Industry Update: DC & Image Printing Defects

This week, the comic industry is navigating a widespread manufacturing issue stemming from a printing press error. This has affected several high-profile releases from both DC Comics and Image Comics. We want to ensure you have all the facts regarding the condition of your books and how the industry is responding.

Defects

The primary issue involves production-related spine dents and surface damages. Specifically, Absolute Batman #20 (including Cover A and several variants) has been widely reported to have spine defects across the entire initial print run.

While these defects are present, the market is responding uniquely. Because every copy is affected, the book remains highly sought after, with secondary market trackers already showing a spike in value despite the physical imperfections.

Impacted DC Titles:

• Absolute Batman #20

• Absolute Martian Manhunter #11

• Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1

Impacted Image Titles:

• The Thing on the Doorstep #4

• Undiscovered Country #36

• Spawn #375

• D’Orc #4

• D’Orc #1 (5th Printing)

• Witchblade (2024) #21

• The Department of Truth #37

Resolution

We are committed to providing the most up-to-date information regarding these releases:

• Availability: We are continuing to sell and ship the current 1st printing copies so that the reading experience is not delayed.

• Grading: Major grading companies have been notified of these manufacturing defects so they can be factored into grades.

• Future Prints: DC is producing 2nd printings of the affected "A" covers—featuring updated logo colors—with an expected arrival of June 3rd. Image Comics is also performing another run of their affected titles and expects to have those available June 3rd as well.

Pricing

Despite the market volatility and the price spikes seen on sites like Key Collector and CovrPrice for titles like Absolute Batman #20, we are holding our pricing at the standard cover price.

If you have any questions, please Contact Us