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Action Comics (#536-600, Annual #1) CPV Values 2022


Canadian Price Variant Values, 2022 Price Guide
From: The 2022 CPV Price Guide for Canadian Price Variants (Type 1A) by Bill Alexander, Tim Bildhauser, Paul Clairmont, Jay Halstead, Jon McClure, Benjamin Nobel, Conan Saunders, Doug Sulipa, and Angelo Virone  [ introduction, table of contents, all titles, other price guide editions ]
Action Comics — 2022 Price Guide Values #536-600, Annual #1
Issue Direct Edition Value CPV
Cover Price
Type 1A Canadian Price Variant Value CGC-Confirmed
Guide A
(NM)
Guide B
(NM-)
9.2
NM-
9.0
VF/NM
8.0
VF
6.0
FN
4.0
VG
2.0
GD
#536 Action Comics 536 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $16 $14 $11 $8 $5 $
 DC, 10/1982  Superman story continued into New Teen Titans #24
Doug notes: Omega Men; FIRST Canadian Price Variant issue
CGC label note: Omega Men appearance.
 
#537 Action Comics 537 Canadian Price Variant picture$10$6 $0.75 $20 $18 $14 $10 $7 $
 DC, 11/1982  Masters of the Universe preview
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 2/19/2021 for $4, a raw 6.0 on 3/16/2021 for $6
CGC label note: 16 page Masters of the Universe preview by Paul Kupperberg & Curt Swan. Aquaman backup story.
 
#538 Action Comics 538 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 12/1982  Versus Jackhammer; Jackhammer appearance; Aquaman back-up feature
CGC label note: Aquaman backup story by Bob Rozakis & Alex Saviuk. 75¢ cover price.
 
#539 Action Comics 539 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 1/1983   
#540 Action Comics 540 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 2/1983  CGC label note: Aquaman backup story by Bob Rozakis & Alex Saviuk.  
#541 Action Comics 541 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 3/1983   
#542 Action Comics 542 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 4/1983  Versus Vandal Savage
CGC label note: Vandal Savage appearance.
 
#543 Action Comics 543 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $14 $12 $10 $7 $5 $
 DC, 5/1983  Versus Neutron; Versus Vandal Savage
CGC label note: Vandal Savage appearance.
 
#544 Action Comics 544 Canadian Price Variant picture$12$10 $2.00 $40
▲ $7
$30 $24 $17 $11 $
 DC, 6/1983  1st Appearances of Brainiac (robotic body), Lex Luthor (in armor); Origins of Brainiac (robotic body), Lex Luthor (in armor)
Doug notes: Special 45th anniversary issue.
CGC label note: Anniversary issue. $2.00 cover price.
 
#545 Action Comics 545 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$6 $0.75 $15 $13 $11 $7 $5 $
 DC, 7/1983  Versus New Brainiac
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.5 on 4/30/2021 for $7, a raw 8.0 on 2/26/2021 for $11
CGC label note: Braniac appearance.
 
#546 Action Comics 546 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$10 $0.75 $28
▲ $6
$25 $20 $14 $9 $
 DC, 8/1983  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.5 on 7/6/2021 for $7, a raw 8.0 on 6/14/2021 for $11
Doug notes: Justice League and the New Teen Titans
CGC label note: Justice League, New Teen Titans & Brainiac appearance. 75¢ cover price.
 
#547 Action Comics 547 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $14 $12 $10 $7 $5 $
 DC, 9/1983  Origin of Planeteer  
#548 Action Comics 548 Canadian Price Variant picture$3$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 10/1983   
#549 Action Comics 549 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.75 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 11/1983  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 1/15/2021 for $3, a raw 6.5 on 8/26/2021 for $5  
#550 Action Comics 550 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 12/1983  Conan notes: A raw 7.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 2/2/2021 for $9
CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.
 
#551 Action Comics 551 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $0.95 $14 $12 $10 $7 $5 $
 DC, 1/1984  1st Appearance of Red Star (Leonid Kovar)
Conan notes: A raw 8.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 4/26/2021 for $10
 
#552 Action Comics 552 Canadian Price Variant picture$7$7 $0.95 $28 $25 $20 $14 $9 $
 DC, 2/1984  1st Appearance of Legion of Forgotten Heroes
Doug notes: FIRST appearance of the original Pre-Crisis FORGOTTEN HEROES Team, Led by Immortal Man, The TEAM includes; ANIMAL MAN, Cave Carson, Congo Bill aka Congorilla, Dolphin, RICK FLAGG and the SUICIDE SQUAD, RIP HUNTER Time Master & the SEA DEVILS;
CGC label note: Animal Man, Rip Hunter, Dolphin, Congorilla, Suicide Squad, Sea Devils & Cave Carson appearance.
 
