House of Slaughter: Pen & Ink #1 (2024) — Boom! Direct Reserve (Ltd 250) — CGC 9.8 (WHITE Pages)

Graded CGC Universal 9.8 with WHITE Pages. Slabbed in a clean CGC holder showing the blue Universal label, the 9.8 grade and the WHITE Pages designation are clearly visible. The encapsulation is intact with no visible cracks, label detachment, or handling damage; pages remain bright and the white-page contrast is excellent.

2024 one-shot House of Slaughter: Pen & Ink #1 — Boom! Direct Reserve Edition. Cover art by Andrew K. Curry; story credits to James Tynion IV & Tate Brombal. This Direct Reserve variant is rendered in a black-and-white pen-and-ink treatment that reads like a standalone illustration, featuring dramatic chiaroscuro and photographic-ready contrast. The composition and high-contrast inks make this cover particularly striking for display.

Collectible details: this is the first Pen & Ink one-shot in the House of Slaughter line (2024) and the Boom! Direct Reserve Edition typically has a lower print run than standard issues, enhancing appeal to variant collectors. The combination of a premium CGC 9.8 grade and WHITE pages increases long-term display and investment value. No foil treatments on this variant — it’s valued for its monochrome art and rarity among retailer-exclusive variants.

Appeal and market notes: attracts fans of James Tynion IV, Tate Brombal, Andrew K. Curry, and Boom! Studios variant collectors. Strong grade (9.8) makes this an investment-grade slab that presents beautifully in a collection or display. Slab and label presentation are clean and professional, with no visible imperfections to the holder or label that would detract from presentation or resale confidence.