Signed Wizard Authentic Editions - Are They Really Variants?

[WernerVonDoom]

I was looking at the FF (complete with variants) registry, and noticed there were two entries for FF 1/2. One is regular, and the other is "Wizard Authentic". I thought it might be an error, because I did an internet search and could only find one version: Regular Version . But then I checked the census and saw there was a book graded as "wizard authentic" and it was qualified. Then it hit me, it must have been a book like this:

 

 

Ok, having a book signed and slapping a holo sticker on it makes it a "variant"? I've paid for some pretty ridiculous variants in my day, but there is no way I'm going to buy one of those to complete my variant set.

 

Does anyone know if the books were actually printed with the holo stickers?

[cheetah]

The Wizard Authentic variants show up in a number of modern Marvel runs (UXM, Civil War, New Avengers, Avengers, probably others). They are always going to be a qualified book since they were signed at Wizard and sold raw. They aren't impossible to find and show up periodically as raw books on eBay. I don't know when in the process the sticker was applied but it doesn't look likely to peel off. Nice thing is that Wizard doesn't do them anymore so once you get the one you are looking for, you don't have to look anymore.

[WernerVonDoom]

I just don't see how this is a "variant". If the book was produced today, in front of CGC, it would be a Signature Series book (and likely downgraded for the holo sticker).

[cheetah]

It is what it is. The whole variant issue is pretty muddled across the board and there are endless threads full of differing opinions. You've got Whitman reprints, JC Penny reprints, Wizard Authentics, DF Signed with COAs and probably more. I don't have much of an opinion on whether they warrant variant status. They're just another issue to track down for completists or to be ignored by more sane people.

[WernerVonDoom]

Yeah, I'm one of those completists but this one just burns my hide. It's just a regular book that they altered - by hand! Oh well, it will be the last on my list, unless I find one for $5.

[BeachBum]

That book has my fingerprints all over it.

 

[WernerVonDoom]

Yeah, I did a search and your book came up. Nice book.

[DrWatson]

No, it isn't a variant. It's a Wizard manufactured pain in the and one of the reasons I abandoned trying to complete certain sets.

[seanfingh]

 

Wussy.

[DrWatson]

That has nothing to do with it. I have no desire to own that .

[WernerVonDoom]

Has anyone asked the registry folks to remove these from the variant sets?