boyajian@dec-akov68.UUCP (06/05/84)
Marvel and the Comics Code:
I'm afraid to bust your balloon, Betsy <hmmm, I'm an alliterate>, but
Marvel has not really dropped the Comics Code. I had wondered about this some
time back, and after investigating, I came to the realization that it's only the
direct distribution (ie comics shop) copies that do not have the Code symbol. If
you take a glance at the newstand copies the next time you're in a drugstore or
whatever, you'll notice that they still do have the Code symbol. So THE DEFEND-
ERS, FF, AF, X-MEN, etc. are still subject to the Code; anything that is direct-
only is not.
I think the reason DC still prints the Code symbol on their direct dis-
tribution copies (except for the direct-only), is because the Code symbol is
part of the number/date/etc. corner box, whereas with the Marvels, the Code sym-
bol is in a separate place, so it's easy for them to drop it off when it comes
time to print the direct copies (or add it when they print the newstand copies;
I have no idea which they print first, though I suspect that the direct copies
are, since they are general shipped immediately out to the distributors).
SECRET WARS rumor:
If Marvel does reprint MSW #1-3, I really don't think that it'll reduce the
value of the originals that much. The first printings of STAR WARS #1-5 weren't
hurt any in collectability by being reprinted. If the value of a set of MSW is
hurt, it'll be more likely done so by a Baxter reprint 5-10 years down the line
than by an immediate reprinting of the first few issues. I think that the Baxter
editions of the O'Neil/Adams GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW issues *have* brought the
value of the originals down somewhat, and I recall that when I thought about
selling my set of SILVER SURFER, I was told that the value had dropped slightly
because of the reprints in FANTASY MASTERPIECES. I was advised to wait a while,
which I did, and I got a good price for them. MARVEL TALES, though, certainly
hasn't hurt prices for old SPIDER-MAN issues.
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC Maynard, MA)
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