His point, I believe, was that the companies have a great thing going: variant covers of every third issue are a great way to trick people into buying two copies of every book. The trick comes from every now and then releasing a variant cover in an absurdly low amount, or only at a Con, or whatever, creating a false sense of inflation. When people see that the variant cover of X-Title Issue XX has been out for three days and is going for $50 on eBay, they, understandably, make the mistake that other variant covers will be worth that much.
And since (at least when I was paying attention last) 3/4 variant covers are just sketch-style artwork, I hardly think that 'pretty' applies any more than it does to an unpainted '54 Chevy.
My roommate only buys variant covers. That's it. He once said to me the only comics worth buying were variant covers. He actually said that with a straight face. Of course, he doesn't actually read comics, he just collects them. He's a good guy, but man, he's stuck in 1992.
Why does sketchwork = unpretty. I prefer seeing peoples pencil work than the mostly-computerised coloring jobs that are done on some comics. Its nothing like an unpainted 54 chevy... unless an unpainted 54 chevy is very shiney, but wouldn't that be more like a Gen13 Chromium Cover?
For the longest time, I couldn't care less about variant covers. That was until Justice League: Generation Lost. It made me so mad that the Kevin Maguire covers were on the variants. As much as I love the Holy JLI Triumvirate, there's no way I could justify $250+ to buy the variant covers of the entire series.
I bought the collection pack of the first 5 variant covers of IDW's My Little Pony Comic as well as Midtown Comics exclusive. That last one is for reading, and the other 5 are for lining up side by side to show the picture they make. Screw this guy, I couldn't be happier.
Yes, of course, spending money on artwork that he/she likes is a "waste of money".
It doesn't matter if the comics "go up" or not. If this person wants to spend $30 or whatever for a 6-pack of different MLP covers then why is that so stupid, in your opinion? Of course the interiors are the same... that's not what they want. They want the big, finished picture the covers make. Kind of like buying a $9 poster or a $20 print at a convention... just different.
@ Anonymous12/11/2012 6:49 AM You can respect someone's rights without respecting them. For example, I respect the right of the Ku Klux Klan to speak and peaceably assemble. But I'm still going to call them assholes (because they are assholes) undeserving of any respect.
I almost purchased two of the variants of Uncanny Avengers because I could not decide between the Deadpool cover and the Babies cover. Then I remembered if I ever wanted to look at the covers, I can find them online.
Am I missing something? I thought people bought variant covers because they were pretty.
ReplyDeleteHis point, I believe, was that the companies have a great thing going: variant covers of every third issue are a great way to trick people into buying two copies of every book. The trick comes from every now and then releasing a variant cover in an absurdly low amount, or only at a Con, or whatever, creating a false sense of inflation. When people see that the variant cover of X-Title Issue XX has been out for three days and is going for $50 on eBay, they, understandably, make the mistake that other variant covers will be worth that much.
ReplyDeleteAnd since (at least when I was paying attention last) 3/4 variant covers are just sketch-style artwork, I hardly think that 'pretty' applies any more than it does to an unpainted '54 Chevy.
Well said, sir. Well said.
DeleteMy roommate only buys variant covers. That's it. He once said to me the only comics worth buying were variant covers. He actually said that with a straight face. Of course, he doesn't actually read comics, he just collects them. He's a good guy, but man, he's stuck in 1992.
Or Miss or madam. Sorry, hard to tell with a name like burritomouth. And a good name it is.
DeleteWhy does sketchwork = unpretty. I prefer seeing peoples pencil work than the mostly-computerised coloring jobs that are done on some comics. Its nothing like an unpainted 54 chevy... unless an unpainted 54 chevy is very shiney, but wouldn't that be more like a Gen13 Chromium Cover?
DeleteFor the longest time, I couldn't care less about variant covers. That was until Justice League: Generation Lost. It made me so mad that the Kevin Maguire covers were on the variants. As much as I love the Holy JLI Triumvirate, there's no way I could justify $250+ to buy the variant covers of the entire series.
ReplyDeleteI bought the collection pack of the first 5 variant covers of IDW's My Little Pony Comic as well as Midtown Comics exclusive. That last one is for reading, and the other 5 are for lining up side by side to show the picture they make. Screw this guy, I couldn't be happier.
ReplyDeleteI respect your right to waste your money however you wish so long as you respect my right to laugh at you for it.
Delete"I respect it as long as I can disrespect it" ?
DeleteI'm confused, there.
Yes, of course, spending money on artwork that he/she likes is a "waste of money".
DeleteIt doesn't matter if the comics "go up" or not. If this person wants to spend $30 or whatever for a 6-pack of different MLP covers then why is that so stupid, in your opinion? Of course the interiors are the same... that's not what they want. They want the big, finished picture the covers make. Kind of like buying a $9 poster or a $20 print at a convention... just different.
@Anonymous #2. We're all nerds here buddy. We're laughing at each other, chill out.
Delete@ Anonymous12/11/2012 6:49 AM
DeleteYou can respect someone's rights without respecting them. For example, I respect the right of the Ku Klux Klan to speak and peaceably assemble. But I'm still going to call them assholes (because they are assholes) undeserving of any respect.
Do you see the difference?
I almost purchased two of the variants of Uncanny Avengers because I could not decide between the Deadpool cover and the Babies cover. Then I remembered if I ever wanted to look at the covers, I can find them online.
ReplyDeleteAll the babies covers rock. I have never gone out of my way to get a variant cover. If I don't get it, then that's it.
ReplyDeleteIDW prints two cover designs for each issue of TMNT. I just buy whichever one I think looks better. It's the same with Avatar Press.
ReplyDeleteI get variant covers 'cause they're pretty. Well, the pretty ones anyway. And the funny ones...
ReplyDeleteWhat was Brian Hibbs doing in your store to begin with? :P
ReplyDeleteBwa-ha-ha-ha!
Delete"Scratch offs?" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO don't damage the RARE variant!
ReplyDelete