spark plug goop

i pulled my spark plugs the other day and there was like carbon or something on the rim of the spark plug. i have a valve cover leak and i was going to fix it. is that y the spark plugs are like that and would i need just the gasket or do i have to get the spark plug grommets and tubes???? any help will be appreciated

Try and remove that "carbon"; if it won't come off then it is a burn mark, that happens when the plug was too hot (get a colder plug or try to keep away from the red line :D), or because you over tightened it. If it really is carbon then it's probably just dry engine oil so go ahead and change the gasket.

thanks i'll see if i can take it off