Tarzan 16
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Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:30:19 PM
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This section has the price in a diamond, the diamond in a box, and the UPC box is blank. This pretty much begins where the bar code version leaves off. September of 1977 straight through to the fall of 1978. You'll see at the end Marvel finished their final month of Whitman reprints, May, 1979 with this version.

07/77 Star Wars 1 2nd
07/77 Star Wars 1 "Reprint" on cover
08/77 Star Wars 2 2nd
08/77 Star Wars 2 "Reprint" on cover
09/77 Fantastic Four 186
09/77 Iron Man 102
09/77 Marvel Team-Up 61
09/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 10
09/77 Star Wars 3 2nd
09/77 Star Wars 3 "Reprint" on cover
10/77 Amazing Spider-Man 173
10/77 Avengers 164
10/77 Captain America 214
10/77 Conan the Barbarian 79
10/77 Defenders 52
10/77 Eternals 16
10/77 Fantastic Four 187
10/77 Godzilla 3
10/77 Human Fly 2
10/77 Incredible Hulk 216
10/77 Iron Man 103
10/77 Invaders 21
10/77 Kull the Destroyer 23
10/77 Marvel Premiere 38
10/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 73
10/77 Marvel Tales 84
10/77 Marvel Team-Up 62
10/77 Marvel Triple Action 38
10/77 Marvel Two-In-One 32
10/77 Power Man 47
10/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 11
10/77 Star Wars 4
10/77 Star Wars 4 2nd
10/77 Star Wars 4 "Reprint" on cover
10/77 Super-Villain Team-Up 14
10/77 Thor 264
11/77 Amazing Spider-Man 174
11/77 Avengers 165
11/77 Captain America 215
11/77 Conan the Barbarian 80
11/77 Defenders 53
11/77 Eternals 17
11/77 Fantastic Four 188
11/77 Incredible Hulk 217
11/77 Iron Man 104
11/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 74
11/77 Marvel Super Action 4
11/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 67
11/77 Marvel Tales 85
11/77 Marvel Team-Up 63
11/77 Marvel Two-In-One 33
11/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 12
11/77 Star Wars 5
11/77 Star Wars 5 "Reprint" on cover
11/77 Thor 265
12/77 Amazing Spider-Man 175
12/77 Captain America 216
12/77 Star Wars 6
12/77 Star Wars 6 "Reprint" on cover
12/77 Thor 266
01/78 Star Wars 7
02/78 Star Wars 8
03/78 Star Wars 9
04/78 Amazing Spider-Man 179
04/78 Captain America 220
04/78 Fantastic Four 193
04/78 Star Wars 10
04/78 Thor 270
05/78 Amazing Spider-Man 180
05/78 Captain America 221
05/78 Conan the Barbarian 86
05/78 Fantastic Four 194
05/78 Human Fly 9
05/78 Incredible Hulk 223
05/78 Marvel Two-In-One 39
05/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 18
05/78 Spider-Woman 2
05/78 Spidey Super Stories 34
05/78 Star Wars 11
05/78 Marvel Tales 91
05/78 Marvel Team-Up 69
05/78 Thor 271
06/78 Amazing Spider-Man 181
06/78 Captain America 222
06/78 Fantastic Four 195
06/78 Incredible Hulk 224
06/78 Star Wars 12
06/78 Thor 272
07/78 Star Wars 13
08/78 Captain America 224
08/78 Defenders 62
08/78 Human Fly 12
08/78 Invaders 31
08/78 Iron Man 113
08/78 Tarzan 15
08/78 Thor 274
09/78 Avengers 175
09/78 Conan the Barbarian 90
09/78 Devil Dinosaur 6
09/78 Fantastic Four 198
09/78 Incredible Hulk 227
09/78 Iron Man 114
09/78 Marvel Team-Up 73
09/78 Marvel Two-In-One 43
09/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 22
09/78 Spider-Woman 6
09/78 Star Wars 15
09/78 Thor 275
10/78 Iron Man 115
10/78 Marvel Super Action 10
11/78 Spidey Super Stories 37
04/79 Shogun Warriors 3
05/79 Amazing Spider-Man 192
05/79 Avengers 183
05/79 Conan the Barbarian 98
05/79 Fantastic Four 206
05/79 Godzilla 22
05/79 Incredible Hulk 235
05/79 Iron Man 122
05/79 Marvel Team-Up 81
05/79 Shogun Warriors 4
05/79 Spectacular Spider-Man 30
05/79 Star Wars 23
05/79 Tarzan 24
05/79 Thor 283
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Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:33:32 PM
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The third section has very few entries. It is the price in a diamond, the diamond in an explosion, and the UPC has a bar code. I don't know why they bothered with this version at all as there are hardly any here. Only toward the end of 1978.

