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The Death and Return of Superman Multiple Printing Saga

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Brandon Shepherd

9,065 views

My journey into this wonderful hobby began in early 1994, when I found The Death of Superman graphic novel at Kroger, I was 11 years old then. The graphic novel collected the seven issue storyline "Doomsday!", the comic book colors inside hooked me. I had heard of this “event” but I was so late to the party that it was over. The Death and Return of Superman story arc was a trilogy of storylines; "Doomsday!", "Funeral for a Friend" and "Reign of the Supermen!", all ancient history by '94. After I got The Death of Superman graphic novel I searched out issues for  "Funeral for a Friend" and "Reign of the Superman!," not an easy task for a kid with no job (or allowance 'cause I never did chores), who's only transportation were his parents or the school bus. I was able to catch up thanks to few Toys-R-Us trips, where late comers like myself were able to pick up various two packs and packaged sets of comics, with a lot of Superman books. I found most of the issues I needed for "Funeral for a Friend" this way. As I got more into collecting I decided I wanted to have the individual "Doomsday!" issues, even thou I had them nicely collected in TPB form, after another Toy R Us trip, I got all those issues from a box set. 

As I started accumulating price guides, poly bags and backing boards a monster began to gestate, who became concerned about condition and value. I then discovered there were actually multiple printings for many of these issues, and the first printings were more valuable! Each printing after the first edition was notated by a roman numeral, next to the issue number and price on the top left corner of each cover. The cover art remained the same with each subsequent printing but the title logo color scheme changed for each issue’s printing. After realizing this the 2nd, 3rd and so on printings I had were tarnished in my eye. All of my "Doomsday!" issues were later printings, and not worth the paper they were printed on, and most of my 'Funeral' issues were the same. As the years went on, and the prices went down, I replaced many of my later printings with first prints, recycling the paper rags I had before.

Then CGC came along....

Around 2007 I decided to start CGC Registry set for this storyline, all 9.8, first prints only, yet by the early 2010's I re-discovered the later printings, becoming enticed by the thrill and challenge of trying to find these books in high grade. I love how unexpected all of this was, I know I never thought the later printings would ever be collectible, and I think it's safe to say I wasn't the only one. 

Here are my CGC examples thus far, keeping the thrill of the hunt alive. 

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P1030409.JPG.872fb359df5e6eeea5d880a936a7f075.JPGP1020757.thumb.JPG.fa7f2bae29b0a9e763ae7c56d8b02c9c.JPGP1020874.thumb.JPG.337713689286f4f76c4d2754d349605a.JPGP1020765.JPG.d926746ed929cdd0ef00850363128b89.JPGP1020888.thumb.JPG.a4fcae7204f69e3dde7d964a98d69406.JPGP1030162.JPG.31ac03c66d05332695e0b132f7267992.JPG3113596_Full_Obv.jpg.aa8300da5ada51c2472d25de91587a3e.jpgP1020752.thumb.JPG.bde6081299e08e37ec85c836482c5a83.JPG

2837059_DetailsThumb_Obv.thumb.jpg.7c9877580d6d8018078eba5ee5b1744c.jpg2837058_Full_Obv.jpg.4c5b02460606abb4ef3702f4bbc79cfe.jpg

Updated 11/01/2019

Some of my childhood books also survived, thankfully. 

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3 minutes ago, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

I was shocked as well. I know the person who ended up with the 4th. Which all he plans on doing is trying to relist and flip for a higher price. :facepalm:

I bid early on but once it passed $100 I dropped out altogether. 

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14 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

I bid early on but once it passed $100 I dropped out altogether. 

I too bid early , but like you dropped out as I have about 10 of these and pretty sure at least 1 or 2 may hit that 9.8, but just a minute or two after the sale I get a text from one of my local friends.. doh! 

20190905_204632.jpg

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14 hours ago, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

I was shocked as well. I know the person who ended up with the 4th. Which all he plans on doing is trying to relist and flip for a higher price. :facepalm:

I'm the one that picked up the 3rd printing... I was hoping to get it cheaper but have realized that it's the second highest bidder that sets the price.  That's all good and well if it's another collector but is a bummer if it's someone just looking to flip it.  rantrant  Having said that, that seems to be the really high end for the 4th printing so I don't see a big profit in flipping that one now.