#553 Action Comics 553 Canadian Price Variant picture$3$7 $0.95 $24 $21 $17 $12 $8 $
 DC, 3/1984  Cave Carson; Congorilla; Suicide Squad; Animal Man; Rip Hunter; Immortal Man; Sea Devils; Dolphin
Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/24/2021 for $4
Doug notes: SECOND appearance of the original Pre-Crisis FORGOTTEN HEROES Team, Led by Immortal Man, The TEAM includes; ANIMAL MAN, Cave Carson, Congo Bill aka Congorilla, Dane Dorrance, Dolphin, RICK FLAGG and the SUICIDE SQUAD, RIP HUNTER Time Master & the SEA DEVILS
CGC label note: Vandal Savage, Dane Dorrance, Rick Flagg, Cave Carson, Animal Man, Dolphin, Congo Bill & Rip Hunter appearance.
 
#554 Action Comics 554 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 4/1984  Jerry and Joey create Superman
Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 5/21/2021 for $4
 
#555 Action Comics 555 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 5/1984  Continued into Supergirl (2nd Series) #20; Anniversary of Supergirls debut in Action Comics
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/18/2021 for $8
CGC label note: Parasite appearance.
 
#556 Action Comics 556 Canadian Price Variant picture$7$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 6/1984  Versus Vandal Savage; Neutron; Meanwhile: new projects; Early Whos Who and Crisis  
#557 Action Comics 557 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 7/1984  CGC label note: Terra-Man appearance.  
#558 Action Comics 558 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 8/1984  Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 1/15/2021 for $3  
#559 Action Comics 559 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 9/1984  Conan notes: A raw 6.5 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/26/2021 for $5
CGC label note: Yellow Peri appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#560 Action Comics 560 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $14 $12 $10 $7 $5 $
 DC, 10/1984  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.0 on 8/26/2021 for $6, a raw 8.0 on 2/26/2021 for $10
Doug notes: Ambush Bug
CGC label note: Ambush Bug appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#561 Action Comics 561 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 11/1984  CGC label note: Back-up story by E. Nelson Bridwell & Wayne Boring. 95¢ cover price.  
#562 Action Comics 562 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 12/1984  CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.  
#563 Action Comics 563 Canadian Price Variant picture$6$5 $0.95 $16 $14 $11 $8 $5 $
 DC, 1/1985  Origin of Ambush Bug
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/26/2021 for $5
CGC label note: Ambush Bug & Mr. Mxyzptlk appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#564 Action Comics 564 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $15 $13 $11 $7 $5 $
 DC, 2/1985  CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.  
#565 Action Comics 565 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $16 $14 $11 $8 $5 $
 DC, 3/1985  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 3/4/2021 for $5, a raw 4.5 on 1/9/2021 for $6
Doug notes: Ambush Bug, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman
CGC label note: Ambush Bug, Batman & Wonder Woman appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#566 Action Comics 566 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 4/1985  Marshall Rogers & Jerry Ordway cover; Co-starring with Captain Strong
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/26/2021 for $5
CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.
 
#567 Action Comics 567 Canadian Price Variant picture$6$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 5/1985  Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/4/2021 for $3  
#568 Action Comics 568 Canadian Price Variant picture$6$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 6/1985   
#569 Action Comics 569 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 7/1985  CGC label note: "Julius Schwartz" appearance on cover.  
#570 Action Comics 570 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 8/1985   
#571 Action Comics 571 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $14 $12 $10 $7 $5 $
 DC, 9/1985  Brian Bolland cover
CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.
 
#572 Action Comics 572 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $16 $14 $11 $8 $5 $
 DC, 10/1985  Mark Waid's first major comics work
CGC label note: 1st published story work by Mark Waid.
 
#573 Action Comics 573 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $23
▲ $3
$20 $16 $11 $8 $
 DC, 11/1985  MASK preview
Conan notes: A raw 5.5 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/16/2021 for $6
CGC label note: 15 page "Mask" preview by Michael Fleisher, Mike Chen & Joe Delbeato.
 
