Set Description:
From 1994 to1996 DC Comics distributed comic books in multi-packs to various retail stores. These multi-packs were 2 packs, 3 packs, 3-8 collectors set/packs, 10 packs, 15/20 (JC Penny & Sears), Death of Superman and Funeral for a Friend box sets, 20 packs and 50 packs. Retailers that sold these multi-packs included Kay Bee Toys, K-Mart, Sam’s Club and Toys R Us.
There are multi-pack examples cover dated 1992 and 1993, the earliest is Action Comics #684, cover date dis December 1992. Early examples were printed with a DC Bullet logo in place of the UPC area (Action Comics #693 & 694 (cover dated November & December 1993)), multi-pack editions cover dated January 1994 and after have the DC Universe logo (a.k.a DCU variant).
I got a few 2 packs and 20 pack sets at Toys R Us as a kid in 1994 and 95. Like many collectors, I would not come to appreciate or realize how rare some of these DCU variants were. These multi-packs were sealed in shrink wrap, some were packaged in tight fitting boxes. It is a challenge to collect high grade examples.
DC Comics did not track the print runs for these multi-packs, many collectors had to compile lists to share online over the years, making new discoveries along the way. In the CGC forms there is a great thread, Comprehensive List of DC Universe Logo UPC Variants, that is the best resource out there on the DC Comics multi-pack editions.
I do have a registry set, Action Comics (Complete) LEGACY, where I focus mainly on examples from the late 1960s to early 1990s. While I was reading the various Superman titles as a kid from 1994 to 1996, I never had a desire to collect graded examples from that era. Most of these books in this set have Superman in his infamous mullet hairstyle, I wasn’t a fan back then. Now over 30 years later I find myself eager to pursue a niche in collecting these multi-pack editions. Building this set will be a marathon, some of these editions, like Action Comics #705 and 706, are difficult to find in any condition and I’m aiming for 9.8 examples.
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