Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site rochester.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!houxz!vax135!floyd!cmcl2!seismo!rochester!ciaraldi From: ciaraldi@rochester.UUCP (Mike Ciaraldi) Newsgroups: net.comics Subject: Re: Has Marvel dropped the Comics Code? Message-ID: <7266@rochester.UUCP> Date: Mon, 4-Jun-84 18:14:37 EDT Article-I.D.: rochester.7266 Posted: Mon Jun 4 18:14:37 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 6-Jun-84 05:45:16 EDT References: <1769@dartvax.UUCP> Organization: U. of Rochester, CS Dept. Lines: 31 As I understand it, Marvel 60-cent comics are published in TWO editions. One has the Comics code sticker on it, and a UPC box in the corner. The other has no code sticker and a box in the corner with some other symbol (spider head if nothing else). The two sets are identical except for the cover. The difference is that the ones with UPC are distributed through newsstands, and the others are through comics stores. Why bother? Because the ones sold to comics stores are sold without return privilege, i.e. they cannot be sent back for a refund if they don't sell, unlike the ones sold through newsstands. So, this way Marvel doesn't have to worry about unscrupulous dealers buyinbg at the comics store price (which is lower), then returning at the newstand price. Why the Code sticker is missing I don't know, but I think it has to do with the idea that the Code only covers "newsstand" comics, so it does not cover black and whites, special editions, etc. On the other hand, DC prints editions without a UPC box, but leaves on the Code sticker. Hope this clarifies things. Mike Ciaraldi ciaraldi@rochester