#574 Action Comics 574 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 12/1985   
#575 Action Comics 575 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 1/1986  Versus Intellex  
#576 Action Comics 576 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 2/1986   
#577 Action Comics 577 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $16 $14 $11 $8 $5 $
 DC, 3/1986  Origin of Superman  
#578 Action Comics 578 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 4/1986   
#579 Action Comics 579 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 5/1986  Asterix parody
Conan notes: A raw 1.8 variant sold at MyComicShop on 4/28/2021 for $2
 
#580 Action Comics 580 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$5 $0.95 $22 $19 $15 $11 $7 $
 DC, 6/1986  Kid in Most Dangerous Toy is based on winner of Super Powers contest
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 1/9/2021 for $5
Doug notes: Classic Superman breaking chains Cover by Gil Kane.
 
#581 Action Comics 581 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 7/1986   
#582 Action Comics 582 Canadian Price Variant picture$6$5 $0.95 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $
 DC, 8/1986  Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/16/2021 for $4  
#583 Action Comics 583 Canadian Price Variant picture$19$24 $1.00 $50
▼ $5
$38 $30 $21 $14 $
 DC, 9/1986  Continued from Superman #423; Last pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.5 on 3/3/2021 for $14, a raw 5.5 on 5/25/2021 for $18, a raw 7.0 on 12/1/2020 for $23, a raw 7.5 on 4/2/2021 for $24
CGC label note: Conclusion of Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow¢" $1.00 cover price.
 
#584 Action Comics 584 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$6 $1.00 $22 $19 $15 $11 $7 $
 DC, 1/1987  Post-Crisis Superman begins; Teen Titans
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.0 on 5/7/2021 for $5, a raw 6.0 on 12/6/2020 for $5
Doug notes: JOHN BYRNE Art Begins
CGC label note: John Byrne art begins. Contest entry form included. Teen Titans appearance. $1.00 cover price.
 
#585 Action Comics 585 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $14 $12 $10 $7 $5 $
 DC, 2/1987  Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 12/8/2020 for $5
Doug notes: Phantom Stranger
CGC label note: Phantom Stranger appearance.
 
#586 Action Comics 586 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $20
▲ $4
$18 $14 $10 $7 $
 DC, 3/1987  Versus Darkseid; Versus New Gods
Conan notes: A raw 8.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 2/26/2021 for $8
CGC label note: Orion, Lightray & Darkseid appearance.
 
#587 Action Comics 587 Canadian Price Variant picture$3$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 4/1987  Versus Morgaine Le Fey; Continued in Superman #4
Doug notes: Demon-c/s
CGC label note: Demon & Morgaine Le Fey appearance.
 
#588 Action Comics 588 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 5/1987  Hawkman; Shadow War; Continued from Hawkman #10, continues in Hawkman #11 and Action #589
CGC label note: Hawkman & Hawkwoman appearance.
 
#589 Action Comics 589 Canadian Price Variant picture$3$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 6/1987  Doug notes: Green Lantern Corps.
CGC label note: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) & Green Lantern Corps appearance.
 
#590 Action Comics 590 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 7/1987  Metal Men; New Chemo
CGC label note: Metal Men appearance.
 
#591 Action Comics 591 Canadian Price Variant picture$3$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 8/1987  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 5/12/2021 for $3, a raw 4.0 on 3/24/2021 for $3, a raw 8.0 on 2/17/2020 for $8
Doug notes: Superboy vs Superman-c/s; Legion of Super-Heroes
 
#592 Action Comics 592 Canadian Price Variant picture$3$4 $1.00 $20
▲ $4
$18 $14 $10 $7 $
 DC, 9/1987  1st Appearance of Sleez; Continued in Superman #9
Doug notes: Superman vs Big Barda
CGC label note: Big Barda appearance.
 
#593 Action Comics 593 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$4 $1.00 $20
▲ $4
$18 $14 $10 $7 $
 DC, 10/1987  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 5.0 on 7/1/2020 for $8, a raw 5.5 on 6/13/2019 for $10, a raw 7.5 on 6/30/2020 for $16
Doug notes: Big Barda, and Mr. Miracle
CGC label note: Big Barda, Mister Miracle & Darkseid appearance.
 
#594 Action Comics 594 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 11/1987  Continues in Booster Gold #23
CGC label note: Booster Gold, Batman & Robin appearance. Booster Gold #7 cover homage.
 
#595 Action Comics 595 Canadian Price Variant picture$10$4 $1.00 $50
▲ $8
$38 $30 $21 $14 $
 DC, 12/1987  1st Appearance of Silver Banshee (Siobhan McDougal)
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 5/8/2020 for $8, a raw 6.0 on 5/26/2020 for $12
CGC label note: 1st appearance of the Silver Banshee (Siobhan McDougal). Martian Manhunter & Batman appearance.
 
