X-O Manowar QR Conditions / RANTS....

[drmirage]

I am not sure if I am the first member to bring up this topic up.

So, I've picked up the X-O Manowar QR from Paradise last week (great book by the way), and I have some thoughts about it.

I not a professional comic book grader by any means, but the condition of the QR book was an acceptable NM condition book. (Probably 9.4 with CGC)

However, now with prices on non graded variants books are higher:
AJA VARIANT: $15 - $30
QR VARIANT: $50 - $150

Why don't the publishers / printers / distributors include top loaders to protect these books?

I don’t want to sound unusual, but the cost of a top loader isn’t much if they are ordered by quantity. (Perhaps about $1 each)

If they include it, the comic book stores and their customers get great condition copies which then will be more desirable items.

Both of my X-O Regular and Pullbox variant have small creases. I’ve looked at about 30 copies on the shelves and all of them are like that at $3.99 a copy.

If you were to spend $$$ on books, shouldn’t they be more durable or protected. These comics you will never find on the shelves. They usually are behind the counter or up on the wall somewhere.

The QR and AJA are collectible items. Who would even read these issues if they are so valuable? Who would ship a QR Variant in a flat rate envelope with just a backing board and sleeve?

Does anyone agree or disagree with me?

If the X-O QR from Paradise was VF/F condition, I would have skipped it.

Sometimes, I feel that the publisher or distributor deliberately ships these books raw / unprotected because they know that the books will be easily damaged during transit so there will only a few scarce mint copies are available. They have a demand for a 2nd printing and the whole cycle starts over.

Or perhaps, maybe the majority likes to have the books raw.. Its more interesting process of buying books.

If so, the Publishers / Printers / Comic Book shops would have the best copies possible. Lastly, CGC makes all the $$$.

[Elveen]

I am not sure if I am the first member to bring up this topic up.

So, I've picked up the X-O Manowar QR from Paradise last week (great book by the way), and I have some thoughts about it.

I not a professional comic book grader by any means, but the condition of the QR book was an acceptable NM condition book. (Probably 9.4 with CGC)

However, now with prices on non graded variants books are higher:
AJA VARIANT: $15 - $30
QR VARIANT: $50 - $150

Why don't the publishers / printers / distributors include top loaders to protect these books?

I don’t want to sound unusual, but the cost of a top loader isn’t much if they are ordered by quantity. (Perhaps about $1 each)

If they include it, the comic book stores and their customers get great condition copies which then will be more desirable items.

Both of my X-O Regular and Pullbox variant have small creases. I’ve looked at about 30 copies on the shelves and all of them are like that at $3.99 a copy.

If you were to spend $$$ on books, shouldn’t they be more durable or protected. These comics you will never find on the shelves. They usually are behind the counter or up on the wall somewhere.

The QR and AJA are collectible items. Who would even read these issues if they are so valuable? Who would ship a QR Variant in a flat rate envelope with just a backing board and sleeve?

Does anyone agree or disagree with me?

If the X-O QR from Paradise was VF/F condition, I would have skipped it.

Sometimes, I feel that the publisher or distributor deliberately ships these books raw / unprotected because they know that the books will be easily damaged during transit so there will only a few scarce mint copies are available. They have a demand for a 2nd printing and the whole cycle starts over.

Or perhaps, maybe the majority likes to have the books raw.. Its more interesting process of buying books.

If so, the Publishers / Printers / Comic Book shops would have the best copies possible. Lastly, CGC makes all the $$$.

I'm glad to hear that the Paradise QR was in NM condition. I'm looking for the same condition on the one I get from him.

[drmirage]

I'm glad to hear that the Paradise QR was in NM condition. I'm looking for the same condition on the one I get from him.

Elveen,

I was the last person who got in the X-O Package. When I got to his store the day after FCBD, he only had two copies to choose from.
Since my copy is in excellent shape. I will no doubt thinking that all of his X-O QR copies be in NM-M condition.

Ed, his staff in Paradise will not dissapoint.

[Elveen]

I'm glad to hear that the Paradise QR was in NM condition. I'm looking for the same condition on the one I get from him.

Elveen,

I was the last person who got in the X-O Package. When I got to his store the day after FCBD, he only had two copies to choose from.
Since my copy is in excellent shape. I will no doubt thinking that all of his X-O QR copies be in NM-M condition.

Ed, his staff in Paradise will not dissapoint.

Sounds great.

[Smiley]

Drmirage, I agree with you.

[Blood of Heroes]

I got mine from DCBS. This was my first purchase from them. I honestly expected the book to be flawless. I was disappointed. Several spine creases and a dime sized scuff on the cover.

<--me.

[drmirage]

If you got a problem with a product from DCBS, you should contact them. I read / heard from somewhere... if there is a problem... they will fix it... or even send you a new copy without any questions!

<--me.[/quote]

Drmirage, I agree with you.

I am glad someone agrees with me

[jmatt]

Somebody should start a business buying books and slabbing them right at the printing house.

[400yrs]

I got mine from DCBS. This was my first purchase from them. I honestly expected the book to be flawless. I was disappointed. Several spine creases and a dime sized scuff on the cover.

<--me.

I'm betting alot of these are going to look like crap. It's not the sellers fault. It's the crappy paper stock.

[jmatt]

I got mine from DCBS. This was my first purchase from them. I honestly expected the book to be flawless. I was disappointed. Several spine creases and a dime sized scuff on the cover.

<--me.

I'm betting alot of these are going to look like crap. It's not the sellers fault. It's the crappy paper stock.

Which is really kinda odd considering how stout the FREE CBD version was.

[Blood of Heroes]

If you got a problem with a product from DCBS, you should contact them. I read / heard from somewhere... if there is a problem... they will fix it... or even send you a new copy without any questions!