10/78 Amazing Spider-Man 185
10/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 75
11/78 Avengers 177
12/78 Marvel Tales 98
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Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:38:03 PM
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The last section has the price in a diamond, the diamond inside an explosion, and the UPC box is blank. Once Marvel went to this version, it stayed here short of the very last month of Whitman variations, where it went back to the first version. It begins in October, 1978 and finishes in May, 1979.

10/78 Avengers 176
10/78 Captain America 226
10/78 Conan the Barbarian 91
10/78 Defenders 64
10/78 Fantastic Four 99
10/78 Human Fly 14
10/78 Incredible Hulk 228
10/78 Marvel Tales 96
10/78 Marvel Two-In-One 44
10/78 Star Wars 16
10/78 Tarzan 17
10/78 Thor 276
11/78 Amazing Spider-Man 186
11/78 Captain America 227
11/78 Conan the Barbarian 92
11/78 Human Fly 15
11/78 Incredible Hulk 229
11/78 Iron Man 116
11/78 Machine Man 8
11/78 Marvel's Greatest Comics 80
11/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 76
11/78 Marvel Tales 97
11/78 Marvel Team-Up 75
11/78 Marvel Two-In-One 45
11/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 24
11/78 Star Wars 17
11/78 Tarzan 18
11/78 Thor 277
12/78 Amazing Spider-Man 187
12/78 Captain America 228
12/78 Conan the Barbarian 93
12/78 Fantastic Four 201
12/78 Incredible Hulk 230
12/78 Iron Man 117
12/78 Marvel Super Action 11
12/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 77
12/78 Marvel Team-Up 76
12/78 Marvel Two-In-One 46
12/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 25
12/78 Star Wars 18
12/78 Tarzan 19
12/78 Thor 278
01/79 Amazing Spider-Man 188
01/79 Avengers 179
01/79 Captain America 229
01/79 Conan the Barbarian 94
01/79 Daredevil 156
01/79 Defenders 67
01/79 Fantastic Four 202
01/79 Incredible Hulk 231
01/79 Iron Man 118
01/79 Marvel Super-Heroes 78
01/79 Marvel Tales 99
01/79 Marvel Team-Up 77
01/79 Marvel Two-In-One 47
01/79 Micronauts 1
01/79 Spectacular Spider-Man 26
01/79 Spidey Super Stories 38
01/79 Tarzan 20
01/79 Thor 279
02/79 Amazing Spider-Man 189
02/79 Avengers 180
02/79 Captain America 230
02/79 Conan the Barbarian 95
02/79 Defenders 68
02/79 Doctor Strange 33
02/79 Fantastic Four 203
02/79 Human Fly 18
02/79 Incredible Hulk 232
02/79 Invaders 37
02/79 Iron Man 119
02/79 Marvel Team-Up 78
02/79 Marvel Two-In-One 48
02/79 Micronauts 2
02/79 Shogun Warriors 1
02/79 Spectacular Spider-Man 27
02/79 Spider-Woman 11
02/79 Tarzan 21
02/79 Thor 280
02/79 X-Men 118
03/79 Battlestar Galactica 1
03/79 Micronauts 3
03/79 Shogun Warriors 2
04/79 Battlestar Galactica 2
05/79 Battlestar Galactica 3
05/79 Captain America 233
05/79 Marvel Super-Heroes 80
05/79 Marvel Two-In-One 51
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Sunday, October 12, 2014 3:53:04 PM
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Here is the alphabetical list of all Whitman reprints. I put this for the collector who wants to concentrate on specific titles or issues. Star Wars is crazy with all the reprints and such. One note, the only issue of Howard the Duck with a Whitman reprint is #13, a key book with KISS. If you find anything missing on this list, let me know.