#596 Action Comics 596 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 1/1988  Versus Manhunters; Millennium Week 4
Doug notes: Spectre
CGC label note: Spectre appearance.
 
#597 Action Comics 597 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 2/1988  Doug notes: Lois Lane vs Lana Lang  
#598 Action Comics 598 Canadian Price Variant picture$9$4 $1.00 $40
▲ $5
$30 $24 $17 $11 $
 DC, 3/1988  1st Appearance of Checkmate; Versus Qurac terrorists
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 12/12/2020 for $5
CGC label note: 1st appearance of Checkmate. Atomic explosion cover.
 
#599 Action Comics 599 Canadian Price Variant picture$2$4 $1.00 $18
▲ $4
$16 $13 $9 $6 $
 DC, 4/1988  Bonus Book #1
CGC label note: 16 page "bonus book" featuring Superman & Jimmy Olsen. Metal Men appearance.
 
#600 Action Comics 600 Canadian Price Variant picture$5$8 $3.50 $27 $24 $19 $13 $9 $
 DC, 5/1988  Doug notes: 80 Page Giant; LAST Canadian Price Variant in Title
CGC label note: Wonder Woman & Man-Bat appearance. Hawkman cameo. Pin-ups by Mike Zeck, Jon Bogdanove & Kevin Maguire.
 
Annual #1 Action Comics Annual #1 Canadian Price Variant picture$4$6 $1.75 $27
▲ $7
$24 $19 $13 $9 $
 DC, 12/1987  1987 Annual
Doug notes: Batman
CGC label note: Batman appearance.
 
Issue Guide A
(NM)
Guide B
(NM-)
CPV
Cover Price
9.2
NM-
9.0
VF/NM
8.0
VF
6.0
FN
4.0
VG
2.0
GD
CGC-Confirmed
Direct Edition Value Type 1A Canadian Price Variant Value
 
 = Stand-out value  
 
CGC census data for Canadian Price Variant and Regular comic books
Action Comics CGC Census Changes:
Issue # 10/27/2020
Census Count
9/21/2021
Census Count
Year over
year change
Regular Variant Regular Variant Regular Variant
53618--22--+4--
53713--14--+1--
538121122--+1
5399--11--+2--
54010--112+1+2
541101101----
54211--11------
54312--12------
54499911810+19+1
54510--10------
546232292+6--
5474--5--+1--
5487--8--+1--
5494--4------
5506161----
5518181----
55219--23--+4--
55327--30--+3--
554111121+1--
555151161+1--
5567171----
5578181----
5586--6------
559121131+1--
560121121----
5618191+1--
5628181----
5634141----
5642121----
565102112+1--
5667181+1--
5675--5------
5685--5------
5696--6------
5705--5------
5716--61--+1
57212--13--+1--
57310--10------
5745--5------
5754--4------
5762--2------
5774--4------
5788--8------
5796--6------
5804--4------
5815--6--+1--
58211--11------
583187--2033+16+3
584481521+4--
58513--14--+1--
58610--10------
58725--27--+2--
58817--17------
58910--11--+1--
59012--12------
59124--25--+1--
59219--20--+1--
59320--34--+14--
59414--15--+1--
59587--108--+21--
59620--21--+1--
59712--13--+1--
59898--105--+7--
59916--16------
600140--167--+27--
Annual #116211662+4+1
  Regular Variant Regular Variant Regular Variant
Title Totals:
% regular / % variant
1,444
~98%
30
~2%
1,596
~98%
39
~2%
 +152
  ~94% 
 +9
  ~6% 
CGC census data CPVs and regular bottom
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CPV Canadian Price Variant Images 2
Titles: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z
 
This page: Action Comics (#536-600, Annual #1) CPV Values [ Jump to: list of all titles in the price guide ]

Action Comics Comics CPV FAQ

Do cover price variants exist for Action Comics in the 1980s?

✔️Accepted answer: Yes, Type 1A 75¢, 95¢, 1.00, 1.75, 2.00, and 3.50 cover price variants exist within the Action Comics title.

Which issues of Action Comics have cover price variants in the 1980s?

✔️Accepted answer: There are Type 1A cover price variants for issues #536-600 and Annual #1 of Action Comics.

Why don't more Action Comics issues have variants in the 1980s?