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16 minutes ago, Iconic1s said:

I'm the one that picked up the 3rd printing... I was hoping to get it cheaper but have realized that it's the second highest bidder that sets the price.  That's all good and well if it's another collector but is a bummer if it's someone just looking to flip it.  rantrant  Having said that, that seems to be the really high end for the 4th printing so I don't see a big profit in flipping that one now.

Welcome to the Superman #74 CGG 9.8 Third Printing Club!

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1 hour ago, Iconic1s said:

I'm the one that picked up the 3rd printing... I was hoping to get it cheaper but have realized that it's the second highest bidder that sets the price.  That's all good and well if it's another collector but is a bummer if it's someone just looking to flip it.  rantrant  Having said that, that seems to be the really high end for the 4th printing so I don't see a big profit in flipping that one now.

I completely agree. When he text me that he bid and won the 4th, I was just shaking my head. I know that I really do not care for the flip, especially when there are so many of us that would really love to have these books in our collections. Having someone who doesn't know what they are looking at just blindly drive the price up...Well i just feel a little bit of my soul die each time.. Congrats on the 74 third print! At least one ended up where it should!

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1 hour ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

To the flipper. 

I am sure in the next week once he receives it you will see it back on Ebay. His seller ID:  rolay_6603  I know I will be watching,  but just this sale it will be too much for me.

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On 9/6/2019 at 1:17 PM, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

I am sure in the next week once he receives it you will see it back on Ebay. His seller ID:  rolay_6603  I know I will be watching,  but just this sale it will be too much for me.

Oh jeeze

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Edited by Brandon Shepherd
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(shrug):ohnoez::makepoint:doh!:pullhair:

So many emotions.  I am sure he would take less considering what he just paid for it, still way too much for me. Sure someone will want it , but that much?:facepalm: best of luck to him. That would only make me send some of my copies in for grading. Although I would still keep at least one for my own personal collection. :cloud9:

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3 minutes ago, onlyweaknesskryptonite said:

(shrug):ohnoez::makepoint:doh!:pullhair:

So many emotions.  I am sure he would take less considering what he just paid for it, still way too much for me. Sure someone will want it , but that much?:facepalm: best of luck to him. That would only make me send some of my copies in for grading. Although I would still keep at least one for my own personal collection. :cloud9:

In a perfect world, you would get at least three 9.8 copies back, then you would message your friends B Shep and Iconic1s where business would be conducted. :jokealert:

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53 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

In a perfect world, you would get at least three 9.8 copies back, then you would message your friends B Shep and Iconic1s where business would be conducted. :jokealert:

Not a joke at all. I would love if 3 came back at 9.8 , and if so I would definitely be stopping by here first . Much rather a collector gets these books that I have kept and treasured for so long. 

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I think he’ll end up taking a loss on this one. The last one I saw sell (prior to the $262.96) went for $225.00, unless I missed something. 

I’m sure you all just got the offer for $420.00 like I did. I might offer $100.00 :headbang:

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1 hour ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

I guess I better get this S.O.B. a backing board!

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Nice raw copy... I'll take it! :roflmao:

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I was out running errands today so I decided to stop in at one of my local comic shops. I didn’t expect to find anything.

Yet I did, The Death of Superman trade paperback, second printing. 

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This book is minty fresh and I’m pleased to have it. So pleased in fact that I put it in Mylar!

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I know, it’s a bit much.

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12 minutes ago, Brandon Shepherd said:

I was out running errands today so I decided to stop in at one of my local comic shops. I didn’t expect to find anything.

Yet I did, The Death of Superman trade paperback, second printing. 

This book is minty fresh and I’m pleased to have it. So pleased in fact that I put it in Mylar!

I know, it’s a bit much.

I too have picked up several of these and enjoy them.  Although this is another one of those rabbit holes.. I think they are up to 19 or 10 prints! 

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