2020 Comic Book News Archives
September 27, 2020: The Rarest Modern Superman Variants
Some of the rarest modern Superman variants are the ones that retailers receive when they attend invitation-only DC Comics, Diamond Retailer or ComicsPRO events. For most retailers, these events require travel, sometimes at great expense. The expense not only includes mileage/airfare, hotel and dining, but also the cost of either shutting down the store or paying employees to run the store in their absence. This expense is one reason why DC and other publishers provide limited edition free variants to those retailers who attend these events. The unspoken underlying understanding is that these low print run no-cost variants will be sold by the retailers at a premium to recoup the event's expenses. Alternatively, the retailer can give the variant to a loyal customer as a reward, run a contest or covet it for their personal collection. In all cases, there is no cost but either a tangible or intangible value to the retailer.These retailer events fall into three categories:
- RRP (Retailer Representative Program). Though the term is widely used today to describe all types of variants, technically only DC Comics ran these events and created these variants. Beginning in the 1990s, the RRP was designed as an exclusive invite-only meeting for DC to pick the brains of their retailers and vice-versa. By the launch of the New 52, DC pivoted from the RRP meetings, which were held in a single location, at most once per year, to traveling Retailer Roadshows that could be held in multiple cities in a single month. The Superman RRP variants are the scarcest, due to the limited number of retailers invited.
- Diamond events. Until recently, Diamond Comic Distributors was the exclusive distributor for DC Comics for over two decades. Diamond held a Retailer Summit (DRS) at least once per year, in addition to sponsoring breakfasts or lunches at some large comic conventions. All Diamond customers (i.e. all stores that sold new comics) were invited to their events but not all attended, so the Superman Diamond variants are not as rare as the RRP, but can be scarce depending on the attendance numbers.
- ComicsPRO Annual Meetings. ComicsPro is a non-profit that was incorporated in 2004 as a trade organization for comic book specialty retailers. Members pay to join so not every comic store is a member. All paying members can attend the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting, but only those that attend receive the free variants from the meetings.
Superman The Wedding Album RRP Variant
The very first RRP variant in history was a Limited Commemorative Edition of the Superman Wedding Album. It may look similar to the embossed white cover of the Superman Wedding Album, but closer inspection reveals the use of gold ink rather than black ink. Each copy was signed and numbered by Bob Rozakis (the Executive Director of Production) on the back cover, revealing a print run of no more than 250 copies. Only those who traveled to Canada to attend DC's 5th Annual RRP received a copy.
Superman/Batman #1 DRS Variant
In 1954, Superman and Batman began appearing together in the same story in World's Finest Comics. With a few breaks, that team-up format continued until World's Finest ended in 1986. It was a big deal when DC launched a new Superman/Batman series in 2003, after 17 years without a dedicated ongoing team-up series starring the two heroes. Showing their commitment to success, DC assembled the all-star creative team of Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines. The first issue had a card-stock cover and glossy paper, with two different covers by McGuinness and Vines, one featuring Superman and the other featuring Batman. The August 2003 launch was so successful that the first issue went to three printings. In September, Diamond held a Summit in Ft Wayne, Indiana and in October, another Summit in Las Vegas. Attendees received the Superman/Batman #1 Summit variant with new cover artwork by McGuinness featuring both heroes in the foreground. With the passage of time, this variant has become less plentiful, with copies disappearing into personal collections and possibly mixed in with higher print-run comics.
Superman #204 DRS Variant
Superman #204 has become a modern iconic image of the Man of Steel. The cover has appeared as a poster, as a Canadian stamp and on a myriad of other Superman merchandise. The art is Jim Lee's self homage to his 2002 second print cover to Batman #608, which is equally iconic to that hero. In April 2004, DC launched a new era for Superman as three new creative teams took over his monthly titles. Bob Wayne, DC's VP of Sales and Marketing, said at the time, "All of the new writers and artists come to the table with their own strong reputations, so we expect to see significant heat with these issues," For the self-titled monthly, it was the creative team of Brian Azzarello, Jim Lee and Scott Williams. Later in the year at the Diamond Summit held in conjunction with Baltimore Comic Con, attendees received the sketch variant of the Superman #204.
