IDW Ultimate Collection SDCC Exclusive

[Scanderson]

Originally Posted by rich

Has anyone heard directly from IDW about whether they are going to be making this set unique or not?

Other than the slipcase? I think that is the only difference, other than it includes the black and white convention covers.

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by rich

Has anyone heard directly from IDW about whether they are going to be making this set unique or not?

I have.

I wrote them a letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Stephan Reese. I am a long time collector of the TMNT, and a staunch fan of the new IDW Turtles series. Tom and crew are doing a fantastic job.

Out of all my various TMNT collectables, a cornerstone of my collection has always been my comics. For years I have prided myself on the level of completeness of my Turtles comic collection, which boasts every Turtles release in the history of the brand. Every variant and every edition of every issue; Even "crazy stuff" like the Gobbledygook books, and a copy of Turtlemania Gold (of which, 10 copies were ever printed). I am a tried-and-true TMNT comic completionist.

So it goes without saying that my collection features every issue, cover, printing, and collected edition that IDW has released for the Turtles brand to date. This includes both of the convention exclusives for the currently released Ultimate Edition hard covers. So you can imagine my disappointment when I read today that the SDCC exclusive slipcase release of the Ultimate Editions would contain both of these books which I already own... but I promptly ordered anyway.

With an edition size of 40, a first-party website only ordering system, and SDCC pick-up only, it is pretty clear that the core demographic of this set is the hardcore collector. Because to be frank, the casual fan or the first time buyer is probably going to order the regular editions of the books through a third party site like Amazon for half of MSRP. Like me, the vast majority of these collectors have most likely already purchased two out of the three books in this set (Twice, if you count the regular editions of the books).

The intent of this letter is simply to urge you to make this purchase worthwhile for myself and the 39 others who are going to purchase the set by either making the books different, or by adding something to the package that is truly exclusive. This way we won't feel like we are paying $200 for one new book and a slip cover.

Could you release the set as-is and still sell them all? Of course you could. Because for people like me who are buying this set, the "if you don't like it, don't buy it" argument simply isn't an option. However, without feeling like we are being provided something truly unique for the premium price we are paying, we hardcore collectors who bleed for the brand you are publishing are going to feel incredibly taken advantage of. Is that really something you want to make a practice of doing to some of the most loyal fans the Turtles fandom has?

Sincerely Yours,
Stephan Reese

And received this back:

Stephan - We received your email and certainly can see your point of view. We are going to add a small postcard/print of the slipcase art within this edition to help provide a little bit incremental value.

Thanks.

Jerry.

In the interest of disclosure, this was not the entire response, but it is all the information I was given regarding the set. The email response I got was pretty lengthy, so please don't think they just sent me a 2 sentence response.

[CyberCubed]

Why not post the whole email? Was the rest of it justifying the release?

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Why not post the whole email? Was the rest of it justifying the release?

The rest of it was information not meant for public consumption.

[DonatelloFan]

Okay, so others critisize IDW releasing basically a slip cover for $200, and get nothing. I, and other early on, say it's not worth it, and I practically get our head bit off. Sometimes there's a double standard on here...

And it awesome they decided to up the value in the purchase by adding a small print/postcard of the slipcover art. That should make it all worth it now...

[Scanderson]

Well that is extra cool. Maybe I can Get the insert art signed as well. I thought the letter was well written Stephan. Fortunately, I do not own any versions of the books included in the set, so this is totally worth it to me!

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by DonatelloFan

Okay, so others critisize IDW releasing basically a slip cover for $200, and get nothing. I, and other early on, say it's not worth it, and I practically get our head bit off. Sometimes there's a double standard on here...

Most of the time with you it is the way you say something, not what you say.

Originally Posted by DonatelloFan

And it awesome they decided to up the value in the purchase by adding a small print/postcard of the slipcover art. That should make it all worth it now...

Case in point.

[rich]

Originally Posted by DonatelloFan

Okay, so others critisize IDW releasing basically a slip cover for $200, and get nothing. I, and other early on, say it's not worth it, and I practically get our head bit off. Sometimes there's a double standard on here...

And it awesome they decided to up the value in the purchase by adding a small print/postcard of the slipcover art. That should make it all worth it now...

Where is it that you got your head bitten off? I re-read this entire thread and I didn't seen anything to that effect in response to anything you wrote.

[rich]

Originally Posted by Archon_Turtle

I have.

Thanks Archon. Appreciate the info. I had just seen on the IDW Forums that Bobby had asked you guys to write and I was curious what they said. Although the card / insert isn't much it's kind of cool and shows they do pay attention to the fans. Have fun at the Con.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by rich

Thanks Archon. Appreciate the info. I had just seen on the IDW Forums that Bobby had asked you guys to write and I was curious what they said. Although the card / insert isn't much it's kind of cool and shows they do pay attention to the fans. Have fun at the Con.

