My Seed of Destruction trade sort of fell apart..

[John Drake]

Has this happened to anyone with any Hellboy collection? It was fairly new..I bought it a few months ago, and after I finished reading it, the spine wasn't glued anymore, and a section of pages went sort of crazy in another direction. I tried to fixed it as best as I could...but I'm afraid to open it again.

Is this common?

[redoogie]

Its funny you mention this because my new version did the exact same thing 2 weekends ago after a very careful 1st readthrough. I was on amazon the other day looking it up and noticed in the comments section that its apparently very common of the new versions. So far #2 is holding in there but im only halfway through it.

[John Drake]

wow, that really sucks. It had never happened to me on any other trade, before.

[jnapper]

Thanks for these posts, guys. Sent this thread and the previous Amazon reviews to Scott (HELLBOY's editor). He hadn't heard about this item-- they are now looking into it.

He wanted me to pass on that if there's ever any physical/printing/binding problems to feel free and drop him a line-- his email address is scotta @ darkhorse . com.

[6are54]

Happened to me as well.

[Mike Cross]

Hmm..my first edition SOD trade is holding up well these years later..the only new edition trade i have is Strange Places and it seems to be still in very good shape.

[John Drake]

Thanks for these posts, guys. Sent this thread and the previous Amazon reviews to Scott (HELLBOY's editor). He hadn't heard about this item-- they are now looking into it.

He wanted me to pass on that if there's ever any physical/printing/binding problems to feel free and drop him a line-- his email address is scotta @ darkhorse . com.

Should I drop him a line, or did he already read this post?

[jnapper]

Should I drop him a line, or did he already read this post?

He read the post, but go ahead and write if you think there's something more he should know about the TPB. (Like being bound upside down/backwards or somethin'.)

[John Drake]

He read the post, but go ahead and write if you think there's something more he should know about the TPB. (Like being bound upside down/backwards or somethin'.)

No, everything else is fine. Thanks :)

[E. Spears]

it happened to me on my Right Hand of Doom and Chained Coffin TPBs. bummer.

[John Drake]

it happened to me on my Right Hand of Doom and Chained Coffin TPBs. bummer.

So those too? Until now I'd just heard about Seed of Destruction. Damn.

[Lunchebox]

I bought my Seed of Destruction TPB in December, New Years Eve, I think, it pretty much fell apart a few months back. My Wake The Devil TPB is on it's way... 3-6 are fine so far though.

[black.mamba]

That's something. It happened to me aswell. But these troubles only occured with the new sod tpb. The other ones are ok.

[Poe Ghostal]

Hey all,

Just some random speculation regarding Hellboy's pistol on a lazy Wednesday morning. According to Tad, Mignola based Hellboy's pistol design on a watergun. Has anyone ever seen a watergun like that? Tad, have you seen the real one? I'd love to see a photo of it.

The second question has some mild Island spoilers, so scroll down:












Does anyone know if HB still has his pistol post-Island? I think I saw it on the Fegredo page (and presumably Duncan can answer the question himself, if he sees this post), but I'm not sure.

[Poe Ghostal]

Shoot--sorry folks, I intended that for its own thread.

[Ivar_L]

My paperbacks are ok, but I only have one (#6) with this new look and red logo area. On the same time, I had problems many years ago with Tank Girl tpb, where the section with panels on black background fell apart and disintegrated to pages. I think glue they used didin't connect with pages covered with black paint...

[black eyeliner]

i have the original SOD and actually had a few middle pages fall out..but other then that its in great condition.

this makes me question if i should hold off (even longer) on collecting the 2nd edition tpb??

[jackups]

Yep brought SOD last week adn the spine came apart from the lack of glue,so I quicly whipped out super glue and fixed the problem.:)

[Lilitu]

Did you really have those problems? My Hb comics are apparently bind well and (Thanks Lord!) translated very well too!

[John Drake]

Yep brought SOD last week adn the spine came apart from the lack of glue,so I quicly whipped out super glue and fixed the problem.:)

Really? Hmm...maybe I should try that?

[jackups]

It worked fine for me as long as your careful and make sure the glue stays in the spine.The glue that the book was put together with just needs a bit more testing;) :D

[Jankenstein]

My hardcover is holding up just fine. :D

Bwahahahahahaha!

