Stop Falling For It! Why the Newsstand Selling Point Is All Hype

Comment, like and subscribe!
Get 10% off your BCW Supply order when you use the code JERNOS when you purchase from their website here: www.bcwsupplie...
Follow me on the WhatNot app @jernoscomics for awesome live sales! Download the app and sign up using the link www.whatnot.co... and receive $10 off your first purchase!
Purchase Official Jerno's Comics Merch @
jernoscomics.c...
Follow me on Instagram @ / jernos_comics
Follow me on Twitter @ / jernos_comics
Facebook: / jernoscomics
Please consider becoming a Patron and supporting the channel via Patreon: / jernoscomics
AFFILIATE CHANNELS
Comic Book Cannon (Live Shows Every Sunday @ 5PT/8ET):
/ @comicbookcannon
Ony Oz. Official KZbin:
/ @onyoz .
*****
Want a professional grading service with transparency of the grading process? Visit: egscomicsgradi...
#comiccollecting #comicbooks

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Get 10% off your BCW Supply order when you use the code JERNOS when you purchase from their website here: www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=Jernos

[@papasplaceofultimatecoolness]

I agree that any newsstand prior to 1986 shouldn't command a premium price. Conversely, I've got some 1979 9.8 DIRECT EDITIONS with the diagonal line through the barcode, when they were only around 5% of the print run and they don't get the same hype of demanding a higher price due to their rarity in comparison to their newsstandcounterparts. I think one day this may change.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Funny, ain't it?

[@half-manhalf-amazing]

Never really cared about newsstand or direct editions before, but I have to admit I love my spawn number one news stand😊

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

That’s a good one!

[@steamboat26]

It’s a fallacy that newsstands were more beat up more than direct copies, everybody beat up their comics back in the days, regardless if they got it on a newsstand or comic book store.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

It’s in the data. You’ll see some 9.8 newsstands higher on the census than direct.

[@ltcorn6773]

It's very simple newstands we're sold to businesses that were not comic book stores or major chain stores. Newstands were actually on newstands back in the day that's why they are harder to find and in good condition

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

It’s much more nuanced, as I stated in the video, and the idea that newsstands before 1986 are harder to find is a fallacy, even in higher grades.

[@Chrislfaison]

Got any thoughts on Whitman variants?

[@raulzavala9061]

My main concern is for the condition of the book regardless if it's newsstand or direct market but if I had to choose I'd pick the direct market ones as the newsstand versions are prone to fingernail indents and smudges from being handled more recklessly by the casual browser.

[@popsequentialism7213]

Great point about newsstand returns, Chris. I remember a report in the comic buyers guide in the mid 80s (and this would be in the pre-reprint era) stating that a minimum of 20% of the reported circulation of Newsstand books were pulped. This is the qty of overprinting that allowed a higher circulation report. So right of the bat, only 80% of the reported newsstand print run was ever circulated. Now figure in returns. A standard calculation for loss is between 10-20%. That's the qty of manufactured units that are damaged beyond the possibility of being put out for sale. Those get reported immediately and got credited immediately in that era. Most drug stores, grocers and department stores would immediately toss them in the dumpster after getting their credit memo approved. So that brings the number down to 60-70% of the reported newsstand circulation numbers actually ever hitting a wire rack. With the exception of the first few issues of Star Wars which had several varieties of reprints (and we'll leave Classics Illustrated out of this discussion for now) it wasn't until about 1982 when G.I. Joe became a surprise hit that reprints became a regular thing. Very few comics actually sold out on the newsstand, and I recall a Jim Shooter interview or memo popping up in The Comics Journal (or maybe Comics Scene) talking about how returns were 25-40% on the regular. A book that crossed above 40% returns was a quick candidate for cancelation. But adding that to our formula, that means only 20-45% of all comics on the newsstand in the Bronze and Copper ages remained in circulation. And the qty of those that survive in decent enough condition to garner a 9.8 grade or better is significantly less than the 26.5% chance of a direct market version comic achieving that target. Wire racks increased the chances of damage exponentially, as did the target age of newsstand readers. In 2020 the percentage of 9.8 grades given to newsstand comics was 2.1%. The next 12 months' average hit 8.4% with an alltime high of 13.8% -and those percentages are part of the total of 9.8 graded books and include more modern comics released in an age where comics became a known collectible in the general public's awareness. I agree that 8.5 or lower shouldn't really shake the tree, but 9.0 and higher is where newsstand vs direct percentages really atrophy. Some direct market comics have illustrations in the scan box in place of a UPC that makes them more attractive and desirable. A great example is the first appearance of Mobius M Mobius, who is drawn into the cover via the lower left box, but does not appear at all on the Newsstand cover. It's aesthetic factors like this -a desire for more and clearer arrwork, that led to to the modern virgin variant covers. So buying the condition is a big part of it, but it's not the whole thing. Though, ironically, most aesthetic decisions would lead away from a newsstand purchase. Now don't get me started on Mark Jewelers ads somehow making a comic exponentially more valuable...

