8 Most Ridiculous Comic Book Gimmicks

From holographic covers, embossed covers, and every other type of variant, enhanced comic book covers are a huge gimmick. With every company determined to outdo the competition, some worked while others failed spectacularly

One of the worst offenders was Image Comics in the early 90s. Their comic Bloodstrike #1 has their most bizarre cover. Claiming that you could “Rub the Blood," the cover came enhanced with fake blood that would disappear when you rubbed it, only to reappear later. On top of being terrible concept, it only occasionally worked when released.

Sometimes a gimmick can be fun, and in comics none did it better than Magnor #1. From the same creative team as Groo, this series unfortunately only lasted 6 issues. Their debut issue was a pop-up cover than unfolded to reveal multiple objects bursting out onto an impressive landscape.

Contained inside of a polybag, it even poked fun at the speculator market by having a hysterical young boy crying that this comic was no longer in mint condition now that it was open.