How to tell what printing a TMNT comic is...

[themaxx]

Hello Turtle Maniacs!

I just bought some TMNT comics, the original, Mirage, Eastman & Laird, volume 1 kind.
I'm trying to learn how to tell the difference between printings for issues 1 and 2.

For issue 3 and on, you can tell by the cover, since the art is different.
Also for issue 3 and on, there are at most only 2 printings.

I know issue 1, printing 3, has a note on the inside cover, saying printing 3.

Issue 1, printings 1 through 3 have the same cover, and issue 2, printings 1 and 2 have the same cover.

For issue 1 and 2, how can I tell what printing they are?

Can anyone please help me?
I would so greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you, fellow turtle maniac.

[zkarlette]

Actually for Vol 1 theres even a fourth printing which has a different cover but the other printings 1-3 were oversized (7 3/8'", 10 7/8") the story is 40 pages ,and supposedly the way to check if its a bad copy is to check if the interior pages are white cause the originals are supposed to be yellow newsprint.
Hope this helps :)

[themaxx]

Thanks for the help.

Here is what I know as far as reprints:

1, 5 prints, prints 1-3: same cover, 4: new cover, 5: new cover
2, 3 prints, prints 1-2: same cover, 3: new cover

3-7, 2 prints, different covers
18, 2 prints, different covers
32, 2 prints, different covers
raphael, 2 prints, different covers
michaelangelo, 2 prints, different covers

How do I tell what print a number 1 or 2 is with the same cover?

[zkarlette]

First printing is on May,84
Second printing on June ,84
Third printing on february ,85
Fourth printing on Sep,85

check which date your copy has

[MrPliggins]

the second printings of number 1 and of number 2 both say "second printing" on the inside front cover.

-For #1, the first and second printings' covers are a richer red than the third printing which is a more faded red.

- #1 first printing has an ad for Gobbledygook #1 on the inside back cover while the second printing doesn't.

- beware of counterfeit copies of #1 first printing. I know they exist, though I've never come across one.

[themaxx]

zkarlette:

I bought a number one third print from ebay, and the copyright on the back cover says 1984, but on the inside cover it says third printing february 1985.

I also bought two number two second prints and one number two first print from ebay, and they all have the same copyright date on the back cover if that is what you mean.

Where would I check which date my copies have?

[themaxx]

MrPliggins:

You said: "the second printings of number 1 and of number 2 both say "second printing" on the inside front cover."

Do you know exactly where on the inside front covers I would look to see that?

I bought a couple number two second printings from ebay and I don't see it saying second printing anywhere.

Can you help?

[MrPliggins]

I don't have my issues here right now, but I'm pretty sure it's easy to see and in bold. I remember buying what i thought was a #2 1st printing at a comic book show only to open it up and see "second printing" on the inside. So i'm pretty sure it's there. If it's not there, maybe it's a first printing that you have?

[themaxx]

Everybody! I finally know how! You just look on the inside of the front cover...duh! Now that I've seen it, I know where to look. For number one, it will be on the top left corner saying what print it is. For number two, it will be on the lower left corner saying what print it is. So now we know that if it doesn't say what print it is for issue one or two, then they are first print. Sweet! Thanks to everybody for their help. Cowabunga dudes!

[MrPliggins]

Cool that you found that, but it's not necessarily a first print if it doesn't say anything..it could be a counterfeit.

#2 and 3 you should be good though, I don't think counterfeits exist for those.
There are two versions of the first printing of #3, though. One is regular and one is an "error cover" version where all the colors are messed up on the cover.

[raphaelprime]

i was lookin in comic buyer mag. this evening at bi-lo and it said there were counterfeits of #2 and #3. so not sure, i havent seen a counterfeit TMNT yet, all of em ive seen have been legit, just never been able to buy em to money shortage, lmao...and if it doesnt have a thing in it that says 'so-and-so printing' then its prolly a 3rd printing or later printing, or counterfeit possibly.

[MrPliggins]

Actually every printing should say which printing it is on the inside. There may be counterfeits of #2 and 3 too, but I've never heard of them if there is. I don't see why they would make counterfeits of #2 and 3 when they can make #1, the big bucks issue.