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There have been comics priced for the Canadian consumer since the start of comic books as we know them. Some say the reason
for the higher Canadian cover price is because the American dollar was worth more than the Canadian. That wasn't true until
the 1970s. I'm guessing the cost for shipping comic books to Canada and teriffs charged to the American publishers was the
reason for the extra price. In the 1970s through until just the last few years the American dollar was stronger than the
Canadian dollar and that's one reason for printing their comic books with a higher cover price. There are a few issues in
the 1960s with price variants, some say they were for the Canadian market. In the 1970s Gold Key comics produced with two
prices .15¢ and .20¢ for the same issues. I'm not sure what issues have price variants but I'm sure someone will create a
list. Of course there are the famous Marvel .30¢ and .35¢ cent variants from the 1970s which are well documented. I will
post some links below for the Marvel variants.
The main area I'm talking about is the 1980s. What happen then was, the comic book publishers printed specially priced comic
books for the Canadian Newsstand market. At that time, like now, most comics were bought at your local comic book store.
These issues were not typically sold at comic book stores but at convenience stores, drug stores, department stores and of
course newsstands. The people for the most part who bought these versions were not comic collectors, the were bought to read.
They didn't care/know about comic bags, boards, or comic boxes. There for, they were never kept in good shape. It hasn't
been until recently that people started to notice the weird priced comic books and started asking questions via Internet forums.
Once again Doug Sulipa of Comic World was able to explain these books and with the dates they were printed. I have listed
the dates below. In the 36th edition of the Overstreet Annual on page 113 you can read his thoughts on this subject. He
states that the books are "all are relatively scarce even in Canada and rare in the U.S." and "very fine or better scarce".
I'm a variant collector, so I went through my collection looking for what I had and yes, they were scarce. I had more then
I thought because the comics books I bought were from a my friends store and at the time they were also buying from the newsstand
distributor. There reason was because they didn't like the picture in the UPC box. The weird thing is I have more Charlton
variants than DC. I know the dealers here around that time would bring in allot of Charlton and Archie comics. I also decided
to check out the local comic stores to see what they had in the bins. They had the odd issue and they were in very fine and
below grades. No one seemed to notice the different cover prices, I'm guessing because over time they just forgot. The stores
I went to were open when these books were on sale in the 1980s. I didn't check out any of the newer shops because they're
not into "old comics" and are more into selling toys. If I can't find copies of these books locally then I really don't think
that there in great abundance anywhere. My home town, Winnipeg,MB., was a major player for comic books in Canada at that
time. I could go into most comic shops and have my pick of any Marvel comic from Silver Age to what ever was on the stands
at the time, same with DC and with most other publishers, all in high grade. The reason why I bring this up is to offer a
little bit proof at how uncommon these books are. I know allot of collectors out there have copies but not runs and not multiply
copies of every issue. They are not in the same league as the .30¢ and .35¢ Marvels of the 1970s but they are tough to find
and will be sought after by variant collectors like myself. I would hate to try to put together a complete set, if that's
even possible. I posted a listed of DC and Marvel Canadian Newsstand Variants below. The Marvel list is pretty much complete
and the DC list may need some books added. DC produced newsstand editions till 1988, that is 2 years longer than Marvel.
I'm not sure who created the list, sorry for not providing a link.
Just to add, I went to another shop recently and found they had more of the .75¢ Marvels than any other store. As you would
have guessed Marvels are more "common" than the rest but they are still hard to find. I didn't get a chance to check out
the DC bins to much. True to what Doug Sulipa said the grades were very fine and below with near mint very difficult to find.
I have seen Canadian Price Variants of key books, raw and 3rd party graded selling for a premium on various auction websites.
The values for non key books seems to be about $7-10 raw, with key books adding a 25-50% premium. I'm sure this will increase
when they become more common in collecting circles. I don't think they will be as valuable as a .35¢ Star Wars #1 but Amazing
Spider-Man #238 or #300 have potential. If you can find them in high grade, 9.4 at the very least, they should be a solid
investment for the Copper Age. If you collect just for the fun then you'll have a wild journey ahead of you trying to put
together a set or just finding the 2 books. I think variant collectors are in it not just for the comic books themselves
but the chase of trying to find copies of books most people do not collect or know that there variants.
Below is the list from Doug in the Overstreet Annual Price Guide #36, listing the publishers and years they produce comics
for the Canadian market. If you have anything to add please email me.