02/77 Amazing Spider-Man 165
03/77 Amazing Spider-Man 166
04/77 Amazing Spider-Man 167
05/77 Amazing Spider-Man 168
06/77 Amazing Spider-Man 169
07/77 Amazing Spider-Man 170
08/77 Amazing Spider-Man 171
09/77 Amazing Spider-Man 172
10/77 Amazing Spider-Man 173
11/77 Amazing Spider-Man 174
12/77 Amazing Spider-Man 175
04/78 Amazing Spider-Man 179
05/78 Amazing Spider-Man 180
06/78 Amazing Spider-Man 181
08/78 Amazing Spider-Man 183
09/78 Amazing Spider-Man 184
10/78 Amazing Spider-Man 185
11/78 Amazing Spider-Man 186
12/78 Amazing Spider-Man 187
01/79 Amazing Spider-Man 188
02/79 Amazing Spider-Man 189
05/79 Amazing Spider-Man 192
02/77 Avengers 156
03/77 Avengers 157
04/77 Avengers 158
05/77 Avengers 159
06/77 Avengers 160
07/77 Avengers 161
08/77 Avengers 162
09/77 Avengers 163
10/77 Avengers 164
11/77 Avengers 165
09/78 Avengers 175
10/78 Avengers 176
11/78 Avengers 177
01/79 Avengers 179
02/79 Avengers 180
05/79 Avengers 183
03/79 Battlestar Galactica 1
04/79 Battlestar Galactica 2
05/79 Battlestar Galactica 3
02/77 Captain America 206
03/77 Captain America 207
04/77 Captain America 208
05/77 Captain America 209
06/77 Captain America 210
07/77 Captain America 211
08/77 Captain America 212
09/77 Captain America 213
10/77 Captain America 214
11/77 Captain America 215
12/77 Captain America 216
04/78 Captain America 220
05/78 Captain America 221
06/78 Captain America 222
08/78 Captain America 224
09/78 Captain America 225
10/78 Captain America 226
11/78 Captain America 227
12/78 Captain America 228
01/79 Captain America 229
02/79 Captain America 230
05/79 Captain America 233
03/77 Conan the Barbarian 72
05/77 Conan the Barbarian 74
06/77 Conan the Barbarian 75
07/77 Conan the Barbarian 76
08/77 Conan the Barbarian 77
09/77 Conan the Barbarian 78
10/77 Conan the Barbarian 79
11/77 Conan the Barbarian 80
05/78 Conan the Barbarian 86
08/78 Conan the Barbarian 89
09/78 Conan the Barbarian 90
10/78 Conan the Barbarian 91
11/78 Conan the Barbarian 92
12/78 Conan the Barbarian 93
01/79 Conan the Barbarian 94
02/79 Conan the Barbarian 95
05/79 Conan the Barbarian 98
06/77 Daredevil 146
01/79 Daredevil 156
02/77 Defenders 44
03/77 Defenders 45
05/77 Defenders 47
06/77 Defenders 48
08/77 Defenders 50
09/77 Defenders 51
10/77 Defenders 52
11/77 Defenders 53
08/78 Defenders 62
09/78 Defenders 63
10/78 Defenders 64
01/79 Defenders 67
02/79 Defenders 68
09/78 Devil Dinosaur 6
02/79 Doctor Strange 33
02/77 Eternals 8
03/77 Eternals 9
04/77 Eternals 10
06/77 Eternals 12
07/77 Eternals 13
08/77 Eternals 14
09/77 Eternals 15
10/77 Eternals 16
11/77 Eternals 17
02/77 Fantastic Four 179
03/77 Fantastic Four 180
04/77 Fantastic Four 181
05/77 Fantastic Four 182
06/77 Fantastic Four 183
07/77 Fantastic Four 184
08/77 Fantastic Four 185
09/77 Fantastic Four 186
10/77 Fantastic Four 187
11/77 Fantastic Four 188
04/78 Fantastic Four 193
05/78 Fantastic Four 194
06/78 Fantastic Four 195
08/78 Fantastic Four 197
09/78 Fantastic Four 198
10/78 Fantastic Four 199
12/78 Fantastic Four 201
01/79 Fantastic Four 202
02/79 Fantastic Four 203
05/79 Fantastic Four 206
10/77 Godzilla 3
05/79 Godzilla 22
06/77 Howard the Duck 13
10/77 Human Fly 2
05/78 Human Fly 9
08/78 Human Fly 12
09/78 Human Fly 13
10/78 Human Fly 14
11/78 Human Fly 15
02/79 Human Fly 18
02/77 Incredible Hulk 208
03/77 Incredible Hulk 209
04/77 Incredible Hulk 210
05/77 Incredible Hulk 211
06/77 Incredible Hulk 212