[jnapper]

If you see this posting-- John Drake, redoogie, 6are54, The Cure, Lunchebox, black.mamba, Ivar_L, and black eyeliner-- please check your Private Messages on CBR. :)

Thanks!
jnapper

[6are54]

My paperbacks are ok, but I only have one (#6) with this new look and red logo area. On the same time, I had problems many years ago with Tank Girl tpb, where the section with panels on black background fell apart and disintegrated to pages. I think glue they used didin't connect with pages covered with black paint...

That sucks! :(

My Tank Girl TPBs are so tuff. Practically all my friends borrowed them. They are full of grease stains and folds *sigh* but at least, no falling pages...(yet K.O.W.)

[Gary_B]

I've mentioned this before but don't take these TPBs out in the sun to read. The heat of the sun softens the glue and when you read it the pages come out.

[ZombieKilla]

This happened to my friend with 3 different Seed of Destruction tpb

[John Drake]

UPDATE

I received a replacement Seed of Destruction TPB today. The folks working at Dark Horse are good people. They didn't have to do this, but they did and it's in perfect condition this time.

[morna]

nice! thanks for the update

[parrish]

Is this just happening with the new TPBs or has anyone had trouble with the old ones too?

[6are54]

UPDATE

I received a replacement Seed of Destruction TPB today. The folks working at Dark Horse are good people. They didn't have to do this, but they did and it's in perfect condition this time.

I've also recieved my TPB replacement. THANX A BUNCH DARKHORSE! :)

[jackups]

same really good condition,thanks dh,whats the lttle hellboy sticker included with the book?

[6are54]

Yeah, I got a window sticker with my replacment book. THANX! :D

[lukewarmwater]

The pages are no longer sticking to the glue. They're just falling out all over.

What do I do?!


--------
EDIT:
jnapper merged this thread with an older one of a similar theme.

[jscott]

I hear you, friend...I've had to buy the damn softcover twice because of the same problem...(after losing the hardcover to a flood)

[parrish]

I think some other members has some problems with one of the editions of Seed of Destruction, too. I think Dark Horse will replace them if they are notified of the problem.

[Rachel Edidin]

Shoot an email to DH help (http://www.darkhorse.com/help/contactus.php). :)

[ZombieHound]

I think some other members has some problems with one of the editions of Seed of Destruction, too. I think Dark Horse will replace them if they are notified of the problem.

Maybe it has something to do with heat, too. I had my copy of Seed of Destruction (new edition released right after the movie) and Plague of Frogs out on top of a box for college transfer. Both were exposed to quite a bit of sunlight for several hours. Now, both tpbs are suffering from page fall-out. But since both (even new) were bought for cheap prices off of the internet, I just purchased new copies.

But since then, all of them, including the hard cover Art of Hellboy, are being kept in a cool place. Nothing has happened to them, since.

[SpydaWeb]

Shoot an email to DH help (http://www.darkhorse.com/help/contactus.php). :)

Do they repair or replace? My Art of HC has a ton of autographs in it and I'd hate to lose that if the book were replaced.

[parrish]

I think they got replaced last time.

Link (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=144290)

[Rachel Edidin]

Maybe it has something to do with heat, too. I had my copy of Seed of Destruction (new edition released right after the movie) and Plague of Frogs out on top of a box for college transfer. Both were exposed to quite a bit of sunlight for several hours. Now, both tpbs are suffering from page fall-out. But since both (even new) were bought for cheap prices off of the internet, I just purchased new copies.

But since then, all of them, including the hard cover Art of Hellboy, are being kept in a cool place. Nothing has happened to them, since.

Yup, that'll do it--the heat softens the glue, and even when it's reset, the binding stays loosened.
I've destroyed more paperbacks in the back windows of cars...

Do they repair or replace? My Art of HC has a ton of autographs in it and I'd hate to lose that if the book were replaced.

I'm not sure, but it couldn't hurt to explain that situation when you send your message.

[Timaximus]

Do they repair or replace? My Art of HC has a ton of autographs in it and I'd hate to lose that if the book were replaced.

http://www.librarybinding.com/services.html

(Or ask your local library to recommend a bookbinder in the area.)

