Advice on cover variants19973
 Collector
|
Stonecollector private msg quote post Address this user | |
| From what I’ve read, the price for a comic with a variant cover would most likely be of higher value. Thus because they tend to get printed in smaller quantities or are all out mistakes. I’m sure that is true for gold and silver age comics but what about modern and current? I bought a bunch of variants when dynamites run of Gargoyles started and there so many I’m starting to feel as if it’s just a gimmick to get more money from people. And I know theses won’t be worth over the cover price for a few decades but I’m cool with that. I just don’t want to be taken to the cleaners. I’m sure there’s a whole generation of people who shudder at the phrase “ collectible, beanie babies”  |
||
| Post 1 • IP flag post | ||
 If I could, I would. I swear.
|
DrWatson private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Only buy a variant cover if you like the cover. If nothing else, at least you'll like looking at it. | ||
| Post 2 • IP flag post | ||
 It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
|
chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Stonecollector That's because "it’s just a gimmick to get more money from people". |
||
| Post 3 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
Jgwalters100 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I personally hate variants. It makes collecting more complicated. It's cool more artists make money so that's a plus. Obviously not something I get real mad about just not my thing. | ||
| Post 4 • IP flag post | ||
 would be nice to have a snugger fit.
|
Sigur_Ros private msg quote post Address this user | |
| There are different types of variants. Publishers often produce variant covers that are usually more limited than the standard "cover A". Those ones typically keep higher values simply because of their limited print runs (1:10, 1:100, etc). Other times they are not more limited but are just an optional cover. I'm guessing that's what you have but I don't know those books at all. The other types are "retailer variants" or "artist variants" where a store owner, youtube personality, comic book artist, etc. will request to have a variant cover with their store's name on the back. The publisher, if they approve it, will offer up some cover options for them to choose from. Those ones are most often limited print runs too, and you pay more for them, but they just don't tend to increase in value. I only buy a variant if I like the cover. I have plenty but I don't buy them for investment. That's the smartest way to approach them. |
||
| Post 5 • IP flag post | ||
 I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
|
kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Variants are worthless. Unless they are 1:50 or 1:100 covers from the publisher like Marvel or DC, and not a variant store exclusive printer/retailer. | ||
| Post 6 • IP flag post | ||
 Masculinity takes a holiday.
|
EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I'm not a variant cover guy, but I did like seeing the variant covers for TMNT Last Ronin. I didn't buy any. The one book that I did buy 5-6 variants of is Detective Comics 1000. Just bought them because I liked them, and I typically paid less than cover price for them. First I bought the Steranko cover, then I found the Bernie Wrightson cover, after that I did an Ebay search and found a few more that I liked. | ||
| Post 7 • IP flag post | ||
 Suck it up, buttercup!!
|
KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user | |
| as others said - buy a variant if you like it - don't expect it to hold or increase in value. I've noticed that most will have lost almost all their value if you wait - 2, 5, 10 years - because for the most part the comic itself has no value - if it's just random issue X where nothing happens i.e. not "key" -no new revelation, new storyline, new character then there is no intrinsic "value" to the book - variant or not. Guess it also depends why you are buying - collector or flipper? Me, I'm a collector - I buy what I like to read or covers I like - never expect any to make $$. A flipper I imagine has the problem that there are soooo many new this that or the other that to pick the one that will explode is almost impossible - so hype the sh!t out of things - get in and out as quick as possible and make a few bucks To end my rant have a look at this, if we are equating variant with rarity - I bought this a while back and on the Gerber scarcity index it is/was a 7 - so that means 21 to 50 known to exist, let that sink in...21 to 50 in existence...in any condition, anywhere - far less than just about any variant you can get ahold of - almost 80 years old, great cover and rare - but not really worth anything - an 8.5 went for just $780 in 2022 Rare/scarce doesn't equate to "value"  |
||
| Post 8 • IP flag post | ||
 Please continue to ignore anything I post.