✔️Accepted answer: The cover price variant window in the 1980s was only open from October of 1982 to August of 1986 for Marvel (and September of 1988 for DC) which means that only those Action Comics issues published within this specific window have Type 1A price variants. Newsstand copies from before the window opened were priced the same for the Canadian market as for the US market, whereas the closing of the window was the result of the merger of the two single-price newsstand batches into one big dual-price batch (i.e. with both US and CAN prices included) to cover all of North America.

Are the Action Comics cover price variants of the 1980s rare?

✔️Accepted answer: The Action Comics 1980s cover price variants were exclusive to the newsstand distribution channel (by contrast the well-preserved direct edition type sold in comic shops were not price variants). Within the newsstand distribution channel, the price variants were distributed only to a restricted geographic area within the larger North American newsstand market: that restricted area being Canada. Canada had one tenth the population of the United States in the 1980s. As a result, Action Comics cover price variants from the 1980s are a dramatically more rare newsstand type, and collectors who care about relative rarity are keen to target the price variant version of issue numbers they seek for their collections of interesting and rare comic books.

Are Action Comics 1980s cover price variants 1st printings?

✔️Accepted answer: Yes, by definition Action Comics Type 1A price variants are first printings which were published simultaneously with the other types, on the exact same manufacturing equipment, at the same time, on the same paper, using the same ink, and with publication origin being the USA. The indicia, interior pages, and all other aspects of the variants beyond the cover price box are 100% identical to their regularly priced newsstand counterparts. The Action Comics price variants, having originated in the USA as first print originals, were then shipped North to their destination market.

Are Action Comics cover price variants more valuable?

✔️Accepted answer: Yes, as seen in more detail in the Action Comics price guide page above, the variant values represent a sizable premium over the values of the commonplace direct editions in the same grades.

Help, I cannot find CGC 9.8 copies available for the Action Comics cover price variants I am looking for?!

✔️Accepted answer: We recommend lowering your grade expectations for all of the 1980s cover price variants, including those in the Action Comics title. Remember, the price variants were exclusive to the newsstand distribution channel, which means they were treated as reading material, not as collectibles, by both the staff that handled them, and the typical buyers who as a general rule were members of the general public actually interested in reading the comics. Collectors buying comics from newsstands was the exception, not the norm. As a result, surviving copies in the 9.8 NM/MT grade tier can be exceptionally difficult to find among the Action Comics cover price variants. A more reasonable grade to shoot for would be 9.0-and-up.

Other comic book titles you may also like:
Adventures of Superman (#424-444, Annual #1) Price Guide
Crisis on Infinite Earths (#1-12) Price Guide
Man of Steel (#1-6) Price Guide
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Superman (#376-423, Annual #9-12, Special #1-3) Price Guide
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (#1) Price Guide
Superman Vol 2 (#1-21, Annual #1-2) Price Guide
Superman: The Secret Years (#1-4) Price Guide
World of Archie (#16-22) Price Guide
World of Krypton (#1-4) Price Guide
World of Metropolis (#1-2) Price Guide
World of Smallville (#1-4) Price Guide
World's Finest Comics (#284-323) Price Guide

Action Comics (#536-600, Annual #1) Values 2022


From: The 2022 CPV Price Guide for Canadian Price Variants (Type 1A) by Bill Alexander, Tim Bildhauser, Paul Clairmont, Jay Halstead, Jon McClure, Benjamin Nobel, Conan Saunders, Doug Sulipa, and Angelo Virone  [ introduction, table of contents, all titles, other price guide editions ]

Action Comics Values — 2022 CPV Price Guide

Issue CPV
Cover
Price
CPV
Value
9.2
CGC-Confirmed
#536 Action Comics 536 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $16
 DC, 10/1982  Superman story continued into New Teen Titans #24
Doug notes: Omega Men; FIRST Canadian Price Variant issue
CGC label note: Omega Men appearance.
 
#537 Action Comics 537 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $20
 DC, 11/1982  Masters of the Universe preview
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 2/19/2021 for $4, a raw 6.0 on 3/16/2021 for $6
CGC label note: 16 page Masters of the Universe preview by Paul Kupperberg & Curt Swan. Aquaman backup story.
 
#538 Action Comics 538 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 12/1982  Versus Jackhammer; Jackhammer appearance; Aquaman back-up feature
CGC label note: Aquaman backup story by Bob Rozakis & Alex Saviuk. 75¢ cover price.
 
#539 Action Comics 539 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 1/1983   
#540 Action Comics 540 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 2/1983  CGC label note: Aquaman backup story by Bob Rozakis & Alex Saviuk.  
#541 Action Comics 541 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 3/1983   
#542 Action Comics 542 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 4/1983  Versus Vandal Savage
CGC label note: Vandal Savage appearance.
 
