Marvel #1 Question

[JediDave76]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I'm looking into collecting the 70's and 80's SW Marvel comics, and I decided to begin with the first issue.

Problem is, I am finding out that there are variations, reprints, differences in bar codes, etc etc.... so I really have no idea where to begin or how to go about this.
To piggy back off this, it looks like there is a very wide range of prices because of ratings.

Could someone please just give me a crash course on how to identify a true original issue and what kind of price I will be looking at?

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks
Dave

[costell2]

Mile High Comics website was a good start for me... while I never purchased anyhitng from them, I use the website often when researching books. They have cover images and prices in all conditions (albeit, they are by and large VERY HIGH in the prices)...

The Diamond box seems to be a Whitman version, and the other reprints (it took me a while to notice the difference) but it states REPRINT up the side in the Marvel Charater box (in this case, where Luke is standing).....

See the link below.... and I hope this helps...

Mile High Comics -

[costell2]

and I have yet to figure out what D. Stephens means..... I "believe" it is the name of a collection that Mile HIgh purchased denoting that it is from that collection and they were at a very high grade.... but I really dont know....

EDIT:
And then, I further seached, and that is exactly what that is....

http://www.milehighcomics.com/dallasstephens/index.html

[tarcanes92]

Mile High Comics website was a good start for me... while I never purchased anyhitng from them, I use the website often when researching books. They have cover images and prices in all conditions (albeit, they are by and large VERY HIGH in the prices)...

The Diamond box seems to be a Whitman version, and the other reprints (it took me a while to notice the difference) but it states REPRINT up the side in the Marvel Charater box (in this case, where Luke is standing).....

See the link below.... and I hope this helps...

Mile High Comics -

sign up for their emails you get codes for huge discounts (like 60% off)...

to the original poster....do you want the stories or the actual issues from the 70s/80s? If you only want the stories, Dark Horse is releasing TPB of the issues that will be easier/cheaper to get in the long run.

Also, ebay would be a good place to look if condition isn't an issue...look for lots that contain alot of issues in it....the lot may be expensive, but the price per issue usually isn't.

[costell2]

I just bought mine from eBay (Marvel Star Wars Collection) for 127.50...

This was back on Dec. 6th.... I will tell you that the condition of the books were by far higher than what the seller claimed. In fact, I was missing a large amount of the series, and the books I did have, I switched out because these were in F+ to NM-/NM condition. It was only missing the last 3 issues, 105, 106, and 107. Very, very, very happy with this purchase. I really got a great deal....

Like the previous poster stated, the price per book including shipping was essentially $1.33 a book. Then to get the last 3 issues, I think I paid like 45 bucks.

Add those up and I got the full series 1-107, Annuals 1-3 and I paid $1.71 a book..... I will take that in a minute....

To see the lot of SW comics (it will probably be available a little while longer) here is the item number on eBay: 270864163097

[JediRaver]

Ok, listen up, because there is a difference.

The one you want, the original Star Wars #1, the one that is actually worth money and most collectible, is the one that says "Marvel Comics Group" across the top and has a cover price of 30 cents:



There is also a version that says "Marvel Movie Showcase" across the top and has a cover price of $1.25. No, not nearly as valuable/collectible:



There is also a 35 cent "variant" that is the golden goose. In good condition, they can go for as much as $10k. Not sure if it's true, but I have heard there are only a couple hundred in existence. The only difference is the price listed on the cover



If you ever see a comic with a blank box where the upc code should be, stay away. That indicates it is not a first printing. Some of the reprints also have the price box displayed differently (for example, a diamond shape instead of square).

[MrPickles]

Man, I remember pre-internet, ebay when these comics were so hard to get. Now it's amazing how readily accessible they have become.

Happy Easter! Long live Jaxxon!

[JediRaver]

Check it out, there is a 35 cent variant on ebay right now with a $8995 buy it now:

Star wars #1 1977 35Cent variant CGC 9.0 | eBay