That's the whole point of my channel! cuz whenever I try the speculation game I fail lolol - I'll leave that to more savvy men. I prefer doing research projects about the hobby
I’ve been collecting on and off for over 40 years and I never knew that about the the diamond shaped price box,. That was very informative video and a great job, thanks for teaching this old dog a new trick!👏👏
@@MintHunterComics James... what are your thoughts on Star Wars #11 in 1978 having TWO WHITMAN editions... 1 with diamond price and barcode... and 1 with diamond price without barcode???
I was under the impression, for many years, that the books with the fat diamonds were 2nd and 3rd printings, at least in the case of Star Wars 1. I had that version and was told it was worthless because it wasn’t a 1st printing… ouch, my head hurts 😂
Thank you for trying to explain that newsstand was not always rare. I go nuts when I see books prior to 85 listed with premium pricing because they have a barcode.
That's amazing I got some diamonds I never knew that ear thank you for sharing. Thanks for spending time to teach us some new ideas how you look at comic books.
You are so welcome! make sure it's Diamonds before June of 1979 - those are the ones I'm talking about here. Diamonds became more mainstream for a few years after 1980 but they weren't any exra valuable
Like 192: Hafa adai Thursday brother! I am Enjoying all your kool videos. Keep Bringing Awesome Content & I will Keep Supporting you. Enjoy The Chase! IslandJ
I remember walking in a drugstore in late 1970s and picking up a few of the 99 cent packs of Star Wars 1-3...still have a couple packs somewhere. But did have in past two copies of the real 35 cent covers in past..came from a CalIfornia serviceman who relocated to Louisiana where I lived. Never dreamed would be valued as today. Sure I have a bunch of late 1970s diamond issues...
I've got the Battlestar Galactica and Micronauts 3 pack variants.As for my 1987 silver surfer collection,it's entirely direct copies.with the occasional newstand double thrown in.
I've been collecting for over 35 years and have always shied away from the direct editions bc in my mind they weren't the "real" books. With all the talk about newsstand vs direct I have to rethink that. I've seen all the variations but never gave it much thought until now. I have to look through my collection to see what I may have now. Great video. Thanks!
I always have to buy a Diamond issue if Isee one. They just look cool like when they later added the faces or other logos in the UPC box. And a lot of people don't realize they are different.
I have a copy of SW #1 (that looks like someone put it through a washing machine and then ran it over with a truck) hanging on my comic wall right now and when you said "Is this the rare 35 c variant," I paused the video, said "hold on..." out loud, walked over to my wall, and checked mine. Its got the diamond.
@@MintHunterComics here's what it looks like. drive.google.com/file/d/1l-7dLQH8637XQ-_mZxyIHFjzzbTfw_Sx/view?usp=sharing. Like I said, it's trashed but cool either way lol.
This is really cool.....I knew there were diamonds, but had no idea why. This is great info, and now I have to go look...funny thing, I know I have that Black Cat first appearance in exactly the way you have it, but mine is in really nice shape.....But now I have to look!!! Won't change what I buy on the whole though....
Great video, you clarified the differences in these editions in a very understandable way, thanks!! The Star Wars issues 2 and 3 Diamond with UPC 30 centers I have found to be almost impossible to find in higher grade, and they arent abundant in the lower grades either. When they do surface, they command a high premium, but not as High as I think they will at some future point. This edition is a book that I really think is going to pop at some point.
I got 2 1st app of Blackcat that are Direct ed. I Have Newstand and Direct of Avengers Annual #10 and the Dark Phoenix Saga. For that period I try to get the Direct ed.
Great info bro, thank you! I was always wondering about those crossed out UPC's... I'm always hunting for Godzilla #24 (scarce last issue) and noticed many of them came with the crossed out UPC. I always avoided buying those issues. Do you know if they are crossed out by hand, with marker? If so, are they viewed as damaged because of this?