#543 Action Comics 543 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $14
 DC, 5/1983  Versus Neutron; Versus Vandal Savage
CGC label note: Vandal Savage appearance.
 
#544 Action Comics 544 Canadian Price Variant picture $2.00 $40
▲ $7
 DC, 6/1983  1st Appearances of Brainiac (robotic body), Lex Luthor (in armor); Origins of Brainiac (robotic body), Lex Luthor (in armor)
Doug notes: Special 45th anniversary issue.
CGC label note: Anniversary issue. $2.00 cover price.
 
#545 Action Comics 545 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $15
 DC, 7/1983  Versus New Brainiac
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.5 on 4/30/2021 for $7, a raw 8.0 on 2/26/2021 for $11
CGC label note: Braniac appearance.
 
#546 Action Comics 546 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $28
▲ $6
 DC, 8/1983  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.5 on 7/6/2021 for $7, a raw 8.0 on 6/14/2021 for $11
Doug notes: Justice League and the New Teen Titans
CGC label note: Justice League, New Teen Titans & Brainiac appearance. 75¢ cover price.
 
#547 Action Comics 547 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $14
 DC, 9/1983  Origin of Planeteer  
#548 Action Comics 548 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 10/1983   
#549 Action Comics 549 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.75 $12
 DC, 11/1983  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 1/15/2021 for $3, a raw 6.5 on 8/26/2021 for $5  
#550 Action Comics 550 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 12/1983  Conan notes: A raw 7.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 2/2/2021 for $9
CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.
 
#551 Action Comics 551 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $14
 DC, 1/1984  1st Appearance of Red Star (Leonid Kovar)
Conan notes: A raw 8.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 4/26/2021 for $10
 
#552 Action Comics 552 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $28
 DC, 2/1984  1st Appearance of Legion of Forgotten Heroes
Doug notes: FIRST appearance of the original Pre-Crisis FORGOTTEN HEROES Team, Led by Immortal Man, The TEAM includes; ANIMAL MAN, Cave Carson, Congo Bill aka Congorilla, Dolphin, RICK FLAGG and the SUICIDE SQUAD, RIP HUNTER Time Master & the SEA DEVILS;
CGC label note: Animal Man, Rip Hunter, Dolphin, Congorilla, Suicide Squad, Sea Devils & Cave Carson appearance.
 
#553 Action Comics 553 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $24
 DC, 3/1984  Cave Carson; Congorilla; Suicide Squad; Animal Man; Rip Hunter; Immortal Man; Sea Devils; Dolphin
Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/24/2021 for $4
Doug notes: SECOND appearance of the original Pre-Crisis FORGOTTEN HEROES Team, Led by Immortal Man, The TEAM includes; ANIMAL MAN, Cave Carson, Congo Bill aka Congorilla, Dane Dorrance, Dolphin, RICK FLAGG and the SUICIDE SQUAD, RIP HUNTER Time Master & the SEA DEVILS
CGC label note: Vandal Savage, Dane Dorrance, Rick Flagg, Cave Carson, Animal Man, Dolphin, Congo Bill & Rip Hunter appearance.
 
#554 Action Comics 554 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 4/1984  Jerry and Joey create Superman
Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 5/21/2021 for $4
 
#555 Action Comics 555 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 5/1984  Continued into Supergirl (2nd Series) #20; Anniversary of Supergirls debut in Action Comics
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/18/2021 for $8
CGC label note: Parasite appearance.
 
#556 Action Comics 556 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 6/1984  Versus Vandal Savage; Neutron; Meanwhile: new projects; Early Whos Who and Crisis  
#557 Action Comics 557 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 7/1984  CGC label note: Terra-Man appearance.  
#558 Action Comics 558 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 8/1984  Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 1/15/2021 for $3  
#559 Action Comics 559 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 9/1984  Conan notes: A raw 6.5 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/26/2021 for $5
CGC label note: Yellow Peri appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#560 Action Comics 560 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $14
 DC, 10/1984  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.0 on 8/26/2021 for $6, a raw 8.0 on 2/26/2021 for $10
Doug notes: Ambush Bug
CGC label note: Ambush Bug appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#561 Action Comics 561 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 11/1984  CGC label note: Back-up story by E. Nelson Bridwell & Wayne Boring. 95¢ cover price.  
#562 Action Comics 562 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 12/1984  CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.  
#563 Action Comics 563 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $16
 DC, 1/1985  Origin of Ambush Bug
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/26/2021 for $5
CGC label note: Ambush Bug & Mr. Mxyzptlk appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#564 Action Comics 564 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $15
 DC, 2/1985  CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.  
#565 Action Comics 565 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $16
 DC, 3/1985  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 3/4/2021 for $5, a raw 4.5 on 1/9/2021 for $6
Doug notes: Ambush Bug, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman
CGC label note: Ambush Bug, Batman & Wonder Woman appearance. 95¢ cover price.
 
