By Bill Alexander, Overstreet Advisor, U.S.-published comic book cover price variant specialist and historian (Contact by email), November 2020
“It appears there has been a big noticeable increase in demand for newsstand edition comics versus direct edition comics especially with certified 9.8 grade comics published from 1979 on.”
CPV Market Report
There has been a noticeable increase in collector interest for Archie’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures mini series (1988) and regular series (1989). As far as I know Archie’s TMNT series comic books were their biggest selling comic books at one point in time.
Archie published TMNT Adventures Mini Series 1-3 and TMNT Adventures regular series 1-11 both as direct market $1.25 CPVs and as newsstand $1.25 CPVs with the $1.25 newsstand edition copies being way more difficult to find in high grade than their $1.25 direct edition counterparts in my experience.
There are other Archie TMNT Adventures key book CPVs outside of TMNT 1 mini series 1 and TMNT 1 regular series that are a true challenge to try and find in high grade as CPVs such as TMNT 19 (1st appearance of The Mighty Mutanimals as a team), TMNT 28 (1st appearance of Ninjara), TMNT 23 (1st appearance of Slash), TMNT Mighty Mutanimals 9 (Origin of Slash), TMNT 54 (The death of The Mighty Mutanimals).
The interior page pictures below are the 1st appearance of Slash, in TMNTA #23.
Something interesting that I have noticed about 1980’s Marvel CPVs is that they appear to be about 2 to 3 times more plentiful and obtainable than DC CPVs in high grade 9.6 and 9.8 grades. I feel the reason is because Marvel comics were way more collected by collectors than DC comics were back then.
Increased Newsstand Collector Demand
It appears there has been a big noticeable increase in demand for newsstand edition comics versus direct edition comics especially with certified 9.8 grade comics published from 1979 on. Many people may not know that beginning in 1979 the percentage ratio of newsstand edition versus direct edition was about 94/6 and by 1986 the ratio had drastically changed to about 50/50. By 1990 that ratio had dropped down to about 15/85. By 1996 the ratio of newsstand edition versus direct edition had dwindled down to about 10/90 and by 2000 down to about 5/95. Fast forwarding to 2013 newsstand edition versus direct edition copies had dropped down to about 1/99.
Direct edition copies are perhaps 50X to 100X times easier to find in high grade compared to their newsstand counterparts. As an example, GoCollect now separately reports newsstand sales for many comics, and for Uncanny X-Men #266 gives a current 9.8 newsstand value of $900 based on 88 recorded sales. They meanwhile give a 9.8 direct edition value of $475, based on 5,989 recorded sales.
A few eye opening (non price variant) newsstand edition 1980’s books sales that occurred in November of 2020 on Ebay were Marvel G.I. Joe 21 CGC 9.8 $4,999.99, DC Swamp Thing 37 CGC 9.8 $2,095.00, and Archie TMNT Adventures 1 CGC 9.8 (mini series) $2,600.00. I can only imagine what the newsstand CPV editions of those key books would sell for in a certified 9.8 grade?
Dell Giants Phase 1 & Archie Giants Phase 1 CPVs
I compiled a list of Dell and Archie CPVs 1951-1959. I hope this will help collectors in where to look for them.
Archie Phase 1 Type 1A 35 Cent CPV List
(1953-1965)
With OPG 50 9.2 (non-variant) price guide values shown.
| Archie Annual 5-16 35¢ | ||
| 5 | $800.00 | |
| 6-10 | $385.00 | |
| 11-15 | $195.00 | |
| 16 | $105.00 | |
| Archie Giant Series Magazine 1-32 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $2,750.00 | |
| 2 | $1,350.00 | |
| 3-6 | $800.00 | |
| 7-10 | $550.00 | |
| 11,13,16,18 | $340.00 | |
| 12,14,15,17,19,20 | $245.00 | |
| 21,23,28 | $175.00 | |
| 22,24,25,27,29,30 | $150.00 | |
| 26 | $190.00 | |
| 31 | $100.00 | |
| 32 | $140.00 | |
| Archie’s Girl’s Betty and Veronica Annual 1-8 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $1,250.00 | |
| 2 | $825.00 | |
| 3-5 | $625.00 | |
| 6-8 | $400.00 | |
| Archie’s Madhouse Annual 1,2 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $225.00 | |
| 2 | $85.00 | |
| Archie’s Pals ‘N’ Gals 2-31 35¢ | ||
| 2 | $800.00 | |
| 3-5 | $525.00 | |
| 6-10 | $325.00 | |
| 11,13,14,16,17,20 | $150.00 | |
| 12,15 | $190.00 | |
| 18 | $225.00 | |
| 19 | $250.00 | |
| 21,22,24-28,30 | $110.00 | |
| 23 | $1,800.00 | |
| 29 | $180.00 | |
| 31 | $80.00 | |
| Jughead Annual 1-8 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $1,575.00 | |
| 2 | $750.00 | |
| 3-5 | $475.00 | |
| 6-8 | $290.00 | |
| Little Archie 3-34 35¢ | ||
| 3-5 | $550.00 | |
| 6-10 | $370.00 | |
| 11-17,19,21 | $250.00 | |
| 18,20,22 | $385.00 | |
| 23-34 | $130.00 | |
| Katy Keene Annual 1-6 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $925.00 | |
| 2-6 | $460.00 | |
| Katy Keene Pin Up Parade 1-15 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $900.00 | |
| 2 | $430.00 | |
| 3-5 | $360.00 | |
| 6-10, 12-14 | $295.00 | |
| 11 | $385.00 | |
| 15 | $625.00 | |
Highest OPG 50 9.2 (non-variant) valued issue is Archie Giant Series Magazine #1 at $2,750.00.