Action Comics #1 DRS/ComicsPRO Variant
Though the New 52 petered out over time, the launch went gangbusters in terms of sales and press. The first Action Comics #1 in over 70 years launched in September 2011 with much fanfare. With Grant Morrison writing and Rags Morales on the art, what could go wrong? Well, we won't explore that topic but at the time, retailers were excited to receive their copy of this black-border variant at C2E2 (Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo) Diamond Summit or Dallas ComicsPro meeting. At one time, it commanded a steep price. However, that time has passed. I recently won a copy for $20, shipping including, in an auction.
Superman Unchained #1 DC Roadshow Variant
During the New 52 era, DC tried to do something different and daring every September. For 2013, it was Villains Month, where villains took over the titles and covers, with 3D motion included. Though a lot of comic covers gimmicks had been tried including embossing, holograms and glow-in-the-dark, these lenticular covers were new. In order to get retailer buy-in for the September books, DC first demonstrated the technology on Superman Unchained #1 and distributed copies at their Retailer Roadshows during June.
Super Sons #1 DRS/ComicsPRO Variant
Super Sons, an ongoing title featuring the adventures of Jon Kent and Damian Wayne, was supposed to be part of the DC Rebirth launch in 2016. When it didn't launch, fans began to worry that it might never see the light of day. However, it was merely moved to a February 2017 launch and this variant with the black and white background was distributed to ComicsPRO attendees that same month. A few months later, copies were also distributed at the Diamond Retailer Summit.
Lois Lane #1 and Jimmy Olsen #1 DRS Variants
The most recent Superman-related variants failed to make much of a splash with the readership. There really isn't much to write about these blue-line variants of the regular retail covers and they were both distributed at the same event (the 2019 SDCC Diamond Retailer Launch), so we'll just wrap things up here.
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Checkout the full text of The Guide to DC Comics RRP, Diamond Retailer, and ComicsPRO Variants.
2020 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2020.- January 3, 2020: First Look at “Justice League #39”
- January 8, 2020: First Look at “Justice League #40” by Rob Venditti and Doug Mahnke
- January 9, 2020: First Look at “Lois Lane #8” with Kiss of Death
- January 9, 2020: First Look at “Young Justice #13”
- January 10, 2020: The 1980s Story of Superman in 2020
- January 18, 2020: First Look - “Superman: Villains #1”
- January 20, 2020: First Look at “Superman #20” - The Battle Between Superman and Mongul Continues!
- January 22, 2020: Superboy Prime is Back!
- January 24, 2020: First Look at “Justice League #41”
- January 29, 2020: First Look - “Batman/Superman #7”
- February 4, 2020: Superman vs Spider-Man - Voices From Krypton Podcast
- February 6, 2020: First Look at “Lois Lane #9”
- February 10, 2020: DC Comics Teases Upcoming “Death Metal” Superman Story
- February 12, 2020: Full Details for “Dark Nights: Death Metal”
- February 13, 2020: Heroes and Villains React to Superman's Secret Identity Reveal
- February 14, 2020: “Supergirl” Comic Book Series Concluding
- February 20, 2020: Will You Read “Dark Nights: Death Metal”? - Poll Results
- February 23, 2020: Dan DiDio Leaves DC Comics
- February 27, 2020: Jonathan and Martha Kent Return in “Superman: Villains #1”
- February 27, 2020: Fan Ratings for “Superman Smashes The Klan” - Poll Results
- March 5, 2020: Final Issues of “Lois Lane” and “Jimmy Olsen” Scheduled for June 2020
- March 5, 2020: Dan DiDio's Exit From DC Comics - Poll Results
- March 10, 2020: June Will Be a Busy Month for Superman and Superboy
- March 11, 2020: Covers Revealed for “Dark Nights: Death Metal #2”
- March 13, 2020: Tom Taylor Talks “DCeased: Dead Planet”
- March 20, 2020: Behind the Panels of “Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #10”
- March 22, 2020: Superman is Batman's Favorite Superhero
- March 24, 2020: Will Comic Books Be a Victim of the Coronavirus?