07/77 Incredible Hulk 213
08/77 Incredible Hulk 214
09/77 Incredible Hulk 215
10/77 Incredible Hulk 216
11/77 Incredible Hulk 217
04/78 Incredible Hulk 222
05/78 Incredible Hulk 223
06/78 Incredible Hulk 224
08/78 Incredible Hulk 226
09/78 Incredible Hulk 227
10/78 Incredible Hulk 228
11/78 Incredible Hulk 229
12/78 Incredible Hulk 230
01/79 Incredible Hulk 231
02/79 Incredible Hulk 232
05/79 Incredible Hulk 235
02/77 Invaders 13
03/77 Invaders 14
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06/77 Invaders 17
07/77 Invaders 18
08/77 Invaders 19
09/77 Invaders 20
10/77 Invaders 21
08/78 Invaders 31
02/79 Invaders 37
02/77 Iron Man 95
03/77 Iron Man 96
05/77 Iron Man 98
06/77 Iron Man 99
07/77 Iron Man 100
08/77 Iron Man 101
09/77 Iron Man 102
10/77 Iron Man 103
11/77 Iron Man 104
08/78 Iron Man 113
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10/78 Iron Man 115
11/78 Iron Man 116
12/78 Iron Man 117
01/79 Iron Man 118
02/79 Iron Man 119
05/79 Iron Man 122
10/77 Kull the Destroyer 23
08/78 Machine Man 5
09/78 Machine Man 6
11/78 Machine Man 8
08/77 Marvel Premiere 37
10/77 Marvel Premiere 38
05/77 Marvel Super Action 1
09/77 Marvel Super Action 3
11/77 Marvel Super Action 4
10/78 Marvel Super Action 10
12/78 Marvel Super Action 11
05/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 64
06/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 65
09/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 66
11/77 Marvel Super-Heroes 67
09/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 74
10/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 75
11/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 76
12/78 Marvel Super-Heroes 77
01/79 Marvel Super-Heroes 78
05/79 Marvel Super-Heroes 80
05/77 Marvel Tales 79
06/77 Marvel Tales 80
07/77 Marvel Tales 81
08/77 Marvel Tales 82
09/77 Marvel Tales 83
10/77 Marvel Tales 84
11/77 Marvel Tales 85
05/78 Marvel Tales 91
08/78 Marvel Tales 94
09/78 Marvel Tales 95
10/78 Marvel Tales 96
11/78 Marvel Tales 97
12/78 Marvel Tales 98
01/79 Marvel Tales 99
02/77 Marvel Team-Up 54
03/77 Marvel Team-Up 55
04/77 Marvel Team-Up 56
05/77 Marvel Team-Up 57
06/77 Marvel Team-Up 58
07/77 Marvel Team-Up 59
08/77 Marvel Team-Up 60
09/77 Marvel Team-Up 61
10/77 Marvel Team-Up 62
11/77 Marvel Team-Up 63
05/78 Marvel Team-Up 69
08/78 Marvel Team-Up 72
09/78 Marvel Team-Up 73
11/78 Marvel Team-Up 75
12/78 Marvel Team-Up 76
01/79 Marvel Team-Up 77
02/79 Marvel Team-Up 78
05/79 Marvel Team-Up 81
05/77 Marvel Triple Action 35
10/77 Marvel Triple Action 38
02/77 Marvel Two-In-One 24
03/77 Marvel Two-In-One 25
04/77 Marvel Two-In-One 26
06/77 Marvel Two-In-One 28
07/77 Marvel Two-In-One 29
08/77 Marvel Two-In-One 30
09/77 Marvel Two-In-One 31
10/77 Marvel Two-In-One 32
11/77 Marvel Two-In-One 33
05/78 Marvel Two-In-One 39
08/78 Marvel Two-In-One 42
09/78 Marvel Two-In-One 43
10/78 Marvel Two-In-One 44
11/78 Marvel Two-In-One 45
12/78 Marvel Two-In-One 46
01/79 Marvel Two-In-One 47
02/79 Marvel Two-In-One 48
05/79 Marvel Two-In-One 51
05/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 70
07/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 71
09/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 72
10/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 73
11/77 Marvel's Greatest Comics 74
11/78 Marvel's Greatest Comics 80
01/79 Micronauts 1
02/79 Micronauts 2
03/79 Micronauts 3
10/77 Power Man 47
02/79 Shogun Warriors 1
