The comic industry has long had an interesting relationship with drugs. Particularly marijuana, a smokable substance now legal in parts of the United States. To those in some of the inner circles of the comic community, it is not surprising to know many members in the industry partake in marijuana through various methods. However, it is often spoken of in public. Yet many of the underground comics of the 70′s blatantly featured characters imbibing and enjoying the once (and still, in some states and countries) illicit substance. Now we might have a surprisingly blatant use in a very mainstream comic from DC Entertainment.

Today Diamond Comics alerted retailers to the fact that the Harley Quinn Annual #1, which has “scratch-n-sniff” features, will now have two versions. One version will only be available domestically in the United States, while another version will be available worldwide (including those who prefer this version in the USA). Both products will be polybagged, have bombshell variants, and feature the “scratch-n-sniff” portion of the comic, but there is one key difference between the domestic and international versions. What is the difference? Well, as you can see below, Diamond almost tries to hide it:

HarleyPot

The “rub and smell” scents featured in Harley Quinn Annual #1 were chosen in an effort to capture the world in which Harley lives. This “scenticular” book was created in the spirit of innovation and fun that DC Entertainment brings to our fans every day.

There will be two editions of Harley Quinn Annual #1 available to retailers, and each edition will have a Bombshells variant. All copies will be polybagged.

The first edition and variant, available for purchase only in the domestic United States, includes smells similar to leather, suntan lotion, pizza and what’s referred to in the story as “cannabisylocibe 7-A.”

• Harley Quinn Annual #1 (JUL148429)
• Harley Quinn Annual #1 Bombshells Variant (JUL148430)

DC Entertainment is creating a second edition and variant to be available for purchase in all territories. These alternate versions of the issue will feature smells similar to leather, suntan lotion, pizza and fresh-cut lawn clippings. This edition will feature differently colored versions of the cover art.

• Harley Quinn Annual #1 International Edition (AUG140294)
• Harley Quinn Annual #1 International Edition Bombshells Variant (AUG140295)

Did you catch it? The key is that domestically you can smell “cannabisylocibe 7-A”, while internationally you’re stuck with “fresh-cut lawn clippings”. Either way I suppose it’s grass, but one certainly sounds more like pot/weed/marijuana/or…cannabis. One can see why internationally you might not want the smell of pot shipping through foreign customs. It might upset a few dogs trained to sniff out that kind of thing. Where as the smell of fresh cut grass? To the unknowing comic reader you might slip that scent by and the average customs officer just won’t even care. But the more familiar comic readers could likely tell the difference.

Some comic shops, even domestically, will undoubtedly go with the International edition only, wanting to avoid affiliation with the drug. This could make the domestic version rise in value. Perhaps more or less so in Colorado. This also begs to question how the demand will exist and be met for international fans hoping to smell “cannabisylocibe 7-A”. I’m personally left to question how retailers who order both will know the difference without opening the polybags and taking a whiff (yes, there will be different colored versions, but will all retailers know which is which? Right now Green is associated with the International, but I currently can’t find the Domestic coloring). Sadly I don’t have the answers to many of these questions, but it should be fun when we find them.

Retailers looking to adjust orders one way or the other have until their Final Order Cut-off this coming Monday, September 29th. This issue will arrive in stores with a revised rating of T+ because of the reference, but I don’t think it will in any way negatively impact sales. Then again, who knows is the television news stations start presenting this information to a less accepting crowd that doesn’t normally buy comics, yet still loves to complain about them when they reach the news.