AN INTRODUCTION BY
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JAMES JOBE |
Hello, and welcome to the Stl Comics Marvel 30 Cent Variant Gallery!
This has been a labor of love getting this gallery together, and I think it was well worth
the work. No site on the internet has had pictures of all the books in one place ever
before. We thought that was something we could rectify, and here it is. We'll be starting
on the gallery for the 35's next. The guys have already started assembling all the pics,
so it shouldn't be too long now!
I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved with this project, and while I'm sure I
may not get all of you, I'd like to mention a few names here:
- ROGER PEREZ
- HARRY MILLER
- CARL DE LA CRUZ
- TERRY HALL
You guys were all absolutely invaluable, and this project wouldn't have been possible
without you!
Any questions or comments please contact:
james@stlcomics.com
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ROGER PEREZ |
Marvel 30 cent variants are the test price versions of all the regular 25 cent titles
that Marvel published from April to August 1976. Marvel raised the price of all their
titles in six test markets to see what the resistance to a 5 cent price increase would
be. The only exceptions are Ka-Zar #16 and Inhumans #5 since all of those issues have a
30 cent price.
However, all of the other regular Marvel titles have 30 cent variants for a total of 186
possible variants. These variants were only distributed in six markets and apparently not
all outlets in those markets received all the variants. The six test markets were:
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Baltimore, MD
- San Antonio, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Somewhere in Massachusetts
These variants went mostly unnoticed for over 20 years until 1997 when an article by Jon
McClure in Comic Book Marketplace #55 showed that several 30 cent versions of 25 cent
Marvels existed. Since then at least 5 collectors have obtained complete sets including
Paul Merolle who started the first 30 cent variant website.
The Marvel 30 cent variant set is one of the toughest variant sets to complete. The
rarest issues are the Horror reprint and Western reprint variants. There are less than
10 known examples of most of these variant issues. Needless to say completing a set is
very difficult when you consider how few existing copies of these variants remain.
Any questions or comments please contact:
roger@stlcomics.com
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HARRY MILLER |
As a 30-cent variant collector, and a part of the STL family, James has asked me to
co-write an introduction for this Marvel 30 Cent Price Variant Gallery, along with my
friend and fellow variant collector, Roger Perez. So as I sit here, I would like to offer the following thoughts:
First and foremost, I think there should be a GIANT KUDOS to James Jobe and STL Comics
for not only this gallery, but for all the hard work and commitment to excellence put
into the entire STL site and other galleries.
To me, this 30-cent variant gallery represents what is great about comic collecting in
general. Some may think that variant collecting is on the fringe, but there are others
who realize variant collecting is the essence of true collecting. Condition is not
always as important as the book being complete.
For five consecutive months every marvel comic produced had a variant. Some are much
more obvious than others, but one thing is for sure, for the first time ever, all of
the variants are pictured here for your reference. We would hope that this gallery
along with the other galleries at STL will become THE reference tool for future comic
collectors.
Lastly, since I have been given this opportunity, I would like to give out some thanks
& credits.
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Carl De La Cruz: It is all your fault for my madness! Carl is an OS advisor, and has
a complete run of 30-cent variants. I watched him post daily on a message board "25
more to go……" This got me thinking that I could do it too. I have also bought a TON
of variants and variant upgrades from this professional. Thanks for the help and
being a great friend.
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Dan Cusimano: Another hero. Dan put together the first known set of the 30 cent
variants, and forever his board sig line taunted everyone….I loved that! If you
ever need a book, go see Dan, he finds more than most anyone I have ever met.
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Jeremy Ruden: The original "Mr. I Hate Variants!" Four books left to go - we will find
them! Thanks for being my bud!
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Derek Ferrel: Sold me my first two western variants! HOARDER!
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Roger Perez: Unselfish. Nothing more needs said besides, thanks, good luck, and I
am glad to count you as a friend.
My hat is off to the good Ebay sellers, CGC board members, and the local shops here
in Baltimore that have helped me.
Thanks James Jobe for inviting me in, making me feel at home, and having the coolest
website around.
Any questions or comments please contact:
harry@stlcomics.com
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