It’s interesting that for years UPC codes or barcodes were overlooked features on a comic. Literally, no one cared about them or talked about them. These days, the UPC code could be the most important element of a book. A UPC code on the right book could mean twice the value while on other books, it means no difference in price. Being knowledgeable is even more vital. Let’s take a quick look at the history and then delve into price implication and potential bargains in the marketplace.
UPC Code history
In comics, UPC codes started in 1976 and featured 13 digits. Widespread use of the UPC code starting in May/June 1976. Examples:
Fantastic Four #171 in June 76
Amazing Spider-man 157 in June 76
Batman #275 in May 76.
For the next 10+ years, they would use the exact same barcode except for the month, which was the last two digits. So from June 1976 until January 1987, UPC codes repeated every 12 months. All of these Amazing Spider-man issues share the same UPC code.
ASM 160 (Sept. 1976), ASM 220 (Sept. 1981),
ASM 172 (Sept. 1977), ASM 232 (Sept. 1982)
ASM 184 (Sept. 1978), ASM 244 (Sept. 1983),
ASM 196 (Sept. 1979), ASM 256 (Sept. 1984),
ASM 208 (Sept. 1980), ASM 268 (Sept. 1985),
ASM 280 (Sept. 1986)
Then in Jan 1987, Marvel changed their UPC code to 14 digits. DC followed suit the next summer.
Six and a half years later in July 1993 most publishers went to the modern UPC which is 17 digits.
Direct Edition or Comic Shop Edition History
In the early days of direct edition copies, specifically the summer of 1979, Marvel experimented with a couple different versions. Initially, they had a blank box where the UPC code should be, then to a UPC with a diagonal line through it, finally to a box with a picture. Here are examples of all three in the Incredible Hulk series.
Incredible Hulk 235 – Blank box
Incredible Hulk 236 – Diagonal line through UPC
Incredible Hulk 245 – Picture box
DC was a little behind Marvel in releasing their Direct Edition comics in October 1980
Explanation of the modern 17 digit UPC Code
This is based on a modern Spiderman comic
7 59606 08936 9 02411 –
7 is from the UPC guidelines
59606 is the code for Marvel on current books (starting in 1993/1994)
08936 is the Amazing Spider-man title code
9 is the check digit
024 is the issue number
1 is the cover number
1 is the print number
Here at the Comics Price Guide offices, we’ve added tens of thousands of comic book UPC codes into our database. With those in the system, you can scan a comic book with our free app and get pricing or other information. You can also type the code into the main search bar on the website and get the same information. This is a great perk for our members allowing them to quickly find the exact book that they are looking for. During the process of adding all of these issues, we’ve noticed some things that might be helpful to collectors.
Some Opinions
When comparing the prices of direct and newsstand issues most of the time they have the same price. However, SOME key issues are more expensive IF they are a high-grade newsstand issue. The logic is that newsstand issues weren’t treated like collectibles and most suffered some damage, making high-grade issues more difficult to find. We’ve noticed this trend through the newsstand era. Even though newsstand production numbers at the beginning were higher than direct edition production numbers.
Direct edition books from 1979 and 80 should carry a premium over newsstand issues because they were produced in lower quantities. We haven’t seen this reflected in the market but it does make sense.
High-grade newsstand issues should have a premium especially when UPC codes went to 17 digits. (July 93) They were produced in lower quantities and treated poorly but retail staff as well as customers. A key issue during this time could see significant price increases. We’ve seen this very clearly with Spawn issues.
Some books seem like they should be priced at an elevated rate but aren’t recognized by the market yet. If I mentioned specific books the beautiful untouched snowy landscape would be lost. This is a real opportunity for savvy buyers who arrive before the price goes up.
One of the difficulties that collectors seem to have is that everything should be black and white. Thinking that all newsstand issues should be priced higher is an example of that type of thinking. The market is more complex and less straightforward. Based on production numbers there are times when newsstand issues should be more expensive, the same price, and less expensive
In general, if you are chasing the next hot book you’re probably arriving too late. The best approach is to see where the market is going and plan a few steps ahead. The market is clearly starting to recognize the differences between newsstand and direct issues. The full scope hasn’t been realized yet but it’s going that direction.
By Ron Cloer
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Source: Comics Price Guide
