Marvel Masterpieces 1992-2020

[finfangfan]

Sorting through some comics I have had in boxes forever…. Do you have this one Dyna?

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

Sorting through some comics I have had in boxes forever…. Do you have this one Dyna?

My man! Good on you for keeping that sealed in the polybag. Alas, I have it. In the completionist vein, both the Direct and Newsstand versions (differentiated in the bar code). The Hulk card on back is identical in the two.



is that a FF 52 with first app. Black Panther I see just casually lying under it? (!)

But yea as for these MM promos in sealed magazines, I think I’m at 100% finally. I intend eventually to make a more in depth post on that, detailing the rarity level of each one.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

I was always confused by these two 92 MM spectra etch errors. Why would a Thing have a partial Wolverine on the back, and a Wolverine have a partial Thing on the back.

1992 MM Thing vs Hulk with partial 3-D and 4-D on back



1992 MM Wolverine vs Sabretooth with partial 1-D and 2-D on back



After looking at the uncut sheet, I think this error is now explained, the giveaway being the wide margin at the right.



I dont have this sheet, but using photo software I flipped the image and superimposed it on itself, and the way it overlaps shows whats going on,



Pretend the sheet at front is of the backs (it's really the flipped fronts, but pretend it's the backs), that is how they are aligned with the fronts on the sheet underneath. It matches up with the two errors I have. What happened here is the sheet was flipped when printing the backs.

So based on this we can make predictions about other errors that must exist out there, although I have yet to see them:

1992 Masterpieces Spectra Etch Wrong Back Error List

1. Thing vs Hulk: Part of 3-D and 4-D on back- confirmed
2. Silver Surfer vs. Thanos: Part of 2-D and 3-D on back- predicted
3. Wolverine vs Sabretooth: Part of 1-D and 2-D on back- confirmed
4. Spider-Man vs Venom: Part of just 1-D on back, and the rest blank except the color strip (CMYK strip on uncut sheets) - confirmed
5. Captain America vs Red Skull: completely blank back- predicted

I finally got one of these sheets (and once it’s all nice and framed will post a good pic of it….but waiting on the frame). I want to revisit this error though since now I can inspect this sheet. This might be more than anyone cares to know about this error, but it’s probably the #1 most interesting error to me, so bear with me. They are the wrong back 92 battle spectras and they were explained in the above post. True needles in a haystack.

Here’s the back of the sheet:


Here is the Spider-Man vs Venom error against a mirror. (Due to a flipped around sheet when printing).


What is interesting is that of all 5, this Spidey vs Venom, and only the Spidey Venom, can help us glean info about the print run of the error. The reason is because it happens to be the one associated with the CMYK color strip on back, which acts like a DNA strand for the error, so to speak, uniquely identifying it on the sheet. None of the other 4 will have that. Here are the 6 from top to bottom on the sheet (the little color boxes change for each one). These will be the possible backs of the error for a Spidey vs Venom.

A.


B.


C.


D.


E.


F.


There happens to be two examples of a Spidey vs Venom with this error that I’m aware of …mine, and one on ebay. Interestingly, they are from different spots on the sheet.

Here’s mine:


Here’s the eBay one, it’s an active listing:


So we can actually match those to the sheet…eBay one is E, mine is F. I know exactly which of the ones on the sheet my error came from.



What’s the point of all this. It’s because the ultimate question here is if just one sheet or more than one sheet got through with this error. If one sheet, the error is probably /6 (assuming all 6 of each got through QC). So far there is a decent chance it was one sheet, and that will be proven wrong if a single repeat Spidey vs Venom error ever hits the market (for example two E’s). So far none has. There are 2 I know of and both different. I do think this error is actually /6, and is my going assumption until proven wrong with a counterexample. Technically speaking, the other 4 would be /6, and the Spidey vs Venom is actually a 1/1 since each part of the CMYK strip is different, despite not being different in a meaningful way.

The /6 is also believable since it is oh so hard to find this error type (out of 200,000+ examples of the regular card).
I still am looking for the Surfer and Cap of this error to date. Those are #1 and #2 on my most wanted errors.

But if anyone at all has or has seen another of these Spidey vs Venom’s with a color strip on back…your data would really be helpful, so please let me know!