03/79 Shogun Warriors 2
04/79 Shogun Warriors 3
05/79 Shogun Warriors 4
02/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 3
03/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 4
05/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 6
06/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 7
07/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 8
08/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 9
09/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 10
10/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 11
11/77 Spectacular Spider-Man 12
05/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 18
08/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 21
09/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 22
11/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 24
12/78 Spectacular Spider-Man 25
01/79 Spectacular Spider-Man 26
02/79 Spectacular Spider-Man 27
05/79 Spectacular Spider-Man 30
05/78 Spider-Woman 2
08/78 Spider-Woman 5
09/78 Spider-Woman 6
02/79 Spider-Woman 11
05/78 Spidey Super Stories 34
09/78 Spidey Super Stories 36
11/78 Spidey Super Stories 37
01/79 Spidey Super Stories 38
07/77 Star Wars 1 2nd
07/77 Star Wars 1 "Reprint" on cover
08/77 Star Wars 2
08/77 Star Wars 2 2nd
08/77 Star Wars 2 "Reprint" on cover
09/77 Star Wars 3
09/77 Star Wars 3 2nd
09/77 Star Wars 3 "Reprint" on cover
10/77 Star Wars 4
10/77 Star Wars 4 2nd
10/77 Star Wars 4 "Reprint" on cover
11/77 Star Wars 5
11/77 Star Wars 5 "Reprint" on cover
12/77 Star Wars 6
12/77 Star Wars 6 "Reprint" on cover
01/78 Star Wars 7
02/78 Star Wars 8
03/78 Star Wars 9
04/78 Star Wars 10
05/78 Star Wars 11 bar code
05/78 Star Wars 11 blank UPC
06/78 Star Wars 12
07/78 Star Wars 13
08/78 Star Wars 14
09/78 Star Wars 15
10/78 Star Wars 16
11/78 Star Wars 17
12/78 Star Wars 18
05/79 Star Wars 23
06/77 Super-Villain Team-Up 12
10/77 Super-Villain Team-Up 14
07/77 Tarzan 2
08/78 Tarzan 15
09/78 Tarzan 16
10/78 Tarzan 17
11/78 Tarzan 18
12/78 Tarzan 19
01/79 Tarzan 20
02/79 Tarzan 21
05/79 Tarzan 24
02/77 Thor 256
03/77 Thor 257
04/77 Thor 258
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04/78 Thor 270
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08/78 Thor 274
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10/78 Thor 276
11/78 Thor 277
12/78 Thor 278
01/79 Thor 279
02/79 Thor 280
05/79 Thor 283
02/79 X-Men 118
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GPDCOMICS
Thursday, October 16, 2014 1:56:45 AM
Rank: Large Noggin
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Joined: 6/6/2008 | Posts: 366 | Points: 48,435
Looking at the Overstreet PG this year, I was reading Doug Sulipa's year end review about the Marvel Whitman. He actually says they aren't Whitman, but direct editions. I don't know if that is true, though he does state these came in Whitman bags, but the comic is not labeled Whitman, so he does have a point. Were these comics ever offered to comic shops on a direct, non-returnable basis? If you look at what he writes, the early 1977 issues he commands about 50% over guide, while the 1978-1979 issues are 25% over. He also makes a point that certain issues do not see the light of day with Ebay and states that if some of these see an auction, he wouldn't be surprised at a $50-100 sale price for mid-grade. So my conclusion is that most likely my list will probably be missing a few issues due to scarcity.