[Hellmistress]

The knack is to not keep your books on shelves over radiators, or exposed to light and heat via windows. I know books are for reading, but modern bookbinding isn't exactly designed for longevity, which is such a shame. Paperbacks or softcovers are especially prone - it's just the way they are designed. A bookbinder will cost you plenty, and is probably not worth it in the long run. If you want to keep the pages together, tie the book together with a 'strap' of unbleached archival cotton tape around all four edges, with the bow either on the spine or down the long side of the book - never on the front/back board, as the knot will eventually harm the cover, or under the book so that it is resting on the bow - it will crimp the cover. Keep the book cool, dry and out of light - that will help. If you're going to read it, support it so that it isn't lying flat on the table but propped gently on each side, which will leave your hands free to turn the pages with as little stress on what remains of the glue in the spine. This all sounds pretty extreme, I know, but if you want to prevent further damage it will go a long way to doing so.

Or, you can just dump it in the garbage and buy a new copy. But remember, these books are fragile! :D

HM

[Gary_B]

Yup, that'll do it--the heat softens the glue, and even when it's reset, the binding stays loosened.
I've destroyed more paperbacks in the back windows of cars...

Excuse me while I put on my grumpy old man hat...

This is just another example of the fact that consumers can't even expect merchandise to have quality anymore. I enjoy reading on my balcony in the summer time but I won't read Dark Horse trade paperbacks out there if it is a sunny day because the pages come out when I turn them. A book should last for years but that is no longer a realistic expectation.

Oh yeah, and stay offa my lawn!

[Rachel Edidin]

Excuse me while I put on my grumpy old man hat...

This is just another example of the fact that consumers can't even expect merchandise to have quality anymore. I enjoy reading on my balcony in the summer time but I won't read Dark Horse trade paperbacks out there if it is a sunny day because the pages come out when I turn them. A book should last for years but that is no longer a realistic expectation.

Oh yeah, and stay offa my lawn!

Oh, I'm right there with ya. You know that neurotic kid who always told people how to handle her favorite books so the spines didn't break? Yeaaah.

But book glue has *never* held up particularly well. I have paperbacks of my grandparents' that are falling apart from a combination of humdity and storage too near a heat source. What's true, however, is that paper has gotten much flimsier over the years: one of the side effects of affordable, accessible books is increasingly thin, cheap paper that barely withstands a century or two. If we *really* wanted these to last, we'd be printing in pigment on parchment or vellum, which we'd hand-bind with sinew or flax; the only thing we'd use adhesive for would be to attach covers. Of course, then none of us could afford books...

[Maija]

What bugs me are hardcover "archival" editions that are not on acid-free paper.

[hellboyone]

What bugs me are hardcover "archival" editions that are not on acid-free paper.

Who are you? Harvey Dent? (dumb nerd joke)

[Maija]

Who are you? Harvey Dent? (dumb nerd joke)
:confused::rolleyes::p

[Gary_B]

Oh, I'm right there with ya. You know that neurotic kid who always told people how to handle her favorite books so the spines didn't break? Yeaaah.

But book glue has *never* held up particularly well. I have paperbacks of my grandparents' that are falling apart from a combination of humdity and storage too near a heat source. What's true, however, is that paper has gotten much flimsier over the years: one of the side effects of affordable, accessible books is increasingly thin, cheap paper that barely withstands a century or two. If we *really* wanted these to last, we'd be printing in pigment on parchment or vellum, which we'd hand-bind with sinew or flax; the only thing we'd use adhesive for would be to attach covers. Of course, then none of us could afford books...

Sorry Rachel but now that I've put on my grumpy old man hat I can't seem to get it off.

You seem to be suggesting that making books of quality would make them too expensive to be accessible. Book manufacturing and pricing trends are driven by big publishers and big publishers are big corporations with profit as their main guiding motivation. In my 45 years on this planet I've seen the quality of new books go down while the price has gone way up. Books made of flimsy paper that are prone to have their pages literally fall out after a few readings are not a sign of the printing industry trying to deliver an affordable product, they are a sign of the printing industry trying to milk a larger profit out of the consumer.

Yup, pretty grumpy all right.

[Hellmistress]

What bugs me are hardcover "archival" editions that are not on acid-free paper.

