Cover Gimmicks

Bad Idea Aug 2025

This Book Is a Vampire #1

Limited: 36
This Book Is a Vampire #1
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Low
$60
Mid
$180
High
$600
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Promotional item for the launch of the vampire title 'Cul-De-Sac' intended to be a display piece' Search issue 'The Origin of the Impaled Edition' to view and read the story of why 'This Book Is a Vampire' was mercilessly staked in the Key Collector Comics exclusive comic book
DC Apr 2013 Vol 2

Batman #19

Variant
Batman #19
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Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4
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Cover art inspired by MAD Magazine
Shipped to retailers for demonstration purposes to show customers how to fold the cover to create a different image
No barcode, Demo Cover printed next to issue number
Marvel Aug 1996

X-Men: Onslaught #1

Gold Limited: 2,000
X-Men: Onslaught #1
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Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100
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Embossed with 22k gold
Distributed in a bag and board with a barcode
Included a Certificate of Authenticity, numbered with a gold Onslaught seal - tap cover and swipe to view additional image
Bad Idea Dec 2021

Conceptual Funnies #1

Conceptual Funnies #1
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Low
$0
Mid
$0
High
$0
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Described on the CGC label as 'First dis-appearance in comics' written by Robert Venditti with art by Tomas Giorello - 'Invisible Edition'
In actuality, this is a blank acetate sheet officially graded by CGC and registered to the census
34 total graded copies: 11 in 9.8 and one in every other grade except for 1.8 of which there are zero
Bad Idea offered the first five respondents to an email blast an opportunity to obtain a graded copy but distribution of the remaining copies are unknown
Current available sales data: 9.2 sold for $500 in November 2024
8.0 sold for $1,000 in August 2022
3.5 sold for $2,200 in March 2020
3.0 sold for $2,499 in July 2022
1.0 sold for $1,199 in May 2023
Defiant May 1993

Birth of the Defiant Universe, The #1

Limited: 1,000
Birth of the Defiant Universe, The #1
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Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$125
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Introduction of the Defiant Universe, created by Jim Shooter: Plasm, War Dancer, Charlemagne Prudence & Caution, The Good Guys and Glory
Acetate cover
Promotional giveaway presented at the 1993 Sixth Annual Capital City Sales conference
Sirius/Cry For Dawn Jul 1995

Dawn #1

Variant
Dawn #1
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Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25
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Variant cover art by Joseph Michael Linsner
Black light reactive
Aftershock Jul 2017

Babyteeth #1

Leather Limited: 25
Babyteeth #1
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Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250
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Variant wraparound cover art by David Angelo Roman
Each individual cover was painted on real goat-skin
'Babyteeth' written in Assyrian Aramaic at the bottom
Valiant Jun 2012 Vol 2

Harbinger #1

Variant
Harbinger #1
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Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
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Variant cover art with QR Code that delivered a message from Toyo Harada when scanned
Valiant Mar 2017 Vol 4

X-O Manowar #1

1:500 Metal
X-O Manowar #1
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Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200
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Variant "brushed metal" cover art by Monika Palosz
Approximately 200 copies printed
DC Mar 1995

Guy Gardner: Warrior #29

Guy Gardner: Warrior #29
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3
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Cover folds out like doors opening into a crowded bar
A contest by DC challenged readers to identify all 150+ heroes, villains and celebrities, responses printed in Guy Gardner #35
Letters from readers are answered by Guy Gardner
Valiant Dec 2018

Livewire #1

1:250
Livewire #1
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Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100
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Variant glass cover art by Doug Braithwaite
First cover made out of glass and colored with UV ink that glows under a blacklight
Adhesive Mar 1993

Jab #3

Limited: 3,000
Jab #3
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Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$60
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First comic book to be printed then individually shot with a .22 caliber bullet
Interior stories and art incorporate the bullet into the story (tap cover and swipe to view additional images)
Valiant Dec 2017 Vol 3

Quantum and Woody #1

1:250
Quantum and Woody #1
View Series
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150
View on eBay
Variant cover art by Clayton Henry
"The Most Variant Cover Of All Time"
Featuring: chromium, lenticular, embossed, die-cut, foil, iridescent ink, extra hero sticker, hand-numbered
Image Apr 1993

Bloodstrike #1

Bloodstrike #1
View Series Variants (3)
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10
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1st team appearance of Bloodstrike: Deadlock, Fourplay, Shogun, Cabbot, Tag
First thermal-reactive ink used on a comic book cover - Image encouraged readers to 'Rub The Blood!' to reveal red ink hidden on the cover
Vortex Jul 1988

Black Kiss #3

Black Kiss #3
View Series
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3
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First mature content comic to be packaged in a clear poly-bag with an insert to obscure the adult content

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