Buying newsstand comics is often cheaper than direct purchases, but do they really have more value? Here are some tips to identify newsstand comics. First, make sure the comic was released at a newsstand. Second, remember to compare the condition of newsstand comics with that of direct purchases. Third, make sure the newsstand comic is not creased. Fourth, read the comic cover carefully.

Whether newsstand comics are rarer

If you’ve ever wondered if newsstand comics are rarer than direct editions, the answer is, yes. Direct editions generally sell for higher prices, and newsstand copies are often returned. But, do newsstand comics really matter? There’s a simple experiment that can answer the question. For a comic book that’s five years old, its newsstand counterpart may be five times rarer than a direct edition of the same comic.

The answer depends on the publisher. Image had an extensive newsstand program from the start and now sells 99% of its comics in Direct Market. Dark Horse has a sporadic newsstand distribution plan and very few of its own titles have barcodes. Those are just some examples. But it’s not always the case. It’s also important to remember that different publishers produce newsstand comics at different times.

Whether they’re cheaper

First of all, direct editions tend to be rarer than newsstand ones. In terms of total print runs, newsstands are getting scarcer, though they’re not going away. Direct copies are still cheaper than newsstands, but you can still find a high-grade copy for about five times the cost. This isn’t always the case, however. There are other factors that play a role, such as the condition of the comic.

Another important factor is return policy. If you buy a comic at the newsstand, it is more likely to be damaged than a direct edition. This is because most newsstand comics don’t have glossy paper. Then, the comic may end up in a trash can before it reaches a collector’s hands. Moreover, most collectors shun newsstand comics because they are not as high-quality as direct editions.

Whether they’re worth more

There are several factors that determine whether newsstand comics are worth more than direct copies. One factor is condition. High grade newsstands are much rarer than their direct counterparts. A newsstand comic may not be pristine, but it will still be rarer than a direct copy. High grade newsstands are difficult to find and are worth five to ten times more than their direct counterparts.

Historically, newsstand copies were widely available in the 1980s, but that changed around 1985. This marked the tipping point, after which Newsstand copies began to become exponentially rarer. As a result, many collectors started working with their favorite comic shops to bag and board the best copies. Direct editions are now the most common type of comics graded. A direct comic is more valuable, but a newsstand copy is still worth more.

How to identify them

The trickiest part of identifying newsstand comics is knowing what to look for. In some cases, they can be quite valuable, as early printings are often scarcer than later ones. Even if they don’t look as good as the direct market copies, you can make them worth a lot of money by finding them in the newsstand. If you’re not comfortable scouring newsstands, try searching online for copies. Many sellers don’t realize that their comics are error copies. They simply look like regular comics, so they can be hard to spot.

Another thing you can do is look for the publisher’s name. For example, Image had an aggressive newsstand program from the beginning, and they sold almost all of their comics through Direct Market. On the other hand, Dark Horse has a sporadic newsstand program and almost no own titles are barcoded. It’s easy to confuse newsstand comics with direct market copies. Here’s a quick tip: Look for publisher name and comic store.