|
southerncross private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I buy variants, Not that they'll go up in value. If I'm buying a book to increase in value I'll buy a rare golden age book, or a high grade silver or bronze age book. I buy variants because I like the cover.     The action comics isn't a variant cover, my mistake though I do like the cover. |
||
| Post 9 • IP flag post | ||
|
It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
|
chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Everything I buy damn well better go up in value. Otherwise, I'll get really p-o'd and my wife will take the brunt of my disappointment (grumpy old man). Have I had any losses? No, because it's just that I haven't lived long enough for that drek to rebound. But it will, if I can hang in there another 50-60 years. Oh yeah, variants. Some are way cool, wish I could buy them all, can't. |
||
| Post 10 • IP flag post | ||
|
It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
|
chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| That Action 1052 would look super cool through Valiant Vision glasses. Remember those? | ||
| Post 11 • IP flag post | ||
|
Please continue to ignore anything I post.
|
southerncross private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @chester15 I don't remember those. | ||
| Post 12 • IP flag post | ||
|
It's like the Roach Motel for comic collectors.
|
chester15 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| In the early to mid 90's, Valiant latched on to a new technology that made comics look 3D. It was a combination of the proprietary glasses and the placement and saturation of the color red that caused the effect. This allowed the comic to look "normal" without the glasses, 3D with them. The old 3D method looked horrible without the glasses, unreadable. It only lasted about a year. I suspect they ran into some contract dispute, but I don't know if the reason they discontinued it was ever made public. I found this link describing a Valiant Vision Starter Kit https://valiant.fandom.com/wiki/Valiant_Vision_Starter_Kit_Vol_1_1 |
||
| Post 13 • IP flag post | ||
 I had no way of knowing that 9.8 graded copies signed by Adam Hughes weren't what you were looking for.
|
drchaos private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by kaptainmyke Not necessarily. A great cover from a popular artist may sell for a premium over other covers of the same book. With that said there are many variant covers that have the same or lower value as the regular cover. The market wants what it wants even if it doesn't make sense to you or me. For example Jenny Frison did a great variant cover for Something is Killing the Children # 1. Yet for whatever reason the regular cover sells for a higher price. I will post both covers below so you can see why I am puzzled.   |
||
| Post 14 • IP flag post | ||
 If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
|
xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| To pile on while echoing @drchaos' minority point, you should only buy variants you like because most (like most new comics) become worthless immediately. But there are some exceptions, and you'll never know what they are until some time later when you notice people are paying a premium for them. That said, don't feel bad about buying a comic if you like the art. That's what comics are for. If you don't like art, read a book. |
||
| Post 15 • IP flag post | ||
 I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out.
|
power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I buy variants usually if same price as normal. Only exception was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Last Ronin: Lost years #1 director's edition. a vendor at a convention had an exclusive veriant for their company for $10. Bought it. Plan on getting it graded. But when it comes to variants in general. I prefer Skottie Young or anything cool. 7 out of 10 times will get a variant. Its always based on what cover looks the coolest or best or what the store has left |
||
| Post 16 • IP flag post | ||
 I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers).Splotches is gettin old! |
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Variants are a large part of the downfall of the comic industry in my opinion (generally speaking). Their presence leans toward a "that cover is sick; that cover is dope" response instead of a focus on a story. And we all know where stories rest within in the pecking order of the general comic community - the bottom. Some will say "i still read", but that's not what's happening out there for the most part. It's all about the variant covers these days; not about the story and sequential art storytelling within the covers. That is a problem imo for the hobby. |
||
| Post 17 • IP flag post | ||
|
Collector
|
Stonecollector private msg quote post Address this user | |
So basically what I had to find out through my wallet, buy what I like and ignore the hype. Thanks for all the advice I have a light to medium amount of OCD and the anxiety of trying to get all the covers was crazy I’ve been able to curb my variant purchases now I just buy if I’m drawn to the cover < - see what I did there  |
||
| Post 18 • IP flag post | ||
|
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
|
xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Nuffsaid111 if people don't read the stories, is focusing on the cover over the story a problem? | ||
| Post 19 • IP flag post | ||
|
I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers). Splotches is gettin old! |
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by xkonk I feel it is a problem. The dynamics of comics historically from the 1930's to (roughly) the 90s was to read. Read the books. Enjoy the stories. Enjoy the characters. Marvel at the sequential art storytelling. Today it's about a cover, which quite frankly I can purchase a print or a poster of a cover. Very few read stories now (and yes I know there are folks reading this that say but I still read). I'm not talking about any particular individual. I'm talking about the trend in the hobby that has eroded severely. I do not believe new comic sales is sustainable in its current capacity; coupled with the price for a new comic. It's about covers, slabs, and re-sale. Stories are at the bottom of the totem pole and I maintain that is problematic for the hobby. |
||
| Post 20 • IP flag post | ||
|
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8.