I decided to venture a little further. Since he says these are direct editions, I'm making a list of all published "direct" edition Marvels released with the line through the bar code. When I showed my brother one, he actually thought someone took a marker and drew a line through it.

The dates of the line through the bar codes are from June, 1979 through February, 1980. So there shouldn't be more than 9 issues of any title that has these. March, 1980 went to the Spidey head in the UPC box for direct editions. Not all titles have 9 issues, as Doctor Strange was published bi-monthly at the time of the line through the bar code, so it only has 5.

Now throughout my research on all these Whitman reprints, 99.9% of these had the price in a diamond while the newsstand versions had the price in the box. So far, with the line through the UPC, the price in the diamond seems to be the norm still for direct issues. I'm working slowly and so far have only done a few titles, but Doctor Strange #35 has already broken this pattern. The price is in a box and has the line through the UPC. I'm sure there will be others.

I'm also thinking of looking at all the titles that were published in May, 1979, the last reprint month. It seems many of the titles were priced in an explosion without being in the diamond. These versions are NOT Whitman and are not on the list. Mile High seems to put them as Whitman sometimes, or adds a variation as a Whitman, but has the same scan shown for the newsstand. I'm curious to see if all the titles that don't have a Whitman reprint for 5/79 have the format of a price in an explosion. I may make that list too. When I first ran across them recently, I thought they were Whitman reprints.

Anyway, I'll get back here in a few days with my findings.

Phil
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outcast
Thursday, October 16, 2014 6:55:25 AM
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Doctor Strange #35 is part of the first batch of Marvel's direct-sales editions. IIRC, for less than one month, the only distinction between newsstand and direct copies was the slash through the barcode. Very quickly, Marvel added the diamond-shaped number/price area while keeping the slash through the barcode (IMHO, these are the ugliest ever Marvel direct editions). And then Marvel replaced the slashed barcode with the Spider-Man headshot that became so familiar.

You should be able to find a few more that have the slashed barcode and the price and number in rectangular boxes.

I haven't read Doug Sulipa's comments, but I don't readily agree with his renaming Whitmans as direct editions. It does depend on the time period, though. I was buying comics at a direct-sales shop as early as late 1977, and those copies weren't distinguishable from newsstand copies. I didn't have access to a direct-sales shop from summer '78 to summer '79, so I can't speak from personal experience about that time period. When I found a comic shop in summer '79, Marvel was definitely printing different covers for direct editions. And as I've mentioned before, another contributor to these boards recently posted a photo of a multi-pack containing comics that I would have thought to be direct editions, had they not been in a multi-pack.

The prices described by Sulipa for Whitman/multi-packs astonish me. During the '70s and '80s, collectors deemed them "reprints" and turned up their noses.
GPDCOMICS
Thursday, October 16, 2014 12:42:39 PM
Rank: Large Noggin
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What I'm finding through research is that the majority of these "Whitman" Marvel comics are scarce compared to the newsstand copies. I did a random search for one of the Conan issues the other day, just to see how many copies were the WM. I think I saw like 20 or so newsstands and no WM. Print run is probably much lower than the newsstands, and since most people were probably getting newsstands for their collections and warehouse batches were saved, I wouldn't doubt at least a 10 to 1 on the most common and 25 to 1, maybe even 100 to 1 copies on the rare versions. Somewhere along the line, I believe these will see higher interest and I'd like to be on the ground floor when it happens. So I'm actively seeking any of these books. I won't pay any real money, probably no more than a buck at this time, but if I find them, I won't pass them up.