I also have some Mark Jeweler editions, mainly Spectacular Spider-Man issues around 35-45. Maybe that could be the next video topic? Great info on the diamonds. I also have the Whitman 3-packs of Star Wars 4-6 (fat diamond no barcode) and Battlestar Galactica 5-7 (skinny diamond with month, issue number, and barcode marked through).
I've got to touch on Mark Jewelers soon - (I'm actually wearing a Mark Jewelers shirt rn) Ironically I've only owned a few in my travels! I also think the Canadian price variant is something I might do a video for
@@MintHunterComics in the 20+ yrs I've looked for comics in the wild...I have actually only found one MJ book...and that one is only in a 5.0 (maybe) condition. Although not in great condition, I was ecstatic that I even found one! 😁
There’s some odd history with Western Pub and how poorly they distributed the books, sometimes missing entire issues they became so delayed. Books like Scrooge 179 are good examples of the pre-pack only books that became more valuable.
THAT WAS A THREE PACK FROM WHITMAN. THEY PRODUCED THE DIAMOND TO STOP THE RETURN CREDIT. HAVE A BLACK HOLE THREE PACK THAT SHOWS THE NEVER PRODUCED BLACK HOLE TWO.
Very informative, thank you! I'm old enough to have been collecting at that time. My Whitman 3-pack I got on Christmas '77 is like those in your video, but with the word "REPRINT" in Luke's box in the upper left. I'm wondering why these are sooo much less valuable, when they're basically the same comic, printed in the same year?
Rock on! 1st prints in comics will ALWAYS be the more valuable. if its a first appearance people don't even look at the second print as the first app even if its the same book. 2d and 3d prints won't even mention it's a 1st appearance of someone if you were to get it slabbed at CGC! (sometimes)
This honestly makes my head hurt. Like when I look through my collection and I see new stand I just kinda give up. I will say I have a new stand of batman 423 (it has a barcode on it). Anyone know if that's something cool?
Be very careful when showing those Star Wars diamond shaped books. Many of them are second prints & reprints. Valueless. Too many eBay scammers try to list those 35 cent books as the ultra rare test market price variants.
I have a comic that has no bar code and it's a Diamond for the 35 cent it's a 1977 Marvel comics group Peter Parker the spectacular spider-man #12 what does this mean ? I thought it was a error on the bar code. Please let me know more about this.. I wish I can post a picture of it here to show you.
Shouldn't you be working a second and third job to pay cgc 3 grand? LOL. I remember passing on those rare issues thinking they were reprints. Should have just bought everything I've come across since the begining, would be a multi millionaire! BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
you are a LIAR about the Whitman printing at same time as newsstand! how can newsstand Star Wars part 2 in one month... part 3 in next month... part 4 in next month... BE PRINTED AT THE SAME TIME AS A 3-pack with #2 & #3 & #4 in the same bag???????
Nice i discovered a YT comic book channel that isn't solely focused on the market and values and speculation, but instructs us about the hobby.
That's the whole point of my channel! cuz whenever I try the speculation game I fail lolol - I'll leave that to more savvy men. I prefer doing research projects about the hobby
I’ve been collecting on and off for over 40 years and I never knew that about the the diamond shaped price box,. That was very informative video and a great job, thanks for teaching this old dog a new trick!👏👏
Glad I could help! It was a lot of fun to learn, research and make this!
@@MintHunterComics James... what are your thoughts on Star Wars #11 in 1978 having TWO WHITMAN editions... 1 with diamond price and barcode... and 1 with diamond price without barcode???
Man I like the information that you bring in your videos.
I appreciate that! I try to keep everything like a research project almost
Ah.....Whitman 3 packs. Mom would always grab me a few whenever she stopped at the local Paperama store. Memories.......😆
Wow - what a cherished memory - thanks for sharing! I'm keeping my eye out for em and if I get a good deal I'll be grabbing one for sure
I was under the impression, for many years, that the books with the fat diamonds were 2nd and 3rd printings, at least in the case of Star Wars 1. I had that version and was told it was worthless because it wasn’t a 1st printing… ouch, my head hurts 😂
They sometimes and often are! but plenty of 1st are diamonds!
