5 Strangest DC & Marvel Comics Sales Tactics
1. Own A Comic With Human Ashes In The Ink
Back in 1977 Marvel released a comic featuring KISS that had their actual blood in the comic ink. It sounds crazy, but it's true. As hardcore as that sounds, however, it ain't got nothing on what Marvel did 20 years later in 1997. Comic editor and writer Mark Gruenwald sadly passed away of a heart attack at the age of 42 in 1996, and had worked on a variety of stellar comics, but was especially known for his, "Squadron Supreme." A 12-issue series he wrote and which was released in 1985-1986, it featured Marvel's DC analogues, the Squadron Supreme, dealing with the ethics of super-heroics (it has been compared to the even-more popular "Watchmen" in how it discusses these matters). Gruenwald had told people previously in his life he wanted to be, "A part of a comic," and within his will specified as such.
Therefore, in 1997 Marvel released a reprint of his famous "Squadron Supreme" comic collected in a trade paperback with the black ink containing Gruenwald's own ashed mixed in. It attracted some press attention, but was an odd promotion done for the best of the reasons--to honor the last wishes of someone who truly loved comics and wanted to literally be a part of them.
What other odd promotions have DC and Marvel done that you think deserve inclusion on this list? Comment below!