#566 Action Comics 566 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 4/1985  Marshall Rogers & Jerry Ordway cover; Co-starring with Captain Strong
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 8/26/2021 for $5
CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.
 
#567 Action Comics 567 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 5/1985  Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/4/2021 for $3  
#568 Action Comics 568 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 6/1985   
#569 Action Comics 569 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 7/1985  CGC label note: "Julius Schwartz" appearance on cover.  
#570 Action Comics 570 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 8/1985   
#571 Action Comics 571 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $14
 DC, 9/1985  Brian Bolland cover
CGC label note: 95¢ cover price.
 
#572 Action Comics 572 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $16
 DC, 10/1985  Mark Waid's first major comics work
CGC label note: 1st published story work by Mark Waid.
 
#573 Action Comics 573 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $23
▲ $3
 DC, 11/1985  MASK preview
Conan notes: A raw 5.5 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/16/2021 for $6
CGC label note: 15 page "Mask" preview by Michael Fleisher, Mike Chen & Joe Delbeato.
 
#574 Action Comics 574 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 12/1985   
#575 Action Comics 575 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 1/1986  Versus Intellex  
#576 Action Comics 576 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 2/1986   
#577 Action Comics 577 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $16
 DC, 3/1986  Origin of Superman  
#578 Action Comics 578 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 4/1986   
#579 Action Comics 579 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 5/1986  Asterix parody
Conan notes: A raw 1.8 variant sold at MyComicShop on 4/28/2021 for $2
 
#580 Action Comics 580 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $22
 DC, 6/1986  Kid in Most Dangerous Toy is based on winner of Super Powers contest
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 1/9/2021 for $5
Doug notes: Classic Superman breaking chains Cover by Gil Kane.
 
#581 Action Comics 581 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 7/1986   
#582 Action Comics 582 Canadian Price Variant picture $0.95 $12
 DC, 8/1986  Conan notes: A raw 4.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 3/16/2021 for $4  
#583 Action Comics 583 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $50
▼ $5
 DC, 9/1986  Continued from Superman #423; Last pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.5 on 3/3/2021 for $14, a raw 5.5 on 5/25/2021 for $18, a raw 7.0 on 12/1/2020 for $23, a raw 7.5 on 4/2/2021 for $24
CGC label note: Conclusion of Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow¢" $1.00 cover price.
 
#584 Action Comics 584 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $22
 DC, 1/1987  Post-Crisis Superman begins; Teen Titans
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 6.0 on 5/7/2021 for $5, a raw 6.0 on 12/6/2020 for $5
Doug notes: JOHN BYRNE Art Begins
CGC label note: John Byrne art begins. Contest entry form included. Teen Titans appearance. $1.00 cover price.
 
#585 Action Comics 585 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $14
 DC, 2/1987  Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 12/8/2020 for $5
Doug notes: Phantom Stranger
CGC label note: Phantom Stranger appearance.
 
#586 Action Comics 586 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $20
▲ $4
 DC, 3/1987  Versus Darkseid; Versus New Gods
Conan notes: A raw 8.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 2/26/2021 for $8
CGC label note: Orion, Lightray & Darkseid appearance.
 
#587 Action Comics 587 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 4/1987  Versus Morgaine Le Fey; Continued in Superman #4
Doug notes: Demon-c/s
CGC label note: Demon & Morgaine Le Fey appearance.
 
#588 Action Comics 588 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 5/1987  Hawkman; Shadow War; Continued from Hawkman #10, continues in Hawkman #11 and Action #589
CGC label note: Hawkman & Hawkwoman appearance.
 
#589 Action Comics 589 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 6/1987  Doug notes: Green Lantern Corps.
CGC label note: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) & Green Lantern Corps appearance.
 
#590 Action Comics 590 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 7/1987  Metal Men; New Chemo
CGC label note: Metal Men appearance.
 