Excellent haul bud, and thanks for clearing up the diamond confusion!
You got it Free Key! Good to see ya!!
Thank you for trying to explain that newsstand was not always rare. I go nuts when I see books prior to 85 listed with premium pricing because they have a barcode.
EXACTLY - I hate when I see a 1980 book going for way more for a newsstand it's like NOOOO! that was the more common version!!!
Great video with important nuances to the direct edition/non direct editions.
Glad it was helpful!
That's amazing I got some diamonds I never knew that ear thank you for sharing. Thanks for spending time to teach us some new ideas how you look at comic books.
You are so welcome! make sure it's Diamonds before June of 1979 - those are the ones I'm talking about here. Diamonds became more mainstream for a few years after 1980 but they weren't any exra valuable
Excellent video. Your research 🧐 was thorough and easy to understand. Good luck 🍀 with your acquisition of a new “Grail.”
Fingers crossed!
I have a Battlestar Galactica #1 Whitman Variant as they were called befor the term direct edition was used. Great video
Very cool!
Well gonna have to check now. Thanks man!!!
Glad you found it interesting
Like 192: Hafa adai Thursday brother! I am Enjoying all your kool videos. Keep Bringing Awesome Content & I will Keep Supporting you. Enjoy The Chase! IslandJ
I love the chase! Thanks for checking in and for your support my man!!
Lot of good information, thanks for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
Didn't know about the diamonds. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful Paul!
Thanks for the info, definitely very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Love the information. I have some of the Whitman SW packs
That's awesome Neal!
Hahaha I learned so much again in this video, great video like always!
Awesome! Thank you!
Damn this was a good one !
Thanks Jose!
Good research.
Glad you think so!
Great vid as always dude, always enjoying watching your vids.
I appreciate it! thanks for the kind words!
I remember walking in a drugstore in late 1970s and picking up a few of the 99 cent packs of Star Wars 1-3...still have a couple packs somewhere. But did have in past two copies of the real 35 cent covers in past..came from a CalIfornia serviceman who relocated to Louisiana where I lived. Never dreamed would be valued as today. Sure I have a bunch of late 1970s diamond issues...
Well damn! that's awesome Donald! what a great story and great finds
I've got the Battlestar Galactica and Micronauts 3 pack variants.As for my 1987 silver surfer collection,it's entirely direct copies.with the occasional newstand double thrown in.
Ay that's sick! I have a micronauts #8 like this!
I have a bunch of these, thanks for the informative video.
Glad it was helpful! that's awesome man!
I've been collecting for over 35 years and have always shied away from the direct editions bc in my mind they weren't the "real" books. With all the talk about newsstand vs direct I have to rethink that. I've seen all the variations but never gave it much thought until now. I have to look through my collection to see what I may have now. Great video. Thanks!
I think direct from 1977 all the way to about 1986 is my preferred version! haha - but I'll take what I can get!
I always have to buy a Diamond issue if Isee one. They just look cool like when they later added the faces or other logos in the UPC box. And a lot of people don't realize they are different.
They look very slick
Great content bro!!! Keep it coming!!!
Thanks my man, and great username!
I have a copy of SW #1 (that looks like someone put it through a washing machine and then ran it over with a truck) hanging on my comic wall right now and when you said "Is this the rare 35 c variant," I paused the video, said "hold on..." out loud, walked over to my wall, and checked mine. Its got the diamond.
Ayyy! you've got a whitman 3 pack variant! very cool (but prolly the 3d print unless it says 30 cents)
@@MintHunterComics here's what it looks like. drive.google.com/file/d/1l-7dLQH8637XQ-_mZxyIHFjzzbTfw_Sx/view?usp=sharing. Like I said, it's trashed but cool either way lol.
