www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-valuablemistakes- 0918sep18,0,6071041.story
chicagotribune.com Valuable mistakes By Robert K. Elder Chicago Tribune staff reporter September 18, 2008 DC Comics is scrambling this week trying to recall "All-Star Batman & Robin" No. 10, which includes a "printing error" that has Batgirl dropping the F-bomb. Collectors have been snapping up copies of the comic book, and some have sold for $175 on eBay. Below, we track other valuable comic book snafus. "Elseworlds 80-page Giant" No. 1 (June 1999). In Kyle Baker and Liz Glass' story, "Letitia Lerner, Superman's Babysitter," the super- toddler climbs into a microwave and drinks milk directly from a cow. When Paul Levitz, the president of DC Comics, objected to the portrayal of the little Clark Kent, most issues were pulped—except for a few shipped to England. Current mint value: $175. "Elektra" Vol. 2, No. 3 (November 2001). Daredevil's off-again-on- again assassin girlfriend appeared partially nude in this issue, causing a recall. Current mint value: $18. "League of Extraordinary Gentleman" Vol. 1, No. 5 (June 2000). Alan Moore's Victorian heroes weren't the controversy. No, the fake Victorian ads were. Parent company DC Comics recalled this "League" book because of an ad for an imaginary feminine hygiene product from a company called Marvel. Fearing legal retribution from Marvel Comics, its competitor company, DC pulled the issue. Current mint value: $30. "Action Comics" No. 309 (November 1963). This wasn't an error as much as it was bad timing. In one story, President John F. Kennedy helps Superman retain his secret identity by posing as Clark Kent while Superman saves lives. Unfortunately, the issue hit stands the week after Kennedy's assassination, much to the alarm of DC Comics. Current mint value: $135. "Wolverine" Vol. 2, No. 131 (November 1998) Instead of the word "killer," an anti-Semitic k-word made it into Wolverine's description of his archenemy Sabretooth. Current mint value: $2.50-$14.