Phil
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outcast
Thursday, October 16, 2014 7:34:59 PM
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Joined: 7/28/2012 | Posts: 536 | Points: 2,196
GPDCOMICS wrote:
Looking at the Overstreet PG this year, I was reading Doug Sulipa's year end review about the Marvel Whitman. He actually says they aren't Whitman, but direct editions. I don't know if that is true, though he does state these came in Whitman bags, but the comic is not labeled Whitman, so he does have a point. Were these comics ever offered to comic shops on a direct, non-returnable basis? If you look at what he writes, the early 1977 issues he commands about 50% over guide, while the 1978-1979 issues are 25% over. He also makes a point that certain issues do not see the light of day with Ebay and states that if some of these see an auction, he wouldn't be surprised at a $50-100 sale price for mid-grade. So my conclusion is that most likely my list will probably be missing a few issues due to scarcity....
I will probably repeat some things I've said before, but I can't think of any other way to answer your questions, so here we go.

Marvel's decision to make direct-sales comics distinguishable from newsstand comics is pretty easy to date. I posted here an item establishing the beginning as March 1979 (real time; cover dates would have been a few months later). So, according to contemporaneous reporting, comics that went on sale before March 1979 with non-newsstand markings wouldn't have been direct-sales comics. This is corroborated by my memories of buying comics at the time (and particularly by my memory of my reaction to the first visibly different direct-sales Marvels I ever saw). I never saw Whitman (or other) multi-packs for sale as brand new merchandise in comic shops of that time. I never saw new comics with multi-pack–style markings for sale in a comic shop until after March 1979 (actually, it was summer 1979, just because I didn't have access to a comic shop in March). Some loose comics with multi-pack–style markings were probably seen in comic shops then, but only as back issues, and were generally scorned as "reprints."

Just before I found a comic shop (briefly) in 1977, and again in 1979, my sources for comics shopping had been grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, and the occasional bookstore. Comics at each of these locations were identical, what we now call newsstand editions (for all I know, in more heavily populated areas, comics may have been sold at actual side-of-the-road newsstands; I never saw one, though). Multi-pack comics were sold in five-and-dime stores, a retail category since eliminated by the growth of Walmart. Though my shopping options in the early 1970s were limited, and perhaps not representative of nationwide trends, I seem to recall seeing single comics for sale in five-and-dimes ca. 1971–72. By 1977, though, all I remember seeing in such stores were multi-packs. Multi-packs are the source for "Whitman" Marvels. Multi-packs were sold in five-and-dimes and NOT, to my memory, in comic shops. For Doug Sulipa to conflate "Whitman" Marvels prior to 1979 with direct-sales comics is, IMO, just simply mistaken.

However, as I have alluded to earlier, that seems to have changed during 1979. See this thread for photographs of two Whitman bags from 1979, AFTER Marvel began making direct-sales comics visibly different from newsstand comics, with the comics in the bags visibly identical to comics then sold in comic shops (and my thanks again to freakdylan for posting the photos). Clearly, during 1979, Marvel was continuing its Whitman multi-pack program, but was apparently packaging direct-sales copies in the multi-packs. So Doug Sulipa may have a point, but ONLY for Marvels published during or after 1979.
outcast
Thursday, October 16, 2014 8:14:19 PM
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I have now read Doug Sulipa's comments in the new Price Guide regarding Marvel Whitmans. Doug is wrong wrong wrong. He says that Marvels published as early as Feb. 1977 can be identified as direct-sales editions. He is absolutely, unequivocally WRONG about this. I was in a comic shop on a weekly basis in late 1977 and early 1978, and the Marvels I bought then were indistinguishable from newsstand Marvels.

