TMNT #1-4 in AMC's show "Comic Book Men"

[rich]

Did anyone see Comic Book Men this past Sunday on AMC? Someone came in looking for a TMNT #1 to start a collection. They only had a 3rd printing in stock. However, they had 1st printings of #2, 3, and 4. I thought their advice to buy #2, 3, and 4 1st printings instead of a #1 3rd printing was actually very sound.

More details on this episode here.

[ImDoneItsOver]

Love that show and AMC is the best channel going today not to mention that $150 for all 3 (2-4) was a heck of a deal Id have gotten it 4 sure!

[rich]

Originally Posted by ImDoneItsOver

Love that show and AMC is the best channel going today not to mention that $150 for all 3 (2-4) was a heck of a deal Id have gotten it 4 sure!

I agree, AMC is awesome. As for the deal the guy got, it was a good deal (but it was hard to tell the exact condition of the books). Looked to be about 8.0+ maybe.

[pannoni1]

Originally Posted by ImDoneItsOver

Love that show and AMC is the best channel going today not to mention that $150 for all 3 (2-4) was a heck of a deal Id have gotten it 4 sure!

One of my first comic purchases included the same #2-#4 (all in the 7.0-8.5 range) for $118, but it also included about twenty other Mirage Vol. 1 issues in addition, including a #1 fourth print and the four Turtles' micros (Raphael was a second print). That $85 for a third print is too much if less than about a 9.4, and few grade that high. I agree that the episode only gets a 5.5 even though its just two votes, since a more reliable price source could be given and the appeal tends to be to a limited demographic, plus you can find answers to good deals much quicker online.

[Master Splinter]

I seen it and thought it was a good deal too. I was hoping when I seen the bumper before the segment that someone would be selling #1 and we could see how much he got but a sale is still good, especially for someone starting out collecting.

-ms

[junkboy]

I saw that one as well. Was going to open a topic here as soon as i watched the episode but forgot about it.

Comic Book Men is really nice. Other than being a fan of Kevin Smith myself, watching all the collector nerds and stuff is really enjoyable. Plus there are really lots of creative humor and well thought jokes in the show. Espacially the ones Bryan Lee Johnson does.

The guy got the TMNT comics indeed with a good deal, but i was not sure about the conditions of the books as well. Tho the bags of the issues looked a bit old and dirty outside, that might be the case.

I also liked the Kryptonite rocks part... the mafia member-like guy with the creepy smile who brought them ( the guy had also tried to sell some Silver Age books with cigarre smoke odor at one of the previous episodes , you now )
And Kevin Smith's reaction when Walter gave him one of the rocks at the studio later.

[rich]

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

I seen it and thought it was a good deal too. I was hoping when I seen the bumper before the segment that someone would be selling #1 and we could see how much he got but a sale is still good, especially for someone starting out collecting.

-ms

I wanted to see the same thing...would have been great to see the price they sold a #1 1st print for.

Most importantly though for collectors and those seeking TMNT #1 1st print, you should note the following interesting item. During the episode there was a written explanation they showed (as they always do) to explain what the collectible is and its importance. It read something to the effect of, "A graded TMNT #1 1st print recently sold for $20+K." I specifically keyed in to the words they used on this (or didn't use in this case). Note they said it was graded but not what grade. Only TMNT #1 in 9.8 grade has ever sold at that price but they never stated or clarified this. So, this information was put out there (in a very public way) and this could have big implications on the price of TMNT #1 1st print in any condition. It may already have impacted the price given that recent sales of TMNT #1 (both 1st and 2nd printings).

Bottom line...a lot of people just saw that a graded TMNT #1 is worth $20+K.

[Redrumh2o]

I love Bryan Johnson...hes so funny. The best episode was when they decided to host birthday parties at the Stash and Bryan came in as a clown. If you have seen the movie Vulgar...it make sit even funnier.

Also last week Ming was left along in the store (Bryan was there but obviously would not help out). Brian O'Halloran came in to pick up something and Ming had him stay and work...a movie clerk having to actually clerk

Great show!

[TheGeekyHusband]

Originally Posted by ImDoneItsOver

Love that show and AMC is the best channel going today not to mention that $150 for all 3 (2-4) was a heck of a deal Id have gotten it 4 sure!

Hey there! I'm the guy that was on the episode. I was very excited about the purchase and the comics were it pretty good shape.
Here's the CGC grading I got on them.

#2 - 9.6
#3 - 8.0
#4 - 7.5



I recently joined the industry as the Director of Marketing for Zenescope Entertainment and felt like starting with this purchase would really kickstart a collection.
Glad to hear it was a good deal.

[MrPliggins]

Originally Posted by rich

I wanted to see the same thing...would have been great to see the price they sold a #1 1st print for.

Most importantly though for collectors and those seeking TMNT #1 1st print, you should note the following interesting item. During the episode there was a written explanation they showed (as they always do) to explain what the collectible is and its importance. It read something to the effect of, "A graded TMNT #1 1st print recently sold for $20+K." I specifically keyed in to the words they used on this (or didn't use in this case). Note they said it was graded but not what grade. Only TMNT #1 in 9.8 grade has ever sold at that price but they never stated or clarified this. So, this information was put out there (in a very public way) and this could have big implications on the price of TMNT #1 1st print in any condition. It may already have impacted the price given that recent sales of TMNT #1 (both 1st and 2nd printings).

Bottom line...a lot of people just saw that a graded TMNT #1 is worth $20+K.

True, but I think at this point most TMNT 1s are in the hands of collectors who know what they have. Still, it is misleading.

I think third printing prices have been increasing lately because first printings are at the unaffordable point for many people, and the prices just keep rising. Even second printings are getting higher. The third printing is the most affordable option which most resembles a first print. Same reason why low grade silver age keys are in high demand: most affordable.

[rich]

Originally Posted by MrPliggins

True, but I think at this point most TMNT 1s are in the hands of collectors who know what they have. Still, it is misleading.

I think third printing prices have been increasing lately because first printings are at the unaffordable point for many people, and the prices just keep rising. Even second printings are getting higher. The third printing is the most affordable option which most resembles a first print. Same reason why low grade silver age keys are in high demand: most affordable.

I can definitely say that #1 1st print price is on the rise. I just recently had someone offer me $2,700 for my TMNT #1 CGC 8.0 White Pages (which I didn't accept by the way). Just 2 years ago I could get maybe $1,200 for it. Good time to be an owner...bad time to be a buyer.

[MrPliggins]

Wow, I just got my CGC 8.5 for significantly less than that. These prices are getting out of hand!

[rich]

Originally Posted by MrPliggins

Wow, I just got my CGC 8.5 for significantly less than that. These prices are getting out of hand!

+1...and even on the 2nd and 3rd printings.

[HotJuicyBurgers]

Originally Posted by TheGeekyHusband

Hey there! I'm the guy that was on the episode. I was very excited about the purchase and the comics were it pretty good shape.
Here's the CGC grading I got on them.

#2 - 9.6
#3 - 8.0
#4 - 7.5



I recently joined the industry as the Director of Marketing for Zenescope Entertainment and felt like starting with this purchase would really kickstart a collection.
Glad to hear it was a good deal.

Glad to have you on the forums! Nice on the 9.6 btw.

And it is a nice start to collection! Hope you pick up plenty more issues lol