#591 Action Comics 591 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 8/1987  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 5/12/2021 for $3, a raw 4.0 on 3/24/2021 for $3, a raw 8.0 on 2/17/2020 for $8
Doug notes: Superboy vs Superman-c/s; Legion of Super-Heroes
 
#592 Action Comics 592 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $20
▲ $4
 DC, 9/1987  1st Appearance of Sleez; Continued in Superman #9
Doug notes: Superman vs Big Barda
CGC label note: Big Barda appearance.
 
#593 Action Comics 593 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $20
▲ $4
 DC, 10/1987  Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 5.0 on 7/1/2020 for $8, a raw 5.5 on 6/13/2019 for $10, a raw 7.5 on 6/30/2020 for $16
Doug notes: Big Barda, and Mr. Miracle
CGC label note: Big Barda, Mister Miracle & Darkseid appearance.
 
#594 Action Comics 594 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 11/1987  Continues in Booster Gold #23
CGC label note: Booster Gold, Batman & Robin appearance. Booster Gold #7 cover homage.
 
#595 Action Comics 595 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $50
▲ $8
 DC, 12/1987  1st Appearance of Silver Banshee (Siobhan McDougal)
Conan notes: Example variant sales at MyComicShop: a raw 4.0 on 5/8/2020 for $8, a raw 6.0 on 5/26/2020 for $12
CGC label note: 1st appearance of the Silver Banshee (Siobhan McDougal). Martian Manhunter & Batman appearance.
 
#596 Action Comics 596 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 1/1988  Versus Manhunters; Millennium Week 4
Doug notes: Spectre
CGC label note: Spectre appearance.
 
#597 Action Comics 597 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 2/1988  Doug notes: Lois Lane vs Lana Lang  
#598 Action Comics 598 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $40
▲ $5
 DC, 3/1988  1st Appearance of Checkmate; Versus Qurac terrorists
Conan notes: A raw 6.0 variant sold at MyComicShop on 12/12/2020 for $5
CGC label note: 1st appearance of Checkmate. Atomic explosion cover.
 
#599 Action Comics 599 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.00 $18
▲ $4
 DC, 4/1988  Bonus Book #1
CGC label note: 16 page "bonus book" featuring Superman & Jimmy Olsen. Metal Men appearance.
 
#600 Action Comics 600 Canadian Price Variant picture $3.50 $27
 DC, 5/1988  Doug notes: 80 Page Giant; LAST Canadian Price Variant in Title
CGC label note: Wonder Woman & Man-Bat appearance. Hawkman cameo. Pin-ups by Mike Zeck, Jon Bogdanove & Kevin Maguire.
 
Annual #1 Action Comics Annual #1 Canadian Price Variant picture $1.75 $27
▲ $7
 DC, 12/1987  1987 Annual
Doug notes: Batman
CGC label note: Batman appearance.
 
Issue CPV
Cover
Price
CPV
Value
9.2
CGC-Confirmed
 
 = Stand-out value  
 
CGC census data for Canadian Price Variant and Regular comic books
Action Comics CGC Census Data:
Issue # 9/21/2021
Census Count
Year over
year change
Regular Variant Regular Variant
53622--+4--
53714--+1--
538122--+1
53911--+2--
540112+1+2
541101----
54211------
54312------
54411810+19+1
54510------
546292+6--
5475--+1--
5488--+1--
5494------
55061----
55181----
55223--+4--
55330--+3--
554121+1--
555161+1--
55671----
55781----
5586------
559131+1--
560121----
56191+1--
56281----
56341----
56421----
565112+1--
56681+1--
5675------
5685------
5696------
5705------
57161--+1
57213--+1--
57310------
5745------
5754------
5762------
5774------
5788------
5796------
5804------
5816--+1--
58211------
5832033+16+3
584521+4--
58514--+1--
58610------
58727--+2--
58817------
58911--+1--
59012------
59125--+1--
59220--+1--
59334--+14--
59415--+1--
595108--+21--
59621--+1--
59713--+1--
598105--+7--
59916------
600167--+27--
Annual #11662+4+1
  Regular Variant Regular Variant
Title Totals:
% regular / % variant
1,596
~98%
39
~2%
 +152
  ~94% 
 +9
  ~6% 
CGC census data CPVs and regular bottom
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The information within CPVPriceGuide.com is presented on a best-efforts basis, but none of the included information is guaranteed to be free of error and therefore you should use this guide only as one tool among your comics research tool-belt, and you should verify information with other sources before acting. Please read the full methodology & guide usage information. Our latest price guide edition of our comprehensive guide to Canadian Price Variant comics is the 2021 Edition, published December 2020.