Vintage Variants

Variants aren't just for modern comics, as proven by this list of key variants, errors and rare printings from the Silver and Gold ages

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Superman #1

Non-Key

2nd Print • 3rd Print ⋅ DC ⋅ 1939

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Low

$280

Mid

$840

High

$2.8k

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Key Facts

There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:

First printing - 500,000 copies

Second printing - 250,000 copies

Third printing - 150,000 copies

All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14

The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd

The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"

CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes

Key Facts

There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:

First printing - 500,000 copies

Second printing - 250,000 copies

Third printing - 150,000 copies

All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14

The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd

The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"

CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes

Batman #1

Error ⋅ DC ⋅ 1940

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Low

$62k

Mid

$185k

High

$1.3M

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Key Facts

Scarce printing variant, identified by the absence of a period before the issue number '1'

1st appearance of the Joker and the Cat aka Catwoman

Key Facts

Scarce printing variant, identified by the absence of a period before the issue number '1'

1st appearance of the Joker and the Cat aka Catwoman

Batman #2

Price Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 1940

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Low

Mid

High

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Key Facts

$0.15 edition, presumably priced for the Canadian market

Value unknown

Key Facts

$0.15 edition, presumably priced for the Canadian market

Value unknown

Four Color #918

Non-Key

Price Variant ⋅ Dell ⋅ 1942

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Low

$180

Mid

$540

High

$1.8k

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Four Color #878

Price Variant ⋅ Dell ⋅ 1942

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Low

$180

Mid

$600

High

$1.8k

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Key Facts

$0.15 price variant

Key Facts

$0.15 price variant

Love Romances #97

Price Variant ⋅ Atlas ⋅ 1962

View Details ⋅ View Series

Low

$60

Mid

$210

High

$900

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Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

Gunsmoke Western #68

Price Variant ⋅ Atlas ⋅ 1962

View Details ⋅ View Series

Low

$60

Mid

$210

High

$900

Buy it on eBay!

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

Journey Into Mystery #76

Price Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1962

View Details ⋅ View Series

Low

$60

Mid

$210

High

$1.1k

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Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

Archie's Madhouse #22

Price Variant ⋅ Archie ⋅ 1962

View Details ⋅ View Series

Low

$590

Mid

$2.7k

High

$7.6k

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Key Facts

$0.15 cent price variant

1st appearance of Sabrina the Teenage Witch

1st appearance of Salem the cat, Sabrina's familiar

Key Facts

$0.15 cent price variant

1st appearance of Sabrina the Teenage Witch

1st appearance of Salem the cat, Sabrina's familiar

Avengers, The #10

Error ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1964

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Low

Mid

High

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Key Facts

Variant with magenta and yellow printing error

No current sales data

Key Facts

Variant with magenta and yellow printing error

No current sales data

Captain America #100

Non-Key

Error ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1968

View Details ⋅ View Series

Low

$75

Mid

$220

High

$735

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Key Facts

Printing variant with white border around the words 'Captain America', as opposed to yellow

Key Facts

Printing variant with white border around the words 'Captain America', as opposed to yellow

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Vintage Variants

Vintage Variants

Superman #1

2nd Print • 3rd Print ⋅ DC ⋅ 1939

Superman #1

2nd Print • 3rd Print ⋅ DC ⋅ 1939

Key Facts

There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:

First printing - 500,000 copies

Second printing - 250,000 copies

Third printing - 150,000 copies

All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14

The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd

The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"

CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes

Key Facts

There were three printings of Superman #1 in 1939:

First printing - 500,000 copies

Second printing - 250,000 copies

Third printing - 150,000 copies

All printings have an advertisement on page 32 for Action Comics #14

The advertisement in copies of the first printing states an on-sale date of Action Comics #14 as June 2nd

The second and third printings of Superman #1 are indistinguishable from one another but differ from the first printing with ad copy that states "Now on Sale"

CGC does not differentiate the printings on the label but as of 2024 distinguishes between the two in the grader's notes

Batman #1

Error ⋅ DC ⋅ 1940

Batman #1

Error ⋅ DC ⋅ 1940

Key Facts

Scarce printing variant, identified by the absence of a period before the issue number '1'

1st appearance of the Joker and the Cat aka Catwoman

Key Facts

Scarce printing variant, identified by the absence of a period before the issue number '1'

1st appearance of the Joker and the Cat aka Catwoman

Batman #2

Price Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 1940

Batman #2

Price Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 1940

Key Facts

$0.15 edition, presumably priced for the Canadian market

Value unknown

Key Facts

$0.15 edition, presumably priced for the Canadian market

Value unknown

Four Color #918

Price Variant ⋅ Dell ⋅ 1942

Four Color #918

Price Variant ⋅ Dell ⋅ 1942

Four Color #878

Price Variant ⋅ Dell ⋅ 1942

Four Color #878

Price Variant ⋅ Dell ⋅ 1942

Key Facts

$0.15 price variant

Key Facts

$0.15 price variant

Love Romances #97

Price Variant ⋅ Atlas ⋅ 1962

Love Romances #97

Price Variant ⋅ Atlas ⋅ 1962

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

See also: Journey Into Mystery #76 and Gunsmoke Western #68

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

See also: Journey Into Mystery #76 and Gunsmoke Western #68

Gunsmoke Western #68

Price Variant ⋅ Atlas ⋅ 1962

Gunsmoke Western #68

Price Variant ⋅ Atlas ⋅ 1962

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

See also: Journey Into Mystery #76 and Love Romances #97

Key Facts

One of three issues with the cover price blacked-out to account for a price change from $0.10 to $0.12

Copies exist that have the corrected price inside of the circle

See also: Journey Into Mystery #76 and Love Romances #97