|
xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
| When you said stories were at the bottom for the general comic community, I assumed you meant readers. If readers don't care about the story then it makes sense for the publishers to put more effort elsewhere. But if you meant the story doesn't matter to the publishers, I see your point. I'd have to think more about if I agree, but I see it. | ||
| Post 21 • IP flag post | ||
 Staple topics, nice.
|
makahuka private msg quote post Address this user | |
Variant covers suck, nonetheless I buy them. I'm a reader first, but dang some covers are really cool. I got all the Mandalorian #1 covers when Marvel released the series, as well as the Batman/Spawn, 1:10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 etc. Very expensive. I wish they went back to printing the other covers in the back of the comic, it was sometimes done that way. For fun, a couple of anaglyph 3D images when I worked in a visual effects house. Sadly I didn't get to keep any Frazetta work I turned into anaglyph 3D. Only if you have your 3D red and blue glasses.  |
||
| Post 22 • IP flag post | ||
|
would be nice to have a snugger fit.
|
Sigur_Ros private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by drchaos It's pretty common that the Cover A trade dress is the most desired, thus most valuable when a book comes out that surprises everyone. That FOC variant by Frison just doesn't compete with the original cover. That cover keeps getting homages and has become a near classic. Frison's work is all so similar, and overdone. Speaking of boring, I'd be OK if I never see another cover by Jenny Frison, Peach Momoko, Skottie Young or David Mack |
||
| Post 23 • IP flag post | ||
|
I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life.
|
kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by drchaos Yet in your example, the publisher's main cover sells for more money than the cool variant Frison did. Or am I missing something here? I was saying, publisher covers, especially 1:50 and 1:100 can go for more money than any variant. And yes, sometimes the main regular cover can go for more than any variant. Variants are worthless. |
||
| Post 24 • IP flag post | ||
 being an ass and being a clown are two very different things.
|
HAmistoso private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I would suggest picking up as many variants as possible to avoid the pains of regret. | ||
| Post 25 • IP flag post | ||
|
I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers). Splotches is gettin old! |
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user | |
No regrets whatsoever |
||
| Post 26 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
Silversorrow private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I know it's primarily a gimmick to get people to buy multiple copies of the same comic but I do like variants for one specific reason. I like having the choice to pick my one favorite cover and buy that one. Lots of times years ago before variants if you were buying a particular comic run there would always be covers every now and then that you hated or were just blah. With variants I have a much better chance of having covers that I like a lot more when collecting a whole run. So if you can avoid the "Gotta get em all" urge then variants are actually beneficial. | ||
| Post 27 • IP flag post | ||
|
I'm waiting.... (tapping fingers). Splotches is gettin old! |
Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| @Silversorrow I agree with you. The problem is that when a good idea happens and is a hit (such as a few variants here and there); inevitably the business sees that and abuses the success. And there are ramifications when a good thing is abused. And it has been abused considerably the last many years. And when there is considerable abuse for years, there long term problematic implications both seen and unseen |
||
| Post 28 • IP flag post | ||
 I'm not a plagiarist. I'm also not illiterate.
|
drmccoy74 private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by HAmistoso🤣🤣 |
||
| Post 29 • IP flag post | ||
 Collector
|
Retired_11B private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I do buy variant covers, mainly it is due to who made the cover. There are a few artist that I really like and want their artwork. I learned the hard way there are way too many covers on each issue to worry about getting them all. As stated before, if it is a ratio book (1:10, 20, or even higher) I will try to pick it up. |
||
| Post 30 • IP flag post | ||
This topic is archived. Start new topic?