Absolutely! And what irks me is that they call them 'archival' in the first place. All they have to do is use good quality rag paper instead of this wood-pulp crap, use a decent ink and bind them firmly and properly, and then we would have books that lasted. I handle books every day of my life as part of my work, most of them being 200 years old or even older, and they are still well-bound, the words are clear and clean, and the pages aren't even frayed. Mind you, they've been fairly well looked after by their owners, but unless they were cheaply-produced chap-books to be sold for a penny on street corners, they are still very hardy and will last another 200 years and more with care. And that's just keeping them cool and dry and out of constant direct light - nothing fancy.

Considering the price we pay for books, I get a wee bit miffed when they fall to pieces at the least sign of light or heat. Most annoying. I bought another copy of Art of Hellboy to read, and kept my Mignola/GdT/Ron/Dougie signed one safe in a box. Sad, but true. :D

HM

[Todd H]

I have a copy of Treaure Island that belonged to a Great Aunt from the early 1900's. The book is obviously well read and you can tell it belonged to her as a young child.

The cover is frayed at the corners and the pages are a bit stiff and yellowed but that book continues to hold together.

The book has been passed down from my Grandmother, to my Mother, To myself. Given to each of us as we were children (my family has a very "what's the point of having it if no one is enjoying it" stand with items like books rather then a monetary worry).

Nice thick pages. I read it every so often and don't feel the need to use nearly as much care with it as I do with some of the novels I've read recently.

[Hellbaby]

I think some other members has some problems with one of the editions of Seed of Destruction, too. I think Dark Horse will replace them if they are notified of the problem.

Hmm... and I thought mine just fell apart because it was stuffed into a duffle bag and put onto a plane. :D

[lukewarmwater]

forgot to mention it, but after posting this thread I contacted darkhorse and they shipped out a brand new copy. It was really cool. I didn't have to pay anything.

So thanks for pointing me in the right direction, and thank you dark horse.

[Juno Reactor]

I recently bought "BPRD Volume 3: A Plague of Frogs," and got up to Chapter 5 when the binding fell apart. It appears the glue on the inside of the book's spine was thin and none too strong. Is there anything that can be done?

Thanks,
- JR

[Todd H]

Contact Scott at scotta @ darkhorse . com

Take the spaces out natch ;)

[Juno Reactor]

Yeah, I mentioned this in the other thread, but I guess I'll mention it here as well: the binding on my copy of "BPRD Volume 3: A Plague of Frogs" has fallen apart. And it had the worst timing -- right when I got to Chapter 5, the grand finale. I just received the book from InStockTrades this past Friday, and it's already fallen apart because the glue job wasn't good. Maybe it was an old copy or something.

Is there any chance I could secure a replacement?

- JR

[TBolt]

I just got The Soul of Venice from Amazon today. It instantly fell apart when I opened it. Luckily Amazon's pretty good about returning things. This is the third DH book to do this to me. Is this a common problem??


--------
EDIT:
jnapper merged this thread with an older one of a similar theme.

[el seth]

I have all the HB trades, read them pretty regular, and this has never happened to me.

[Myron L]

I have had any trouble, either...they seem fairly well crafted.
Better luck on the next one!

[TBolt]

Both of my Hellboy Tales books have been reglued.

[dogboy443]

I've got some from Amazon and some from the local comic shops. All still intact and well read.

[parrish]

I only have a couple of the trades and they haven't fallen apart, but since several people have brought it up, it does seem like there is a problem...

--------

EDIT:
jnapper has merged the three threads.

[TBolt]

Oh, I'm right there with ya. You know that neurotic kid who always told people how to handle her favorite books so the spines didn't break? Yeaaah.

But book glue has *never* held up particularly well. I have paperbacks of my grandparents' that are falling apart from a combination of humdity and storage too near a heat source. What's true, however, is that paper has gotten much flimsier over the years: one of the side effects of affordable, accessible books is increasingly thin, cheap paper that barely withstands a century or two. If we *really* wanted these to last, we'd be printing in pigment on parchment or vellum, which we'd hand-bind with sinew or flax; the only thing we'd use adhesive for would be to attach covers. Of course, then none of us could afford books...

Funny my Marvel and DC trades never fall apart. Its always the DH stuff. And the stuff from the big two is generally priced cheaper.