- March 29, 2020: DC Addresses Direct Market Comic Book Stores
- March 30, 2020: DC to Continue Digital Comic Book Release During Distribution Hiatus
- March 30, 2020: Auction to Sell Complete Runs of “Action Comics” and “Superman” from 1935-2014
- April 1, 2020: Temporary Comic Book Distribution Solution Using ComicHub
- April 2, 2020: ComicHub Solution Not Going Ahead
- April 3, 2020: Homeschooling with Comic Books
- April 9, 2020: DC Cover Reveal - House of El
- April 9, 2020: Comic Book Reading Before COVID-19 - Poll Results
- April 14, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This May
- April 16, 2020: Official Book Trailer for “Superman Smashes the Klan”
- April 16, 2020: Comic Book Reading: Digital or Physical? - Poll Results
- April 17, 2020: DC Announces New Comic Book Distribution Plans
- April 20, 2020: DC Announces the Expansion of DC DIGITAL FIRST and the Addition of DC ESSENTIAL READS
- April 29, 2020: More Superman Comic Books Scheduled for May
- May 4, 2020: DC Says Tuesday is Now New Comic Book Day
- May 6, 2020: DC Reveals June Comic Book Schedule
- May 8, 2020: New Artwork for “Dark Nights: Death Metal #1”
- May 8, 2020: Mark Waid Talks “Superboy,” “Kingdom Come,” and More
- May 11, 2020: Superman Writer Martin Pasko Dies Aged 65
- May 12, 2020: Talking Superman with Brian Michael Bendis and Gene Luen Yang
- May 13, 2020: DC Reveals July Comic Book Schedule
- May 14, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This June
- May 14, 2020: New Issues Expand 'Dark Nights: Death Metal' in August
- May 14, 2020: Fan Feelings on New Comic Book 'Tuesdays' - Poll Results
- May 15, 2020: Final 2 Issues of “Supergirl” to be Digital Only
- May 15, 2020: First Look at “Legion of Super-Heroes #6”
- May 19, 2020: DC Announces “DCeased: Hope at World's End” Digital Series
- May 22, 2020: Bendis Talks About Where Things Are at in “Superman”
- May 22, 2020: DC Launches “DC Connect” Solicitations Digital Magazine
- June 2, 2020: A Look Back at Superman's Public Service Announcements
- June 3, 2020: Comixology 90% Off Superman Sale
- June 5, 2020: DC Comics Ends Contract with Diamond Comic Distributors
- June 8, 2020: DC Cover Reveal - ACTION COMICS #1025/SUPERMAN #25
- June 9, 2020: Brian Michael Bendis Announces He's Leaving Superman
- June 9, 2020: Original “All-Star Superman” Artwork Auctioned for Black Lives Matter Fundraiser
- June 9, 2020: 'Dark Nights: Death Metal' Unleashes Trinity Crisis, Speed Metal and Multiverse's End
- June 10, 2020: Look for “DC Cybernetic Summer” to Arrive July 28
- June 10, 2020: First Look - “DCeased: Dead Planet #1”
- June 12, 2020: Comic Book Legend Denny O'Neil Dies
- June 12, 2020: DC FIRST LOOK - Superman #23, On Sale July 7, 2020
- June 18, 2020: Fan Reaction to Bendis News - Poll Results
- June 19, 2020: Watch the DC Universe Documentary “Visionnaires: Featuring Jorge Jiménez”
- June 19, 2020: First Look - “Dark Nights: Death Metal #2”
- June 19, 2020: DC 4-Pack Collections Headed to Walmart Stores
- June 23, 2020: Second Issue of “DC Connect” Available to Download
- June 26, 2020: First Look - “DC Cybernetic Summer”
- June 30, 2020: DC First Look - Explore the Metalverse
- July 3, 2020: Sneak Peek - “DCeased: Dead Planet #1”
- July 7, 2020: Review - Supergirl: Being Super [2020 Graphic Novel Edition]
- July 8, 2020: First Look - “DCeased: Dead Planet #2”
- July 14, 2020: Preview - “DCeased: Hope At World's End” Chapter Five - “Mother Knows Best”
- July 15, 2020: DC to Republish “The Amazing World of Superman” Tabloid Edition
- July 15, 2020: DC Collects “Who's Who” for 2021 Omnibus
- July 16, 2020: “DCeased: Dead Planet #1” Heads for Second Printing
- July 21, 2020: Dan Jurgens Talks About Superman, Rebirth and Bendis
- July 22, 2020: DC Partners with Caribu for Kid-Friendly Comics
- July 23, 2020: Demand Soars for “DCeased: Dead Planet #1” & “Dark Nights: Death Metal #1”
- July 28, 2020: Preview - “DCeased: Hope At World’s End” Chapter Six - “The Siege of Jotunheim”
- July 30, 2020: “Death Metal #3” and “Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1” Sell Out!
