Marvel comics quality?

[Crimson]

Out of interest, does anyone elses Marvel comics tend to come apart? Every other month I seem to get a Marvel comic where the center page falls out.

I always feel like a idiot asking for a replacement but I didn't pay for a book that falls apart on the first read.

So, does anyone else have problems with the staples on Marvel comics? I don't think I've ever had this problem with DC or Dark Horse but it could just be I get alot more from Marvel.

[matthewaos]

I only had that in an MKSM issue, in the other storyline. That's it, once.

[Lombardo!]

it's always, ALWAYS worth mentioning to your LCS

my WWH #3 big double-page splash where the tanks, etc. blast Hulk, one of those pages fell out. i brought it up with my LCS just in conversation, and he was like:
"oh dude, you shoulda reminded me you get WWH. the whole print run we got has the exact same issue. just bring it back and we'll swap it around. if it ever happens again, bring it up, we'll fix it".

it's happened a few times before, as well. but now i know to at least ask:
half the time it might be a dodgy run or shipment, and the other half of the time i'm sure they'd be happy to swap it around regardless.

so long as people are genuine with this issue, and dont abuse or take advantage of, what i feel, is a very trust-based interaction, then we should be able to honestly inform a retailer that the copy of the comic you received was flawed.

summing up: yes! let them know!
but you mentioned it happens every month or so... so i'm not sure. unless you're making origami outta the pages, i dont know why the staples would be failing so often. maybe your LCS has knowledge of this from other customers?

[Crimson]

The only thing I can think is as they send them to me in the post... it could be the books in the middle of the stack? With shipping and stuff the weight of the books could put pressure on the weakest points of the those books, which would be at the holes of the staples.

I should check that next time, make a not of what books are in the middle.

[Brett P]

I've had it happen a couple times but not recently. I'm in the UK and get them sent from America and often recieved them with damaged/bent/folded corners but on request they are now super packaged and bubble wrapped and aririve just fine!

However, just lately I keep finding pages with ink smudges. The most recent X-Factor and Black Panther both had black-grey blemishes. And there's often ink splodges here there and everywhere. The pink ones are the worst!

[Joe Acro]

I haven't had this happen to me much. My copy of the first part of One More Day was missing a bottom staple, though.

[leebrown1990]

Not sure whether it is marvels fault or the shop that orders them in for me, but my runaways 28 has a large mark (appears to be a water mark as the ink has blurred,) on about 3 pages

[jackolover]

Out of interest, does anyone else's Marvel comics tend to come apart? Every other month I seem to get a Marvel comic where the center page falls out.

I always feel like a idiot asking for a replacement but I didn't pay for a book that falls apart on the first read.

So, does anyone else have problems with the staples on Marvel comics? I don't think I've ever had this problem with DC or Dark Horse but it could just be I get a lot more from Marvel.

I've had it happen 4 times this year in books I've picked up. I got one or 2 changed, but it's happening too consistently. Have the printers been changed?
It's very annoying.

[Sentinel K]

I've never had it happen!

IRULEZOK?

[Zodberg]

This is why, when buying comics from your LCS, you don't grab from the top of the pile.

[RangerNec]

The defect I have noticed the most, and it is not limited to marvel, is that the pages will stick together near the spine of the book.

[Young Avenger]

Never had that kind of problem with my books. I gotten some minor stuff like ink fades, blurs and a bend page or two.

[RolandJP]

Out of interest, does anyone elses Marvel comics tend to come apart? Every other month I seem to get a Marvel comic where the center page falls out.

I always feel like a idiot asking for a replacement but I didn't pay for a book that falls apart on the first read.

So, does anyone else have problems with the staples on Marvel comics? I don't think I've ever had this problem with DC or Dark Horse but it could just be I get alot more from Marvel.


The covers do seem to arrive bent out of shape.

[Chiasm]

The last major defect I had was a few months back with an issue of X-men. About three pages in the pages suddenly became 3/4 sized and the art was off center so everything in the right most panel was cut off.

[drwho]

I was very annoyed due to this same point, but it was with a DC book. They had a Halloween special released and every issue at the store about 20 had messed up staples so I didnt buy a copy. For collectors and condition freaks it gets annoying as hell especially when a 6 dollar book is in less then quality condition.

[The Confessor]

The defect I have noticed the most, and it is not limited to marvel, is that the pages will stick together near the spine of the book.

Yeah, I've experienced that too. I only pick up one DC book (Jonah Hex) but I've noticed that this happens a lot with that comic. I don't mind it too much to be honest but it's certainly a defect.

Can't say I notice this happening on any of my Marvel books though.