[DynaEtch]

A brief summary of the error set, in case any are wondering what in the heck I’m talking about. There exists a wrong back version of the original 92 battle spectra set. Here it is (3 I have, 2 I don’t and are mock-ups…#2 and #5 are mock-ups of what it must look like. Note that #5 is just a blank back). This is what it would look like to have the whole error set:











That’s the 5-card error set and the eventual goal to complete.

[Bunny Hop]

I like this. I like knowing a bit more about the production side of everything. Nice work

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Bunny Hop

I like this. I like knowing a bit more about the production side of everything. Nice work

I too find the production side fascinating. Kinda wish I was a fleer/skybox employee in the 90s tbh, or at least a fly on the wall as these sets were being made.

I do want to eventually post the uncut sheet above all finished in its frame, but alas still waiting. Ordered a large frame from a prominent online frame company, delivered last Friday, and was entirely missing the mat, d’oh. Trying to get that figured out.

[DynaEtch]

I was finally able to frame the uncut sheet above. I have been looking for this sheet for quite a long time, it is deceptively hard to find despite being 92MM and a common set. Major thanks to a fellow board member who gave me a lead on it, putting me in touch with owner who was selling (and who was very friendly and nice to work a deal with).





Probably my fav insert set of all time (and no this is not the 92MM Platinum…it’s the OG)

[sourcehill]

I need some help with an error variation. It may not be any rarer than others but I’m having trouble finding one like it.

It’s a 1993 Venom base card (#45) with an embossed / no foil top and embossed / foil name.

Anyone seen this before?

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by sourcehill

I need some help with an error variation. It may not be any rarer than others but I’m having trouble finding one like it.

It’s a 1993 Venom base card (#45) with an embossed / no foil top and embossed / foil name.

Anyone seen this before?

That is a very neat error- cool character to have it on too! You have a no-foil error from 93MM, a card that made it into packs that didn’t get any of the foil treatment. I posted some others ones way above in the thread (not Venom). They are rare to come across.

Due to a recent uncut sheet find out of Michigan within the last year, there is now a bit of a nuance with this error. We now see many more of these foil-less 93MM cards hitting the market, but they are actually “pre-press” cards, not error cards. Someone took a group of no-foil uncut sheet (“pre-press sheets”) and cut out single cards from it….so they look almost identical to a foil-less error card such as you have. There’s just one problem…one’s an error…one’s not! I am much more interested in the error because it’s a real card from packs that involved a fluke, but honestly I’m not sure the market will differentiate them since they look so similar. Here are the differences between yours and the pre-press no foil Venom: A true error has the ghost embossing you see at an angle. It also has the usual glossy UV coating all 93MM cards have. The pre-press card doesn’t have the embossing, it’s doesn’t have the same UV coating, and is handcut (although done well that it’s hard to tell).

All in all you have a neat error card (which unfortunately would have been worth a decent amount more about 2+ years ago before these pre-press no-foils started showing up). Still it’ll be quite desired and should have good value, especially to a Venom collector.

[sourcehill]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

That is a very neat error- cool character to have it on too! You have a no-foil error from 93MM, a card that made it into packs that didn’t get any of the foil treatment. I posted some others ones way above in the thread (not Venom). They are rare to come across.

Due to a recent uncut sheet find out of Michigan within the last year, there is now a bit of a nuance with this error. We now see many more of these foil-less 93MM cards hitting the market, but they are actually “pre-press” cards, not error cards. Someone took a group of no-foil uncut sheet (“pre-press sheets”) and cut out single cards from it….so they look almost identical to a foil-less error card such as you have. There’s just one problem…one’s an error…one’s not! I am much more interested in the error because it’s a real card from packs that involved a fluke, but honestly I’m not sure the market will differentiate them since they look so similar. Here are the differences between yours and the pre-press no foil Venom: A true error has the ghost embossing you see at an angle. It also has the usual glossy UV coating all 93MM cards have. The pre-press card doesn’t have the embossing, it’s doesn’t have the same UV coating, and is handcut (although done well that it’s hard to tell).

All in all you have a neat error card (which unfortunately would have been worth a decent amount more about 2+ years ago before these pre-press no-foils started showing up). Still it’ll be quite desired and should have good value, especially to a Venom collector.