One might think that Bob Overstreet would be concerned enough about his position as having the "authoritative" resource in the hobby to fact-check this stuff. Apparently, he's not.
GPDCOMICS
Thursday, October 16, 2014 11:37:08 PM
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February, 1977 is the date I've come across for every copy when the "Whitman" diamond price started. You say Doug is wrong calling these direct editions. I won't argue with you as I was not even 7 years old at the time and there were no comic book stores near me. I didn't start buying comics until spring of 1984 when one opened up and I was exposed to a variety of books I never saw on newsstands. I had only occasionally picked up newsstand issues prior to 1980, and I do remember my mother getting me some Whitman packs, though I think they were Gold Key books, not Marvel. I say this because I had a Pink Panther issue I remember reading over and over. Other than the few books I had, I also remember going to a flea market, probably no older than 7 or 8 and getting an Amazing Spiderman #67 with the giant hands coming at Spidey. This sticks with me in great detail because I remember the cover having a piece of masking tape on it with 10c written. My neighbor worked for the newsstand distributor also in the late 1970s and I remember getting comics occasionally with the 1/3 top cover cut off and also for Halloween.

Anyway, went off a bit with memories. So, I'm going to agree with you that June, 1979 is the official date Marvel began printing direct copies. I'm still working on that list with the line through the bar code. Outcast, I'm glad you go through lots of trouble to help collectors with these discussions. I think it's important historically and for those who want variants to help them complete their collections. I try and contribute as much as I can to the collecting community too and am grateful for any knowledge I gain. Thanks.

Phil

After reading the "locked" thread Outcast linked, I read something that peaked my curiosity. Someone asked whether or not there should be a separate listing for the Whitman packs. That actually would be a good idea if it could be set up correctly. Can we create a section or sections featuring "Whitman Packs". And then put the date of the multipack or dates for say something like Battlestar Galactica having 3 consecutive months. I can't suggest putting the packs by company, because I just recently saw one with 2 Marvel and a Gold Key in the same bag. But I think it would be useful for anyone who actually wants to sell their sealed 3 pack intact. This would probably need to take some thinking outside the box, but it would also help find out the exact issues that are packed together. I'm assuming Whitman didn't pack say Battlestar Galactica #1 with a Spiderman issue. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing what you think.
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outcast
Friday, October 17, 2014 6:11:23 AM
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Joined: 7/28/2012 | Posts: 536 | Points: 2,196
One more piece of evidence that Doug Sulipa is incorrect about Marvel Whitmans vs. direct-sales comics:

As I pointed out in March 2013 in this thread:

outcast wrote:
Again, possibly repeating myself, but what convinces me that June cover-dated Marvels published in 1979 mark the definitive beginning of differentiable Marvel direct editions is that, prior to June 1979, only SOME Marvel comics exist in "diamond" editions, and beginning with June 1979, ALL Marvel comics (until mid–1982) exist in "diamond" editions.
GPDCOMICS
Friday, October 17, 2014 1:36:42 PM
Rank: Large Noggin
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Joined: 6/6/2008 | Posts: 366 | Points: 48,435
Yes, that's the thread you linked and it made good points.

May, 1979 is the last date for Whitman versions of Marvel. It is also the month that there are some prices in explosions that aren't Whitman, as they were the only release. I'm also finding that some 5/79 issues (so far only a couple) were only printed with the price in a box like normal newsstand issues. I'm compiling the list and when I'm complete, will post my findings.

As for the line through the bar code. It goes from 6/79 to 2/79. I'm finding that some of the 6/79 issues though do not have a diamond, but have the price in a box. I'll be pointing those out too in the list I'm compiling. So far, only 6/79 has this combination, anything from 7/79 to 2/80 are all diamond prices. I thought all books from 6/79 to 2/80 had the slash in the bar code, but was wrong. Can't remember which title, maybe FF, but at least one title went to the Spidey head on 2/80, not 3/80. I'm also investigating which Annuals printed during 1979 had the slash in the bar code and will be listing those too. Give me a few days and I'll have this all finished.

Phil
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