bettybrant wrote:
I couldn't help but notice the annuals included in Mr. Parker's table. I remember buying these 3-packs, but none of the ones I bought had annuals -- they always had 3 standard-size 32-page comics. Were annuals sometimes mixed in with 32-page comics? Was there a separate series of packs that had 3 annuals per pack? What exactly were these diamond variant annuals?
That goes back to what I said that I believe the issues dated June '79 and forward (not May as I previously said) were actually the first Direct Edition variants, as there is no issue that does not have a variant designated.  If you notice, all those annuals underscored in blue are the 1979 annuals (Amazing Spider-Man 13, Avengers 9, Fantastic Four 14, Incredible Hulk 8, Spectacular Spider-Man 1, etc.).  I believe that any of the variants before the price change to 40 cents were only printed for these three-packs.  Otherwise you would have a local comic shop with gaps in its monthly titles it receives from the distributor...and some PO'd customers!

As for finding out what the middle book was, with some finesse, you could maneuver the plastic bag to reveal the spine, and the Marvels were easier to identify than the DC's based upon Marvel's cover information location.  It sure was fun to discover the middle book was also desired too, and not a dud.

P.S.  Just for the record, I attached the variant table from the one posted on BIP Comics' website, which was assembled by someone else.  I don't want to take credit for someone else's diligent and well-appreciated work.

  

Last Edited By: Peter Parker Jun 6 11 12:17 AM. Edited 1 times.