We told you a few weeks ago that Black Badge #1 from the Eisner-nominated team of Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins was looking like another big original launch for Boom! Studios, with over 10,000 orders for the debut issue.
It hit the Bleeding Cool Bestseller List last weekend as well.
What we didn't tell you – because no one told us or anyone else – is that the issue had a secret variant limited to about 500 copies that arrived over the last week with top influencers (who Boom! Studios has defined as press and retailer members of their BOOM! Guarantee program). And now they're tweeting about it:
Thanks to the wonderful people at @boomstudios for this super limited edition variant of Black Badge #1 with a cloth embroidered badge on the poly bag. It's simply awesome! Buy this book by @mattkindt & @Jenkins_Tyler – it's out now! pic.twitter.com/h0Gy3iLvew
— Comic Book Critic (@comicscritic) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/StatGuyGreg/status/1029192346380972032
@boomstudios so like do I actually sign this and send it back, cause I'm game pic.twitter.com/1AYg2SD1WK
— That girl that works here (@MagicallyLazy) August 13, 2018
Look at this legit promo patch with the first issue of Black Badge from @mattkindt @Jenkins_Tyler and @boomstudios 😱🤩
Gotta find a good spot for this one!😎 pic.twitter.com/uCM9qHfWlN
— Cryboi Burbridge (@mburbridge26) August 15, 2018
It bears repeating…@mattkindt's mind works on a higher level than 99.9% of humans. His new book, Black Badge, from @boomstudios is another example of his genius. pic.twitter.com/ILlQbIccuD
— Erin Tapken (@BavarianErin) August 15, 2018
While members of the press sometimes receive advance copies of big launches, they're never brand-new variants — and retailers only get special variants at events like ComicsPRO and Diamond Summits, usually excluded from cool gifts to press. So for both groups to get this from Boom! Studios is something entirely new – especially when you include the limited edition prop replica Black Badge patch included with each polybagged copy.
Given what these variants sell for when they're released at other events (and in much larger quantities), they started popping up on eBay pretty quickly this week… aside from those who got the covers who decided to hold on to them.
So, Boom! Studios, can you send us a few copies? We have to put our kids through university too… or at least send them for pizza.