Thanks for the info! I’m just confused because the Venom name is in red foil. It’s only the top of the card that didn’t get the foil. This is the version I’m having trouble finding other copies.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by sourcehill

Thanks for the info! I’m just confused because the Venom name is in red foil. It’s only the top of the card that didn’t get the foil. This is the version I’m having trouble finding other copies.

D’oh! I’m sorry, I completely didn’t see the red foil, it’s dark and blended in with black Venom. Absolutely- it’s a half foil, missing just the foil at top. There is no confusing that with the pre-press cards as this has half the foil on it.

They are rare to come by, you do see them though. I have 4…3 shown here. You have a great character in Venom.







There of course is the opposite error too, with the foil at top but no name foil (an “NNOF”)

[sourcehill]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

D’oh! I’m sorry, I completely didn’t see the red foil, it’s dark and blended in with black Venom. Absolutely- it’s a half foil, missing just the foil at top. There is no confusing that with the pre-press cards as this has half the foil on it.

They are rare to come by, you do see them though. I have 4…3 shown here. You have a great character in Venom.







There of course is the opposite error too, with the foil at top but no name foil (an “NNOF”)

Amazing. Thanks again for the info. I have an interested party and was offered $80. Think that’s in line with what one should go for?

[DynaEtch]

On that note of the pre-press vs errors in 93MM though, just thought the hobby should be aware.

Two of the same no foil Black Knight errors right? Nope. These cards couldn’t have had more different origins.


One is cut from a pre-press production stage uncut sheet that never made it to press/foiling/pack out. The other is an error card that happens to be missing the foil from the pack.

The pre-press one feels matte-finish, the error is more glossy. The error also has this if tilted in just the right light (although not all errors have the embossing…the one sure way to tell is from the card coating matte vs glossy).


They are both interesting, but the error is the only one that required luck to pull at needle in a haystack odds. There is no luck involved in a pre-press version.

I have a whole set of these no foils


Before anyone says…wait did this guy collect a 90-card error set? Nope….these aren’t errors at all, they are all pre-presses. It’s basically an uncut sheet in a binder. This uncut sheet to be exact (not this precise one, but what it would have come from):

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by sourcehill

Amazing. Thanks again for the info. I have an interested party and was offered $80. Think that’s in line with what one should go for?

Errors are hard to estimate for value. This one is a relatively minor error with just the text at top missing, but the character is Venom one of the best in the set. I think $75-100 is about what I’d try to get if selling such an error, so that’s in the ballpark.

[DynaEtch]

My newest Marvel Masterpieces error:





















……now before people think, “looks like Dyna’s finally lost the plot. Maybe he’s been collecting for just a little too long in here”…..alas, the back of the card!



In case anyone doesn’t believe it (it’s not 2 stuck cards)-



There is quite the mystery surrounding this error and I’ve been aware of it for at least 10 years, always wanted to find one, and finally just did. Heck this one could be posted in either the basketball or nonsports section.

It looks like Fleer/Skybox printed a sheet of 94MM backs on the other side of a 94 Skybox NBA Hoops series 1 base sheet….the most whacky error I’ve seen. We can do some legwork to figure out which sheet of the 94MM. I know of 3 of these errors that exist- this one, one on eBay of Patrick Ewing/US Agent, and a third buried in a prominent MM collection which I don’t know the player/character of. Just so happens this Xi’an and the US Agent are both on the same sheet, below- Xi’an at (2,9), and US Agent at (10,6)- that was not a guarantee as there are 3 different 94MM base sheets for the 140 card set. This must have been the sheet that was printed on the other side of the basketball sheet (well the back of this sheet).



I cannot find even an image of a 1994 Skybox NBA Hoops series 1 base sheet anywhere, and I really want to because I’d love to reconstruct this error and how it happened….if anyone can locate a pic of the 94 Hoops series 1 sheet please let me know! I’m guessing it’ll match up perfectly with this one to explain the error. Problem is the sheet seems scarce, like a ghost I can’t find one.

One things for sure…easily the most anyone’s ever paid for a 94 Hoops Chris Dudley card

[DynaEtch]

The question remains whether this came from 94MM packs or 94 Hoops packs. Both sellers on ebay seemed to think it was a 94MM pack.

I can say I’ve been buying multiple boxes of 94 Hoops *just* to try and find one of these errors…and totally wasting my money. Needless to say haven’t pulled one from any of the boxes.



