Secret Invasion #1 - A VARIANT of a VARIANT?

[jaydeebee]

So I just got my shipment from Discount Comic Book Service the other day and I was going though my haul and I noticed something odd.

I don't usually collect a lot of variant comics, but I had ordered one copy of SECRET INVASION #1 (Blank Con Variant), don't ask me why, I just do this sort of thing sometimes. Included in my shipment however were two copies, instead of just one. I checked my packing slip and found that I had been charged for only one and that the other was a "replacement copy" sent at no charge.

Now I couldn't really find anything wrong with either copy which would have justified sending a replacement copy, however I did note something odd about them. While both issues have the same front cover, which features a plain white box where the regular edition features a picture of Skrullified Marvel Heroes, I did note that the back covers were different. One issue has a solid black back cover and the other has a solid white back cover. Neither issue is marked as a 2nd printing, so I can only assume that one of them is a variant of a variant.

I still don't understand why I was sent a free replacement copy (not that I'm complaining), but this odd variation has got me puzzled.

Does anyone have any information of this? Anyone else encountered any other variant variants?

[jordanscott]

The first shipment of blank covers were made with the wrong paper stock.

The blank spot wouldn't take ink/markers well and so early sketches were difficult to do.

Almost immediately Marvel announced the error and that a '2nd print' would be sent out free of charge to replace the bad covers.

[Capitalrecoveryman]

The second book is actually a hostile alien warrior diguised as an inert United States funny book. Sleep with your eyes open, my friend.

[jordanscott]

Or get it slabbed and start a little Skrull biodome.

:D

[jaydeebee]

Okay, upon closer examination, and with the explanation about the cover-stock difference, I do notice that the one with the black back cover (the inside covers are black as well) is a slightly lighter weight card-stock that the one with the white back and inside covers.

It also occurs to me that the original printing of this book, with the incorrect stock, is an actual variant, rather than a planned variant. So does that make it more desirable as a variant, variant?

[razorz000]

I would think so JBD

I've check out some older ended auctions on ebay and found the older stock (wrong finish) went for a little more than the newer card stock.

I have 3 of these when I bought them for WW Chicago but just might hold on to them and see if the price will go up a bit because people had sent them back so this question came into mind as well would these books now become alittle more rare because there are not as many out their.

[StlComics]

It also occurs to me that the original printing of this book, with the incorrect stock, is an actual variant, rather than a planned variant. So does that make it more desirable as a variant, variant?

Not really, IMHO. How many people out there are really going to have to have one? Only time will tell, though.

[StlComics]

...would these books now become alittle more rare because there are not as many out their.

It is possible, but not highly likely. The only real price you are likely to see on these books is short term at best. I wouldn't bother with them as investments, but sell ASAP while there is any interest in them.

[Redbone]

I got the same blank back cover. I thought Woo Hoo!! Two Skectches! Interesting.

[razorz000]

wow
never thought of a double sketch on these books before