Drake Dragoon

On 3/2/2022 at 7:18 PM, oakman29 said:

I haven't checked your completed list. Is this one in it?

This bundle is from the KES website (sold out) which he also included a copy of the 35th Anniversary Director's Cut Raphael (comics and Ponies) inside. The Director's Cut variant isn't included in a sealed box.

If anyone needs the Director's Cut, there is only 1 left on eBay for $65 right now (unsigned). I got mine already.

On 3/2/2022 at 7:55 PM, Turtle said:

I'm thinking the Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls doesn't fit the bill for me.  What do you think?

I keep forgetting to add this to my list   Thanks!

And EEK I didn't know there were that many more Do You Pooh? variants!

The list grows and grows! (no that's-what-she-said jokes allowed!)

Also, the Do You Pooh? Raphael variants should be added to the Micro-Series Homage list I posted above, if anyone else collects those.

On 3/2/2022 at 8:02 AM, sorrenmj said:

Awesome list thanks for sharing this 

No problem! I went ahead and adjusted the list to add the changes mentioned by 'Turtle', and I added a few changes I forgot about.

*Some IDW issues are listed as '#1 Homage - Reprints' because those comics reprint Issue #1 inside, and not just the homage cover. All other IDW issues that do not reprint Issue #1 inside are (mostly) listed in the '#1 Homage Cover - IDW Ongoing' category. Also, the Ultimate Visual History books are not a reprint of Issue #1, but the comic tucked in the back cover is an Issue #1 reprint, but is not listed as a separate comic in this list, and therefore is in the '#1 Homage Cover - Other' category instead.

The grand total Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1 Issue #1 Homage covers = 105 (+2 if you count the 2014 and 2018 Ultimate Visual History as 2 each because the Hard Cover is a homage and the comic reprint tucked in the back cover is a homage as well).

If you know of any homage comics missing from this list, or you see any mistakes I made, please let me know.

On 3/2/2022 at 7:03 AM, jaybuck43 said:

You're reaching.

I thought I might be, but now I see the similarities every time I look at the comic - I can't un-see it. Maybe it's the same brick platform, or the image slant... The main difference is color scheme, the wall behind DD, and the image is 'mirrored'. It would be awesome to get the artists answer - but again, I may just be reaching. 

(On a rooftop with bricks, at a slant, city in the background, battle pose)

I've learned that TMNT may have been influenced by Frank Millers Ronin, but also by Daredevil comics.

In my research I found sites that discuss this Daredevil claim: https://screenrant.com/ninja-turtles-daredevil-same-origin-ooze/

I also found a couple fan comics that feature Daredevil and TMNT. Cool, cool...

But what I also noticed is that this issue of Daredevil (picture 1), which was printed in 1985 (1 year after TMNT #1 which came out in 1984), appears to have a 'homage' cover (or very close) for TMNT #1!

(On a rooftop with bricks, at a slant, city in the background, battle pose)

Am I trying to make a connection that doesn't exist? Or do you see it too? LMK Folks!

On 2/21/2022 at 6:16 AM, lostboys said:

I think 9.8s that have been pressed are more likely to have a color break on the spine. The press made the book look perfect except for that color break so it gets a 9.8.

9.6s that have been pressed can prob have 2 - 3 color breaks.

It's possible this was pressed and then the press reverted.

My 

IMO color breaks should never qualify as 9.8.

LASTLY, concerning the TMT #1 Homage Checklist, the Ultimate Visual History (Japan) does NOT include a reprint of TMNT #1 in the back (Insight Edition) like the 2014 and 2018 US Versions do.

I too agree that Dynamite needs to stop reprinting the TMNT covers - it's too many to collect.

They started doing it with the Raphael covers too, and I'm getting tired of ordering every one that comes out. 

On 2/27/2022 at 7:41 PM, Turtle said:

I think this one is also missing:

I guess technically you're also missing the 2nd and 3rd print of #1.  If the 6th print counts, I suppose those ones do too. 

This one I have listed as Frankies Comics B in the #1 Homage Reprints section.

Also:

The #1 SDCC and SDCC Sketch I agree are barely worthy of the list, if at all.

The Batman/TMNT III cover is close enough that I do believe it belongs on the list.

The Insight Editions I just lumped in with the 2014 and 2018 Ultimate Visual History books, since it comes inside of the back cover.

And indeed I did forget to add the other 2 on the list - Target/Playmates Mini Comic and Color Classics V3 #3.

Great catch and nice work! TY

I visited the Clayton Crain personal website and I noticed that he has several of the same signed comic, but each labeled and priced differently, depending on the signature style:

Infinity Signature, Infinity Murder Signature, Classic Murder Signature, etc... it's actually kind of cool! Basically, it's just different pen colors and an artistic flair to the signing.

Is this a new collectible thing?

