Cowabunga Comics Charity Book

Cheesebrush · 12-22-2012, 03:19 AM

For some reason this comic is hard to find in the US yet seems to appear here in the UK with surprising regularity despite being a comic for the US market (a few months back I found one in a local charity shop and traded it with Rich to fill in one of the very few holes in his epic collection - soon to be revealed on his website!). Maybe they were printed here in the UK?
Anyway, I have just found someone in the UK who has clearly found a pile of them (more than 10 according to the listing) and is selling them on ebay at the bargain price of £0.99 (approx $1.50) each plus shipping.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350675649511

I don't know this person and cannot vouch for the authenticity of the comic or their reliability but the price seems reasonable enough to give it a go. I've grabbed a spare copy myself so can compare with my current copy once it arrives.

I have scans of the comic on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheesebrush/4233352491/

wilddiverse · 12-23-2012, 07:37 AM

Wow, crossing this rarity off my dwindling TMNT want list is a nice gift to myself for the holidays, thanks for the heads-up.
Has anyone ever inquired with Mirage about how so many copies of a Massachusetts-based charity's benefit comic might have wound up in the UK?

*frank_one* · 12-23-2012, 10:11 AM

What does it contain? It's a reprinting of already (back then) released material or it is new stuff?

wilddiverse · 12-23-2012, 12:34 PM

If you check Cheesebrush's flickr scans of the book from the link above, you can see the contents for yourself, including this Index of Illustrations:
Page 1: JIM LAWSON - Never before published, this artwork was created especially for Friends of Children. Jim is a veteran with Mirage and has been drawing TMNT since 1986.

Page 2: STEVE LAVIGNE - Steve created this portrait of Leonardo especially for Cowabunga Comics. He is a senior artist at Mirage Studios and has been with TMNT since 1985.

Page 3: KEN MITCHRONEY/RYAN BROWN - This dynamic piece was designed for Issue 24 in the Archie comics series.

Page 4: MARK BODE - This sketch of Donatello was created for the Friends of Children. Mark has worked with Mirage since 1989.

Page 5: DAN BERGER - Dan designed this portrait of Raphael exclusively for our collection. He joined Mirage Studios in 1990.

Page 6: A.C. FARLEY - This is a panel from TMNT Book 29, published in 1990.

Page 7: MICHAEL ZULLI - This reproduction from TMNT Book 31, published in 1990, offers a glimpse into Michael's unique vision of the Turtles.

Page 8-9: PETER LAIRD - This work was originally produced as a cover for a limited edition soft-bound collection of TMNT issues.

Page 10: KEVIN EASTMAN - Originally designed by Kevin as a cover for the graphic adaptation of "TMNT: The Movie", this drawing has never before appeared in print.

Page 11: PETER LAIRD - This portrait is a panel from TMNT Book 12, published in 1987.

Page 12: ERIC TALBOT - Eric created this portrait of the Turtles in 1990. He has been with Mirage Studios since 1988.

Page 13: PETER LAIRD - This work depicting Splinter with his disciples was originally designed as a cover for the fifth printing of TMNT Book 1.

Page 14-15: JIM LAWSON - This piece was originally created for the adaptation of the first TMNT movie.

On the cover: Cowabunga Comics features a reproduction of the innovative full-color cover for Tundra Publications TMNT Collection Volume One. It was designed by Ken Mitchroney and Ryan Brown, painted by Michael Dooney.

Cheesebrush · 12-23-2012, 03:02 PM

I think I should have asked this guy for a commission as they've all sold already!
Glad some people managed to get a copy for their collection.

*frank_one* · 12-23-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilddiverse

If you check Cheesebrush's flickr scans of the book from the link above

Thanks, I missed that link.

**Venom** · 12-23-2012, 08:28 PM

F***! Seems the folks who bought them up ordered 5, 4, or 3 copies.

They'll probably turn up in a few weeks at 5000% markup. :/

funatic · 12-23-2012, 11:02 PM

Cool, I didn't realize this was a rare one. Found it in a quarter bin and almost passed it up! Glad I snagged it now! Though maybe living in Massachusetts (specifically Northampton) gave me an advantage to finding it.

KM3K · 12-25-2012, 01:07 PM

Aww... I wish I had seen this thread sooner. This is one of the ones I'm missing from my collection too.

Cheesebrush · 12-29-2012, 07:37 AM

My comic has turned up. Certainly doesn't look like a copy or anything (although not sure why anyone would want to create copies of this). In really good condition too - no folds, creases. It doesn't even feel like the books ever been opened before! There's some very, very light marks on the cover (probably just from where they've been stacked together over the years) and the staples are a bit rusty but that's the only very minor issues I can see - and that's being really picky!

*Plasticplayhouse* · 12-29-2012, 08:03 AM

Man I missed out on this. I own the mark bode original donnie art. If anyone has an extra copy, ill pay up to $15 + shipping. Pm me if you have one.

Nortock Diab · 12-01-2016, 06:41 AM

I am so thrilled I was able to grab a copy for a good price!
VF-NM condition, this booklet is must-have on my shelves

.

There was a second copy (closer to a VF) that I picked up too.

Best addition to my collection in a long time

.

