How does everyone feel about alternate covers

[Ghornet2]

I usually don't do the alternate cover thing. I pick the one I like and that's it. For P:SP I'm doing it on a limited scale.

I picked up the 'regular' Ross cover and the Ross Inc. cover in a few cases. I picked up the other Ross Inc covers when my LCS had a dollar back issue sale.

For the Black Terror I picked up the Greg Land and the Romita Sr. Cover. I'll add the Ross cover at the next dollar sale, they have three or four a year.

I might pick up the Ross & maybe the Romita cover for the 'Devil #1.

I'll definitly pick up the Romita cover for Masquerade #1, and, if it looks at all like the sketch, I'll also pick up the Ross cover.

[jsf]

I don't buy 'em. Can't afford to ... especially given how expensive monthlies are starting to get.

They were a great gimmick when things were more affordable, but now they seem to really be a luxury.

[MadMikeyD]

I don't normally get alternate covers either. If a title has variants, I will pick the one I like best and go with that. Since Alex Ross is my favorite artist, his covers win out. I must say, though, those 'age-worn' covers for Terror and 'Devil (and likely Masquerade) are awfully tempting.

[Ranger01]

As Mikey knows I get and have every variant exclusive etc....and ebay is a great tool as I auctioned off my children and will be able to purchase two HIGH END foils next month....hmmm if only my wife was a good cook ;)

Peter

[Ghornet2]

and ebay is a great tool as I auctioned off my children and will be able to purchase two HIGH END foils next month

And I thought ebay had a thing about body parts. But I guess if it's the whole child it doesn't count as a part. :D

Seriously, the only reason I'm doing the alternate cover thing is that I'm getting most of them for a dollar. The Romita cover was acctually an early Christmas present from my LCS to make up for some of the problems that cropped up during the year.

One of the reasons I bought 2 versions was to support the title, the other was at a dollar I could manage it. But there are nine, count them nine, varients of Black Terror #1. That's a little bit much in my opinion. The Romita cover for Masquerade #1 looks real good, as does the Ross cover. As I said the rest will wait for a dollar sale.

[comixfan1980]

I don't buy the variant covers either, I usualy always get the official #1A, bit at times I will splurge on a chromium cover or something.

[flood1976]

I think the variant covers are a waste of money.

[captainzero]

Yea, ......but I just wasted some of my money on a Romita cover on THE BLACK TERROR.
I also bought the Alex Ross cover.
Sometimes the alternate covers are a good thing.
Sometimes I don't like the idea.
It can be overdone.
I hope DE doesn't overdo it.!! :(

[Ranger01]

Yea, ......but I just wasted some of my money on a Romita cover on THE BLACK TERROR.
I also bought the Alex Ross cover.
Sometimes the alternate covers are a good thing.
Sometimes I don't like the idea.
It can be overdone.
I hope DE doesn't overdo it.!! :(

Well I told DE's own Joe Rybandt that I thought high end foils are excessive but he put me in my place "completism is one own choice" is what he said and he's bang on... so I've ordered 3 over the next few months...call me crazy but I love collecting these covers. Hey I spent my money in worst ways when I was young.

And Ghornet mentioned 9 Black Terror #1 issues...nope 10 (so far). Crazy!


Regards,

Peter

[comixfan1980]

I don't buy 'em. Can't afford to ... especially given how expensive monthlies are starting to get.

They were a great gimmick when things were more affordable, but now they seem to really be a luxury.

Remember when comics were affordable? When I first began collecting comic books they ranged between $1.00-$1.25 and once in a blue moon you would have to shell out $1.50, but not often. About 2-3 years later most comics ent up to $1.99 and stayed that way for a while but now comics range between $3-$4 per title and variant covers are almost completely out of the picture for me, not that I was ever really into them. I believe they should be reserved for special occassions such as a #1, #25, #50 ect ect....

[MadMikeyD]

Comics were $0.60 when I started reading them...

[md62]

$0.15 for me - & I have never bought an alternate cover.

[Ghornet2]

I believe they should be reserved for special occassions such as a #1, #25, #50 ect ect....
A couple of alternate covers are okay, but the limited covers should be just that limited for special occassions. With Black Terror #1 we got 2 'regular' covers, 3 limited covers, 3 very limited and 1 special convention cover. :rolleyes:

I've been collecting since comics where 12 cents and this is the first time I'm doing the alternate cover thing. I had a comic shop for two years I didn't even do the alternate cover thing when I got them for 'cheap'. It went out of business when the whole market crashed in part due to the special edition craze, so I may be bias.

[Ranger01]

Remember when comics were affordable? When I first began collecting comic books they ranged between $1.00-$1.25 and once in a blue moon you would have to shell out $1.50, but not often. About 2-3 years later most comics ent up to $1.99 and stayed that way for a while but now comics range between $3-$4 per title and variant covers are almost completely out of the picture for me, not that I was ever really into them. I believe they should be reserved for special occassions such as a #1, #25, #50 ect ect....