Cool info. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed man!
Great video... Love the chart showing new stand direct and the different years.. Star wars 1 was always so confusing for me LoL
Hahahah I'm glad it could help
Really enjoy your videos.
Glad you like them!
Very. Informative. Video
Glad it was helpful!
Damn. I started collecting in 77. I have all of the issues you showed minus the Conan joints.
Dude thats awesome! That's history right there!
This is really cool.....I knew there were diamonds, but had no idea why. This is great info, and now I have to go look...funny thing, I know I have that Black Cat first appearance in exactly the way you have it, but mine is in really nice shape.....But now I have to look!!! Won't change what I buy on the whole though....
thanks for sharing man! and yeah - specially if you find diamonds before June of 1979 that aren't reprints - that's some SERIOUS cool factor!
YOU WON THE 5,000 SUBSCRIBER GIVEAWAY DUDE! Message me to confirm the "Legends of The dark Knight" Entire run! congrats!
I never knew or even noticed the Diamond vs the Square with the price. You learn something everyday.
Right? Glad I could point it out man!
Great video, you clarified the differences in these editions in a very understandable way, thanks!! The Star Wars issues 2 and 3 Diamond with UPC 30 centers I have found to be almost impossible to find in higher grade, and they arent abundant in the lower grades either. When they do surface, they command a high premium, but not as High as I think they will at some future point. This edition is a book that I really think is going to pop at some point.
Glad it helped!
I have to laugh at the fact I had a lot of these comics as a kid had no idea they would be worth something
Oh man! that's always how it is... same with me and the rare DCU logo in the 1993-1997 range
I always wondered about the differences- and I was collecting back then.... will need to go back through the collection to see how many I have!
Awesome man! sometimes you may find you've got a bunch!
very interesting great vid
So interesting! Going to keep my eye out now
You should! thanks for sharing
Now you need to do a video on canadian price version
Oh I absolutely am - I've got a few canadian vars on way to CGC now actually!
Very informative. I always wondered what that diagonal line through the bar code was all about. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Cool vid heard of newsstand but not diamonds having differences
Right? you learn something new every day!
I saw a first appearance of the avengers in a 5.0 but they were selling it for a lot
Oof - that's a sexy book so I imagine so!
I got 2 1st app of Blackcat that are Direct ed. I Have Newstand and Direct of Avengers Annual #10 and the Dark Phoenix Saga. For that period I try to get the Direct ed.
Amen to that! anything from 1979-85 I say
I call these comics Whitman variants, can't really say why. But that is what MileHighComics call them, I think.
I actually have the full run of these directs in the Amazing Spider-Man run, #165-192
Munrown! wow! that's super super super impressive. Maybe I should interview you about them sometime! what a cool collection for sure
@@MintHunterComics I don't have them in quite high enough grade to make an appearance on MINT Hunter just yet but I'm working on it lol
Great info bro, thank you! I was always wondering about those crossed out UPC's... I'm always hunting for Godzilla #24 (scarce last issue) and noticed many of them came with the crossed out UPC. I always avoided buying those issues. Do you know if they are crossed out by hand, with marker? If so, are they viewed as damaged because of this?
You AVOIDED them? hahaha - they're the most valuable version of them! that's the rare 1979 direct editions!
@@MintHunterComics Yeah. Funny, right?
Excellent video! Did you end up buying the Star Wars 1 - 3?
You bet! not for much either since those were reprints but still very cool!
I’m making a complete video about this as there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Hoping to have it finished in a couple weeks.
Lemme know when it releases!
How many of these "Diamonds" actually were also "Mark Jeweler" editions? If any?
Thanks for the info - cool stuff!
Be safe.
Tim
I also have some Mark Jeweler editions, mainly Spectacular Spider-Man issues around 35-45. Maybe that could be the next video topic? Great info on the diamonds. I also have the Whitman 3-packs of Star Wars 4-6 (fat diamond no barcode) and Battlestar Galactica 5-7 (skinny diamond with month, issue number, and barcode marked through).