SS slabs don't yet notate the signature variants, but I wonder how long until collectors start asking for it?

After all, you pay a standard price for a basic Kevin Eastman signature, and you pay extra for the 'head sketch' doodle he puts on his merchandise at signing events. He advertises his head sketch as a bonus to his signature, which should make it 'more collectible', or worth more imo.

LMK what you think about it. Your  below.

On 2/27/2022 at 3:49 PM, Lightning55 said:

The seller is now going to consider you a risk as a buyer, too picky.  He'll block you, and sell to someone else with lower standards.  That way he doesn't have to worry that anything he sells you won't measure up to scrutiny, and get returned.

One can only hope 

I wouldn't place a box of $20 comics out in the open for the general public to mishandle. Careless shoppers could decrease the value of every comic they flip though.

But if they damage a $1 comic, it's still worth $1 to someone.

I saw a listing on ebay for a "MT" comic book that I wanted.

But I sent an email to the seller expressing my concerns about spine stress if I were to purchase it.

I attached this image that I pulled from the sellers listing: 

On 12/30/2021 at 7:58 PM, Turtle said:

They are very common, but I tend to avoid having Kevin or Peter sign unless they had a direct hand in creating the issue.

Many Guest Era books can be signed by the relevant creator(s) if you keep an eye on Convention appearances.  I’ve seen SS of Zulli, Farley, Martin, Howarth, Bode, and more.  I think the only ones I don’t remember seeing were Heddon/McWeeney and Rick Arthur.

I think having the less common, more relevant creator signature is way cooler than an Eastman sig on a Guest Era book.  My  

I agree!

I absolutely love the Clayton Crain signatures on books with cover art by Clayton Crain (picture 1). Elegant and placed well. Fitting.

But when you add a Kevin Eastman signature to the Crain cover, things start to look out of place (picture 2 - bad image sorry)

I am a huge fan of Kevin Eastman, but the head doodle is a bit much for me and his signatures tend to cover the art - like: right over Shredder in that 2nd image. I do collect Kevin's autograph, when it looks appealing to me.

Ooops I forgot this one:

I didn't include blank homages covers.

On 2/6/2022 at 10:21 AM, Turtle said:

I should also mention this only includes books that CGC can grade.  I might update the list to add bigger books.  There are a few hardcover books and treasury books that can be added to the list as well.

Here is a list I've been compiling of TMNT Issue #1 Cover Homages: (I hope the images are clear enough)

On 2/26/2022 at 5:48 PM, Turtle said:

I'd say leave it as-is @Drake Dragoon.  Honestly, the case looks really good for its age.

Also, I'm the seller.    I'll be sure to pack it carefully.  This one will get the double box treatment for sure. 

Thanks! I'm working on the entire run (Volume 4) in 9.8. But adding the 9.9 really makes it pop! I'm excited  

Does CGC downgrade for smelly comics? 

Solson Publishing made a lot of mistakes when printing the TMNT Martial Arts Training manual series. Here are the ones I own: 'Yellow Turtle' (Manufactured without cyan ink on the cover), 3 variations of Donatello, How to Draw TMNT (Manufactured without yellow ink on the over), and Training manual #1 with staggered colors.

*The slab (How to Draw TMNT) was graded before the 'error' was identified. All newer submissions got a qualified label.

I haven't gone to a comic con since they required vaccine cards. Hopefully the next one in my area will be mask free and busy. 

Good haul =P

On 2/26/2022 at 2:38 PM, MAR1979 said:

I too would not take a chance. The risk on a 9.9 is far too realistic as bottom line obsessed Blackstone does not believe in QC

Meguiars PlastX along with a soft cloth (as shown in pic) and some arm effort will remove many light to near medium scratches and light to medium scuffs.

 

 

 

 

Thanks! I'll give that stuff a try!

On 2/26/2022 at 2:37 PM, Poekaymon said:

Oddly enough, unlike the US website which states that the grade may change due to post-encapsulation damage, the UK one states unequivocally that it "will not change."  https://www.cgccomics.uk/submit/services-fees/cgc/    So if you submit a high value book, say that 9.9 Hulk 181, make sure you do it from the UK portal. 

 I would have never known! If I decide to risk it someday, I will certainly try that!

I recently bought a CGC 9.4 comic that happens to be the rarest TMNT volume 1 CGC 9.8 to get (V1 #16 1988, only 2 on census). But I read the graders notes and it said the same thing (light bends on cover), so I snagged it up.

The comic arrived, and sure enough it just has those ripples from the heavy ink (?) at the manufacturer that can easily be pressed out.

I haven't sent it in yet, but I remain hopeful that it will get bumped to a 9.8 so I can do a happy dance all night long! 

I hope your comic arrives in the same manner, and we can both be winners! 

But ya, it does sound like it could a CPR candidate, as long as the grader didn't leave out spine ticks and blunted corners.

GL