12-22-2012, 03:19 AM	#1
Cheesebrush Foot Soldier Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK Posts: 206	Cowabunga Comics Charity Book For some reason this comic is hard to find in the US yet seems to appear here in the UK with surprising regularity despite being a comic for the US market (a few months back I found one in a local charity shop and traded it with Rich to fill in one of the very few holes in his epic collection - soon to be revealed on his website!). Maybe they were printed here in the UK? Anyway, I have just found someone in the UK who has clearly found a pile of them (more than 10 according to the listing) and is selling them on ebay at the bargain price of £0.99 (approx $1.50) each plus shipping. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350675649511 I don't know this person and cannot vouch for the authenticity of the comic or their reliability but the price seems reasonable enough to give it a go. I've grabbed a spare copy myself so can compare with my current copy once it arrives. I have scans of the comic on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheesebrush/4233352491/

12-23-2012, 07:37 AM	#2
wilddiverse Stone Warrior Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago-ish Posts: 698	Wow, crossing this rarity off my dwindling TMNT want list is a nice gift to myself for the holidays, thanks for the heads-up. Has anyone ever inquired with Mirage about how so many copies of a Massachusetts-based charity's benefit comic might have wound up in the UK? __________________ Great Typo, Unfortunate Truth: "The once gritty, satirical, hard-hitting Turtles became cuddly, fun-loving, pizz-swirling heroes to little kids" <Picture of a dead turtle>

12-23-2012, 12:34 PM	#4
wilddiverse Stone Warrior Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago-ish Posts: 698	If you check Cheesebrush's flickr scans of the book from the link above, you can see the contents for yourself, including this Index of Illustrations: Page 1: JIM LAWSON - Never before published, this artwork was created especially for Friends of Children. Jim is a veteran with Mirage and has been drawing TMNT since 1986. Page 2: STEVE LAVIGNE - Steve created this portrait of Leonardo especially for Cowabunga Comics. He is a senior artist at Mirage Studios and has been with TMNT since 1985. Page 3: KEN MITCHRONEY/RYAN BROWN - This dynamic piece was designed for Issue 24 in the Archie comics series. Page 4: MARK BODE - This sketch of Donatello was created for the Friends of Children. Mark has worked with Mirage since 1989. Page 5: DAN BERGER - Dan designed this portrait of Raphael exclusively for our collection. He joined Mirage Studios in 1990. Page 6: A.C. FARLEY - This is a panel from TMNT Book 29, published in 1990. Page 7: MICHAEL ZULLI - This reproduction from TMNT Book 31, published in 1990, offers a glimpse into Michael's unique vision of the Turtles. Page 8-9: PETER LAIRD - This work was originally produced as a cover for a limited edition soft-bound collection of TMNT issues. Page 10: KEVIN EASTMAN - Originally designed by Kevin as a cover for the graphic adaptation of "TMNT: The Movie", this drawing has never before appeared in print. Page 11: PETER LAIRD - This portrait is a panel from TMNT Book 12, published in 1987. Page 12: ERIC TALBOT - Eric created this portrait of the Turtles in 1990. He has been with Mirage Studios since 1988. Page 13: PETER LAIRD - This work depicting Splinter with his disciples was originally designed as a cover for the fifth printing of TMNT Book 1. Page 14-15: JIM LAWSON - This piece was originally created for the adaptation of the first TMNT movie. On the cover: Cowabunga Comics features a reproduction of the innovative full-color cover for Tundra Publications TMNT Collection Volume One. It was designed by Ken Mitchroney and Ryan Brown, painted by Michael Dooney. __________________ Great Typo, Unfortunate Truth: "The once gritty, satirical, hard-hitting Turtles became cuddly, fun-loving, pizz-swirling heroes to little kids" <Picture of a dead turtle>

12-23-2012, 08:28 PM	#7
Venom Space Knight Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,635	F***! Seems the folks who bought them up ordered 5, 4, or 3 copies. They'll probably turn up in a few weeks at 5000% markup. :/ __________________

12-25-2012, 01:07 PM	#9
KM3K Random Punk Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Amherst, NY Posts: 47	Aww... I wish I had seen this thread sooner. This is one of the ones I'm missing from my collection too. __________________ My Collection -- Twitter

12-23-2012, 10:11 AM	#3
frank_one Mad Scientist Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Europe Posts: 1,996	What does it contain? It's a reprinting of already (back then) released material or it is new stuff?

12-23-2012, 03:02 PM	#5
Cheesebrush Foot Soldier Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK Posts: 206	I think I should have asked this guy for a commission as they've all sold already! Glad some people managed to get a copy for their collection.

12-23-2012, 11:02 PM	#8
funatic Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 1,226	Cool, I didn't realize this was a rare one. Found it in a quarter bin and almost passed it up! Glad I snagged it now! Though maybe living in Massachusetts (specifically Northampton) gave me an advantage to finding it.

12-29-2012, 07:37 AM	#10
Cheesebrush Foot Soldier Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK Posts: 206	My comic has turned up. Certainly doesn't look like a copy or anything (although not sure why anyone would want to create copies of this). In really good condition too - no folds, creases. It doesn't even feel like the books ever been opened before! There's some very, very light marks on the cover (probably just from where they've been stacked together over the years) and the staples are a bit rusty but that's the only very minor issues I can see - and that's being really picky!

12-29-2012, 08:03 AM	#11
Plasticplayhouse the gray ghost Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North East Posts: 2,194	Man I missed out on this. I own the mark bode original donnie art. If anyone has an extra copy, ill pay up to $15 + shipping. Pm me if you have one. __________________ Want to see more of my custom figures? http://plasticplayhouse.deviantart.com/

12-01-2016, 06:41 AM	#12
Nortock Diab Hench Mutant Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Paris, France Posts: 418	I am so thrilled I was able to grab a copy for a good price! VF-NM condition, this booklet is must-have on my shelves . There was a second copy (closer to a VF) that I picked up too. Best addition to my collection in a long time . __________________ Fan Comic: Tales of the TMNT Special full PDF Fan Print: Jim Lawson's Guzzi LeMans The Collected Strips Fan Print: Jim Lawson's Secret Garage For sale: Nortock Diab's Comic Shop