Although I've decided against the collection, and do not feel the postcard print significantly increases the perceived value to justify the expense, I feel if the inclusion of a unique drawing by Kevin, Duncan, or a mix of both, would be more valuable to justify the cost.

40 individual, unique pieces of art for each set.

@Scanderson: No, I'm not attending.

[Scanderson]

The sets are selling on EBay for $350 and $400 so far. This is a very limited item and people are going to want it. The original slipcase is cooler than any variant cover you could make. Now with the inclusion of the postcard/art, that is just an added bonus. If you want to individualize it even more, get Kevin to sign/sketch it. If you figure into the $200 purchase price that you will get it signed/sketched, how is this not an awesome exclusive? I am stoked!!!

[rich]

Originally Posted by Scanderson

The sets are selling on EBay for $350 and $400 so far. This is a very limited item and people are going to want it. The original slipcase is cooler than any variant cover you could make. Now with the inclusion of the postcard/art, that is just an added bonus. If you want to individualize it even more, get Kevin to sign/sketch it. If you figure into the $200 purchase price that you will get it signed/sketched, how is this not an awesome exclusive? I am stoked!!!

To each their own on this one...but many completists don't see these as actual variants. It's a unique situation that we, as collectors, haven't really experienced before...it's a limited edition item as a set but the set contents are no different than the individual singles. A slipcase is not a comic and so that doesn't put it in my realm of collecting interests. I think it's cool but, at $200, it won't be gracing my collection.

But isn't that the great part of collecting? If all our collections were identical that wouldn't be any fun. Enjoy it and the Con.

[Scanderson]

I do agree with you. Maybe it is just unique to comic collecting. I am primarily a toy collector of all different makes, and only collect TMNT comics. I am more used to toy collecting, where every minor variant, from color, to packaging, to "just about any slight change" that makes it rarer than another piece creates value. In reality, who cares If the package has a different logo, or if the belt is red vs. Blue, right? But people want it if it is hard to find. I view this as a unique set. Sure, almost all of the contents are the same, but the packaging and postcard are different and rare. Many of the highly sought after collectilbles are only slight variations of the regular versions (variations that do not come close to creating actual increased value of the item, only collectible value). I once owned a Mcfarlane Toys Hockey figure that I sold for $25,000 because it had a #13 painted on the jersey rather than the normal #8. Only 13 were produced. The regular version sells for $10. Obviously, the actual value of painting the #13 did not cost $24,910. I can understand if this doesn't fit into some folks' collections, but there is no question that the collectible value is there with 40 pieces.

[Scanderson]

Wow. 3 more days until I can get the #11 variant cover, the ultimate collection set, the night shadow Leo figure, a sketch by Eastman, watch the TMNT panel, and attend the cast signing after the panel!!! What an awesome week ahead! 5 days of Comic Con!

[SS_Turtle]

Originally Posted by Scanderson

Wow. 3 more days until I can get the #11 variant cover, the ultimate collection set, the night shadow Leo figure, a sketch by Eastman, watch the TMNT panel, and attend the cast signing after the panel!!! What an awesome week ahead! 5 days of Comic Con!

What a great year to attend SDCC and be a TMNT fan! Man I wish I could go hopefully next years show will have a good amount of TMNT events and exclusives!

[Mayhem]

I'm a little disappointed I'll be missing this...

Thursday 5:00-6:00 MTV Geek: Creator Pitch LIVE!— Join MTV Comics executive editor Tom Akel hosts a live pitch competition between three of the top creators in the business. Image co-founder/Top Cow ceo and creator of Witchblade and The Darknesss Marc Silvestri, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and owner/editor/publisher of Heavy Metal, Kevin Eastman and Eisner Award-winning creator of the all-ages hit Mouse Guard, David Petersen! Just three week prior to Comic-Con, creators will each be given the same topic, a topic that's been a hot button issue to the industry from the past year, they draw their inspiration to develop a new comics series. Creators have 10 minutes to present their pitch to the fans, we'll take some questions, and then put it to a vote that's determined by you!

Petersen and Eastman, two of my favourite creators? Should be fun...

[Scanderson]

Picked up my UC set tonight at SDCC. Kevin was cool enough to sign the slipcase, as well as sign & sketch each volume. He also signed the mini-print of the slipcase and my TMNT #11 variant. Great night!

[The Fifth Turtle]

Originally Posted by Scanderson

Picked up my UC set tonight at SDCC. Kevin was cool enough to sign the slipcase, as well as sign & sketch each volume. He also signed the mini-print of the slipcase and my TMNT #11 variant. Great night!

Pictures please

[dripgutz24]

Has anyone done a review on this set?

[SS_Turtle]

Any one have any pics of the small postcard/print that came with the set?