I’ve also opened many 94MM boxes over the years and never pulled one, but in either case it’s obvious scarce so I shouldn’t expect to. Based on what the eBay sellers are saying, I’m leaning toward it indeed was 94MM and the 94 Hoops opening I’m doing has been for waste.

We should expect there to be this error for every character on that 100 card sheet, for the backs.

[fabiani12333]

Superb MM research and insights as usual, Dyna.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Superb MM research and insights as usual, Dyna.

This one was a doozy and man I would just love to open a 94MM pack sometime and out pops like a Charles Barkley. That might just be about the pinnacle experience as an error collector. I’m now motivated to buy 94MM boxes but it’s a losing proposition, as there are probably like 100 of these (the ones on that sheet) out of some 100ish million base cards. Could be actually a 1 in a million type thing. Would be curious if anyone knows of any others out there.

[Bunny Hop]

What a wild error back, Dyna. Needle in a haystack.

[exotechktx]

Reminded me of the crossover promos where they included X-Men & sports cards. That's very much not the case here, and I want to imagine it was just someone falling very asleep at the wheel at the printing press.

[DynaEtch]

Youre right it kinda does- like this Fleer Ultra promo sheet


Someone was *very* asleep mixing up sheets from two entire different sets. I think it’s kinda funny that like a lot of these 90s errors, not only does that somehow happen, but it also bypasses all QC checks.

[DynaEtch]

I opened a box of 93MM tonight and out popped a few error gems! One of my fav errors from the set, the ‘inverted foil wrong name’, explained here- https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...&postcount=122

Before anyone thinks errors are falling from the sky in these 93MM boxes, I did go through about 15ish boxes previously to this without a single error. So this came as quite a surprise. The second I saw this, I knew the box was immediately well worth it (you can expect 1 or 2 more of them once you get 1 in a box).



That reads Venom at top and is the analogue of the Venom-with-Domino error in that post above.

Here were the others in the box .




Each follows the formula in that post to a T (it has to for this error to make sense):

# of card art = 91 - # of foil name

The fact the three are consecutive in the set is not a coincidence, and actually revels some info about how Skybox packed these out. Each of the 3 were dispersed in widely different packs in the box. Clearly from the same sheet as it was the error sheet. It looks like Skybox took 1 sheet, a group of 3 cards in a row from it, put them in a box. And probably something like that…groups of 3 across from many different sheets to make up the cards in a box. (They didnt just go across and down an entire uncut sheet and put them all in one box since then we’d get like 90 of that error in the box!)

[Xazark]

I picked this up on comc the other day, didn't realise when I bought it that it was the original 92 set, was looking at the 2024 platinum cards.... anyway I had a look through the list of errors and not sure this fits into the categories already listed, but maybe I missed it. Looks like in order for this to occur the whole sheet would have had to be pushed down a full card as the beast appears directly above Bishop on the uncut sheet.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Xazark

I picked this up on comc the other day, didn't realise when I bought it that it was the original 92 set, was looking at the 2024 platinum cards.... anyway I had a look through the list of errors and not sure this fits into the categories already listed, but maybe I missed it. Looks like in order for this to occur the whole sheet would have had to be pushed down a full card as the beast appears directly above Bishop on the uncut sheet.

This is very curious indeed. The traditional “wrong back” error in 92MM is given in post #657….from a flipped around sheet and the back will be slightly offset.

Do you have the card in hand?
Either this is an error type I’ve never seen before, or….and I think this is much more likely unfortunately- COMC processed two cards stuck to each other as one. Which would make sense as Beast #7 is right after Bishop #6 in the set. Either that or they used wrong scan for the back.

With the way uncut sheets are placed/fed into printing, I don’t think it would happen an error can be one row off like that.

I would lean towards stuck cards and unfortunately I’m not sure if there’s a way to know until you have it shipped home (unless you can contact COMC about it or through an error report maybe?). There is one time I bought a 93MM Xi’an S8 Dyna Etch which showed a wrong back (different Dyna Etch on back) on comc- turned out when I got it, it was the normal back (I should have known- Dyna Etch’s with wrong backs almost certainly don’t exist).

If it somehow is a legit wrong back….that is very interesting, so keep me posted.

[Xazark]

Yea I am probably a month or 2 off requesting a shipment but ill be sure to let you know once its in hand