The AB collector groups are super upset about this. There is potential that minty A covers could have some aftermarket heat.
If it’s the entire print run, hard to see how that would happen.
Unless it’s possible to press the defects out.
Or CGC will look the other way and grade 9.8s despite the clear and obvious flaw. This one seems like too big of a flaw to ignore, production or not.
Update from DC:
We are pleased to share the steps DC will be taking to address the situation:
- Complimentary 2nd Printings of ‘A’ Covers
* DC will produce 2nd Printings of these issues’ ‘A’ covers and provide them to retailers at no cost.
* These 2nd printings will feature an updated title logo coloring to clearly differentiate them from the 1st printings. (Shown above)
* Retailers will receive quantities equal to their original orders of the issues’ 1st printing ‘A’ covers.
* The 2nd Printings’ ‘A’ Covers will be shipped with June 3 in-store titles.
* A freight credit will be issued for these copies. - Retailers will receive a 15% credit for these issues’ variant cover orders (open-to-order, incentive, retailer exclusive)
We understand the difficulty this situation has created for you and your customers ahead of release. So the stories’ reading experience isn’t delayed, please feel free to sell the copies of the 1st Printing ‘A’ Covers while you await the 2nd Printing versions.
Grading companies will be made aware of the defects so they can be factored into grades.
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But that really does nothing for most buyers. They will want the first prints. So they will buy the damaged ones. The 2nd prints are free to stores so most stores will try to sell them even if they end up in the dollar bin.
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What else were they going to do? Any additional copies were going to be a reprint.
I suppose they could have “recalled” the first prints…that would have made things interesting, but would not change the fact the “most desired” copies were still the damaged ones.
Not have them listed as second prints. The print run due to all the store variants is still going to be 2 gazillion. What does it matter if the replacements are listed as a first print.
I am thinking of the end buyer here. There isn’t a lot of spec value in the book with the massive print run anyway. Making a second print only helps the store. Collectors will want the first print. So they will be forced to buy damaged copies. The second print will be in stores for free but that is going to be for completists and people who don’t refuse to buy a damaged book. Making them all first prints helps everyone out. Stores are still getting replacements for free and buyers get undamaged first prints.
I think the bigger question people should be asking is why so many titles from different publishers came in damaged. I saw image and DC books.
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Ahhh yes. Of course. Damaged can still = 9.8, because… y’know… wink wink
Publishing companies are in cahoots with grading companies right there in black and white from the horse’s mouth
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Dc even said they were working with cgc on this issue. But the copy I pulled was clean. So if I sent it off for grading would it get a 10.0 because it is better than the ones that are damaged 9.8’s or would it be a 9.8.
I don’t like the idea of assigning a 9.8 to a damaged book even if the print run was completely damaged.
That would be like assigning a 9.8 to the highest example of an old book because it is the best example. Makes no sense.
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Of all the things CGC has done wrong, this would be so fundamentally against the whole point of their existence if they’re actually going to do this.
I’ve seen some people online express relief at the concept of CGC potentially giving thousands of books a free pass, and it’s just sad how blatantly they don’t care about grade integrity as long as their OCD comic collection remains 9.8s, or they can successfully flip a damaged book to someone else who likewise doesn’t care about the book’s actual condition, either.
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It’s been a policy for a long time. This isn’t the first exception given.
Dumb people buying slabs instead of comics… and yeah, if you buy a slabbed book that’s damaged with a 9.8 grade and are okay with that, you are part of the problem and you’re a turd muffin!
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I don’t think that’s possible unless they change something in the boom (and captured in the indica) Or recall the 1st print.
The printing run was terminated. You can’t just “call it” first when it’s clearly a second. Could be legal issues or subject themselves to a class action lawsuit…otherwise why do publishers even bother?
Basically they would need to clearly “disqualify” the first in some way.
They could recall them, and like every other recall not make store return them
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How many copies of Absolute Green Arrow did everyone grab?
Went last night and today to my LCS looking to grab minty copies…Apparently my LCS didn’t have any shelf copies…so I had to order one off MCS.
My LCS is so out of touch.
I picked up 1 cover A at my LCS, they were down to 3 As when I left. Parel and Lotay covers were gone. Had a grip of the March cover and a couple blanks.
I ordered 1A and 1B
I bought 2 of cover A. I was there at open. As I was checking out, my shop pulled out the one per customer sign and put it out. They had several copies but not a boat load. I bet they are all gone by the end of the day.
The Ultimate book was beat up. Every copy they had of cover A was dented in the top left.
2X A cover