[@JediFarce]

Try finding the 2nd series Power Girl in a newsstand, its super difficult

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

That’s when the newsstand market was under 3% off the print run. So that’s way different from book from the early 80s. All of that is outlined in the video.

[@jabezcreed]

Just like I didn't care that a second print is more rare, I don't care if a newsstand is more rare. I always prefer the look of the direct edition login logo boxes or the diamond prices on the Whitmans. That said, I'm not going to overpay for either variety just because of the barcode or logo. And, I don't necessarily blame someone if that's what they like

[@lifegood3322]

Where does Avengers Annual 10 fall? Newsstand rare or not? Its got a strange cover anyway! 😂 Love these videos!

[@ThunderSummersPro]

One of the newsstands people sleep on are the Valiant Newsstands. The final issues of Solar, Magnus, Ninjak, Bart Sears X-O Run, and the 1st appearance of Rampage in Bloodshot have newsstands. There are also 1 or 2 Magic The Gathering Newsstands and they have alternate covers as well as the different cornerbox. In total there are about 40 or so issues and its a really nice chase if you are a newsstand collector.

[@theblackphantomhd]

The whole newsstand vs direct thing is stupid, personally, I only collect direct, but i wouldnt pay a premium price regardless of whether it is direct or newsstand, it makes no difference, its the same book released at the same time. No one cares if your copy of Spawn #1 has a barrcode or not 😂

[@Chaos-cosplay-is-bord-chaos]

I miss getting to go to the grocery store and reading the newsstand comics when my parents were shopping and getting to pick out one to purchase out of all the ones I read while they were shopping lol

[@ew1258]

Agree with you! But sadly that’s one of the many reasons comics won’t be back in grocery stores. Kids today would just destroy them and their parents would just leave it on the shelf 😕

[@Chaos-cosplay-is-bord-chaos]

Loving the content! Anything after 1990 in my opinion then the newsstand is more rare!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for being here!

[@DouglasCaldwell-y6b]

There is only ONE reason why people want newsstands: That is because, when you have been in the hobby for 10, 15, 20 years... it is more than likely that you have managed to collect aaaaallllllllll of the books you've ever wanted to collect. I would bet that collectors have purchased lower grade copies, sold them, and upgraded to higher grade or 9.8 grade copies... And now, you have this market of collectors, who already have the book! Now they want the 'rarest' version of that same book and will claw at tooth and nail for the rarest of the rare version of that particular issue they so desperately covet. So now you have a few key collectors, bidding against each other, trying to 'complete their collection' (even though it was complete before) and it drives up the values of these newsstand copies. The rest of us see this demand and drive and f.o.m.o kicks in. The rest is history. It's the same collecting habit of why people buy the foreign and international copies of the same tried and true comics they've always been collecting. People collect what they will collect. Just buy what you like and be reasonable with yourself. At the end of the day, no one will ever (really) see your collection, or care what you have. If someone does see your collection, they're only going to care about the books you have that they like! And I hate newsstands so... You never know what others gravitate towards. Don't buy for others. Buy what YOU love, forget the rest.

[@gotgame226]

Idgaf if it’s newsstand or direct, it’s the same book to me.

[@abzcomics1020]

Hey Chris, Interestingly enough there is probably more newstands in the UK for the likes of ASM 300 and NM 98 than direct due to majority of comic distribution at the time was through newagents and menzies distribution etc, and comic shops across the country was not so common around then, but more popping up in the late 80's early 90s boom. Therefore safe to say over here newstands are probably more common. Not sure what the ratio would be in the USA, but just my logic from being overseas and in scotland :D Cheers :)

[@undeadsigma7409]

Bro it matters what year your in over 2000 should be variant any 1990 or before then should be news stand its pointless to put a book in a case if its not singed its pointless no value if you can't touch or read it it matters with the era

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

What you think is pointless is merely a subjective opinion to how you choose to collect. As for era of newsstand, well you have to actually watch the video because I explained all of that.

[@rogueafett190]

Awesome!! Thank you for the diagram!!!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@ljkelty1766]

Yeah! As a collector I don't really care if I have the newsstand or sub version of say Uncanny X-Men 141. I know the cover colors are sometimes less vibrant on the newsstand version, but it's not a deal breaker.

[@dlv0187]

buy the comic not the barcode!

