Discussion of the now-infamous printing error in All-Star Batman & Robin #10 leaped from comics blogs and forums and into the mainstream press this morning as The New York Times, New York Post and FOXNews.com reported on the DC Comics recall.
Beneath the headline “The Caped Cuss-Ader,” the Post recounts how a production glitch led to numerous expletives showing through black bars designed to blot them out. It also points out that, despite DC’s quickly issued request for retailers to destroy the issue, Issue 10 was being sold at St. Mark’s Comics in Manhattan’s East Village.
The FOX website relies primarily on the Post’s coverage, but manages to wrangle a statement from DC Comics, which had previously refused comment:
“A printing gaffe has caused a problem with All-Star Batman. As soon as the problem was discovered, we quickly asked retailers to pull the issue. We apologize to our retailers and fans for any offense or inconvenience.”
Hey, it’s more than everyone else got.
As I mentioned last night, The Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex blog got in touch with writer Frank Miller, who was unaware of the error.
“I have no idea how this awful thing happened,” Miller said. “It’s just one of those terrible and glorious things that happen time to time in publishing.”
He’d appreciate “at least three copies,” though. Somebody give him directions to St. Mark’s Comics.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Fox News: spinning lies wherever we go!
Oh and expect this to get ASBAR to over 200,000 units instead of the usual 100,000. The press coverage over this certainly will.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I went to my LCS (Collector’s Edge Comics in Milwaukee) on Wednesday, and they didn’t have the book out on the shelves OR even in the boxes for subscribers. The clerk, who’s a really nice guy, apologized and said he was waiting to hear back from the owner (they have several shops in the area). So I go in today at lunch, and the guy tells me they destroyed all their copies. It wasn’t the clerk’s fault, but man am I pissed!
I’m sorry, FUCKING PISSED. The cunts.
I bet anything the owner is lying and is actually selling them on eBay, or somewhere, at inflated prices.
As I said in another post, I really just read ASB&R for laughs. But still, I’m really upset that my LCS chose to do this and withhold the book from customers, including subscribers. Now I’m going to try to track it down elswhere, if possible, and I’m seriously considering dropping all of my subscriptions and taking my business elsewhere.
September 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
am I the only one who thinks this was intentional? publicity stunt. I mean, who writes a script where swearing’s going to be blanked out and leaves the actual words in? Sure when you’re drafting, but production materials? No way.
September 12th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
So I hit the other comic shop on my side of town today… The old guy who owns the shop told me “It didn’t come out yet, it got delayed.” So while I suspect the shop I usually go to was lying to me (they sure sold out of Captain America #15 awfully fast the day it came out too), this store was DEFINITELY lying to me. They ordered the book, just like anyone else. Either they destroyed their books, which sucks, or they’re doing something else with them. Either way, telling me the book “delayed” and wasn’t released is bullshit.
I wouldn’t normally get worked about such a silly book like ASB&R, but the fact that these retailers are either destroying the books or lying about them and making huge profits on the side is just crappy. Sure, I’ll get the corrected copy next week. But I don’t want that one now. I want the one that was released this week, that other people have been able to get at their shops. And I want at it’s normal price. Looks like that ain’t gonna happen.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
So, a comic store in Manhattan was openly selling copies of a comic that the publisher is crediting their account for? I mean, if the store contacted Diamond (or DC Comics) and refused the credit, that’s one thing… but since I’m guessing they didn’t do that, it tells you a lot about the integrity of the store.
And yes, I’m sure most of the stores that got copies probably did the exact same thing, but perhaps less brazenly. Speaks volumes about our species.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Sorry, but did you just make a value judgment on the entirety of the human race based on whether or not some east coast direct market comic store owners sold a copy of a comic book?
Because if you did, that was Totally Awesome.
September 13th, 2008 at 1:04 am
St. Marks Comics is completely sold out of the issue at this point anyway, so don’t even bother going there if you’re looking for it at this point.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
“But still, I’m really upset that my LCS chose to do this and withhold the book from customers, including subscribers.”
The store was requested by one of its primary suppliers to withhold a piece of what was deemed to be defective merchandise… and the supplier is paying for those copies.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:57 am
True, Nat, but they could refuse the credit and not take the reprints. I think, if there’s demand for the product and the product is on site (as the clerk) told me it was, and there was nothing illegal about selling the book (obviously there’s not, as plenty of other shops have sold it), then I think the right thing to do is to sell the books to the people who want it.
There’s no legal obligation to sell it either, but I think most customers who buy the book would’ve wanted this version. Anyone reading ASB&R at this point knows what they’re getting into. Keep it behind the counter and have customers ask for it if it helps (though it seems silly, since there are never any kids in the shop anyhow). Anyhow, I’m still not convinced that they really destroyed the books. At either shop I went to.
Sorry, but the whole thing sucks. It’s not censorship, as someone tried to argue in an earlier thread, but it is poor customer service to not offer the choice, when it was available. I’d like to pull my business as a result (the shop will survive just fine without me), but there are no other choices in my part of town. There’s a small-ish newsstand about a mile from my house that sells some comics, but the owner never ordered the issue, for which she was very apologetic. She’d read the Diamond memo and now wishes she had! If I can talk her into expanding her offerings and doing a pull service (she said she’s thought about it) I’d go there.
September 13th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Shaun—
Just because one store in a city got the books doesn’t mean another did. Stores that have more than one location often get their shipments on Tuesday. Different shipping day means some in your city may have it and some may not.
But the bigger picture here is that you are sounding like a selfish, self-centered jerk by accusing dealers in your area of being liars and saying you are going to cancel your subscriptions. Lighten up, Man, it’s only a comic book.
September 13th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
“True, Nat, but they could refuse the credit and not take the reprints.”
Yes, and been uncooperative with a company that makes a lot of strong efforts in cooperating with stores.
“there was nothing illegal about selling the book (obviously there’s not, as plenty of other shops have sold it)”
Just as a note — don’t assume that because plenty of comic shops do something that it’s legal. While most shops are good places, there have been many illegal activities that many have engaged in (and no, I’m not trying to claim this is one of them.)
September 13th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Shaun, is your real name Sidney Mellon?
September 16th, 2008 at 4:56 am
FYI: Some stores (mine for example) REALLY DIDN’T RECEIVE the books.
And, if some store followed Diamond’s requests and actually destroyed the books, how can you be angry?
Some folks need to lighten up. If you really want the “dirty” version, I am sure you’ll be able to pick it up for $5 in a few months.