Thanks for the advice. I just sent them an email.

[Man Of The Atom]

I agree with you. My copy of the voice cover had four noticeable dings in the spine.

[myron]

Somebody should start a business buying books and slabbing them right at the printing house.

I certainly hope that was tongue in cheek sarcasm...

[ckb]

You guys seem to be discovering what I do is not so easy.

These books do not even come off the presses at 9.8. Some of the spine problems you are seeing were from handling, but many were formed when the book was folded and stapled. If you haven't been following my pre-order XO1 9.8 thread in BST, you may be interested in seeing what I went through to find 9.8 candidates for that book. There is some concern about the fragility of the cover stock that we hope VEI will correct.

The point about the variants deserving special handling is correct, but it will fall on deaf ears at most shops around the country. They do not consider the condition at a level that distinguishes between 9.0 and 9.8 for new books. If you are expecting 9.8s, you are gambling unless you buy them already graded.

[Blood of Heroes]

If you got a problem with a product from DCBS, you should contact them. I read / heard from somewhere... if there is a problem... they will fix it... or even send you a new copy without any questions!

Thanks for the advice. I just sent them an email.

And here's the response. Color me surprised.

Hi Greg,



We apologize for the defective item. Please send it back to us along with a copy of this e-mail by USPS First Class Mail to:



DCBS
10202-C Coldwater Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46825



When it arrives back, we will reimburse you for the First Class Mail cost and the cost of the item.



Unfortunately, we do not have replacements due to its limited nature.



We apologize for the inconvenience.



Thanks,

Megan



Discount Comic Book Service

[MoonChild]

They're like hey we'll take it back and sell it for double or tripple what you paid for it!!! We'll even cover shipping to get it back from you yeeaaaayy!

[SnotDrip]

I got mine from DCBS. This was my first purchase from them. I honestly expected the book to be flawless. I was disappointed. Several spine creases and a dime sized scuff on the cover.

<--me.

oh crap...hope my order is better as this is my first with them

[drmirage]

I am glad that they will be giving you options. It's better than hearing "sorry.. Too bad.. S--t happens" response.

From the responses I have read.. Special Handling is what I seem to be getting at. If VEI is reading this... They can offer something for damaged / out of shape variants. That would be awesome.

If you got a problem with a product from DCBS, you should contact them. I read / heard from somewhere... if there is a problem... they will fix it... or even send you a new copy without any questions!

Thanks for the advice. I just sent them an email.

And here's the response. Color me surprised.

Hi Greg,



We apologize for the defective item. Please send it back to us along with a copy of this e-mail by USPS First Class Mail to:



DCBS
10202-C Coldwater Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46825



When it arrives back, we will reimburse you for the First Class Mail cost and the cost of the item.



Unfortunately, we do not have replacements due to its limited nature.



We apologize for the inconvenience.



Thanks,

Megan



Discount Comic Book Service

[Blood of Heroes]

After some more correspondence, I was offered $5 and I get to keep the book OR they can put me on a waiting list in case any more copies surface. I was going to hold out for the toaster oven but I opted for the waiting list.

I won't, however, be holding my breath.

[jmatt]

Somebody should start a business buying books and slabbing them right at the printing house.

I certainly hope that was tongue in cheek sarcasm...

Well, I was certainly shooting from the hip and hadn't really put much thought into it. But why do you think it's a silly idea? The books get manhandled by the packers and abused during shipping. What better place to slab copies than straight off the press? Then Valiant could sell them and make the profit, or offer them for sale to LCS at a marked up price.

[Dr. Solar]

After some more correspondence, I was offered $5 and I get to keep the book OR they can put me on a waiting list in case any more copies surface. I was going to hold out for the toaster oven but I opted for the waiting list.

I won't, however, be holding my breath.

I'll give you what you originally paid plus SIX dollars for it

[Blood of Heroes]

After some more correspondence, I was offered $5 and I get to keep the book OR they can put me on a waiting list in case any more copies surface. I was going to hold out for the toaster oven but I opted for the waiting list.

I won't, however, be holding my breath.

I'll give you what you originally paid plus SIX dollars for it

hahaha no.

[Blood of Heroes]

After some more correspondence, I was offered $5 and I get to keep the book OR they can put me on a waiting list in case any more copies surface. I was going to hold out for the toaster oven but I opted for the waiting list.

I won't, however, be holding my breath.

Two days ago I got an email from DCBS saying they've sent me a package.
I haven't bought anything from them since i got the beat up QR book.
I hadn't heard anything from them since my original complaints.

I just now opened a package from them containing a very nice copy of XO 1:50.

[Draco]

We have had major issues with variant incentive covers coming in with small nicks, creases, scratched etc, making me think idiots handled them. Seriously, there have been moments in the last six months that made me wonder if the packers or anyone is aware that these books need that extra tlc :/

Rec'd X-O gold variant tuesday to find scratches in many areas, oh and that we only got one copy instead of multiples was a slight *SQUEE* too, lol

So maybe its not the retailers not being careful here

Anyway on to more positive thoughts, the new valiant books are awesome

[drmirage]

That is very good news.

I am curious if this book will have any symptoms of the first wave of XO QR's. (Dino said no 2nd printings or additional printings of these books)

Much more curious of the Harbinger 1:50 QR's if they will be assocaited with another printing of VEI books.

After some more correspondence, I was offered $5 and I get to keep the book OR they can put me on a waiting list in case any more copies surface. I was going to hold out for the toaster oven but I opted for the waiting list.

I won't, however, be holding my breath.

Two days ago I got an email from DCBS saying they've sent me a package.
I haven't bought anything from them since i got the beat up QR book.
I hadn't heard anything from them since my original complaints.

I just now opened a package from them containing a very nice copy of XO 1:50.