- July 30, 2020: Fan Choice for New Superman Writer - Poll Results
- August 4, 2020: DC Presents “Injustice: Year Zero”
- August 5, 2020: Tom Taylor Talks About “Injustice: Year Zero”
- August 6, 2020: First Look - “DCeased: Dead Planet #3”
- August 10, 2020: New “DC Super Hero Girls: Switched Up!” Paperback Available Now!
- August 12, 2020: DC Reveals the Size and Scope of Justice League's “Doom Metal” Crossover
- August 13, 2020: 'Dark Nights: Death Metal' Lobo-tomizes November with a Multiversal Last Stand!
- August 16, 2020: New Printings Ordered for “DCeased: Dead Planet” #1 and #2
- August 18, 2020: “Injustice: Year Zero” Chapter Four - Available Now
- August 20, 2020: Comic Book Reading - Poll Results
- August 21, 2020: First Look - Justice League #53
- August 27, 2020: First Look - “Action Comics #1025”
- September 2, 2020: Creation of a Superman Book Cover with Dario Brizuela
- September 3, 2020: First Look at “Dear Super-Villains” Book Cover
- September 10, 2020: DC Multiverse 101 Featuring Jim Lee
- September 10, 2020: More Tales From The Dark Multiverse Coming in December
- September 10, 2020: Bendis Shares a Sneak Peek at “Superman #26”
- September 11, 2020: DC Presents “Justice League: Endless Winter”
- September 12, 2020: December Sees the End of Brian Michael Bendis' Run on Superman
- September 14, 2020: DC FanDome Report - “Superman: An Enduring Symbol of Hope” Panel
- September 18, 2020: DC Universe Becomes DC Universe Infinite Comic Book Subscription Service
- September 20, 2020: Download Issue #5 of “DC Connect” Free!
- September 21, 2020: Superman Comic Books - Where to Now?
- September 27, 2020: The Rarest Modern Superman Variants
- September 30, 2020: New Issue of “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” Digital First Comic Released
- October 5, 2020: “Superman Smashes the Klan” Wins 2020 Harvey Award!
- October 15, 2020: DC Outlines New Future in “DC Future State”
- October 15, 2020: Mike Sangiacomo on the Story of Superman's Creation
- October 25, 2020: Superman and Jimmy Olsen Win Ringo Awards
- October 29, 2020: New Middle Grade Graphic Novel “Metropolis Grove”
- October 29, 2020: Fan Interest in “DC Future State” - Poll Results
- November 23, 2020: Phillip Kennedy Johnson on Writing Two Superman “Future State” Titles
- November 24, 2020: DC Announces “Challenge of the Super Sons” by Tomasi and Raynor
- November 24, 2020: DC Nation - Your Free Guide to “DC Future State”
- November 29, 2020: DC Reveals Superman Glows
- December 3, 2020: DC Comics Panels at Brazil's CCXP Worlds
- December 3, 2020: “DC Future State” Trailer - Discover the Destiny of the DC Universe
- December 4, 2020: Discover the Destiny of the DC Universe in “Future State: Justice League #1”
- December 6, 2020: New “Batman/Superman” Comic Book Team Announced
- December 15, 2020: DC's Crime Syndicate Returns!
- December 16, 2020: New Creators Take on 'Action Comics' and 'Superman' in 2021
- December 16, 2020: New 'Superman: Red & Blue' Anthology Mini-Series!
- December 18, 2020: DC “Infinite Frontier #0” Introduces the Next Phase of the DC Universe
- December 24, 2020: New Superman Comic Book Creative Teams - Poll Results
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