Response to DC Comics' Absolute Batman exclusive retailer variant covers — anti-price gouging terms and conditions
DC Comics’ new Absolute Batman retailer terms target price gouging, blind bags, and mystery-pack variant sales. Felix Comic Art’s Absolute Batman blind bag and high-priced exclusives are cited as likely examples now barred by DC.
Retailers are set to receive the Absolute Batman policy via DC mailers, with more discussion expected at SDCC events. Collectors are split on Absolute Batman caps, with some warning scalpers benefit while others welcome anti-flipping rules.for exclusive retailer variant covers, in light of the pocket industry that has set up around the success and collectibility ofand if this was what tipped DC Comics into action, and others looked at the $50-60 standard cover prices that some retailers had been charging and how much higher than the"five times cover price" guideline that DC Comics had set.
"our first ever BLIND BAG! Each includes TWO exclusive variants! Including ONE of our ABSOLUTE BATMAN foils…guaranteed! 300 blind bags to be dropped tomorrow! The remainder will be for SDCC attendees in 2 weeks….
The blind bag is $100, and each will include TWO Felix Comic Art exclusives! Including GUARANTEED one of the following ABSOLUTE BATMAN exclusive foils!
" adding"The Harren and DWJ foils are exclusive to this blind bag! ""Retailer may only sell or give away the Variant as clearly identifiable comics. Without limiting the foregoing, Retailer shall not include the Variant, the Art, or any of DC characters, logos, artwork, symbols, or trade dress as part of, or in promotion for, a blind bag, mystery pack, sealed surprise bundle, or similar promotions.
" In fact, some people seem to think the new policy was specifically aimed at Felix Comic Art, as they were the only ones doingblind bags – and Scott Snyder has specifically stated that DC is not doing blind bags for Absolute titles.for Absolute Batman Exclusive Retailer Variants would also be too high for DC Comics variants, selling James Harren and Daniel Warren Johnson exclusive non-foil variants of Absolute Batman #20 for $50 each rather than the recommended maximum of $30, as well asSome asked where the hell Bleeding Cool had come across the terms and conditions, as retailers hadn't received them yet.
I understand there will be a reference and a link in the DC Direct Retailer Mailer going out later this week, and it will come up at the Lunar and ComicsPRO events at San Diego Comic-Con next week. But some collectors saw this as a bad thing, predicting that certain buyers would buy every single copy and then, freed from any DC Comics contract, would do the price gouging anyway.posted"This is objectively bad.
Comic shops charge what people are willing to pay. If DC forces them to charge significantly less for variants, scalpers will buy them all up. We won't actually end up paying less. Variant covers aren't expensive because comic shop owners are greedy.
They're expensive because the number that DC prints is lower than the number of people who want them. They are intentionally creating scarcity to increase the perceived value of their comics, then acting like it's someone else's fault when shit gets expensive. If DC wants to lower the price of variants, they can easily do so by printing more copies.
"concurred saying"This just means that instead of stores getting that money, a speculator who sells it on eBay will get it. If you actually want to stop this, stop making variants.
"asked,"Is there a time factor involved here? If a shop gets a hold of a rare variant 2 years after it's published, is the shop obligated to sell it for a maximum of 10x the cover price? At what point does a variant go from sought-after new item to hot back issue? If the publisher can set prices for a back issue, shops are cooked.
If there is a time factor, I can see shops just sitting on variants until that time period is over and selling for a higher price anyway.
"had a different take, saying,"I really love these price-gouging terms. It's a reputational issue for all parties involved. Would definitely love to see some other businesses adopt terms like these, since the collapse of the NFT market and social media seem to have led to crypto bros flooding hobby markets with tons of cash and inflating prices to try and make a quick buck.
Definitely think that some of the trading card businesses could look at this to curb scalping.
" If it sounds like the arguments that some people have been making around New York Mayor's policy regarding price capping rents, well, it's the same argument, same cause, same effects…Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of comic books The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne and Chase Variant.
Lives in South-West London, works from The Union Club on Greek Street, shops at Gosh, Piranha and Forbidden Planet. Father of two daughters, Amazon associate, political cartoonist. Grant Morrison Has Written A New Book About Magic And A.I.
Finally, Leaded Gasoline by Patrick Kindlon & Lorenzo Re in October Finally, Leaded Gasoline by Patrick Kindlon and Lorenzo Re comes to comic stores from Black Mask in October 2026... but SDCC in two weeks! Scott Lobdell Joins The Apex Comics Group At San Diego Comic-Con, alongside Gordon Purcell, Michael Dolce, Jessica Court, and Tom TonkinResponses To DC Comics' Absolute Batman"Anti-Price Gouging" T&CsWonder Woman #35 Preview: Steve Mansplains Diana's Origin Steve Trevor races through time and narrates Wonder Woman's origin in Wonder Woman #35, out Wednesday, as they fight to stop the Matriarch's campaign.
Finally, Leaded Gasoline by Patrick Kindlon & Lorenzo Re in October Finally, Leaded Gasoline by Patrick Kindlon and Lorenzo Re comes to comic stores from Black Mask in October 2026... but SDCC in two weeks! Cable's risky gambit backfires while Domino's memory loss sparks a new mission in Inglorious X-Force #7. What nightmares await this team?
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
7 Iconic Batman Family Costumes That Defined DC's Dark Knight ComicsThe Bat-Family are some of the most fashionable heroes around, but these seven have the best costumes in the entire genre.
Read more »
DC Comics Can Now Ban Shops Who Price-Gouge Exclusive Variant CoversDC Comics can now ban comics shops who price-gouge on their exclusive variant covers, after experience on Absolute Batman
Read more »
Absolute Batman #22 Reveals Harley Quinn's Shocking New Origin as Joker's DaughterThe Absolute Universe reimagines DC characters with darker origins. In a major twist from Absolute Batman 22, the Harley Quinn followed in this continuity is revealed to be the daughter of the original Harley Quinn and the Joker. This backstory rewrites her history, connecting her to Arkham Asylum and a Neuro MD mother who worked for Jack Grimm. The revelation positions Harley as an antithesis to the Joker's narrative control, as she rejects this evil truth. The arc explores themes of identity, legacy, and psychological rebellion within this gritty alternate universe.
Read more »
Batman's Moments of True Openness: Five Best Identity Reveals in ComicsThis article discusses five of the best times that Batman has told someone who he is, examining what these interactions reveal about Batman and his extended cast. It highlights how Batman's tight-lipped nature about his secrets contributes to the drama and tension in his relationships.
Read more »