[TBolt]

Got my replacement from Amazon. It falls apart in my hands, too. I'm done buying Dark Horse trades.

[jnapper]

Got my replacement from Amazon. It falls apart in my hands, too. I'm done buying Dark Horse trades.

TBolt, I have forwarded your posts to the guy over at DH who helped out the earlier folks--

[HellRob]

Hey all! I had this problem too with my SOD and Weird Tales 1. I sent an email to Dark Horse directly through the Hellboy website and they sent me a free replacement. They were really helpful about the whole thing. So, I hope that helps for what it's worth!

[TBolt]

TBolt, I have forwarded your posts to the guy over at DH who helped out the earlier folks--

Amazon pulled the Soul of Venice trades, and will only give me a refund now.

[Nick W]

Time to resurrect this one. I just went to reread SoD and sure enough, the binding is coming apart. It's one I bought around the time the 1st movie came out (I think it's my 5th copy overall) and have only read it a couple of times. It's weird that all the older trades have survived multiple trips and conventions (my Wtd & Chained have lasted through many beatings over the last decade), but the newer redband books seem to have issues. I emailed the link Rachel provided, so hopefully it'll all work out. :redface:

N

[Jankenstein]

Yet another reason I looooove hardcovers.

[MarisaSmith]

Alright! Wow, yeah I was not around for the first posting of this, but I've had the same problems!

My SoD TPB had the cover fall off. But then again I just thought it was well-loved. (I've gone through 4 [yes four] "To Kill a Mockingbird" paperbacks and 2 "The Remains of the Day" paperbacks...) I LOVE my books till there's nothing left...

And actually, I did have the actual first printing of SoD TPB, but that one fell apart completely with pages everywhere... And after it got water damage (not sure how that one happened) I sadly had to give it up for lost. So the one that the cover fell off of is actually my second copy (but it's my first signed piece, so it's all cozy in a bag with a board now).

AND.... All three of my Hellboy Animated books/TPBs/GNs (whatever they're called) have either the cover coming unglued, or the pages falling out (again, I think a glue issue).
And "The Black Wedding" had its first page fall out the night it was given to me as a birthday present... As I first opened it, nonetheless.

Okay... I'm so glad this thread was resurrected...

And I agree with Jankenstein! The hardcover versions are ooooooh sooooo nice.... (And fuzzy too!)

[Asa]

I now understand what everyone has been talking about. I picked up the "Art of Hellboy 11", when I opened it chrackeled haif way through, and it is falling apart!:frown:.I quess there is no give in the glue.

[siamese goat]

If the trades that are falling apart are books you plan on reading alot try hole punch and 3 ring binders to hold them together (can't hurt the value since they are in pieces anyway). I did this to a star wars action figure book that fell apart and it has held up under my 5 year olds abuse. I also did this with my first copy of Disposable (skate art book) and it made it easier to read/study since the pages open better. Just a suggestion.:smile:

[Nick W]

Alright! Wow, yeah I was not around for the first posting of this, but I've had the same problems!

My SoD TPB had the cover fall off. But then again I just thought it was well-loved. (I've gone through 4 [yes four] "To Kill a Mockingbird" paperbacks and 2 "The Remains of the Day" paperbacks...) I LOVE my books till there's nothing left...

And actually, I did have the actual first printing of SoD TPB, but that one fell apart completely with pages everywhere... And after it got water damage (not sure how that one happened) I sadly had to give it up for lost. So the one that the cover fell off of is actually my second copy (but it's my first signed piece, so it's all cozy in a bag with a board now).



Please remind me to never, ever lend you a book. :biggrin:

N

[MarisaSmith]

Please remind me to never, ever lend you a book. :biggrin:

N

LOL!
Honestly... I'm really good to my books, they're my friends!:redface:
You should see my collection of first editions... They're all wrapped in saran wrap, and then in plastic, and then bagged...
And my most prized possession ever, my signed 40th anniversary HB "To Kill a Mockingbird"... right, well I keep that one wrapped tighter than a Tijuana burrito in a locked box next to my bed...
So, really, it's just those few TPBs that fell apart!!! (and honestly, it's a glue issue... They need to use better horses... [Sorry. Terrible joke, I know]).