Dell Giant Type 1A 35 Cent CPV List
(November 1951-July 1953, July 1959)
With OPG 50 9.2 (non-variant) price guide values shown.
| Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Funnies 2-3 35¢ | ||
| 2 | $245.00 | |
| 3 | $200.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Vacation Funnies 2-3,9 35¢ | ||
| 2 | $255.00 | |
| 3 | $155.00 | |
| 9 | $175.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu and Tubby in Alaska 1 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $250.00 | |
| Santa Claus Funnies 1 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $180.00 | |
| Tarzan’s Jungle Annual 1 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $300.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Winter Carnival 1 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $400.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade 3-4 35¢ | ||
| 3,4 | $280.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies 1 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $650.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Vacation Parade 3-4 35¢ | ||
| 3,4 | $275.00 | |
| Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker’s Back to School 1 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $200.00 | |
| Western Roundup 1-3 35¢ | ||
| 1 | $500.00 | |
| 2 | $280.00 | |
| 3 | $225.00 | |
Highest OPG 50 9.2 (non-variant) valued issue is Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies #1 at $650.00
Dell Giant Type 1A 30 Cent CPV list
(August 1953-April 1959)
With OPG 50 9.2 (non-variant) price guide values shown.
| Abraham Lincoln Life Story 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| A Christmas Treasury 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| A Treasury of Dogs 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| A Treasury of Horses 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Funnies 4-8 30¢ | ||
| 4,5 | $200.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Funnies 4-8 30¢ | ||
| 6-8 | $175.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Party 6 30¢ | ||
| 6 | $175.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s County Fair 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $219.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Halloween Parade 1,2 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $235.00 | |
| 2 | $190.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Trick ‘N’ Treat Halloween Fun 3,4 30¢ | ||
| 3,4 | $185.00 | |
| Bugs Bunny’s Vacation Funnies 4-8 30¢ | ||
| 4,5 | $195.00 | |
| 6,7 | $175.00 | |
| 8 | $225.00 | |
| Cadet Gray of West Point 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| Golden West Rodeo Treasury 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $190.00 | |
| Little Stories of American Presidents 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| Lone Ranger Golden West 3 30¢ | ||
| 3 | $365.00 | |
| Lone Ranger Movie Story (nn) 30¢ | ||
| nn | $725.00 | |
| Lone Ranger Western Treasury 1-2 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $465.00 | |
| 2 | $365.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu and Alvin Story Telling Time 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $280.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu and Her Friends 4 30¢ | ||
| 4 | $270.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu and Her Special Friends 3 30¢ | ||
| 3 | $300.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu and Tubby Annual 2 30¢ | ||
| 2 | $500.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu and Tubby at Summer Camp 2,5 30¢ | ||
| 2,5 | $260.00 | |
| Marge’s Little Lulu on Vacation 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $500.00 | |
| Marge’s Tubby and His Clubhouse Pals 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $300.00 | |
| Moses and The Ten Commandments 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $150.00 | |
| Nancy and Sluggo Travel Time 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $165.00 | |
| Pogo Parade 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $500.00 | |
| Raggedy Ann and Andy 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $320.00 | |
| Tarzan’s Jungle Annual 2-7 30¢ | ||
| 2 | $215.00 | |
| 3-7 | $175.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Back To School 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $240.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Picnic Time 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $190.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Summer Fun 1-4 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $290.00 | |
| 2-4 | $150.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Toy Fair 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $180.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Winter Carnival 2 30¢ | ||
| 2 | $320.00 | |
| Tom and Jerry’s Winter Fun 3-7 30¢ | ||
| 3 | $165.00 | |
| 4-7 | $145.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Christmas in Disneyland 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $500.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade 5-8 30¢ | ||
| 5-7 | $280.00 | |
| 8 | $435.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Davey Crockett, King of The Wild Frontier 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $385.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Donald and Mickey in Disneyland 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $225.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Beach Party 1-5 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $320.00 | |
| 2-5 | $215.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Donald Duck in Disneyland 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $300.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Fun Book 1,2 30¢ | ||
| 1,2 | $1250.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Huey, Dewy and Louie Back to School 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $180.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Lady and The Tramp 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $330.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Almanac 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $540.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Birthday Party 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $620.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club Parade 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $440.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse in Fantasy Land 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $255.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse in Frontier Land 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $255.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Summer Fun 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $255.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Picnic Party 6-8 30¢ | ||
| 6,7 | $235.00 | |
| 8 | $410.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies 2-9 30¢ | ||
| 2 | $485.00 | |
| 3-4 | $390.00 | |
| 5-9 | $320.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $525.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge Goes to Disneyland 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $510.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge Vacation in Disneyland 1 30¢ | ||
| 1 | $225.00 | |
| Walt Disney’s Vacation Parade 5 30¢ | ||
| 5 | $275.00 | |
| Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker’s Back to School 2-4,6 30¢ | ||
| 2-4,6 | $160.00 | |
| Walter Lantz Woody Woodpecker’s County Fair 2,5 30¢ | ||
| 2 | $145.00 | |
| 5 | $160.00 | |
Highest OPG 50 9.2 (non-variant) valued books are Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Fun Book 1,2 $1,250.00.
Rare Comics 