All-Star Batman & Robin Pulled From Shelves
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***UPDATE***
DC’s “Direct Channel” e-mailer reported that Action Comics #869, ASB&R #10 and DCU Decisions #1, all due in stores this week all had printing errors. Replacements of Action and Decisions will be in stores next week, and ASB&R #10 should be in stores on September 24th.
September 10th was supposed to see the release of All Star Batman & Robin #10 from DC Comics. Instead the Frank Miller written book, drawn by superstar Jim Lee, has been recalled by DC and Diamond Distributors.
Apparently, there was an issue with the printing and some “Blacked Out” profanity was clearly visible. Always ones to bring you the truth, the whole truth, and anything else that makes us giggle, we present photo evidence of this claim! Be warned though, the language is rough, and the files are large!
In an email, Nat Gertler speculated on the production error:
“Just having looked at scans over the Internet, it looks to me like the lettering is printed using just black ink, while the bars were put on a different layer using “rich black”, which is a mixture of all four color inks. “Rich black” makes a darker, more vibrant black. On the computer screen, it would all just look black, but the difference will be visible on the printed page.”
Retailers were greeted with this message instead of the books they ordered:
***** SHIPPING ADVISORY: DC COMICS’ ALL STAR BATMAN & ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #10
Dear Diamond Customer:
Please be advised that copies of DC Comics’ ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #10 (FEB080203-4D) may be included in your September 10 shipment.
At DC’s request, please do not place this book out for sale to your customers. Instead, please destroy any copies that you receive. You will be credited for these copies on your September 17 invoice.
Diamond apologizes for any inconvenience this creates for you or your customers. If you have additional questions, please contact your Diamond Customer Service Representative. Thank you.
Apparently, only a few stores got the tainted books in their shipment, and none were outside the US. These are sure to become collectors editions on eBay. Stay tuned for any developments as to when the reprints will be available!
September 11th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Now I am not going to pretend I know the ins and outs of the comic book industry, but I once heard of a thing called editors. Now, if I remember correctly, it was the editor’s job to make sure obscene or offensive materials never make it to print…not just make sure they are sharpied out. I have never understood blacked out documents. Why not just erase them? With my computer I can take my head, put it on a scantily clad scarlett johansson body, and have me jumping out a plane with guns ablazin’. Why can’t they just remove the words before they print them? I don’t get it folks.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I agree, apparently it was Frank Miller who insisted that the words be printed and then blacked out. Either way, I find it hard to believe that the book passed through so many hands and no one caught this error before things started reaching the retail level.
October 18th, 2008 at 4:36 am
I think that this was merely a publicity stunt to garner more comic book sales from this supposed mistake. It’s kinda like when a celebrity gets arrested or when a secret sex tape comes that just so happens to coincide with a celebrity’s show, merchandise, or album that same week or month.