'Onestly, sir, I takes good care of all 'me books!!:redface:

[mattmanw54301]

Like MarisaSmith, I too love my books. Sometimes more than once a day!!!!


LOL OMGWTF bad joke. Sorry all. Couldn't resist.

[MarisaSmith]

Like MarisaSmith, I too love my books. Sometimes more than once a day!!!!


LOL OMGWTF bad joke. Sorry all. Couldn't resist.

Hey... No bibliophiles aloud! That's just wrong!
(Had to joke back! LOL!):biggrin:

[Jake Capps]

Honestly... I'm really good to my books, they're my friends!

Another great t-shirt quote! I have yet to have a TPB fall apart but I do get some bent, and creased books from Amazon every so often.

[MarisaSmith]

Another great t-shirt quote! I have yet to have a TPB fall apart but I do get some bent, and creased books from Amazon every so often.

My favorite t-shirt quote:
"Be careful, our you'll end up in my novel."
:evilsmile:

[Tothiro]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! (sorry if that's a little too Horschak)
I'm just excited I get to join the club - My RHOD just fell apart. The first two thirds are actually solid but completely separated from the cover, and the back third is now loose-leaf.
What's ironic is my SOD and other first eds are still holding up, even though they already looked like they'd been used as a Manticore teether back when Mike signed them in '02 and I'd been using them as sculpting reference (often wedged open or flat for scanning).

[The Lobster]

Hah! I knew it wasn't just me! My trade Seed of Destruction TPB fell apart completely! And my B.P.R.D. Soul of Venice and Other stories is starting to also................

[Maxwell Edison]

I finally decided to get into the Hellboy comics and bought Seed of Destruction this weekend. I really enjoyed it but the cover detached from the book. Am I nust unlucky or has this happened to anyone else?

[jnapper]

I finally decided to get into the Hellboy comics and bought Seed of Destruction this weekend. I really enjoyed it but the cover detached from the book. Am I nust unlucky or has this happened to anyone else?

Maxwell, I have merged this into a previous thread... will look through my emails for the DH contact who was handling this before.

[Maxwell Edison]

Same thing happened tme. Do you think Borders will give me a refund?

[Noct]

I hate to keep something like this up, but my Seed of Destruction also fell apart. The moment I turned the last page my cover just popped off. And I wasn't anywhere near a too warm place. I read it in my room. Calm, cool, room.

I was really surprised when it happened. It was my first TPB and the only time something like this happened.

Thanks for the address. I'll contact them right away and let them know. I would hate to not be able to reread it again.

[Maxwell Edison]

I hate to keep something like this up, but my Seed of Destruction also fell apart. The moment I turned the last page my cover just popped off. And I wasn't anywhere near a too warm place. I read it in my room. Calm, cool, room.

I was really surprised when it happened. It was my first TPB and the only time something like this happened.

Thanks for the address. I'll contact them right away and let them know. I would hate to not be able to reread it again.

What page was the address on?

[Markers]

'Seed' fell apart for me, as well. The others are all in decent enough condition (for being read all the time) but the first one fell apart years ago. I'll probably wait for the library editions to replace it, though.

[Noct]

I took it from this post below. Which is on Page three of this thread. Not sure it's the right one to send something like this too. But it's what I tried.




Shoot an email to DH help (http://www.darkhorse.com/help/contactus.php). :)

[TBolt]

The Dark Horse guys are very helpful and really take care of problems like this.

[jnapper]

I'm not sure if the Dark Horse staff member (my contact) who took care of the last group of the bad TPBs is still there-- I can't find his name or the previous emails on my notebook-- so I am wondering if I deleted them because he left-- or if the emails are just archived on another drive.

Regardless, I wrote Scott (HB editor) yesterday and asked him to let me know who is handling the bad bindings now. He just wrote back to say he will track that info down.

Like it has been pointed out before, DH has an excellent track record for dealing with the bad bindings.

[Kees_L]

Since I have no problems with the latest trades, but own the older ones only in the black (first) versions (also with no trouble), I'm guessing the older red ones (like HB: SOD) might occasionally cause some difficulty?
And the Library Editions I consider about the sturdiest books I own.

[Maxwell Edison]

Thanks Noct, hopefully I can get a refund and get some cash to go towards the Library Edition