As if interest in copies of "Fantastic Four" #587, featuring the death of one of the members of the team, isn't high enough already, reports began to circulate late Tuesday afternoon on the private comic retailers forum Comic Book Internet Alliance that a surprise appears to await some readers inside: select copies of the polybagged issue have been signed in silver ink by series writer Jonathan Hickman.

CBR has confirmed that at least two copies have been purchased thus far, one by a fan at Lone Star Comics in Dallas, Texas, while another showed up at Detroit's Comic City. The signature can be seen in the camera phone photo below in the upper right hand corner of the "4" logo.

Is this a signed "Fantastic Four" #587?

Just how many signed copies are out there remains to be seen. A Marvel spokesperson declined to comment Tuesday evening when asked how many signed copies are in circulation.

For more on the death of a Fantastic Four member, don't miss our interview with Jonathan Hickman as well as our review of "Fantastic Four" #587 by CBR Reviewer Benjamin Birdie.