Archie Comics 1/1984-12/1997
Charlton Comics 2/1983-8/1984
DC Comics 10/1982-9/1988
Gold Key Comics 5-8/1968 & 4/1972-4/1973
Mad Magazine 1964 & 7-1978-7/1979
Marvel Comics 10/1982-8/1986
Whitman 1983-1984
Marvel 30¢ Variants:
http://mysite.verizon.net/psmerolle/variantlist.html
http://stlcomics.com/gallery/30cent/
Marvel 35¢ Variants
http://mysite.verizon.net/psmerolle/35variantlist.htm
http://stlcomics.com/gallery/35cent/
DC Canadian Newsstand Editions 10/1982-09/1988
Action Comics #536-599
Adventures of Superman #424-440
Adventures of the Outsiders #33-46
All Star Squadron #13-67
Ambush Bug #1-4
Ambush Bug Stocking Stuffer #1
America vs. the Justice Society #1-4
Amethyst #1-16, Special 1
Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld #1-12, Annual 1
Angel Love #1-8, Special 1
Aquaman #1-4
Aquaman Special #1
Arak #1-50
Arion #1-35, Special 1
Atari Force #1-20
Batgirl Special #1
Batman #337-423, Annual 9-12, Special 1
Batman & the Outsiders -32
Blackhawk #251-273
Blue Beetle #1-24
Blue Devil #1-31
Booster Gold #1-25
Brave and the Bold #192-200
Captain Atom #1-9
Captain Carrot #1-20
Centurions #1-4
Conqueror of the Barren Earth #1-4
Cops #1-2
Cosmic Boy #1-4
Crimson Avenger #1-4
Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1-13
DC Comics Presents -97, Annual #1-4
Demon #1-4
Detective Comics -590
Doom Patrol #1-12, Annual #1
Doom Patrol & Suicide Squad Special #1
Elvira's House of Mystery #1-11, Special #1
Firestorm
Flash #300-350
Flash (Vol 2) #1-18
Green Arrow #1-4
Green Lantern -#224, Annual #1-3
Hawkman #1-17
Heroes against Hunger #1
Hex #1-18
House of Mystery -321
Ironwolf #1 (?)
Jemm Son of Saturn #1-12
Jonah Hex -92
Jonni Thunder #1-4
Justice League #1-16
Justice League of America -361, Annual #1-3
The Last Days of the Justice Society #1
The Legend of Wonder Woman #1-4
Legends #1-6
Legion of Superheroes 282-313, Annual #1-3
Legion of Substitute Heroes Special #1
Legionnaires 3 #1-4
Lois Lane #1-2
Little Shop of Horrors #1
Losers Special #1
Man of Steel #1-6
Mask #1-4
Mask #1-9
Masters of the Universe #1-3
'Mazing Man #1-12, Special 1, 2
Millenium #1-8
The New Adventures of Superboy -54
New Teen Titans #18-40, Annual #2
The Oz-Wonderland War #1-3
Phantom Stranger #1-4
Power Girl #1-4
Power Lords #1-3
Power of the Atom #1, 2
Red Tornado #1-4
Secret Origins #1-30
Sgt. Rock -422, Annual 3,4
Shazam #1-4
Shadow War of Hawkman #1-4
Spanner's Galaxy #1-6
Spiral Zone #1-4
Son of Ambush Bug #1-6
Star Trek #1-54, Annual #1-3
Suicide Squad #1-16
Superboy #1-50
Supergirl #14-23, Movie Special
Superman #376-423, Annual 9-12, Special 1-3
Superman (Vol 2) #1-20, Annual 1,2
Superman III Movie Special
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace #1
Superman: The Secret Years #1-4
Super Powers #1-5
Super Powers (Vol 2) #1-6
Super Powers (Vol 3) #1-4
Swamp Thing #5-59, Annual 2
Sword of the Atom #1-4, Special 1-3
Tales of the Legion of Superheroes #314-354, Annual 4-5
Tales of the New Teen Titans #1-4
Tales of the Teen Titans #41-91, Annual #3
Underworld #1-4
Unknown Soldier -268
V #1-18
Warlord 62-131, Annual #2-7
The Weird #1-4
Who's Who #1-26
Who's Who in Star Trek #1-2
Who's Who in the Legion of Superheroes 1-7
Who's Who Update 1987 1-5
Who's Who 1988 Update 1-4
Wild Dog #1-4
World of Kryton #1-4
World of Metropolis #1-4
World of Smallville #1-4
World's Finest #284-323
Wonder Woman (Vol 1) # -329
Wonder Woman (Vol 2) #1-18
Zatanna Special #1
Marvel Canadian Newsstand Editions10/1982-08/1986
Alpha Flight #1-37 (#1, 12 $1.25 cover) Annual #1 ($1.50 cover)
A-Team #1-3
Amazing Spider-man #233-279 (#275 $1.50 cover)
Amazing Spider-man Annual #16-20 ($1.25 cover, 20 $1.50 cover)
Annie #1-2
Avengers #224-270 (#250 $1.25 cover) Annual #11-15 ($1.25 cover, 15 $1.50 cover)
