Venom #1 Todd McFarlane Sketch Cover Variant1626

Originally Posted by CopperAgeKids
Sorry to hear about this, between the issyes with the Dell Otto damaged bagged #1 variants and now this damaged McFarlane variant, Marvel really managed to drop the ball on their lower printed Venom 1 variants.

If that tear proves to be a common defect effecting a large percentage of the print run, it would likely be considered as a manufacturing defect and not be counted against the grade by CBCS/CGC.

On the upside, the cover is white so the surrounding area will press out, although I can't tell if the spine has color breaking ticks....and wether or not the pressure was heavy enough to effect the entire book thru to the BC.

If this defect is very common, Marvel may issue a recall on the effected copies, and offer a replacement copy.

No idea if they printed extra copies to allow for allocations or if they would print another (short run) but on a book like this, they likely would as it'd be in everyone's best interest.

If only a small percentage of copies have that tear, you're looking at more than likely no production defect pass and a Univeral CBCS/CGC.

As is, if that is the case, you can expect about a 5.0 slabbed grade and about 1 full point higher if pressed...worst case, a 4.0, best case a 7.0...of course that is just a ballpark without seeing full FC and BC scans.

I suggest waiting to hear back from your shop owner on this, before making any any decisions.If Marvel doesn't offer a recall with replacements, and if you then sub this book for grading to either CBCS or CGC, I would certainly include a note along with the book advising them that this is a production defect and specify that the book is held off from entering the grading room intil enough info is available ( the % of copies that CBCS/CGC receives with this defect) in order for them to determine the validity of it being production related.

In any event, have the book pressed before it is graded.As I said, the surrounding area (at least on the FC) will press out easily and the marjing below the tear along with other "dirt" caused by rubbing/stacking can be removed by dry ckeaning.The severity of the tear will at least be lessened by a press i.e. spot pressing the pulled back tear before the book is given a full press, will allow the pulled back paoer to be repositioned so the paper (page 1) underneath the FC tear, will not be visible.

Originally Posted by shrewbeer
Defect or not, its a gash. Even if CBCS were to ignore it, call it a defect, and assign 9.8 I still don't think it would be very desirable, but that's just me.

Sorry dude, that sucks.