I started collecting in 1968 I was paying 12 cents an issue I was buying all Marvel titles available every month and that probably cast me no more than 6 or 7 dollars per month ....it was a few years later Marvel hit us with a 13 cent increase selling at 25 cents an issue that caused such a fuss they dropped the price to 20...but before long we went back to 25 then it was upwards and onwards. and now the tears...gotta go!

[captainzero]

They were $.10 when I started. Then.... $.12.... now,--- $3.50.

Then, with 2 covers.... $7.00.... and bread and water.!! :( but it WAS a nice cover!!)

Yea, like I said... I would hope they don't over do it. It is nice for those who can afford them... and like those covers. I can't blame them. Under different circumstances ... I would probably buy more.
My next dilemma is those two covers for Daredevil #3. The Daredevil on the wing of The Ghost's plane... and/or Daredevil standing ...full astride... with The Claw behind him. Yikes!! I may have to get both of those.!! ;)

Hey, life is full of tough choices!!

[Renaud]

I only buy one issue, when I don't just wait for a deluxe hardcover edition with all the art in it; but those negative color covers are stupid

[captainzero]

I only buy one issue, when I don't just wait for a deluxe hardcover edition with all the art in it; but those negative color covers are stupid
Yea, kinda.
But how about the covers to Black Terror #1, Death-Defying Devil #3, and Masquerade #1??

Some ADD to one's Collection... and, then again, I think it can be overdone.!!

[Constantinople]

There are two points to buying alternative covers:
1. You prefer the art of the other cover artist.
2. You have some sort of plan to sell the alternative cover at a profit.

Since the second one almost killed the comic industry during the 90s, I hope most of you guys are buying and releasing alternative covers to offer alternative options to fans... but why? The "regular" cover is normally by Alex Freakin' Ross! He's a great artist! He's one of the best in the industry! Why would you want a Tim Sale one that looks like it was hastily done with a marker pen over the realistic masterpieces that Ross paints?

I personally don't buy alternative covers because the regular ones outshine the alternative ones, and I don't personally believe there will be a market for selling alternative covers on E-Bay for profit, or at least one that is worth investing in for years. Everything is released in bound volumes these days, allowing easier access to comics and extras featuring the alternative covers.

Also, what the heck is up with those "Negative Colour" alternatives? Why should anyone pay an additional $3/£2 for three clicks in photoshop? :confused:

[MadMikeyD]

I do have to say that I prefer the regular Ross covers, as Alex Ross is my favorite artist. There are other artists that I like, though, and once in a while if an alternate cover by another artist strikes me just right, I might pick it up. I am liking some of these 'classic' covers, and that retro cover for 'Devil #3 just might make it into my collection (in addition to the Ross cover, of course).

I think anyone buying comics to make money these days is definitely a wishful thinker. But, I can see buying alternate covers occasionally just because you like a particular piece of art or artist. (I seem to be weakening in my resolve here, since I used to proudly proclaim myself a 'one-cover guy.' I may be just a few steps away from becoming a 'completist' like my pal Peter. I think my wife will knock me back into reality if I go that far, though. :D )

[captainzero]

I do have to say that I prefer the regular Ross covers, as Alex Ross is my favorite artist. There are other artists that I like, though, and once in a while if an alternate cover by another artist strikes me just right, I might pick it up. I am liking some of these 'classic' covers, and that retro cover for 'Devil #3 just might make it into my collection (in addition to the Ross cover, of course).

I think anyone buying comics to make money these days is definitely a wishful thinker. But, I can see buying alternate covers occasionally just because you like a particular piece of art or artist. (I seem to be weakening in my resolve here, since I used to proudly proclaim myself a 'one-cover guy.' I may be just a few steps away from becoming a 'completist' like my pal, Peter. :D )

I agree, Mikey.
I can see buying an alternate cover, occasionally, myself. Not because I "want to make money on it"... but because I think it adds to MY collection.

I bought the John Romita cover to Black Terror #1 because I thought it was a really nice cover... and I wanted it in my collection.
It seems that I'll be buying more alternate covers with BLACK TERROR ... AND...'DEVIL.

Some of those Alternate covers are just too nice to pass up.
I'm not going to do it in excess... but I do want some of them added to my collection.
To me, they are nice additions.

[Bradtisme]

Just say no to alternate covers!

[Renaud]

I would prefer to see instead of alternate covers, the time and energy put into them, go instead into extra pages, and bringing out more related series like the Green Lama and others; with all that flow of artistic energy going on around single issues, they might as well expend farther this Project Superpower universe

So who is going to register this comic book title first

From The Pages Of Project Superpower
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