[@Moncomics]

Fantastic video. Thanks for putting on the research on the history of direct and newsstand so people can be informed. Well done!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching!

[@Moncomics]

@@JernosComicsPopCulture Absolutely!

[@jovanleonardi1574]

all comics value is based on rarity and how popular a book is, it's why people pay more for mark jeweler prints and newsstand. newsstand is almost always going to be in worse condition then direct market so a highly rated newsstand copy will always sell for more even if you think it's stupid. an example of rarity/popularity would be first appearance of gambit vs first appearance of x-23. gambit is more popular, his comic is older and in a better run of comics vol1 uncanny x-men vs vol.1 nyx but because there are thousands of gambits first appearance due to uncanny x-mens popularity and no one bought no one bought nyx, nyx 3 is more valuable.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Respect your thoughts, but please let me humbly challenge you: This video isn't about thinking something is stupid. I provided real factual data. The idea that newstands will always be in worse condition is a lie, until maybe 90s and up. Want to prove it? Check the census of high grades for newsstand vs. direct from the 80s on key books. This idea of "rarity" is also a misconception for any newsstand pre mid 80s, as directs were more rare than newsstands, so, why do directs from 85 and down not demand a higher value than their newsstand counterparts? I'll answer that question: Because the "IT'S A NEWSSTAND COPY!" is a hyped up selling pitch. Your NYX and Gambit example does nothing to negate my argument, and actually validates it. It's actually subjective, though, to say that X-23 isn't as popular as Gambit. I'd love to take an actual poll on that. But yes, 266 has probably close to a half million in circulation, while NYX 3 probably has closer to 50k. But, if rarity pulls in the consumer to see something as more desirable, than why are people hyping up newsstands pre-1986? And again, that question is rhetorical. It's because the newsstand hype is a hogwash selling point, and sellers know what they are doing. Lastly, if you watched the entire video, yes, newsstand rarity DOES matter for modern books. Just like Mark Jewelers. Hope you stayed until the end.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

And just to clarify, my argument is only against the over-generalized selling pitch, because I gave clear data to when newsstand matters and when it holds validity.

[@ew1258]

Great video. Saving it for future reference. Thanks!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Sweet!!

[@davidallen4026]

If you can make more money selling a "newsstand" then do it. If you feel good paying more for a "newsstand" then do it! If you think a Mark Jewelers is worth paying more for, then go for it. I'm too old to care and when someone tries to up-sell me on either I generally walk away.

[@comicjourney]

Great Breakdown

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks!

[@tommypiffington3374]

Idk because I had a X-Men Adventures 1 for..30+ yrs newsstand prolly a 9.4-6

[@tommypiffington3374]

Spoke soon 😅

[@Ben-qy1kf]

Couldn't disagree more.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

And what exactly are you disagreeing with?

[@WadeNslade]

Newsstand and mark jewelers for suckers 😂😂😂😂

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

I kind of like the mark jeweler insert but I wouldn’t pay a premium for it.

[@raulzavala9061]

It's funny because on some comics I would carefully cut those inserts out because it interrupted the story.

[@joeseverson7543]

It's a scam guys! Dealers are tricking you into paying more for newstands. It's the same book. Why punish collectors based on where they bought their book. Especially when your supporting comic stores.

[@nickgqnyc]

High grade newsstands always have had a higher price. The buyers have dictated that , thru black and white sales history.

[@MetalBum]

Good ponds in 😊😊😊

[@MetalBum]

Good points!

[@darthlopez9871]

📰 newsstands for life!!!!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

lol

[@IzzyVerseNYC]

Great analysis. I really enjoyed the work you did so people can be knowledgeable about newsstands. Thanks

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Thanks for watching and sharing the feedback!

[@leerogers5318]

You make a solid point about market dynamics in comic newsstands. The value of a comic often reflects demand rather than intrinsic worth, and titles like Spawn #1 demonstrate how nostalgia and hype can drive prices higher than expected. It's fascinating to see how certain issues can become collectible based on factors like popularity, artist significance, or cultural impact, regardless of their print runs. It really shows how subjective the market can be!

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

Great comment! Thanks for sharing, Lee!

[@WarriorsforInfoTV]

Newstand's especially at the grocery are bent, creased and warped. I remember finding new releases in fine condition on a spinning rack. I understand it's a high print count, but not as high as those Direct editions in 1991.

[@JernosComicsPopCulture]

The census says otherwise about the amount of high grade newsstands from broncs and copper ages. None of this matters until the late 80s. Anyone who thinks it does isn’t paying a premium based on scarcity and supply and demand, but rather because of a false sense of value tied to an emotional response.