Buckaroo Banzai #1-2 ($1.00 covers)
Balder Mini Series #1-2 ($1.00 covers)
Beauty and The Beast Mini Series #1-4 ($1.00 covers)
Blade Runner Mini Series #1-2
Captain America 274-320 Annual #6-8 ($1.25 cover, 8 $1.50 cover)
Cloak and Dagger Mini Series #1-4
Conan #139-185 Annual #7 ($1.25 cover)
Conan Annual #7-11 ($1.25 cover, 10 $1.50 cover, 11 $2.00 cover)
Conan the Movie #1-2
Conan the Destroyer #1-2 ($1.00 covers)
Conan Special Edition ($3.00 cover)
Daredevil #187-233
Dark Crystal #1-2
Dazzler #20-42 (21 $1.25 cover)
Defenders #112-151
Denace The Menace #12-13
Dr. Strange #55-81
Ewoks #1-5
Falcon #1-4
Fantastic Four #247-293 Annual #17-19 ($1.25 cover, 19 $1.50 cover)
Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1-33
Gi Joe #4-50 (34-43 $1.00 covers) (44-49 .95cent covers) (50 $1.50 cover)
Ghost Rider #73-81
Hawkeye Mini Series #1-4
Hercules Prince Of Power Mini Series #1-4
Hercules 1984 Mini Series #2-4
Heroes for Hope Starring the X-men #1 ($1.75 cover)
Howard The Duck #32-33 (33 $1.75 cover)
Ice Man Limited Series #1-4
Indiana Jones Raiders of The Lost Ark Movie Spotlight #1 ($1.50 cover)
Iron Man 163-209 (200 $1.25 cover) Annual #5-8 ($1.25 cover, 8 $1.50 cover)
Incredible Hulk 276-322 (300 $1.25 cover) Annual #11-14 ($1.25 cover, 14 $1.50 cover)
Jack Of Hearts Mini Series #1-4
Ka-zar The Savage #19-34 ($1.00 covers)
King Conan #13-19 ($1.25 covers)
Kitty Pryde and Wolverine Limited Series #1-6 ($1.00 covers)
Krull Movie Special #1,2
Kull The Conqueror #1,2 ($2.25 covers)
Last Starfighter #1-3 ($1.00 covers)
Machine Man Limited Series #1-4 ($1.00 covers)
Magik Mini Series #1-4
Marvel Tales #144-190 (150 $1.25 cover)
Marvel Tails #1
Marvel Two in One #92-100 (100 $1.25 cover) Annual #7 ($1.25 cover)
Marvel Saga #1-16 ($1.25 covers)
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12 ($1.00 covers)
Marvel Team Up #122-150 (150 $1.25 cover) Annual #5-7 ($1.25 cover)
Master Of Kung Fu #117-125 (118, 125 $1.25 covers)
Micronauts #46-59 ($1.00 covers?)
Moon Knight #24-38 ($1.00 covers) (25, 35 $1.25 covers)
New Mutants #1-42 (21 $1.25 cover)
Night Crawler #1-4 (1-3 $1.00, 4- .95cents cover)
Obnoxio the Clown #1
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #1-16 ($1.25 covers)
Phoenix The Untold Story #1 ($2.25 cover)
Power Man and Iron Fist #86-125 (125 $1.50 cover)
Power Pack #1-19 (1-$1.25 cover, 19-$1.50 cover)
Red Sonja #1-12 (1 $1.25 cover)
Red Sonja The Movie Mini Series #1-2 ($1.00 covers)
Rom #35-75 Annual #1($1.25 cover)
Saga of Crystar Crystal Warrior #1-11 (1 $2.25 cover)
Secret Wars II #1-9 ($1.00 covers, 8-9 .95cent covers)
Smurfs #1-3
Spectacular Spiderman #71-117 (75, 100 $1.25 covers)
Spectacular Spiderman Annual #4-6 ($1.25 cover, 6 $1.50 cover)
Spider Woman #46-50 (50 $1.25)
Star Wars Return of the Jedi #1-4
Star Wars 64-103 (100 $1.25 cover) Annual #2-3 ($1.25 cover)
Tales Of Asgard #1 ($1.50 cover)
Team America #5-12 (12 $1.25 cover)
Thing #1-31
Thor 324-370 Annual #10-13 ($1.25 cover, 13 $1.50 cover)
Transformers #1-12 ($1.00 covers)
Uncanny X-men #162-208 (166, 175 $1.25 covers, 200 $1.50 cover)
Uncanny X-men Annual #6-10 ($1.25 cover, 10 $1.50 cover)
US 1 #1-12
Vision and Scarlet Witch Limited Series #1-4
Warlock Special Edition #1-6 ($2.25 covers)
West Coast Avengers Limited Series #1-4 ($1.00 covers)
West Coast Avengers #1-11 (1-$1.50 cover) Annual #1 ($1.50 cover)
Web Of Spiderman #1-17 Annual #1-2($1.25, 2 $1.50 cover)
What If #35-47 ($1.25 covers)
Wolverine Limited Series #2-4
X-Factor #1-7 (#1 $1.50 cover)
Xmen Alpha Flight #1-2 ($1.75 covers)
Xmen and the Micronaughts #1-4
X-men Special Edition #1 ($2.25 cover)
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