If you’ve been reading this blog for ANY length of time, you know that I–as a general rule–loathe variant covers. Primarily "ratioed" variants, but with very FEW exceptions, variants in general, their very existence.
And this week just REALLY reminded me WHY.
And though I COULD blame the comic shop, I personally place the blame squarely on the publisher, FOR doing a variant. Or allowing a variant. Or WHATEVER the case is.
After actually rather enjoying the first issue, and looking forward to the second issue, the day finally came: Curse Words #2 was on "the list" as out on February 22nd.
Having been "burned" by a "surprise" variant on Moonshine #2 (which, by the way, immediately prompted me to NOT pick it up ,and thus lost me on singles on that series), I was "re-aware" of even Image doing variants on stuff (something I’d be more inclined to attribute to DC, Marvel, IDW, Boom, and Dynamite!).
So, when I saw two different covers, neither of which was visually "familiar" to me, and I was already expecting there to be a "new" or "unfamiliar" (because I ONLY bought one cover of #1!) issue, I figured fine, they did a second issue with variants, I had not really seen any "marketing" or such for the issue so was not (for once) pre-disposed to preferring one specific cover…so I grabbed the more appealing (to me) cover of the two or so I saw.
Got it home, even included the thing in my photos for my "Weekly Haul" post, none the wiser of anything.
But then I went to READ the thing.
And I saw that the word "Second" was NOT followed by "Issue" after all, on the cover.
Nope…it was followed by "Printing."
I managed to grab a second printing of #1, the issue that I already owned, that I bought and read weeks ago.
And of course, much as with most publishers, comics are not some "returnable" thing, so it’s not even like I can take the thing back to the shop for a refund or such. I’m stuck with a second copy of the first issue now, and no copies of the second.
Frankly, to say that I’m "annoyed" is an understatement.
On principle, I’m done with this book as single issues. I might snag the collected volume(s), but I will NOT support it any further as single issues.
Should I have noticed that it was not actually the second issue? Maybe. BUT when I know the second issue’s due out, with a cover that’s not mimicking the first, and I’m grabbing my comics in a hurry and just want to get stuff and get out after a long day at work, I’m not gonna examine every stupid facet of a cover. I buy comics because I want to read the story, not for stupid covers!
Maybe the shop should have put something with the issue to indicate 2nd printing. Maybe they should’ve shelved it with last month’s books instead of right next to the brand-new 2nd issue (but probably more sales having them together, so someone can immediately see and pick up BOTH issues if they’re looking for them/curious!).
So, I hold Image responsible…with no idea if the "idea" or "push" came from a creator or not. Just use the same darned cover, and mark it as a second printing! IF I wanted more "art" from something, I’d buy a darned print or something!
And on top of this…folks wonder why I tend to gravitate toward collected volumes for new issues. At least THERE, I’m FAR LESS LIKELY to wind up getting some 2nd print of something I already have, with just a cover in quick passing to go on.
Filed under: 2017 Non-Review Posts, 2017 Posts | Tagged: charles soule, comic books, comics, complaints, Curse Words, Image, rants, Variant, variant covers, variants |
Comic Reviews by Walt 
Well said. The amount of variants… in addition to the reprints, is pretty ridiculous at all levels of comics-buying. I order my comics online months in advance… and lemme tell ya, it’s sometimes a bit of a challenge to weed out what is a second/third/fourth printing when they’re all listed together. On top of that… ALL the variants get a line, so ordering books has become something I dread, rather than look forward to. I know “champagne problems”, but still quite annoying.
And that’s withOUT even getting into the issue of RENUMBERING (especially on the Marvel side of things). I see a fair number of Marvel books in bargain bins…but I refuse to even BOTHER with stuff from the last few years (2012ish to present especially, and not terribly thrilled really with much 2005/6ish to present).
Umpteen “volumes” * umpteen issues * umpteen variants makes it a ridiculously intensive thing rather than just the “fun” of filling in “holes” in lengthy runs and such. To get those 3-4 issues that mean you now have a 129-issue solid, continuously-numbered run of something; the enjoyment at finding that ONE SINGLE ISSUE that “completes” or bridges runs for a single, continuous 300-issue run, etc.
And when EVERYTHING is a “mini series,” if the story is not essential-with-continuous-engagement…why the heck NOT wait for collected volumes?
But that gets into other complaints.
And why I’m happy with the DC “bundles” for now ,and stick to usually just a few things otherwise.
C’est la vie.