I've got to touch on Mark Jewelers soon - (I'm actually wearing a Mark Jewelers shirt rn) Ironically I've only owned a few in my travels! I also think the Canadian price variant is something I might do a video for
@@MintHunterComics in the 20+ yrs I've looked for comics in the wild...I have actually only found one MJ book...and that one is only in a 5.0 (maybe) condition. Although not in great condition, I was ecstatic that I even found one! 😁
@@mewild1032 I looked through all of my books and found less than 10 Diamond books....with only one having a strike through bar-code.
I have Star Wars Whitman 1- 3 still in original bag
Ooh nice! Is it the 1st or 3d print?
(Aka 30 cents or 35 cents)
There’s some odd history with Western Pub and how poorly they distributed the books, sometimes missing entire issues they became so delayed. Books like Scrooge 179 are good examples of the pre-pack only books that became more valuable.
Very interesting David! I've been keeping my eye out for Western Pub and Whitman 3-packs lately - If I find a good deal I'll be snatching up quick!
THAT WAS A THREE PACK FROM WHITMAN. THEY PRODUCED THE DIAMOND TO STOP THE RETURN CREDIT. HAVE A BLACK HOLE THREE PACK THAT SHOWS THE NEVER PRODUCED BLACK HOLE TWO.
So, that ASM 194, which is more valuable, direct or news stand?
Very informative, thank you! I'm old enough to have been collecting at that time. My Whitman 3-pack I got on Christmas '77 is like those in your video, but with the word "REPRINT" in Luke's box in the upper left. I'm wondering why these are sooo much less valuable, when they're basically the same comic, printed in the same year?
Rock on! 1st prints in comics will ALWAYS be the more valuable. if its a first appearance people don't even look at the second print as the first app even if its the same book. 2d and 3d prints won't even mention it's a 1st appearance of someone if you were to get it slabbed at CGC! (sometimes)
Hey James, that 1st appearance of Black Cat looks pretty familiar. 😂😂
Doesn't it?!?!? wink wink - videos dropping TODAY my man!
YOUR DIAMOND WERE IN PLASTIC BAG SET.
Indeed!
This honestly makes my head hurt. Like when I look through my collection and I see new stand I just kinda give up. I will say I have a new stand of batman 423 (it has a barcode on it). Anyone know if that's something cool?
Oh that could absolutely be cool! what condition?
Be very careful when showing those Star Wars diamond shaped books. Many of them are second prints & reprints. Valueless. Too many eBay scammers try to list those 35 cent books as the ultra rare test market price variants.
Exactly! that's why I mentioned that at the start of the video
I have a comic that has no bar code and it's a Diamond for the 35 cent it's a 1977 Marvel comics group Peter Parker the spectacular spider-man #12 what does this mean ? I thought it was a error on the bar code. Please let me know more about this.. I wish I can post a picture of it here to show you.
Which is rare newstand or direct edotion im curious hahaha
Depends on the year! check out my video Newsstands vs directs on my channel (it was from like 3 or 4 months ago I believe)
Hey, man. I think I need more silver age comics.
You and me both!
Hey i think theres something wrong with the audio
It's in the left speaker only - not sure how to fix that now - seems to only let me fix it prior to uploading
Shouldn't you be working a second and third job to pay cgc 3 grand? LOL. I remember passing on those rare issues thinking they were reprints. Should have just bought everything I've come across since the begining, would be a multi millionaire!
BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I swear I work constantly and don't make enough money haha - plus every cent goes to comics and bills lol - it's a crazy life lol
you are a LIAR about the Whitman printing at same time as newsstand!
how can newsstand Star Wars part 2 in one month... part 3 in next month... part 4 in next month...
BE PRINTED AT THE SAME TIME AS A 3-pack with #2 & #3 & #4 in the same bag???????
Huh 🤔
Right? lololl